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08/21/2007: "Without integrating Naga areas, no solution is possible: Muivah Nagarealm.com"

Without integrating Naga areas, no solution is possible: Muivah Nagarealm.com

Hebron Camp(Dimapur) AUG20 [KOL] : In an exclusive interaction with ANI after the recent extension of the Naga ceasefire for an indefinite period recently National Socialist Council of Nagaland or NSCN(IM) leaders Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman and Thuingaleng Muivah, General Secretary, categorically reiterated that the continuation of the cease-fire will depend on the progress in talks.

"Periodic extension does not serve us. Neither has it served the Government of India. The point is that it has to be made rational and realistic. This is the consideration behind it. So, we find that ceasefire has been extended indefinitely subject to progress in talks," said Thuingaleng Muivah, General Secretary of the NSCN(IM). Naga leaders said the "ball is in the centre's court" and they have taken "necessary positive steps and we have done all we could do" to make the talks progress."

"Reality of Naga history has to be recognized. They have to recognize the uniqueness of the Naga history. Meaning Naga has never been part of Indian union in the past and present. This reality must be respected by India first," asserted Muivah. He further said that the Indian government should stop dividing Nagas. "Who has divided us in different states? Can you expect us to accept this type of arrangement without our consent? It hurts us. Government of India is just overlooking it. They are not realistic, they do not understand us, they are dictating to us. We don't want anything from India-we have our land ...that we need to have and that we ought to have...they (Indian government) are trying to please Meiteis, Assamese,Arunachalis at the expense of Nagas .We have been fighting for our rights for the last sixty years. Do you think we are fighting to be divided? Indians totally refuse to understand and recognize Nagas.

Solutions would never be there. We will never bow down. Anything against our will we will never accept," thundered an emotionally charged up Muivah. During the 45-minute interview at the Hebron Camp on the outskirts of Dimapur, both Naga leaders expressed displeasure with the Central Government's approach. They said that the Government does not have "guts" to make any bold and positive move to solve the five decade long conflict. Elaborating his point, Muivah said: "We have given them bottom line and below that we can't go and important step for this is integration of Naga areas, Naga homeland."

"We want neither secession nor separation. We want to be there as two entities. We have our own constitution and they (India) have their own and there will be some arrangement .Things which can be written in our own constitution and things which can be written in their Constitution, said NSCN (IM) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu. Making the point more clear, Muivah underlined that "relations should be determined in such a way that a sort of federation of India and federation of Nagaland not the federation within the federal structure of India. The Federation of India on the one side and federation of Nagalaim on the other."

The Naga leaders accepted that the younger generation of the Nagas is not so passionate about the demand for Nagalim and the NSCN(IM) ideological position. "We all wishes to have consultations with people. But youngsters don't understand us because they are paying attention to their studies. But we have been talking to the public," asserted Swu. Naga leaders were very upset with the Indian government for what they believe is the arms and material support to the rival Khaplang faction.

"Giving arms and ammunition to them-keeping NSCN(K) cadres outside the Hebron Camp. They are attacking us. Where is the sincerity on the part of the government? Controlling them is in the hands of the Indian government", said Muivah in a choked voice. The next round of Naga talks is expected to be held in the first week of September. Naga leader have been holding talks with the central government since 1997 when the ceasefire came into existence. So far many rounds of talks have been held in India and abroad. In the previous round of talks, the NSCN-IM had submitted a charter of demands to the government, including creation of a separate Constitution for Nagaland, a "new and unique" relationship with New Delhi and unification of Naga- inhabitated areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. But these three states have rejected such demands. In the Bangkok talks held last year, both sides had agreed on a broad framework to define a relationship that could end Naga insurgency.
There was, however, confusion over the parameters of the broad framework. Muivah arrived in India in December last year, while Swu came to the country in the first week of January. Since then, they have been in Nagaland for discussions with NSCN-IM cadres and civil society and political leaders on the group's key demands. [Sanjay Kumar]

Suspend OC, lodge enquiry, Phom bodies demand The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 20 (MExN): The demand to immediately suspend the officer in charge of the Tuensang police station who was on duty when a mob entered the lockup and killed three NSCN (I-M) cadres, setting up of an enquiry committee to look into the matter and “to book the culprits (Ring Leaders) and bring them to justice” was placed before the Nagaland government today. Arriving at this decision at their meeting on August 19, the Phom People Council and the Phom Students’ Conference questioned the civil administration as to why the mob was allowed to break into the police station and wondered if there were not enough police personnel, or simply negligence of duty.
Terming as “unfortunate” the action of the deceased NSCN (I-M) men “which is in violation of the resolution adopted by the Tuensang Town Peace Committee,” a press statement said the act of the mob was “more condemnable.”
“In today’s society, there are many ways of settling disputes only if justice is to be delivered in the greater interest of all sections of society. “It is also to be mentioned here that the act of the irate mob had only distorted the existing social harmony, disrespect to the state government’s machinery and necessary hindrance to the national workers.”
Separately, NSCN (I-M) Central Administrative Officer of the Chang Region, B Moba Chang, stated: “We are perplexed as to how such an ugly incident was allowed to take place under the custody of the Police who are meant to ‘protect’ and give ‘justice’ to the people.” In a press release the CAO stated, “The Constitution of India allows any criminal to fight for his rights in any court of law before his prosecution or being penalized. The authorities of the Police Department should spell out as to how and what led the mob to take the law in their hands in their presence. The State Government should take stern actions against the erring officers and bring culprits to book at an early date.”
He thanked Parliamentary Secretary P Chuba Chang, Chang Khulei Shetsang and various organizations of Tuensang District “for the initiation that they have made for maintaining cordial relations among different communities and sections of people.”
The CAO further conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
NSCN (K) refuse to hand over cadre AYO & ASU call emergency meeting Newmai News Network
Kohima The NSCN-K authority has directly refused to hand over the main culprit behind the August 16 shooting incident, wherein NSCN-K cadre Yehokhu Sema made a bid on the life of two Angami youths.
Informing this today, the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) president Kelhouneizo Yhome said that the NSCN-K authority had contacted the ASU and AYO officials over phone and conveyed their inability to hand over the culprit as demanded by them after the public meeting on August 18. However, Yhome maintained talking over phone cannot be accepted as official and therefore ‘we want that they should come to table and discuss over the incident.’ “We received an apology and clarification letter today. But we are demanding that the culprit be handed over to the public”, Yhome said, adding that they will decide their further course of action tomorrow.
He also reiterated that the students and youth set the deadline till 3:00 pm today for the NSCN-K authority to have a meeting with them and also handover the culprit. However, he lamented that they conveyed their inability only through phone. “Our main charter of demand was to hand over the culprit to us till 3:00 pm, however they (NSCN-K authority) have failed to do so,” he said.
Therefore, following the NSCN-K refusal, the Angami Youth Organisation and Angami Students’ Union has called upon all its range and unit officials of ASU and AYO to attend an emergency meeting at 11:00 am on Tuesday to discuss the second phase of agitation against the NSCN-K.
UCM flays NSCN-IM for sheltering criminals Newmai News Network
Imphal
The United Committee of Manipur (UCM) today strongly expressed its objection to the NSCN-IM while accusing the latter of sheltering criminals who were involved in the kidnapping and subsequent murders of Lungnila Elizabeth and two Senapati school going children, Mohinii Martin and Hriini Hubert.
The UCM in a strongly worded statement accused the NSCN-IM of sheltering the culprits involved in the cases without awarding punishment or spelling out the outcome of the findings into the heinous crimes.
Referring to the killing of Lungnila Elizabeth, the daughter of ex-Cabinet Minister Francis Ngajokpa, the UCM said that the NSCN-IM’s Hebron Camp ‘has become the sheltering centre with the clear picture on how the main accused James Kuki was kept in their custody with all comforts.’
Further, the UCM cited the case of Mohini Martin and Hriini Hubert who were abducted and subsequently murdered but the main accused Manikho Mao, Brown and Adai were sheltered again at Hebron Camp. It said that when the Manipur public has been demanding justice, nothing concrete came from the NSCN-IM. "Rather the public were told by the NSCN-IM that one of the accused had run away from its (Hebron) camp while the others are still at the safe custody," said the UCM.
Referring to the latest incident of attempted rape and subsequent murder of a minor girl, Manmaiya alias Manju (14) few days ago, the UCM stated that in this case too, the main accused Hormi alias Ningthou are reportedly with the NSCN-IM ‘without any justice for the public till date.’ The UCM further alleged that the picture on how the NSCN-IM has been handling the cases is clear enough that it is ' nurturing the criminals' showing that the organization itself is a 'criminal-sponsored agency'. The UCM statement signed by information secretary B.M Yaima Shah stated that in such cases the NSCN-IM failed to do justice for the public and it is high time for them (NSCN-IM) to realize their mistakes and do some retrospection in the interest of public sentiments.
Mass exodus reported from Karbi Anglong Newmai News Network
Guwahati
Thirty families of Hindi-speaking people and two Bengali families of Dolamara in Karbi Anglong district of Assam has left the district for their own homes out of the states for what said was the ‘lack of security’ in the area.
Families witnessed the killing of at least 16 people of the area by a joint team of Ulfa and Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) on the night of August 10 last. These families are the only non-Karbi people living in Dolamara area of the district and they have been staying there for over last four decades, sources said. Also, while some of them would leave for their own states, others have decided to stay with their
relatives at Bikakhat for next few days, before taking a final decision.
President of the Hindi Bhasi Youth Society of Karbi Anglong, Jaswant Singh said that the people have been leaving the district due to the prevailing atmosphere of fear. “These families in Dolamara, is just the beginning. More people of the community would leave the district if the situation continues,” said Singh. “The police and the district administration is doing nothing. Only BSF jawans were engaged in routine duties of patrolling. So who would stay there at night when there were no security personnel to save them,” said Singh.
Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police Anurag Tangkha admitted that some people of the community are leaving the district. “We have appealed the people of the area to come to relief camps to stay as it is not possible to built police out posts overnight,” said Tangkha. “Our plan is that we would keep these people in camps with security for some days and in the meantime police outposts would be created to provide security to the people. Some people are not agreeing to this and they were leaving,” said Tangkha.
“The government had already sanctioned a outpost at Dolamara but it would take two to three months to get it ready. We just cannot move policemen overnight to Dolamara without any infrastructure,” he added. Meanwhile, police and army teams killed two KLNLF cadres during an operation at Borlangpha under Diphu police station on
the wee hours of August 19, said the SP.
Personal reflection on present Naga situation The Morung Express
It was a hazy day on August 14 this year a vestige of Naga nationalists gathered in my village local ground and unfurled the Naga national flag coinciding with the Open Soccer Championship under the auspices of the Khrieo Club of the village. The following day on 15th August, I watch the celebration at New Delhi through television. The celebration at New Delhi was pomp and circumstance whereas in my village it was very mundane and prosaic. With these two events in mind I was vacillating with my identity because of the very fact that I am a bona fide Naga by birth with an Indian citizenship. Nevertheless the tinged of patriotic feelings resonates within me with pride and prejudice as a Naga with the iota of truth I know about the present Naga freedom fighters and the good history of the Nagas. But on the larger horizon, I went to pieces with doubts and confusion. The whitewashing of this small truth upon myself never suffice my doubts and confusion rather it makes me to live in hypocrisy and dissimulation. Thus I looked into myself honestly surrendering all my insular and chauvinistic attachment and in full neutrality I tried to find out the real truth about myself and my people.
I am sad to see our struggle for Independence from India has eventually become independence from God. We seem to have sinks into oblivion to the ploy of the Indian political play and enjoyed all kinds of comforts and material possessions facilitated by the Indians government. We seem to be enjoying and satisfied with a semblance of peace in the form of ceasefire agreement with India in parallel with the factional fighting among ourselves. The land is flooded with blood and tears, liquor and liquidity. The overflow of money from the streams of India government has become opium to the Naga nationalists, churches and to all and sundry. Perhaps Nagaland is a dry state because I see no living water, river of peace, fountain of joy and ocean of love.
Whereas on the brighter side, Nagaland is Christianized state with a banner “Nagaland for Christ” highly lifted up. Peace and unity are the watchword of the people. The land is overwhelmed with Christian rituals and religiosity in the form of prayer and fasting, singing and dancing, preaching and teaching, prophesying and healing, giving and taking and so on. The churches are growing tremendously with gorgeous and awe-inspiring infrastructures. Besides, there are chockfull Christian ministries, prayer centers, and institutions. Even secular ministries and institutions are badly hotchpotch with Christian rituals and traditions. Every Naga is a churchgoers and the name of Jesus Christ is the household word. In spite of all these, I feel the silence and the forsakenness of God
My vista of Naga nationalism is blurred with the fratricidal killing that is imbued with hatred, abhorrence, extortion and so on. Candidly, I don’t find any reason to be patriotic in this kind of situation. In the lopsided scales of fear, anxiety, apprehension, dismay, concern, doubt, suspicion, uneasiness, worry, panic and attachment tilts more heavily on the Naga nationalism rather than India’s. The forlorn hope of peace and unity among various factions and tribes and the implacable hatred among the Naga leaders is indubitably giving maximum advantages to the Indians. If at all, anyone is happy with the present Naga situation, I am sorry to say, they are in the fool’s paradise. Personally, I am not happy and I don’t find any reason to be proud of as a Naga.
In this hopelessness, may I beseech to all the Naga leaders to come under the feet of Jesus Christ. Remember! Jonah ran away from God but he was peacefully sleeping in the ship wherein the ship was buffeted by the windstorm and there was lot of panic and commotion inside the ship. The problem with Jonah was he was out of touch with the situation. Are we already asleep and inured with the situation and cannot hear the firing of the gun, the cry of the people and the voice of God calling us to come to Him. As a human being the situation makes me so pessimistic and cynical about the scenario of our struggle for independence for which I castigates myself. Honestly, I am a confused man with many unanswered questions about the present situation. I won’t be surprised if thousands of Nagas shared the same with me. Help us! By coming together as one in the name of Jesus Christ….… And every one of us says “AMEN”
Thenunu Lohe, Sakraba Village
Naga-Assam (Ahom) boundary M. Imyu Longchar The Morung Express
Naga and Ahom lived a good relationship before the British occupation of the whole areas. Nagas lived on a free land even before coming of the Ahoms. Ahoms invaded this fertile land of Brahmaputra Valley under the leadership of King Sukapa who ruled in Ahoms Kingdom i.e. 1228 -1260 AD.
While Koches invaded Ahom capital in 1563, many Ahoms took sheltered on Naga hills mainly in the areas of Ao’s, Phom and Konyak. In such a contest of supremacy over the Ahoms, Kings, Princes and officers said to have approach the Nagas of those area and even recruited them into Ahoms regiment it was very unfortunate that most of the Ahoms rulers were hunted by rivalries both from within and outside. They often took refuge in the Naga hill and saved them. Mentioned may be also made of Prince Godapani who wandered to Naga Hills while hiding himself from haunted by Laluk Burphukan a claimant to the Ahom throne. Nagas sympathized with the Prince Gidapani and was given shelter and offered every assistance.
He stayed for some time in a few Ao Villagers then proceeded to Phom area and into the Konyak area who later married a Konyak girl name “Watlong” daughter of Thawang. Later on Godapani ascended to Ahom throne in 1681. A.D. and assumed the Ahoms name, “Godadhar Singha”. As a token of gratitude for the un-estimated support and assistance rendered by the Nagas, including the Ao’s, the King not only offered valuable present, but also arable plot of land called khills and fishing right over the waters known as “Bheels’ on the understanding that they would desist from making and predatory raids into plains. These lands were called “Naga Khats” and were manage by the Assams agents known as “Naga Kotakis”. Their duty was to communicate between Ahoms and the Nagas.
The Ao’s derived considerable benefit from their good relation with the Ahoms because by honoring it they enjoyed the privilege of the ownership of the then Duars (means gates). The Duara were open in three places:
1. Dupdur Duar
2. Sharingia or Assiringa Duar
3. Hatigaria Duar.
There were others Duars in the North, i.e. Namsangya Duars for Koyaks Nagas, and the South Doyanga Duars of the Lotha Nagas. Each Duars were held by Naga Kotakis, and jointly held by group of Naga Villages. Taxes were remitted partly to Naga Kotakis and partly to Nagas. The area of Duars was open in the place of Naga Khats which was offered by the Ahom King.
During the Burmese invasion of Assam, (Burmese known to Ahoms as Mahn) the Ao Nagas, true to their tradition stood solidly by the side of the Ahoms during the reign of terror let loose in Assam by the combined forces of the Burmese and Singphos. Since their ravages, plundering, wanton killing of the Ahoms were beyond human tolerance, the Ahoms were forced to rush to Naga Hills.
This alarmed the Ao Villagers and alerted them to fight the common foe, while batches of warrior were sent to the plain. It is said that warrior from Aonokpu village and Lirmen village were skirmishes with the Singpho marauders in the plain. Thousand of Ahoms took shelter in the lower and upper ranges of Ao area for safety and this can be seen in the different monuments and places.
Gadadhar Singh died in February 1696 but important developments were done during his time and one among them was the construction of Dhodar Ali, which run from Nowgong to Sibsagar.
According to Book, “North East Frontier of India” by Alexander Mackenzie- page 98, para-3.
“The rapid extension of Tea cultivation along this Frontier gave rise to considerable correspondence between 1869 and 1873. The limit of Lakhimpur and Sibsigar to the south was above noticed, the old frontier road” called the Dhodar Alee, and Ladoigarh road. This frontier line is called inner-line.
“The Tea planters had long since in many places, both in Lakimpur and Sibsagarh taken up by lands south of revenue line, in some instance panging revenue to us, and in others i.e., Naga Chief Page-99 Para (1) run thus:- “Under the provision of the inner line regulation already described, such a boundary was accordingly laid down, compensation being paid to the Nagas for the area occupied by those Tea garden which lay beyond the inner-line”.
“The Kotakis were instructed on behalf of the Nagas to look after these Naga- Khats reserved for the Nagas in the plain, the Kotokes were to maintain a channel of communication between Ahom Kings and the Naga Chief”.: North Eastern affairs, page – 26.
It is well understood that Dodar Ali was the boundary between the Ahoms and Nagas and the Naga Khats belong to Nagas given by the Ahom King in the plain area.
Though Naga Hills district was created in 15th November 1866 under the Bengal province including Assam and 1871 Assam, comprising all the north east tribal areas, except Arunachal (it was under North East Frontier Agency) brought under Assam province. After Independent India in 1947, Assam State remains the same including tribal areas. Nagaland State was created on 1st December 1963 out of blood and tears under the condition of an agreement known as 16 Point agreement between Government of India and the Naga People Convention (NPC). It was strongly opposed by the Naga Freedom movement, then Federal Government of Nagaland. Under the 16th point’s agreements serial No. 12, run thus, “All the reserved Forest and other Naga areas will be returned to Nagaland with clearly defined boundary under the present settlement”.
The above statement clearly shows, that all the forest and the lands belonging to Nagas should re-transfer to Nagas and it was agreed even by the Government of India. It included all the forest in the foot hills and land including the Naga Khates which was offered by the Ahom King.
The detail of the Naga forest which is claim by Assam including the following places:
(1) Diphu reserved forest,
(2) Rangma Pani Reserved forest
(3) Doyang reserved forest
(4) Kaka donga forest
(5) Desoi valley (Tsurang valley)
(6) Teru valley
(7) Geleki Forest.
(8) Abhayapur Forest
(9) Delli Forest
The above forest and valleys is part and parcel of the Naga area.
In context to recent movement of All Assam Student Union (ASSU) claim of Tzurang Valley (Desoi Valley) at Ao Naga area in un-imaginable instead of claiming it, they should return the all Naga Khats which falls on plain area, particularly Hatiguria Duar (at present Hatiguri is located between the Mariani and Titapar, it is about 30 Km from Tzurang river towards Assam). The Naga area includes all the Naga Khats which was given by the Ahom King.
Therefore, Assam is the real encroachers and aggressor. They never realized the good deeds of their forefathers and their Kings, and kindness by the Nagas during the days to tragedies. It is not bad if the ASSU come to Naga hills and visit the place and monuments where their forefathers and kings took shelter during the time of famine and from their enemies. The present claim by the Assam basing on several survey lines like 1925 line is created by their own interest, without the knowledge of the Naga. Assam is the mother of all the North East States; she should shun all greediness and behave as a good motherhood. Otherwise there will be never peace and tranquility in relating to boundaries with all her neighboring States.
Options: Naga Political Problem
Last week has seen hectic Political activities. The new president of India has been elected. For Nagaland, more important issue was to watch the progress of negotiations between Gol and NSCN (IM). Since, many months the collective leadership has been preparing itself for the meeting which took place at New Delhi on 21 Jul 07. There have been positive vibrations regarding the environment in which the negotiations have taken place. Another round of talks is scheduled to take place in Nagaland on 30 July. As part of pressure tactics decision regarding extension of cease fire is to be taken depending upon the progress of talks on 30 Jul.
There is a need to have realistic assessment of the situation and ponder upon the options. As known to most of us, NSCN (IM) has two main demands i.e new and unique relation with the Gol based on the in crores and dependent status for Nagaland as a sovereign state with some strings attached and integration of Naga inhabited areas. From the point of view of most Nagas their demands are genuine and essential to be accepted. The ramification for India in accepting these demands are very complex and catastrophic. Therefore, there is so much effort to understand each other's compulsions. The credit must be given to Gol and NSCN (IM) for keeping the process of dialogue open particularly in face of internal/external pressures. It is also known that negotiations can not continue endlessly and their relevance, context and importance will become obsolete with passage of time.
During the last ten years, NSCN has made gains both on financial and military fronts. As per rough estimate NSCN (IM) is extorting Rs. 600-900crores and training approximately 700-1000 new recruits per year. The organization is stinking rich and while negotiating with the Gol it is continuing its other activities of marginalization of rival groups in Nagaland as well as in neighboring states by siding with some friendly militant organizations who have huge fund raising capabilities. The financial and military gains have made the cadres and most of the leader's corrupt and military strength has raised their ego to skies. The effect has been felt and realized by the collective leadership. Therefore, within NSCN (IM) a reform exercise was set in motion at a major scale. The leaders must realize that this internal rot is not controllable as in their organization, there are large number of people who have personal, social, political and financial interests. Well, it is up to the organization to sort out the problems but misunderstanding regarding their fighting strength and potential can force the leaders to make wrong judgment and decisions regarding violent or peaceful form of insurgency.
I also do not find many options with Gol as well. Gol is in no position to tinker with the inter-state boundaries which will result into eruption of unmanageable levels of violence in many states simultaneously. Therefore, integration, which is non-negotiable by NSCN (IM), is not viable option for Gol.
India can also not afford to give independent status to Nagaland. It is not Nagaland which is at stake. It is the status of India as a nation which is at stake. It is because of such stake involved the J&K and some other states have faced insurgency supported by a hostile neighbour country taking heavy toll on the undergrounds and security forces personnel. India at best can give additional powers to Nagaland to manage internal and external affairs.
Both the issues are emotional and tolerance levels for their rejection are very low. There is a need to find some other options. It may be possible to have State Assemblies and Regional Assemblies with overlap of states. The subjects to be dealt by State and Regional assembly could be decided by panel of law experts. Similarly regional security forces under dual control of Central and State Govts may be thought of specifying type of operational control under the State and the Union. Limited areas for independent direct interaction with international community by the State may also be identified.
It is understandable that it is not going to be easy to achieve Regional Assembly, Regional Forces with dual control and international access within frame work of the Union particularly for NSCN but chances should not be ruled out. Meanwhile there is a requirement to decide about the future of cadres of NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and FGN and absorption mechanism to contain volatility in a post agreement scenario.
It appears that Gol and NSCN (IM) are equally worried in stating their stance prior to reaching out at a mutually agreeable solution to prevent hardening of outside environment which has to give general support and acceptance. This policy of keeping the silence may be good but it exposes the negotiating parties to extreme pressures. That is why limits of flexibilities should be made known at least to certain sections of society, NGOs and other organs of State who can work to explain the rationale of stakes and compulsion to the General public. The cadres also need to know their future so that they may equip themselves mentally and physically to adjust to the future environment which should not come as a rude shock to them.
This is a historical moment for Nagaland. Both Gol and NSCN are involved in very serious negotiations. Failures due to misunderstanding or accident can cause untold damages. There is need to understand the compulsions which are more difficult in case of the Nation rather than other parties. Emotions have to be weighed against the realistic options and efforts have to be collectively made for brighter and [prosperous future of Nagaland.
The Public has a stake in peace for the future generations. We therefore, must make efforts to prepare ourselves for solutions which are workable and achievable. Gol should also make all out efforts not to let the opportunity slip away and try to chalk out a frame wk to meet the aspirations of various states including Nagaland. No false hopes and promises should be given as all decisions will be required to be approved in the Parliament where the national interest is the final criteria of settlements with the States. At this juncture highest form of statesmanship, maturity and logical reasoning is expected from all those who are involved in the peace process as they are engaged in shaping destiny of many lives.
Yesonu Zimoni, BA (Final Yr), St. Stephens College, New Delhi.
Different similars
On 31 Jul 07, famous character of Munna Bhai (Sanjay Dutt) has been sentenced for six years rigorous imprisonment for possessing illegal arms around fourteen years ago. His request for release under Probation of Offender's Act (POA) has been denied. But at the same time there are number of offenders who are caught with illegal weapons, should they also not meet the same treatment? This is no way an advocacy for the celebrity.
North East region of our country, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh are wreathing under the wrath of insurgency with spillover to neighbouring states. There are large number of proscribed outfits operating in various parts of our country with different names and aims. These are self claimed revolutionaries fighting a battle for a self centered and self defined cause. Very often the cadres of these outfits are apprehended with illegal arms.
Do these cadres meet the same treatment under TADA and possession of illegal arms act? Of course, these cadres are put behind bars to be released soon after, either under NGO sponsored pressure or arm twisting tactics of these outfits or with intervention of someone at the helm of affairs. Are these offender's beyond law or it is more than what meets the eye? Let us see the difference.
Munna Bhai has been called, "in corrigible offender, doing an act that is eminently dangerous, having elements of criminality etc" where as no such strictures are passed for frequent offenders of proscribed outfits. One proclaimed offender has contributed positively to the society while other offenders do the opposite. The film Munna Bhai MBBS is the only Indian film being remade by Hollywood, an only example of reverse film trade. This film spreads a message that positive state of mind has a constructive and complementary effect on the recovery of patients; sometime medicine can not have alone. Lage Raho Munna Bhai is also being made in Tamil. There is a strong message of Non Violence conveyed to the public through this film. This film generated nation wide discussions on lessons of Non Violence spread by the father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The lessons it gave to the younger generations are to be realized to believe. His father's films have also contributed positively to the society. This family has also contributed to the cause of cancer patients.
Now the contribution of cadres to the society is; killing, extortion, intimidation, violence etc. That leaves behind orphaned children, makes widows of happily married women, deprives parents of the only child they have, deprives families of the only bread earner in the family etc.
What kind of name should be given to these offenders; incorrigible offenders, non repentant offenders or parasitic offenders who live on other's hard earned money that deprives the families of better nutrition and children of better education? Not to forget the violence related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that affects people of all ages in different proportions with far reaching consequences. Terror has no affiliations to ethnicity, caste, creed, religion and region.
Act is the same but treatment meted out is different. Home Minister RG Lyngdoh of Meghalaya came very heavily on extorters and those who quietly succumbed to their threats.
The philosophy was simple that these are anti- state activities. The result was phenomenal; the proscribed outfit ANVC entered into ceasefire agreement and HNLC became cash starved resulting in large scale surrenders. Both State and Centre government is spending enormous amount of money to check supply of illegal arms and resulting insurgency.
Should the simple philosophy of RG Lyngdoh be emulated and deal with all anti-state elements accordingly? Films are a mirror of happenings in the society. They depict a deep collusion between authorities (Legislative, Executive and Judiciary) and the under world elements.
Now the precedence has already been set by Justice Khode for sentencing an offender to minimum six years rigorous imprisonment for simple possession of illegal arms. The case is different for offenders in NE states and other states of India. They possess as well as use illegal weapons with impunity.
Judiciary of NE states and rest of India need to take lead from the landmark judgment and dispense rightful justice to the offenders to avoid zeroes becoming heroes. Home departments of affected states also need to draw actionable lesson from actions of Meghalaya Home Minister. This will send a right message of security to the innocent and hapless sufferers and pave the way to much wanted peace, progress and prosperity.
"It is the spirit and not the form of Law that keeps justice alive"- 'Earl Warren'
Geoffery ( Readers can reach out to the writer on email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in)

Extortion racket: Centre mulls separate mechanism for N-E
NEW DELHI, AUG21 : Confronted with serious implications of militant-politician nexus in the North-East, the Centre is mulling a separate and independent mechanism to deal with the multi-crore rupee-strong extortion racket.
Sources in the government said that a plan is being worked out not only to have a separate and deterrent legal framework in place, but also to involve the Enforcement Directorate and banking sector to check the growing racket. Officials agree that the Northeastern states, especially Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, have fallen prey to the extortion racket, which is being run by about three dozen militant groups. In Manipur alone, about two dozen outlawed militant outfits are involve in it.

Unofficially, sources claim that almost 20- 25 percent of the development outlay funds go to these militant outfits as extortion money, which would mean that from Manipur alone, that has an development outlay of Rs 1,300 crore, the militants are able to suck out Rs 260- 300 crore annually.

The Centre is planning to set up local units of the Enforcement Directorate and rope in the banks to divulge information where the militants could be stashing away their cash. The Director of the IB has already cleared the proposal in principle and soon Enforcement Directorate chief Sudhir Nath would visit the area to see how to implement it on the ground, said a source. The plan would be implemented first in Manipur, from where 12 militants were arrested along with arms from the residences of three Congress MLAs last week. Feeling the heat, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta called a high level meeting on Monday where he discussed the issue at length with Manipur Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh and DGP Yumnam Joykumar Singh. Senior officials from railways, petroleum, banking industry, food and civil supplies and panchayati raj also attended the two-hour meeting in which extortion was the key issue. [newindpress]