[Previous entry: "Naga intrusion triggers exodus - Mob attacks more Assam villages OUR BUREAU The Telegraph"] [Next entry: "NISC asks China to stop supporting the Burmese junta Special Correspondent, Narinjara News Bangladesh"]

08/12/2007: "The 60th Anniversary of Naga Independence Declaration (1947 - 2007) Kuknalim. Com THE NAGA NATIONAL COUNCIL"

The 60th Anniversary of Naga Independence Declaration (1947 - 2007) Kuknalim. Com THE NAGA NATIONAL COUNCIL
Urra, Nagaland
LONDON, I send my warmest greetings to our people on the 60th Anniversary of the Naga representatives historic declaration to the world on 14 August 1947 that Nagaland will stay independent, a day ahead of the British India independence granted by Great Britain. Sixty years on, despite unremitting Indian occupation army militarised tyranny since 1954, the Federal Republic of Nagaland is very much alive. For where our nation is today, we thank the Almighty God for sustaining our people to stand on own's ground. We will always remember our patriots who sacrificed their lives in defending our freedom. The Government of India (GoI) senseless policy to colonise Nagaland has no place in modern world.

My generation witnessed momentous political upheaval across the world in the aftermath of World War ll. At that juncture, the Naga communities had no common purpose. But unlike neighbouring British India and Burma, the sovereignty of Naga territory was never conceded to foreigners. It stayed the same during the former British empire. In the 19th century, the British invaders met fierce resistance from the Angami Naga villages that started in January 1832 till 22 November 1879. To end the war, the British entered into an unwritten peace understanding with the dominant Khonoma village on 27 March 1880. The basis of the understanding unequivocally bound the British that on the day the British decide to go back home,the Naga territory were to be left alone.

By any reckoning, the Naga people neither share a common history nor ancestry with the people of India. Nonetheless, in the interest of future good neighbourly relation, the Naga community representatives led by A.Z.Phizo reached out the emerging Indian leaders, namely, Mahatma Gandhi, M.A.Jinnah, Gopinath Bordoloi, C.Rajagopalachari, Gen K.M.Cariappa, Sri Prakasa, etc., in friendship to promote understanding and mutual respect prior to British India gaining its independence as well as after the birth of modern India. Not surprisingly, none of the Indian leaders the Naga delegations met expressed any reservation or opposition to Nagaland independence at any point in the series of talk. That said, prior to independence, incredibly the nascent Constituent Assembly of India led by Gopinath Bordoloi arrived in Kohima to sound out the Naga National Council (NNC) with an 'offer' to join the Union of India and stayed from 19 to 21 May 1947. The 'offer' was politely but categorically rejected.

In keeping with Naga democratic tradition, NNC conducted a landmark voluntary Naga plebiscite on 16 May 1951, to determine the wishes of the Naga people on their political aspirations to be a nation. Against all the odds, the resounding verdict of 99.00 per cent Naga people in favour of a single national identity and unequivocal affirmation of the earlier declaration of independence in August 1947, uplifted a whole generation with much optimism for the future. Thenceforth, the Naga people immutably entrusted the NNC with the national mandate to uphold Nagaland sovereignty.

The President of NNC, A.Z.Phizo, next turned his attention to the then "Unadministered Areas" Free Nagas. He toured the Regions extensively and got the consent of their leaders for a federal union to be duly enshrined in Naga Constitution. On the basis of the Naga Federal Constitution, henceforth, the Yehzabo of Nagaland, the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was established on 22 March 1956 empowered with legal authority.

In total reversal to Mahatma Gandhi's word that India will never use force against Nagaland and respect Nagaland independence, given to NNC representatives on 19 July 1947 during a visit to Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, gave order to his Indian army to invade Nagaland in 1954. Ever since, the GoI flagrantly pursue with no signs of relenting, the annexation of peaceful and beautiful Federal Republic of Nagaland.

The 53 years (1954 - 2007) unresolved conflict between by any standard unequal Nagaland and India, couldn't have done the Indian leaders reputation much good other than a laughing-stock. Whether Delhi care or not, trampling on Nagaland sovereignty on false ground, not to mention aiding and abetting a proxy militia gang, will eventually collapse because of inherent contradiction. India may find the only availble exit strategy is to quit Nagaland at the earliest ostensibly with good grace.

It is clearly a fallacy to refer Indian aggression against Nagaland as the "vexed Naga problem". The core issue between the two nations is simply the total withdrawal of the Indian occupation army and its camp followers from Nagaland immediately. There can be no excuse for India to concoct imagined fear to prolong the occupation of Nagaland. From the outset, Nagaland did not seek or demand any favour from India. The Naga stand always has been Nagaland belong to the Naga people. Let no one doubt the resolve of the Naga nation to uphold the Yehzabo of Nagaland. On this 60th Anniversary of Naga Independence Declaratrion day, I call upon our people to promote peace, understanding as good Naga and pursue national unity towards a common purpose.

May God bless Nagaland. Urra Uvie

Adinno Phizo President
NSCN-IM’s ceasefire should have been for entire Nagas’ Naga Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR: The NSCN-IM could have signed the ceasefire agreement with the Government of India for the Nagas as a whole and not for the NSCN-IM alone, the NSCN-K says.

A statement from the NSCN-K advised to “let us try to understand why we are compelled to malign and condemn our leaders.”

According to NSCN-K dy. Kilonser Wangtin Naga, “I strongly felt that Th. Muivah, the general secretary of IM, should or could have signed the ceasefire agreement with GoI for the Nagas as a whole instead of sticking only to his group so that it could have a wider scope.” Instead of embracing his Naga brothers, Th. Muivah insisted on the GoI not to sign ceasefire agreements with any other Naga groups, Wangtin stated. “…how selfish he is! ...he has no courage for rapprochement among the Naga brothers” the NSCN-K insisted.
The Kilonser also recalled an interview of Th. Muivah with a magazine, The North East Sun, December 15, 2006. The statement mentioned that when Muivah was queried why there is no settlement after eight years of negotiations, he replied “we climbed down from the position of absolute sovereignty” and that ‘we are not opposed to the presence of the Indian Army in Nagaland.” To this, Wangtin observed that even in “many local papers,” Muivah had declared ‘dropping’ the matter of sovereignty.

The NSCN-K pointed out that “there was a national movement of sovereignty before Th. Muivah joined the movement and it will keep on fighting for complete sovereignty even after he dies.” The Kilonser also mentioned of a BBC interview with Padmanabahiah that “they are not sticking to their original stand of sovereignty” and “I personally feel that they are looking for a solution within the Indian constitution and that itself is a major step forward for them.”
“Why NSCN blame the Naga civil societies, NICS and NSG etc. because you misused their good services for your advantage and they seemed to be vulnerable to your manipulation” Wangtin stated. He affirmed that the NSCN-K is not anti-organizations. However, Wangtin made clear that it would not enter into a political dialogue with the GoI so long as the Nagas are a divided house. Also, the NSCN-K will not compromise on the matter of sovereignty under circumstances, it added.
(Morung Express News)
China control over Nagaland over Burma/Myanmar Kuknalim.com
Naga International Support Centre
Amsterdam, Aug 11, 2007

The indirect China control over Nagaland over Burma/Myanmar has devastating effects on the its people...

After the resurrection in 1988 and the general election in 1990 the Burmese Junta could only remain in control of the nation because China kept the junta going. China supports the Military with weapons and funds. Now what is this geopolitical interest which has such dehumanizing effect on its own people and all Indigenous People of Burma?

That the Burma/Myanmar junta stamped out the results of the democratic election and consequently made it possible for the oppressive regime to persist, did not deter the Chinese Government then and it has not deterred that government now. China wanted Burma because of these three points remarkably important points: first of all because of China’s sense of international expansion and control, second because China functions as a bridgehead against India and thirdly for its cheap resources.

Apart from the fact that China knowingly contributes to the severe oppression of and the denying of every Burmese citizen of their basic human rights, resulting in killing it its own people, China provides the military junta with a certain amount legitimacy. Since next to China many countries, like Japan and China plus ASEAN, like to have trade ties with Burma they communicate with these human rights violators about normalization of relations.

The consequences?

Both the Burmans of Central Myanmar and the Indigenous peoples are kept isolated, they are demeaned forced, their rights forfeited and threshed up. The military junta does what it likes and the international community does little to intervene. As they are not safe in their own land the Burmans pay a hefty price for just being Burmese. Most tribal populations surrounding the Irrawaddy Valley are forced to become Burmese. They have to adapt language, religion and culture, yet are practically unknown to the International Community, yet some of them like the Nagas resist to defend themselves against intrusions by the Burmese Army backed up by formidably strong China and thus indirectly an adversary. Consequently:

The Naga International Support Center calls on the Government of China to withdraw its support from Burma, to stop supplying the military junta with weapons used against its own people and against Indigenous Peoples like the remote Nagas.

NISC appeals to the Chinese Government to show a humane face so the peoples of Burma can be set free and allow the Nagas to reunite so they can peacefully pursue their destiny.

For more information visit www.nagalim.nl or get in touch nisc@nagalim.nl
Border people for peace, amity Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Aug 11 (NPN): Amidst tension in border areas in the aftermath of the foiled August 8 attempt by AASU to march inside Nagaland and overrun the Tsutapela police check post, the Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland) held an executive meeting at Nagajanka in Mariani on Saturday to restore confidence in the minds of people living in border areas.
At the meeting, the representatives of both Assam and Nagaland offered their suggestions for maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas.
After deliberations over the present tense situation in certain areas along the border, the House adopted some resolutions for peace and amity among the people.
It was resolved during the meeting that officials of the Peace Committee would visit the affected areas where some houses were damaged on August 8 and 9 and evaluate the damage. Later, the committee will submit a report to both Assam and Nagaland governments for ex-gratia payment to those affected. Condemning the damage of property and poaching of livestock in Assamese villages, the House demanded that the culprits be immediately arrested and booked as according to the law of the land. The House appreciated the district administration and police of Assam and Nagaland for their timely action on August 8 and resolved to uphold the present status quo as far as the people’s territorial inhabitation is concerned. The House also resolved to thwart any “sinister design” aimed at destabilizing the traditional age-old good relationship between the two neighbouring people.
On the border dispute, the members resolved that they would await the verdict of Supreme Court. The meeting was chaired by the president of the Committee BP Bora where the keynote address was delivered by Er. Temsuwathi Ao, DIO Mokokchung.
CFMG meet held in Kma Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, Aug 11 (NPN): The Ceasefire Monitoring Group held a review meeting here on Saturday.The meeting, attended by all members representing the NSCN (I-M), Government of India and the State government, discussed various issues pertaining to the ceasefire ground rules.
When contacted, the Chairman of CFMG and CFSB Lt. Gen. (Retd) RV Kulkarni said it was a routine meeting to review the implementation of ceasefire ground rules.
He said the meeting also discussed the desire of people for peace in the State and the initiative of the Joint Forum of GBs and DBs for ceasefire among the different Naga underground factions.
Apart from Kulkarni, the meeting was attended by IGAR (N) Maj Gen KS Sethi, DIG (Ops) CRPF, DGP Nagaland J Changkija, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner TN Mannen, Home Commissioner Sentiyanger, the convenor of Ceasefire Monitoring Cell (NSCN-IM) “Brig” Phungthing Shimrang and other NSCN (I-M) leaders.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that a meeting of the CFSB, of which the NSCN (K) is a key component, was likely to be held in Kohima before August 15.
Nagas and the Asoms (Ahoms) Nagaland Post
God the crea-tor, created Assam and Nagaland to be neighbours till the end of time. Ahoms have a country of their own to live in; the Nagas too have a country of their own. The Ahoms came from Burma through the Naga territories. The Nagas fought with the Ahoms who tried to enter the Assam country through Naga countries. But King Sukhapa managed to pass through the Naga country and entered Assam.
During the Ahom rule of Assam the relationship of the Ahoms and the Nagas was only the conflicts over salt lake but mostly good relationship was maintained. the Ahom rulers in order to contain the raids of the Nagas in the plain arrears of their Kingdom, constructed a road along the boundary of Nagas and Ahoms, known as the Dodar Ali and Ladiogarh embankment as the final boundary between the Ahoms and the Nagas.
The British Government fought in the Anglo - Burmese war in 1824 and defeated the Burmese. This was the final annexation of Assam to British Empire. So the expansion of the British rule was from West Assam first then, the Naga hills was included as a district of Assam province from 1886 to 1947 - both Naga Hills and Assam were under the British rule.
When the British transferred the political power to the new Indian Government they gifted Naga Hills to the Indian Government which was rejected by the Nagas.
All the reserve forest along the boundary of Nagaland and Assam have been transferred out of Naga Countries - by official notifications. What the Assamese friends do not realize is that the transfer of the forests was merely for the administrative convenience and not the transfer of ownership of the lands and the forest to Assam. These belonged to the Nagas from the day of creation and it will remain so for all time to come. The Nagas have never taken an inch of land belonging to the Assamese people. As long as we were both the subjects of the British, the Nagas have raised objections against the transfer of the forests which were transferred out of the then Naga Hills to Assam. But the Nagas wanted the Government of India to physically handover all the forests, contiguous areas and tea gardens transferred back to Nagaland, now that Nagaland is no longer a part of Assam. This is our legitimate right to claim our land and forests, the ancestral heritage of the Nagas. The Assam side maintains that the 1925 forest boundary be made the Revenue Boundary between Assam and Nagaland. This is absurd and atrocious. This is a violation Of the 16 - Point Delhi Agreement of 1960.
Till now, the Nagas have scrupulously maintained the good neighborly policy of Live And Let Live. If they are pressed hard back to the wall they will react otherwise. Let good sense prevail on both sides. The restoration of the 1886 - 89 British Inter District Boundary along the Dodar Ali and Ladoigarh embankment demarcated by boundary Pillars of triangular shape and letter 'P' is written, should be restored to the Nagas as Immediately as possible. Nagas have no land dispute because even if some districts in Assam have been given the administrative control and responsibility especially after 1925 reforms, the land owners never ever ceased to be the real owners of the forest on the surface and everything beneath the earth including the tea gardens and had not ceased to be the owners even for a moment.
The revenue District of Nagaon and Sibsagar etc., were never given the ownership over the land, forests and tea gardens in the question to the Assam Government and the people.
These were never acquired and compensation paid for at anyone time. These are Naga ancestral lands from time immemorial, these belong to the Nagas now and forever. We do not want anything, we want our land back only. Can anyone dispute our lands and forest, the tea garden areas and the oil and other materials underneath our own lands? The fact is when the British Government decided to shift the administrative office from ASALU to SAMAGTING and formed the Naga Hills District in 1886, the British Govt did respect the existing customary between Ahoms and Nagas.
The boundary of Naga Hills was clearly demarcated on the ground and on the map. The three cornered boundary pillars with the letter 'P’, were erected along the boundary Generally following the DODAR ALI and LADIOGARH EMBANKMENT which was the Naga - Ahom boundary.
As early as 1929 the Nagas had asked the British Government to return the lands, forests, teagardens and everything that were beneath the earth to the Nagas the actual owners. During the signing of the 16 Point Agreement with India, this was agreed to in principle and it was agreed by the Government of India to do the formalities after the State of Nagaland became a State. The return of a thing to a legitimate owner is not a dispute. If The whole thing is just that, then why is the objection? The people of Assam cannot take these things as a political heritage from the British because these did not belong to them At no point of time. They have gone now, what they took from the Nagas must come back to the natural and actual owners - The Nagas.
R.C Chiten Jamir.
In addition to Dr. Tuisem Shishak and the response of the NSCN (IM) Nagaland Post
If there is anyone to come out boldly like Dr. Tuisem Shishak to confess the misdeeds of his tribe, I know I am not the person to do so for my tribe, the Sumi Nagas; as such I am making no confession for my tribe. But if anyone can call himself a Naga than any Naga. As a legitimate son of the soil Mother Nagaland and a Naga youth whose future would depend on how we respond to present scenario today, I am compelled to share a piece of my thought on this issue.
I was and am expecting the elders and intellectuals of every Naga tribes to come out openly like Dr. Tuisem Shishak because no tribe in Nagaland is righteous. By confessing our wrongs and forgiving each other, I don't see why Indians should take advantage on us. The Indians would rather be shaken by the strong bond and unity we maintain among ourselves.
This write-up is not meant to defend Dr. Tuisem Shishak of his past or future, but only a commentary on the present write-up. I have never met Dr. Tuisem Shishak as such not acquainted to him. My intention is to condemn the reaction, but presenting my thought to the Nagas.
It would be wrong if we do not acknowledge the pain and suffering of our National Freedom Fighters of all times who have sacrificed everything to fight for the Naga cause. It would also be wrong for those organizations who want to claim the new cleared road as their road, when someone has taken all the pain to reconstruct a new road from a dead end!! Under such circumstances we must surrender our pride and follow the new leader rather than to claim as ours. But if the new leader is expected likely to lead the people to another dead end, suggestions must be regarded as worthy rather than insult! Nagas know Nagas problem more than the outsiders (Indians). A dirty minded man throws too much praise on others so that they never catch up.
In my 27 years of life, I have seen Naga families, especially; families having Naga Freedom Fighters living in 'fear and mental trauma'. Who are they afraid of? NAGA BROTHERS!! In the past Indians were seen as our sworn enemy, as such they were much feared, but today we have realized that we can be friends with even our 'occupational forces' and have a political dialogue with them, because this is a world of 'wisdom and reasoning' rather than brute force! "Pen is mightier than sword". Is this notion applicable in Nagaland?! Now I ask our RESPECTED leaders of all NATIONAL ORAGANIZATIONS; why do you all seek peace with a foreigner, but can not have peace within yourself? The simple answer is, you can not forgive what you have done to each other yesterday, yesterday is more important to you than us (the Naga youths), and if I am not too harsh, the NSCN (K) and NNC/FGN can not admit what the NSCN (IM) is doing for the Nagas today! The NSCN (IM) on the other hand can not create a room for these organizations to unite. How can anything happen when the heart is not willing to come down and is only expecting others to bow down.
The Bible interpreted in the Naga context; "First make peace with your own Naga brother and seek peace with a foreigner (Indian)." We'd like to see the other organizations also having indefinite peace with India, but is more interested in seeing real peace prevailing between Naga Brothers. Can we reason together Dear Respected leaders?
Truth is bitter, and I must say that apart from the national cause most of our underground leaders do not know the truth because you do not want it. Which organization is not self righteous? Nagas are divided into different belts where people (intellectuals or ignorant) supports this or the other group. When I interact with my fellow Naga people I never carry guns (because I don't have one!) that's how I get to know the truth. I keep saying that there is no tribe that can claim complete innocence because we are all responsible for creating our Naga problem. I also keep saying that no tribe is less a Naga than the other, but do you know what other people say? It's for you to comprehend.
As a Naga youth with less credentials I have been able to meet only few Naga Soldiers and Officers; in most cases the soldiers just follow orders, but are brainwashed to hate others, and the officers are very honest in 'pointing out the mistakes of other factions' and are even ready to forgive, but most unfortunately fails to admit their own mistakes!! That's where the problem lies.
'At the moment' I must say that the NSCN (IM) is on the highest steps of the ladder, but does that mean that IM should become so self conceited? I tell you many Nagas who wants independent Nagaland do not want to support you; I hope you take this constructively. Why can't the NSCN (K), NNC/FGN and NSCN (IM) humble yourselves and unite among yourselves, and why don't you stop associating with the Indian Intelligence to find out about each other?! You are all a laughing stock in the eye of the Indian Intelligence, for sure.
Dr. Tuisem by coming out openly seeking forgiveness from each other and heal our land I do not understand why we should extremely exaggerate our reaction out of proportion! No one can restrict the Nagas to become truly righteous in the True Love and Spirit of God. When a Sümi speaks a word of healing should another Sümi draw others also to join the chorus to condemn that man?
When all Nagas should truly forgive each other and unite not in words but from the 'heart' to press forward the Naga issue, should we condemn a man to the point of death and proudly profess our faith in Christ? I guess we are no better than Pharisees.
I repeat the word of Dr. Tuisem; "Simply shouting Nagaland for Christ will not do". The NSCN (K) and NNC/FGN also must acknowledge what the 1M is doing and unite among yourselves, and correct if you must. All the Naga underground groups and Naga Populace should also admit our mistakes by surrendering our PRIDE if we really consider ourselves as NAGAS. Our self righteousness would only drag our issue further to the point of no return. What is the use when Nagas have no unity; it is only going to be another replica of Military state like Burma or Communist China where you can speak no truth! All I can say is Democracy is not likely favored by our leaders of today; be it underground or overground, what they want is Dictatorship or Autocracy. We can't trust ourselves but can trust even MIYAS!!
I want to earnestly request our Leaders to rather stop accusing each other through cheap publicity and intellectually dumb write ups, which is mostly irrational and illogical with no humane values. Your acts mostly override the Principles of Natural Justice, but you always try to justify yourself, as if the Naga populace are ignorant. Every sensible Naga public who understand the Naga issue supports the Naga movement, but not your stupidity. "As much as we need you, you need us too". In most cases since your guns are pointed towards the Nagas more than the Indians, your trigger happy acts have made the Nagas too passive to respond honestly. Do not blindly call yourselves 'People's Army'; win the hearts of the Nagas, especially youths, only then Naga dreams can be translated to reality.
In my few exposures I have always identified myself as a Naga, even when my friends introduced themselves as Chinese or Koreans!!! Whenever I join the Internet, I don't give a damn with whom I am chatting, but I always identify myself as an Independent Naga politically under the temporary subjugation of the Indians. If any faction or leaders are working to sell the Naga future they must give up on moral ground.
I must say that, as a general observer, I can admit that the confession of Dr. Tuisem was rather harsh on the surface, and too much indication to the extent of rubbing salt to the wound, but over all rating, the literal translation of his write up, read in whole, shows that it is very logical and reasonable.
If only you quote a particular sentence or few words out of a sentence you can see lethal poison out of a most beautiful sentence or paragraph or write up. If Dr. Tuisem in anyway is against the Naga National movement, may he be corrected by God. He is a man of God, so we can be sure that he must have read thoroughly Mathew chapter 7 and James Chapter 4 till the end. I hope our Naga organizations NNC/FGN and NSCN (K) would also be open to criticism and suggestions of the Naga intellectuals if you want unity among the Nagas.
Unless Nagas stop killing Nagas, I will not promise, but I can say that you will be missing out some real good stuff, that is 'intellectual back up from the innumerable well balanced and not lopsided Naga thinkers'. As of now, a balanced man will always be seen as suspicious, but a divisionary a party!
If anyone wants the best for the Nagas and truly wants Nagaland to be called, 'Nagaland for Christ'. I am for one who would want to see it becomes a reality. Elders, intellectuals and leaders from all tribes, can the Naga youths expect you to heal the bedridden Nagaland by coming out openly with the mistakes of your tribes? God forbid if you claim your tribe to be Truly Righteous. Lest we want Nagaland to be another African States like Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, etc where civil wars and problems have killed all the old and wise people and their land is now in chaos and confusion. If Tangkhuls have done wrong to the Nagas, all Naga Tribes including my Tribe have also done wrong to the Nagas. Can we hear our Naga intellectuals now? It is rather a time to reason both ways than to issue threat both ways!
Joshua Sumi, Sümi Naga, 6th Semester, Kohima Law College.
Karbi Anglong massacre toll goes up to 14 From Jayanta Das Assam Tribune BOKAKHAT, Aug 11 – In a gruesome incident, 14 people, including a three- month-old child, were gunned down at the Rongteron village of Dolamora near here under the Bokajan Police Station last night at around 9.15 pm by a group of 14-15 armed extremists. All the 14 were Hindi-speaking people. They have been identified as Rekha Devi (29), Sandip Sahu (17), Jibon Sahu (9), Rajani Kumari (7), Rohit Sahu(3), Mohit Sahu (3 months), Braj Bhusan Sarmah (20), Jogesh Sarmah (14), Munni Kumari (19), Niki Sarmah(14) and Tinki Sarmah(8) both daughters of Ram Kumar Sarmah, Suraj Garh(25), Dina Nath Sarmah(50), and Chandra Sekhar Sarmah(22). The last and Braj Bhusan Sarmah were students of JDSG College, Bokakhat studying in BA Part One and HS second year respectively.

Among the injured were Sunu Sahu, Prabhawati Sahu and Shivam Sahu. The shooting reportedly started from the residence of Dina Nath Sahu and continued for around one hour. The extremists also burnt a few residences of the victims. The rice mill of Dilip Sahu, the maximum number of whose family members bore the brunt of the incident, was burnt. The families of the killed had been residing in the place for a long time. In another incident, one Sagam Lal Jaiswal, aged about 50 years, was also killed and his body was recovered from nearby a stream at Tipu near Naharjan. The diseased used to go to Karbi Anglong to collect firelogs and he was missing since yesterday morning. The extremists have been suspected to be members of the KNLF. The police are completely clueless till now regarding the motif of the killers.

Meanwhile, shops and establishments of the neighbouring areas including those of Bokakhat downed their shutters for a couple of hours today in protest against the gruesome killings. Our Staff Reporter adds: Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh strongly condemned the brutal killing of several Hindi speaking persons. He said that such heinous crimes would never solve any problem, rather that might create an atmosphere of disunity among the people, thus hampering the process of development.
He also made an appeal to the people to maintain peace and harmony.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi described the killings as dastardly acts and said that such killings would not solve any problem except compounding the existing ones. He also directed the civil and police administration to deal with the situation with an iron hand and nab the culprits involved, said an official release. State BJP president Ramen Deka while condemning the Karbi Anglong incidents today demanded dismissal of the State Government.
Govt not sincere: NDFB By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Aug 11 – Accusing the State Government of not being sincere in holding genuine talks with it for resolving the Borland imbroglio, the National Democratic Front of Borland (NDFB) today said that it would be compelled to reconsider the ongoing ceasefire agreement unless the Government lifts the ‘banned organization’ tag on the outfit and allows it to hold public meetings and facilitate exchange of views. In a statement, the NDFB said that the debarring the outfit from holding public meetings and interactions with Boro civilians and intellectuals had come in the way of finding a negotiated settlement of the Borland issue and the Government was to be squarely blamed for the impasse.

“The imposition of the term- banned organization betrays the lackadaisical attitude of the Government, especially when the NDFB is on a ceasefire with the Government. If this continues, we will reconsider the ceasefire,” it said.
Burma mired in a Constitutional tangle? By – Zin Linn Mizzima

August 11, 2007 - Burma is being bogged down in a constitutional quagmire rooted in the question of equality for all nationalities or democratic rights for citizens of the nation. The ethnic nationalities in the country have a strong political aspiration to establish a genuine federal union as agreed by 1947 Panglong conference. But, that burning aspiration was disregarded by successive Burmese military regimes. As a result, civil war has been going on because of the failed promise guaranteed in the Panglong Agreement. Contrary to the Panglong spirit, Burma's 1947 Constitution which was completed in September failed to meet equal rights of ethnic nationalities had lasted for only 14 years. Similarly, the 1974 Constitution, which also failed to meet establishing a Federal Union based on the principle of self-determination, had also lasted for merely 14 years.
Now, as a consequence of the failed 1947 and 1974 constitutions, Burma has been still struggling with a constitutional dilemma. Burma's military junta has continued holding the last session of its controversial national convention on 18 July this year. While the final session of 14-year-old junta's National Convention is underway, the two strongest ethnic ceasefire groups - the KIO and United Wa State Army (UWSA) are threatened militarily and economically by the ruling junta. Recently KIO officials warned that they have no reason to surrender weapons if the junta keeps denying autonomy for Kachin State which it has repeatedly demanded of successive ruling juntas. Relations between KIO and UWSA are strong and they seem to have alerted their military units in order to resist inevitable military threats by the ruling junta.
Meanwhile, the Mon ethnic nationalities cease-fired group New Mon State Party stands decisively to uphold its four principles; not to dissolve the party, not to disband its military wing, Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA), not to separate the party from its army, and not to give up the 14 territorial positions that were agreed during the cease-fire deal in 1995.

Under the menace of the military junta (SPDC), brushing aside the majority of people's representatives-elect and with military hand-picked delegates, how could it be a free and autonomous convention to make any social-contract. While the contentious national convention is underway, the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association, together with members of the local authorities and police, brazenly assaulted human rights defenders in Burma. All the delegates in the National Convention are forced to agree to the SPDC's ready made chapters and basic principles, which grant the military's Commander-in-Chief the supreme power. The general population is threatened not to raise its voice about the future of their country with the SPDC's decree No. 5/96, designed to punish through lengthy imprisonment to those who criticize the national convention. The junta's pledges of democratic and economic reforms are merely rhetorical propaganda. Moreover, respect for the rule of law and human rights continue to be empty speechifying. It is, in fact, a magic show appeasing the ASEAN and China that the Burmese junta is working to perform a mufti-clad regime.

The United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon issued a statement on 18 July 2007, in which he urged the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) of Myanmar/Burma to seize the current opportunity to ensure that this and subsequent steps in Myanmar's political road map are as inclusive, participatory and transparent as possible, with a view to allowing all the relevant parties to Myanmar's national reconciliation process to fully contribute to defining their country's future. More than 50 British MPs have strongly called for the release of detained Burmese Parliamentarians who have been imprisoned under the military dictatorship. The British Parliamentarians are demanding that the UN Special Envoy to Burma and the British government step up efforts to release those parliamentarians, and all political prisoners in Burma.

In the meantime, on August 1, 2007, 92 Burmese MPs elected in 1990 elections submitted a letter to Mr. Ban Ki-moon. In the letter, they expressed that they all are relentlessly working for political dialogue. And declared they will not accept any solution made unilaterally by the SPDC with use of force, threat, pressure and manipulation. Looking back in time, it's easy to perceive the real culprit holding up national reconciliation and democratization in Burma. The people of Burma still have vivid memories of the August massacre in 1988. It took place 19 years ago, on 8th August of 1988, when the people of Burma from all walks of life including soldiers and police force marched through the streets of the country demanding political and economic changes and an end to the one-party or totalitarian rule.

The military opened fire on the protesters and it is estimated that in the five days from August 8 to 12, more than 3,000 demonstrators were shot down in cold blood throughout the country by the armed forces. But the people continued to carry on the street demonstrations with their demands for restoration of democracy and human rights in the nation. When the then totalitarian socialist government could not afford to halt the swelling people's protests, the military dictators re-entered the power game on 18th September 1988 with the bloody coup.

Three totalitarian presidents had to step down from power due to massive pressure of the people's demonstrations all over the country. Nonetheless, the 8888 people's protests paved way for the 1990 elections; these were however invalidated by the military. The National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi and its ethnic allies won over 82 percent of parliamentary seats in a 1990 general election. However, the crooked junta has played the game of national convention for buying time. The junta first promised in its 1/90 declaration that the task of the convention was to draft a constitution and all of the elected representatives must participate in the process. But, when the 11/92 Declaration of the junta came out, it allowed only 99 Members of Parliament out of 485 or 15.24 percent of elected representatives only. In the current session, there are merely 12 representatives-elect but only advocates of militarization.
Not surprisingly, the military regime is yelling for military guidance to democracy, it has debarred nearly 200 Members of Parliament who disagreed with the No.6 objective – for the Tatmadaw (Army) to be able to participate in the national political leadership role of the state.) – laid down by the junta and 13 representatives-elect continue languishing in various prisons together with 1200 political prisoners. If the SPDC continues to put into practice its seven-step road map without cooperating with the representatives-elect and without listening to the real aspiration of the people and repeated requests from the international community, including the UN, the SPDC's orchestrated constitution would be definitely challenged by the people (including ethnic nationalities) of Myanmar (Burma).
It has been indisputable that Burma's constitutional crisis becomes one serious case on the global stage. For instance, global diplomatic tour of Ibrahim Gambari, the special adviser of the UN secretary-general is noticeable to Burma-watchers. He started a four-nation tour in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia after his trip to China, India, Japan, Russia and some European countries to consult the issue of Burma, before a final leg to the region's problem child.
However, Burmese and non-Burmese people are worries whether Mr. Gambari himself understands the root of the question or not. Gambari should not hope for good results from the junta's orchestrated constitution drafting assembly or the sham national convention. The convention on the draft constitution appears to be a democratic option, but it is being carried out under an indisputably undemocratic and unfair political environment. The main factor for Burma's key players to consider is the question of equality for all nationalities and fundamental rights for all citizens of the nation. The 60-year-long civil war that stems from a constitutional crisis of the country may not simply cease, if this current national convention fails to provide self-determination for every nationality.