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11/29/2007: "Jami asks Swu to clarify on unity Nagaland Post"

Jami asks Swu to clarify on unity Nagaland Post

Dimapur, Nov 29 (NPN): Senior NSCN(K)leader A.Z. Jami Thursday has asked NSCN (I-M) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu to make his stand clear on unity and reconciliation in order to avoid confusion in the minds of the Nagas.
In a statement, Jami recalled that Isak’s offer for peace, unity and reconciliation in the past had invariably proved dangerous.
Describing Isak as “flexible” and “unpredictable”, Jami said the NSCN (I-M) Chairman was both timid and infirm and who “never makes any decision” and that whenever he took any decision “he immediately changes”.
Jami also accused Isak of being a tool in the hands of “someone” and further held him (Isak) responsible for all killings among the Nagas. Jami claimed Isak could never issue any order (azha) to stop killings and fighting for fear of being killed by his own men.
“He (Isak) is the supreme head of his organization and therefore, if he tells or orders Th. Muivah or V.S Atem or Hangshi to stop killings or fighting, the killings and fighting will certainly and immediately stop among the Nagas. But he cannot pronounce any order before his subordinates and cadres because he is always afraid of being killed by his own men”. Jami said every time Isak pronounced peace and unity, bloodshed followed.
ENPO on ‘unification’ move Morung Express News
Kohima | Eastern Nagaland People Organization today said that it will support the ‘unification move’ made by some section of NSCNs leaders only if it is for the unification of all Nagas. “We will also support if all Nagas are to be united under the unification move’, said Phowang Kanyak, president of the ENPO from Mon.
But said that he is concerned over the fact that some Nagas tribes of present Manipur state wants to be excluded by the ‘unification team’, he said. “We are just watching. Let see if its serve the interest of whole Nagas”, Phowang also stated. Asked whether, the ENPO will be attending the emergency meeting being convened by Naga Hoho on December 2 to discuss the ‘unification move’, Phowang said that he has heard about the meeting but has not received formal invitation till date.
Jami questions Isak’s stand The Morung Express

Dimapur, November 29 (MExN): Convenor of the Council of Kilonsers, NSCN (K) AZ Jami has asked NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu to make his position “unambiguously clear” in order to “avoid any confusion among the Nagas”. “He should speak out with a single tongue and not with two/three tongues. Isak’s offer for peace unity and reconciliation in the past had invariably proved dangerous”, Jami stated in a press note adding that “Naga people had fully experienced and tasted his declaration and pronouncements”.
Jami pointed out that every time Swu proclaimed peace and unity, bloodshed followed. Referring to early 2006, Jami stated that the NSCN (IM) chairman had hinted to his confidantes in the NSCN (IM) set-up including his own brother Shikato Swu to broker peace with the NSCN (K). Accordingly, Jami stated that those persons came over to Zunheboto and signed an agreement of ceasefire between the two groups in May 2006, which was signed even by his brother Shikato. “But when he was rebuked and charged by Th Muivah, he quickly backtracked and issued annulment Azha and bloodshed started”, Jami claimed.
He added that this time too “it was reliably learnt that Swu gave his nod to initiate unity process between the NSCN factions”. Jami stated that this time too, Swu’s brother Shikato took a lead in the unity process “but some of his close relatives like Qhevishe Chishi, Isato Sumi etc are still in Th Muivah’s camp. “And he is saying one thing today and another tomorrow”. Jami also claimed that most of the Sumis had already left Muivah’s camp and “got united with NSCN and merger had been successfully effected”. “But he still says that there is no difference between him and Muivah. Then, where he is actually and where does his actual position stand?” Jami questioned adding that Muivah and his men as of now are “deadly against unity and reconciliation”.
The NSCN (K) leader further went on that Swu should not play “a hypocritical role and play on the lives of the Nagas but to clearly spell out whether he is with the Sumis or Nagas or with Th Muivah and his men”. Jami stated that he was apprehending more bloodshed because of Swu’s “double standard politics and double speak” and that he was releasing “this statement without any hesitation as one of the surviving senior most Naga freedom fighters in order to avert more bloodshed in Nagaland. “Isak Swu is shouting for unity. Whereas, Th Muivah and some of his associates are hell bent against unity. But he says, there is no difference between him and Th Muivah. Then where does his actual position stand?” Jami stated.
On Naga unity, Jami referred to what NNC leader Imkong Ngangshi Ao had said that “unless Nagas are united, I will not return to Nagaland …since Nagas are badly divided, my dead body will not be allowed to be taken to Nagaland”. Jami stated that late Imkong’s relatives and well wishers wanted to bring his dead body to Nagaland but according to his wishes he was buried in England. Jami stated that likewise, Chairman SS Khaplang and General Khole of PAN say that “unless and until Nagas are united, we will not come over ground; we will die in the jungles”. “Then, what about Isak Chishi Swu? I want to know whether he is a Naga or someone else”, Jami stated.
The NSCN (K) leader stated that in active Naga national service, he was “born first before Isak” although in age Swu was senior to him. “That is why today, I am compelled by the situation to write this statement against him. The truth hurts and therefore, someone may be hurt by my words. But I can’t help in telling the facts in the greater interest of the nation”, Jami stated.
Regarding Swu’s position in the NSCN (IM) and his way of functioning, Jami stated that he was the head of an organization but that Swu was “unreasonably flexible and unpredictable” and also “extremely timid and infirm”. “He never makes any decision and when he takes any decision, he immediately changes”, Jami claimed adding that Swu was a tool in the hands of someone. “All the killings among the Nagas are because of him. He is the supreme head of his organization, if he tells or orders Th Muivah or VS Atem or Hangshi to stop killings or fighting’s, the killings and fighting’s will certainly and immediately stop among the Nagas”, Jami stated.
Pointing out that Swu cannot pronounce any order before his subordinates and cadres, Jami alleged that the chairman was “always afraid of being killed by his own men”. “But politically speaking, though he lives and the nation dies, what is the use of his service for the nation. And if the nation survives though he dies, he is a conqueror. But he is completely ignorant of this logic”, Jami stated of Swu.
Citing examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Jami pointed out that Gandhi was warned long before that he might be assassinated by someone to which Gandhi replied that “who kills him would be his friend”. Similarly Jami gave examples of Indira Gandhi and Nelson Mandela pointing out that these people exhibited the high quality of leadership and that they got honor from their peoples. “But what about Isak? Will he ever remain in the fear of Th Muivah and the Naga nation to remain” What kind of leader is he? Jami stated.
WSSU welcomes “unification” The Morung Express
Dimapur, November 28 (MExN): The Western Sumi Students’ Union supports and welcomes what it claimed was “unification” of the “NSCN/GPRN” as a “prayer finally answered.” Stating that it is the most awaited and dearest wish of the people after precious blood have flowed through factional feud. The union in a note fro its executives urged upon all right-thinking Nagas to “voice out their views” and leave behind their petty differences for a greater cause. “…such unique opportunities do not come often” the WSSU stated and reminded the students and youths that it is high time for them to speak out and act rather than being silent spectators.
‘I am a tribal and a second-class citizen’; Jamir hurls bias slur at Delhi Kuknalim.com
New Delhi, Nov. 27: The UPA government already has too much on its plate and now, to add to this, one of its own is accusing the Centre of bias. Goa Governor S.C. Jamir today said the Centre’s silence on the recent attack on his life is because he is a tribal.

The former Nagaland chief minister survived the sixth attempt on his life on Saturday when his motorcade was ambushed near Changki village, nearly 50km from Mokokchung. Jamir and his wife escaped unharmed, while three of his escorts sustained minor injuries.

“I am a tribal but I am a citizen and a governor,” a visibly disillusioned Jamir told The Telegraph. He said when a governor is attacked it is the duty of the government to give an appropriate response because it is an attack on the Constitution of the country itself. “But if the government does not mind this, what can I say?” Jamir asked. The governor is understood to have conveyed to the Prime Minister that the government’s reaction indicated that because of his tribal identity he is being treated as a “second-class citizen”. It is the first time that Jamir, a deputy railway minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s council of ministers, has spoken so candidly.

The senior Congressman called on home minister Shivraj Patil today and briefed him about the situation in the state. He met the Prime Minister on Monday. Hurt that he was attacked simply because he is a former chief minister, Jamir also sprung a surprise that may allay fears of his opponents in Nagaland as well as militant outfits.
Asked if he would return to politics in Nagaland, he said: “No, not with this kind of environment.” Talking about the manner in which the Centre has tackled the Naga problem, Jamir said the Centre is on a “weak wicket”. He said unlike the present attitude, the government need not be diplomatic while dealing with its own people.
The governor said the Centre should make it clear to the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) that violence is not the way to solve a problem nor can it be resolved by eliminating leaders. (The Telegraph)
Rejoinder to Timothy's writings- Opinion Nagaland Post
At the outset, I would like to issue this corrigendum to my statement of November 25' 2007, under the caption "A.Z. Jami reacts to Timothy's write-ups" as carried in the local papers wherein the word "defecation" has been rendered as "defection". I wrote "I can use his (Timothy) knowledge and education in rubbing my anus after defecation (not defection). The spelling mistake was made due to mistyping and the error is very much regretted.
Timothy Kaping was in the underground in 1996 and not more than that. After the signing of the Cease-fire, he got discharged and went to Korea what he says was for further study. His further study might have been theft of government's money, lying, womanizing and satanic tricks. Timothy, you are saying that I am responsible for what I wrote or write. Yes, very much. And you are also responsible for what you had written and will write, if you require, I will compile into a book, all those nonsense things you have written under your signature and in the name of the so called NSG and NISC, for exhibition before the world. I have been in the NSCN under S.S. Khaplang's leadership for the last three years and all the news paper of the three years are with me. Are those writings, the works of a research scholar like you? You are mentally deranged person, but you do not know yourself and there is no one to guide and advice you. Go to Psychiatrist and get proper treatment and talk about Naga National polities after that, if you really have the degrees as you claim, you would have been very careful in your speech and writings, and would have acted as a responsible person. But, people understand you from your writings what kind of a person you are.
When we were together in Intangki Reserved camp in 1996, we edited a book titled "Cry for Justice" and I also wrote an article without harming anyone. But you have added some sentences with unpleasant words, calling Khaplang as fugitives and some mean words to my article. It was so in the book, but I am still preserving the original text, wrote and signed by me. From then and there, I came to understand how you were harmful cruel and prejudicial. The more you grow older the worse you are becoming, is not it???
If you claim as freedom fighter, tell me in the name of God how many times your parental homes and granaries were burnt down and how much properties were destroyed by Indian Army, because of you as a freedom fighter? How many times, you had been captured by enemy and imprisoned?? How many times you had been attacked and assaulted by enemy forces?? How many days consecutively or separately you were made to run away, without food and clothing, before occupational forces?? How many bullet wounds you have?? How many times your wife and children were harassed by enemy?? How many sleepless nights, biting by mosquitoes, and leeches under heavy rains in the jungle had you spent as a freedom fighters? If you want to claim as a freedom fighter, come to Nagaland and suffer as other Nagas, instead of flying around the world at the expense of Naga's sweat and blood. Timothy! You are a man without a face. Otherwise, you would have felt ashamed.
A.Z Jami, Convenor Council of Kilonsers GPRN/ NSCN (K)
Easy money has destroyed very fabric of Naga society Kedi Haralu Perspective The Morung Express
The recent study done on millionaires in India has proved certain facts, which most Nagas would want to keep it a secret. Proving that there are as much Millionaires in Kohima as in New Delhi, shows a few aspects of our personal income, be it white money or black money:
1. When the State Government is so poor that it has to depend on the Centre for Welfare and Aid money, how come there are more millionaires in Kohima. The answer is very simple. The public is rich while the State coffers seem empty all the time. Thus the proof that most money is siphoned off by certain individuals and which is usually invested outside the State, so as to remain anonymous, plus the state having a tax-free policy, most people accumulate the Government money from various departments, in the form of Supply works and Contract works, where the profit is more than a hundred percent, and the Administration is helpless due to various policies given to us by the Indian Government, so that Nagas can be spoiled and corrupted, at the same time emptying the state coffers. I remember an old friend of my late father, who was amongst the earliest people who started the Naga Movement usually said, “Nagas stood fiercely and unflinchingly although the Indian Army outnumbered them, thus earning a reputation of fierce warriors, but when the Centre changed their tactic and started flooding in easy money, even the most committed and ardent freedom fighter fell, due to their greed. Why only blame Suppliers and Contractors, for we are all equally guilty for the state of affairs. Just take a drive into the outskirts of Dimapur – you will see a lot of new well designed, well landscape (even the gates are worth lakhs), Houses. Now, who owns these houses/property? I do not have to answer that, for I know that all Nagas know who these people are. Easy money is the main drawback for the advancement of the Naga Society, for everything we undertake or when we come up with new ideas for business investment, we have to pay tax and likewise if any contract work or supply work is allotted, “love letters” come flooding in. Some demands are beyond comprehension, for those taxing us wants to take away all our profits, thus the hard work is gone to waste. How can we just sit back and tax the rich, without doing any work but demanding a part of the booty. It is sad but true. This is why we have more millionaires in Kohima and Dimapur then New Delhi.

2. To become a politician we need crores of rupees, which is spent buying loyalty and votes, thus the amount spent has to be made up and also profit a bit, thus the corruption in the departments. We cannot complain about corruption, since we are also guilty for taking money for our votes, hence easy money has destroyed our very fabric of our Naga society. Those who invest during elections also need to make up for the money invested, thus the corruption in their supply or contract works. This is the very reason why we have more millionaires in Kohima and Dimapur. Nagaland Government has a deficit of a few thousand crores, but the people are amazingly getting richer and richer. But one thing we need to understand is when you have more you want more for greed can never be satisfied nor can it be stopped for our wants become limitless.
3. Then we have our freedom fighters who survive on tax of each and every person earning some money. Even those grade four workers plus Ad hoc staff are not spared. It is unfortunate. As a Naga I will of course give to them as my contribution, but paying tax is unreasonable. We should discourage these taxes, but instead, we need to encourage free will offering or gift or contribution. Every Naga being patriotic by nature would surely want to contribute something to our brothers who have dedicated their lives to achieve our sovereignty, thus whatever we give willingly will be done so with our support and blessing, which I am sure would last longer and be more useful and fruitful and would prosper in whatever the money is invested in, but demanding and taxing the ordinary citizens who make just enough to make ends meet, (plus ensure the education of their children), surely, such money will be spent at a much quicker rate and nothing fruitful will come out of it, plus losing the blessing and support of the common people. We should make one thing clear – the freedom movement which started way back in the late fifties and early sixties has not died out, instead has gained worldwide support, plus it is also the longest surviving movement in Asia or should I say the world. How have we achieved this? The support of the ordinary, common, simple citizens of Nagaland, has kept the fire burning, regardless of our inclination to one group or the other.
In conclusion, the survey done has in a way revealed all the skeletons in the closet (for us, Almirahs). It is a direct attack on us, by exposing our weakness for the world to see. This survey, without a shadow of doubt has been masterminded by the intellectuals in the Country, who indirectly points their fingers on us for our showing our weakness and greed, which will ultimately destroy everything in sight. This is a shrewd and scheming ploy to shame us and also our credibility is shot. But looking on the brighter side, Nagas have become more educated and more broad minded since most of the citizens belonging to the new generation have received a lot of exposure and have seen and studied why some nations have grown and some destroyed. Therefore we need to change our way of dealings and also the Church needs to educate the ordinary citizens like us, for the pulpit is the most powerful forum in our Christian dominated State. Thus this coming General Assembly elections can change all these, if the public decides to look beyond tribal and party lines, but elect a candidate as per his qualities and commitment in serving his or her constituency. We have one more chance to salvage our image and if we do not make the most of it when this opportunity comes, we may never get a second chance. Therefore the only thing I can say as a parting statement is,
“elect those who genuinely care for the welfare of the people, and also look beyond party or communal lines.”
AR Show in Hornbill Festival Nagarealm.com
Dimapur, NOV28 [NPN] : The Assam Rifles is all set to add colours to the Hornbill Festival this year as hectic preparations are on for a major AR Show on December 2 at 1.30 pm in IG stadium Kohima. A defence release said this was the maiden occasion where AR has planned to celebrate Hornbill with a spirit of adventure and fun with the Naga populace with a view to give them a glimpse of some exclusive feats and performances credited to security forces. The State capital is already bearing a festive look with colourful Billboards and Banners hanging in every nook & corner of the city inviting people to witness the AR Show.

AR plans to whet the appetite of the locals with a scintillating Motorcycle Display by the Dare Devils team known world over for its unmatched courage and precision in motorcycle group formations & rarest of the stunts. This will be followed by a Dog show by the Elite AR Dog Breeding Centre. They are set to display their disciplined team work and excellent capabilities of tracking, explosive detection and Asset guarding role in Army. The show will cater for the Nagas to rejoice with music as a Mass Pipe and Band Display, a legacy of the SF is all set to enthral the public with a ensemble of eleven pipe Band platoons of IGAR (N).

The release said the AR show plans to draw curtains with the popular western Punjabi folk dance Bhangra where the indomitable spirit of the Sikhs will be at its best as they dance to the tune of drum beats. Extensive efforts are being organised to ensure maximum public is able to witness the show. Transport is being made available from all major junctions of the city including a ride from Kisama to the venue at IG Stadium Kohima. Assam Rifles.

M discards Niuland Declaration The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, November 28: Coming out with its official statement for the first time on the "controversial" Niuland declaration of November 23, the NSCN-IM today termed the current development as unfortunate saying that while some of the "Khaplang Group members have placed themselves in the exalted position to bring about Naga unity under one single banner of the NSCN, the language they employed hardly reflect any such genuine search for unity".

The NSCN-IM's statement said that the ultimate analysis of any "national mission" with the magnitude of Naga unification, the driving force to ensure the success of the mission should be sincerely and honestly approached. The NSCN-IM predicted that any effort bereft of this genuine step will not bear fruits of any lasting nature. It stated that the incidents happening in Tamenglong district (Manipur) and Tizit (Nagaland) make a mockery of unity mission of the "Khaplang members".

"The attack of the UNLF-Khaplang Group combined forces against the NSCN at Khumji (Lukhambi—II) in Tamenglong district and the killing of one captain Thanshok and Lt Tughato at Tizit on November 28 by the Khaplang Group-ULFA combined forces only go to show that the unity effort by the Khaplang Group is done in haphazard manner without anything worth to show to the people to captivate the imagination for a lasting peace effort with potentiality for a positive outcome to give a firm foundation to the Indo-Naga political process," ridiculed the NSCN-IM.
The outfit then asserted that in the unity effort language of the "antagonism on communal line is best avoided as this does not go down well with the people concerned at such critical stage to be in the best reality for a fruitful search for unity, no wrong steps should be taken to undermine the contribution of the Naga civil societies.

Because the NSCN is a peoples' movement and civil societies who represent the Naga peoples' interest should be taken into confidence".
What ‘free & fair’ amounts Patricia Mukhim The Statesman
Democracy as propounded by the Indian state functions only partially in many states of the North-east. Traditional institutions with their archaic systems suited only for the administration of villages with homogeneous populations and notorious for their gender biases, continue to be respected by the people for the simple reason that the liberal democratic ethos as enshrined in the Constitution has failed to deliver. Militant groups continue to hand out instant justice through kangaroo courts. In Manipur, those who are caught indulging in corrupt practices are often shot in the legs. People do not protest against such actions because they find the rule of law virtually absent. Against this peculiar backdrop we have the unique case of Nagaland where, even after 44 years of statehood, many citizens have never enjoyed the right to vote. Some may wonder why. When a modern system is imposed on a people without their having imbibed its basic philosophy and culture, there are bound to be setbacks arising from lack of compatibility between existing practices and modern ideas. Nagaland has 16 major tribes and a host of sub-tribes. For a Naga, loyalty to his tribe is an unquestioned characteristic. It is the very core of his existence. A person from one tribe cannot represent people of another tribe in the legislative assembly. This unwritten code violates the fundamental spirit of the Indian Constitution.
It is a common occurrence that an entire village, inspired by the Goan Bura (village headman) and his council decides to vote for a particular candidate. Since dissent is equated with contempt for the voice of the village elder and therefore anathema to the tribal way of life the villagers have no choice but to comply. The concept of universal adult franchise is therefore alien in many parts of Nagaland.
At a recently concluded conference for women organised by the Nagaland State Women’s Commission in Kohima, one was surprised to hear even educated, articulate women confessing to the fact that they had never been able to cast their votes because by the time they reached the polling stations their votes had already been cast. Not given to public protestations, the women returned home without a demur.
A key objective of the Election Commission is to conduct free and fair elections. To further this objective the Commission sets in motion the process of photographing every eligible elector to prevent impersonation. Many states had successfully conducted elections using the voter’s photo identity card for the last parliamentary election and also for the assembly polls. In states like Meghalaya, the second elector’s photo identity cards round is complete and voters have received their photo identification cards. But no such thing has happened in Nagaland even though the state is scheduled to go to the polls in February 2008.
It appears that sometime in the late 1990s an attempt was made to photograph electors. Crores of rupees were spent in the process. Officials were bribed by interested contractors to get the contract. A certain photographer parked herself in Mon district for months together and managed to photograph all the electors. But the process appears to have been scuttled for reasons best known to the government of the time. Till date. no one speaks about the EPIC. It has become a closed chapter in Nagaland. In any case it is now too late to start the process in time for the next Assembly elections. This would mean that, yet again, a good chunk of women voters would not be able to cast their votes and that tradition will bulldoze its way through.
Ironically, women are also the major campaigners and proxy voters even if the Nagaland legislature has not seen a single woman legislator since its inception. Women are used by political parties to mobilise voters for male candidates. Rano Shaiza, Nagaland’s first woman MP, says elections in Nagaland are like a circus. Excited to join the fun and games, women voters use nail polish remover to erase what is ostensibly indelible ink provided by the election commission to identify those who have already voted. Shaiza said thousands of bottles of nail polish remover are sold in a single day. A single woman would cast 30, 40, and even 100 votes even as the polling officers watch aghast. There are polling booths where the village headman and his cronies literally stamp all the ballot papers in favour of one candidate and push them into the ballot box. Everyone is in collusion. This is democracy as practised in Nagaland. Sadly women do not even know that they are being used. They are happy to earn a few thousand rupees for the proxy votes they cast.
If the Chief Election Commissioner is aware of these aberrations, he has done nothing to address them. Not even the circumspect JM Lyngdoh was able to bring electoral accountability in Nagaland. Will the present CEC rise to the occasion and allow electoral politics a fair chance?

(The author is a Shillong-based columnist and activist, and can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com.)
A time to heal Editorial Nagaland Post
Condemnations expressed against the assassination attempt on the life of Governor of Goa Dr S.C.Jamir on Saturday from various people besides politicians cutting across party lines, were indicative of the abhorrence of the people of Nagaland against such barbaric methods of settling whatever scores . Even political rivals of Dr Jamir had expressed condemnation while many visited him at his residence in New Chumukedima after he arrived Dimapur. The ambush on Jamir's convoy was the fourth attempt on his life excluding IEDs that blew up a culvert after his convoy had passed by and another incident where IEDs planted at his farmhouse which were discovered before tragedy could strike. Jamir had also been shot at close range twice-once in Kohima and another inside Nagaland House New Delhi but the bullet was stopped by some items on the shirt pocket. Perhaps very few political leaders in the country have faced such concerted and determined assassination attempts as Dr Jamir. Despite living a life like a hounded man whose fate many would not trade for all the gold in the world; Jamir remains committed to his political ideology of being proud to be an Indian and one who firmly believes that the destiny of the Nagas is with rest of the people of India. There may be some who do not share Jamir's ideology ,considering it as against the Naga nationalist movement but his point of view cannot be a death sentence. Having escaped several assassination attempts through God's protection, perhaps Jamir will see these as a call to reach out to all for healing the wounds of the past. He has expressed forgiveness a number of times against those who are responsible for the acts and it is hoped, this will be a starting point for a rapprochement. Nagaland is passing through another crucial phase of its political history with continued bloodshed and killings. The people of Nagaland want to put back the bitterness of the past behind and get on with the task of development of both the human resource as well as the economic foundation. People of Nagaland have to seriously ponder over their existence in a fast changing world. The political negotiations are a process towards an honourable settlement of the Naga political issue for which thousands of people have died. The Government of India had said it was not averse to any kind of settlement within the framework of the constitution but when it came to integration of Naga contiguous areas, no political party in New Delhi appears inclined to address this point. On the home front, the cry for unity among various factions remains a pressing need so as to end violence and killings between rival factions as well as against political foes. The language of the gun needs to give way to humane approach where differences are aired without fear or favor because it is in the larger interest of the people for strengthening the bond of unity and understanding.
Two NSCN(IM) men killed after clashes in Nagaland PTITimes of India
DIBRUGARH: Two NSCN(IM) cadres were killed in a fight with suspected NSCN-Khaplang ultras in Nagaland's Mon district on Wednesday.

On receiving information that about 20 NSCN-IM cadres had put up in a house at police colony in Tigit subdivision of Mon district, a group of suspected Khaplang ultras fired at them killing two NSCN(IM) cadres on the spot, official sources said.
The two were identified as self-styled Captain Asang Tangkhul and Lieutenant Huketu Sema.

After the incident, over 200 NSCN(IM) men armed with sophisticated weapons went to the spot, cordoned off the area and launched a manhunt to track the killers, the sources said. A few days ago NSCN(IM) had killed an ULFA cadre and kidnapped three others and later handed them to the police. The NSCN(IM) faction suspected Wednesday's incident to be a retaliation.

Rio harps on positives, despite jolt OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Nov. 27: On the threshold of completing five years in office, chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government suffered a jolt today as road and bridges minister Tokheho Yepthomi and parliamentary secretaries P. Chuba Chang and Jongshilemba Ao put in their papers.
Yepthomi, a legislator of Nagaland People’s Front, said he had resigned in protest against the “deteriorating” law and order situation in the state. Speculation is rife that Yepthomi will enter the Congress fold. The minister said another NPF legislator and his father-in-law, Kihoto Hollohon, would soon resign from the party. Yepthomi has not severed ties with the NPF yet.
The two Independent MLAs and parliamentary secretaries said they had withdrawn their support to the Rio government — reducing its strength to 33 in the 60-member Assembly — looking for “better avenues”.
An unfazed Rio, however, chose to dwell on the positives. Addressing the general conference of the Nagaland Civil Service Association today, the chief minister gave credit for his term in office to the support provided by the district administration, especially the members of the Nagaland Civil Service (NCS). He added that the DAN government has been able to capitalise on all opportunities to ensure balanced administration, development of infrastructure and economic uplift of all sections of society.
The aspirations of the people of Peren, Longleng and Kiphire were fulfilled when the three subdivisions were upgraded to district headquarters after the DAN government came to power, Rio said.
He added that the DAN government has also achieved decentralisation of the civil administration, which was necessary in view of the varied customs, tradition, linguistic and geographical location of these regions.
Rio said steps were taken to provide accommodation to officers in Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Dimapur and Longleng. He added that a slew of facilities has been introduced at the newly- renovated circuit house in Kohima.
Addressing the general conference of the Nagaland Civil Service Association today, the chief minister said the NCS is the premier civil service of the state and the backbone of the state government’s administrative machinery. He added that the NCS has made a huge contribution towards the maintenance of law and order in the state and helped the district administration during its most difficult period.
Rio said the state government acknowledged the work being done by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, National AIDS Control Organisation and NGOs in combating AIDS.
President of the association Visutha Chakhesang said providing basic necessities to officers is the answer to peace and development of the state.
Rio also presented mementoes to IAS inductees and retired officers of the NCS
Beltola riot breeds more mayhem - Adivasi rage ravages Assam districts OUR BUREAU The Telegraph


Nov. 27: Aftershocks of the mob mayhem in Guwahati coursed through Assam for the fourth consecutive day today with Adivasi protesters attacking and being attacked in at least three places.
Though rallies and demonstrations began since early morning in most districts on the second day of the 36-hour bandh today, it took a nasty turn in Sonitpur when Adivasi protesters began attacking shops. Ironically, one hardware shop ransacked by the picketers was bang opposite Bebejia police outpost in Balipukhuri Tiniali. Local youths refused to wait for the police to act and began beating up the protesters. Most of the picketers fled, leaving behind their cycles. “A few bicycles left behind by the picketers were set on fire,” Sonitpur deputy commissioner Kamal Goswami said.
The injured have been admitted to Sonitpur Civil Hospital. The condition of two has been stated to be critical. Assam Rifles personnel have been deployed in the area following the incident. The army has been kept on standby. The deputy commissioner said thousands of Adivasi activists hit the streets in separate groups in different parts of the district to enforce the bandh called by the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam in protest against Saturday’s incident.
Shops and business establishments in Sonitpur town remained open yesterday, but were closed today following a directive from the North Assam Chambers of Commerce.
Forty-seven picketers have been arrested from various parts of district. The Assam Tea Tribes Students Association president of Sonitpur, Krishna Tanti, said nearly 90 per cent tea garden labour community had come out to enforce the bandh in the district. “The entire tea garden community, irrespective of political affiliation, has united to raise in protest against the Guwahati incident,” he said. Picketers in Baksa district damaged a Tata Sumo on the the Indo-Bhutan but the travellers managed to escape. In Upper Assam, there were no major reports of violence apart from a few motorcycles being damaged.
The attacks resumed again in the evening when Adivasi protesters attacked two Oil India Limited (OIL) workers at Rangamati under Tengakhat police station in Dibrugarh, even though they had ventured out after 5pm — when the bandh officially got over.
A few yards away, labourers of Sealkopee tea estate attacked the bungalow of an executive of the garden, Pinku Neog. He and his family, however, escaped unhurt. Adivasis in the rest of Assam restricted their protest to rallies. Police, however, had to use teargas to disperse a 6,000-strong mob from Choibari and Krishnakali tea gardens in Dhubri district.
The protesters burnt effigies of chief minister Tarun Gogoi and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Bhagatgaon and blocked National Highway 31 at Rowmari for three hours.
The Santhali Students’ Union has called a 12-hour Assam bandh tomorrow in protest against Saturday’s incident. The Assam Tea Tribes Students Association has called a meeting of all organisations, including political parties and the Asam Sahitya Sabha, at the Assam Tea Tribe Welfare Board conference hall in Guwahati on Friday.
Dimasa rebels gun down 8 mill workers OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Nagaon, Nov. 27: A gang of militants belonging to the anti-talks faction of the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) struck in three places near Umrangshu town in Assam’s North Cachar Hills district tonight, killing eight persons and injuring four others.
All three attacks took place in and around 15 Kilo and were carried out by the same group of 10-12 militants belonging to the Jewel Gorlosa faction of the Dimasa group.
The group first swooped down on an office at Kopili tea estate at 8.35pm and opened fire indiscriminately, injuring one person. The gunshots alerted the labourers who raised an alarm, forcing the attackers to flee. Officer in-charge of Umrangshu police station Anil Moran said the same group then burned down two saw mills owned by a Hindi-speaking family and shot dead eight workers. Three persons were injured in the second attack.
The injured — identified as Jita Minze of Kopili tea estate, Patal Das of Kamal Jain saw mill, and Upen Saikia and Sankar Chettri of Sitara saw mill — have been rushed to the public health centre at Umrangshu. The condition of Chettri is said to be serious.
All eight victims were employees of the mills. Police have launched a massive combing operation to nab the militants who fled into the night. The area falls under Garampani constituency, which had gone to polls yesterday. The first phase of district council polls concluded peacefully yesterday. In another incident, exchange of gunfire was reported between two militant groups at Kalachand village under Maibong police station tonight. There was, however, no casualty.
The village will go to polls on December 1, when the second phase of polling will begin. On November 3, suspected Dimasa rebels gunned down a Congress candidate for the district council elections, along with two of his personal security officers and driver, in an ambush 16km from Haflong. The previous day, seven CRPF personnel were killed in the district by the same group.
The district council election has already been postponed once. The outfit had killed two senior Congress candidates  the chief executive member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, Purnendu Langthasa, and a colleague, Nindu Langthasa,  on June 4, just nine days before the earlier date of elections to the council.