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09/23/2007: "Press Communique Source: www.nscnonline.org"
Press Communique Source: www.nscnonline.org
Shri K. Padmanabhaiah, Representative of Government of India and Th. Muivah, General Secretary, NSCN have issued the following Joint Communiqué, here today:
"The representatives of the Government of India and the NSCN are pleased with the progress that has been made in the course of the visit of the NSCN leaders to New Delhi, during which they met the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Finance Minister, and in the formal talks held on 21-23 January. A wide range of substantive issues put up by the NSCN in their proposal were discussed. The NSCN raised the issues relating to the distinct identity of the Nagas and their stand on the unification of Naga areas. In this regard the Government of India representative clarified that there has been no change in its stand on the scope of negotiations. There was agreement to continue the formal talks until a lasting settlement is reached. Meanwhile both sides reaffirmed the need for a peaceful, violence-free environment."
Poumai Hoho, Nagaland condemn crimes in society The Tangkhul.com
Dimapur, September 22 (MExN): The Poumai Hoho Nagaland (PHN) today strongly condemned the acts of crime that has occurred in the Naga society during the last few weeks, especially the killing of a Naga student in Delhi, the killing of NSCN (IM) cadres and the ransacking of the NSF and the NMA offices recently.
The Poumai Hoho Nagaland (PHN), in a note issued by its genreal secretary H Sosü, strongly condemned the killing of one Kezeviliu Kulnu by one Albert Ezung on September 12 at Gandhi Vihar in Delhi. The Hoho termed the murder as an act of the highest crime and that the culprit, Albert Ezung deserves befitting punishment according to Naga customary law and practices.
The note urged all right-thinking citizens to condemn such inhuman act. The PHN, also urged the concern authority not to let the culprit go unpunished. It further conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.
The Hoho also ‘vehemently condemned the merciless killing of every human being’ including the killing of NSCN (IM) CHQ Chaplain, PK Stone, his wife and three of his bodyguards on September 8 in Kohima. The Poumai Hoho conveyed its condolences to the bereaved children and family members in this time of grief and sorrow. Expressing its mind on the ransacking of the NSF and NMA offices in Kohima, the PHN termed the incident as most unfortunate.
“The goodwill mission, noble intention and tireless efforts of the mass-based organization are too frequently targeted in the present society without any respect,” the PHN lamented and added that the social welfare services being rendered by such organizations should not be put to shame even ‘if we fail to acknowledge them.’ “These notorious act of ransacking the most respectable offices of the NSF and NMA and the...brutal murder of student because of little ill-felling and hurt of sentiment have badly tarnished the image of the entire Naga Christian community in particular and the global society in general,” the PHN asserted.
On excommunication- Nagaland Post
I am writing this not for the sake of argument or self justification but out of real love for the people to live in brotherly coexistence. Had the Tangkhul Tribe been not singled out by the people of other Naga Tribes, many of us would not have been concerned about the Tangkhuls and Dr. Rev. Tuisem Shishak also would not have issued a statement for his own Tribe.
We wish that all Naga Tribes could live together in harmony without discriminating any Tribe. So when quit notice was served on the Tangkhul Tribe in Nagaland for the third time, it pained us severely but a sad thing is that it did not create an alarm to the public of Nagaland in general. Why? Because there is a serious situation prevailing which should be seriously fathomed and analyzed by the Tangkhul Tribal Hoho.
After participating in the Naga National Movement, the Tangkhuls too have sacrificed a lot, many of the people died and they are also in all of the existing factions though majority may be in NSCN (I-M). But even from among the National workers they used to say that Tangkhuls are arrogant and among the rank and file, the higher rank personnel from other Tribes are to be subject to the lower rank being a Tangkhul. Over and above that, the general public also says that most of killing, threat and extortion are under the leadership of Tangkhuls. So when Tangkhul Long and APO met at Kohima, APO did not make any reservation and as they gave me respect to conclude the discussion, I suggested to the Tangkhul leaders that they should issue a public statement in the light of our discussion to which they replied that they would think over it.
My press statement is not in favour of the person of Dr. Tuisem's but for a practical healing of the critical situation faced by Tangkhuls. Dr. Tuisem's confessional statement creates a sense of relief because it is a real step towards resolving an overwhelming discriminating problem. It is up to the Tangkgul leaders whether to opt for practical healing or maintaining self-prestige by rejecting the ennoble statement of Dr. Tuisem.
Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi Kohima
K leader admits to killing Nagarealm.com [NNN]
The NSCN-IM said today that "Khaplang group" Deputy Kilonser Tikhak Naga has "sadistically" admitted to killing late Major PK Stone's wife Maireila because she was a member of NSCN and official member of National Socialist Women Organization of Nagalim (NSWON).
The NSCN-IM stated that though NSWON have no record of her as member, "what really shocked the conscience of everyone irrespective of factional or tribal affiliation is, should a mother be raped and killed in such brutish manner by some mothers' sons of an organization who professed to go by Naga freedom fighter group with imitative name but shallow and criminal oriented in actual functioning?" It then opined that every member of human society is born of a mother, fed on mother's milk and nurtured by her to grow up as a man and woman.
"This is God's or nature designated role for a mother. And a mother is, therefore, revered with Godly status. Criminals, though having animals like instinct are also human and also comes from mother's womb," asserted the NSCN-IM statement. It then judged, "certainly, mother nature will be having an answer for the crime against mother, for nature forbid such magnitude of crime that demeaned mother's status. And it is God, the creator of mother who will have His reward reserved for the perpetrators of mother's honour".
Centre likely to intervene on affiliation spat Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 22: The Union Government is likely to intervene on the issue surrounding affiliation of schools of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, informed a reliable source. The Union Government, after minutely analysing the moves and counter moves taken up by the Nagaland Government and the Manipur Government, may initiate some measures which will not be detrimental to the interests of both the States.
The Centre, may most probably, prohibit enforcement of new ordinance or passing of new bills on the affiliation issue, conveyed the source. The Centre is expected to make specific instructions to the Nagaland Governor not to give assent to the Bill passed by the Nagaland Assembly to allow affiliation of schools based outside Nagaland to NBSE.
The Manipur Government may also face intervention from the Centre with a similar instruction to its Governor not to approve the Ordinance enacted by the State Cabinet. Even though there has been no official intimation from the Union Government in this regard, Chief Minister O Ibobi had been in Delhi a few days back seeking intervention of the Centre on the affiliation issue. Interestingly the Governor is yet to give his assent to the Ordinance prepared by the State Cabinet. According to the Ordinance which is an amended version of the Section 1 (4) of the Manipur Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1972, no schools located in Manipur will be allowed to affiliate to education boards and Universities based outside the State.
In case of any school affiliating to other boards, certificates issued by such boards will not be recognised by the Government of Manipur, conveyed a Cabinet Minister. About the Ordinance recommended to the Governor by the State Cabinet after meeting twice, Chief Minister in-charge Th Debendra discussed the matter with the Governor at raj Bhavan twice yesterday.
A Ministerial team led by Th Debendra again met with the Governor today at about 11.15 am. The Ministerial team included Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Health Minister Ph Parijat, IFC Minister N Biren and Education Minister L Jayantakumar. The Governor reportedly told the Ministerial team that some necessary documents were missing to enforce the Ordinance.
The Governor was demanding documents of the resolutions adopted by the Nagaland Government to issue a new Ordinance and of the resolutions passed by the Nagaland Assembly. In connection with the points raised by the Governor, an emergency Cabinet meeting was convened at the Chief Minister's Secretariat with Law Minister Th Debendra in the chair this afternoon. After thorough deliberation, the meeting resolved to seek Governor's approval after submitting all the requisite documents related with the new Ordinance anew. Consequently, all the documents of the Ordinance submitted to the Governor earlier were withdrawn today, added the source.
NSCN (K) brands minister Imkong as ‘anti-national’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, September 22 (MExN): The NSCN (K) today branded State Minister of Education, Imkong L Imchen as an ‘anti-national’ and a ‘traitor’ for ‘selling out the rights of the people of Nagaland state to others.’
A press statement received here from the Secretary of NSCN (K), Ministry of Education, comes in the wake of the recent move to affiliate the hill districts’ schools of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). The NSCN (K), in this regard, asserted that many justifications has been forwarded by many ‘self-interested’ persons regarding the move for Manipur schools affiliation to the NBSE by stating that the affiliation will not affect or jeopardize the opportunities of the students of Nagaland. However, the NSCN (K) affirmed that no matter what the justification could be, the State Minister of Education will be held responsible for ‘selling out the rights of the Naga people to the people of other states.’ “No amount of justification advocated by self-interested people will absolve Imkong L Imchen from the charges. Imkong L Imchen Education Minister of Nagaland puppet state has no a fig care for the GPRN/NSCN. Let us see how long he will be protected by the I-K terrorists.” The NSCN (K) asserted that Imkong L Imchen will be answerable for all his actions.
“The GPRN/NSCN had well noted his attitude and had already branded him as “anti-national” and traitor for selling out the rights of people of Nagaland state to others. Cease-fire or no Cease-fire and dead or alive he will be answerable for hurting the economic and social interests of the Naga people and above all, the sentiments of the people,” the NSCN (K) warned.
In this connection, the NSCN (K) further challenged in the event of any undesirable consequences, the Government of India will be held responsible for not intervening in the issue and encouraging the NSCN (IM) in one way or the other to destroy Nagaland.
However, the NSCN (K) also said that the powerful NGOs of Manipur had already impressed the Manipur State Government ‘not to allow all students passing out from the NBSE to undergo further studies in Manipur and also not to allow them to join the State service.
The NSCN (K) expressed its optimism that the demand of the Manipur NGOs would surely be implemented by the Manipur Government.
The NSCN (K) further said that, under such circumstances, most of the students from Manipur who passes out from NBSE will be automatically admitted in the Nagaland institutions and that many will be employed in one or the other in Nagaland. “The opportunities and benefits entitles to the Naga youths will be enjoyed by the Manipur people through force and manipulations or under the dictates of the Tangkhul led I-K group, the trend which the people have been experiencing in the Naga society for some years,” the NSCN (K) opined.
'Tangkhul National Workers' endorse TNL's stance Nagarealm.com Dimapur, SEPT21 [NNN] : Spewing out its wrath on the elements who have been "defending" Dr Shishak Tuisem after he was ex-communicated by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the "Tangkhul National Workers" of the NSCN-IM said that to react to any given situation it makes "more sense to be realistic than to be bombastic".
Isuing a statement through the Ministry of Information and Publicity, NSCNIM, the "Tangkhul National Workers" said that it might be more prudent to study the actual sequence of the issue than plunge headlong in defence of somebody in trouble. "Nobody can gainsay the fact that every tribe carries trait of imperfection. Every individual tribe has its own omissions and commissions. Surprisingly, there is an unwarranted restlessness to bail out Tuisem who has been excommunicated by Tangkhul Naga Long", it ex.
The statement also said that it was a one sided defence without actually touching on the core of the issue that set off the spark to burn Dr Tuisem. " It is ridiculous to defend a person by virtue of his social standing and feigned ignorance about the other side of the story that comes in the most arrogant manner quite unbecoming of his professed high sounding title as Reverend, a servant of God but who refused to translate humbleness into practice. This should have been the trait of a true Reverend," further stated the "Tangkhul National Workers" of the NSCN-IM.
It then stated that this is the situation with Dr. Tuisem and the uncalled for criticism on TNL by some vested individuals and organizations. "But in the ultimate analysis of the situation it is to be admitted that it is the Tangkhuls who knows Dr Tuisem from close angle and therefore action taken against him for his temerity to challenge the whole Tangkhuls. For the same reason the Tangkhul National Workers have no inhibition to fully endorse the decision of the TNL in excommunicating Dr Tuisem for six years," said the statement. It also stated that Dr Tuisem cannot justify his utterance against the Tangkhul exploiting the Holy name of God.
It will be a travesty of justice to God. "In the backdrop of such unpalatable situation with Dr Tuisem having to face the social ostracism nothing has come to us as a bolt from the blue. His motive in the past has not been too pleasant to recollect either. The NSCN have encountered his bitter diatribe against the revolutionaries just for the heck of sending a wrong signal across the world. And he chose the occasion and timing to make the desired impact. It will, therefore, be foolhardy for the Tangkhuls not to interpret his inside game-plan in correct perspective and stamp the rot lest it cause havoc of much greater dimension," cautioned the statement.
The Tangkhuls or for that matters all the Nagas have strong attachment to customary values. And it is imprudent to undermine the customary authority. Dr Tuisem will be taking the greatest risk of his life if he considers himself above the Tangkhul customary law, it warned. "Therefore, in the fullness of our conscience the Tangkhul National Workers consider the TNL's action on Dr Tuisem justified," claimed the statement.
Dr Tuisem’s Confession: Hue and Cry By Dr. A.S Yaruingam, University of Delhi.
Many do write about our society yet nothing happens. Why Dr. Tuisem’s Confession has evoked such a hue and cry among the Tangkhuls? Has the confession defamed our society, as some claimed to be? Was his confession a truth that pinched our consciences and makes us cry out? Has TNL taken the right course of action against him in consonant with the prevailing norm of civilized society and our tradition? What should be the response of our churches to it? These are some of the questions that struck my mind and I want to express my opinion in this short article. I hope readers will read it dispassionately and understand in the right perspective.
It’s been more then twenty years since I met Revd (Dr) Tuisem A. Shishak when I left Patkai Christian Colleges in 1984 December after my graduation. Since then I have never met him except that I occasionally read his article in journals and newspapers. Though it’s been a long time, the memories of Dr. Tuisem’s first passionate message for the Nagas ‘You are a chosen people” (2 Peter 2:9) which he delivered with tears, on the pulpit of our Patkai chapel hall, a thatched roof building then, still remained fresh in my mind.
I still remember the testimony he shared with us on why he came to Nagaland. He came to Nagaland with Madam Margaret, leaving behind lucrative job and wonderful life in the States, to serve our people. He established Patkai Christian College giving special focus on music to harness the greatest talent God gives to Nagas and use it for his glory. I believe many Nagas across the state have immensely benefited from the college. At times, some Nagas accused him saying ‘Tuisem is collecting a lot of donation from United States in the name of Nagas and trying to become a capitalist’. During a noon chapel, before the Patkai community and before God, he wept and testified saying he did not save even one dollar for himself in the name of Nagas rather he beg from the churches in America to help the Nagas. He challenged us to come and see his bank account. He told clearly Patkai is not Tuisem’s property; it is for the Nagas and for the whole North East.
How is Dr. Tuisem’s image outside the Naga community? Once we went to Mechiphema Agriculture College (Nagaland) for a seminar along with him (Tuisem). Director of that institute was a man from Allahbad. As Mayang’s usual attitude toward NE people, he did not take us seriously and was very disrespectful in dealing with us. At the end of the seminar, our Principal, Tuisem, was given twenty minutes for a short remark. Twenty minutes speech broke the pride of the director. He came to realize that there is such a man of integrity and wisdom among the Nagas. He began to respect Tuisem and all of us. Thus whoever comes into contact with Dr Tuisem understands who he is and gives respect to him and the community he belongs.
Dr Tuisem whom I knew 20 years ago, does not have sugar coated lips and entices people with sweet speeches as many of us do. He cherished truth and straight forwardness in dealing with situation. His messages sound harsh some time, but it has truthful touching which pierce the core of the listener’s heart. His speeches are thought provoking. He does not try to be a superficial philanthropist like politicians of our time. Revd Tuisem is prudent in financial management. Because of this, sometime people misunderstand him as miser. I still remember he used to bring second hand clothes from America and sold it to us. And I thought he was a miser but later I realized that he was miser to build up Patkai so that through it all Nagas would be blessed. His way of tackling with any issue is, in a sense, a bit blunt. He deals all matters directly to the point and find the solution. He did not hesitate to say ‘it is wrong’ when someone does wrong and ‘it is right’ when someone does right. It is not his character to stand in the middle ground, trying to please everybody and seek social acceptance. This is Revd (Dr.) Tuisem A. Shishak, whom I knew twenty years ago.
Dr Tuisem established Patkai Christian College with a vision for the future of Nagas. His vision has come true to a certain extend. Today the college is a blessing to many Nagas in various ways. I have met several friends who testified that Patkai changed their lives and today many of them are serving in different capacities as leaders in the churches, associations and NGOs.
Considering such love Revd. (Dr) Tuisem A. Shishak has for the Nagas and the contribution he has made to our society, it is very difficult to accept that today he is trying to tear down our dream. His ways and nature of approach and dealing may be different from others but to brand him as a ‘betrayal’ or ‘traitor’ is unfortunate and un-call for. Who is the loser by ex-communicating him from our society? Tuisem? Doubtful!
I am sure the problem arose out of misunderstanding and lack of serious thinking combing with emotional flare up by some of our young people. I believe the problem could have been handled in much better manner and bring better realization to us.
Anyway, what is the content of his ‘Confession? Has it really caused so much damaged to our society that he deserved to be humiliated in such a way? Is it right that the man whom we invited yesterday to be the teacher in our churches, conferences, seminars and association, today became our betrayal? Or have we misunderstood the content of his writings and fail to perceive much higher and nobler intention he has for us? OR Are we acting like the foolish son who misunderstood and try to humiliate the father who loves him so much?
I read the confession several times to grasp basic underlying points of the writing so that I may not misinterpret it. (Reading his confession in partiality will give us wrong interpretation. It needs to be read in totality and understand the spirit behind the letter.). To me the more I read repeatedly the more I found the profound truthfulness of the letter though it’s hurting to my pride as a Tangkhul. Of course, the letter was in one sense, bitter and emotionally hurting because it contains only the negative aspects of our society which are all a reality. (Revd VK.Nuh commented) This is natural because in confession no one speaks one’s good deeds and ask God to forgive. If it so, it would be like the Pharisee who came to God and prayed ‘Thank you Lord, I am not like that tax collector.’ Dr. Tuisem’s confession hurt our emotions because it was a truthful confession. So I call his ‘Confession’ a ‘piece of bitter truth’. I also read writings by different individuals and sections of our people in respond to his confession. Besides, I talked to elders whoever I could reach and try to gather their opinion on Dr Tuisem’s confession. One common point I gathered from all is that Dr Tuisem’s ‘Confession’ he wrote simply what is happening daily right in front of us. He wrote the actions of our own people that inflicted pain and wounds to ourselves and causes hatred, conflict & division among us, leading to destruction of our society instead of saving us; all these are the daily commonly ill-gossiping topics among our people whether in the bus, at home or in hotel. In fact these are the basic spiritual sickness grievously affecting social, political and economic life of our society. In my reading, Revd Tuisem was convinced that these are wrong before God and will surely bring doom to our society. He simply confessed all the evils within us before God and appealed to our people, ‘let us stop doing these things and do the right thing.’ Is he wrong?
I do ask like many others, who gave him the authority to confess on behalf of the Tangkhul? Reading his letter reminded me of God’s servants like Daniel and Nehemiah in Old Testament who prayed and confessed their sin and their peoples’ sin before God and asked God to forgive them. Nobody appointed them as spiritual leaders of Israel to confess their sin and prayed for them. In fact, Nehemiah was just a gate keeper of king Xerxis of Persia, Daniel was just a bureaucrat under Babylonian Government. But when God’s spirit dwelled in them, their hearts went out for their people who were suffering under the yoke of foreign rule. And they realized that it was because of their sin. They came to God and confessed and prayed on their behalf that God may forgive them. In Tuisem’s letter I perceived such a spirit so the question of who authorized him does not arise.
I also asked him, ‘How could he say that Tangkhuls are arrogant? A dictionary meaning of ‘arrogance’ is putting oneself more important over the others and takes pride in it. One of the fundamental characteristics of an arrogant person is, never willing to admit mistakes honestly and say sorry. Arrogant person always insist that he is always right though he is wrong. For him to admit mistake is a weakness and shame. Contrary to this humble people admit mistake and correct it. Humble man/ nation listens others and respect and deal with them as fellow human being. I cannot say Tuisem is right or wrong when we say, ‘arrogance is the cultural trait of our people’ but on the basis of the its characteristic one can judge whether we are humble or arrogant nation or tribe. To me the very nature of our reaction to his letter shows who we are.
As a reaction to it several individual and organization have expressed their views. Each one seems to be right in their own way. Negative reactions from the political, social and civil societies are understandable though I disagree with them. But the judgment of the Tangkhul Naga Long, the Apex body and the depository of our ancient traditional wisdom, surprises me and is unpalatable; their way of dealing with the case, seemed to have ignored the natural justice of a civilized society as some of our legal experts have pointed out. It also clearly reveals how immature our leaders are, in dealing with such cases. To me their action reflects how far we are behind the world in sense of dispensing justice to our people. It may not be wrong to call such act as ‘an aberration’ in our history. When I read heard about it (TNL’s action) several questions arise in my mind: Was it our Tangkhuls tradition that an accused person is penalized without giving a chance to defend before the elders? Was it our tradition to suppress the freedom to speak out/point out the wrong within us? Was it our traditional practices that elders are humiliated in such a manner in the public for speaking out what he believes is right?
We the young people were proud before the Mayangs for our rich tradition of democratic norms and freedom. But if this is the tradition we have, we need to re-examine our traditions seriously. Keeping such traditions and custom will retrograde us to the head hunting days instead of leading to 21st century. Today, Revd Tuisem has become the victim of such a tradition and the next victim will be you and me. Tangkhuls, who want progress, civilization and development and live as a dignified people in this 21st century like any other people on earth, need to stand up against such wrong practices and speak out. More over, I am afraid, if this is the kind of tradition we are preserving /nurturing today, we are not far away from converting our land into a ‘Islamic/Taliban state’.
But the more surprising and the disheartening is the ‘mute spectators of our churches and its leaders’. Though the secular worlds misunderstand, people expected church leaders to understand the confession letter in the right spirit and react positively with sense of concern. Or have our church accepted -corruption, extortion, harassment, violence & killing, interference in society and churches, inhumane treatment to our village and church elders as right before God? Has our church leaders accepted that Tuisem, one of our senior most servants of God, deserves to receive such a humiliation for speaking out what he believes is truth? Tangkhul churches and its leaders need to retrospect their stand on the issue and know their positions before God. If fear silent us, let us fear God rather than man. When we fear God all fear for man will go away. God does not give us the spirit of timidity but the spirit of love and courage. When there is fear of God, there is no fear of man but when there is no fear of God fear for man rule us. This is the spiritual truth. Let us fear God who is supreme above all and is watching us everyday.
The true leader is not the one who holds degree certificate from Jerusalem seminary and seek popularity by delivering sugar coated speeches that soothe the ears of the hearers. The true leader is the one who has the courage to stand up and speak the truth for the sake of God and send clear message to the people. The true spiritual leader/leaders is the one who could accepts rejection and thread for the sake of truth and for the cause of his people who are suffering. Such leader is the need of Tangkhuls today. Observing more anniversary days, Conversion days, and Christmas and Easter is not going to redeem us from destruction. Holding more camps, crusades, seminars and conferences by butchering more cows and pigs will not save us except making us poorer economically. We need spiritual leader who discern the truth and have courage to stand on the truth for God’s sake and for the sake of our future. Silence of the church in the matter is nothing but acquiescence of the evils working pervasively in our society and opposes those who speak out against it. Learned Tangkhul intellectuals and church leaders, need to reflect on it and give a serious thought if we want to redeem our society. Otherwise our future is bleak.
‘Stop Ibobi’s ban-affiliation legislation’ ANSAM knocks Manipur Governor’s door The Morung Express
Dimapur, September 22 (MExN): The Governor of Manipur is appealed to, to intervene against the Manipur state government’s bid to legislate a ban on affiliation of schools, with particular reference to hill districts’ schools seeking affiliation to Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). The All Naga Students’ Association Manipur desires that the Manipur Governor ‘protect’ the rights and interests of Naga students. “…the recent successive state cabinet decision to promulgate ordinance to ban affiliation of schools and the mandatory approval of the government for seeking affiliation outside the state, and enacting penalty clause to deny job opportunity and other state privileges for the certificate holders of the Nagaland School Education Board and other University is a total discrimination to the students community and deprivation of rights” the ANSAM explained in a representation addressed to the Manipur Governor. When the National Education Policy of India is marching ahead with a vision for Universal Education to all, the parochial approach of the state is contradicting the principles of democracy, the ANSAM lamented.
The association made a two-point appeal: “We humbly tender this petition for intervention to secure, protect and safeguard the democratic right to education, privileges and interest of the Naga Students’ community and the other ethnic communities by valuing the democratic principles of India. Discriminatory Ordinance of State Cabinet and regulation that deny and deprive the ethnic minorities of their rights to education of their choice of administration be nullified.” The organization expressed faith in delivering justice through safeguarding the rights of minority ethnic communities by the guardians of the state. “The minority ethnic groups have tolerated with patience, the oppression, exploitation, discrimination, deprivation of the dominant ruled government for the past many decades” the ANSAM stated, referring to Manipur government. “Successive government since 1972 has monopolized the administration through adoption of crafty rules, regulations, policy to alienate and subjugate the tribal communities.”
It lamented that policy-makers in the state have always been biased and acted against the common underprivileged tribal communities to assimilate and exploit to the advantage of the dominant valley community. For this, the suffering and hardship that the minority faces require appropriate remedy viewing the common interest of the tribal populace in consonance with the provisions enshrined under the broad frame work of the Government of India.“Coercive persuasion of the state will be a futile exercise without respecting the rights of the minorities educationally, socially, politically and economically” the ANSAM added.
The beginning of the end? A Revolution is brewing as Suu Kyi greets protesting monks The Morung Express
YANGON, September 22 (Agencies): Stepping out of her home in tears, democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi greeted Buddhist monks Saturday in a landmark moment for a swelling protest movement against the military junta. Armed guards usually block the road leading to the rambling lakeside house, but in an unprecedented move, they allowed about 1,000 monks to walk past the place where she has been detained for most of the past 18 years.
“Today is extraordinary. We walked past lay disciple Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house today. We are pleased and glad to see her looking fit and well,” a 45-year old monk told about 200 people at Sule Pagoda in downtown Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city. “Daw” is an honorific used in referring to older women. “She came out to the gate and paid obeisance to us and later waved at the crowd when we left,” said the monk, who did not give his name. It’s the first time Suu Kyi has been seen in public in more than four years. As the rain poured down, Aung San Suu Kyi walked out with two other women and cried as she paid her respects to the monks, the witnesses said. They stopped outside her home for about 15 minutes and chanted a Buddhist prayer: “May we be completely free from all danger, may we be completely free from all grief, may we be completely free from poverty, may we have peace in heart and mind.”
There was no interruption from about 20 uniformed security police, who had opened the roadblock. After the monks left the road was again closed. The witnesses said Aung San Suu Kyi did not appear to speak to the monks, who have been leading an escalating show of strength that has left the junta facing its most prolonged challenge in nearly two decades.
Win Min, a Thai-based Myanmar analyst, said they were stepping up pressure on the junta to highlight economic suffering in the impoverished nation. “Monks are representing people’s sufferings. They want the junta to address economic issues,” Win Min said. “The anti-junta movement is certainly gaining momentum, because the sheer number of monks has risen sharply over the past week,” the analyst said. A group calling itself the All Burma Monks Alliance also, for the first time, urged ordinary people to join the monks “to struggle peacefully against the evil military dictatorship till its complete downfall”. “We pronounce the evil military despotism, which is impoverishing and pauperizing our people of all walks including the clergy, as the ‘common enemy’ of all our citizens,” said the alliance in a statement. “Therefore, in order to banish the common enemy evil regime from Burmese soil forever, united masses of people need to join hands with the united clergy forces.”
“The fact that the monks are coming out is going to give people confidence. We’re going to see the marches escalating,” said Larry Jagan, a Bangkok-based journalist specializing in Myanmar. He predicted that by the middle of next week, students and others will join the march and “the numbers are going to be astronomical.” “It’s clear that we’ve got to the tipping point, that this is the beginning of the end,” for the military government, he said.
“We ask every citizen to join our vigils,” said a purported spokesman from The Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks, an underground group, speaking by telephone from Myanmar and declining to give his name. The vigils would start from Sunday for three days, and the group urged the public to stand outside their homes for 15 minutes of prayers at 8:00 pm each night.
4 ULFA men with rocket launchers held Correspondent Assam Tribune
BAIHATA CHARIALI, Sept 22 – Suspected ULFA militants gunned down one Ratan Deka (45), a Grade IV employee of the Handique Girls College, Guwahati at Boragog village under Kamrup district at around 9.30 last night. Meanwhile, a team of Army and Assam Police personnel today arrested four ULFA cadres from Athgaon area, 12 kms away from here, after a gunbattle. Police said that they have been identified as Tapan Kalita alias Utpal of Bamundi, Diganta Kalita of Borka, Bikash Medhi alias Abbas Ali of Sesa and Harekrishna Deka alias Siraj Saikia of Sonapur. Three pistols and two rocket launchers have also been recovered from the possession of the militants. One of them Tapan Kalita has been critically injured during the gunbattle, police informed.
According to information, the killing of the college employee took place when Deka went out with a man to the wooden bridge on Kolazol river in the Borgaon and Boragog village border. Deka’s family sources said that the man who was waiting for Deka was not known to him. But police sources said that it was a handiwork of the ULFA, as Deka had been persuading the local people not to shelter any extremist in their residences. Further, he was a brother-in-law of Gobinda Deka of Borka Panitema in whose house the controversial killing of Dr PC Ram, FCI director. took place recently. Police suspected that Ratan Deka might have known some secrets about the outfit and, therefore, was killed.
The body of the deceased was found near the bridge today morning only. A high-level police team led by Kamrup additional SP Bibekananda Das, Rangiya SDPO AP Tiwari and Bokul Chandra Gogoi, circle inspector, Baihata Chariali visited the spot and took stock of the situation.
Govts must expedite peace process: DHD R Dutta Choudhury Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 22 – Slow progress of the peace talks is primarily responsible for the deterioration of the overall law-and-order situation in the North Cachar Hills district and the situation may deteriorate further if the Central and State Governments fail to expedite the process of talks, said the chairman of the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), Dilip Nunisa. Talking to The Assam Tribune, the DHD chairman alleged that the state administration is to be blamed for the present situation in the hill district. He said that the administration, despite the presence of central security forces, totally failed to protect the life of innocents and the slow progress of the peace talks resulted in further deterioration of the situation.
Nunisa revealed that the DHD signed a cease-fire pact with the Government on December 23, 2002 to express its desire to solve the problems through talks and the agreement came into effect from January 1, 2003. But unfortunately, not much headway has been made so far. He said that the DHD demanded a separate state of Dimaraji and though the “Central and State Governments told us that they are against further division of Assam, they have not spelt out what they can offer to us. We must know what the State and Central Governments have in mind to carry forward the peace talks.” He also said that the slow progress of the talks complicated the situation and led to the formation of the DHD(J), commonly known as the Black Widow group.
A group of Black Widow members launched an attack on the liaison office of the DHD in the heart of Haflong town last evening, which resulted in a shoot out between the members of the two groups and one person was killed. Nunisa said that the Government totally failed to maintain law and order in the district, because of which armed members of the Black Widow group managed to roam around freely in the heart of the capital town of the hill district. He said that the DHD keeps around 50 members in the office in Haflong and they managed to offer stiff resistance during the attack.
The DHD chief revealed that the Haflong office was attacked four times in the current year itself by armed members of the Black Widow group and the Government totally failed to prevent movement of armed militants even in the heart of Haflong town. He said that at least 16 cadres of the DHD were killed in attacks by the Black Widow members in different parts of the hill district within this year. “The Government neither agrees to grant us separate state of Dimaraji nor it manages to protect the life and property of the innocent people. Apart from the DHD members, common people of the district are also facing threat to their lives and the Government even failed to protect Congress members as the Chief Executive Member and an Executive member of the NC Hills district council were killed,” he added.
Nunisa pointed out that the Central and State Governments always talked about dealing with terrorism with strong hands, but in reality, the Government is not bothered about protecting the lives of people in NC Hills and the militants are able to continue their acts of violence. He said that even when the State Governor was in Haflong, the Black Widow members managed to indulge in a major act of violence in Mybong, forcing the Governor to postpone a visit to the area. It may be mentioned here that the acts of violence by the Black Widow group members created terror in the Hill district and even the mega gauge conversion project of the Railways was affected due to frequent attacks by the militants, forcing the Central Government to rush six additional companies of Central forces exclusively to protect the work sites to ensure smooth progress of the work.
‘Govt should be pro-active in solving ULFA problem’ By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 22 – Urging the Centre to initiate direct talks with the banned ULFA, the State Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, today said that the Government, as the guardian of the people, had a greater responsibility in bringing the militants to the negotiating table.
“The Government should be more pro-active in initiating a dialogue with the ULFA. While it is understandable that militants may exhibit certain rigidness in their approach, the Government, being the guardian body, should be more flexible in facilitating talks,” BJYM State president Dilip Saikia told the media. Saikia said that the Government had been more accommodating in holding parleys with the NSCN (IM) of Nagaland and the same amount of zeal and flexibility was not evident in its approach to resolve the ULFA problem. “The people of Assam want the Government to take the lead in facilitating peace talks but that has not happened as yet,” he added. A delegation of the BJYM will be staging a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 3 to highlight some of the burning issues of Assam.
“We have 12-point charter of demands to which we want to draw the attention of the Centre,” Saikia said. The demands are formation of a special task force to thwart Bangladeshi infiltration, facilitating direct talks with militants, publishing a white paper on the amounts released and utilised for flood control in Assam, preparation of a master plan to save Majuli, expediting construction work of the Bogibeel bridge and the East West Corridor, resolving Assam’s inter-State boundary disputes, scheduling of six tribes, tackling the unemployment problem in a pragmatic manner, postponing delimitation of constituencies till updating of the NRC and developing agriculture and allied sectors. The BJYM will also launch a special membership recruitment drive to bring one lakh youths into its fold. Besides, the BJYM would also launch a ‘Gaon Chalo’ drive from October 25 in view of the forthcoming panchayat polls. It would be followed by a youth convention at Biswanath Chariali from October 30. The national convention of the BJYM will be held at Jaipur in Rajasthan from September 28 to 30.
Protests in Rangoon Mizzima News (ww.mizzima.com) No sign of crackdown
Biggest gathering in Sule pagoda Protestors call for Dialogue, Protests in Rangoon continued for the sixth-day Monks in Bamaw, Kachin state began protest march, protest continues in Mandalay, Police and fire fighters have rounded up more than 500 monks in front of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s resident
Though there have been rumours of a possible crackdown on protesters by the ruling junta, observers said there are no signs of security personnel in uniforms. The rumors about hospitals being evacuated for casualties are baseless as at least 50 percent of the ground ward of Rangoon's general hospital remains occupied by patients."There wasn't a soldier in sight at the riverside near Botataung pagoda and that is a regular duty," an observer said. "If there is a crackdown coming, it's very much concealed," he added.
5:30 p.m Rangoon protest scenario Monks delivered speeches at Sule Pagoda before breaking up their protests in groups and dispersing for the day. The speeches included demands for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, an end to economic hardship, and an apology for the ill-treatment of monks. An eyewitness and an analyst, who followed the protest march today, spoke about the situation in Rangoon. "The speeches listed three demands...the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, an end to economic hardship, and an apology for the ill-treatment of monks." "A flyer distributed in the crowds dealt with ahimsa (non-violence) and how all Burmese are suffering at the hands of one another and asked all to come together to end the suffering. The people then joined the monks in a prayer for loving kindness." "The groups at this point, besides splitting up, also dwindled in size and the number of followers also decreased but still people continued to follow the monks. All along the route taken by the monks people watched and occasionally cheered."
4:37 p.m Local eyewitnesses said, a number of army trucks are seen heading towards the Sule pagoda.
4:35 p.m Police and fire fighters gears up for crackdown on the more than 500 monks, who are gathering in front of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's resident.
4:28 p.m Situation of Rangoon Protest More than twenty thousand monks and civilians from Sule Pagoda have marched toward Thamada cinema hall and towards Thigankyun and to Kyaikkasan pagoda, according to a Rangoon resident who follow the protests in Rangoon.
4:00 p.m Security forces blocked protesting monks from going to detained Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house. More than 40 security personnel (Hlone Htein) are seen taking up positions at the Kokkaing traffic point in Bahan Township to stop about 400 monks marching from Sule pagoda towards the residence of Burmese pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on University Avenue, where the Nobel Peace Laureate has been detained for 12 of the past 18 years. An eyewitness told Mizzima about the goings on. "We could see about 40 to 50 Hlone Htein at the Kokkaing traffic point. But we did not see them carrying weapons as such. But they might be hiding them. And there are also about four fire brigade trucks. We heard that they would use water canons to stop the marching crowds. Some monks have wound up for today but there are still about 300 to 400 monks marching. But we don't know how many people are following them. Meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi might depend on the strength of the people following the monks. Yesterday, in Sule pagoda there were more than 1,00,000 monks and civilians. But today we don't know where the monks have headed. I could not get the detailed information as yet."
3:30 p.m Over ten thousand people have gathered near the Sule pagoda in down town Rangoon, eyewitnesses said.
3:11 p.m A group of monks are now marching from Theinphyu to Sule pagoda to join other protesters who are already there. Thousands of civilians shouting political slogans - 'our cause, our cause' - joined the protests and marched along with the monks.
2:22 p.m At least 3,000 monks in a separate column are marching in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township and there are more than 4,000 monks near Alanpyah pagoda Street, according to eyewitnesses. At least 200 Buddhists nuns have joined the protesters on Alanpyah Pagoda Street, eyewitnesses said. The demonstrators are shouting slogans like 'dialogue, dialogue – our duty', 'Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners – our duty'. The number of people following them have increased to thousands.
2:00 p.m A Christian church goer, who witnessed the procession of more than 200 monks in Myaynikone, Sanchuang Township in Rangoon, told Mizzima.
"We just returned from church and we saw about 200 monks marching. There were a lot of people on the wayside offering water to the monks. I don't know from where they began but at about 1 p.m. (local time) they were in Bakara Street and they are heading towards the revolution monastery. There are about 800 people followeing. They are now reaching n the Myaynikone traffic point Two monks leading the procession are holding up religious flags and an upside down alms bowl. Now even Christians are being invited to join the protests, they have given invitation letters to all the churches. Most of the Christians have agreed to join. It is so saddening to see the monks and some people are crying watching the monks protest."
2:30 p.m - About 9000 monks and 100 nuns have gathered near the Sule pagoda About 9000 monks and more than 100 nuns leading thousands of civilian followers have arrived in front of the American embassy and near the Sule pagoda. Protestors shouted slogans for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and for national reconciliation. "We are now in front of the American embassy. There are at least 9000 monks and more than 100 nuns. And there are tens of thousands of civilians. They are shouting slogans of 'national reconciliation – our duty', 'release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners – our duty'. The monks are in the middle and the nuns are behind them, and the civilians are circling them and now we shouting slogans," a Rangoon resident who is joining the protest told Mizzima.
1:45 p.m Protesting monks and thousands of followers in Rangoon have arrived to Sule Pagoda in down town.
MURLI DEORA LEAVES FOR MYANMAR TOMORROW Indo Burma News (Press information Bureau (Govt of India) ) Shri Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Natural will be leaving on a two day visit to Myanmar, tomorrow.
TALKS ON ENHANCING BILATERAL COOPERATION AND PSC SIGNING BY OVL FOR THREE BLOCKS ON AGENDA
He would be accompanied by Petroleum Secretary Shri M. S. Srinivasan and MD ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) Shri R S Butola. After his arrival at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 23rd September, Shri Deora will meet his counterpart Brigadier General Lun Thi, Minister of Energy, Myanmar to discuss possibilities of enhancing bilateral cooperation in hydrocarbon sector. Shri Deora will also attend the signing of Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for 3 Deep Water exploration Blocks between OVL, and Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), a Govt of Myanmar enterprise.
OVL succeeded in acquiring 100% participating interests in these 3 Deep Water Blocks AD-2, AD-3 and AD-9 in Myanmar Offshore. The aerial extent of the blocks AD-2, AD-3 and AD-9 is 8,100sq. km, 9,900sq.km, and 7,800sq.km respectively. Water depth in the block areas ranges from 1500m up to 3000m off the Rakhine coast of Myanmar.
Prior to these three blocks, Oil PSUs OVL and GAIl have participated in the exploration activities in A-1 and A-3 blocks in Myanmar. In Block A-1 OVL and GAIL have 20% and 10% Participating Interests respectively. Gas discovery was made in 2004 and 2005 from Shwe and Shwe Phyu in block A1 which is estimated at 3.34 and 0.5 tcf respectively. In Block A-3 also OVL and GAIL have Participating Interests of 20% and 10% respectively. Gas discovery was made in this block in January 2006 and the Consortium has established a gas reserve of 1.52 tcf in the Mya Gas field. The total recoverable reserves of gas from A1 and A3 blocks are estimated to be about 4tcf (final study is in progress). The first gas is anticipated in early part of 2011.
Attempts are being made to acquire oil and gas assets in Myanmar. Currently, total oil and gas production of Myanmar is about 10,000 barrel oil per day (bopd) and 820 Million Standard Cubic Feet Per Day (MMSCFD) respectively. The total oil and gas reserves are estimated at 50 Million Barrel (MMBL) and 10 trillion cubic feet (tcf) respectively. Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, the National Enterprise produces about 10,000bopd and 120 MMSCFD gas from onshore oil and gas fields.
In order to enhance energy security of the country, India is pursuing the option of acquiring equity in oil & gas assets overseas apart from developing our indigenous production. Oil Sector PSU’s and joint ventures have acquired blocks/participating interest in Vietnam, Iraq, Russia, Myanmar, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria, Egypt, Qatar, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Ivory Cost, Gabon, Yemen and Oman.
