09/27/2007: "S.C. Jamir reacts- Nagaland Post"

S.C. Jamir reacts- Nagaland Post

I am of the considered opinion that Naga people are erudite and intelligent, and that they cannot be fooled in any manner by anyone. Politically, Nagas are also very conscious. They are acutely aware of the genuine as well as counterfeit elements in the political firmament of the State, be it underground or overground politics. They also understand very well the political demand of the Naga people vis-à-vis the Constitution of India and are aware of the roles being played, or ought to be played by those who are involved in the political struggle, and by those who take part in Statehood under the Constitution of India. I belong to the latter category of people and like all who have been participating in the electoral process held under the Constitution of India, it has been my consistent endeavour to work for the welfare of the people of Nagaland to the best of my capabilities. And again, like all those who have been participating in the General Elections since 1964, I have sworn my allegiance to the unity and integrity of the country. Like a true Naga, I stand by my oath. No Naga worth his salt would dare go against his or her word, let alone a solemn oath taken in the name of the Almighty.
I have no regrets whatsoever of the political decisions that I have taken in my life since they have been taken out of firm convictions according to my conscience. Likewise, I give the benefit of doubt to other Naga leaders - both underground and over ground - that they too are true to their convictions, and more importantly, to their own conscience and that all their actions and utterances are guided by their genuine beliefs for the welfare and progress of the Naga community. After all, we are always in public glare and the people are experienced and intelligent enough to understand the banal political gimmickry of vested interests during these long years of political movement. Therefore, any attempt to fool the people would be a futile exercise and would be an insult to the intellect and competence of the Naga people.
All Naga leaders who are engaged in the cause of the Naga people should be conscious of the sacredness and solemnity of their responsibilities and comprehend the need to maintain the purity and sanctity of the larger cause for the overall peace and progress in Naga society. Those involved in the Naga political movement should be very clear about their roles and responsibilities, and those engaged in State-craft under the Constitution of India should stand by their commitment. I believe that it should be the unstinted endeavour of Naga leaders to uphold their respective causes because mixing up the two would thoroughly dilute the movement which Nagas have held so dear to their hearts and for which they have sacrificed so much.
It has, therefore, come to me as a complete surprise that the NSCN (IM) has once again raised some antiquated and hackneyed issues which have been amply discussed and lucidly clarified several times. Quite strangely, these issues are invariably and predictably raised on the eve of every election in Nagaland in the vain attempt to flagellate a dead horse for some petty and cheap political mileage. Earlier, my political detractors used to raise these issues, but now, it appears that the NSCN (IM) has taken upon itself to do the work of some fissiparous politicians who have vested interests. It is obvious that the NSCN (IM) is dancing to the tune of some self-centred State politicians, and this does neither augur well for the organization professing to be espousing the cause of the Nagas nor does it reflect well on the image and integrity of the organization. This is tragic because in spite of the high moral ground it has been taking all these years, it is being used, misused and abused by vested interests - the sacred Naga movement is being used as a smoke screen by individuals for their own selfish purposes! Leaders should remember that elections are an integral part and parcel of a parliamentary democracy enshrined in the Constitution of India and the people of Nagaland also have been participating peacefully and whole-heartedly in the elections since 1964. But once the sanctity of the Naga movement is spoiled it would be very difficult to undo the damage.
On the eve of every election, all the political parties prepare their manifestoes and present them before the people. This time too, all the political parties in Nagaland must be preparing their manifestoes. Ironically, the NSCN (IM) also seems to have prepared its Manifesto for the General Elections 2008. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to reply to the points raised by them and which appeared in a section of the local media this morning.
1. My letter to P. Shilu invariably surfaces from the depths of oblivion on the eve of every election and this time too, it has been purposely raised. However, this is nothing new to the people of Nagaland since it is an old issue which has been clarified a number of times. P. Shilu was the then Chief Executive Councilor of the fledgling State of Nagaland and I did not agree with the idea of the Prime Minister by-passing him and negotiating directly with AZ Phizo. Nehru, the great statesman that he was, himself realized the importance of taking the Head of the State into confidence and declared a few days later on the floor of the Parliament that he was "ready to meet the Naga leader AZ Phizo in consultation with P. Shilu" the CEO of Nagaland. I have stated then, and I still am of the firm belief that the Chief Minister of Nagaland, no matter who he or she might be, can never be side lined while chalking out any solution to the vexed Naga political problem if the federal structure of the Indian Union were to be protected, maintained and strengthened.
2. My usage of the word "hostiles" was and is apparently unpalatable to some sections of the Naga people. I can understand how it hurts them since other words like "terrorists", "insurgents", "miscreants", "anti-social elements" etc would also hurt genuine activists. However, at the said point of time, no other terms were coined, or even if there were, they were not popularly used by the national media unlike the word "insurgents" which now appears to be palatable to all concerned all over the country. Further, for the sake of academic discussion, I would like to point out here that I was the one who opposed my seniors in the Pfutsero Convention of the NNO in the late 1960s who termed the underground cadres as "hostiles". I had argued that they were very much part and parcel of the Naga family and that they must have a say in the final political settlement. This argument resulted in the adoption of a resolution of the NNO at the Pfutsero Convention to treat them as "inalienable part of the Naga community".
3. Details of the so-called coup alleged to be masterminded by the RAW in 1978 and also of 1988 have been chronicled comprehe-nsively and convincingly by no less than a faction of the NSCN itself and the booklet had been widely circulated. I utterly fail to understand why my name is being dragged into the fiasco since I had absolutely nothing to do with these coups. I also cannot discern whose fertile imagination has concocted any attempts allegedly made by me to crush or subdue any faction. The allegations are too ridiculous, juvenile and ludicrous to be replied to. It is absolutely beyond comprehension why anyone should blame someone else for their mistakes or differences just because elections are round the corner!
4. As Chief Minister of Nagaland, like any other Chief Minister of Nagaland who have preceded me and who will follow me, my primary concern and also my constitutional obligations were with the people of Nagaland. And I beg to differ with anyone who believes that the people of Nagaland can be by-passed or sidelined while formulating or negotiating any settlement to the Naga political problem with or by the Government of India.
5. As to the alleged indoctrination of my philosophy, I must state here that I have never hidden my beliefs and convictions and I have always resolutely and confidently spoken out in all available public forums, including the local and national media about my political stand. If any group or individuals echo my statements, I can only say with humility that my thoughts and beliefs have been accorded consideration and deemed agreeable. But the NSCN (IM)'s claim that my so-called "brainchild Khaplang and his boys" reverberate my ideologies is ridiculous! Going by this logic, they could even blame me for the points raised by Tuisem A. Shishak recently in his write-up because his clarion call to the people includes issues such as cessation of violence, recon-ciliation among "national workers", heeding the will and wishes of the people and maintaining transparency in the negotiations with the Government of India. I have also been maintaining these points all these years and I hope that a concerned, honest, respected and far-sighted person with integrity like Mr Tuisem A. Shishak is not accused of echoing similar ideas!
6. To say that I, as the then Chief Minister of Nagaland, had urged the Prime Minister to impose President's Rule in Nagaland is absolutely hilarious and shows the authors of this frivolous allegation in an extremely poor light. In all my nearly fifty years in politics and public life, I have not heard of any Chief Minister even thinking of, let alone asking, the Prime Minister to dismiss his own Government when he enjoyed full support of the Assembly and impose President's Rule! This is sheer humbug and baloney.(to be continued...)
SC Jamir
Cong wants Jamir, but NSCN does not OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

S.C. Jamir
Kohima, Sept. 26: His loyalists may be trying to bring him back to politics to set the fragmented Nagaland Congress’s house in order, but former chief minister S.C. Jamir remains a pariah in the NSCN (Isak-Muivah)’s eyes. The militant group’s steering committee said today that Jamir, governor of Goa since July 2004, had never let go of an opportunity to spoil efforts to resolve the Naga political issue.
The convenor of the committee, Qhevihe Chishi Swu, and its secretary, Rh. Raising, said the likes of Jamir had been stumbling blocks to the Naga “national resistance” for decades.
The duo’s statement said the 16-point agreement that gave Nagaland statehood was neither a negotiated settlement nor one that was signed with the consent of the Nagas. It accused Jamir of attempting to glorify the agreement. The NSCN (I-M) asked Jamir loyalists to answer two questions. “Apart from further division of the Naga family, what aspiration has been fulfilled? How can Jamir reduce the sovereign rights of the Nagas to a myth just to please his Indian masters?”
The militant group said there was no greater crime than undermining the rights of the people. “As such, there is no reason why S.C. Jamir, the Goa governor, and Alemtemshi Jamir, commissioner — the authors of Bedrock of Naga Society — should not be ostracised by Naga society,” it added.
The Congress has since remained a divided house, leading many to suggest that Jamir be requested to end his hiatus from politics and lead the party in the next round of elections. The entry of another former chief minister, K.L. Chishi, has fuelled factionalism in the party.
AR accused of ceasefire ground rules violation
Dimapur, September 26 (MExN): The NSCN-IM has accused the Assam Rifles of violating ceasefire ground rules, specifically to a situation that the outfit informed to have taken place in Zunheboto for the “past six days.”
According to an NSCN-IM’s MIP issue, as per the arrangement with the Government of India, one camp in Sukhalu Forest in Zunheboto district was designated to the outfit. However, a “situation of irony” was created by the 27th Assam Riffles in the immediate vicinity of the designated camp, the MIP stated. “For no provocation or any reason befitting such uncalled-for action the Assam Riffles for the past six days surrounded the NSCN camp from morning till six in the evening” the MIP asserted. The outfit explained that the AR’s action has caused “mental harassment and other inconveniences” to the local populace as well as the NSCN-IM cadres “who are ready to go for head on confrontation if the unwarranted situation is driven too far for them to exercise restraint.”
The Ceasefire Monitoring Cell convener “Brigadier” Phungthing appraised Lieut. General (Retd.) Kulkarni of the situation but the latter’s “cool-headed assessment” of the situation drove the NSCN into “reassessing the situation and to be prepared for any eventuality.” The NSCN-IM also took note of what it claimed is the lackadaisical attitude of the district administration. It cautioned that in the event of any undesirable outcome the Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto district would be held responsible.
“There is no escape route for him should there be a real showdown. Interestingly to the point of charging the Assam Riffles fixing a sinister game plan, suspicious masked figures are seen moving along side the Assam Riffles. This has created a twist with considerable dimension” it added.
ZU-AMN crisis getting murkier Newmai News Network
Tamenglong The prevailing quagmire in the affairs of Zeliangrong Union, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (ZU-AMN) is getting murkier by the day as charges and counter charges between the two factions of the union are snowballing.
Today, president of the ZU-AMN Ningtangpou Kamei declared that two zonal chairmen of the Zeliangrong Union namely Imphal Zone chairman K.Sanachao and Tamenglong Zone chairman Kadicham Pamei have been removed with immediate effect from their respective posts "for violating the ZU-AMN constitution".
Few days ago, convener of the All Zonal Chairmen of the ZU K Sanachao who is also the chairman of Imphal Zone of the union, announced that Ningtangpou Kamei had been removed from the presidentship of the ZU-AMN during the September 20 Zeliangrong people’s convention held at Tamenglong HQ. K.Sanachao also urged the public that Ningtangpou Kamei should no longer be entertained as the president of the ZU-AMN. This development has created confusion among the hoi-polloi of the Zeliangrongs as to which story they should rely on.
However, Ningtangpou Kamei in a contrast statement with that of K.Sanachao stated today, "In upholding article 5 (1) and (10) of the constitution of ZU (AMN) i.e. to strengthen the unity and solidarity of the Zeliangrong community and to constitute appropriate bodies in furtherance of the ideals and objectives of ZU (AMN) I, Mr. Ningtangpou Kamei, president ZU (AMN), do hereby remove the chairmen of ZU Imphal Zone and Tamenglong Zone, namely K.Sanajao and Kadicham Pamei respectively from their respective posts with immediate effect under article 15(4) of the union which empowers the president ZU (AMN) to do the same for their violation of the constitution of ZU(AMN) and grave misconducts such as (1) actively involved in organising the so called convention at Tamenglong on 20th September 2007 without any authority and respect for the constitution of ZU(AM&N) and (ii) press releases in media without any authority and against the unity and solidarity of ZU(AM&N) and the entire people of Zeliangrong."
Ningtangpou Kamei also alleged that K Sanajao, Chairman ZU Imphal Zone has been seriously disturbing the official works of central office (head office) of ZU (AMN) at Paona Bazar, Imphal for the last 8 months.
"Therefore, the vice-chairmen of the zones, namely Dingsung Pamei of Tamenglong Zone and Gangguilung of Imphal Zone are given the charges of official works of their respective zones until new chairmen are elected," declared Ningtangpou Kamei.
Analogy of GPRN in respect of Y/R- Nagaland Post
The chaos that has been created in the minds of not only the Nagas but even in the foreigners has to be cleared and made vivid to all by some one, as we all know that there are certain things which will not be done unless you do it, and there is a place you along can fill, that verve is in me too to see that even to this age our people should wander in darkness the shadow of IK terrorists. Even though the IK gangs are using bonafide Naga as Guinea pigs for their experimentation, aren't they even grateful that the bonafide Nagas are enduring it? Nagas (specially the people of NHTA) were treated in a very ludicrous manner. Just because our forefathers were illiterate and uncivilized they were made to suffer untold misery both at the hands of the white man as well as the Indians, there things can be even referred to the books authored by even some Indian authors, even after all these. We didn't say enough is enough! As a matter of fact many people from Yimchunger community including our brothers and sisters from Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire joined the IK terrorists. But we regret to declare (and if necessary, even shout at the top of our voice) that our ignorance was used as a too it is like saying that we became the predator's prey.
Taking some consideration in layman's terms, the entire Nagas can at the least make a rough estimation of not only the loss of lives and wealth of the Nagas. Even emotional disturbances meted out to the Nagas can never ever be repaid by psychopath like Isak in Muivah. No matter what effort they put to save their false, we are willing to put the effort much more than that for the integration of the Nagas, no influence is too big to move us away from the saying freedom is our birthright and we will have it. The price has been paid and we are here to pay for extra too (if necessary) when India was under the British rule they had the fact that they even used songs like Vande Mataram and Sare Jahan Se Acha. So with that conscience dos,e the Government of India thinks of imperialism in Nagaland? We were never Indians, we are not Indians and we will never be India so why should this tug of war go on?
I came across a book written by the so called great Swami Vivekananda of India. There he wrote that everything mutable undergoes a chemical change. Hence there was never a time when there was no creation or beginning. So, is it that only the Nagas didn't have a beginning (especially in the eye of the sarcastic Indians?) As we share the international border with Myanmar along with various other tribes, a summary of the facts can also be obtained if the GoI feels the need of having it. The penitent GoI should be ready to say sorry first. "God bless my Nagaland"
Maj (Rtd) Yimto Yim Deputy Kilonser, Public Relation and NGO's GPRN NSCN(K)
Face-off feared between NSCN(IM), AR in Nagaland By: Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Sep 26: There is a possibility of heavy show-down between the cadres of the NSCN-IM and the personnel of the 27th Assam Rifles in Nagaland's Zunheboto district.
According to the NSCN-IM, in the past six days personnel of the 27th Assam Rifles routinely came in the morning and surrounded the NSCN-IM camp located at Sukhalu Forest in Zunheboto district and left the camp in the evening.The NSCN-IM while accusing the Assam Rifles of violating the Ceasefire Ground Rules, has said that the security forces are also encouraging and helping the Khaplang faction of the NSCN.
"The Assam Rifles notorious for abetting the anti-Naga groups particularly of the like of Khaplang is seen playing its usual game again but in total violation of ceasefire ground rules. They are indulging in some highly dubious military practices that is not in keeping with the present situation as brought about by the ceasefire arrangement between the NSCN and Government of India with the ultimate objective of paving the way for peace Indo-Naga conflict," alleges the NSCN-IM in a statement issued by its Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) today.
The outfit stated that as per the arrangement with the Government of India which is being represented by Lieut. General (Retd.) Kulkarni as the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group, one designated NSCN-IM camp is located at Sukhalu Forest in Zunheboto District. "But in total contravention of the Ceasefire Ground Rule, a situation of irony has been created by the 27th Assam Riffles in the immediate vicinity of the NSCN designated camp. For no provocation or any reason befitting such uncalled for action the Assam Riffles for the past six days surrounded the NSCN camp from morning till six in the evening. This has caused mental harassment and other inconveniences to the local populace not to speak of the NSCN cadres who are ready to go for head on
confrontation if the unwarranted situation is driven too far for them to exercise restraint," cautions the NSCN-IM in a statement.
"Not to be caught on the wrong side, the NSCN Ceasefire Monitoring Cell Convener Brigadier Phungthing has appraised Lieut. General (Retd.) Kulkarni of the situation that may turn explosive as the days go by. But Kulkarni’s cool-headed assessment of the situation has driven the matter further to the point of NSCN reassessing the situation and to be prepared for any eventuality," warned the NSCN-IM.
The NSCN-IM is all the more concern for the lackadaisical attitude of the District Administration,said the outfit's statement and warned that in the event of any undesirable outcome (action and counter-action) the Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto District will be held responsible.The NSCN-IM also stated that there is no escape route for him (Kulkarni) should there be a real showdown.
"Interestingly to the point of charging the Assam Riffles fixing a sinister game plan, suspicious masked figures are seen moving along side the Assam Riffles. This has created a twist with considerable dimension," asserted the NSCN-IM.

AR's presence agitates against IM men Nagarealm.com
Dimapur, SEPT26 [NNN] : There is strong speculation of a heavy show-down between cadres of the NSCN-IM and personnel of the 27 Assam Rifles in Nagaland's Zunheboto district.
According to the NSCN-IM, in the past six days personnel of 27 Assam Rifles routinely come in the morning and surround the NSCN-IM camp located at Sukhalu Forest in Zunheboto district and leave the camp in the evening. The NSCN-IM while accusing the Assam Rifles of violating the Ceasefire Ground Rules, has said that the security forces are also encouraging and helping the Khaplang faction of the NSCN. "The Assam Rifles notorious for abetting the anti-Naga groups particularly of the like of Khaplang is seen playing its usual game again but in total violation of ceasefire ground rules.

They are indulging in some highly dubious military practices that is not in keeping with the present situation as brought about by the ceasefire arrangement between the NSCN and Government of India with the ultimate objective of paving the way for peace Indo-Naga conflict," alleges the NSCN-IM in a statement issued by its Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) today. The outfit stated that as per the arrangement with the Government of India which is being represented by Lt. General (Retd.) Kulkarni as the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group, one designated NSCN-IM camp is located at Sukhalu Forest in Zunheboto District. "But in total contravention of the Ceasefire Ground Rule, a situation of irony has been created by the 27 Assam Riffles in the immediate vicinity of the NSCN designated camp. For no provocation or any reason befitting such uncalled for action the Assam Rifles for the past six days surrounded the NSCN camp from morning till six in the evening. This has caused mental harassment and other inconveniences to the local populace not to speak of the NSCN cadres who are ready to go for head on confrontation if the unwarranted situation is driven too far for them to exercise restraint," cautioned the NSCN-IM in a statement.

"Not to be caught on the wrong side, the NSCN Ceasefire Monitoring Cell Convener Brigadier Phungthing has appraised Lt. General (Retd.) Kulkarni of the situation that may turn explosive as the days go by. But Kulkarni's cool-headed assessment of the situation has driven the matter further to the point of NSCN reassessing the situation and to be prepared for any eventuality," warned the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM is all the more concerned for lackadaisical attitude of the District Administration, said the outfit's statement and warned that in the event of any undesirable outcome (action and counter-action) the Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto District will be held responsible. The NSCN-IM also stated that there is no escape route for him (Kulkarni) should there be a real showdown. "Interestingly to the point of charging the Assam Rifles fixing a sinister game plan, suspicious masked figures are seen moving along side the Assam Riffles. This has created a twist with considerable dimension," asserted the NSCN-IM.

Affiliation Ambiguities Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS

Within the span of a month, we are again left cautioning the government not to act in haste as it has been on the issue of the reported move by the Nagaland government to allow affiliation of schools from outside the state to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, NBSE. We had in a previous editorial suggested to the government to be in communication with its counterpart in Nagaland on the matter and then decide on the course of action. The reminder of this caution has become essential for it is now no longer clear whether the affiliation issue came up in the Nagaland House as merely an agenda for discussion or else a Bill to be made into an Act. The media in Nagaland lost interest in the matter almost immediately after the day’s routine Assembly reportage, and the issue thereafter has been relegated to the backburner. Those who follow reports from the state either in the print version of the major newspapers there or else on their internet editions will be surprised that the issue is far from hot or absorbing in Nagaland, as many in Manipur imagine it would be. Queries with a number of Dimapur based editors and reporters revealed they are not at all sure if the matter was merely brought up to call the attention of the House or if it was something else. They are also not sure if the matter has been sent for the assent of the Governor either.
To think this situation is what the Ibobi government reacted to so vehemently is bewildering. It passed a strong Cabinet resolution to oppose the supposed Nagaland Assembly resolution and was going to have the decision endorsed by the Manipur Assembly. Thankfully, the Governor has thrown some cold water at its face so that it may cool down just a little. From indications coming from reliable sources, the Governor’s objection was not at all a matter of not agreeing with the government’s stand, but a reminder that the action may be too hasty as it was taken merely on the strength of newspaper reports and not after official confirmation. Come to think of it, the current flurry of activities within the Manipur government on the issue was triggered by a single report in the Indian Express that the Nagaland government was going to discuss the matter in the Assembly. As we had pointed out earlier too, this report did not find any reflection on that day in any local newspapers in Nagaland. Even after being told this, the Manipur government continued on with its frenzied defence of what it said was an assault on Manipur’s core interest, and here we are left with the Governor having to intervene to tell the government to slow down. We wonder if this is not another case to demonstrate what Samuel Johnson once famously said: “Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.” Governments, especially those in domestic crises, are prone to conjure up pictures of “Crusades” and “Holy Wars” to be fought in distant lands in order to divert public attention from pressing matters of failures at home.
It may very well turn out to be a situation the government is called upon to respond strongly. But first it must ensure that it is indeed such a situation officially. Why is the Manipur government not in touch with the Nagaland government? If it is not at the political level, it can at least be through official bureaucratic channels. Let it be kept in mind these are weighty issues and not mere schoolboy rivalries. Let governments act like governments and react appropriately to situations. This will entail making appropriate assessments and ascertaining of facts on the ground first. Moreover, if the governments of the two states refuse to be in communication with each other even on bilateral issues, and instead act with quicksilver schoolboy temper rather than mature diplomacy at the slightest supposed provocation, how exactly do they expect the civil societies in their states to adopt democratic and amicable approaches to problem resolving? It is not too late yet. Let the Manipur government take the initiative in the bridge-building process by reaching out to its counterpart and inviting it to agree to opening up a communication channel for all such matters. But first, let it officially confirm the proceedings of the Nagaland Assembly on September 18 where the affiliation issue was discussed, and also seek the status of developments thereafter.

North-east under World Bank radar New Delhi, SEPT24 [IANS]
Be it in building connectivity by constructing roads or initiating various livelihood programmes, the World Bank is funding a number of projects, including rural road building schemes, aimed at supporting the people in the northeast at various levels.

The rural roads project which is a part of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) aims at building all-weather roads in areas that are not well connected, and have a population of 500 or more in the case of plains and 250 or more in hills, tribal and desert areas. Under the PMGSY, the World Bank has so far provided $400 million towards building 12 state highways and rural roads in four states - Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Rajesh Rohtagi of the World Bank who looks after the rural roads project in Rajasthan said: 'The rural roads project has been very successful and helped the people in a great many ways and changed their lives for the better.'

'In the second phase of this project, we are planning to go to the northeast, in two of its states - Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram,' Rohtagi told IANS. The project, under which concrete roads will be built in different identified districts across the respective states, will be effective by the middle of next year. 'The proposed Rural Roads Project 2, which will also bring Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand under its ambit, will see an investment of $500 million,' he added. The rural livelihood programme, which would include the northeast, is the other World Bank funded project. Addressing both social and economic empowerment, the rural livelihood programme helps the poor by enabling them to reach out and make use of available opportunities.

'We are not driven by supply but by demand. For instance, we don't just supply buffaloes to the villagers and tell them to start dairy farming if they are not interested or they don't have the expertise. 'Instead, if they have the expertise of carpentry or tailoring or any craftsmanship then we help them develop that and use that to earn a livelihood. Also, we try and instil in them a sense of saving,' said Biswajeet Sen of the World Bank. According to the data, around 12 million poor have benefited from this programme in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Bihar. The World Bank has given $1 billion towards the rural livelihood programme in these states. 'In Andhra Pradesh, this programme has been the most successful. It helped people join various self help groups and build up cumulative group savings of over $340 million!' Sen said. The rural livelihood programme in the northeast would go to all eight states in the region, but a beginning would be made in three states - Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram - by the end of next year, he said.

'We are planning to take this project in one district of each of the states of the northeast. Although the districts have not been identified as of now, we are planning to start the project in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, to begin with.'
The reason for the choice of the states is that the states were more hilly, making earning a livelihood more challenging there. The project, which is still being worked upon, plans to help people develop their skills in fields which they already have expertise in. 'Horticulture, weaving, rearing pigs and basically working on natural resources are some of the fields which we have identified as of now which people would like to work on and earn a decent livelihood,' Sen said. The projects, as they usually are, will last approximately five years, after which the people are expected to master the skills, earn and market their skills, save and be self sufficient.

'Weak transport linkages are a major hindrance when it comes to the northeast. Hence, despite having the expertise, the people from the rural areas can't market their products. This is something which we have to look upon seriously,' Sen said. Besides the northeast, the second phase of the rural livelihood project will go to Orissa, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh as well. Approximately $110 million will be invested in each of the states in this regard.

Rebel raid singes colony of settlers OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

A settler speaks to political leaders after an attack by militants in Karbi Anglong. A file picture
Nagaon, Sept. 26: A colony of Bengali-speaking people in Karbi Anglong today barely escaped being butchered by militants, but lost homes and property in the pre-dawn attack.
The assailants, suspected to be from the Jewel Gorlosa faction of the Dima Halam Daogah, raided Kanjar Basti around 2am and set houses, shops and an autorickshaw ablaze. There was no casualty because the majority of the residents had fled the village in anticipation of the attack.
The village where the incident occurred is only 7km from Lumding town and inhabited mostly by Bengali-speaking people. Kabri Anglong also has a sizeable population of Hindi speakers, a community that has borne the brunt of Ulfa’s hate campaign against settlers since January.
An official source said the Gorlosa group recently sent an extortion notice to Monoranjan Das, a resident of Kanjar Basti, asking him to collect Rs 5 lakh. The two-line notice was in Assamese.
Although the Gorlosa group is known to be active mainly in the North Cachar Hills, it has extended its reach to Karbi Anglong in recent months.
Investigating officer Bansidhar Bora said over the phone from Lumding that there was no evidence yet of the renegade DHD faction being involved in the incident. “We are not yet sure about the identity of the group for the simple reason that the villagers had left out of fear before the attack occurred. Nobody saw the assailants.”
The villagers, however, filed an FIR. Nagaon superintendent of police Krishna Das said the “picture” would become clearer only after an investigation.
The extortion notice was reportedly delivered to the villagers five days before the attack. The abandoned houses that were torched belonged to Bhaba Ranjan Das and Kamal Krishna Das. Two grocery shops, a stationery store, two garages and an autorickshaw were also gutted.
The Gorlosa group, which broke away from the DHD after the outfit signed a ceasefire with the government, has of late been extorting money from residents of the areas bordering Hojai subdivision of Nagaon. On July 23, the group abducted two youths — Kushal Chaudhury and Sanju Dev Roy — from Hojai town and demanded Rs 15 crore in ransom from their families. Both are still in captivity. The same group is also suspected to be behind the disappearance of two government officials and a gram sewak from Umrangsu in North Cachar Hills last week.
In an unrelated development, the police today found 300gm of RDX and fuse wire while searching a house near Bokajan Cement Factory in Karbi Anglong.
At last India voices concern over Burma turmoil Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
Mungpi Waking up from its slumber, India, for the first time, has expressed concern over the ongoing Buddhist monk-led protests in Burma which the military junta is ruthlessly trying to suppress as of today by unleashing its army. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs in a written reply to a question by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) today said, it is closely monitoring the situation in Burma and hopes all parties will resolve the problems through a meaningful dialogue.
"The Government of India is concerned at and is closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar [Burma ]. It is our hope that all sides will resolve their issues peacefully through dialogue," the MEA said. "India has always believed that Myanmar's [Burma ] process of political return and national reconciliation should be more inclusive and broad based," the MEA added.
The MEA's response came after more than a month of sporadic protests in Burma that began following the government's decision to hike fuel prices last month. The Burmese junta resorted to a violent crackdown on Wednesday amidst reports that at least one monk and a woman were killed after riot police fired teargas shells and charged the protesting crowd with batons.
India, as the largest democracy in the world and a neighbour, attracted criticism by activists for maintaining a silence over the ongoing protests and the repressive measures by the junta in Burma on peaceful protesters. Meanwhile, international communities including the US, UK, France, Australia, Japan and the United Nations have voiced concern and urged the ruling junta to exercise restraint in the face of growing protests by the monks.
India, ironically was the first country to have voiced concern when the Burmese junta mercilessly cracked down on protesters, who similarly took to the streets of Rangoon, in 1988. The Indian Embassy in Rangoon even went to the extent of providing assistance to student activists, when the junta started hunting them down after the coup in September 1988.

Nagalim.NL News

09/27/2007: "S.C. Jamir reacts- Nagaland Post"