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11/03/2007: "Press release NSCN MANIPUR RICE SCANDAL"



Press release NSCN MANIPUR RICE SCANDAL

Corruption of highest order involving FCS rice has been placed under the centre’s scanner for quite sometime. The real picture of the fishy dealings took time to surface in the open because of the involvement of the people in the authority not excepting the people’s representative in collusion with the valley based underground organizations. The illegal transaction however, could not escape the watchful eye of the regional authority of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) who caught hold of the truck drivers transporting the FCS rice and they eventually unfolded the murky world of the forbidden business worth crores of money.
The modus operandi of the whole business as revealed by the drivers exposed the deceptive movement that goes on under the shadow of the Manipur FCS godown located at Nungba Headquarters of Tamenglong District. Once the truck loads reach the FCS godwon premises the trick of the illegal transaction was set in motion. The vehicles would enter the godown through the back door and after waisting the whole day giving the seeming impression that unloading is taking place, the approach of evening would set the next move to exit the fully loaded trucks through another exit point to proceed to the destined private godowns.
According to Gojen of Tera Bazar, Imphal one of the agents who supplies rice taken from FCS godown to Ananta of Jirighat the Manipur FCS Minister Y. Irabot is the ring leader in the illegal transaction of rice when interrogated by NSCN authority of the Zeliangrong Region after being caught confessed that 100 trips had been transported of Jirighat. While passing through police check points they would pay Rs. 1,500 – 2,000/- to pass through. The police know the everything of the transaction that is illegal and an open crime against the State Government. But for the heavy tips that come without the asking they would allow safe passage of the vehicles that are proceeding to their private godowns. Interestingly, he reveals further that there are more that 10,000 quintals of rice in these private godowns. According to him, the partnerships in crime of FCS Minister Irabot are:
1. Rajen Meetei, Tera Bazar
2. Kamal Bengali, Mantripukhuri
3. Pappu Marwari, Mantripukhuri
4. Lalal Marwari, Mantripukhuri
5. Kamal Singjamei,
6. Alladin, Kashipur, Silchar
7. Achinto Bengali, Jirighat
8. Anato Bengali, Jirighat
9. Ibocha, Naga Mapal
According to the drivers of 11 trucks arrested and interrogated by NSCN, around 350 to 400 trips had been transported to various locations outside Manipur from May 2007 to October 2007. These loads of rice are handled by agents namely:- Alladin of Kashipur, Silchar, Achinto Bengali, Jirighat. Sometimes these rice are transported to Mizoram and Tripura.
Interestingly, the rice taken to Manipur are again taken back to Assam but only to expose the shady business that is tumbling down now. Mr. Md. Amu of Khurai Khomidok purchased rice from the following godowns:-
1. Kamal godown, Mantripukhuri, Imphal
2. Natesh godown, Mantripukhuri, Imphal
3. Papu godown, Mantripukhuri, Imphal
4. Iboton godown, Tera Bazar, Imphal.
From theses godowns the rice are transported to Assam.
With the modus operandi unfolded, conflicting statements started emanating from Mr. Irabot after landing himself in soup. In one occasion he allegedly said that the rice are for Manipur and serious action would be taken against the police personnel involved in facilitating the transportation of the illegal business. Again he was in for further mess up when he said that the rice are for private purpose. But the question that cornered him into deeper trouble is what is the necessity of depositing private rice to government godowns? Again he was allegedly saying that the rice are for other states. But if that is the case what is the compulsion to be brought all the way to Manipur in Nungba District?
With nothing left to hide about the illegal business caught by the NSCN in constant vigilant, the drivers pleaded for their lives saying that they were mere drivers earning their daily bread to support their families. They confessed that their activities are unlawful, yet when they complaint about it to their bosses/agents they were just told that their criminal activities are done under cover and under protection from the government authorities and as such they have nothing beyond profit making from the business.
Mr. Irabot has much explaining to be given to the masters in New Delhi from where the rice originated. But in any case he has landed himself in big soup. Such corruption of highest order often took place when there is collusion between the Manipur Ministers and Valley underground groups. The so-called revolutionary groups who professed to be fighting for people’s cause are robbing the poor people in collision with state privilege representatives. Where is their revolutionary integrity under the given situation that now expose the true face of the Meetei undergrounds? Why is the valley UGs stoop so low to indulge in such dirty dealings? And why the Minister entered into such collusion with Ugs to deprived the people the much needed rice.
NSCN(K) taunts NSCN (IM), says Swu and Muivah are fooling the Nagas By Sanjay Kumar Copyright Dailyindia.com/ANI
New Delhi, Nov 2: At a time when the General Secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isac-Muivah) faction has expressed its desperation over the progress in the talks with the Indian Government, the rival Khaplang faction has refused to restrain itself and added salt to the former's wounds. The NSCN(K) has termed the decade-long talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre as the betrayal of the Naga cause.

"The ongoing talks between IM and the Indian Government have made the IM group a stooge in the hands of the Indian Government. In some years, these people will start singing Van de Matram,"said Kughalu Mulatonu, an NSCN-K leader who supervises the group's ceasefire supervisory board. He described Thuingaleng Muivah and Isac Chisi Swu as "jail birds" who were not the real representatives of the Naga people.

"They don't reach out to the people. They just try to invite the attention of the people....There is no Naga talks. Only IM and Government talk, when you talk about the Naga talks, the talks have to be based on the consensus between the Nagas. Isac and Muivah stay in Hebron Camp .They are making a laughing stalk of themselves," observed Mulatonu. Mulatonu challenged the IM leadership to attend a joint press conference if they were really serious about Naga issues. However, he refused to join hands with the NSCN (IM) saying that NSCN(K) can never be with a "terrorist group".
"We have never been together. We will never be together...Nagas will never mix nationalism with terrorism," said the NSCN(K) leader. Commenting on NSCN(IM) charges that the Assam Rifles is colluding with the K group to hurt the IM leadership, Mulatonu counered it by saying that the IM faction was playing into the hands of the Indian forces and killing Naga K cadres.

"They have reached an agreement with the Indian and Myanamrese Governments," Mulatonu claimed. The factional clashes between NSCN(K) and NSCN(IM) has been going on for almost two decades. Yesterday, four K cadres were reported killed in an ambush in the Old Hospital Colony that lies between Khuthur village and Tuensang town under Tuensang district of Nagaland. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Khaplang (NSCN-K) was formed on April 30, 1988, consequent to an assassination attempt on the General Secretary of what emerged as the rival outfit - NSCN(IM)- Thuingaleng Muivah.
Clannish divisions among the Nagas (Konyaks and Tangkhuls) were the primary reason behind the split of the NSCN in 1988. The Konyaks formed the NSCN-K (Khaplang) under the leadership of Khole Konyak and S S Khaplang. The Tangkhul faction, the NSCN-IM (Isak-Muivah), was led by Isak Chisi Swu and T. Muivah. S S Khaplang is the Chairman of the outfit. N Kitovi Zhimomi acts as the General Secretary and Akaho Asumi is the Publicity Secretary.

The outfit is active in the eastern parts of Nagaland, as well as in the Tirap and Changlang districts of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. It has a cadre strength of approximately 2,000, with a following among the Konyaks of both India and Myanmar, the Pangmeis of Myanmar, the Aos of Mokokchung district, the Phoms and Yimchungers of Tuensang district, the Angamis, the Semas and the Lothas. It commands influence in parts of Nagaland, Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, as well as the Hemei and Pangmei settlements in Myanmar.

The NSCN-K runs a government-in-exile called the Government of the People's Republic of Nagaland, NSCN-K. The General Head Quarters (GHQ) of the GPRN/NSCN-K is located in Eastern Nagaland (Myanmar). Kitovi Zhimomi is the self-styled "Prime minister of the Government of the People's Republic of Nagaland".
The group is reported to have training camps and its headquarters in Myanmar. The government for the first time announced a truce with NSCN-K in 1998, which has been extended since then several times. The current ceasefire expires on April 27, 2008. An NSCN-K team held discussions with the Centre last week and discussed issues relating to ceasefire ground rules.

Serious attempts to solve this vexed issue have been made since the mid-nineties.So far, the talks between the rebel Naga leadership and the Indian Government have made very little substantive progress for more reasons than one. In the first place, the leadership has shown no flexible attitude for a negotiated settlement. For the Government, it is of paramount importance to bring the various Naga factions together to the negotiating table. It will be a long drawn process before peace returns to Nagaland.

Open letter to CM- Nagaland Post
With the Common Minimum Programme and a promise to transform Nagaland, the electorate responded to the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland with their mandate in the February 2003 election. And after the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland assumed the helm of power of the state, lot of changes have taken place in Nagaland. Vast progress had taken place especially in the roads and agro based sector. Under your wise and leadership funds have been utilized properly. However, in 58 Shamatore-Chessore A/C it seems to be different story. Only a few days ago we were surprised to come across an article in the local dailies where a certain defeated candidate from the constituency had drawn out an amount of Rs. 25 (twenty five) lakhs during the year 2004 against a 1 (one) km stretch of road, that too an existing one under Shamatore town.
We are pained to mention this, but even in Chessore town this defeated candidate has repeated the same thing. A sum of Rs. 10 (ten) lakhs against Chessore town circular road was sanctioned under DUDA for the year 2006-07 where a JCB (excavator) was brought in and after scratching at the earth left for an unknown destination. Another amount of Rs. 5 (five) lakhs meant for marketing shed is no better. If one were to see the state of works being done it is a sorry state of affairs. Therefore, may we appeal to you sir to please see that public fund is not mismanaged by any individual or department in the name of progress. The department of DUDA was created during your stewardship and all programmes and developmental activities initiated by the department is a boon especially for a backward district like Tuensang. We shall ever remain grateful to you sir for your concern in uplifting us.
Y. Thrimho GB Chessore Town A. Kiuchim GB Chessore village
NSCN (K) for joint press meet with rival The Morung Express
New Delhi, November 2 (ANI): At a time when the General Secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isac-Muivah) faction has expressed its desperation over the progress in the talks with the Indian Government, the rival Khaplang faction has refused to restrain itself and added salt to the former’s wounds.
The NSCN (K) has termed the decade-long talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre as the betrayal of the Naga cause. “The ongoing talks between IM and the Indian Government have made the IM group a stooge in the hands of the Indian Government. In some years, these people will start singing Vande Matram,” said Kughalu Mulatonu, an NSCN-K leader who supervises the group’s ceasefire supervisory board.
He described Thuingaleng Muivah and Isac Chisi Swu as “jail birds” who were not the real representatives of the Naga people. “They don’t reach out to the people. They just try to invite the attention of the people....There is no Naga talks. Only IM and Government talk, when you talk about the Naga talks, the talks have to be based on the consensus between the Nagas. Isac and Muivah stay in Hebron Camp. They are making a laughing stalk of themselves,” observed Mulatonu.
Mulatonu challenged the IM leadership to attend a joint press conference if they were really serious about Naga issues. However, he refused to join hands with the NSCN (IM) saying that NSCN (K) can never be with a “terrorist group”. “We have never been together. We will never be together...Nagas will never mix nationalism with terrorism,” said the NSCN (K) leader.
Commenting on NSCN (IM) charges that the Assam Rifles is colluding with the K group to hurt the IM leadership, Mulatonu countered it by saying that the IM faction was playing into the hands of the Indian forces and killing Naga K cadres. “They have reached an agreement with the Indian and Myanamrese Governments,” Mulatonu claimed.
Rio dragged by ‘power mongers’ RJD leader says democracy in Nagaland is for rich people The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 2 (MExN): While observing that the present DAN government is being criticized from many corners for its misrule, the RJD pointed out that it had to be realized, all leaders of the DAN were not the same. Citing the example of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his contribution towards the future of younger generations, the RJD in a press note issued by its General Secretary (Org) Hukato Sema, stated that Rio’s contribution could not be ignored. “No other Chief Minister has come forward like him to bring about changes in the filed of sports, music, art & culture. His policy towards assisting the educated youths is a giant move for the coming generation”, the RJD General Secretary stated.
The RJD however termed as unfortunate that the Chief Minister was in a position like “an ace pilot dragging a bullock cart” and that this was because most of his Ministers are simply “the power mongers”. “Let this be an example that there are good leaders in every political party and therefore if we pick out only the good leaders irrespective of their political party then this is the only chance there is to bring about great changes to our society”, the RJD leader stated.
Terming democracy in Nagaland as “for the rich people of the rich people and by the rich people”, the RJD Nagaland State Unit has appealed to the “electorate to realize where our society now stands and where our future is because our society has gone up-to the highest level of corruption, nepotism, tribalism and hypocrisy”. RJD General Secretary (Org) Hukato Sema in a press note pointed out that the public were simply blaming the political leaders, but the fact was that it was the electorate who has given the mandate to “this political power mongers”.
“Let us all realize that our once classless society is now transforming into the haves and the have-not, the ruling class and the suppressed class”, the RJD stated while acknowledging that Nagas had good leaders but unfortunately most of them did not get the chance to serve the people simply because they cannot afford to buy votes during the election. “The standard of politics in Nagaland is now being measured in terms of how much the candidates can afford to buy the voters and not what the candidates can do for the society”, it stated.
Appeal to the Nagas- Nagaland Post
This is an appeal to the electorates to realize where our society now stands and where our future is because our society has gone upto the highest level of corruption, nepotism, tribalism and hypocrisy and we are simply blaming the political leaders, but the fact is that it is us who has given our mandate to this political power mongers. Let us all realize that our once a classless society is now transforming into the haves and the have-not, the ruling class and the suppressed class. Infact we have many good leaders but unfortunately most of these leaders do not get chance to serve the people simply because they cannot effort to buy the vote during the election. The standard of politics in Nagaland is now being measured in terms of how much the candidates can effort to buy the voters and not what the candidates can do for the society. We can now say that democracy in Nagaland "is for the rich people of the rich people and by the rich people only"
The present DAN government is being criticized from many corners for its misrule but we should also realize that all the leaders of the DAN are not the same. For example, our Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's contribution towards the future for the younger generations cannot be ignored, no other chief ministers has come forward like him to bring about changes in the field of sports, music, arts and culture. His policy towards assisting the educated youths is a giant move for the coming generation. But unfortunately our Chief Minister is in a position like "An ace pilot dragging a bullock cart" we can say this because most of his ministers are simply "The power monger". Let this be an example that there are good leaders in every political party and therefore if we pick out only the good leaders irrespective of their political party then there are chances to bring about great changes to our society.
Hukato Sema, General Secretary (Org) RJD Nagaland State Unit
‘End Vision 2020’ Morung ExpressNews
Dimapur Against the backdrop of the series of public hearings on the Vision 2020 document slated to held across the Northeast region, ‘opinions’ are being raised that the document in question has being written and directed not by the people themselves but people from outside, “those powerful forces that have been haunting us all these while”. It was also being felt that the document is clear on what it intends to do ‘i.e. to push it down through our throat in the names of so called consultations and drown our region under development defined in their terms.’
“A vision of our ancestors, that has brought us this far. The people vision together, with changing times the vision adapts, resist, modify, but it remains with the people. It leads them to future but is never devoid of the past but progresses from them. They are sacred and life in itself, and sustains through the forces that impinges on to them. It is collective and the people moves with it”, stated a press note issued by Aram Pamei Co-Chair – Citizens’ Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD).
The statement titled ‘End the Vision’ raised the question as to whether ‘all of us should leave our future to be envisioned to a few authors who are not even known to us.’ “Has the life force that dwelt within us disappeared beyond recall?” it questioned.
It pointed out that the first thing that will strike any reader of this Vision 2020 document is the list of ‘authorial figures looming (and rather lurking) large all over.’ “These are 6 authors with an additional 6 research associates. Out of 6 authors only one seems to be from Assam, while the rest from outside the region. All the 6 research associates are too from outside the region. This is an insult, and is clearly reflected in the introduction where they mentioned that the region (and hence its people) are backward and hence cannot think or vision for themselves. This is an insult to our ancestors, our traditional institutions, our revolutionaries, our academics and the people as a whole”, the CCDD communiqué stated. Mentioning that the Northeast Council (NEC) and Ministry of DONER needs to explain to the people of NE why our Vision has been handed to a few people from outside the region, the CCDD pointed out that a Vision - if at all, needs to be laid down in writing - has to be written and agreed by all communities inhabiting the region. “Few consultants or authors have no right whatsoever to write a Vision for the peoples of North East”, it strongly opined. Pointing out that since the British and then with India, the peoples of NE have suffered, the CCDD maintained that “our ‘borders’ were nationalized, our decades of relation with our own people now across the border are de-linked, the cultural and economic ties were cut off. Our political institutions were not even respected.”
“What kind of vision are we now supposed to adopt? The Vision document never ever mentions what has been destroyed and the process of its destruction? Never ever makes an effort to truly talk about the aspirations, the struggles, sacrifices and the visions that accompany them”, it stated.
NPF undecided on Akang, Mannen The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 2 (MExN): Against the backdrop of the scurry for NPF ticket in Impur A/C, between top beaureacrat T.N. Mannen and NPF party General Secretary and Spokesperson, Akang Ao, the Nagaland Peoples’ Front is withholding its decision for the moment. NPF Secretary General Chubatemjen informed that so far the party had only received Akang’s application for the constituency ticket and the party was following the developing situation and ascertaining the position of the candidates. Asked if the party would entertain the Nagaland Commissioner’s ticket, Chubatemjen said that Mannen was still a government servant as of now and nothing has been decided. “We are not in hurry” he asserted.
It may be mentioned that the Longjang Village Council had come out with a formal declaration in support of the Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Nagaland, T.N. Mannen, thereby closing the door on the NPF Spokesperson. Mannen, who is to officially retire in 2009, had recently disclosed to The Morung Express that he had already given his notice for voluntary retirement in August and is expecting to be relieved from his duties anytime now. There are reports that Mannen will be relieved from service on December 10, 2007.
Naga folklore seminar begins Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR: With and aim to bring all Nagas under one umbrella, a two day seminar on 'Naga Folklore' got underway here on Friday at the conference hall of Indigenous Cultural Society (Centre), Nagaland, with Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, as chief guest.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Abhijit dwelled on the importance of documentation of Naga folklores and culture that has been passed on by the ancestors.
Stating that rapid changes are taking place at present in the Naga society, the deputy commissioner felt the need of documentation of folklores and songs which he was of the view would be a unique way to the society of knowing the habits and way of livings of ancestors.
Terming that Nagas have a unique culture that assimilate their way of life at the same time unites them, the chief guest urged the society to do a research on the culture of the Nagas and hoped the seminar will pave a way for documentation of folklores and culture.
Folklores of 14 Naga tribes including Angami, Ao, Chang, Chakkhesang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Yimchungru and Zelianrong will be presented during the two day seminar.
Earlier, the programme which was chaired by Dr. Akali Sema, Reader and HoD (Horticulture), SASRD, NU, started with an invocation prayer by president of Dimapur Baptist Pastor's Fellowship, Rev. R.P Murry, Hekhevi, chairman of the society gave the welcome address, keynote address was presented by Dr. Hesheto Y. Chishi, while benediction was pronounced by president of Dimapur Baptist Women Union, S. Asangla Jamir.
Lutovi and group presented a folksong.
It may be mentioned that the objective of the seminar is to revitalize Naga folklore which is diminishing, promote Naga folklore at wider level (both within and outside the community), encourage Naga intellectuals to develop research work on philosophical perception of Naga folklore and to facilitate analyze affinity through mythological research.
IM’s rider for contract works in ‘Naga areas’ Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Nov 2: The contractors in Manipur will soon have to make a bee line at the doors of the Who is Who of the NSCN-IM if they want to garner plum contract works in the “Naga Areas” in Manipur. In an interesting development today, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim of the Isak-Muivah faction has directed that no contract works in the “Naga Areas” in Manipur will be allowed to be taken up without its recommendations. The NSCN-IM warned that “Zero Tolerance” will be exercised or enforced against anyone defying this directive.
The bottom-line of the measure taken up by the NSCN-IM is that the tribal people should not be denied their rightful place in the developmental works. “No contract works sans recommendation from GPRN in the Naga Areas shall be allowed under any circumstances. Consequences, thereafter for violation shall be serious with dimensional effects. Ongoing works in the hill areas if found without the recommendations of the GPRN shall face action for deliberately by-passing the GPRN authority,” declared the NSCN-IM. The directive of the outfit, which was made available to Newmai News Network by the outfit’s Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) in Dimapur, states, “In the backdrop of the ground reality where the Manipur Government in complicity with the valley-based underground groups are exploiting the tribal or hill people in the allotment of contract works related to any developmental programs sponsored by Central or State Government the GPRN/NSCN is constrained to issue the directive to the concerned departments that henceforth ‘Zero Tolerance’ shall be exercised or enforced against anyone who dare to deny the tribal people their rightful place in the developmental works that falls in their areas.”
The NSCN-IM said that Manipur Govt is serving the “people of the valley only.”
It asserted that “the valley underground groups” have no right to enter into complicity with different “department heads in collusion with the concern ed Ministers to exploit the hill people.” The NSCN-IM asked, “Where is their revolutionary concept of integrity if the valley undergound groups practise corruption and exploitation of the highest order?”
The outfit pointed out that the Central Government has not poured in so much money just to fill up the coffers of the Ministers and “valley UGs and therefore, anyone found indulging in such mischief will only face penalty with irreparable lost.”
With a fiery tone, the NSCN-IM cautions that time to face the reality and bills drawn without any work done in the hill areas are being checked and “if proved to be true such persons shall be treated as peoples’ enemies and debar from any contract works in the hills”.
Consensus Building: A Way Out? The Morung Express Editorial
The necessity to create a viable and secure political, social, cultural and economic environment that would allow people to exercise their rights continues to be the primary concern in the search for peace. Of late, the vicious cycle of bloodshed that Nagas are perpetuating upon themselves is threatening to jeopardize the very initiatives that seek to enable a process aimed to bridge understanding; and perhaps nurture a common ground that would create opportunities to build consensus for a viable and just political future. Some months ago, when Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams sat side by side for the first time in history to announce to the world that they had agreed to forge a power-sharing coalition, Peter Hain, British Secretary of State remarked ‘We all saw something today that people never, ever through would happen.’ Indeed, many had never thought that they would ever come together, leave alone arrive at a consensus. The union of Paisley and Adams was seen as a big step towards addressing their common political agenda with Britain, while enabling their own constituencies, which are polarized along faith and political lines; an opportunity to come to terms with their past and to build a new future. The historic agreement between the Unionist and the Sinn Fein was perceived as encouraging and it implied that at the end of the day the common aspiration of the Irish people needed to be respected and upheld. For so long the division between the two groups were splitting the Irish people along deeply entrenched and polarized lines, it only further enabled the British government to strengthen their grip over the ‘north of Ireland.’ This power sharing agreement was therefore not only pragmatic, but is also seen as empowering them to negotiate with Britain from a position of strength. The process of consensus-building is a critical approach in building understanding between conflicting parties together because it dwells largely on the future well-being of a people. A consensus approach has been more successful when it comes to addressing ‘intra-conflicts’ because it does not demand that one group should give up their individual identity for the other. Rather it emphasizes on a series of dialogue between the groups and to recognize the contributions of the other and to acknowledge that they do need to work with each other if they are to achieve their common objective. The process of consensus building is directed towards creating a common political vision, which becomes the broad framework on which the basis is laid upon. This intent was quite clearly reflected by Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams in their statements. For instance, Paisley stated that ‘We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future for our children.’ He went on to add that ‘In looking to that future, we must never forget those who have suffered during the dark period from which we are, please God, now emerging, We owe it to them to craft the best possible future.’ These sentiments were reiterated by Adams who affirmed that ‘The relationships between the people of this island have been marred by centuries of discord, conflict, hurt and tragedy. ... Now there’s a new start, with the help of God.’ Consensus-building as an approach allows the space where new beginnings can be made. It enables a society to move forward in an entirely new spirit and also empowers them to address historical wrongs in a positive approach of tolerance and understanding with compassion and grace. Time will tell how far they are able to uphold the spirit of dialogue and really engage on contentious issues with the intent on building consensus that will shape the destiny of their future. While Paisley and Adams are only just two individuals, what is remarkable is the fact that their ability to set aside their differences has provided an opportunity for the Catholics and Protestants as well to come together as one nation and work in consensus for their future. Like the Irish people, the Naga history too has been marred by tragedies and injuries caused both from within and without. Is it therefore possible for Nagas to learn from the Irish experience and create the space that will persuade all the groups to engage in a process of consensus-building? If the Irish can muster the will and the heart to arrive at a consensus in spite of their divided past, why cant the Nagas? There is no doubt that by agreeing to work towards a consensus and developing better relations and understanding amongst ourselves, it will give the healing process a chance to succeed, while simultaneously strengthening the Nagas in the pursuit to live as a dignified and independent people.
Myanmar’s generals hit where it hurts Bertil Lintner Column Morung Express
For Htet Tay Za, a 19-year-old member of Myanmar’s elite who attends an exclusive and expensive international school in Singapore, life is often a party. A picture recently obtained by the Chiang Mai-based publication The Irrawaddy shows the young man being kissed on the cheek by a bikini clad Caucasian woman. In another portrait, the partying youngster is seen in festive mood beside a male friend puffing on a water pipe. But the party may be over soon for Htet Tay Za, as his father who pays the bills for his lavish lifestyle, Tay Za, figures prominently in an October 19 executive order from the US Treasury Department that aims to block his assets and make it illegal for US citizens to have any business dealings with him and his private companies. Earlier US sanctions, first imposed in 1997 and increased following an attack on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her followers in May 2003, were often criticized because they broadly banned all new investment into and imports from Myanmar. The latter measures forced textile factories to close down or to move across the border to Thailand. Thousands of workers lost their jobs, while the economic impact on members of the ruling junta was minimal. This time, however, the US has imposed what it is referring to as “smart sanctions” that target specific individuals and companies. The punitive tactic is similar to the one the US applied in September 2005 against Banco Delta Asia in Macau, which the Treasury Department referred to in a statement at the time as “a willing pawn for the North Korean government to engage in corrupt financial activities”.
The move froze US$24 million in assets belonging to companies controlled by the North Korean government and as a result the entire bank almost collapsed. In the end, the money was released and moved to a bank in Russia. But it forced the North Korean government back to the negotiating table to resume the then stalled six-nation talks on Pyongyang’s controversial nuclear program. The recent action against the Myanmar government and corporate entities still may not force the junta to embark on a serious dialogue with the country’s hobbled pro-democracy movement. Unlike previous US sanctions, however, this time they will certainly hurt the ruling generals and their business cronies more than ordinary Myanmar workers and citizens. Tay Za is the 42-year-old manager of the Myanmar-based Htoo Trading Company, which among other subsidiaries controls the Singapore-registered Htoo Wood Products, Pavo Trading, and Air Bagan. Through the new sanctions, all of those companies are now blacklisted by the US government. The businessman is known to be very close to junta leader General Than Shwe and when he first launched into business he made a point of employing the children of powerful generals - which presumably paved the way for him to land lucrative government contracts.
Among those currently or formerly on his payroll are Aung Thet Mann, the son of General Shwe Mann, the junta’s third ranking official after Than Shwe and army chief General Maung Aye. According to a 2005 report in The Irrawaddy, Tay Za is also close to Than Shwe’s son, Kyaing San Shwe, whom Tay Za presented with a US-made Hummer, for undisclosed reasons. Htoo Trading, which is engaged in timber exports, property development, palm oil production, arms deals and aviation, was one of two construction companies granted lucrative contracts to build the new national capital at Naypyidaw, to which the government moved from Yangon in November 2005. Also included on the new US sanctions list is Tay Za’s wife, Thidar Zaw, and another son, Pye Phyo Za, who spends most of his time in a luxury apartment in Singapore.
Junta who’s who The US Treasury Department’s two new lists, one of which mentions by name 14 generals and government ministers, and the second an additional 11, are all now barred from entering the US and will have any assets they may hold in US financial institutions frozen. Those measures may be mainly symbolic, as few if any of the military officials have assets held in US banks or were likely planning to spend their next holiday in Hawaii or Florida. But there are other important businessmen affiliated with the junta who could be adversely affected. The US sanction list notably includes Khin Shwe, president of Zaygabar and one of Myanmar’s leading real estate moguls, and Htay Myint, chief executive officer of the Yuzana Company, a large property developer. Khin Shwe first attracted international attention in 1997 when he hired a US public relations firm, Bain and Associates Inc, in what turned out to be a futile attempt to improve the junta’s image and standing in Washington. Bain and Associates now appears to have washed its hands of Myanmar’s junta. The firm’s homepage (http://www.bainpr.com/), perhaps for good reason, omits Zaygabar among its list of “clients with whom we’ve worked”. In Yangon, Zaygabar owns industrial parks, a golf and country club frequented by army officers, a hotel and the city’s tallest residential condominium. The fact that Khin Shwe’s daughter, Zay Zin Latt, is married to another of General Shwe Mann’s sons, Toe Naing Mann, some analysts believe may have helped him secure lucrative government contracts and concessions. Outside Myanmar, Khin Shwe is known to have business relations with companies in Japan, South Korea and Thailand. He is currently chairman of the Myanmar-Japan and Myanmar-Korean Friendship Associations and also chairs the Myanmar-Thai Development Corporation. Htay Myint’s Yuzana is a somewhat smaller company, but has substantial investments in property as well as agricultural and fishery ventures. According to The Irrawaddy, he serves as president of the Construction Owners Association, the Fishing Vessel Owners Association and the Myanmar Project Association, and is the owner of one of Myanmar’s biggest supermarket chains. Htay Myint’s contacts with the junta were strongest with former prime minister Gen Khin Nyunt, who was ousted in a purge in October 2004. But the fact that Yuzana is still doing booming business in Myanmar indicates that he must have other high-level contacts as well. Not on the US new sanctions list is Tun Myint Naing, also known as Steven Law, managing director of Asia World Company, the country’s biggest and most diversified conglomerate. Asia World was the other main contractor involved in the building of Naypyidaw. Whether Law and his Asia World will be added to the list remains to be seen, but according to an e-mail received by Asia Times Online from the US State Department, what has been announced so far “is not meant as the final word”. Meanwhile, Asia World maintains close relations with the junta and it recently has been involved in road construction in northeastern Shan State, the renovation of Yangon’s international airport, and the construction of a deepwater port near the old capital. Law is also known to have had business interests in Singapore, including the recently dissolved Kokang Singapore Pte Ltd, and others through his wife, Cecilia Ng, who is a Singaporean citizen. The effects of the new sanctions were felt within days of their announcement. Tay Za’s Air Bagan has cancelled its international flights to both Bangkok and Singapore and remains basically grounded. Banks in Singapore, the financial center of choice for Myanmar’s generals and junta-affiliated business tycoons, have reportedly become slow in processing any transactions to and from Myanmar. The reason, some observers suggest, is that Singapore’s banks want to check whether any of their clients are on the US sanctions list - in which case they could face a similar situation to that of Macau’s Banco Delta Asia. Singapore is not legally obliged to uphold the new US sanctions, but its banks are evidently nervous about the adverse publicity the punitive measures could have on their global reputations. Air Bagan’s bank accounts in Singapore have already reportedly been blocked, though it’s unclear if this is a permanent or temporary intervention. What is clear is that it will be much more difficult for Myanmar’s generals and their business associates to deposit both their legitimate and ill-gotten gains in Singaporean banks. Myanmar workers based abroad, many of whom send remittances to their relatives back home, will notably be less affected by the new measures as they tend to use informal underground banking systems such as “hawala” to avoid unfavorable exchange rates and excessive government taxes. The new sanctions also likely mean less partying in Singapore for the generals, their cronies and siblings. And because most international bank transfers pass through either the US or Europe, whatever funds the junta already has parked in Singapore will likely need to stay there or risk being frozen or confiscated. The medium-term efficacy of the US’s smarter sanctions is more difficult to ascertain, as the junta will likely seek out new destinations for its funds. But suddenly life just got considerably harder for Myanmar’s ruling generals.
Bertil Lintner is a former correspondent with the Far Eastern Economic Review. He is currently a writer with Asia-Pacific Media Services.
Vision 2020 hearing ignores civil society leaders Staff Reporter Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Nov 2: The ‘public hearing’ on the Vision 2020 for the North Eastern Region document, held today at the State Guest House, Imphal, proved to be a sore disappointment for civil society leaders and interested members of the public who went to attend, as most of them were not given an opportunity to be heard.
The hearing, organised by the state planning department in association with the North Eastern Council proved to be almost entirely a government one, with mostly government officials turning up to participate, and those few representatives of civil society organisations and members of the public who were there not being given any chance to air their opinions or make representations on the Vision 2020 document on the excuse of lack of time, thereby leaving most of the latter fuming and angrily questioning the public nature of the ‘public’ hearing.
The hearing was formally opened by chief minister O Ibobi Singh who (rather ironically, given the outcome) urged all present to take the opportunity of the hearing to make sure that their opinions and views are incorporated in the Vision 2020 document, which he pointed out, is given the highest significance by the ministry for DONER as a roadmap to bring peace, progress and prosperity to the north eastern region.
Ibobi also wondered how and when the Vision 2020 would be implemented, pointing out that though it has been some years since the Look East Policy was initiated, it has had little impact in Manipur.
Ibobi in his address, also cited disadvantages of roads and connectivity infrastructure as one of the reasons for the state not being able to make greater strides in terms of development.
Stating that the state government has been pressuring the Central authorities in this connection, he disclosed that night landing facilities will soon be installed at Imphal airport so as to improve the state’s connectivity.
After the opening, senior economist Dr. Gautam Naresh, of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi, which framed the draft Vision 2020 document, made a lengthy exposition on the document, thereby taking up much of the time meant for the hearing.
In the technical sessions that followed, only the government officials who attended were able to give their opinions, after which things were quickly wrapped up because of paucity of time.
Seven CRPF men killed in NC Hills by DHD Governor summons Chief Secretary, DGP for discussion on law and order From our Correspondent Sentinel
DIPHU, Nov 2: Seven CRPF personnel were killed today in an ambush by suspected Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel faction) militants at Theijuri, 80 km from Haflong, in North Cachar Hills district ahead of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) elections slated from November 26.
Meanwhile, Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh expressed serious concern over today’s killing. According to Raj Bhavan sources, the Governor called Chief Secretary PC Sarma and DGP RN Mathur tomorrow at Raj Bhavan to hold a discussion on the law-and-order situation in the poll-bound hill district.
Police sources said that a convoy of three vehicles, led by 50 CRPF Battalion Commandant, came under fire from the extremists when it was proceeding towards the district headquarters at Haflong from their Doyangmukh camp.
The extremists also took away arms and ammunition of the killed CRPF men and escaped. The CRPF Commandant and those in the other vehicles escaped unhurt. The DHD(J), also known as the ‘Black Widow’, is active in the Umrangshu area.
It may be mentioned here that ultras killed the NCHAC’s Chief Executive Member and Executive Member on June 4 last when they were on poll campaigning.
On October 18, the arrest of DHD (Jewel) ‘area commander’ Daku Singh led to the recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including ten AK-56 rifles, from different parts of the twin hill districts.
Indian rebel camps in Chittagong: BDR DG
Agartala, Nov 2: A top Bangladesh Rifles official has confirmed during a high-level meeting with the Border Security Force (BSF) that there are insurgent camps in Chittagong Hill tracts of the neighbouring country, the Inspector General of BSF, Tripura frontier, JA Khan said today.
‘‘This is for the first time the DG of BDR admitted that there are camps of Indian insurgents in Khagracherri district of Chitagong Hill Tract from where they operate,’’ Khan told reporters here, briefing about the five-day BSF-BDR Director General level talks which concluded on October 30 in Dhaka.
However, the BDR DG denied reports that there were insurgent camps in places other than Khagracherri as well, Khan said. The assertion of top BDR official about camps in Khagracherri confirmed India’s long-standing claim that the insurgents of the north-eastern region are using the soil of Bangladesh, he said.
Lauding the ‘‘welcome attitude’’ of BDR to solve pending issues, the IG said that all development projects near the border of both countries, except the projects referred to the Joint River Commission (JRC), were discussed.
Both sides handed over lists of wanted persons of their countries having taken shelter in the neighbouring country and agreed to hand over the wanted persons to the respective authorities after arrest, the BSF IG said. He said that the BSF and BDR were conducting joint patrolling in the border areas and sharing information regarding movement of smugglers which yielded good results in containing border crimes.
Khan said there are 51 camps of insurgents from Tripura spread over Hobiganj, Moulavibazar, Khagaracherri, Rangamati and Sylhet districts of Bangladesh. The outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) have safe shelters in Dhaka and Chittagong, the BSF official said. About deaths of Bangladeshis in BSF firing on border, the BDR DG refuted a charge in a section of press there that innocent Bangladeshis were getting killed. ‘‘If Bangladeshis are innocent, why they go to the border at night?’’ he commented while replying to a journalist from Dhaka, the BSF official said. A K Mitra, DG of BSF, led a 17-member Indian delegation, while Maj Gen Shakeel Ahmed led a 22-member Bangladesh delegation in the BSF-BDR talks. (PTI)
There are no Indian rebel camps in B’desh: DG, BDR From our Staff Correspondent
SHILLONG, Nov 2: Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) DG Major General Shakil Ahmed has said that no Indian insurgent camps are in Bangladesh.
Documents available with The Sentinel, provided by the BSF, stated that the BDR DG, after investigating claims made by the BSF during the recent high-level talks between the two border guards, said: “There are no camps belonging to Indian insurgents in Bangladesh. We have investigated the matter after our Indian counterparts provided us a list of 141 camps belonging to Indian insurgent outfits said to be operating from Bangladesh. Despite this, we will further carry on our investigation.”
The BDR statement negated suspicion in Indian intelligence agencies on the possibility of some frontline North-east insurgent groups sharing common camps with the JUM.
A senior Central intelligence agency official told The Sentinel that the suspicion arose after the Bangladeshi interim Government launched a crackdown on JUM camps.
DATELINE GUWAHATI/Wasbir Hussain Money flows, NE does not grow!
Sentinel Money literally flows into the North-east, and yet the region does not grow. Can you believe that during the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007), the Centre had allocated a whopping Rs 80,500 crore for development of the north-eastern states? If you choose to be polite and won’t like to ask as to where has the money gone, you and I can well ask where is the ‘development’. Well, where have I got this fantastic piece of statistics? That New Delhi had provided Rs 80,500 crore to the region during the past five years was stated in a newspaper interview by Prof Atul Sarma, Steering Committee Member for the NE region set up by the Planning Commission for, you know what, the Eleventh Five Year Plan. Well, in the new Five-year Plan, the region could well get upwards of Rs 100,000 crore!
Let’s take a look at some of the indicators of development (or the lack of it) in the largest and most ‘developed’ of the north-eastern states, Asom: Between 1960-61 and 1969-70 to 1970-71 and 1979-80, the Net State Domestic Product at the all-India level grew from 3 to 3.6 (current prices-decades of sixties and seventies). In the case of Asom, it fell from 4 to 3 during the period mentioned above. Similarly, the Gross State Domestic Product between 1980-81 and 1990-91 to 1993-94 and 1998-99 at the all-India level grew from 5.6 to 6.8. Again, in Asom, it fell from 3.6 to 2.7 during the same period. These are figures from the Planning Commission, the same agency that allocates funds to be spent by our law makers and the obliging bureaucracy, many of whom know only too well that they are not above board in their dealings.
Now, look at the extent of people below poverty line (BPL): At the all-India level, the percentage of people below poverty line was 54.88 in 1973-74. This has, as it should, declined to 51.32 per cent in 1977-78, 44.48 per cent in 1983, 38.86 in 1987-88, 35.97 in 1993-94 and 26.10 in 1999-2000. Again, things have to be different in Asom. It has not always been declining. The percentage of BPL people in Asom has even increased in between! As much as 51.21 per cent of the people in Asom were those below poverty line in 1973-74. This, in fact, rose to 57.15 per cent in 1977-78, coming down to 40.47 in 1983 and 36.21 in 1987-88. But, in 1993-94, the BPL population in Asom grew to 40.86 per cent, again coming down to 36.09 per cent in 1999-2000. All said and done, there is nothing to cheer about on this front.
The power scenario, or more specifically, the per capita consumption of power in a state goes to reflect a lot on the economic progress or development of the place. Let’s look at the all-India per capita consumption of electricity (in KwH) over the years: in 1974-75, it was 174.9 KwH, and this rose to 354.75 KwH in 1999-2000. In Asom, it was 24 in 1974-75 and this saw an increase to just 95.5 in 1999-2000, the same figure as that of Tripura! Look at the figure for Orissa, not known anytime as an industrially advanced state: in 1974-75, its per capital electricity consumption (in KwH) was 69.2 and in 1999-2000, it rose to 354.6.
The Eleventh Finance Commission had devised an infrastructure index for the year 1999. This index brings out a composite comparative profile of the availability of physical, social and institutional infrastructure in the states. Asom ranked 9th in the decreasing order, only marginally above Nagaland. Amongst all the states existing in 1999, Goa had the highest index for infrastructure. This means that Goa was the best-placed State in terms of infrastructure facilities. The other States with a high infrastructure index were Kerala, Punjab, Gujarat and Haryana. Arunachal Pradesh, as also most of the other north-eastern states, had the lowest Index.
To add to this gloomy scenario is the dismal social sector spending in the north-eastern region. In the expenditure on the health sector, for instance, Meghalaya recorded the highest fall: from 15.34 per cent of the total allocation in 1981-82 to 7.22 per cent in 1997-98. This being the case, the question arises as to what will the states do with the money that it gets in the Eleventh Five Year Plan, that too close to Rs 100,000 crore, if not more!
The North-east actually does not have the capacity to absorb such huge amounts of money. The region is weak in infrastructure, there is no accountability in governance and the underground economy of terror eats into the developmental funds. Moreover, project planning is simply dismal in the states with babus, many with no interest in the region whatsoever, entrusted with the task of preparing project reports for the people. The result: projects which are not implementable or projects which do not yield the desired results.
The best thing for the Centre to do, as an experiment, is to set up a Financial Accountability Commission (Prakash Karat can head this Commission for the greater interest of the nation), with powers over the whole of the region and disband such agencies (which are white elephants and nothing more) like the North Eastern Council and even that thing called DoNER (Department for Development of North Eastern Region). Mani Shankar Aiyar is a veteran and can be accommodated in another ministry!



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