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11/01/2007: "Indian Army violates ceasefire,kills inside Nagaland Nagaland Page"

Indian Army violates ceasefire,kills inside Nagaland Nagaland Page

Dimapur, October 31: In a serious breach of the Ceasefire Ground Rules in place between India and the Naga National groups fighting for a separate Naga homeland for the last more than 5 decades, Indian Security Forces on Wednesday encroached into Naga territory and shot dead an innocent student (B Com), one Imkongtemsu, son of Chubatoshi of Longkhum village under Mokokchung District, and seriously injuring a Tatar of the NSCN (IM), Akato.
The incident happened at Lotha Colony, near Old Khatkhati Road here, which is well within the jurisdiction of Nagaland State. The injured NSCN (IM) leader, who sustained two bullet injuries, is presently undergoing treatment at Civil Hospital Dimapur. Dimapur Police identified the deceased as a B.Com student and the injured as Tatar of the NSCN (IM) Sources said Dimapur police recovered to empty cases of INSAS rifle from the spot. Confirmed sources told Nagaland Page that troops belonging to the elite Red Horns Division of 5 Bihar Regiment stationed at Khatkhati, Karbi Anglong, fired upon a vehicle inside Nagaland on suspicions that they were arm smugglers.
Army sources said the Red Horns Division on receiving information about a likely "arms deal" between suspected KNLF and some parties swept into action immediately, and on seeing a "suspicious vehicle" followed it when, the sources claimed, the occupants of the suspicious vehicle fired at the Army vehicle forcing the SF personnel to retaliate resulting in the casualty. When contacted, PRO Defence, Nagaland, said that the Army jawans were forced to retaliate after being fired upon. He also claimed that the Army recovered a Sub-Machine Gun and one 9 mm pistol from the spot.
Top state police officials, while confirming the incident, expressed its displeasure over the Indian Army's entering into Nagaland territory without informing the State administration.
The Army if they had any suspicion about movement of arms smugglers could have alerted the administration of the district where the incident happened before taking any action that may likely led to a deterioration of law and order situation in the state of Nagaland, they reasoned.
Sources said the Government of Nagaland is likely to lodge a complain to the Union Home Ministry over the incident on Thursday. NSCN (IM) officials could not be contacted for their reactions to the incident. (Page News Service)

Major dies in rebel ambush - Ukhrul gunfight leaves two more dead OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, Oct. 31: An Assam Rifles officer and two jawans were killed while seven more were wounded in a well-planned militant ambush in Manipur’s Ukhrul district this morning. The dead are Maj. Ravi Vaish and riflemen Gyaneshwor Prakash and H. Sahani. The condition of one of the injured personnel is said to be critical. All the injured have been admitted to the military hospital located at the headquarters of the 57 Mountain Division at Leimakhong on the outskirts of Imphal West. Confirming the report, Assam Rifles spokesman Maj. Samsher Jung said the ambush took place at 8.54am at Sorbung village in Phungyar sub-division of Ukhrul district this morning. The spokesman said the identity of the group behind the attack was yet to be established. He said the troops were moving from Soide village to Kasom on routine patrol duty when they were waylaid and ambushed. There was no report of any casualty on the side of the assailants. The column belonging to 1st Assam Rifles post of Kamjong was moving in a truck and a Gypsy when militants armed with sophisticated weapons fired at it from the hilltop. Three jawans were killed on the spot while seven were wounded.
“We launched a search operation with reinforcements in and around the ambush site to track down the militants. But no arrests could be made. The operation is still on,” the spokesman said.
This is the second major militant ambush in Manipur after members of the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak gunned down five personnel of the CRPF along the Imphal-Jiribam highway on October 3. Troops of the Assam Rifles lost one jawan when gunmen of the same outfit attacked a patrol party of the 21 Assam Rifles at Umathel in Thoubal district on September 30. Another jawan was wounded in the attack. A source said after the ambush, security posts, including police stations, were put on high alert to check the movement of rebels and pre-empt attacks.
Body identified: A man gunned down by a police team at Natum hill in Imphal East yesterday has been identified as Waikhom Rashi, a resident of Yumnam Khunou, by his family members at the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences today. Though he is suspected to be a militant, the police are yet to establish which group he belonged to.
New horizons for Naga women OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Oct. 31: A seminar organised by the Nagaland State Commission for Women today called for more opportunities for women in the Northeast and prompted them to aim for new horizons. The two-day national seminar on women, which concluded this evening, was held on the theme Towards a New Horizon. It was attended by a host of dignitaries and women activists.
Minister for agriculture Kuzholuzo Nienu said the commission, which was set up after the Assembly passed the Nagaland Women’s Act, 2006, had worked hard to highlight the key issues and challenges faced by the women of Nagaland in a short time. He called upon the women of the state to move towards a new horizon and a better tomorrow by excelling at all levels.
Parliamentary secretary for tourism and women development Kaito Ayeh spoke about the steps taken by the state government for the welfare of women. He urged Naga women to do well in all walks of life and hoped that they would take advantage of the commission’s presence to redress their grievances, garner opportunities and establish their rights.
Neeva Konwar, a member of the commission and guest of honour at the seminar, said women from the Northeast were capable, educated and enjoyed equal status in society. While the rest of the country was facing problems such as female foeticide, dowry, domestic violence, rape and human trafficking, the women of the region were marching ahead, she felt.
She called upon the women to be aware of the aims and objectives of the commission and contribute towards the uplift of women. She later launched two projects: Chalen gaon ki ore (a rural development scheme) and Meri didi se pucho (a women’s benefit scheme).
The chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women, Vellores, chairperson of the Assam State Commission for Women, Mirdula Seharia, chairperson of the Manipur State Commission for Women, Jamini Devi, and the chairperson of the Tripura State Commission for Women, Tapati Chakravarty, also addressed the gathering today.
The keynote address was delivered by Abeni T.C.K, a member of the Nagaland State Commission for Women. The seminar was chaired by Nagaland State Commission for Women chairperson Sano Vamuzo.
More falls to bullets in Kohima, Dimapur The Morung Express
Dimapur, October 31(MExN): Violence has returned once more to haunt the people, with two separate shooting incidents taking place in Dimapur and Kohima today. An NSCN-K cadre was injured while another, also suspected to be an underground cadre, was killed in the capital and Dimapur respectively.
Around 4:00 pm Army personnel, reportedly of the 5th Bihar Regiment shot dead a person and injured another in United North Block-B, Khatkhati road, Dimapur. There are conflicting details about this shooting incident. Residents of United North Block-B said that the two persons, traveling in a Maruti Gypsy, were chased by the military personnel and shot. One of the occupants, suspected to be from a Naga underground faction, was killed on the spot while the driver sustained severe injuries.
Other sources said the killed is a “Tatar” in the NSCN-IM. There are also reports that the Army personnel chased the Gypsy all the way up from Bokajan. Identities of the two were still in the process of identification at the time of filing this report. Residents also informed the driver was shot in several parts of his legs and arms. They said that soon after the shooting, army personnel cordoned off the entire area and forced the residents to ‘stay away.’ It was only around 9:00 pm, about five hours after the incident, that residents were allowed even to “walk” near the spot, residents said.
Dimapur police was still in the process of collecting information regarding the shootout when this report was being filed. However, Dimapur Superintendent of Police SR Saravanan, IPS, said that the military personnel belonged to the 5th Bihar Regiment stationed at Bokajan, Assam. The names of the deceased or which organization/underground faction they were from was yet to be ascertained, the SP said.
In a separate shooting in Kohima, in another factional-related feud, one person was injured when unidentified gunmen fired upon him this afternoon from below ASU office, near BOC. Police sources said that three bullets fired from a small arm hit the victim on the neck and chest. He is reported to be in critical condition. The injured was identified as one “sgt. major” Chandemo Humtsoe of the NSCN-K and hailing from Wokha district. It is said that Chandemo defected from the NSCN-IM to the NSCN-K recently.
Four AR personnel killed in ambush The Morung Express
Ukhrul, October 31 (PTI): An army major and three Assam Rifles (AR) personnel were killed and seven others injured in an ambush by suspected UNLF insurgents on an AR patrol party in Ukhrul district bordering Myanmar on Wednesday, official sources said. The insurgents exploded grenades, detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and shot at the security men in Sorbung village under Phungyar police station at around 8.40 am. Two vehicles belonging to the AR were also severely damaged in the attack, sources said adding the security personnel retaliated and the fighting continued for nearly an hour. The major, who was commanding the AR patrol party, was identified as Ravi and the two AR personnel killed along with him as H Shahni and Ganesh Prasad. The name of the fourth person was yet to be ascertained. Police forces have rushed to the spot from have launched a search to track the militants.
‘Out sincerity to peace has been misused’ The Morung Express
Washington, October 31 (Reuters): A rebel leader from Nagaland bordering China and Myanmar on Monday accused New Delhi of using a decade-old ceasefire as cover to tighten its power grip and jeopardising a peace process. “It is now 10 years with no honourable solution in sight,” said Gideon Sagma Atem of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), which has been fighting since 1947.
“The Nagas are growing tired and worried. We feel that our sincerity to peace has been misused, even as India has aggressively used the ceasefire for her own interests,” he told a news conference in Washington during a trip to lobby the US Congress to highlight their plight.
“This breach of trust has put the whole peace process into jeopardy. Nagas do not wish to be forced back to war. Our rivers have run red with blood and the cries of our children echo through the hills. We know the price we have paid for our freedom,” said Atem, a top negotiator and retired general.
Talks between the two sides — after some 50 rounds — ran into trouble in 2006 with the Nagas blaming New Delhi for delaying a resolution to the longest-running political feud since India’s independence from Britain. “For the last more than 50 years, India has political and socially raped the Nagas and it continues to rape Nagalim by exploiting its resources,” Atem charged and sought international “intervention” to save the peace process. Indicating that the rebels were prepared to be flexible, he said, “the time has come to deal with some of the difficult issues in the negotiations and Nagas are prepared for that however difficult it may be.” “A peaceful solution will increase the potential of regional peace and stability and demilitarisation of the region, violations of human rights will decrease, conditions of living will improve,” he said.
Shiwoto Sumi, the chairman of the North East Indian Christian Revival Church, accused New Delhi of religious persecution in Nagaland. “India is the world’s biggest democracy but there is no freedom of religion,” he said, adding that the Christian majority in the state were being “harassed” in a “high policy of persecution of churches.”
Cong pledges to fight for peace Correspondent Nagaland post
Kohima, Oct 31 (NPN): Paying tributes to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary, the Nagaland Congress on Wednesday pledged to re-dedicate itself to fight for peace and non-violence in the State.
In the presence of AICC general secretary and in-charge of Nagaland, Mrs.Margaret Alva, party in-charge of the state, Congress leaders and workers resolved to bring peace to the State experiencing violence for the past six decades.
Impressing upon Mrs. Alva to take up the situation of Nagaland with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, CLP and Opposition leader I Imkong said “Enough is enough. All of us should take a pledge to fight for peace, non-violence and prosperity”.
Recalling her association with the late prime minister, Mrs. Alva said Gandhi symbolised strength, democracy and secular character of India.
Gandhi was not only the leader for the Congress party but also for many others who did not belong to our party, she said.
AICC secretary in-charge of Nagaland, Ranji Thomas, pointed out that it was Indira Gandhi's initiative which led to the insertion of the words “secular” and “socialist” before Indian republic in the Constitution to offer social justice and welfare to each and every section of the society.
Earlier, administering the pledge Imkong said “we should shun violence” as the Nagas had witnessed enough violence before and after Statehood.
The function was chaired by Congress legislator Taka Masa Ao.
Cong manifesto to focus on Naga politics, development Our Correspondent The Morung Express
KOHIMA | Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee today announced that it will frame its election manifesto basing on two prong agenda-political and development. Although, the manifesto is yet to be released, CLP leader, I Imkong today disclosed to party workers and the visiting AICC general secretary, Margaret Alva, during the meeting at their Conference Hall, that the NPCC manifesto will include two main issues-political and development.
On the political front, Imkong, said that Congress role will be to bring solution by bridging the gap between the Naga undergrounds and Government of India. Imkong said that during the last ten years of Congress regime, there was a promise made to the people to help bring honourable solution to the protracted Naga struggle, however, it could not be fulfilled.
“Unfortunately, our promise could not be fulfilled”, Imkong said. But reassure that this time the Congress will play active role in bridging the gap the between the Naga undergrounds and government of India. “We have suffered enough for the last sixty years. There is a semblance of peace due to ceasefire now. But this is not enough”, Imkong went, adding that after the election, if Congress comes to power, people won’t see violence again. Riding high on the UPA factor at the Centre, NPCC appears flamboyant today with hope that the party will come to back power. But, Imkong sighed that the party will encounter many obstacles during the election battle, and one main obstacle will be the money power to be used by the NPF party.
“We are confident that we will romp home victoriously. But we are going to face many obstacles during the election. One is the money power that NPF party is going to use”, Imkong said.
He disclosed the gathering that NPF party has already promised to sanction Rs 1 crore each for all assembly constituencies to meet the election expense. “We demand more fund from AICC. We are not asking for Rs 1 crore, but at least 50% of what our opposition party is going to give”, Imkong urged. “Logistic support provided by AICC will help us to victory”, Imkong also urged.
However, Alva, reacting to Imkong’s demand, said that AICC will give monetary support to only those candidates who really need help and not to all. Instead, she emphasized on the need for dedicated and united fight rather than money power.
Imkong also accused the ruling DAN government of rampant corruption and inequitable development, and urged the Centre not to release fund on demand of the State government, but to monitor all development works and schemes and release money according to the work done.
“Development will take place without prejudice, if Congress comes to power”, Imkong said. The active membership of the Congress has also increased from about 3000 to 8000 in recent years. This increase clearly indicates the enthusiasm of the people towards the Congress party, he added.
Earlier, NPCC President, Hokheto Sumi, also said that Congress has high hope of coming back to power. He said withdrawing support to and resignation by some MLAs from the DAN government has added plus point to the Congress. It provided good opportunity to national party to the run the government, Hokheto added.
K cadre hurt |Sangai Express
In yet another factional clash, a hardcore cadre of NSCN-K was seriously injured while another managed to escape as suspected cadres of the NSCN-IM attacked them in BOC area, Kohima at around 12.30 pm today, reports NNN. Sources said that the injured identified as one ‘ss sergeant’ Chendemo Humtsoe of Humtsoe village of Wokha district of Nagaland suffered three bullet injuries, one each on the left shoulder, left chest and abdomen. He is reportedly undergoing treatment at a local hospital in an unconscious state. Sources also revealed the victim had recently defected from the NSCN-IM to NSCN-K. Sources further revealed more than 11 rounds were fired upon the two NSCN-K cadres. However police managed to recover only three empty cases of 9 mm pistol and a bullet head from the site of the incident. A case has been registered at the South Police Station Kohima and investigation is on.
Intangki: ‘Only state Govt is the judge’ ‘Ready to go to court, if WSH wants’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, October 31 (MExN): The Jeme Council today issued a rejoinder to the ultimatum served by the Western Sumi Hoho over the festering Intangki land ownership issue. The Jeme Council took strong note that the Western Sumi Hoho has been issuing press statements with intention to create confusion in the minds of the people with ‘cooked-up story.’ While reminding that the WSH is not the judge except the state government. The council also made a passing observation that the WSH “has a great love and serious concern for the Kuki villages under Peren district.”
The rejoinder issued by the council through its president Raitu Jeme made clear that “one may say anything” but Beisumpuikam is a village duly recognized by the government of Nagaland with specified boundaries. These specifications are contained in the government notification Gen-11/01/90, dated 08/12/1991and the village has been functioning smoothly with all deserving development activities till date, the council stated. The Jeme Council reminded: “Should there be any legal implication against the village, the right authority to judge is state government and not WSH.”
The council outlined this: Intangki National Park was declared as national property by the Government of Nagaland and the “GPRN”: as well and notified of this in 1993 “as such any encroacher need to be evicted.” Jeme Council stated: “Accordingly we believed NSCN(IM) has carried out eviction on the so-called Inavi village, on the other hand the state government has directed Wildlife Division to carry out eviction on fresh encroacher barring Beisumpuikam as there was a cabinet decision taken on 18/04/1995 for exchange of land between Forest department and Beisumpuikam village.”
The council said it fails to understand why the WSH is attempting to defend so-called Inavi village “with their legal right or with local standing instead of trying to implicate Beisumpuikam village that has local standing as well as legal standing.” This is nothing but trying to bring lawlessness (to) the innocent villagers peacefully living in their own land”, the council remarked.
The Jeme Council also asserted that “we understand some vested interest group of people had been trying to communalize over this issue but we are not using any particular tribe or community. We will stand on our own right and continue to do that till the end of this world.” The council also assured the WSH that if the latter so desires, “we are ready to go to any court of law or before Naga customary court with all relevant documents and historical background.” The WSH is reminded that Lilen (Kuki) village falls within Peren village land. Other Kuki villages like Phajol and Pelhan falls within the jurisdiction of Beisumpuikam land. “So how Lilen village can claim over Beisumpuikam land and there no land dispute between Peren and Beisumpuikam and the fact is that Lilen village has been paying land tax (Rampwa) to Beisumpuikam which is manifested in letter and spirit” the council stated while advising WSH not to interfere in the matters of the Zeliangrong people and their land.
The council also reminded that the state government had clearly directed the chief wildlife warden of Dimapur to carry out eviction of encroachers. The IRB was also deployed for the action “but WLPO is sleeping over this government decision in order to pave way for encroachers to further establish more huts inside Intangki N/P. The state government should constitute a committee to look into such destructive attitude” the Jeme Council added.
The reconstruction of politics in Nagaland Nagaland Post
During a light discussion with a knowledgeable elderly theologian not very long after the last election, I mentioned I do not completely know the names of the political Parties that form the Government. She immediately dug into her handbag, fumbled out a piece of paper and promptly scribbled something on it. She then mutely handed me the chit; the paper contained the names of all the parties under the wonderful political firmament of India that formed the Government in Nagaland:
Five years after, however I am still not fully confident with my knowledge of the Hindi names of the political parties is Nagaland! Forget the loud trumpets of regionalism; forget all the progressive Naga National Talks, forget even the tall claims of some Naga Nationalists that take part in "Indian State" electioneering. "All Passions, All Delights, All Beauty, All Glory, whatever stirs this mortal frame" are all for the Love of the: ... [dot, dot, dot]. 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' seems to have the Nagas, all in her political Thrall!
The mere formation of a Government for a term of office is no answer to the solution of a State's any problems. It takes generations to properly develop a State and this requires political consistency. No nation can progress without stable political climate; no state can progress without political consistency. sadly, politicians in Nagaland have not shown much political consistency.
At the Naga National level: there was the original federal government with the vision of; "Ours our land; We will manage us our self", then from this shot out a coppice revolutionary government allied to the Indian state government; after that a socialist government splintered out for a section of whom integration now appears to be the final Naga aim. Today several splinter governments both in the federal and in the socialist camps have sprung up and who can tell this is the end of multiplicity of Governments in Naga National politics?
Resignation from one political party organization is perhaps at the worst tolerable but defection from a fold to another is at best unconscionable, at worst, it dangerous to the individual as well as to the organizations. Defection is one of the main causes of the unstoppable killings between the warring groups in the socialist camps in Nagaland. If there is to be no killings of Nagas by Nagas, there should be an end to defection. The promotion in rank and the financial benefits of defections may be attractive but in peace time or in revolution, defections imperils the individual and the organizations alike. Without settling this political Issue there may not be any easy cease fire between Nagas.
At the state level, politicians in Nagaland appears to take merger with a National party in India the highest political agenda and as election time comes, National parties sprouts in Nagaland like mushroom. National parties of India are not political ogres; many are democratic, secular and human right-respecting organizations; a state party may adopt the democratic principles of a National party but it is not necessary to always automatically merge with it. A state party may ally itself with a National party on issues; there can be an MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] and an alliance based on issues. The reason a state political party in Nagaland merges with a National party is perhaps 'fear of financial famine!' It is true money plays very big role in elections; Mr. Oboma's or Mrs. Hillary Clinton's capacity to raise 35 or more million dollars of campaign fun is gauged as a measure of their prospect for the American presidency but Nagaland is a poor state and if money is made to decide the political fate of the Nagas, then that would be the unfortunate end of all the political aspirations the Nagas struggled for the last more than half a century. There need not be any fear that fund will be denied to the state if it has no National party. As long as elected members swear allegiance to the constitution of India, there will be funds for all the States including Nagaland.
The party high command of a national party would like to control all the important matters in the state like allotment of party ticket, distribution of portfolios to the ministers and even in the selection of a chief minister. Such a power is discordant with the mainstream political thought of the Naga electorates; even the much-maligned founding fathers of the state had this in their mind what the people would like. they managed a separate funding system for Nagaland; a separate the high court [not 'branch'] and a special provision of Article 371-A for Nagaland.
It is surprising a big national party like the BJP, in the country of the largest democracy in the world, oxygenate Hindu fundamentalist forces in religious intolerance particularly against the Christians and the Muslims of their own countrymen. A greater wonder however is the excitement the anti-Christian party creates in Christian Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland. At this rate it would not be difficult for the good Christians politicians in Nagaland to offer their political over-coat even to socialists or Marxists unfamiliar with the mountain cold of Nagaland this coming winter as the election time comes.
Nagas spend a lot of time talking about political peace, unity and reconciliation; these are the overwhelming unarmed majority of the population but the armed minority still believes in the philosophy: -'political power comes through the barrel of a gun'- and this minority holds the key to the unfortunate political situation in Nagaland. The majority in naïve enthusiasm made the mistake of giving the key to the armed for safekeeping.
The oblivious majority; -learned sages, popular NGO in style, self-styled leaders of Hohos galore, rights activist meddling in politics, court prophets making nice official prophesies and young bloods nervous with energy- gathered together in a band wagon political reception to welcome: 'he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest' in vainglorious Naga style. And having done that in naivety, it now finds itself caught in its own folly; it now finds helpless with nobody listening to its lofty pleadings. Nagaland needs reconstruction of its political thinking.
The Naga society is still very small; almost anybody knows every body and the votes mostly on the basis of personal acquaintance or other personal consideration of the candidate rather than on the basis of the basis of the programs and policies of a party. The programs and policies of a party are set, are constant and for the good of the general population as a whole of the state whereas those of the individual tend to be narrow and for the good of a narrower circle of the citizen.
An individual candidate alone cannot deal such big issues like secularism, separation of church and state, mixing of religion & politics, environment issues like climate change, health, and reformations etc in the state. It is the party that can deal with such issues most sufficiently. Nagaland is still under the domain of "Gaya Ram and Aya Ram" voting for the man rather than the party programs and policies, this is one of the greatest frailties of Nagaland politics.
There may be many capable and efficient politicians like Hitler in a party, but once an Individual joins the Nazi party, he cannot escape the Fascism. One of the greatest drawbacks of Nagaland politics is that it is person based rather than issue based. Naga politics may turn Issue based rather than individual person based. Any politics not based on: democracy, secularism, separation of religion & government, human right, 'non-violence saves in self-defense' and a broad tolerant acceptance of the idea of a modern Nation-state can be consistent in the long run.
Thepfulhouvi Solo.
CULTURE VULTURES Imo Pongen The Morung Express Perspective
If I am offered an opportunity to point out the philosophy that instill extra false confidence in the minds of Nagas and put our destiny at risk, I would right away point at the philosophy of ‘Misappropriation of cultural value’. Unquestionably, this philosophy plays an ironic role in our society today, which leads people anti-clockwise. This would in due course jeopardize Nagas’ destiny. If corrective measure is not taken right away, we will regret to a great extend for being so ignorant only after considerable number of citizens have perished in shipwreck.
The Cambridge international Dictionary defines culture as "Ways of life", when we view back into the distant past, we can’t just take off our eyes, from simple but admirable lives of our ancestors. They stand filled with courage of heroes, clothed with unchallenged heritage, breath-taking beyond a description that needs no ornaments, worthy of giving second look. Is it not more desirable than foreign cultures? Docs it not deserve to be printed on the tablets of our heart in letters of gold? Why should we clothe ourselves with tattered false philosophy, misrepresenting our forefathers’ rich heritage, One who has lost touch with cultural reality cannot be justified as good citizen, however well-off and well-educated he may be.
The classical example of our forefathers' rich heritage is a great challenge that demonstrates their honesty in personal and interpersonal matters. They enjoyed uncompromised, unique cultural identity, which was no doubt the fabric of their society. But the bewildering problem we face in our days is, we have very shallow understanding about our culture and this has become an open door for inflexion of all evils. The current wave that has dramatically hit through out the length and breadth of our land is the big talks about cultural revival. We don't lack in words, paying extra attention to our culture, this has become household talks. But are we practical too? Have we truly understood it? Cultural value cannot be simply maximized to celebration of festivals; quite unfortunately we have sold our rich culture so cheaply to feasting, drinking and dancing, clothed with traditional attires. And quite ignorantly, with immature head and childish heart, we say: this is the complete field about our culture. I found it difficult to believe my ears, when such an irresponsible statement first fell in my ears, this shocked me right and left, and I believe many Nagas too. Can't we see and understand the cultural value beyond this? What has dimmed our eyes and understandings? It's a serious problem that should not be simply ignored. Does it not prove how immature we arc? This is the very reason I have titled "Culture Vulture" which in fact is the image of our society. I guess I have rightly contrasted our society with this flesh eating bird. Please don't get me wrong, it's not a mockery statement, which would cause our reputation to suffer'. We are already suffering, with deteriorating cultural reputation, almost reducing to skeleton. I am just projecting the areas where we have gone wrong, so that in response, constructive approaches can be implemented by empathetic and responsible citizens.
Culture is more of practical; it is the ways of life, where our behaviors is not questioned, respect elders with due honor, set good examples for the sake of younger generations, without being selfish, dignity of hard labor is encouraged by being industrious and without reluctance absolute cooperation for the up-liftment of society is extended. It doesn't rejoice in the fall of others but stands strong filled with patriotic spirit etc.This was the culture of our forefathers and this should be ours too. Edmund Burke said "People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.”''', How pleasant a place Nagaland would be , if this is the air we breathe, language we use, hands we place upon and place we live in? Exclusive of these, this beautiful Nagaland would be a dull and scary place, where human has no human heart. Are we not already experiencing such inhuman horrific acts in our society? Don't we fell sorry to identify ourselves with Vulture that has nothing to do with behavior other than feasting?
The western culture has unsuitably influenced our society unnoticed. We are crazy for westernization, especially giving extra attention to fashion culture and free culture philosophies. This is the monster that devours all our earning and discourages our moral value. If we continue to entertain this monster, the deceiver, we will soon end up with folded hands in great desolation. We cannot deny the fact that, we arc citizens of a global village. We cannot be conservative too, but have we not adopted the culture, which appears to be convenient and advanced but on contrary, quite deceptive, destructive and which need to be questioned. But we arc not concerned with difference between Truth and Falsehood; we do not bother to distinguish fact from fantasy no matter what misery may cause our lives. We must learn to say yes and no. This Supplementary culture has entered like a Trojan horse with great attraction as a gift but we were too blind not to identify enemies in it. This culture has squeezed our society and deformed our identity beyond recognition. Are we aware of this?
Who will rehabilitate Nagas from this unhealthy culture? Let's set in motion a new course of action, by taking total U-turn, breaking the old tradition of pointing at politicians, preachers, leaders and even our parents. This kind of judgmental and reliant attitude should be discouraged absolutely. Let's help ourselves, until and unless we locate our weakness and strengthen it, our land cannot be changed land. Mother Teresa said, “If you want peace upon earth, first establish peace in your heart.” To preserve one’s culture is everyone’s responsibility. John F Kennedy said, “My fellow citizens, ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” Your decision determines Nagas’ destiny. So let's strengthen our Vertical relationship by adopting Jesus' Culture of honesty besides respecting our forefathers' culture of ethical living. Let's be back to where we belong and live in the light of eternity. Then the mirror will not reflect the vulture anymore. Wiseman says "One smile make two smiles" so lets' be wise by learning to smile and the world will definitely smile with you. John Knox Prayed to God, "Give me Scotland or I die." Let this be our prayer too. Make it real today.
(The writer is from Ungma, Mokokchung)
Nagaland ‘stalls’ border outpost Assam caught in pact trap Nagarealm.com

Guwahati, OCT30 [ATN] : A reminder from Nagaland about an agreement they signed three-and-a-half decades ago seems to have given Assam cold feet about setting up an extra police outpost along the disputed inter-state boundary in Sivasagar district.
The Tarun Gogoi’s decision to set up the border outpost and shift the one at Singibill to a “more strategic location” was taken in the heat of the moment — after two persons died and several were wounded during an attack by a Naga mob in Geleki on July 5. The Singibill outpost was to have been relocated to Fishingpani and Sonapur was chosen as the site for the new one.

Although residents of Geleki and its nearby villages had long been demanding an additional border police outpost in the area, the police and the political establishment decided to set up one only after the July incident. But with the Nagaland government now pointing out that an additional outpost along the disputed border would be a violation of the 1972 agreement to maintain status quo, Geleki could well remain vulnerable to more incursions from across the boundary. Sources said Nagaland also told Assam that sanctioning any new establishment in the disputed zone would be tantamount to contempt of court. The Supreme Court has set up a boundary commission to demarcate the boundary between the states. An official of the department for development of border areas, however, said there was no basis in Nagaland’s contention. He said Geleki was not part of the “disputed belt” and Assam was not obliged to inform its neighbour about any decision taken to protect its territory.

“Only sectors A, B, C and D in Golaghat district are in the disputed belt and manned by a neutral force, the CRPF. Sectors E and F are outside the disputed area and the Assam government has every right to create a new outpost there,” the official added. He criticised the Gogoi government’s response to Nagaland’s warning not to set up an outpost at Sonapur. “Instead of making a case for standing by its decision, the government put its plan to set up another border outpost and shift one in cold storage.”

The official said an additional outpost was essential to maintain law and order in the area. There are 49 border police outposts along the boundary with Nagaland at present. Apart from shelving its plan to strengthen security along the trouble-prone boundary, the Gogoi government has also been delaying the implementation of a border area development plan, announced after the incident in Geleki earlier in the year. The government had even earmarked Rs 11 crore for the project. Each border outpost was to have received Rs 2 lakh from this corpus and four motorcycles. The rest of the money was meant for the development of roads and other infrastructure. A team of activists from Assam and Nagaland conducted a “confidence-building exercise” involving residents of villages on either side of the border at Merapani, the flashpoint of the dispute between the neighbours, last week. Located in Golaghat district, Merapani came into focus when nearly 100 people died in police firing from either side in 1985.

Bodo rally a big draw OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kokrajhar, Oct. 31: A rally organised by the youth wing of Hagrama faction of the Bodoland Peoples’ Progressive Front (BPPF) and the Ex-Boro Liberation Tigers Welfare Society here today, in protest against the attack on a party worker, drew a large crowd.
Louga Boro, a BPPF party worker, was seriously injured when unidentified gunmen shot him at Borimaka under Borbori police station in Baksa district on October 26.
Parliamentary secretary Parmeswar Brahma led the rally, which started from the Kokrajhar District Sports Association ground to the deputy commissioner’s office. The organisers submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Kokrajhar, Jatin Gogoi, on the matter of strict adherence by the Nationalist Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) to the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement between the Centre and the outfit. It also demanded prompt action against the violation of ceasefire norms. The party workers, through their memorandum, called for the confinement of all NDFB members in designated camps, an end to extortion by the outfit and a stop to movement of the NDFB cadres with arms outside designated camps.
The memorandum said the NDFB, taking advantage of the ceasefire, has created a fourth battalion by recruiting new members in “a bid to rejuvenate the outfit, which is not only a violation of the ceasefire agreement but also a threat to the ongoing peace initiative undertaken by the Centre”. “At the time when the people of the region, irrespective of caste and religion, are seriously involved in the development of the region, the NDFB cadres are creating chaos and confusion in society,” it said. BTC members Dhaneswar Goyari, Jamuna Rani Brahma and Rajen Brahma and Malati Rani Brahma of the BPPF Women’s wing participated in the rally.
Major blow to ULFA as 66 rebels surrender By IANS
Guwahati, Nov 1 (IANS) The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Thursday got another setback as 66 guerrillas, including several leaders, surrendered to the authorities, bringing to fore the cracks within the outfit.
A police spokesman said among the top ULFA leaders who laid down their arms is Ujjwal Gohain, the finance secretary of the group's 28th battalion - the outfit's most potent fighting unit.
'There are serious internal conflicts within ULFA leading to a sense of disillusionment and frustration among the ranks,' Gohain told IANS soon after surrendering. The arms laying ceremony was held at a police base in Guwahati and was attended by Assam police chief R.N. Mathur, army commanders and civil officials. Among those who surrendered were three women ULFA cadres and two rebels of a rag-tag outfit called the Adivasi Liberation National Army.
'The mass surrender by ULFA militants goes to prove that the outfit is losing its support base within its ranks and that there is growing frustration prompting them to join the mainstream,' Mathur said. The militants deposited a huge cache of weapons including eight AK56 assault rifles, pistols, grenades, and explosives. This is the third major surrender of ULFA rebels in recent weeks - some 60 militants have laid down arms in two separate functions in the past fortnight. 'There is constant pressure by security forces on the ULFA and then there are internal problems in their bases. This is adding to the woes of the ULFA,' a senior army commander said. The ULFA, a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland since 1979, has faced heavy setbacks with security forces killing some 30 cadres since July.
Rishang strikes anti-terror pose By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Oct 31: Rajya Sa-bha MP Rishang Keishing has stated that activities of the terrorists should be co-untered effectively and there is no point of being in power and rule the State/country if one is afraid of doing so. He was speaking at the occasion of observance of National Re-dedication Day organised by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) at the conferen- ce hall of Congress Bhavan here today.
The National Re-dedication Day (Rashtriya Sank- alap Diwas is being observ-ed in connection with the 23rd death anniversary of former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi. The ob- servance function was also organised by the State Government at all the district headquarters.
Addressing the function at Congress Bhavan which was attended by Ministers, MLAs, Ex-MLAs and other party leaders, Keishing pointed out that it is the responsibility of the Govt to fight against terrorism of any form. It is also the duty of the Govt to protect and safeguard the lives and the properties of the people. If the activities of the terrorists posing challenge to the welfare of the State and its people, befitting reply sho-uld be given. If not, the Govt should step down. Recalling the contributi-on made by late Prime Mini- ster Indira Gandhi toward strengthening the Congre-ss party as well as in the freedom movement, Keishi-ng said Indira had been associated with Congress right from birth. Although a woman, she was an able administrator par excellence who was sincere and hard working to the core. The Congress party should follow the course shown by her, Keishing exhorted. The 20-point programme initiated by India Gandhi while she was the Prime Minister with the main objective of eradicating pover- ty is still relevant today and should be implemented, he added. MPCC president Gaikha-ngam who presided over the function described Indi-ra Gandhi as a women leader who had dedicated and sacrifice her life for the cause of the nation. He also exhorted all party workers to rede-dicate themselves to the cause of working for the betterment of both the hill and the valley people of the State.
Power Minister Phung-zathang Tonsing and former MP Wahengbam Angou , who also spoke at the occasion reminisced that earlier party workers used to have high respect of the code of conduct of the party and work in unity for the common good of all, a feature which is not to be found any more. If no efforts are made for strengthening the party today, there is the possibility of dissension and ultimate break up of the party in the future, they cautioned. Prior to this, functional president MPCC president Gaikhangam led other Ministers, MLAs, party leaders and workers in offering floral tributes to the photo- graph of Indira Gandhi. The State function of the National Re-dedication Day observance held at the parade ground of 1 Manipur Rifles was attended by PHE Minister TN Haokip and Education Minister L Jayentakumar as chief guest and president respectively. Agriculture Minister N Loken, MLA Thangkho-lun Haokip, MLA Dr Kh Loken, Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh and other top Government officials were also present at the occasion. Paying homage Indira Gandhi and recalling her contribution and sacrifice for the nation were the main highlight of the observance. The observance function commenced after the chief guest received a rally of the school children which had been flagged off from Hafta Kangjeibung and unfurling the tri-colour flag.
Speaking at the occasion, TN Haokip said any act of terrorism should not be condoned and terrorism or violence would never be able to solve the problems confronting the State today. In his presidential address, Jayantakumar said death of an able leader like Indira Gandhi in the hands of terrorists was a great loss to the nation. So all of us should stand firm against any anti-social element. The National Re-dedication Day was also observed in a befitting manner at all other district headquarters of the State.
Conflict killings and tortures in Manipur leave no space for Intl Humanitarian Law By : Akoijam Sunita/IFP Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Oct 31: Tongbram Bimola (35) was shot dead on 16th October 2007, Ningombam Komlatombi (46) was shot dead on 27th September 2007, and Takhellambam Menaka (35) was shot dead on 27th June 2006. Unarmed women and children at Umathel and Kalika Lok Maring village were brutally beaten and tortured from the night of 30th September to the early morning of 1st October 2007, Maibam Naobi was arrested and allegedly molested and gang raped by the Thoubal police commandos during 21st February to 2nd March 2006 and Thangjam Manorama was allegedly raped and murdered by AR in 2004.
These are glimpses of the increasing trend of violence against women in Manipur’s armed conflict situation. While Bimola, Komlatombi and Menaka were killed by the insurgents; the villagers of Umathel and Kalika Lok Maring village, Naobi and Manorama were tortured inhumanely by the security personnel to the extent of causing death. Bimola was shot dead near her rental home at Kwakeithel Akham Leikai on the early night of 16th October. During a meeting with media person, Bimola’s mother Tellem Thambal said that her daughter used to run a small pan dukan at Shalankonjin Bazar but had to shut down her shop due to monetary demand from an insurgent group. As recounted by Bimola’s eldest daughter, Ningoleima, 17, Bimola was on many occasions harassed by the security people as well as insurgents. She said the family shifted to the rented house at Kwakeithel after the an underground group kept her in custody for 5 days. The heartbroken girl said, “That time my youngest sister was barely a year old. When my mother came back after 5 days, she was in a bad condition. Though she denied that she was beaten, half of her hair was gone and her body was all swollen up. After that incident we shifted to Kwakeithel in search of a peaceful life.”
However, fate willed otherwise and Bimola’s search for peace came in the most tragic manner when she was shot dead near her home after being called out. Later UNLF claimed responsibility for the act saying that Bimola was an informer. Ningoleima said, “There is no way we can counter this claim. We are powerless. However we would be contented if they would at least clearly put as to how many of their cadres were arrested or put into danger due to my mother’s involvement.” Bimola left behind 4 children, three girls and a boy. The youngest is 4 years old Jina who is still not able to understand the implication of dead. She still thinks that her mother is gong to come back.The Geneva Convention Additional Protocol II states that ‘death penalty…shall not be carried out on pregnant women or mothers of young children’.
Menaka, who was the secretary of the Wangoo Tera Women Welfare Association, was shot dead near her home by another underground group alleging that she was an informer.
Komlatombi was shot dead at point blank at her home at Soibam Leikai while having dinner with her daughter and niece. Her 20 years old daughter sustained injuries from the gun shot. She was the former vice chairperson of the Imphal Municipal Council.
Prof Arambam Lokendra, senior citizen, questioned, “Is such killings justified in revolutionary justice?” The senior citizen further said that if the armed conflict in Manipur is to be solved at international forums, the international laws should be obeyed.
Human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam said, “The worst casualty in conflict is the civilians. So the Geneva Convention Additional Protocol II of 1977 should be rectified and signed by India so that ICRC can be invited and due protection could be given to the civilians. The government of India is playing hide and seek by saying that there is no armed conflict in the country.
The leaders of insurgent groups need to discipline their cadres. If they want to be international players, they should abide by the international humanitarian law. If they continue disobeying the international laws, they have to pay a heavy price at some point of time.”
On the early morning of 1st October 2007, Kh Khambi Maring was hit on the buttock and abdomen by the personnel of 21 AR. Thirty years old Khambi lost her 3 months old foetus. In the same incident, 65 years old Sangkhu Maring was lifted and thrown by the AR. When she pleaded to leave her son, whom the AR personnel were beating mercilessly, they opened her mouth forcibly and spit inside. Twenty-three years old Amujaobi was also beaten and kicked. Many women who ran out to protect their male relatives were not spared.
Maibam Naobi was tortured and allegedly gang raped in custody by commandos of Thoubal police. In 2004, the death of Manorama created huge uproar against the inhumane treatment by the para-military forces. In the introduction of the extract from the International Review of the Red Cross on ‘the protection of women in International Humanitarian Law’, it was stated that due to the new type of conflict between the regular armies and guerrilla forces “it is difficult to distinguish combatants from civilians” and hence Additional Protocols were adopted in 1977.
“The principle of distinction of civilians from combatants is the cardinal principle of the International Humanitarian Law common article III and additional protocol II. This is a principle consistently violated by the security forces,” Babloo said.
Prof Ksh Bimola of Manipur University said, “The Human Rights Protection Act 1993 clearly lays down the civilians’ right to protection including right to life. Death penalty cannot be the solution to any problem, we need to address the root causes for the aberrations.”
Gogoi lays stress on road linkages Indo Burma news
October 31, 2007: (Assam Tribune) New Delhi, Focusing on development of connectivity and trade and investment, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi called for linking the historic Stilwell Road with Trans Asian Highway at Mea-Sot on the Thailand border.
Addressing the meeting on the Look East Policy convened by the Ministry of External Affairs, Gogoi said imprisoned within a closed space, the North Eastern region (NER) had been subjected to various limitations by the country’s internal security, as well as foreign policy. Not to speak of foreign direct investments, even in the early few years of liberalisation of economy, a foreign tourist had to obtain a restricted area permit, he lamented.

The Chief Minister said the ASEAN highway network that could be accessed from existing NH 39 and NH 36 through Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal to reach Myanmar needed to be developed.

Reopening of the Stilwell Road linking the Region with Kunming, the capital city of Yunan Province of China would greatly boost economy and trade activities from the region to South East Asian countries. Gogoi also called for development of connectivity with Bhutan, Tibet and Bangladesh. The NH-52 connecting North bank of Brahmaputra to Arunachal Pradesh could be further developed and extended to Tibetan Autonomous Region, he proposed.

On improvement of rail connectivity, he said the possibility of having Broad Gauge rail connectivity with Bangladesh through Golakganj may be explored for economic reasons. The three railway network including NE Frontier Railways, North Railway of Myanmar and West Railway network of Yunan are closest to each other at Ledo, Myitkyina (Myanmar) and Dali (China). These networks could be linked to each other by building Myanmar-India Railway and Yunan-Myanmar Railway, he suggested. The distance from Myikyina to Ledo is about 480 km and from Dali in Yunan to Myitkyina about 520 km. Gogoi also called for development of Brahmaputra waterway. There is a need to have a long-term protocol, which will enable the development of required infrastructure of vessels and night navigation devices by private sector. He also called for development of air links between the Region and the neighbouring countries, predicting that it would lead to increase in export and tourism. An assessment of the export potential of the Region would have to be made through a planned market survey in the neighbouring countries, as well as the export potential of the Region. The identified export potential would have to be developed and utilised, Gogoi suggested.
Germany, India Urge Burma to Release Political Prisoners Indo Burma News
October 31, 2007: (AP) India and Germany urged Burma's military rulers Tuesday to free all political prisoners and hold talks with the United Nations, following a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation. India has come under intense international pressure to take action over the junta's repression of recent monk-led protests across Burma, largely because of the strong economic and military ties established between the two countries in the past decade.
"We jointly share the view that political prisoners have to be released. There has to be negotiations with the United Nations," German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in India for a four-day visit, said after meeting External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi. Last week, Ibrahim Gambari, the UN's special envoy to Burma, urged India to break its silence over the Burmese military's violent response to the peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations. Gambari, who also visited Beijing, has suggested that Burma's two giant neighbors should take a lead in resolving the crisis. India has said it is talking quietly to Burma—an approach that has upset critics at home and abroad who argue India's inaction makes it complicit in the brutal repression.
India shifted its policy from support for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi—who has been detained for 12 of the past 18 years—to one of engaging Burma's generals in the early 1990s, in part because of a desire to access Burma's large natural gas reserves. New Delhi has never specified the extent of business ties between India and Burma. But even as the protests gathered momentum last month, India's petroleum minister, Murali Deora, was in Burma signing a US $150 million gas exploration deal. India has also shown interest in securing the cooperation of Burma's military in containing several separatist groups fighting New Delhi's rule in the remote northeast, a region that borders Burma. India's military has said several insurgent groups launch attacks in India from bases across the border in Burma.