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11/08/2007: "NSCN (IM) eyes PM on Federalism Newmai News Network"



NSCN (IM) eyes PM on Federalism Newmai News Network

Dimapur Expressing optimism the NSCN (IM) today said that the speech of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the 4th International Conference on Federalism in New Delhi has left much to hope for the Nagas. The outfit stated that the concept of federalism as pointed out by the Prime Minister cannot remain static. “This concept of flexibility therefore shall be watched with much curiosity and seriousness by the Nagas as the Indo-Naga talk moves to the next round soon,” said the NSCN (IM).
However, on the other hand the outfit was not happy of some news reports from the national capital. The NSCN (IM) stated that it was “a matter of regret and consternation” that the New Delhi based news agencies have misquoted its leader Th. Muivah which had stated that the NSCN (IM) was not seeking independence from Indian and that Nagas sovereignty had been compromised. "But at no point of time Muivah's interview with ANI goes towards indicating NSCN going astray from this infallible stance. In the last ten (10) years of Indo-Naga peace talks NSCN have pressed for an honourable solution," explained the outfit.
"The fact that NSCN wants special type of federal relationship is based on NSCN's uncompromising stand on two entities and not something within India. Any misinterpretation or attempt to interpret outside the purview of the historically well defined Naga People's aspiration is a matter of propensity to undermine the Naga Political Issue," added the NSCN (IM). It further stated that no matter what is generated behind the scene to downgrade the Naga Political issue the NSCN (IM) cannot falter on the “inalienable rights” of the Nagas to defend their political right. “As much as India recognizes the unique history of the Nagas the logical demand of the Nagas is to give unique solution to the Indo-Naga Political issue,” said the outfit.
Church talks tough on NSCN factions Nagarealm.com
Kohima, NOV07 [TI] : The Church today pulled no punches in slamming the militant leadership for pushing Naga society to “chaos and destruction”. The general secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council, Rev. Zhabu Terhuja, said on the eve of yet another Church-initiated unity campaign that the least the militant leaders could do was act responsibly.

“Naga society is plunging evermore deeply into destructive divisions,” Terhuja said. A group of Church leaders from the UK, who arrived here yesterday, is scheduled to hold parleys with the NSCN (Khaplang) in Mon tomorrow. They will try to convince the militant group to bury the hatchet with its rival, the NSCN (Isak-Muivah).

A delegation from the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) recently held discussions with the Khaplang group to prepare the ground for this meeting. A team from the North American Baptist Church, which had organised a peace meeting in Atlanta for the two NSCN factions in 1997, will also visit the state soon to try and reconcile the two groups and end the bloody factional feud they are engaged in.

Expressing concern over the “denunciation and derogatory remarks” made by militant groups against some public leaders and over the spate of fratricidal killings, Terhuja said such action had caused “bitter frustration and vengeful hatred” among the people who were “caught in between”. The Church leader said “arbitrary elimination of lives” had made Naga society weaker. Under no circumstances, he added, should human life be arbitrary snapped.

Terhuja said the people expected “those conducting the Naga struggle” to be more responsible as their actions had often led to the loss of lives. The Church has long been engaged in a campaign to unite the warring Naga factions and is known for its bold and non-partisan stand. But Terhuja admitted that the Church had failed to meet the challenges and needs of Naga society. “The Church must keep renewing its commitment to our society's aspiration to be a just and fair one,” he said.

Federalism rooted in self rule: Prez The Morung Express
New Delhi, November 7 (PTI): Observing that the concept of federalism is rooted in self-rule, President Pratibha Patil today said expectations from it are very high in view of various challenges and instruments needed to be evolved to deal with them. Pitching for democracy and federalism as the guiding principles for a new world order, she said the concept is not only good politics but also good economics. "The expectations from federalism are very high," she said addressing the concluding session of an international conference on federalism here. Highlighting the numerous challenges the world is facing today, Patil said, "We are called upon to deal with problems that have been with us for sometime - poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and disease - along with new challenges like effects of globalisation, climate change and international terrorism.
"We, therefore, have to look at ideas and instruments that better equip us to deal with these issues effectively." Talking about power-sharing arrangements between different units of government, she said "it gives a sense of belonging to various groups within the political system. It facilitates the deepening and widening of the democratic process." By equipping the different units to take appropriate decisions, federalism helps in the judicious use of resources, increasing efficiency and targeted policies, she said.
Church talks tough on NSCN factions OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph
Kohima, Nov. 7: The Church today pulled no punches in slamming the militant leadership for pushing Naga society to “chaos and destruction”. The general secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council, Rev. Zhabu Terhuja, said on the eve of yet another Church-initiated unity campaign that the least the militant leaders could do was act responsibly.
“Naga society is plunging evermore deeply into destructive divisions,” Terhuja said. A group of Church leaders from the UK, who arrived here yesterday, is scheduled to hold parleys with the NSCN (Khaplang) in Mon tomorrow. They will try to convince the militant group to bury the hatchet with its rival, the NSCN (Isak-Muivah). A delegation from the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) recently held discussions with the Khaplang group to prepare the ground for this meeting.
A team from the North American Baptist Church, which had organised a peace meeting in Atlanta for the two NSCN factions in 1997, will also visit the state soon to try and reconcile the two groups and end the bloody factional feud they are engaged in.
Expressing concern over the “denunciation and derogatory remarks” made by militant groups against some public leaders and over the spate of fratricidal killings, Terhuja said such action had caused “bitter frustration and vengeful hatred” among the people who were “caught in between”.
The Church leader said “arbitrary elimination of lives” had made Naga society weaker. Under no circumstances, he added, should human life be arbitrary snapped. Terhuja said the people expected “those conducting the Naga struggle” to be more responsible as their actions had often led to the loss of lives. The Church has long been engaged in a campaign to unite the warring Naga factions and is known for its bold and non-partisan stand. But Terhuja admitted that the Church had failed to meet the challenges and needs of Naga society.
“The Church must keep renewing its commitment to our society's aspiration to be a just and fair one,” he said.
Christian Terrorism in India Dr Bhaskar Dasgupta Desicritics.org
I have discussed Christian Terrorism earlier (in India and elsewhere). My forecast is that Christian-based terrorism is on the upswing and we will see far more of this phenomena. Right now, we have three situations, in India, Indonesia and Uganda, but given the seeds, it is perfectly logical to expect the trajectory to move up. They have money, committed people, an ideology, and a clearly defined enemy with clearly defined objectives, and voila, the perfect breeding grounds are there.
Also, if more proof is needed as to why I hate conversions, this will provide the justification that funding from American Christian Evangelists is funding terrorism in India. Now, I can be pretty sure that the American Government will do nothing about this issue, absolutely nothing, nor will the Indian Government do anything about this. Simply because the American Government, despite its pretensions of being strongly secular, has a strong evangelical bedrock and underpinning. I mean, the President starts off all cabinet meetings with a prayer and confesses to receiving guidance and talking to God. Nothing wrong with that, but you cannot expect a state and a government to go against the majority's religion like that. So expect this funding and ideological push to continue and increase. The probability that other parties might get involved (I am specially thinking about the South Koreans) is also getting progressively higher.
On the other hand, the Indian Government is quite happy to keep the terrorist low level pot boiling and keep it far away from the public eye with the help of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and other bits and bobs. Mind you, India doesn’t want to raise silly things such as terrorist financing with USA, it has bigger things to talk about, like climate change and WTO etc. Don’t forget that this is another reason why India will not upset the Burmese Generals. The Burmese Generals keep these Nagas in check by periodically obliterating their camps in the wild frontier regions. And I am now hearing about the fact that the Muslim minorities in that region are murmuring about the Christian Missionary work. These are simply rumours and internet chatter at this moment, so no confirmation as yet, but if that does happen, then you will have a perfect storm of terrorism, religion, separatism, militarism, narco-terrorism, armed conflicts, wars and and and in that tiny region.
See this report: Some quotes:
The NSCN (Isak-Muivah)’s well-oiled publicity machine has flooded the video-sharing Internet site YouTube with pro-Nagalim propaganda, including a two-part interview with an American sympathiser who is introduced to viewers as the “honorary ambassador to Nagalim”.
The video clippings show the interviewer, representing an organisation that calls itself Conflict Solutions International (CIS) Inc, asking Grace Collins about the Naga community’s struggle for “independence” from India. “Nagalim is a Christian nation founded by American Christians in the Northeast region of India,” says Collins in the first clip.
Collins, in her interview, takes pains to explain that Nagalim is on the eastern border of India and includes parts of Myanmar, too.
Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta works in the city of London in various capacities in the financial sector. He has worked and travelled widely around the world. The articles in here relate to his current studies and are strictly his opinion and do not reflect the position of his past or current employer(s). If you do want to blame somebody, then blame my sister and editor, she is responsible for everything, the ideas, the writing, the quotes, the drive, the israeli-palestinian crisis, global warming, the ozone layer depletion and the argentinian debt crisis.

On the edge of political turmoil in Nagaland- Nagaland Post
Naga political system, which has no place in the entire modern politics, is once more about to resurface its ugly sights, with election scheduled in the early part of February 2008. As for example, the Tuli incident five months prior to an election.
To understand the meaning of "Political system," first Nagas in general must understand the meaning of system. According to political philosopher like Friendrich, "When several parts that are distinct and different from each other compose a whole bearing, a defined functional relation to each other which establishes our mutual dependent of these parts upon each other so that the destruction of the one entails the destruction of the whole then such a constellation shall be called a system". It means system implies the interdependence of parts and a boundary of some kind between it and its environment; but whereas the Naga political system is concerned, the political party in Nagaland has gone haywire. Without properly understanding the meaning about what is, about being a politician and politics especially by the politicians and political leaders. Not only that, the concept has been badly infringed by the usurper, such as the various underground factions completely breaking down the political system within certain constitutional frame work.
Whether we like it or not, virtually no one is completely beyond the reach of some kind of political system. A citizen encounters polite in the Government of a country, town, school, church, business firm, trade union, club, political party, civic association and a host of other associations;
Politics is one of the unavoidable facts of human existence. Every one is involved in some fashion at some time in some kind of political system, which was in the early part supported by political scholars such as, Robert Dhal. But here in relations to Naga politicians, are they well versed about politics? Political system? And are they qualified to be politicians? No any Tom, Dick and Harry, because of their wealth and background, are made to become a politician. These are some of the factors which are destroying the good image of the constitutional political system in Nagaland.
Also one of the major factors affecting the political system is direct or physical involvement of Arm cadres of various organization and Associations is an example, as in the last 2003 assembly election, it is learned that even the candidates were personally found in military attire and involving/indulging in destroying Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and also boot-capturing. However these crime went unnoticed due to technical failure within the system. It is therefore once again reminded to every right thinking fellow citizen among Nagas to shun unconstitutional method of electioneering, in order to preserve constitutionality within the frame work, if the frame work is to be conducted free and fairly. As the 11th Nagaland Assembly is in our door step, the intending candidate is once again reminded to retrospect their own capabilities and capacity, whether they know the meaning of Politician, and Political System and are qualified enough to lead the Nagas. We are living in the 21st century and according to the changing political, social and economic scenario, the Naga politicians should be equipped to stand for justice and all round development.
Y. Katovi Awomi , B.A, LLB. Chairman, Voluntary Consumer Organization Zunheboto.
Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim
Ministry of Information & Publicity

Press Release

The increasing incidents of looting of passengers traveling in bus has become a case of serious concern and a source of discomfort to the NSCN authorities and to the Nagas as a whole under the circumstantial situation the involvement of some Naga people in the guise of National Workers is never ruled out. Behind the façade of a group professing to be fighting for a Naga National cause many such Nagas have turn themselves as lawless people vulnerable to any pressure in order to stay alive or put their heads up as National Workers. This is the level of the so-called pseudo-national workers willing to stoop to survive themselves after failing to justify the meaning of their existence before the Nagas.

Given the present scenario where it become a matter of great shame for the whole Naga with nothing different from the Bihar and UP culture, the incident of looting of a bus (NL-11-1269) at a place between Lanyi function and Losami in Phek District of Wednesday is very unfortunate. Intelligence sharing is one way to track down such miscreants and all civil societies must stay alert to collect information of the movement of all anti social elements in the area to eventually hit upon the culprits. This recurrence of social crime with infections ramifications has to be stopped at all cost and by any means. But to execute this job which is of no small task the NSCN requested the public to cooperate and help by way of intelligence gathering.

Nagas no longer live in isolation in this age of information transformation but to expose ourselves through such negative reverberations is self defeating. Such malfeasance bringing social insecurity was never the culture of the Nagas. But the moral turpitude is going the way of an alien culture.


Issued By:- Ministry of Information & Publicity
Myanmar: India’s Escalating Security Response and Denial of Rights Indo Burma News By: Mukul Sharma

November 8, 2007: (Kafila) Reality has an incurable habit of striking back at rhetoric. The Indian government’s support for the demand to release Aung San Suu Kyi in the UN, and a few statements in favour of democracy in Myanmar, might be effective in hiding the larger foreign policy issues for a while for a few; but it cannot make the foundational structural and political issues disappear in their entirety, or for long, or for the majority. (Article)
The government, with scant concern for the democratic and peaceful movements of the Myanmar people, continues to compromise at the level of discourse and direct action.
See the actions of our government along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur and in other north-eastern states, to prevent the influx of individuals who are fleeing the ongoing crackdown in Myanmar. Take the cases of several other Myanmar nationals who are now at risk of being forcibly returned to Myanmar.
After the crackdown on peaceful protests, along with searches, surveillance and harassment of individuals who took part in these protests, numerous Myanmar people have had to go in hiding. They are also fleeing to neighboring India and Thailand. The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper warned that ‘anyone who is detained for his violation of law must be charged and serve prison terms if he is found guilty.’ However, instead of allowing the individuals fleeing human rights violations in Myanmar access to its territory, and giving them full rights to refugee status determination procedures and to seek political asylum as well as access to the internationally accepted rights and practices, including access to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Indian government decided to close the Indo-Myanmar border and intensified security checks to prevent their entry in our borders.
Those who could enter met with hostility and aggression. The cases of Habibulde, Haroon and Rashid, all Myanmar nationals from the city of Yangon, are some such examples.
The three men were arrested by the troops of the 24 Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force, during a security check of vehicles on 2 October 2007 at Khudenthabi, near the border town of Moreh in Manipur. They were handed over to the custody of police from the state capital of Manipur, Imphal. The Imphal police charged them with illegal entry into the country and later transferred them to the Moreh police station. On 9 October, they were produced in court and were remanded to judicial custody. Like them, others may have been detained in the escalating Indian security response at the Indo-Myanmar border, and more individuals are likely to be detained, and at risk of being forcibly returned.
The government plans are not to support the struggling population and save their lives, but to increase security arrangements, along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur and in other north-eastern states, to prevent their influx. The Indian government’s dubious dealings with the struggling Myanmar people have had other manifestations as well in the recent past. We have 34 Rakhine (Arakan) and Kayin (Karen) Myanmar nationals, who have spent years, detained without charge in India and are now being tried in Kolkata (West Bengal).
They are at risk of being denied their right to a fair trial and then forcibly returned to Myanmar. The 34 men are reportedly members of the National United Party of Arakan (NUPA) and the Karen National Union (KNU) and were detained in India in February 1998. Both organisations are involved in armed conflicts against the ruling military authorities in Myanmar. India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is prosecuting the men on charges of illegal possession of weapons. The accused reportedly contend that they were arrested during a meeting with the Indian intelligence officials, who had allegedly promised them assistance, and that six others were detained at the time, reported to be their leaders, and were then handed over to Myanmar officials. The Indian defense ministry denies both these allegations.
Following a campaign by the local human rights organisations, the government of West Bengal withdrew an earlier decision that the trial be held in secret within prison premises.
The trial is now being heard in a Kolkata High Court. However, the media and the public were reportedly barred, when the Indian intelligence officials presented their evidence, in accordance with a CBI petition. Whether convicted or not, the 34 persons could be forcibly deported to Myanmar, where they are likely to face torture and other ill-treatment, as well as arbitrary detention, unfair trials and forced labour. These concerns have been underlined by the recent violent suppression of protests by the military government in Myanmar. As a democratic country, supporting a democratic movement, should we not be under an absolute and unconditional obligation not to forcibly return any person to a militaristic, dictatorial regime, where they risk torture or other serious human rights violations? Should we not be refraining from forcibly returning them to Myanmar after the completion of their trial and jail terms, if any, as a mark of solidarity towards the democratic struggle in Myanmar?
We may also remind ourselves that according to the Amnesty International Report 2007, military operations against the Karen National Union in eastern Karen state and neighbouring districts increased tremendously during 2006. More than 16,000 people were displaced by the conflict. Destruction of houses and crops, enforced disappearances, forced labour, torture and extrajudicial killings of Karen civilians increased. Many villages faced food shortages after the authorities banned them from leaving their villages to farm or buy food. The widespread practice of forced labour was reported throughout the year in Karen.
Foreign policy is about political and social accomplishment, and not just economic achievement. The foreign policy of a democratic government has many dimensions.
It relates to government, people, economic, social and cultural. All these aspects are interconnected and influence one another. Weakness in any area can very well damage the fairness and justice, respect and credibility of the government in domestic and international arenas. Therefore the need at present of the Indian government expressing its concrete solidarity to the suffering people of Myanmar is just as important to them, as it is to us. Democracy should not put a price tag on humanity. Fairness is definitely more important than some immediate financial gains.



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