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07/21/2007: "Naga truce talks on July 30-31 Chennai Online"
Naga truce talks on July 30-31 Chennai Online
New Delhi, July 20: The NSCN IM and the government today deferred a decision on extending the 10 year-old truce in Nagaland till July 30 31, when their next round of talks will be held in the northeastern state.
Senior NSCN-IM leaders, however, described as "positive" their discussions with the government here today amid indications that the rebel group had hardened its stand on key demands. The ceasefire in Nagaland expires on July 31, and the issue of extending it will be taken up in the next round of talks to be held on July 30-31 in Nagaland, they said.
"The discussions were held in a very positive manner. The atmosphere was cordial. There was marked mutual respect for each other's position," top NSCN-IM leader V S Atem, who attended the meeting, said. NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah represented the rebels while Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and the interlocutor for Naga talks, K Padmanabhaiah, represented the government in the talks. Home Secretary Madhukar was also present.
"The decision on extending the ceasefire is likely to be taken in the next round of talks to be held in Nagaland on July 30-31," NSCN IM spokesman Tongmeth Wangnao Konyak 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. Sources said the government had "in principle" accepted certain proposals given by the NSCN IM, including the setting up of a "consultative mechanism" to speed up the peace process. Today's meeting, which lasted about 90 minutes, also discussed the group's demand for unifying Naga-inhabitated areas and bitter clashes between rival NSCN factions.
The NSCN IM had earlier 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-inhabitated areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
However, these states have rejected the demand. The Central government too has not made any commitment on the issue so far. At a meeting in Bangkok last year, both sides agreed on a broad framework to define a relationship that could end the Naga insurgency.
The operative part of the framework proposes that the two sides jointly analyse the Constitution to decide which parts of it will apply, not apply or apply with modification to Nagas, sources said. The truce in Nagaland has been extended every 12 months since 1997, except in 2005 when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the rebels and further extended by another six months in February 2006. It was extended by a year on July 31, 2006 after hectic parleys between government representatives and NSCN-IM in Bangkok. (Agencies)
`Positive outcome` in talks with GoI, says NSCN
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Jul 20: Representatives of the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, NSCN (IM), met today at New Delhi between 5:30 to 7:00 pm today.
According to a release issued by the NSCN, both the parties discussed the ceasefire issue and the proposals of the NSCN with `positive outcome`.
To speed up the process of the talk, a proposal to form consultative committee has been agreed upon and is under process, said the release.
`The positive outcome of the talk is the acceptance of most of the NSCN`s proposal presented earlier`, the release said but did not give details.
It may be mentioned, the 10-year old ceasefire between the government of India and the NSCN(IM) is due to expire on July 31, 2007.
Apart from the extension of the ceasefire, the talks today were expected to centre on the NSCN(IM)`s demand for unification of Naga-inhabited areas in the north east, and issues relating to clashes between the Naga factions, as well as ways to carry forward the peace process in the North east states.
The next round of talks will take place at `Nagalim` on July 30 to 31, 2007, according to the release, issued by the ministry of information and publicity, GPRN.
The government of India was represented in the talks today by government interlocutor, Padmanabhaiah, Union minister Oscar Fernandes, home secretary Madhubar Gupta, special secretary (Internal Security, Home), joint secretary, North-East In-charge Naresh Verma and Deputy Director, IB.
From the NSCN side, the talks were attended by NSCN(IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th. Muivah along with five other members.
Consultative Committee to speed up peace talks The Moring Express
Dimapur, July 20 (MExN): The NSCN (IM)-GOI talks which is being in New Delhi, proposed to form a ‘consultative committee’ and has been agreed upon. It is being processed to speed up the peace process. An MIP press release from the NSCN (IM) informed that both the GOI and the NSCN (IM) met this evening at around 5 and discussed the cease fire issue and the proposals of the NSCN with positive outcome. “To speed up the process of the talk proposal to form consultative committee is agreed upon and is under process.” “The positive outcome of the talk is the acceptance of most of the NSCN’s proposal presented earlier” informed the release.
Meanwhile, speaking to the Reuters news agency, Kilonser Tongmeth Wangnao Konyak said “Apart from extension of ceasefire we want a firm commitment from the government of India on our demands during this round of talks.” On the question of integration, the key demand of the NSCN (M), the Reuters quoted Konyak as asserting “We will not compromise on our demand for a single Naga homeland. There can’t be any solution without it.”
Security analysts say peace with the Nagas is crucial to a broader peace in the northeast, reported Reuters.
CPI blames Nagaland for dispute A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, July 20: The CPI has blamed Nagaland for the flare-up along the Assam-Nagaland border.
CPI’s national executive committee member Promode Gogoi told the media today that “quest for Greater Nagalim” was the trigger for the recent attempt by the Nagas to occupy vast swathes of fertile land in Assam villages.
“The Nagas have been making incursions into these areas. Eighty per cent of Assam’s oil fields are located in this belt. Besides, rich forest cover and tea gardens make this stretch a treasure land for them,” he added.
Two persons were killed and several houses torched by a Naga mob during its raid on several villages in Geleki area of Sivasagar district.
“Lack of development in the border areas has forced most of the villagers to leave for greener pastures and the Nagas are taking the fullest advantage of the situation,” he said.
Encroachers from Nagaland have occupied 80 per cent of land in Desoi, Desoi Valley and Tiru Hills reserve forests.
“There is no harm if they want to settle in Assam but their attempt to forcefully occupy lands of a neighbouring state has to be condemned,” he said.
Dialogue without ultimatum NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph
New Delhi, July 20: Political posturing aside, there was no ultimatum served by either side on the first day of the talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah).
The ceasefire agreement signed in 1997 is likely to be extended beyond July 31, taking the talks into the 11th year of negotiation. The issue of a separate constitution, as demanded by the outfit, came up for discussion today, sources said.
Union minister Oscar Fernandez, who heads the three-member group of ministers on Naga talks, made a speech, while NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah made remarks on the outfit’s behalf, sources said. K. Padmanabhaiah is the Centre’s interlocutor while V.S. Atem attended as the outfit’s special emissary. Senior NSCN (I-M) leader A.K. Lungalang also participated in the talks.
Swu, however, left after the invocation prayer that heralds the proceedings.
One of the major fears in Nagaland months before the Assembly polls was of breakdown in talks and return to violence. That possibility has been discounted by the Centre but the NSCN (I-M), though positive about today’s discussion, did not commit that the ceasefire would be extended after tomorrow’s meeting. The rebel leaders will return to Nagaland on Monday.
Meanwhile, NGOs from Nagaland yesterday made a joint declaration stating 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.”
They stressed on a “decisive solution” for the conflict that would demonstrate the vibrancy of Indian democracy in negotiating with multiplicities.
Last but not the least, the NGOs emphasised on a solution outside the existing framework of the Indian Constitution.
Representatives of the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers Association and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights said yesterday that there was “uneventful progress” in the ten-year negotiation.
Statehood call at Naga door - Demand for new state while NSCN-IM talks peace H. CHISHI The Telegraph
Kohima, July 20: While the NSCN (I-M) leadership held discussions with the Centre today to bargain for “Nagalim”, another statehood campaign was gathering steam in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
The demand for a separate state, comprising the three districts of Mon, Tuensang and Longleng, and Kiphire subdivision in Nagaland, and the districts of Tirap and Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh, surfaced in the eastern parts of the Northeast.
The Naga outfit has been harping on the integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas under a single administrative unit to push forward the ongoing peace process with Delhi.
But showing how divided the house of the Nagas is, the three districts and subdivision in Nagaland — with a total population of some 10 lakh — have raised their own cry for statehood.
The main reason why they have sought a separate state within the Indian Union is because they feel short-changed; complaining that the Nagaland government is indifferent towards them, they feel they have been deprived of many welfare programmes.
Confirming the move, leaders of the newly-floated Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation said they have mooted the proposal for a separate state with these areas in Nagaland and Changlang and Tirap in Arunachal Pradesh within the Indian Union.
Organisation president Pohwang Konyak said over telephone from Mon that the proposal was aimed at ensuring uplift of the backward Naga tribes.
Organisation secretary Lemba Chang also admitted that such a proposal was being circulated among its members, which comprises several Naga tribes: Konyak, Chang, Sangtam, Phom, Yimchungur and Khiaminungan.
“We’re discussing the issue, but till now we haven’t submitted any memorandum to this effect to the Centre or the state government,” Konyak said.
He said the organisation was also considering the option of seeking Union Territory status, but this would depend on the collective opinion of the people.
Asked why they wanted a separate state, Konyak complained that residents of these districts have not only been denied access to many welfare programmes, but have also lost out in terms of employment opportunities in government departments. “We’re all Nagas and should be treated equally,” he asserted.
The organisation, however, clarified that the Neiphiu Rio government was indeed taking steps to accelerate development in the four districts. “We have no objections as far as progress on the development front is concerned,” the organisation’s president said.
A signature campaign in support of the statehood demand has already begun in some localities of these districts.
The campaign is also planning a declaration endorsing and authorising the tribal organisations to negotiate with the Centre over this demand.
The demand for a new state, comprising parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, is significant, given the fact that the Naga peace process has entered a crucial phase.
NSCN (IM) cautions- Warning to New Delhi to keep aside Jamir from Indo-Naga Talks. Nagaland Post
In the heat of the political atmosphere in New Delhi where things are doing round about the likely induction of the Goa Governor S.C Jamir as a Cabinet Minister to eventually facilitate his role in the scheme of things, vis-à-vis the Indo-Naga peace talk, the absurdity of such political wisdom on the part of the Indian Government will cause uproarious drama and rejection. Having exposed himself as the most outspoken political personality with venomous anti-Naga sting by way of authoring the most controversial booklet entitle "Bedrock of Naga Society" where he twisted and distorted every piece of historical facts to demean and to denigrate the undeniable existence of the political underground force under NSCN leadership, the chance of Jamir getting such unwarranted status as "Negotiator or Mediator", is extremely remote.
Jamir's political extremism with his antiquated approach to the long pending Naga issue is now like a gospel revelation to the Nagas. To the Nagas, his booklet is like an act of treason and nothing else a political crime Naga history will record. A person behind the infamous 16 Point Agreement who goes to the extent of disagreeing with the then Indian Prime Minister Nehru who wanted to invalidate the agreement by signing a new sorts of agreement with the very people who matters. He is also the very person who make his stand very clear in one 'All Chief Minister' in New Delhi where he openly hinted that under no circumstances Indian Army units should be reduce or withdrawn from Nagaland, indicating that military solution should be applied in tackling Naga issue. Notably, he is favoring the very counter revolutionary forces like Khaplang group, NNC/FGN who are paid and armed by Indian intelligence agencies, to be given place in the political dialogue but ridiculously rejected by NSCN.
Sensing something of NSCN's concept of 'Sovereignty' Jamir pushed himself into limelight again by harping on the subject by desperately trying to teach his vocabulary interpretation of 'Sovereignty' and at the same time exploiting the name of Aos and Tangkhuls as his political playthings. This is a narrow game of his politics he loves to indulge to bring division among the Nagas on tribal line. Nobody in Nagalim can gainsay that Jamir's rhetoric attack against the NSCN is guided by his anti Tangkhul stance.
In the light of the not so colorful politician that Jamir is, in the context of the 63 years of Naga political struggle, New Delhi should do well not to bring further insult to the Nagas by bringing such controversial face whose concern for the Naga's cause is only symbolic, most often than not exploited for his political survival. The universal practice of appointing a mediator in any historically important political talk is a person with outstanding political credibility and impartiality. Unfortunately, Jamir failed to fit himself into the scheme of things.
Ministry of Information & Publicity
GPRN NSCN-IM
Naga rebels hold talks on truce extension Biswajyoti Das, Reuters Hindustan Times
Guwahati: A powerful separatist rebel group involved in a 60-year-old insurgency in India's northeastern Nagaland state began talks on Friday with senior government officials to extend a ceasefire agreement. A seven-member delegation of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) (NSCN-IM) and a group of Indian officials in New Delhi met to discuss prolonging the ceasefire due to expire on July 31.
"Apart from extension of ceasefire we want a firm commitment from the government of India on our demands during this round of talks," Tongmeth Wangnao Konyak, spokesman of the Naga rebels, group told Reuters by phone. The NSCN-IM agreed to a ceasefire in August 1997 and launched a peace process to bring an end to the country's longest-running insurgency, which has killed about 20,000 people since 1947. The rebel group has participated in several rounds of talks with Indian officials since the start of the ceasefire.
"Yes talks started this evening in New Delhi and it will continue till tomorrow," Rh. Raising, a senior Naga rebel leader, told Reuters by phone from Nagaland.
But talks between the two sides have not made progress over the rebels' main demand of unification and eventual independence of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India, which is being opposed by other ethnic groups in the region.
"We will not compromise on our demand for a single Naga homeland. There can't be any solution without it," Konyak said. Nagaland is a mainly Christian state of two million people on India's far eastern border with Myanmar. The NSCN -- which split into two factions in the late 1980s -- has been fighting for the freedom of millions of Naga tribespeople living in northeast India and neighbouring Myanmar since 1947. Security analysts say peace with the Nagas is crucial to a broader peace in the northeast -- seven states connected to the rest of India by a thin strip of land and home to dozens of insurgent groups.
Border issue brings Naga tribes closer Limalenden Longkumer
Mokokchung WITH GREAT expectations for ushering in positive socio-economic transformation, representatives of eight Naga tribes, which included leaders of the apex organizations of the Konyak, Phom, Chang, Yimchunger, Khiamniungan, Sangtam, Sumi and Ao tribes, today held a joint meeting at Longkumer Kilem, Mokokchung. The main objective of the meeting was to evaluate the current issues pertaining to Assam-Nagaland border and its inter-related consequences.
The joint meeting was convened by the Ao Senden with the expectation that the outcome of such a meeting as this should have far-reaching positive impact on the socio-economic transformation and develop sound neighbourhood relationship with Assam maintaining traditional co-existence in peace. Representatives of each of the participating Naga communities in the meeting shared their views and opinions pertaining to the various issues and problems being faced by the Naga society today, ranging from the Assam-Nagaland border dispute and the economic blockades imposed upon the Nagas by the various Assam-based organizations, to the unabated influx of illegal migrants into Nagaland state. The august house deliberated on promulgating possible ways and means to face the challenges of the day with the active participation of all Naga communities in general and ‘northern block’ in particular.
The house at one stage even deliberated on forming a strong social organization or a forum comprising of the member-tribes present. After deliberating on the various agenda polled, the house unanimously resolved to adopt a resolution to be passed. Accordingly, a resolution committee was nominated by the house comprising of a representative each from the member communities present with Prof. Lanunungsang as the Convener. The resolution committee brought to the floor an eight-point resolution which was unanimously accepted and adopted by the house.
Earlier on, the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung Abhishek Singh, who was also present, delivered the key note address for the meeting. It was resolved to keep on record its appreciation to the Ao Senden for convening the meeting, bringing eight Naga communities to enable to discuss various burning issues in time as this.
Considering the on-going disturbances in Assam-Nagaland border, it was resolved to appeal to the State Government of Nagaland to deploy adequate Nagaland Police Force to safeguard the Nagas and their territory with immediate effect to the following vulnerable places: Mon District - Namtai, Yanpan, Naginimora and Tizit and others, Longleng District- Latigarh, Loshei, and Yonglok and others, Wokha District - Bhandari and Merapani and others, Mokokchung District - Anaki ‘C’, Yajang, Aosungkum and others.
In order to safeguard against constant economic blockade in the border areas and to encourage intra-district trade and business activities, the meeting resolved to appeal to the State Government of Nagaland to complete all road connectivity making usable roads connecting all district headquarters and sub-divisional administrative headquarters in the state.
The meeting further impressed upon the State Government of Nagaland to complete the entire foot-hill roads avoiding Assam State at the earliest without further delay. It resolved to appeal to the Government of India and the state Governments of Nagaland and Assam to settle the on-going Assam-Nagaland border issue maintaining traditional boundaries with the Ahoms, and to continue to maintain peace and harmony in the areas. On this matter, the meeting endorsed its appreciation on the steps taken by AASU and NSF.
The meeting earnestly urged upon the State Government of Nagaland to make all the proposed international trade centers such as Pangsha in Tuensang district, Longwa in Mon district and Mimi in Phek district of Nagaland, creating road connectivity of international standard and other required infrastructural facilities.
The meeting felt that there is a need to meet and interact between all the affected districts of other Naga communities from time to time, aiming at rapid socio-economic development and promotion of peace in the region. For this matter, the Ao Senden is entrusted to convene meetings as and when required.
Naga Hoho asserts NO separate ‘statehood’ Affirms strong resistance to any further division Morung Express News
Dimapur Shocked by reports that ‘some districts’ in Nagaland have reportedly ‘merged’ to carve out a separate ‘state,’ the Naga Hoho has strongly declared that it would resist any force that attempts to cause further division. The Naga Hoho is expected to meet very soon to discuss the latest development.
An emergency meeting of the Naga Hoho was held today at Kohima to deliberate on various relevant issues, including the ‘statehood’ reports. Unless the issue is addressed with political correctness, such a sensitive matter would have far-reaching consequences then ever, said Naga Hoho vice president Keviletuo Kiewhuo. More so at this juncture when the peace process is on, it would be a problem, he said. Kiewhuo also felt that the matter could be a “breakup” of a much larger issue. He however did not elaborate.
ENPO clarifies on ‘statehood’ demand
The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has clarified that it is unaware of any demand for statehood from the Government of India as reported. It however, observed that “such reports would only encourage the ENPO for the same.” A statement from ENPO president Pohwang Konyak expressed surprise at the reports as no representation of any kind was submitted to the Government of India. The ENPO wondered whether this has been done “by our own fellow Nagas or the Government of India to create misunderstanding and disturbances.”
It stated that the ENPO has no such intentions of creating any “disturbances” among its fellow Naga brethren, especially at this juncture when the GoI-NSCN (IM) talks are on. “The ENPO considers such motives and reports as disruptive and dubious…” it observed and assured to enquire into the matter from all sources including the state and the Center keeping in mind harmony and Naga brotherhood. The ENPO however, stated that such reports would “only encourage the ENPO for the same.” If any such demand or decision is made, then the same would be made public and “not through backdoors,” the ENPO stated and appealed to all for “steady minds and hearts.”
NSCN (I-M) fomenting feud: DHD (N)
Posted by admin on Friday, July 20, 2007
DIPHU, JULY19 [NPN] : The Dima Halam Daogah, Nunisa Faction, DHD (N) has accused the NSCN (I-M) of attempting to ignite another internecine feud between the United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and DHD (N) by “entangling one of the groups” to indulge in “misadventures.”
The two Karbi Anglong separatist groups are currently observing separate ceasefires with both the Centre and Assam Government. Secretary commanding officer, Eastern Command, GR-1, UPDS (N), Khokhu Dimasa in a press release said on July 11 last, a combined force of twenty rebels including six NSCN (I-M) men and six each from UPDS and ‘Black Widows’ DHD (J), swooped down on Mugungadisa village near Misibailum village, Dhansiri, under Diphu Police Station.
The heavily armed rebels took as hostage four villagers namely Dejo Hojai, Sanjay Kemprai, Kohin Maitharphangsa and Denon Nunisa, who were engaged in pruning bamboos near the village, Khohku said.
According to DHD (N), the combined group was led by ‘Maj’ Asang Tangkhul of the NSCN (I-M) and ‘Lt’ Joles while the UPDS group, which was mainly engaged in scouting duty, was led by ‘Lt’ Sarmen Teron and ‘Sgt’ Long Sing Tumung.
The finance secretary of DHD (J) faction Pherbam Dimasa was also with the combined group, DHD (N) said. Three of the abductees who were released returned to their village on July 12. The DHD (N), who also informed police about the development, swung into action and later located the combined NSCN (I-M), UPDS and DHD (J) group on July 14 at a place 15 km from Borlangfar police outpost under Diphu PS, the release added.
On reaching the place, which was inside a deep forest, the DHD (N) sprang a surprise pre-dawn attack on the combined group and the clash lasted for about three hours after which the combined NSCN (I-M) led group retreated, leaving behind the lone captive Denon Nunisa who was ultimately rescued, DHD (N) said.
The release also informed that when the DHD (N) men accompanied by Assam Police and CRPF personnel reached the site of the clash the next day, they recovered a pair of “bloodstained uniforms and one incriminating document,” suggesting that two members from the combine group received “fatal injury.”
DHD (N) further alleged that the UPDS and the DHD (J), a breakaway faction of the DHD, with active support from the NSCN (I-M) were engaged in “target- oriented rebellious missions” in both NC Hills and Karbi Anglong, which has led to heightening of tension in the two hilly districts, adjacent to Nagaland.
Duping Govt, ultimately duping the Asomiyas
If an elected Asomiya representative could do this as minister after having been mandated by the Asomiyas to serve them, there might be several others of his ilk doing similar things at the height of power. But the irony is that time catches up with everyone. Dr Zoii Nath Sarma By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, July 20: Former Asom minister and senior AGP leader Dr Zoii Nath Sarma allegedly duped the Asom Government by misusing his position and power during his stint as Revenue Minister during the Prafulla Kumar Mahanta-led AGP Government from 1996 to 2001. The once-powerful minister got several bighas of Government land allotted to his organizations and institutions adjacent to the Fancy Bazaar Central Jail. He did not even hesitate to sell that allotted Government land again to a Government organization for a huge sum, that too without seeking permission from the Revenue Department. And with this former minister, two organizations — North Eastern Regional Institute of Management (NERIM) whose director happens to be Sarma, and Assam State Co-operative Housing Federation Ltd (HOUSEFED) — are entangled.
Sarma, then Revenue Minister, tried to procure a plot of land at minimum price in the Fancy Bazaar area of the city. And for this he used his educational institute NERIM and the State Government-owned HOUSEFED. The Sentinel received a lot of allegations against this issue, and so it took the help of the Right to Information Act and several legal procedures to unearth the truth. In this sting operation The Sentinel took the help of an MLA who was fully unaware of the move. And then The Sentinel procured some crucial documents revealing the unfair means of the powerful AGP leader who came to power by chanting the ‘push-back Bangladeshi’ mantra.
As part of the operation, The Sentinel tabled a question on the floor of the Assam Assembly through an MLA as to whether the State Government had allotted Government land to the HOUSEFED in the Fancy Bazaar area of the city. And on March 27 this year, Revenue Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman replied on the floor of the Assembly: “The State Government did not allot any plot of land to the HOUSEFED directly. However, according to the data available with the Kamrup (Metro) district, the Revenue Department allotted (vide order No. RSS 610/96/8 dated September 27, 1996) 2 bighas, 4 kathas and 13 lechas of land under Dag No. 230 in Part 2 of Gauhati Town under Mouza Gauhati to the NERIM. The land records of the authority concerned reveal that after payment of the total premium value of Rs 4,39,500, two kathas and 13 lechas of land were registered in the name of NERIM, and 2 bighas and 2 kathas of land in the name of HOUSEFED under Myadi Patta No. 1107.”
Dr Barman also stated in the Assembly that the NERIM transferred that portion of land to the HOUSEFED by an agreement without any permission from the Revenue Department.
The answers of Dr Barman in the House brought to the fore the hidden truth: the State Government allotted land at Fancy Bazaar to the NERIM which later transferred the major part of that land to the Government agency, HOUSEFED. It may be mentioned here that Dr Sarma earned huge amount of money in the deal.
When The Sentinel contacted the HOUSEFED office in this regard, it said that the HOUSEFED bought 2 bighas and 2 kathas of land (under Dag No. 230, Village/Town Gauhati Part II, Mouza Gauhati) from NERIM in 1997 for Rs 55 lakh by an agreement between the NERIM and the HOUSEFED. The HOUSEFED is constructing a Rs 12.97-crore international trade centre on that plot of land. This seems to prove that Dr Sarma pocketed about Rs 55 lakh by selling the Government land again to the Government, all by unfair means. It is a disgrace that such leaders, at whose call more than 800 Asomiyas sacrificed their lives, were busy in earning money for their families when they were at the helm of affairs at Dispur.
But to whom the State Government allotted this plot of land where the HOUSEFED is now constructing the trade centre? What are the facts available with the Kamrup (Metro) district administration? Do these facts contradict the statement of Dr Bhumidhar Barman of March 27? The Sentinel will reveal all these in its next report.
Is it correct to bracket region as ‘NE’? Sentinel
Every nation in the world has a region to its north-east, but there are a very few nations where cities, towns or villages located in that direction come to be described or called by that name, north-east. India and Sri Lanka are among those countries where the territory located in that particular direction are popularly known or called north-east (that the north-east of both these countries are insurgency ravaged is another matter!)
But, to my mind, there is a serious problem with the bracketing of our region of nearly 40 million people, spread over eight states that cover a vast 2,63,000 square kilometre stretch, into what has come to be called the ‘North-east.’
By bracketing the eight northeastern Indian states, with its diverse tribes, customs and cultures, into what is called the ‘North-east,’ we tend to ignore the distinct identity and sub-national aspirations of the ethnic groups who inhabit this area. More so, such clubbing together of the region, in an attempt to look at it as a single entity, has led to stereotyping of the problems that plague the area. The fact that each state has a different set of location-specific concerns and grievances often get blurred in the scheme of things of policy framers and government leaders who are supposed to address these issues.
It is true that the region has as many as 30 armed insurgent organizations operating and fighting the Indian State to push demands ranging from secession to autonomy and right to self determination. Besides, there are a plethora of ethnic groups clamouring for their rights and distinct identity, making the region one of South Asia’s hottest trouble spots. It is also true that strategic alliances between rebel groups in the region often transcend inter-state and international borders.
For instance, the United Liberation Front of Asom’s (ULFA) earlier links with the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) are well known. The ULFA’s highly potent 28th Battalion, that has a crack bomb squad, operates out of NSCN (Khaplang) bases in Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh. Again, the ULFA’s nexus with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) and the Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) was established beyond doubt with the busting of camps of these three rebel groups in close proximity inside Bhutan during the Bhutanese military assault on the insurgents in December 2003.
Having said this, it must be borne in mind that even these rebel alliances are only for military reasons, for the basic purpose of survival. The only commonality among or between them is that all of them are fighting the Indian State or symbols of the Indian State to push ahead with their respective agenda. But, none of them would agree to fight for the liberation of the ‘North-east’ in general. After all, their main battle is for territorial supremacy over areas they seek to represent. The internecine battle between the Kukis and the Nagas in Manipur in the nineties, aided by insurgent groups representing both communities, is a case in point. Closer home in Asom, the Karbi-Dimasa feud falls in this pattern.
The ULFA could have been an ally of the NSCN-IM at one point of time, and has a strategic tie-up with the NSCN-K now, but the group did not take long to warn the NSCN-IM against setting its eyes on Asom’s territory as part of its (NSCN-IM’s) ‘greater Nagaland’ dream. Again, take the case of the so-called alliance between the various student organizations in the North-east to the extent that there is something called the North East Students Organisation (NESO). But, when there is a major inter-state dispute or feud, these student organizations, quite rightly, sides with the State they represent. The recent attack by Naga raiders in Asom’s Sivasagar district, in which three Asom villagers were killed, is a case in point. Student groups from Asom have launched an ‘economic blockade’ on Nagaland as a mark of protest over the incident. The only silver lining perhaps of the so-called alliance between these student organizations is that they have, of late, started making attempts to defuse such border flare-ups.
Now, it has come to light that the Delhi Police has come up with a ridiculous list of dos and don’ts for people from the North-east, particularly youths, living in the national capital. It is a clear case of region-specific social profiling where it has bracketed the area as a single entity called the ‘North-east’. But, one is aware that the culture of the people of Asom, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh or Sikkim is vastly different from each other. Well, the Delhi Police, or for that matter any mainstreamwallah, might think that people from this region look different and are perhaps more closer to the cultures of those who live in the neighbouring Southeast Asian nations. But, tell us how does an Indian look like? Or, if the North-east Indian culture is not Indian culture, what is it? Perhaps, the Delhi Police has an answer!
