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10/18/2007: "NNC asks NSCNs to withdraw ceasefire with GoI Unity-theme as NNC remember martyrs The Morung Express"

NNC asks NSCNs to withdraw ceasefire with GoI Unity-theme as NNC remember martyrs The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER The Naga National Council (NNC) has stated its commitment to Naga “national” unity expressing that it is essential for achievement of Naga people’s “national goal”. “Therefore, in the name of our Nation the NNC call on all political parties to come together in our urgent hour of need so that, armed with a new vigour and a united stance, the Nagas can forge ahead in the International arena for a final settlement of sixty years of political conflict”, stated “Gen. (Retd)” I. Panger Walling, president of the NNC (Panger) on “National Martyrs’ Day” observed on October 18.
In this regard, the NNC appealed to both the NSCNs to withdraw the cease-fires with Government of India (GoI) pointing out that “these cease-fires of many years have no meaning unless there is concrete political settlement”. Lamenting on the frequent killings amongst the factions, the statement cautioned that the very policy of the GoI “is to finish the Naga people with her wicked policy of “divide and destroy” instead of solving the very core issue of political problem between Nagaland and India”. “Therefore, I in the name of the martyrs appeal to all the factions to come together to form a common political platform to overcome the very policy of this wicked policy of India and put forward our political problem to the international arena and in particular to the United Nations for settlement since they are concerned for this longest political problem”, Panger stated while reminding that the GoI “will never solve the political problem with any factions or of that with the Nagas as a whole unless this is internationalized with our clear cut political stand of the Nagas in the International arena”.
“Today the NNC must say once again that the GoI can never be trusted in ceasefire and political dialogue for permanent peace and settlement of political issue and human problem”.
The NNC has also cautioned people of Nagaland with regard to “utterances of political matter of seriousness especially regarding the very political stand of the Nagas”. “We should not confuse ourselves as well as confuse the outside World who stand for the Nagas. We should not, also draw immediate conclusion or take immediate step in political matter especially in representation without knowing fully well the actual political stand of the Nagas. This will be another political blunder to belittle the actual political stand for the Nagas as a people and Nation fighting for the very recognition of Naga Independence of 14th August 1947 declaration acknowledged by the United Nations as well as the Plebiscite (Referendum) of 1951 on 16th May”, it stated.
The statement also demanded from the GoI to withdraw her huge Armies stationed in Nagaland while also taking a firm stand “on the Free Eastern Nagaland as a clear cut political right of the Nagas”. “Therefore, the Naga people should be very cautious in political matter of expression and representation”, it reiterated.
The statement also expressed the opinion that “Nagas are indeed indigenous people of the land”. It however pointed out that “drawing immediate conclusion based on indigenous by certain section of the people does not project the right political status of the Nagas” adding that “the Nagas have been fighting for recognition as a people and Nation, but not demanding self-determination as indigenous”. “We should not belittle our political rights and ourselves as a people and Nation now since we the Nagas have been fighting and maintaining our high political status for the last sixty years”, the statement maintained adding that “The Naga political history will remain as it is forever” and that “It will be only a curse and doom for those who try to undo and change the political rights and history of Nagas which is made and done with thousands and thousands of precious lives of the Nagas in particular”.
Panger’s statement further warned any Naga political factions who compromises on the official declaration of sovereignty made on August 14, 1947 and in the 1951 Plebiscite pointing out that “they betray all those who have sacrificed their lives for National freedom and that the blood of the martyrs will be upon them”.
The statement also pointed out that Nagas have suffered terribly in the hands of India and Myanmar and that the NNC was “prepared to face more till the aggressors India and Myanmar go away from our Homeland”. The NNC (Panger) likewise lamented that when the Nagas were waging the war of liberation for decades, the United Nations, as the World body never came forward to save the Nagas in the past thereby forcing the Nagas to face many setbacks. “But, in the recent past the United Nations have shown their concern for the people of this part of the World. Therefore, the NNC in particular appeal to the World Body to come forward fully to intervene in the political conflict of sixty years”.
The statement pointed out that the NNC had full faith and conviction that “we will surely become free from the aggressors” and that “with this faith and conviction, many of our patriots are still holding their arms to take their stand to face any eventualities to come”. “So the NNC as the parent body and common heritage of all the Nagas welcome this call and stand to oppose aggressors India and Myanmar as responsible for such events again”.
On the occasion of the Naga National Martyr’s Day and in remembrance of all those Nagas who sacrificed their blood for freedom, the statement saluted all the Naga martyrs’ who sacrificed their precious lives for the Naga Sovereignty on this National Martyr’s Day. Panger also appealed to all the Nagas to join in paying tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Nagaland. “Today, I must say that just because of our living God and His purpose on the Nagas, we could survive as a people and Nation politically amidst our enemies’ design for annihilation of the Naga Race and politics in particular. The NNC must reiterate that this is an undisputable fact that a race or Nation can never be taken as another race or Nation under forceful occupation”.
Affiliation ‘opens’ door for ‘eastern’ Nagas Morung Express News
Dimapur The Eastern Nagaland Student Federation, for the very first time spoke out on the affiliation of Schools in Naga districts of Manipur into Nagaland Board of School Education, terming the act as “very fortunate for the Eastern Nagas”. Speaking to The Morung Express in an exclusive interview, president of the ENSF, Chillio said that the exercise in which the Nagaland Government had ‘broken the rule’ and ‘open the door’ was fortunate for the ENSF, because, “I can now bring my own people from Myanmar and Arunachal” into NBSE for affiliation. The ENSF president who had come to Dimapur to attend the 2nd general conference of the Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA), which consists of Naga tribes fromacross the border in Myanmar, emphasized that the ENSF was ready to extend all possible help to its counterparts in Myanmar, in matters of educational needs. Chillio was of the opinion that the ENSF, as the ‘closest associate’ of the Nagas in Myanmar, consisting of Khiumniungans, Konyaks, Yimchungers and other Eastern Naga tribes, would be better able to help them.
The ENSF president also made mention of the 25 % job reservation which was recently granted to the six tribes of Eastern Nagaland saying that it was not a new bonus allotted to the six tribes. He said that the percentage had been the original allocation for the six tribes of “eastern” Nagaland; however the percentage had been increased to 33 with the addition of three more tribes added in the BT strata. Therefore, he said that the additional 8 percentage would be given to the three other tribes in the list while the “eastern” Nagas would ‘return back’ to the original 25% reservation. The president also disclosed that a core committee has been formed to see that the reservation is actually implemented in deed so that the people would not be fooled ‘as it had been done earlier.’
Chillio also took the opportunity to convey the stand of the ENSF on the “Azhas” on Principal Secretary, Alemtemshi and Goa Governor, Dr. S.C. Jamir. The president said that the ENSF strongly condemned the declaration of the two as ‘anti-Naga’ and anti-National’, at a time when the entire Naga community was earnestly seeking out a solution to the Naga problem. “There are a lot of issues that need to be deliberated at this point like the sovereignty of the Nagas etc but not this anti-Naga and anti-national issues”, he said while clearly emphasizing that every Naga, within Nagaland or outside, was a “national.”
Chillio further stated that for the ENSF, unity comes first before sovereignty and over and above it, came the policy of ‘forgive and forget’. Therefore, the students’ body appealed strongly to the NSCN (IM) to immediately revoke the said “Azha” in the interest of people’s harmony. It also appealed to all the NGOs and public organizations to oppose the decree against Alemtemshi Jamir and S.C. Jamir, before the matter results in further conflict among the Nagas.
‘Nagaland needs an intellectual class’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, October 17 (MExN): Focusing much on the role of parents in a child’s life, chief guest at the 14th Parents’ Day celebration, Bethesda Higher Secondary School, K. L Chishi said, “Parents’ day is a day for the children to show exactly what they have acquired in the institution; a time to display their talents.” He added, “As parents we should not think that education ends once the child gets the degree. Education in a never-ending process and we have to keep educating ourselves until the very end. Parents have responsibilities besides sending their child to school. Teachers are their guides but the responsibility is that of a parent. Parents and teachers must work hand in hand to mould the child’s future.” K. L. Chishi stressed that Nagaland is in need of an intellectual class and said, “We require intellectuals to take our state forward, not uncultured, uncivilized and uneducated population. We need them as human resources to uplift our underdeveloped state.”
He also assessed that Nagaland has an educated class with mere degrees and that it is of no use harping on those degrees. “If we have failed to produce people with integrity and have made our children invaluable to society, we as parents should understand that we have failed to do our homework.” Highlighting that there were law and order problems, political, social and unemployment problems to reckon with, he added, “Parents have bounded duty and responsibilities to see that that their children do not become liabilities to society and that they do not land up being mere degree holders.” Rounding up his speech he said, “Parents, observe what your child has done for you today and continue to encourage them in their endeavors. Your child is very lucky to be studying in Bethesda where character shaping is as important as studies.” The programme saw a variety of songs, skits and dances. The Green Heritage Club of Bethesda higher secondary school through a skit conveyed the message to save forest and environment.
No Objection Certificate demanded for affiliation Newmai News Network
Imphal |The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and the All Private School Forum of Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati (APSF-TUCS) have sought from the Secretary of Education of Schools, government of Manipur to issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC) credentials to the private schools operating in the four hill districts in Manipur.
"The ANSAM in the interest of the minority indigenous people of hill districts in the present state of Manipur, approaches your good self for prompt approval and necessary issuance of order in favour of private schools of hill districts seeking ' No Objection Certificate (NOC) credentials," prayed the ANSAM to the Secretary of Education of Schools.
While giving its reason for this move, the Naga students claimed that a large number of private schools in the hill districts demonstrated their interest to opt syllabus and administration of other school boards through the "privilege of writing HSLC Exam 2007 in Nagaland".
"That many of the minority private schools in the hill districts prepared to obtained NOC credentials is facing restriction from the state. This attitude may invite violation of the constitutional provision of Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution of India", asserted the ANSAM statement while adding, "therefore, with serious concerned and in the interest of the minority private schools, we urged you to kindly issue NOC credentials to any minority private schools seeking for it without further delay".
The Naga students body expressed that it will be grateful for respecting the interest of the private schools and the right of the minorities in the state. Echoing similar voice, the All Private Schools Forum-Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati (APSF-TUCS) said, "we believe that the government of Manipur and the public as well, are fully aware of the move of the private schools in the four hill districts viz, Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati to affiliate to Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) as the matter has been made public by our popular demonstrations and the media".
It further stated that by now it sufficiently apparent to the government that the move is the expression of popular and democratic choice which cannot be arbitrarily denied without inviting further instances of bias, subjugation and denial of right which would
only fuel further alienation. "Our demand to affiliate to NBSE is based on simple reason which we believe should be fairly appreciated without prejudice", said the APSF-TUCS. The forum also gives numerous reasons for its move on the affiliation.
Pollution Board notice to ONGC From Our Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Oct 17 – Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) may have ambitious plans for the North Eastern Region, but the State Pollution Department’s ultimatum to clean up the oil fields in Nagaland has left the Oil giant in a tizzy. Top official of ONGC said that the Company has been served with a notice by the State Pollution Control Board to clean up the sludge and muck around the drilling sites in the State. The sludge was left over of what remained of the drilling site after Naga militants blew it up.

The official said they are still willing to mount a clean up operation which is spread over a wide area, provided the militants allowed them to do so. The agreement signed with the N. Rio Government has not eased the situation and operations continue to be in the limbo in Nagaland.

Officials said a Canadian Company Canaro Resources Limited had been hired but they too have failed to convince the militants. However, he conceded that the Canadian Company has been somewhat successful.

Recently, the NSCN-K had warned the Canadian Company against conducting any operations in the State. Canoro was hired by ONGC to resume exploration work jointly in Nagaland.

The two companies had signed a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) for exploration, development and production activities in six blocks in Nagaland. The official said Changpang block was high-yielding oil field before the Naga militants stopped all operations in 1994. The entire area is floating in oil. After ONGC suspended its operations in the State, it was forced to sell its drilling equipments as scrap. ONGC had already paid a royalty of Rs 33.83 crore against crude extracted from the Changpang field in Nagaland. In addition, as a goodwill gesture, the company had agreed to pay a one-time goodwill grant of Rs 67 lakh to Nagaland. It was last week that Union Petroleum Minister, Murli Deora had told a Parliamentary Panel that the ONGC has chalked out an Assam Renewal Project with an investment outlay of Rs 4,000 crore. ONGC plans to invest Rs 2500 crore in total revamping of old installations and pipeline net work to reduce the surface bottleneck and improve production. There is a plan to invest Rs 1500 crore to drill hi-tech wells and optimisation of artificial lift. ONGC has engaged internationally reputed Halliburton for production optimisation, reservoir management and to enhance oil production in major oil fields of Assam Assets, the Minister had said.
Tribute to Martyrs- Nagaland Post
The October 18 of every year is observed by the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and the Naga people as Martyrs day of national mourning and agony. On this day in 1952, our leader Zasibito Nagi, a pioneer Naga leader of non-violence was slain by the Indian Armed Police in the heart of Kohima town of Nagaland. This slain act is an indicative of Hindu India's aggressive attitude against sovereign Nagaland; subsequently in 1954 the aggressor India invaded Nagaland. Ever since then many leaders, hundreds and thousands Naga patriots and innocent Naga people had fallen victims in the hands of the aggressor India. This being sadly so happened, all three and half million Nagas ought to extend great tribute to our national heroes and citizens on this occasion both at home and abroad.
To this day, the national policy of non-violence rationally introduced by the Naga National Council (NNC) Nagaland is being upheld throughout as a sacred art and knowledge in respect of safe-keeping the people, the land and all its resources. Remarkably Nagaland is a sovereign country where the people traditionally enjoy to posses land as private and personal property that is rarely so in other states of the world. These traditional practice and way of life is preserved and firmly safeguarded through the alter of Nagaland Martyrdom.
On this planet of the earth, God divided lands to every mankind and made nations to their own origin from the beginning. And every nation has its own right to defend and protect God given land, and thus wars were fought against the aggressors or intruders of its own country in the world history. Hence, we also fought against the aggressor India in defense of God given sovereignty from the twentieth century and now we entered into twenty-first century. Our undaunted stand to defend our sovereignty assured that the Martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the nation shall not go in vain.
It was very much unfortunate that India, one of the large nations in the world, had committed naked aggression on Nagaland without any reason despite the Nagas' plea to have good neighborhood. And till today, a big democratic Hindu Indian nation in the South East Asia does not show nay sign to cease its force military occupation on Nagaland. And rather she is still exercising her evil design of divide and rule policy against the Naga people. This will only disgrace her reputation in this modern world.
For more than fifty years India played to internalize her naked aggressor on Nagaland by creating factions against the institutional body of the Naga nation NNC and FGN. However, all of their attempts became futile as the Naga firmly stand to protect the sovereignty of Nagaland. Their last attempt is a political negotiation with the renegade group on the agenda of a solution within the framework of Indian constitution. This talk has more clearly illustrated how India is attempting to internalize the Indo-Naga conflicts by creating factions against the NNC and FGN. And India's evil designs and dirty political games cannot be hidden in this world of information and technology.
According to new world order, the opinion of the world people is strengthening more and more to regard each other's national rights and sovereign existence. And to resolve human problem and conflict through peaceful means and mutual understanding become advisable by the world body. India is therefore to choose whether to resolve Indo-Naga conflict through amicable and peaceful means or to continue proxy war against the Nagas.
On this mourning and agony day of our nation, I once again call upon all Naga people to pay homage to our leaders and thousands of Nagas who sacrificed their all so that we would stand today as a people and a nation. And at the same time let us rededicate ourselves to resist aggressor India through peaceful means with the might of truth and historical facts so that we might live as a nation and a people in this world. May God bless Nagaland.
Eno. L. Kaiso, Kedallo, NNC
Chakhesang public asks NSCN (K), FGN to clarify Oct 3 killings Nagaland Page

Dimapur, October 17: The Chakhesang public today asked the NSCN (K) and FGN (non Accordist) to clarify and satisfy the people as to why student leaders and civilians are killed within 30 days time, "failing which the Chakhesang people will initiate action to defend its natural right."
This was resolved in a general public meeting organized by the Chakhesang Students' Union (CSU) at Pfutsero town in regards to the killing of Vechikho Puro, Games and Sports Secretary, CUS, Kuzhongoyo Puro, Chairman, Village Education Committee, RD Block, Kiruma of Kevetso Kezo and critically injuring Beduvo Vero, vice president NPF youth wing on October 3 at AG Colony by the NSCN (K) and FGN (non-Accordist) and the ongoing law and order situation in Phek district.
The meeting which was attended by the presidents of Village/Town Students Union, Chairmen of Village/Town Councils, Presidents of Town/Village organizations and Chakhesang public leaders also condemned the law and order situation in Phek. The meeting further resolved to invite the Government to enforce the Ground Rules of Ceasefire and law and order, grant ex-gratia to the victims of October 3 incident at AG Colony, Kohima and deliver justice within 30 days. (Page News Service)
Factional clashes: The game of power & money By L Olivia Ngaineihlian Article Sangai Express
In the past two months or so inter-factional clashes amongst various UG groups in Manipur have been on the rise. Both the ground rules of GOI - NSCN (IM) and the Suspension of Operations (SOO) have been blatantly disregarded and the UG militants have violated them day in and day out. The historic rivalry between the NSCN (IM) and the NSCN(K) is a well known fact. It is also a well known fact that it is the separatist and ‘anti-national’ ideology of these two prominent UG groups that has spearheaded the policy of balkanization and ethnic cleansing in all areas they proclaimed as ‘Nagalim’. In Manipur there are various allegations by rival UG groups entering the others imaginary area of control/influence and individuals extorting money in the name of a particular UG group. Punitive action is swift and well publicized to prove to the people the high morals and principles of that UG groups. Who work as civil police without accountability and moral responsibilities as done in small scales by rival UG groups too. The recent killing of 10 KLA cadres by the NSCN(IM) and the assassination of an NSCN(IM) Chaplain and his wife along with three cadres by the NSCN(K) is still fresh in our minds. During the 1993-94 Kuki-Naga conflicts, dozens of churches were burnt down and innocent elder, women and children were slaughtered by the NSCN(IM) and the Nagalim guards in the hill areas of Manipur which they called “Greater Nagalim”. The much hyped moral Christian values have been thrown regularly into dustbins.
The NSCN(IM) was quick to justify their reason for killing the 10 KLA cadres while stating that the ‘K’ group lacked even the basic human and Christian values at the same breath on the cold blooded killing of an extremist holy man and his wife, a mother of four. The European - based Naga International Community irresponsibly added fuel to the killing of NSCN(IM) Chaplain and his wife by saying that the lady was raped! They also diplomatically justified the killings of 10 KLA cadres by IM cadres which they called ‘Well trained NSCN(IM) soldiers’. They further played into the emotions of the people by stating the turmoil caused to the families of the IM cadres killed in Nagaland. Here one would like to ask them, were not the 10 KLA cadres killed by them also the sons of some mothers? Have they also not left behind bereaved families, widowed wives and orphaned children. The KLA countered the claims made by the NSCN(IM) in clear terms and reminded the general public that over 800 innocent Kuki men, women and children were hacked to death. Till date the bereaved parents of the two innocent children of Senapati District are crying for justice while the NSCN(IM) has disregarded all attempts fervently made by the civil society to hand over the culprits. The highly irresponsible roles taken by the NSCN(IM) in the Elizabeth kidnap-murder case to hide their alleged connection was simply unbelievable. This is not intentionally singling out only the NSCN(IM), the fact that what you sow so shall you must reap is applicable to all UG groups. Every time there is an inter-faction clash in which cadres are killed or a killing in the garb of moral policing, the culprit UG group has to answer to its conscience, whatever may be its religious or ideological inclinations. Any individual killed leaves behind a bereaved family. How can any UG group be moralistic about the so blatant disregard of the rule of law and basic human values is something one fails to understand. Thousands of civilians, police and armed forces personnel have been killed in one way or the other by the UG militant groups without any moral reaction from the general public in the past 27 years. They all too have family members and relatives. If we are to become a civilized society we need to become more circumspect.
The industrious and innovative citizens of Manipur and the other insurgency ridden areas of the North East have been long deprived of every form of development. All monetary funds have been diverted to personal bank account numbers under assumed names and the 25% payoff to the UG Groups can never help the general welfare and public interests of the Manipuri citizens. All UG groups have openly hampered all kinds of development works for the want of huge revolutionary funds. The nexus between the UG groups and Govt officials and their approved list of contractors, bogus NGOS etc, have become the main causes of misappro-priations of Centre, State and District level financed development projects. It is also common knowledge that house and ration tax from the general public are collected by the UG groups. Political patronage of UG groups having influence on certain matter or decision is now proven. They cannot survive without each other and vice versa. Ministers are touring all around the State with first class contractors authorized by certain UG groups to find unfinished works or projects, and some political leaders even reportedly took over-ground militants on their Tours of Duty to find a way to sanction crores of rupees for big projects. No wonder one Maj Thakkar of the 7th Assam Rifles deliberately stopped the convoy of a senior Cabinet Minister while returning from a ‘tour’ few month back. What if any unknown youth(s) as alleged sat inside the Minister’s car? The most applaudable combing operations and raids in Babupara’s VVIP & MLA/Ministers’ residences by the DGP-led police commandos clearly justify the action of the 7th Assam Rifles officer, dubbed as “arrogant Major” by the media. The open involvement of the UNC on the behest of the NSCN(IM)- in the 6th-General Assembly Elections of Manipur in giving a diktat to the people is a point to note down. This proves that the extremist outfit does not believe in Democratic Rights and did not trust the judgement of the people to elect the representatives of their choice, yet did not want to boycott the elections for evident reasons, i.e, power and money.
While the various UG groups continue lining their pockets, who are the actual victims? The common man, of course. As long as we, the people, support this sticky web of corruption which has seeped into every aspect of our lives, we will continue depriving ourselves and our future generations of the progress and development which all people of this state so richly deserve. But then who are we, the innocent citizens, to boldly question the ideology supported by the barrels of guns?
Why China will not allow democracy in Myanmar Claude Arpi Column Morung Express
In Burma, the situation seems to be settling down. Is it for the good of the people? That is another question. Anyhow, the brutal generals and Aung Saan Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, have agreed to talk. Media reports say the ‘two fiercely opposed sides take cautious, conciliatory steps to end the two-decade long deadlock’. Suu Kyi’s party is ready to make some ‘adjustment’ while the junta is prepared to nominate a ‘mild’ general to hold talks with the democracy leader.
The ‘negotiations’ will probably lead nowhere but the generals, and behind them their mentors in Beijing, need some breathing space at a time when international pressure is mounting and the Olympic Games, with the sacrosanct Truce, are in sight.
For decades, China has been the major factor in the Burmese tragedy for various reasons. First and foremost are the economic considerations. Generally, Beijing finds it more expedient to do business with totalitarian regimes such as Sudan or Burma. Chinese business strives when Western (and Asian) companies’ concurrence is absent due to international sanctions. In Burma today, not only is the Chinese government involved in mega projects (such as the oil pipeline to Kunming in Yunnan province), but the Chinese Diaspora runs everything from grocery to retail shops or restaurants in all major cities as well as in remote provincial towns. It is true that China has no problems with human rights violations, labour standards or other ethical issues; in their own country, similar issues are also side tracked to make place for the economic boom.
The problem is that the benefits for the Burmese people are short term and restricted to very few in the entourage or families of the ruling clique. In the long run, as in Baluchistan or Africa, the local population realises that they are subject to a new form of colonisation, but what can they do?
Beijing has a number of economic interests in Burma. Dr Kanbawza Win, a former secretary of foreign affairs of the prime minister of Burma, now a professor in the School of International Studies in British Columbia University wrote: ‘Economically, China’s presence, particularly in northern Burma, has exploded. In 15 years cross-border trade went from $ 15 million to over $ 1 billion. A flood of inexpensive Chinese goods now dominate the Burmese consumer market.’ He quoted a foreign correspondent, Bertil Lintner, who interviewed a Chinese resident describing 500 military trucks crossing the Sino-Burmese border heading for South Burma. This trend started soon after the crushing of the student revolt in 1988. As a result, a city like Mandalay is today a Chinese city run by Chinese money. It explains why Suu Kyi has no option but to compromise with the junta and the Big Brother behind.
Another issue is the demographical change tolerated by the junta during the last two decades. In a strategy which is very similar to the one in Tibet (especially after the arrival of the train), Beijing plans to change Burma’s demography, making the nation a Chinese colony.
It is officially estimated that more than one million farmers, businessmen or workers have migrated to Burma during the last 10 years alone. Some say that the official figure should be multiplied by three to be closer to reality. Imagine what would happen if tomorrow Burma became a democratic nation and a nationalist leader would take over the reins of the nation’s destiny. A backlash would certainly happen and most immigrants might be sent back to where they come from. What would happen next? Yunnan province of Western China (from where the migrants originate) would experience unemployment, social unrest and probably riots (let us not forget that China last year witnessed 100,000 riots, big and small, mainly about unemployment and environmental issues).
Western democracies have been vociferous about the ‘democratic’ process in Burma. To take France’s example, the spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs stated: ‘The Burmese people cannot bear anymore to have been deprived for the past 20 years of the most elementary rights; further the people wish to be assured of decent life conditions.’ It warned the junta that ‘the generals will be fully accountable for the security of the protesters in front of the international community.’ These are nice words, probably useful for Beijing to hear, but the question has wider ramifications, especially given the opening of the 17th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing today.
But democracy will not be on the agenda of the Congress.
While promoting the building of a harmonious society, Hu Jintao has first to make sure that the different political blocs and social-economic alliances get their share of the economic progress and that his prot?g?s are in key positions. He will therefore state the usual platitudes, such as ‘boosting the people’s participation in politics in an orderly and incremental fashion’. But less than a year before the Olympic Games, the situation remains far from clear on the ground.
Hu is scheduled to repeat several sections of a speech delivered to the Central Party School in late June. He will introduce to the Chinese deputies his new concept, the ‘Four Insistences’. The Communist Party ‘unswervingly insists’ on four objectives: ‘thought liberation’, ‘reform and open-door policy’, the ‘theory of scientific development and constructing social harmony’, and ‘the materialisation of comprehensive prosperity’.
Even our Indian comrades may not see the difference between the previous Four Cardinal Principles (Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, party leadership, the socialist road, and ‘democratic proletarian dictatorship’) and the Four Insistences, but this jargon is probably the best way to diffuse a far more serious time bomb, the introduction of democracy in China.
The China Brief of the Jamestown Institute recently quoted Du Daozheng, publisher of the liberal journal Yanhuang Chronicles who wrote: ‘A number of liberal cadres, including those who had served under Hu Yaobang and the late Zhao Ziyang, another reformist party chief, are lobbying with the party leadership to make significant commitments to political change.’ The Politburo and its Standing Committee may not be the one-block it appears from outside. Disciples of progressive leaders such Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang are still around. One remembers seeing Premier Premier Wen Jiabao (today apparently an ally of President Hu) behind his mentor and Secretary General of the Party, Zhao Ziyang, when the latter tried to compromise with the students on Tiananmen Square in May 1989.
In an article published by the Xinhua News Agency in February 26, 2007, Wen said that ‘science, democracy, the legal system, freedom and human rights are not something peculiar to capitalism.’ He went a step further when he stated: ‘Rather, they are common values pursued by [all] mankind’, ‘the philosophical precept of harmony without uniformity’ and ‘people are the foundation of the nation.’
Ironically, when he made a similar statement at a press conference after the plenary session of the National People’s Congress a month later, several of his remarks disappeared from the official transcript published by The People’s Daily.
This tends to demonstrate that a debate still exists in China, though Hu’s main objective in the Congress is to consolidate his power base. As Xinhua put it, the party must raise its guard against ‘non-Marxist ideological trends’ and ‘cacophonous and impure noises’, in other words democracy. In these circumstances, it is doubtful that Beijing will allow any ‘democratic’ experiment in Burma, for it could have too serious implications within Communist China. In the meantime, the Chinese government is reported to have earmarked 10 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) to boost China’s internet police squads. In anticipation of the Olympics, a large number of too outspoken web sites and blogs have already been closed down.
In a recent speech, Hu asserted: ‘Morality is a key factor to the country’s development, social harmony and the people’s happiness.’
Well, it depends on what one calls ‘morality’. The frail Aung San Suu Kyi may not have the same definition.
(Claude Arpi is French-born author and journalist who lives in Auroville, India. He is the author of The Fate of Tibet (Har-Anand Publications), and several articles on Tibet, China, India and Indo-French relations)
Centre insincere on peace: ULFA By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Oct 17 – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today reiterated its allegation that the Government of India was not interested in peaceful resolution of the conflicts. In its mouthpiece Freedom, which was released to the media through e-mail today, the ULFA said that the officials of the Indian Army issued statements, which threatened to derail the peace process. The ULFA said that as it refused to bow down to pressure of the Government of India, the operations by the “Indian occupation forces were intensified and members of the ULFA were killed in “fake encounters” in different parts of Assam.

The ULFA questioned whether the Government of India thought that the problems of Assam would disappear once the ULFA is annihilated and alleged that the Government of India was trying to divide the people of Assam on religious lines.
Top rebel commander surrenders in Assam By IANS
Guwahati, Oct 18 (IANS) A front ranking commander of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has surrendered to the army even as the rebel group accused the authorities of killing its members in 'fake encounters'. Pranjal Saikia, a 'company commander' of the ULFA's dreaded strike force called the '28th battalion', surrendered Wednesday at Dinjan, headquarters of the 2nd Mountain Division, located in eastern Assam's Dibrugarh district, an army official said.
Saikia was believed to have been based in Nepal for some time before the surrender. Security officials would not comment on the Nepal connection, but it is believed that the ULFA has some links with a section of the Maoists in that country. 'Saikia's surrender is significant because he has been a key commander of the ULFA's 28th battalion and it goes to show that rebel leaders are on a re-think mode on the group's methods to achieve its objective,' the official said.
On Sep 17, Prabal Neog, 43, the commander of the ULFA's '28th battalion' was arrested by the Assam Police during a routine vehicle check on a highway in the northern Sonitpur district.
From its bases across the border in Myanmar's Sagaing division, the hit squads of the '28th battalion' roam the eastern Assam districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar, attacking soft targets. Last year, Mrinal Hazarika, who used to command the '28th battalion' before Neog, was captured from a hotel in Siliguri in West Bengal, along with three of his colleagues, jolting the ULFA's fighting unit. In the last 12 months, the army's 2nd Mountain Division, based in eastern Assam, has neutralised scores of ULFA militants.
'We have neutralised 178 ULFA militants since Sep 24, 2006 including one battalion commander (Rajiv Kalita of the '27th battalion'), five company commanders, 10 action group commanders and seven experts in improvised explosive devices (IED),' said an army official.
On Thursday, meanwhile, the ULFA accused security forces of killing its cadres in 'fake encounters' across Assam and said that the central government was not keen on a peaceful resolution of the problem. In the latest edition of its mouthpiece called Freedom, circulated through e-mail, the ULFA has said that the group and its objectives could not be 'annihilated' by killing its cadres. 'The enslaved mothers of Assam will give birth to ULFA again. Our freedom struggle will go on till India restores the basic human rights of our people and their inalienable birth rights of sovereignty and independence,' the ULFA said in its mouthpiece.
Capital punishment for Bimola UNLF claims responsibility Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Oct 17: Claiming responsibility for killing Tongbram Bimola w/o Kesho of Kumbi Salan Konjin but staying in a rented room at Kwakeithel Akham Leikai last night, the proscribed outfit United National Liberation Font (UNLF) has explained that she had been given capital punishment in accordance to her own faults that could not be forgiven at all.
In a statement, senior publicity officer of the outfit Kh Yoiheiba said since the time of staying at Kumbi Bimola had been working not only as an informer of the security forces by passing information about the UNLF but also carrying out activities against the revolutionary movement of the people. For this, her husband Kesho was called up by the outfit in 2005 for interrogation and later set him free after giving advice against allowing his wife to carry on with such activities.
However, in complete disregard of the restriction imposed, Bimola continued to work as an informer. Subsequently, she was taken into custody by the outfit for five days in September 2006 and she admitted her wrongdoings.
In view of the gravity of her misconduct, she could have been capital punishment at that time itself. However, in consideration of her four young children as well as on humanitarian ground, UNLF had forgiven her after giving warning against committing such mistakes in future. Bimola had also admitted to her mistakes in front of mediapersons, Meira Paibis and other family members and as she pledged to reform herself, the outfit handed over to the family members in the presence of the Meira Paibis.
So the outfit had forgiven and overlooked her mistakes twice with due respect to her status as a mother thinking that she might reform one day.
On the contrary, Bimola stepped up her activities against the UNLF all the more with a vengeance, thus compelling the outfit to take the decision of awarding capital punishment to her. How- ever, for the surviving children who have lost their mother early in life because of her own mistake, UNLF would extend every possible assistance, Yoiheiba announced.
He further said that although UNLF has always accorded highest respect to the spirit of Manipuri womenfolks for their contribution to the society, it is really unfortunate that a handful of them are indulging in anti-social activities like peddling and abusing drugs and working as informer of the security forces. UNLF would consider all those, whether men or women, who are working against the revolutionary movement just because of some monetary benefit and without thinking for the future of the society as enemy of the people and would not hesitate in eliminating them, the statement reiterated.

Four militants killed in clashes with security men By Staff Reporter Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Oct 17: Security forces killed at least four militants including the deputy home secretary of PULF while two people including a former PREPAK were shot dead by militants in different incidents that occurred in the insurgency prone state of Manipur since last night, police reports said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a bomb hurled by suspected militants at a house in Nagamapal went off inside a RCC water tank where it fell early Wednesday at around 5 am. No casualty was reported in the explosion.
The four suspected militants were killed in separate clashes between the security forces and militants. Three of the militants were PULF cadres and were killed in a clash with a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and 24 Assam Rifles at Sora village in Thoubal district at around 1 am today while the other one was an UNLF cadre shot dead by the personnel of 7 Assam Rifles at Thanga Lawai in Bishenpur district at around noon, sources said.
The security forces also claimed recovery of an AK-47 rifle with magazine having 18 live rounds of ammunition, one Chinese hand grenade, one single bore shotgun (country made) and two cartridges of single bore shotguns and two pouches from the clash site at Sora while a 9 mm pistol with some ammunition from the slain suspected militant at Thanga Lawai. IGAR (south) in a statement said that the killing of the three cadres of PULF including its deputy home secretary was a heavy blow for the militant organization. It further said that the combined team of 34 Assam Rifles and Thoubal police commandos who entered Sora area on getting specific information of movement of the armed militants spotted five to six armed militants near Laiching Minao.
On being challenged to stop, the armed militants fired upon the combined force resulting in the retaliation. After a heavy exchange of fire between the two sides, three of them were killed. The slain militants were later identified as cadres of People’s United Liberation Front PULF (Farooq faction), the statement added. Police retrieved the dead bodies from the spot and deposited them at the RIMs morgue for post mortem.
Later, two of them were officially identified by their respective facilities. They were Md Abdul Kadir alias Lalboy, 26, son of Hyder Ali of Khergao and Md Sahi Khan alias Henry, 18, son of late Ahmad Ali of Thoubal Moijing. Abdul Kadir is reportedly the deputy home secretary of the PULF (Farooq faction). However, the family of the slain Sahi said that he was a civilian and helping his brother in running a grocery shop even as Assam Rifles claimed that he was a self styled private of the outfit. He failed to return home after leaving home three days back, the family added.
The identity of the third one is yet to be officially established but a Assam Rifles statement said that the deceased was one Zahir Khan alias Jiribam alias Khan, 24, a self style private of PULF. He had held a high rank before the UNLF was divided. He was also involved in inter factional clashes and killing of two cadres, the statement added. Troops of 7 Assam Rifles also engaged in an encounter with some militants at Thanga Lawai in Bishenpur district this noon where one militant was killed and a 9 mm pistol with some ammunitions were recovered from the spot, the source added.
A PIB defense wing statement said that the slain cadre was a self styled sergeant, Salam Raju, 38, of UNLF and he was killed during a search operation conducted by the Assam Rifles in the surrounding area of Moirang Khunou from this early morning. He was shot dead when he attempted to escape from the house he was hiding towards the paddy field. A brief exchange of fire occurred but the troops restrained their fire to avoid civilian casualty, the statement added.
Meanwhile, suspected militants shot dead two persons at different places, police said today. One of the persons was shot dead tonight at around 7.20 pm at Heirangoithong Makha Oinam Leikai while the other one said to be a former PREPAK cadre was shot dead last night at Kumbi Salam Konjil under Moirang police station. The lifeless body of the youth shot at Heirangoithong has been recovered by the Singjamei police and deposited at RIMS morgue for official identification. The slain youth’s eyes were found missing when the dead body was retrieved by the police. Elsewhere, one youth who is said to be a ex-PREPAK was shot dead by armed gunmen last night at Kumbi Salam Konijl under Kumbi police station last night. The youth who was later identified as Md Abdul Latif alais Amucha, 22, son of Abdul Zalim was abducted by some armed persons last night itself from his home, according to family sources.
China should intervene in Burma crisis: HRW Mungpi Mizzima News
October 18, 2007 - China, being the biggest investor and nurturing a close relationship with Burma, should immediately initiate concrete steps to help end state repression in the Southeast Asian country, US based Human Rights Watch said. HRW, in a letter to the Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday, urged China to make use of its influence to pressure the Burmese military junta to end its unabated crackdown on monks and activists.
"As one of Burma's neighbours, its biggest investor, and its main supplier of weaponry, China indisputably wields the power to positively influence this situation," Ken Roth, Executive Director of HRW said in the letter. China, which vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution on Burma along with Russia earlier this year, reportedly has signed over 200 MoUs with the Burmese junta in various business sectors. HRW criticized China for failing to condemn the Burmese junta for its recent brutal crackdown on protesters.
"Public criticism from China would have had an immediate effect in Burma," said Roth citing that even ASEAN countries, which traditionally practices non-interference in internal matters of member states, has voiced concern and publicly condemned the junta for its acts.
HRW called on China to immediately place an arms embargo that will halt all weapon transfers from China to Burma and suspend all military training, transport, assistance, and cooperation, and to support or abstain from vetoing UN Security Council resolutions calling for sanctions or other collective action to address the crisis in Burma. The human rights watchdog also called for the suspension of involvement by state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation and Sinopec, which are both official Olympic partners, in the proposed Burma-China oil and natural gas pipelines. The Rights group also called on President Hu to instruct Chinese firms, including stated-owned firms, with business ties in Burma to publicly and fully disclose all payments made to the Burmese military, directly or through the entities it controls. Roth said August 8, 2008, the official opening day of Beijing Olympic, also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy protests in Burma, during which an estimated 3,000 people were killed.
"Recent events in Burma mean that the spotlight on that date will also be on the continued suffering of the Burmese people," Roth said. "If China takes a strong stand on Burma now, it will be credited rather than criticized on 08-08-08 ," added Roth. "Doing so isn't just right; it's also in China's self-interest."