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08/05/2007: "Seize peace initiative in Nagaland, says Rajnath Special Correspondent The Hindu"

Seize peace initiative in Nagaland, says Rajnath Special Correspondent The Hindu

NEW DELHI: The Centre should seize the peace initiative that was taken by the Vajpayee Government and give impetus to the peace process in Nagaland, Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh said in Dimapur on Saturday. A copy of his statement was released here.
He said it was important for the Government to take all sections of Naga society into confidence, involving all the underground factions in the talks. He promised a big development package for Nagaland when the party comes to power at the Centre.
FGN’s call to GBs, DBs Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Aug 4 (NPN): After the NSCN (K), the FGN Saturday asked the Nagaland GBs Federation and the Nagaland DBs Association to be transparent, independent and free from manipulation by any other force.
Reacting to the five-point resolutions adopted by the Joint Forum of GBs and DBs in Kohima recently, the FGN made it clear that it would not cooperate or accept any proposal or resolution of the Forum so long as the latter met the above requirements.
The FGN in a statement issued by its deputy secretary LK Pishen said it had in good faith accepted the resolutions believing that the Forum would act independently to pave the way towards bringing about peace and solidarity.
However, the FGN said, given the current circumstances it could not accept any redrafted resolution other than the one drafted in Kohima. The faction said it would not also accept “manipulation” by forces such as the NSCN (I-M).
The FGN said when some student organizations, hohos and NGOs were acting as the established mouthpiece of NSCN (I-M), shouting for “integration” and “greater Nagalim” under India and when the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell as also the State government “are mixed in the mission of GBs-DBs” along with these NGOs, it could not have any faith in such a forum.
“The activities of these components shall be only at the behest of NSCN (I-M) to press for greater Nagalim under India and therefore, it is not acceptable to the FGN for there is no purpose to have anything to do with these people when the FGN is upholding and defending Naga sovereignty,” the FGN added.
Indefinite ceasefire pushes the Indo-Naga peace process into a higher gear? Kuknalim.com
AMSTERDAM, August 4:: With the haggling over the cease fire extensions formally over The Naga International Support Center hails the Government of India and the Naga representatives..

for the hallmark decision of making the peace talks indefinite in structure and congratulates both warring parties with the wisdom they displayed.
That this is the beginning of gradually defusing this long term conflict may be clear for in the past decade of peace talks based on this ceasefire impartial observers cannot but determine that nothing much has been accomplished. What is the essence of this conflict lasting practically 60 years already?
The Nagas when the British decolonized their Indian Empire implicitly handed the Naga areas over to the emerging Union of India; this despite the fact that the Nagas repeatedly stated to both Great Britain first and India later that they wanted to be left alone so they could determine their own future, an international accomplished right. India, headed by the first Prime Minister J. Nehru for reasons of his own could not agree with the Naga point of view and unleashed a war of occupation upon them. This war has lasted till today, cost approximately 250.000 people their life (Indians and Nagas though no reliable figures have ever been published) and only because of the ceasefire the torture, the burning of villages, the rape of women and the executing of people, has been suspended. So, to the people of Nagaland the cease fire is important for they live in relative peace. But is it what they fought for and the question now is: it is what they deserve; do the Nagas deserve to live under occupation, an occupation which has lasted for some 55 years?
To set the example for an amicable solution to this astoundingly long conflict The Naga International Support Center invites the Government of India to launch fresh ideas, ideas based on human rights and asks to consider:
- To abolish the Armed Forces Special Powers Acts and other demeaning laws
- To begin the withdrawal of Armed Forces so the military grip on Nagaland is lessened and the Nagas feel free to talk about a mutual future
- To assist the Nagas in rebuilding their by this war devastated lands

More information? Visit our website www.nagalim.nl or get in touch nisc@nagalim.
The Naga Burma connection- Nagaland Post
A trip into the Forbidden Nagaland of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, revealed untold miseries amidst what was to be a cultural festival. Was this harvest festival a normal gathering of tribes in the past, today it is organized by the military junta of Burma with the aim to show tourists how original Naga tribes are celebrating under its supervision. Consequently once a year in January a horde of foreigners is flown into Khamti on the Chindwin River and transported precariously for six hours in trucks over the Naga Hills to reach Lahe village. Thus far an adventurous trip for explorers in spe who were aptly received in especially made for them bamboo rooms with outside hot water facilities plus a first class restaurant.
However the army camp nearby held a close watch on the villagers so that they could not invade the privacy of the foreign visitors but of course the visitors happily could invade theirs. Just a sideline observation and not important compared to the crux of the matter which was threefold:
1 - The festival was orchestrated by the Burmese army, all revolved around the presence of a general, a lieutenant colonel, who had come from Yangon to steal the show which became apparent when they placed themselves among all tribes in front of the stage on the festival field.
2 - The tribesmen who normally would wear G-strings with their attires were required to wear a kind of shorts as well as sneakers, things quite alien to them.
3 - On an around the field Burmese soldiers, heavily armed, were moving around inconspicuously, so for everyone to witness. Invariably they held Chinese made weapons.
On top of the cultural show the Burmese junta representatives presented gifts to the Nagas; rice, electronic etc., stating they wanted the Nagas come into the mainstream of the land they called Myanmar.
The Naga International Support Center condemns this showcasing of the Naga Peoples just for the military junta to make a good impression. The military is not there to secure the safety of the visitors but to make sure the Nagas, who do not want to be part of Burma, are kept under tight control.
The Naga International Support Center calls on all nations to look into these flagrant violations of human rights and calls on the Government of China to withdraw its support to a murderous regime.
Naga International Support Center, Amsterdam. www.nagalim.nl / nisc@nagalim.nl
Rejoinder to NSCN (IM)- Nagaland Post
Apropos the article, 'NSCN (IM) response to the NSCN (K), FGN' published in some local dailies on July 27' 2007, the FGN is prompted to state the following for the introspection of NSCN (IM) and discernment of the public.
Firstly, the NNC/FGN is ever committed to uphold and defend the sovereignty of Nagaland. But the NSCN (IM) is only demanding and fighting for a greater Nagalim to have a federal relationship with India.
The NSCN (IM) is the one which deviated from the main course of the Naga national stream. Using the Shillong Accord of 1975 as the main justification they are killing our own people for the past 27 years since 1980. But now what had made them to turn the tables overnight. Let our people think over what they are doing in Phek district by joining forces with the Shillong Accord Transit Peace campers whom they accuse. Let the NSCN (IM) explain to our people what is the difference between the Shillong Accord where the accordists accepted the constitution of India and the NSCN (IM) demand for a greater Nagalim to have a federal relationship with India
Do the Nagas stand for this cause or for sovereignty which our people pledged to uphold in the historic plebiscite of May 16' 1951.
If the NSCN (IM) is confused. Let them understand that there is only one NNC/FGN. Shillong Accord Transit Peace campers are rehabilitated people by India. Nagas must clearly know the truth and be no longer confused by the utterance pf these people.
L.K Pishen Dy. Secretary Federal Govt. of Nagaland

NSCN(IM) free to walk out of ceasefire: Oscar Nagarealm.com




KOHIMA, AUG04 [TST] : Union Labour Minister and the peace negotiator with NSCN(IM) Oscar Fernandes on Friday said that the NSCN (IM) was free to walk out of peace process if it was not willing to continue with the present initiative. The ceasefire with NSCN(IM) and the government was extended for an indefinite period recently. Both the parties have agreed to continue with the peace process and the ceasefire is binding on both,Mr Fernandes told reporters. The ceasefire with NSCN(IM) was first signed in August 1997 and it was subsequently renewed over the years.

Mr Fernandes said that within the present ceasefire period, the govenrnment will try to find out solution to the Naga problem. He also made it clear that if the NSCN(IM) wants , it can walk out of the ceasefire agreement.


Dykes under probe glare - Sonia to visit flood-affected Assam districts; relief plea for Nagaland OUR BUREAU The Telegraph


The submerged Pobitora wildlife sanctuary in the flood-affected Morigaon district of Assam on Saturday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Aug. 4: Dispur today ordered a high-level probe into the reasons why several embankments in Assam developed breaches.
The inquiry committee will be headed by senior bureaucrat Subhas Das.
Chief minister Tarun Gogoi also announced that UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi would visit the flood-affected areas on Tuesday. Floods triggered by breaches in the embankments have marooned thousands of villagers in 26 of the state’s 27 districts. The swirling waters of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries have claimed 24 lives so far. “Dispur has reason to suspect that excess water released from a dam in Bhutan has flooded Barpeta district,” Gogoi said.
“I will take up the matter with the Centre. We suspect water released from the dam pours into the Manas and Beki rivers, leading to severe flooding in Barpeta district. I will request the Centre to ask the Bhutan government to inform us before releasing water from the dam. We will then be able to take precautionary measures,” Gogoi said.
More than 11 lakh people in 505 villages spread across 85,580 hectares in Barpeta have been wallowing in misery. River waters breached 53 embankments in the state, damaging bridges, roads, irrigation canals and houses. The Brahmaputra and its tributaries in the state also breached some of the recently-constructed embankments, raising eyebrows in the Opposition camp.
PCC president Bhub-aneswar Kalita said Sonia would visit Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Dhubri and Barpeta districts. “Soniaji’s itinerary will be finalised by tomorrow. She is very concerned about the situation,” he said. Dibrugarh MP Sarbananda Sonowal alleged anomalies in the state government’s relief distribution system. Addressing the media in Dibrugarh, Sonowal said: “Villagers in my constituency are not getting adequate relief materials.”
Seven wounded in twin blasts in Assam, bomber nabbed By IANS
Guwahati, Aug 5 (IANS) Seven people were injured in two separate bomb explosions in Assam Sunday. One of the bombers, who masqueraded as a vegetable vendor, was nabbed.
A police spokesman said the first explosion occurred near a bus terminus in the heart of Sivasagar town, about 370 km east of Assam's main city of Guwahati. The second blast took place outside a police station in Sonari town, about 40 km off Sivasagar.
'Six people, all civilians, were injured in Sonari and one person was wounded in the Sivasagar blast,' Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, deputy inspector general of police, told IANS by telephone.
The injured were shifted to local hospitals and the condition of three is stated to be critical. Police blamed the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for the twin blasts.
'A vegetable vendor in a handcart tried to enter the police complex in Sonari, but was denied entry by security guards. The vendor started running away leaving behind the handcart when the explosion took place,' the official said.
Police chased and nabbed the vendor. 'It was an ULFA bomber trying to masquerade as a vendor and tried to enter the police complex,' Mahanta said.
The attacks are seen as attempts to step up attacks ahead of Independence Day Aug 15.
'Security forces have been put on a state of high alert across the state and all possible steps were being taken to foil militant attacks linked to Independence Day,' a senior police official in Guwahati said requesting not to be named.
Rebels in insurgency-hit Assam, the largest among the seven northeastern states, have for years been boycotting India's Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations to protest New Delhi's rule over the vast region rich in oil, tea and timber.
The run-up to the events has always been violent, with rebels of the outlawed ULFA striking vital installations including crude oil pipelines, trains and road and rail bridges, besides targeting federal soldiers. The ULFA is fighting for an independent homeland since 1979.
'Army, police and paramilitary soldiers were deployed in strength to guard vitals installations like road and railway bridges and oil facilities, besides in crowded marketplaces to foil attempts by rebels to target,' an army commander engaged in counter-insurgency operations said.
Intelligence officials said ULFA rebels were lying low at the moment, but have the potential to strike just a few days before the Independence Day.
'The ULFA has for decades been striking hard on and around Aug 15 to make their presence felt. We have reports that the rebels are desperately trying to smuggle weapons and explosives into towns and cities for carrying out attacks,' an intelligence official said.
Police in the past few weeks arrested at least four ULFA cadres in separate raids.
'The arrested rebels have confessed of some bloody plans ahead of Independence Day,' the official said. A security alert was also sounded in the adjoining states of Tripura and Manipur, both hit hard by militancy. More than 30 rebel armies operate in the northeastern states, their demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy and the right to self-determination.
Twin blasts in Assam, several injured Times of India

GUWAHATI: Seventeen people were injured when ULFA militants set off two IED blasts in Assam's Sibsagar district on Sunday. The first blast took place in front of Sonari police station at 8.15 am in which ten people were injured, police said.

The blast damaged a portion of a petrol pump adjacent to the police station. The second blast at Sibsagar bus stand in the heart of the city came within ten minutes of the first injuring seven people. The improvised explosive device that triggered the second blast was rigged to a bicycle, the police said. The injured were rushed to Sibsagar civil hospital where the condition of two persons was stated to be critical.

The second blast also damaged a roadside hotel and the hotel manager was among the seriously injured, police said. ULFA's strike force, 28th battalion, was behind the blasts, police said.

Assam not a dumping ground for illegal Bangladeshis, says Gogoi From correspondents in Assam, India News
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Saturday dismissed allegations by the opposition and the influential All Assam Students' Union (AASU) about his government trying to shelter some 3,000 illegal Bangladeshi migrants.
The opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the AASU have started a bitter campaign accusing the Congress-led government in Assam of giving protection to an estimated 3,000 people pushed back to the state from neighbouring Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in the last two weeks. Both the AGP and the AASU claims the 3,000 people pushed back were all illegal Bangladeshis. 'We have verified the antecedents of all the people and found out they were genuine Indian citizens and not Bangladeshis. The AASU and the AGP should come up with specific charges and not just wild allegations,' the chief minister told journalists.
Gogoi said the 3,000 people were pushed back to Assam by the two neighbouring northeastern states, as they did not have valid inner-line permits.
Any Indian visiting the northeastern states of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram, either for tourism or work, requires an inner-line permit.
'I am going to publish the names of all the people to clear doubts in the minds of the AGP or the AASU,' the chief minister said.
He said his government would never allow Assam to be a 'dumping ground' for illegal migrants.
'We shall never shelter illegal Bangladeshis nor protect them but at the same time it is our bounden duty to safeguard the interests of genuine Indians and we cannot allow them to be harassed in the name of hounding illegal infiltrators,' Gogoi said.
The chief minister also dared AGP President Brindaban Goswami to prove the charges.
'I shall quit politics if Goswami can prove me wrong and if he fails to substantiate the charges, he should resign as well,' an angry Gogoi said reacting to the accusations that the Congress-led government was trying to shield the 3,000 illegal migrants.