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07/25/2007: "NSCN (IM)-GoI peace talk Mission successful, says Isak Chisi Swu, Kohima to host next round of talk Source: The Sangai Express"

NSCN (IM)-GoI peace talk Mission successful, says Isak Chisi Swu, Kohima to host next round of talk Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23: Claiming that the latest round of talk with the Government of India was a success, the NSCN (IM) today said that Delhi has agreed to hold the next round of talk at Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, to demonstrate its seriousness about the peace parleys.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Publicity of the outfit today said that when the NSCN (IM) delegates suggested that the next round of talk be held at Kohima, the Indian team was caught by surprise.

However the Indian leaders were persuaded to accept the suggestion.

The biggest success achieved in the latest round of talk was the agreement that the Constitution of India would not be imposed on the Nagas and the NSCN too will not insist on their proposed Constitution, added the statement.

Though the talk was declared as successful, its general secretary Th Muivah has warned the people to "Prepare to face any eventuality but in the name of God”.

The NSCN delegates who were in Delhi to talk with the Indian leaders returned to Camp Hebron today, said the statement and added its Chairman held a brief meeting with senior National Workers at the Council's headquarters.

Isak also asked the senior workers to proceed with the 6th Naga Peoples' Consultative Meeting scheduled to be held on July 27 at Hebron.

The outcome of the talk was also briefed to the National workers by both Isak Chisi Swu and Th Muivah.

During the talk with the Indian leaders, Th Muivah charged them of arming the rival Khaplang faction, said the statement and added that this put the Indian team in an awkward situation.

"If you want peace in Nagalim, prove it yourself,” Muivah told the Indian leaders, said the statement.

The General Secretary of the outfit further said that by arming the Khaplang group, the Indian Govt is fomenting trouble in Nagalim by allowing the Khaplang men to kill civilians.

Reverend Shiwoto who was with the NSCN leaders during their stay at Delhi also supported them by praying for the success of the talk, said the statement and added that the closing prayer also exhorted the National workers to prove themselves worthy of the cause they have taken up.
Truce mooted among all Naga underground factions The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, July 24: Ceasefire among all the Naga underground factions was declared throughout Nagaland today in a meeting organised by Gaon Buras (GBs) Federation of Nagaland and Dobashis (DBs) Association of Nagaland and participated by Naga Hoho, Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) and others at Dimapur today.

However, only representatives of the NSCN-IM participated in today's meeting while NSCN-K and NNC/FGN did not attend the meeting.
Reports said that five representatives of the NSCN-IM took part in today's meeting.

The meeting made a declaration that the goal behind this ceasefire declaration among all the "Naga national workers" (Underground groups) is to stop bloodshed and also to stop killing among the Naga national workers and create peaceful atmosphere in the society.

The declaration is to formulate peace without any pre-condition, said the joint declaration of the meeting.
However, the reaction from the NSCN-K and the FGN/NNC is expected by tomorrow.
Blockade leaves scores stranded - AASU demands immediate boundary solution A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


AASU activists block a railway line at Bharalumukh in Guwahati on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, July 24: Hundreds of train passengers were stranded in different parts of Assam today as the All Assam Students Union (AASU) staged a four-hour rail blockade to demand an immediate solution to the inter-state boundary issue, mainly the impasse with Nagaland.
Though important long-distance trains like Rajdhani Express left without any problem in the morning, after the blockade began at 11am, many trains were delayed or stranded with student activists blocking the rail tracks.
Several AASU activists were injured as police resorted to a lathicharge at Sarupathar in Golaghat district to disperse the picketers. Two seriously injured students have been admitted to Golaghat Civil Hospital.
Police also rounded up hundreds of picketers from different parts of the state, but released them latter.
Today’s rail blockade programme was a part of a series of agitations launched by the AASU to pressure the government, both at the Centre and the state, to find a solution to the boundary issue and provide protection to people residing in these areas.
The union alleged that both the governments were indifferent to encroachment of Assam’s land by the neighbouring states.
A railway spokesman said several passenger and goods trains were stranded at different stations during the blockade.
The Down Brahmaputra Mail and the North East Express were delayed at the Guwahati railway station while the Dibrugarh-Amritsar Express was blocked at Simaluguri station in Sivasagar district.
He said AASU picketers blocked railway tracks at Udalguri, Harmoti, Sualkuchi and Patsala in Lower Assam and Duliajan, Lawka, Sarupathar, Farkating and Simaluguri in Upper Assam.
The trains left for their respective destinations after 3 pm.
Nilopher Rahman, the acting general secretary of AASU, said the students would intensify the agitation if the government does not take immediate steps to solve the inter-state and international border problems.
“It was because of the lackadaisical attitude of the Centre and the state government that the border issue has turned volatile in recent times,” Rahman said. Assam and Nagaland have been at loggerheads for several decades with one state blaming the other of encroachment. The two have witnessed several incidents of bloodshed over the issue in the past.
NSCN (IM) appeals to Joint Forum ‘Will still abide by the resolution’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 25 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today asked the Join Forum of Nagaland GBs Federation and DBs Association to take note of the “anti-peace demonstration” by NSCN (K) and FGN on July 25 when the two groups attacked the NSCN (IM) at Phek this morning, and appealed to the Joint Forum to show its credibility as a civil force that stands for peace.
A press release received here from the MIP/NSCN (IM) stated, “Not a day was passed when the Join Forum of the Nagaland GBs Federation and Nagaland DBs Association formally declared ceasefire amongst all Naga National workers/groups when the combined forces of Khaplang group and FGN attack the Town Command office of NSCN at Phek this morning between 4:00 a. to 8:00 am.” The release stated that the NSCN (IM) had no option but to retaliate.
In this regard, the release called upon the Naga public in general and the Join Forum of Nagaland GBs Federation and DBs Association in particular to take note of “this anti-peace demonstration” by NSCN (K) and FGN and see to it that in accordance with the resolution adopted on July 24.
The Joint Forum of Nagaland GB Federation and Nagaland DB Association had on July 24 formally declared a cease fire amongst all Naga National Workers/Groups initially for six months. The Joint Forum had appealed to all groups to strictly adhere to the five point resolutions and restrain from killings each other in all Naga inhabited areas.
In this connection, the release stated, “Something of serious action is necessitated against these groups to show sincerity of its approached to establishing peace and reconciliation in Nagalim” the release stated.
The release made a fervent appeal to the Forum to show its “credibility as a civil force that speaks for peace” and “to win the trust of NSCN who have trusted you by being a part of the ceasefire resolution.”
The release concluded that “the NSCN will still abide by the resolution despite such provocation. Because the NSCN continue to stand by the declaration of reconciliation among the Nagas by its Chairman Isak Chishi Swu”.
In Response of Rev. Dr. Tuisem Shishak Rev. Dr. V.K. Nuh In Focus the Morung Express
I am greatly impressed to read the article written by Tuisem Shishak which appeared in Nagaland Post on 24th July 2007.
I fully endorse his sense of justice dealing with the present Naga National imbroglio. I want to follow his steps sentence by sentence and confess myself, how my own community Chakhesang must have had done wrong and wounded someone. A sad history is not desirable to retrospect or to narrate the ugly situations that took place within last sixty years of conflict. But there is no other way to escape. We have to confess all of our mistakes.
Tuisem Shishak identified all weaknesses of Tangkhul community and it is a reality. In the same manner all other Naga Tribes have to confess our weaknesses. Major General Morgan said “It is not weakness, but strength to admit to the error of history and to exercise the past so as to be able to work for reconciliation in partnership”.
Today, NSCN (I-M) came back home with a hope to settle 60 years of conflict with India for Naga sovereignty. In my opinion Government of India is dividing Naga people, if she does not respect Naga democratic principles.
She is aware of the past history how talks came to a deadlock. Any talk must be multi-tract and bear transparency to the Naga people. It belongs to the Naga people. Therefore any settlement must be honorable and acceptable to the people.
It has come to the knowledge of public that consultation has been on and in for a hectic preparation; the perplexity is will it be open to Naga people what chartered demands has been submitted to the Government of India? Will it be an honorable settlement without taking confidence of NSCN (K) and NNC and above all blessings from the Naga Public? Otherwise it will only be another piece-meal settlement.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “The ultimate question for a responsible person is not how he heroically extricating himself from the affairs of the days. “No” he said is how the coming generation are supposed to live”.
Sixty years of Naga people’s struggle for political freedom has been a people’s movement with political vision. That is why the public have been suffering all along for the same length of time. Each individual who took the risk and have given his/her life for the cause of Naga freedom equally share the same amount of respect and honor; and therefore, the Nagas cannot afford to forget their selfless effort and the price they have paid for us with their precious blood for the coming generations.
But Nagas must remember what Daniel Webster said; “Freedom and prosperity are fragile things. They are not given to all man and they must receive with thanksgiving and protect with vigilance, God grant liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it”.
Do the Naga freedom fighters prepare to accept each other? And willing to stop killing each other? If you can make cease-fire with Indians, what is the difficulty to make Cease-fire with your own brothers and sisters? We cannot dream of our freedom as long as we allow oppressive attitude to take the better part of us. We must find out ways at any cost to succeed and bring our dreams to reality.
We have done many mistakes collectively and individually during a span of over 60 years of our struggle. Let us question ourselves who is free from error, shortcomings or weaknesses. Therefore, we must prepare to extinguish internal fire first. Through all this, Naga National groups must have the courage to admit the past mistakes to bring about National Reconciliation. Let us remember how God is dealing with His people.
“When the people of Israel left Egypt, all the males were already circumcised. However, during the forty years the people spent crossing the desert, none of the baby boys had been circumcised. Also, by the end of that time all the men who were of fighting age when they left Egypt had died because they had disobeyed the Lord, just as he had sworn, they were not allowed to see the rich and fertile land that he had promised their ancestors. The sons of these men had never been circumcised, and it was this new generation that Joshua circumcised. After the circumcision was completed, the whole nation stayed in the camp until the wounds had healed. The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have removed from you the disgrace of being slaves in Egypt”. That is why the place was named Gilgal, the name it still has’.
Nagas make historic peace pact Ceasefire between factions formally declared by joint forum Kuknalim.com

DIMAPUR, July 24:: A path-breaking declaration announcing a ceasefire between Naga armed groups was made in Dimapur today ...even as renewed calls for leaders of the different Naga national organizations to sit across the table was persistently echoed.

The joint forum of Nagaland’s gaonburas and dobashis formally declared the six-month ceasefire – beginning today – between Naga national workers at the deputy commissioner’s office complex, in the presence of Nagaland commissioner T.N. Mannen and chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Board Lt. General (Rtd.) R.V. Kulkarni, besides representatives from civil society and the Church. From among the ‘national workers’, only the NSCN (I-M) was in attendance. Participants in today’s meeting endorsed their full support to the joint forum and affirmed that the people were behind them.

The ceasefire is to be honoured on the basis of 5 resolutions that were passed at Kohima on June 6 when a mammoth gathering comprising of delegates of all 1162 villages and 11 districts of Nagaland expressed utmost concern over fratricidal killings amongst Naga brothers.Having drafted the resolutions, the Joint Forum working committee “had met senior leaders of NSCN (K), NSCN (IM) and FGN”, covering three rounds of talks including one round on November 2006.

“During our interactions with their leaders, our Joint Forum members had made it clear that our ‘Goodwill Mission’ is non-political in nature nor is it inclined toward any faction But we are unitedly interested in establishing an atmosphere of peace among the Nagas.”

Leaders of all groups of Naga national workers accepted in principle the five-point resolution and gave separate written commitments in their own language, according to the joint forum. Putting emphasis on peace as a long cherished desire of all Nagas, the forum stated, “In pursuance of these resolutions we appealed to all groups to strictly adhere by restraining from killings in all Naga inhabited areas.”

THE DECLARATION
In the name of our Almighty God on the day of the Lord today 24th July 2007, the Joint Forum of Nagaland GB Federation and Nagaland DB Association basing on the five (5) points resolution of 6th June 2007, Kohima formally declare ceasefire amongst all Naga National Workers/Groups initially for six (6) months with effect from 24th July 2007.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT The 5 resolutions passed by the joint forum:
1. All acts of violence among national workers are totally condemned. An appeal to shun such acts henceforth is made.
2. An appeal for peaceful co-existence amongst the different factions is made, for which understanding among themselves and conducive atmosphere amongst the different groups is advocated. And further, the joint forum resolved that in the course of carrying out implementation of these resolutions by members, if any faction or group victimizes any member of the forum, the entire GB and DB members from all over the state will unitedly take up the crime for justice from the organization.
3. To create an enabling situation, it is resolved that all factions must agree for a period of six months ceasefire between them with immediate effect and if any faction refuses to abide by this clarion call and appeal from the joint forum, then we shall not cooperate with that particular group or groups. And if any killing takes place during the currency of ceasefire, it will be investigated by a committee consisting of representatives of DBs and GBs and the guilty party will be brought to justice as per the appropriate customary law or such enacted laws as may be deemed fit
4. During the inter-factional ceasefire period, the joint forum will take the initiative to bring the top leaders from all the different groups together into a meeting under the protection of the joint forum members to thrash out their differences and to establish a harmonious atmosphere besides encouraging them to bring about peaceful approach to the Naga issues.
5. The joint forum also resolved that the ongoing ceasefire between NSCN-IM and the Government of India and NSCN-K and Government of India and their respective ground rules to strengthen the mechanism of its enforcement should be fully geared up. The joint forum appeals to the enforcing agency of the ground rules to strengthen the mechanism of its enforcement for effective implementation of the rule. The joint forum extends and appeals for full support of effective implementation.

‘Please, come together’
Every single speaker in today’s meeting had a common agenda. The message of peace. All who spoke during the program announcing the formal declaration of ceasefire between the different Naga groups supported the endeavour of the gaonburas and the dobashis.
But the main suggestion that was made to them was to bring the underground groups with differences to a platform for dialogue. Zhenito, president of the Zunheboto District GB’s Association trumpeted a clear message: “Our children are fighting. Will the fathers remain silent? GB’s are the father of the villagers and DB’s are guardians of the customary laws.” He expressed his contentment over the reality that four months had elapsed since the last factional fighting at Zunheboto. He continually stressed on the need for factions to sit together and chalk out differences.

General Kulkarni asked the forum to take bold steps and exuded confidence by telling them, “You cannot fail. I can promise you that.” Speaking to The Morung Express before the commencement of the programme, he said the step taken by the GB’s and DB’s was welcome and hoped that they would succeed in bringing peace.

Naga Hoho speaker HK Zhimomi and Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization vice president Shilu Sangtam reiterated the need for the factions to come together for discussions, all the while pledging their full support to the joint forum. Zhimomi asked all Nagas to shed their tribal egos as “nobody is above the nation.”

Representative of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Reverend Kari Longchar, said, “We should be impartial. I hope that the ceasefire (between the groups) will be forever.”

Reverend Puni of the NSCN (IM) however said the agreement should extend to all Naga inhabited areas.
Speaking not as additional chief secretary or commissioner, but as the “head” of the GB’s and DB’s, TN Mannen challenged the joint forum to be steadfast in their commitment. “If you do not succeed this time you do not deserve to be GB’s or DB’s.” He encouraged them by saying, “It is a long journey but you have the support of the people.”
He hoped that yesterday’s factional firing at Kohima would be the last instance of such violence after today’s formal declaration.
He asked the Nagas to shift their patriotism from clans or tribes to a people as a whole and called for removal of “hypocrisy in our society.”
(Morung Express News)
NSCN (K) on truce Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
Dimapur July 25 (NPN): The NSCN (K) Wednesday expressed its skepticism about the credibility of the resolutions adopted by the Joint Forum Working Committee (JFWC) of Nagaland GBs Federation and Nagaland DBs Association for ceasefire among the Naga underground factions for restoration of peace.
Senior NSCN (K) leader AZ Jami told Nagaland Post that like any other the NSCN (K) also wanted peace.
He clarified that NSCN (K) did not accept the proposals of the GBs and the DBs as they produced a different draft before it and not the one adopted in Kohima recently.
Charging rival NSCN (I-M) with “always” violating the peaceful environment, Jami said the NSCN (K) would accept the five-point resolutions of the GBs and the DBs only if the NSCN (I-M) “seriously upholds the same”.
To a query, Jami said the NSCN (K) would have attended the function of formal declaration of ceasefire among the factions at Dimapur on July 24 had it received a formal invitation from the JFWC.
He said the invitation through the media was not adequate.
Assam can’t be ‘dustbin’ for migrants: AASU The Morung Express
NEW DELHI, July 25 (Agencies): Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil has reportedly asked for a report on security measures taken to protect the people living along the inter-State border, even as All Assam Students Union (AASU) demanded setting up of detention centres to house the illegal migrants thrown out by the neighbouring States. A delegation of AASU led by adviser, Samujjal Bhattacharya and comprising president and general secretary Sankar Prasad Rai and Tapan Kumar Gogoi, respectively, urged the Centre to order detention of suspected illegal migrants evicted by Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland before being deported from the State. “The problem should be solved as per Assam Accord,” they demanded.
“Assam cannot be dustbin for illegal migrants,” Bhattacharya later told newsmen.
Reacting to their demand, the Union Home Minister observed that there was no bar from the Centre on setting up such ‘detention centres’, if the States so desired. He also agreed with the demand that illegal migrants so detected should be deported, Bhattacharya claimed. In this connection, Patil was reminded of the statement made by Assam Government about disappearance of 48 illegal migrants from its detention. “If the Government does act fast enough then these illegal migrants being pushed into Assam might also melt with the population,” said the AASU leaders.
The meeting today also joined by Joint Secretary (North East), Navin Verma reportedly saw Patil asking his officials to seek a report from both Assam and Nagaland State Governments on measures taken to ensure protection of living near the inter-State borders.
The Union Home Minister, said the AASU leaders, assured them of providing adequate security. He said Assam already has 40 companies of para-military forces apart from Assam Police personnel. The responsibility of deploying them is on the concerned State Governments, he reportedly remarked. The AASU demand was ensuring of protection of life and property of people living in border areas and permanent solution of the boundary problem. Palpable tension prevails in the border areas after July 5 incident at Geleki in Sivasagar district.
AASU further reiterated its demand for special constitutional status for indigenous Assamese people. “The Centre should immediately create the provision to provide a special constitutional status to the people of Assam and North-east with rights over land and natural resources,” – AASU demanded.
The demand for introduction of inner line permit system was also reiterated with dual citizenship system. The demand for Upper House in Assam Assembly was also made.
Transformation of a militant leader : Genesis of militancy Nagarealm.com




Shillong, JULY25 [TST] : A Law student, teacher, author, and finally a rebel leader, Julius Dorphang was considered as a comparatively respected leader among the militant outfit HNLC.

Intelligence sources on Tuesday said that the already surrendered leaders had all high opinion about the manner of functioning of Dorphang. While other two top leaders - Bobby Marwein and Cheristerfield Thangkhiew were hardliners, Dorphang was open for dialogue to end the more than a decade old insurgency. 44-year-old Dorphang had his schooling from St Anthony's High School in 1980. His graduation was from Seng Khasi College. Dorphang also did his first year LLB course, but could not complete.

Dorphang also taught for sometime in a school in Shillong. In 19851, he was elecled as general secretary of the Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF). An elusive Dorphang had guided the HNLC for the last 15 years without getting arrested even once. However, he understood the futility of fighting for a separate homeland and decided to come over ground. His dreams of an independent Khasi land is narrated in his book The life and struggle of U Wickliffe Syiem.

He says in the book that when the British left India, they gave back the Khasi princely states their independence. "The Republic of India, however through the efforts of Sardar Vallabhai Patel forced the Khasi Syiems (Chiefs/ Kings) to sign the Instrument of Accession thereby effectively annexing their territories to the Indian Union. Dorphang's book further says that the Indian Government compelled the Hynniewtrep rulers to sign the Instrument of Accession and the Annexed Agreement. Dorphang observes that "a similar case of silent invasion by the Indian Government also took place in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which had also been fooled into signing the Standstill Agreement with a promise of protection from Pakistani incursion, but during the peak of such an incursion, the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir was forced instead to sign the Instrument of Accession". Police say that it was the realisation that the dream for independence would never materialise that he decided to come overground.

Genesis of militancy : According to the police, there were small militant organisations like United National Liberation Army of Meghalaya (UNLAM) as early as 1987 led by Vincent Sangma and Lovely Kharbudon. Later in early part of 1992, the Hynniewtrep Volunteers Council (HVC) was formed by Chandra Lyngdoh. In the middle of 1992, Hynniewtrep Achik Liberation Council (HALC) was formed by Julius Dorphang, John Kharkrang alias Bipul, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew alias Iaineh Kharkongor.

After the first police encounter against the militant outfit at Dienglieng on October 1992, Bobby Marwein and Cheristerfield Thangkhiew were arrested along with another NSCN(IM) cadre, Moses Kuiwero. During the jailbreak in 1995, Marwein and Thangkhiew managed to escape with the support of Dorphang. The HALC was later renamed to Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) at a meeting held in Bangladesh in December 1995.

Question mark over Khasi outfit’s credibility Nagarealm.com
SHILLONG, JULY25 [TST] : HNLC chairman Julius K Dorphang's surprise decision to "join the mainstream" has been termed not only as a major setback to the banned outfit but also raised questions about its credibility. The Khasi militant outfit at present has only general secretary Cherishterfield Thangkhiew and 'commander-in-chief' Bobby Marwein in the top brass.

The decision of Dorphang to surrender was a long protracted process and it was believed that the State police and security agencies had been keeping contact with him for quite some time. The process was activated in the past one week after a green signal from the HNLC chief for his "high profile" surrender. Dorphang and a handful of Khasi rebellious youths gave birth to the HNLC in 1988 to wage a war against "Indian colonialism" and to achieve what the outfit believed "right to self determination". It was in the early 90s, the outfit was in the limelight by unleashing terror on non-tribal traders, extortions, killings and abductions besides social activities in rural areas.

The reason behind surrender of the top leader of HNLC without any formal peace talks with the government is still shrouded in mystery. However, internal bickering and fund crunch in the outfit were believed as some of the factors that forced Dorphang to come overground. Police claimed that the HNLC had been divided into three factions with a few members allying with Dorphang who was considered as the "most sensible" leader in the HNLC leadership.

Sources also attribute security concerns as one of the reasons which prompted Dorphang to accept the government offer. Though Dorphang held the top post, he did not have much command over the armed HNLC cadres who were being controlled by Thangkhiew and Marwein. Due to the friction in the leadership and Dorphang's desire for peace talks with the State government, he might have earned the ire of the other two leaders and was under constant security threat, sources said.

Another coup in KLA, previous coup leader, six others killed The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 24: Within the space of two months, the Kuki Liberation Army, KLA faced another leadership coup as Thunder Kuki who led the May coup in the group was killed today along with six of his close associates of the same outfit reportedly led by Mosaun Kuki, the publicity secretary.

A highly reliable source said that Mosaun and his accomplices revolted against Thunder`s leadership yesterday evening killing Thunder himself, his wife, his deputy, Kingson along with four other cadres.

The report added that the wife of Thunder, said to be the second wife, was killed by stray bullets during the coup. The report, however, could not immediately confirm the identities of the second wife and other four slain cadres.

Mosaun Kuki has also reportedly claimed success in his revolt against Thunder`s leadership of KLA and also reportedly declared its headquarters at the same location as under the leadership of Thunder.

He also reportedly declared no change in the finance secretary of the outfit stating that the letterheads signed by the outfit`s finance secretary will continue to be used as before.

Mention may be made that the KLA had faced a coup on May 29 this year after Thunder who was the then deputy chief of the outfit decamped from the KLA headquarter at Bongjang area in Saikhul after killing the then commander in chief, Letkholun Lupheng along with five others.

Later, Thunder claimed killing Letkholun for his unfair financial management of the outfit.