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12/29/2007: "‘India needs mind-shift for Naga peace’ The Morung Express"

‘India needs mind-shift for Naga peace’ The Morung Express

Dimapur, December 29 (MExN): Till such time India turns a shift in its approach to the Indo-Naga conflict, there shall never be peace in Nagaland, NNC chief Adinno Phizo observes in her new year’s message. But there is to be hoped that year 2008 could usher in an “episodic dawn” she says and urges to “look on the bright side in the coming New Year.”
“Evidently, Delhi is far from taking its often stated position on Nagaland seriously. Until there is a fundamental shift in Delhi's approach to why India is in conflict against Nagaland, the prospect for peace in Nagaland will remain elusive as the Naga stand is perfectly clear” she stated in the message.
The NNC president mentioned a number of “compelling anecdotal muttering” on Nagaland emanating from Delhi. She listed “Why is the problem in Nagaland refuse to go? Who is in charge - Indian army or state government or those nagging socialists or others? Where does all the Indian money disappear? Why the Government of India unwilling to engage in talk with the Naga government? For many years our experts say the Naga government is moribund then who is the enemy? Nagaland is bad news for Indian international image, etc…”
The NNC further explained that contrary to India's claim of Nagaland on account of the sub-continent British colonial legacy, at no time, she stated, including during the British rule over India, the Naga people shared a common history with India.
“As for modern Nagaland, the Naga representatives led by A Z Phizo declared to the world that Nagaland will stay independent on 14 August 1947, a day ahead of Great Britain granting independence to British India. The Naga stand on independence is based on incontrovertible historical facts and by any standard unassailable” she maintained. She said that the Nagas’ destination is the restoration of an independent federal republic of Nagaland free from foreign occupation army. ‘In other words, the journey the people of Nagaland undertook is to uphold freedom and nothing can deter us from reaching our destination of a free much loved Nagaland.’
The NNC chief was of the opinion that the world is unlikely to come across a more blatant aggression in post-colonial era than that of India’s unremitting war against Nagaland since 1954. She stated: “… As a consequence of Indian aggression, over 150,000 (one hundred and fifty thousand) Naga people died and many people maimed in the inhuman hands of the Indian armed forces…”
Nonetheless, the God Almighty has been the protection and grace through all these times, she acknowledged. “We thank the Almighty God for His unfailing love for our people. Time and again whenever our people face a crisis in the midst of the unremitting Indian occupation army militarized tyranny and in need of help, He always opens a way for the Naga people. Could the year 2008 usher in an episodic dawn? Let us look on the bright side in the coming New Year.”
“Salvation” through integrity The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 29 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has termed as unfortunate the fact that for the “mistakes committed by some defectors among the Sumis, the Naga national issue is being contaminated on communal line”. “But thank God, not all Sumis are carried away by such misleading programs in the name of Naga unification”, stated a press note issued by the MIP while pointing out that “salvation of the Nagas shall come through the faithful followers whose integrity and steadfastness, history will honor and respect”.
In the prevailing situation, the NSCN (IM) pointed out that the Nagas as a whole, need to be “cautious in passing judgment between the right and the wrong”. The NSCN (IM) stated that there was no way to be pretentious on its part “because the ground reality will prove it wrong if false statements are just supplied for public consumption”.
“There is no time to play with the people’s sentiment without the solid foundation when the Naga national issue is being turned into the melting pot of the Naga societies. But the truth will come out soon and the truth will guide the Naga nation”, the NSCN (IM) stated. Pointing out that Nagas’ faith in God needs to be strengthened and the will of God has to be given priority over individual interest, the NSCN (IM) stated that this was the “crux of the Naga people when faced with such crisis as engineered by Indian intelligent agencies, determined to put a stumbling block in the Indo–Naga political solution”.
Peace: A special Christmas gift for Nagas By Vibou Ganguly Thai Indian News
Kohima, Dec 29 (ANI): The major sections of Naga society have welcomed the news of the unification of the different warring groups. However, some of them believe that the unification bid should be comprehensive and it should include all the Naga tribes. This year, the Christmas was very special for the people of Nagaland. It was for the first time in many years that the people celebrated the festival without fear of factional clashes and violence.
Common citizens of the state have heaved a sigh of relief after the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isac-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM), National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang faction (NSCN-K) and Naga National Council (NNC) led by Adino Phizo signed a peace pact a couple of weeks ago to bring lasting peace in the state. “It’s a desire of every Naga that there should be peace and unification. So, on this basis all the warring groups have come together at the central level but this doesn’t mean that they have already come together. It’s still a process to achieve a large base in the near future. As everybody wants peace and unity, therefore, they are involved in such negotiations,” said Kevileto Kiewho, Naga Hoho, Vice President. “Unity and peace has always been the cry of Naga youth. We have been watching blood being shed throughout our lives. I think it had become a part of our daily routine. Earlier the front page of the newspapers used to be occupied with the news of the killings in the State. But now there is no such news in the papers. This is what were asking for all these years,” said Joshua, a Naga youth.
A senior journalist, Karaiba Chawang, said, “Almost all the tribes of Hoho’s feel that the unification of Naga is a compulsion, irrespective of being a big or a small tribe. Plus all the tribes have said that it should cover all the Naga inhabited areas in the general observation and liking of the Nagas.”
The peace pact is significant because it spells an end to the clashes between the cadres of the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) and NNC led by Adino Phizo. The citizens of the state will be benefited from the peace dividend and the focus will shift to ensuring their development and economic well being. (ANI)This year, the Christmas was very special for the people of Nagaland. It was for the first time in many years that the people celebrated the festival without fear of factional clashes and violence.
Common citizens of the state have heaved a sigh of relief after the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isac-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM), National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang faction (NSCN-K) and Naga National Council (NNC) led by Adino Phizo signed a peace pact a couple of weeks ago to bring lasting peace in the state. “It’s a desire of every Naga that there should be peace and unification. So, on this basis all the warring groups have come together at the central level but this doesn’t mean that they have already come together. It’s still a process to achieve a large base in the near future. As everybody wants peace and unity, therefore, they are involved in such negotiations,” said Kevileto Kiewho, Naga Hoho, Vice President. “Unity and peace has always been the cry of Naga youth. We have been watching blood being shed throughout our lives. I think it had become a part of our daily routine. Earlier the front page of the newspapers used to be occupied with the news of the killings in the State. But now there is no such news in the papers. This is what were asking for all these years,” said Joshua, a Naga youth.
A senior journalist, Karaiba Chawang, said, “Almost all the tribes of Hoho’s feel that the unification of Naga is a compulsion, irrespective of being a big or a small tribe. Plus all the tribes have said that it should cover all the Naga inhabited areas in the general observation and liking of the Nagas.”
The peace pact is significant because it spells an end to the clashes between the cadres of the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) and NNC led by Adino Phizo. The citizens of the state will be benefited from the peace dividend and the focus will shift to ensuring their development and economic well being. (ANI)
Forces review poll security A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Dec. 28: The Unified Command’s strategy group reviewed the law and order in Assam this evening in view of the panchayat elections.
Chaired by chief minister Tarun Gogoi, the meeting focused on militancy, especially in the North Cachar Hills district. It discussed the activities of Ulfa and the Adivasi National Liberation Front. It suggested a special alert along the Assam-Nagaland border for the polls because of ANLA’s links with the NSCN (I-M).
The meeting discussed the Unified Command’s working in the district and agreed that counter-insurgency operations would continue as before. Chief secretary P.C. Sharma, director-general of police K.T.D. Singh and representatives of the army, paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies were present.
Sumi bodies resolve on unity Nagarrealm.com
Dimapur, DEC28 [NPN] : The Sumi Hoho and the Western Sumi frontal organizations have reaffirmed their support to the ongoing process for unification of the Nagas.

A press release issued jointly by Sumi Hoho president Hokishe Yepthomi and Western Sumi Hoho general secretary Akavi Zhimomi said a decision towards this effect was taken during a joint meeting held on December 27. The signatories said the House appreciated the contributions of "all Naga people and tribal Hohos" towards strengthening the process of unification and appealed to them to continue to strive towards realizing the desire of the Nagas to live as one people.

It was also resolved to urge the Seyochung villagers to restrain from acts of violence and maintain the age-old brotherhood besides settling the differences through mutual and peaceful dialogues.




Speaker murdered democracy: NPCC Nagarealm.com

Dimapur, DEC26 [NPN] : Both the ruling NPF-led DAN coalition and the opposition Congress continued trading charges and counter-charges over the December 13 controversial vote of no confidence motion in the assembly where the Opposition claimed victory by 31-23 (minus the speaker) while the speaker Kiyaneilie declared it victory for the coalition by 23-19, after nullifying the votes cast in favour of the motion by three independent and nine rebel NPF legislators.

Reacting to an earlier press statement by NPF president and planning minister Dr Shürhozelie, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) said December 13 would go down the annals of history as "the darkest day as it was on this day the Assembly Speaker murdered parliamentary democracy in an attempt to let DAN remain in power despite being reduced to minority". NPCC media in-charge Vitsorel Lcho accused the ruling DAN coalition of having used the Speaker as an "assassin to murder democracy".

The NPCC took on Dr Shürhozelie for justifying the Speaker's directive on the independent MLAs when he stated: "…The said respondents shall not vote in favour of any political party in the House on motions of confidence and no-confidence in the House in accordance with observations of the Supreme Court of India in various anti-defection law cases and the said members however are free to participate in the proceedings with right to vote on all other questions for decision before the House". The NPCC said this directive did not fall within the purview of the Tenth Schedule and questioned how the Speaker could disqualify any member without following procedures or even issue any interim order for disqualification or restraining any MLA from voting or directing any member on which party to cast vote.

The release also said the circular of the Speaker dated 12-12-2007 itself revealed that the Speaker was already apprehensive of cross-voting and subsequent trouble for the continuance of the government. It said with this in mind, the Speaker had gone out of his way to save the ruling dispensation from certain collapse. The release said until the event of voting occurred and the Member cast his vote contrary to the party whip, the first part of this proviso of Clause (b) of para 2 of the Tenth Schedule would not be attracted. "These persons would then be entitled to seek condonation of their act and if the political party had not condoned such act only then the facts would be complete for an enabling a claim for disqualification to be made in which case even ad-interim order could be issued".

The release pointed out that a Member could be liable for disqualification on the ground of defection under the Tenth Schedule when he or she had defied the whip and which was not condoned within 15 days. However, the release said, in the present case after permitting the Members to attend the assembly session, participate in the proceedings and vote but not count their votes was unimaginable. The release pointed out that an MLA could not be disqualified just because he or she was likely to vote in favour of or against a particular motion. If extension of support to a political party called for disqualification then they (Independent MLAs) should have been disqualified in 2003 when they extended support to the DAN coalition, the NPCC said.

"Or is it that the Speaker has deemed there should be two yard sticks for these MLAs? One, as and when the Independent MLAs were supporting the DAN coalition, it was perfectly alright and in tune with the rules and procedures. But when they withdraw support from the ruling dispensation? It is a violation of the Tenth Schedule?" , it asked. The NPCC described as "ridiculous" the Speaker's verdict that the scheme of the Tenth Schedule was to strictly prohibit Independent members from indulging in party politics. It asked if this could be used against them for extending support to the NPA then why was it not used when they extended support to the NPF-led DAN in 2003?.

On the fate of the nine rebel NPF legislators whose resignations were accepted after the voting took place, the NPCC said "The resignations of seven out of the nine NPF MLAs subsequently accepted, has no bearing as to the counting on the floor of the House when the voting took place; and as far as the two NPF MLAs are concerned, disqualification proceedings are yet to be initiated against them, which means that they continue to be MLAs with full rights even as of date". The release said NPF president Dr Shurhozelie in his recent statement had instead, only managed to expose how the rules and procedures were misused by the Speaker in an attempt to take people for a ride.

Describing the order of the Speaker as a "total farce" on the Constitution, the NPCC said his interim order did not grant any interim disqualification while permitting Members to participate in the proceedings, giving the right to vote on all other questions for decision before the House. "It itself indicates that the rights of the Members have not been taken away and there is no interim order of disqualification".

GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF NAGALIM
Ministry of Information and Publicity

Press Statement Saturday, December 29, 2007

It is unfortunate that for the mistakes committed by some defectors among the Sumis, the Naga National issue is being contaminated on communal line. But thank God, not all Sumis are carried away by such misleading programs in the name of Naga unification. Salvation of the Nagas shall come through the faithful followers whose integrity and steadfastness, history will honor and respect.
In the prevailing situation, the Nagas as a whole, need to be cautious in passing judgment between the right and the wrong. There is no way to be pretentious on the part of the NSCN because the ground reality will prove it wrong if false statements are just supplied for public consumption. There is no time to play with the people’s sentiment without the solid foundation when the Naga national issue is being turned into the melting pot of the Naga societies. But the truth will come out soon and the truth will guide the Naga nation. The Nagas’ faith in God needs to be strengthened and the will of God has to be given priority over individual interest. This is the crux of the Naga people when faced with such crisis as engineered by Indian intelligent agencies, determined to put a stumbling block in the Indo–Naga political solution.

Issued by MIP/GPRN
NSCN Unification Camp reacts Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Dec 28 (NPN): The NSCN Unification Camp said it had been maintaining utmost restraint in order to pave the way for peaceful and fruitful reconciliation and unification among Nagas.
A release issued by the publicity cell of NSCN Unification Camp said maintaining the spirit of unity and peaceful approach had been its only recourse despite repeated "provocations and mindless allegations" against it. The release said dubbing leaders of Unification Team as "anti-Naga, spineless, unprincipled and communal force" was highly malicious and a direct threat to the unification of Nagas.
Meanwhile, the NSCN Unification Camp warned that stern action would be taken against anyone who would vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of unification process through anti-social acts.
Maram – island of peace in Manipur From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
MARAM (Manipur), Dec 28 – Amidst the turmoil and violence in Manipur’s everyday life, Maram in Senapati district bordering Nagaland this season is experiencing not only a festive mood but a pleasantly peaceful time.

It’s neither the hangover of Christmas nor the New Year eve festive mood but the normal lifestyle of this Maram community dominated hill station. “Yes, ours is one of the most peaceful place”, echoes K Raina, local MLA. “That’s why we’ve been celebrating Christmas every year since the last one decade and more without any break”, he informed.

Maram Bazar is a small hill town inhabited by almost all communities living in the State with the majority being Maram tribes.

A vegetable trader L Premila, who hails from Khoyathong in Imphal while interacting with this reporter shared a similar sentiment over the peaceful nature of this hill town. “We’ve been here for the last 37 years, but the town remains so peaceful”, she feels. The only problem is the road and communication, she added.

As celebrated in the past, with the theme ‘amaze of cradle manger’, the town located along the infamous NH 39 witnessed XIV Combined Merry Christmas 2007 festival at Mara bazaar club compound on Thursday.

Former Deputy Speaker of the Manipur Assemby and Local MLA K Raina and V S Malik, Commanding Officer of 22 Assam Rifles posted at Maram were the speakers of the main celebration.

Games and sports among the different age groups of various communities residing in the town,worship session, fashion show, cultural dance sequences, song competitions etc were the main highlights of the day’s celebration.

K Kasing Peter, president of MBYSO also delivered an introductory speech on the occasion.

Prior to the main celebration, not only the people of all communities including Marams, Meiteis, Nepalis, Biharis, Marawalis, etc., but all ranks of 22 Assam Rifles joined together for an indigenous grand feast at the 100 years old Maram Inspection Bunglow complex.

Korean national detained by state police The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 28: A Korean national who was found entering Manipur without mandatory documents was rounded up by the police on Wednesday last and produced before the district magistrate today, a report said.

The Korean national was identified as John Chen Choi, a resident of 299 Mill road, Toronto, Canada. He reportedly entered the Manipur territory by road through national highway-39 which passes through Nagaland state.

He was found taking shelter at Eastern Colony near the Senapati bridge, the source said. When police checked him, no documents needed for entering the state under the restricted area permit regime which is in force in the state.

Will the history of betrayal be repeated?- Nagaland Post
There is no occasion more befitting and demanding than the prevailing situation to assert in the most serious manner that the wage of hypocrisy, deception, lies and falsehood is to face condemnation from God and the Naga people.
Pressing to the limit of human endurance, deception has taken a dangerous color and all in the name of Naga Unification. Swearing in the name of God, who will stand up to say that the process of Naga Unification necessitates indulgence in illegal tax collection (extortions) kidnapping for ransom and all such demeaning activities that only anti-Naga and anti-social elements will dare to do?
The process of unification when started on wrong footing naturally has no compunction to resort to any such criminal programs, when faced with Naga public scrutiny who refuse to buy such high sounding agenda without knowing the truth. Because the magnitude of the Naga unity problems dictates the serious-minded Nagas to be extra careful and behold, the true color of the unity agenda is gradually in the process of unfolding; what unification team preaches and shouts is not supported by the ground realities. Because the ground realities are all about anti-unification programs like arms collection and imparting trainings to Sumi youth front, preparation of stone erection at Inavi Village, collection of money from Dimapur amounting to crores of rupees. Can the Nagas be fooled with such cheap agenda? Can Sumis dictate unification with such criminal programs?
History will bear witness to the unfolding events to point out who is among the Naga tribe to betray the Naga nation again. The most disturbing question that is striking the conscience of every Naga is- 'Will the history of betrayal be repeated?'
MIP, GPRN NSCN (IM)
‘ULFA will be wiped out in next 10 years’ The Morung Express
Guwahati, December 29 (Zeenews): The ULFA will be wiped out in the next ten years, a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) officer expressed confidence on Friday. "The ULFA has turned out to be the worst enemy of the people and will be totally wiped out within the next ten years," Air Marshal P K Barbora, the AOC-in-C Western Air Command Designate said here.
Commenting on the derailed peace process with the ULFA, Barbora said ULFA's demand was "ridiculous" and thus there was no headway. "ULFA is demanding sovereignty, but from whom? Are the people of Assam not enjoying the same benefits under the constitution as the people of other states?" he asked. Barbora who takes up his new assignment on January one had been criticised by the ULFA for his statement earlier that the outfit was divided.
"The ULFA is a divided lot and of late their ideology has been to extort money for their leaders to lead a luxurious life style in foreign countries," Barbora, who relinquished office of the AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command recently, had said.
ULFA leader Paresh Barua’s sister contesting panchayat polls The Morung Express
Tinsukia/Dibrugarh, December 29 (Agencies): Charting a different path from his brother, ULFA 'Commander-in-Chief' Paresh Baruah's sister has entered into the fray for the upcoming panchayat polls in Assam.
Hirawati Baruah Chetia, the only sister of the separatist ULFA leader, is contesting as an Asom Gana Parishad candidate for the councillor of Baruahola village panchayat in Upper Assam's Tinsukia district, official sources said. Amidst busy campaigning in her constituency in Bessaponi area, Hirawati said she entered the fray with the sole intention of solving numerous problems faced by the people.
Bessopani area is the native place of Hirawati's mother Miliki Baruah who has always been very vocal against ULFA and cast her vote in the last assembly elections in the state.
Interestingly, while Paresh Baruah remained under ground as an insurgent, his family members are employed in various security forces.
Baruah's eldest brother Bimal Baruah is working in the supply depot of army at Panitola while elder brother Pradip is serving in the 2nd mountain division headquarters, engaged in anti-ULFA operations at Dinjan in Dibrugarh district.
Hirawati's husband Uma Kanta Chetia had just retired from the CRPF.
Arrests shatter rebel stereotype A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Dec. 28: Assam has woken up to the reality that anybody can be an Ulfa militant or conduit: the college student next door, the amiable neighbour who works as an office clerk or the familiar vegetable vendor in the market.
The stereotype of the rebel as a gunslinging desperado who does his job and disappears into a jungle hideout was shattered today by the arrest of 21 residents of the capital city for playing varied roles in Ulfa’s network of subversion.
The list includes a second-year higher secondary student of Dispur College, Bhabesh Talukdar, a first-year BA student of the Jalukbari-based Sanskrit College, Ajit Kalita, a clerk at the K.C. Das Commerce College, Prafulla Chandra Barman, an employee of the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd, Haren Medhi, and a vegetable vendor, Sailendra Pathak.
A youth who worked as a waiter in the canteen of GNRC Hospitals for three years, Amit Deka, was arrested yesterday for his involvement in the Hengerabari blast on August 8. All the arrests were part of a planned crackdown by the police to bust Ulfa’s extensive network in the city. “We rounded up 25 people in the past two days, of whom 22 were arrested on specific charges. The 21 people arrested today were remanded in police custody,” a police officer involved in the crackdown said.
Six persons were arrested by Dispur police, three each in Panbazar, Basistha and Bharalumukh, two each in Geetanagar and Chandmari, and one each in Jalukbari and Fatasil Ambari. Two of them, Pankaj Rajbongshi and Sailendra Pathak, are militants of Ulfa’s 709 Battalion and the rest are allegedly conduits who did the outfit’s bidding in return for money. Some of the conduits provided shelter and logistical support to Ulfa militants, identified potential targets for extortion and helped smuggle weapons and explosives into the city. “Rajbongshi is trained to handle sophisticated explosives,” the officer said. The crackdown, led by superintendent of police (operations) Jitmol Doley, was based on information that Ulfa commander Hira Sarania was rebuilding the outfit’s network of conduits for a series of subversive plans. More arrests are expected over the next few days.
“Ulfa has changed its modus operandi to make up for the depletion of its cadre strength. The outfit’s leaders usually do not enter the city; they execute their nefarious designs though a well-oiled network of conduits and lower-ranked members,” the officer said. Amit, for instance, worked as a canteen waiter without anybody suspecting him of being a militant under Sarania’s command. He had four addresses in the city, just in case the police got a whiff of his Ulfa connection.
The officer said it was even more difficult to identify conduits. “It is not easy to sniff out somebody without a criminal record,” he added.
Govt's decision on release of jailed ULFA leaders by Jan 5
Deepikaglobal.com
Guwahati, Dec 29 (UNI) Jnanpith awardee and chief ULFA peace interlocutor Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami today said a decision to release five jailed ULFA leaders, which was set as a precondition by the outfit for resumption of peace talks, was likely to materialise by January 5.

Talking to reporters on the sideline of a book release function here, Dr Goswami said Congress general secretary Verrapa Moily has informed here that a decision on whether to release the jailed leaders was likely to be taken by January 5.

Mr Moily, who is also the party in-charge of Assam, had expressed interest in breaking the stalemate in the peace process since last year after the initial progress had fallen apart following the government's insistence on a written assurance by the ULFA of talks and the latter’s demand for release of its five leaders before further progress.

Dr Goswami said, ''Mr Moily understands the problems of the state and has expressed a positive interest in taking the peace process forward.'' Stating that there had been positive development in the state, she said, ''If talks with ULFA begins, other outfits will also follow to the negotiation table and the insurgency problem confronting the state will be solved to a great extent.'' The past year had been a struggling one for the state and the new year brings hopes for peace, the noted litterateur added.

On ULFA's sincerity for talks, Dr Goswami said, ''I have learnt from reliable sources that the ULFA will initiate the process after their leaders are set free and not returned to the jungles.

The top five ULFA leaders in jail were ULFA ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain, 'vice-president' Pradip Gogoi, 'publicity secretary' Mithinga Daimary, 'cultural secretary' Pranati Deka and senior leader Ramu Mech.