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07/30/2007: "UNC happy with outcome of Hebron meet Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network"

UNC happy with outcome of Hebron meet Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Senapati, July 29: The United Naga Council (UNC) has said that the July 27 Sixth Naga Peoples' Consultative Meeting held at Camp Hebron, off Dimapur was an encouraging moment when Naga leaders from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Myanmar (Burma), Manipur and Nagaland had conveyed their messages loud and clear on the issue of Indo-Naga peace talk and the Indo-Naga Ceasefire.

UNC information and publicity secretary S. Milan while stating that the Naga people have benefited immensely from the July 27 meeting, has appealed all the leaders who had attended the conglomeration to narrate the happenings of the July 27 meeting to their people who did not participate in that Naga consultative meeting.

The UNC also requested all the Naga people "living in the present state of Manipur" to pray both for the Collective Leadership (NSCN-IM leaders) and the representatives of the Government of India who will be holding talks on July 30 and 31 "in Nagalim".

"We earnestly appeal to pray for them to bestow the wisdom so as to have a logistic outcome," said the UNC message. The UNC also thanked the respective tribe Hohos and the Naga people for "their unstinted support to the cause".
Centre-NSCN(I-M) ceasefire talks tomorrow Zee News
Kohima, July 30: The crucial meeting on the ceasefire extension between the Central government and the NSCN-IM will begin at the Dimapur circuit house tomorrow.

Nagaland Commissioner T N Mannen told today that Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes would lead a high-powered team for the talks on the 10th extension of ceasefire between the two parties, where Centre`s interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah, Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajit Lal and Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Naveen Verma among others in the delegation would assist the minister.

The meeting would be very crucial as the present term of ceasefire will expire tomorrow and the meeting is likely to discuss many other issues like inter-factional clashes, territorial integration and amendment of ceasefire ground rules, which is the demand of both the factions of the NSCN as well as the state government.

The collective leadership of the NSCN-IM, Chairman Isak Chishi SWU and General Secretary Thuingleng Muivah, are presently camping at Camp Hebron, about 40 kms from Dimapur.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in and around Dimapur and strict vigilance provided in all vulnerable points by the Assam Rifles, CRPF, Indian Reserve Battalion, Nagaland Armed Police, besides the Nagaland Police to thwart any incident that may challenge the law and order, official sources said here today.
Naga Hoho to lead public rally The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 29 (MExN): In their effort to express the sentiments and aspirations of the Naga people for an honorable political solution, the Naga Hoho in partnership with several other civil organizations is holding a peaceful public rally on July 31 from 9:30am onwards at Dimapur.
Naga Hoho Vice President, Keviletuo Kiewho and Publicity Secretary P Chuba Ozukum informed through ‘An Appeal’ declared that the rally is being organized to coincide with the next round of Indo-Naga political Dialogue at Dimapur on July 31. It was informed that the rally was being initiated along with Naga Council, Naga Women Hoho, Western Sumi Hoho and Dimapur Naga students’ Union.
“The Rally is being organized to appeal the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) to expedite the political negotiation and to bring peaceful solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem without further procrastination” the Naga Hoho informed and at the same time requested all the citizens of the state to attend the rally.
‘Renew search for peaceful answer’ The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 29 (MExN): The Naga Solidarity Group today asked the Government of India and its leaders to “revisit the primary rationale of why it agreed to have a ceasefire and political negotiations with the Nagas” at this time when the ceasefire extension with the NSCN (I-M) is being considered.
“All parties – the Government of India and Naga national groups - are urged to renew their commitment to finding a peaceful solution addressing the question of Naga people’s sovereignty which can go forward by extending the ceasefire agreement.”
A press statement said “the Government’s policy of using the ceasefire ‘period as containment’ strengthens the growing opinion that solutions cannot be found through peaceful negotiations. “The international community questions whether government leadership is sincere in its endeavors to form a lasting solution that will fully address the oldest political conflict in the region.”
The Naga solidarity group pointed out that: “Sadly, now ten years after the ceasefire was declared, the Indian Government’s commitment to finding a political solution seems to be waning. The opportunity for the government of India and Nagas to address the question of Naga sovereignty remains within reach. The continued delay and absence of willingness on the part of the Indian government to find a peaceful solution with the Nagas has only been a setback to the international community’s belief that India is an emerging democratic superpower.”
The Naga Solidarity Group proposes the following points:

• The agreement to have unconditional talks held at the Prime Minister’s highest level and in a third country must be respected and implemented in letter and in spirit.
• The scope of the political negotiations must be broadened to allow international observers and civil society observers - both Indians and Nagas alike.
• The agenda of the negotiations must be on specific issues; and solutions to those issues must be arrived at within a stipulated time frame. Each solution must be implemented to strengthen trust and confidence-building thereby stabilizing the peace process.
FGN clarifies on Phek firing The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, July 29 (MExN): The Leacy of Chakhesang Region, K. Achosa Rhakho, clarified the firing incident between NSCN (IM) and FGN on July 25 and 26, saying that it had not been a violation of the six months ceasefire among the factions declared by the GB and DB Federation. It justified that the incident had actually been in support of the declaration by citing the notification issued by the government of India that all the NSCN (IMO personnel should go back to their designated camps before June 30. As against this notification the NSCN (IM) had not moved to designated camp and neither heeded the appeal of the GB and DB in consonant with the Indian government’s order for the same.
Moreover the government and the public of Phek town had also vehemently requested the personnel to move away from town yet the NSC (IM) had been more adamant and refuse to leave Phek town, it stated.
The press communiqué further stated that the NSCN (IM) had entered Phek town in the name of peace but with a clear and different motive, and the firing incident, was reminder that they should move out from the populous place so as to avoid any possible dire consequences. Saying that invasion to other’s territory was not a peace move, the FGN of Phek region added that they wanted to honour the declaration of DBs and GB Federation’s six months cease fire.
The June 25 incident, however, it said was a remainder to NSCN (IM) that lingering or delay to move out would invite eventual actions as the FGN would not remain dormant any longer.
“Security coverage is extended to all colonies but the more security is provided the public feel more insecure”, continued the FGN, adding that peace and tranquility are the medicine which heals the trauma of the horrible pasts. The FGN further reaffirmed that every Nagas wanted peace and only peace as it was the need of the day. Therefore, it advised that the warring personnel should go back to their designated camps before occurrence of unwanted incident.
In another press release the Regional secretary of Chakhesang Region Council NNC, Rukulhu Phuswuo sought to clarify the stand of the NNC that the principle of the Naga National Council is non-violence. It highlighted the memorandum submitted to the British Simon Commission on January 10, 1929 which declared that the Nagas would no longer exist under the bondage of India.
It stated “from then onward, the Nagas proclaimed that we are not Indians our cultural heritages, food and drinks, facial appearances, etc. are by and large quite different. We declared our Naga Independence Day on 14th August 1947 and made known to all other nations that Nagas are no longer under the control of Indian. Accordingly, Plebiscite was made on 16th May 1951 to mark the Nagas Sovereignty.”
The Regional secretary stated that from the very beginning till date Nagas are not been living under the rule of any Kingdom and would never be so, “because Sovereignty is our birth right.” However they added with the advent of India Army and its rule over Naga Country, the Sovereignty of Nagas had been disturbed till today. The fact and the stand of NCC, it reaffirmed was that they were not asking to for Independence but for India to withdraw its army from its country. They continued that attaining Sovereignty is the pledge of all Naga citizens handing it down till today was the aim of NNC which would never be violated.
In and outs of PNSD- Nagaland Post
In recent months we have read lot of news regarding the British Parliamentarians for National Self Determination (PNSD), which was has made media headlines in our local media. Yet we are at lost to the nature and power of this group (PNSD.) who came into being in 2006. We have not been informed by Timothy Kaping to the nature and effectiveness of PNSD. Therefore I would like to share with one and all of my finding.
PNSD comes under the title of "All-party groups" (APG) which are regarded as relatively informal compared with other cross-party bodies such as select committees of the House. The membership of all-party groups mainly comprises backbench Members of the House of Commons and Lords but may also include ministers and non-parliamentarians. Groups flourish and wane according to the interests and enthusiasm of Members.
Groups are classified either as subject groups (relating to a particular topic e.g. forestry) or country groups (relating to a particular country or region). Most country groups are affiliated to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's United Kingdom Branch and/or the Inter-Parliamentary Union's British Group. The research shows that there are Parliamentary Groups whose purpose ranges from Aids to Youth Hostels. Interlinked with over 50 countries across the globe and there are 500 such groups.
On 17 December 1985 a Register was set up in accordance with a Resolution made by the British House of Commons on 17 December 1985 and its main purpose is to record which all-party groups are recognized by the House; who their officers are; and what assistance groups receive from outside Parliament. Registration is compulsory for any group that includes Members of the Commons from more than one party and has at least one officer who is from the Commons. To be recognized the group must have Chairman, vice chairman and twenty party members and must be accountable to the registrar. The recognized groups or as is commonly known as On Approved List; AII Party Parliamentary Subject Group. If the Group is on the approved list then they had benefits which were not given to the Groups which were not on the approved list.
However the Approved groups on the list have to be accountable and have to show in detail the minutes of meeting and expense accrued. This however is not so for any group which comes under the heading Not on Approved List; Subject Group, such as the PSND, who only have chairman (Lord Ahmed)and vice chair(Elfyn Llwyd), there are no other Member of Parliament in the group. Unlike the ones who are On the Approved list. This does not stop the Chairman from inviting other Member of the Parliament to their meeting. However this does not mean that those invited approve or disapprove of who or what IS said at the meetings.
Is the voice of these Groups heard by the Government and the British people?
As no group is heard by the British people at large thus one cannot say that they have the support of the British pubic par se. Nor can it be taken that the British Government approves of or consents to what is said in those meetings. Few MPs who attend do not represent the British people or the British Government. They come in to those meeting as individual Members of the parliament. Thus such groups have "no formal responsibilities."
We could say it like this that if the a Sema village council invites a Britisher to speak at its meeting, then can the Britisher say that the Sema tribe and the Naga people are on his side? Or for that matter the Naga Hoho approves and validates that person agenda?
If two villagers hold a meeting with an outsider, then can it be said that the outsider has the approval of the village council? Also can the outsider say that the people of the village sides with them and agrees with them? What power does PNSD have with the British Public or the British Parliament?
PNSD has no influence with the public or with the British Parliament; (PNSD) Parliament members are only two in number. Also there are Members of Parliament who supports Parliamentary groups who have interest in welfare of dogs. The British Public and the Government does not care if PNSD Chairman invited all the barking dogs in England to the meeting. As, for example, with PNSD, it did not come in to being via the command of the Parliament nor by the order of the Government, nor was Lord Ahmed was commanded or ordered by the Parliament or the Government. As all these groups are self made that is to say that neither the Parliament nor the Government has ordered or appointed such groups but Groups flourish and wane according to the interests and enthusiasm of Members. As they do not differ much from the Lions or rotary club, for they exit for general interest of its members, who want to do some good.
Vikishe Sema Source- British High Commission, House of Commons, UK Parliament, House of Lords.
Naga peace talks on July 31 at Dimapur Nagalim.uk
Dimapur, July 29: The next round of Naga peace talks, which would focus mainly on the extension of ceasefire beyond July 31 would be held on July 31 in Dimapur.
According to reliable sources, the representatives of the Government of India, including India's interlocutor, K Padmanabhiah, Union Labour Minister, Oscar Fernandes, Special Secretary, Home and others would be arriving Dimapur on July 31 for the talks.

Sources, however, said that the venue of the talks has not been decided yet. It might take place at Circuit House, Dimapur or at Chumukedima Police Complex, sources said adding, it depends on the Government of India.

It may be mentioned here that the 6th Naga Consultative meet was held on July 27 last, where thousands of Nagas representing mass based civil organizations aired their views and favoured further extension of ceasefire on the condition that Government of India should show sincerity and take guarantee to bring about an "acceptable and honourable" solution to the vexed Indo-Naga problem at the earliest.
According to sources, the NSCN (IM) Collective Leadership would be meeting the Central leaders basing on the decision made by the Naga leaders in the consultative meeting, where they would finally take decision whether to extend the ceasefire or not.

Public Rally Coinciding with the next Indo-Naga political Dialogue at Dimapur on July 31, a peaceful public Rally would be organized by Naga Hoho in association with Naga Council, Naga Women Hoho, Western Sumi Hoho and Dimapur Naga students' Union, at Dimapur on July 31 from 9.30 a.m. onwards.

The Rally is being organized to appeal the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) to expedite the political negotiation and to bring peaceful solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem without further procrastination. The Naga Hoho has requested all fellow citizens under the banner of various Organizations to kindly attend the Rally in the interest of Naga people.

NSCN (K) opts out of Naga peace process Sentinel
DIMAPUR, July 29: The NSCN (K) has walked out of the Naga peace process while its rival faction NSCN (IM) remains determined to continue with the negotiations despite several ‘hurdles’.
This was announced by NSCN (IM) leaders Isak Sishi Swu and Th Muviah at the “Sixth Naga Consultative Meet” of the Naga leaders in the fortified Camp Hebron.
The ceasefire terms end on July 31 and on that day the NSCN (IM) would formally announce the extension after the next round of talk with the Centre’s representatives, said a NSCN (IM) source at the Camp Hebron.
Meanwhile, the NSCN (K) rejected the whole process, saying the NSCN (IM) were not the true representatives of the entire Naga community and it represented a section only.
Notably, the local media had also cold-shouldered the whole peace talk process so far. “It is a plan by the NSCN (IM) to show to the Centre that the Nagas are united,” a statement issued by NSCN (K) said.
The Camp Hebron witnessed the consultative meeting where various speakers seeking extension of ceasefire expressed serious displeasure at the lack of substantial progress in the peace process towards the greater Nagalim.
With the Naga people demanding transparency in the peace talks, NSCN (I-M) organized the ‘sixth Naga consultative meet’ at its headquarters, about 40 km South of Dimapur, where hundreds of people representing various tribal councils, women groups, civil society organizations and churches participated in the deliberation before the ensuing peace talks.
The centre-NSCN (I-M) truce had completed ten years and during this period over 50 rounds of formal and informal peace parleys were held between the two sides both in India and abroad. The NSCN (IM)’s deputy minister for information and publicity, Alezo Chakhesang said different Naga organizations wanted Delhi’s guarantee for “an acceptable and honourable” solution before taking any decision on extending the ceasefire.
“The Naga NGOs are not happy with the way the Centre has handled the Naga issue over the past 10 years,” he added.
Further, if the ceasefire was extended, it should cover all Naga-inhabited areas, including those in Manipur, Asom and Arunachal Pradesh, he stated.
Over 5,000 delegates, representing the tribal Ho Hos (apex tribal councils), village chiefs, churches from Naga-inhabited areas in Myanmar, Manipur, Asom and Arunachal Pradesh attended the meeting.
Earlier, addressing the meeting, NSCN (I-M) president Isak Chisi Swu said the meeting had been organized to seek the people’s mandate on whether or not to extend the ceasefire.
But the NSCN (K) did not think so. “NSCN-K understands the desire of the people for peace among the Nagas and would have attended the meeting and deliberated upon wide-ranging issues, if it had been invited and the venue was Kohima instead of Dimapur,” Akato Chophi, a senior NSCN-K functionary said.
The NSCN-K said any move to foster understanding and subsequent peace pacts among different rebel factions by the forum or any organization should be done at a “neutral place” like Kohima, Zunheboto or Mokokchung and be backed by all groups, irrespective of factions or tribal and church affiliations.
“The GOI representatives should be well aware that NSCN (IM) alone does not and will never represent the wishes and aspirations of the entire Naga populace but the issue is far beyond the proportion that Nagas aspire,” it said.
“The real issue is of sovereignty and nothing else. Nagas are known throughout as a friendly, amiable, hospitable and peace-loving people and the NGOs should revive the age-old tradition of the Nagas rather than selling off the issue for monetary gains,” it added. (UNI)
Taking Ownership The Morung Express Editorial
Indigenous peoples make up 5% of the world’s population, occupy over 20% of the earth’s landmass, and pursue self-determination, which includes sovereignty, in all 73 countries in which they dwell. At a time when instead of widening choices, globalism is forcing the multitude of cultures into a monoculture of shallowness which has created more inequality; and unfortunately it’s the indigenous people that has been affected the most. While the challenge is not so much the changes that are taking place, the greater challenge for indigenous people is the pace in which the changes are occurring.
To ensure that indigenous people are not overwhelmed by the pace in which change is taking place, it is necessary for them to begin taking ownership over their lives and the various facets required in their hope to lead dignified lives. Taking ownership does not however mean other people deciding policies while indigenous people participate in the activities of their choosing. In actuality, taking ownership implies people taking effective roles in decision making processes and evolving concrete stages of implementation.
In essence the process of ownership begins with the power of imagination. Imagination has direct effect on decision-making and is critical in strengthening the understanding needed for making decisions that not only takes into account needs of the present, but also future generations. It demands not losing indigenous knowledge, ethical values, ways of thinking and knowing the collective will of the people. Eventually, ownership comes with the consciousness of oneness with fellow human beings, the universe and all its powers and that the center is within each individual embarking on that journey of self-realization.
Imagination is the depth of wisdom that concerns nourishing the dynamics of the soul, spirit, nature and nation, which creates opportunities to address underlying issues of human tribulations. It is the power of imagination that allows the human spirit to weave together the various aspects of creation into wholeness. Imagination therefore resonates with the art of provoking, exhilarating and challenging the profoundness and predicaments that life offers to human reasoning.
Nagas, as indigenous people are in a place of predicament; and undoubtedly their depth of wisdom and imagination is now at test. The astuteness in which they decide to address the question and purpose of their existence will define their maturity and spirituality as a people. It will reveal their ability to see reason and build hope. Eventually, at its heart, taking ownership entails a journey about human imagination and the power to discern what seems impossible by stretching the moment of opportunity; in rising to the challenge of creating new possibilities to collective shape and reshape the world. It offers a place of both challenge and opportunity and demands the will of the people to take courage and creativity. Nonetheless, it is an opportunity that Nagas must not let it pass by!
Delimitation Rumblings Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS

The delimitation question is once again poised to rattle the state. While various political parties independently as well as a collectivity at the initiative of the government, have agreed upon the non-feasibility of delimiting Assembly constituencies as per the controversial upswing in the population in some non-urban pockets of certain hill districts, pressure groups, most notably the All Naga Students Students Association Manipur, ANSAM and the Kuki Students Organisation, KSO are preparing to campaign for the redrawing of constituency map to be given affect unconditionally. The contentious part of the whole matter is, three general valley constituencies would come to be amalgamated to reserved hill constituencies. Under normal circumstances, regardless of all the challenges to the census papers (mostly made on the basis of circumstantial evidences that they do not reflect reality), the delimitation should have been given the green signal without too much ado. After all, the democratic exercise in the end is about a headcount, making numbers the deciding factors on who gets what share of the state’s power structure.
But the question is not so simple. This is so precisely because there is no homogeneity of the status of constituencies or voters in the state, 19 being reserved for schedule tribes, one for schedule caste and the rest 40 being general constituencies. The delimitation exercise in the current context hence would necessarily result in the reserving of constituencies which were till date open to all contestants and voters. A lot many voters would thereby end up disenfranchised and this is taboo for democracy. There is no way the Indian constitution can give assent to this, therefore even under the unlikely circumstance of the government agreeing to have the delimitation out of political considerations, we can predict that the courts of law would strike the decision down in view of its likely undemocratic fallouts. And there can be no doubt there would be legal challenges to any such moves. If the delimitation were to be within the general seats only, there probably would not have been so much to discuss. To a lesser extent, the same probably would have been the case were the delimitation to be only amongst the reserved seats, but the qualification in the second scenario would be, it would still be difficult to cross the physically unmarked but very zealously defended tribe and village boundaries. The fact that Nagaland is also vehemently opposing the delimitation exercise and calling for a status quo, should be enough testimony. So then, until such a time as all the constituencies in the state become homogenous, it would be difficult, if not impossible to either de-reserve reserved seats or reserve general seats.
There is however a way to get over at least the legal part of the problem. The rest is up to the people to agree to imbibe the liberal ethos and see the democracy process as transcending ethnic boundaries. Let the delimitation exercise have its way and let the three new constituencies be demarcated. However, if the shifts in the constituency boundaries result in the incorporation of general voters (which all three constituencies we are informed would), these constituencies must remain open for all candidates to contest and all voters to vote. These will be in a sense similar to the mixed constituencies in the valley districts, especially the Imphal area. Even if these constituencies were to remain the predominant domains of certain communities by virtue of their numbers, candidates to represent them under the new circumstance simply would not be able to ignore the interests of other communities, for winning or losing would come to depend heavily on how they manage not to hurt voters of these community. Such an arrangement would in fact be good for the health of inter-community relationships if taken in good spirit. The rider however is, it can also have very adverse fallouts such as witnessed in the Bodoland Autonomous Council and other illiberal political environments, most notably the former Yugoslavia, where the contests for democratic powers have actually resulted in bloody ethnic cleansings so that one or the other community would be able to claim majority status. The hills of Manipur are not totally unfamiliar to this story.