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01/29/2008: "Base of Naga unification- Nagaland Post"

Base of Naga unification- Nagaland Post

Time and again the GPRN/NSCN has clearly clarified its stand on Naga unification vis-à-vis the demands of the Naga people to end senseless hostility and bloodsheds among the Nagas.
The on-going Naga unification derives its strength from the support of the people. It is based on the solid foundation of trust, faith and confidence as reposed among different social, tribal and political institutions of the Nagas including workers from different revolutionary groups mutually agreeing in good faith and in the true spirit of National reconciliation and unification to stop internecine fratricides and mindless killings.
It is only the headstrong and self-centered individuals taking refuge at Hebron, for their selfish manias, are desperately trying to hijack the Naga unification and thus arrogantly ignoring the call of the Nagas to unite.
In the history of any Nation across the globe, we find no Nation whose national principle is based on divisionism, hatred, killings and suppression of their own people and no national principle that go against the popular wish of the people.
The popular wish and demand of the Nagas to restore peace, unity, fraternity, dignity and oneness in the Naga country is the sole basis and conviction upon which the principle of Naga unification is founded and would be carried forward with the same mandate.
If the initiative undertaken by apex Naga organizations like Naga Hoho, NBCC, ENPO, NMA and various apex tribal hohos, students etc is to be derided and condemned as devoid of moral integrity, does it imply that those stationed at Hebron and opposing the Naga unification alone possess moral integrity to initiate Naga unification.
The entire Nagas cannot be held at ransom by vested sectarian preachers and the future of the Nagas cannot further be put at stake merely for self-gratification of such elements.
Publicity Cell, GPRN/NSCN.
Sumis for broad based unification



Posted by admin on Tuesday, January 29, 2008


Dimapur, JAN27 [NPN] : The Sumi Hoho Sunday reiterated its stand that “Sumis stand for broad-based unification of all the Nagas irrespective of arbitrarily imposed boundaries”.


A release issued by Sumi Hoho president Hokishe Yepthomi disclosed that amidst confusions in the minds of people on the issue of Naga unification, a delegation under the leadership of Sumi Hoho president Hokishe Yeptho and its advisor Vitokhe Assumi called on NSCN (I-M) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu in Bangkok on January 23. The two sides met in a cordial atmosphere with mutual acceptance of views where Swu had suggested that participation of Sumis in Naga unification must be under the “principle of forgive, forget and reconciliation” and that Sumis should play the mediating role among Nagas to pave the way for ultimate Naga unification, regardless of artificial physical boundaries.
NSCN rebel in former minister’s house held OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Itanagar, Jan. 28: A Naga militant was arrested from the house of a former minister of Arunachal Pradesh from the heart of the capital city last evening.
Tikhon Mossang, an “assistant section officer” of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), was playing cards with a government employee when the police barged in.
Superintendent of police of Papum Pare district, Hibu Tamang, today said the police raided the house of former minister Tingpong Wangham at Senki park after receiving specific information about the presence of the militant there.
Shomam Wangpan, a stenographer working at the chief engineer’s office of water resources development in Itanagar was the rebel’s card partner for the evening, police said. He is an acquaintance of the former minister.
Mossang hails from Namphia village of Miao subdivision under Changlang district and was suspected to be hiding in different places in the capital and was wanted by the police. A loaded pistol, extortion notes and other incriminating documents were seized from him.
The police said Mossang had served extortion notices to several ministers, high-ranking government officials and politicians.
Wangham, in whose house he was found last evening, held the public works department portfolio in 2003 and 2004 in the Gegong Apang and Mukut Mithi-led Congress ministries.
A resident of Longding circle in Tirap district, Wangham, when contacted today, pleaded he was innocent.
“I was out of station at the time of the arrest. I learnt about the incident from the police only after the NSCN (I-M) rebel was arrested from my residence last night. Neither do I know the cadre, nor any of my family members have any relationship with him.”
The arrest sent the police authorities a tizzy, as the incident comes just days ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s two-day visit to the state on January 31. This is the first time that a rebel has been arrested from a former minister’s house in Arunachal Pradesh. In August last year, 12 militants and a cache of arms were found at the official residence of three MLAs and a former legislator of the ruling Congress in Manipur.
Urgency to tackle conflicts in NE The Morung Expres
Simon Wilson, British Dy. High Commissioner speaking during the inaugural day of a workshop, organised by Center for Development and Peace Studies, Guwahati on January 28 at Guwahati. (UB/Photos)
Guwahati, January 28 (PTI): Conflict was a scourge on all development activities and needed to be addressed, more so in the north east region faced with various natural challenges, British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India Simon Wilson said on Monday.
“Conflict does not only destabilise significant parts of this region, but also deters growth”, he said. “Apart from the tragic loss of life and displacement of people, conflict has catastrophic economic effects - depriving people of their livelihood, homes and farmland, property and other access to basic facilities like education and healthcare”, he pointed out.
“With development being stunted, employment opportunities shrink and economic stagnation leads to frustrations which add to instability”, Wilson said at a `Workshop on Identity and Development: The twin Challenges in India’s Northeast’ here organised by the Centre for Development and Peace Studies.
“Conflict, which invariably only sustains criminals and terrorists, is most shattering on the world’s poorest and helpless people. Conflict as a rule undermines rights to freedom of expression and transparency in the judicial process”, he emphasised.
“The UK is actively supporting conflict prevention around the globe and working closely with the governments on this issue by addressing long-term structural causes of conflict and supporting post-conflict reconstruction”, the deputy high commissioner said.
100 houses gutted The Morung Express
Children retrieving whatever they can from the charred remains. (MExPix)
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 28 (MExN): In a devastating fire, up to 100 households and eight garages were burnt at Golaghat Road near New Field Check Gate. Five fire trucks were pressed into service to contain the fire that broke out at around 10:30 am this morning. According to police, an electric short-circuit is suspected to have started the fire which destroyed the numerous bamboo and tin houses. Police sources said that properties worth up to a crore have been lost in the inferno.
The fire also destroyed seven trucks, garage machineries and two grocery stores. DMC member from ward II, Khekaho, was at the site of the fire supervising rehabilitation efforts while, former MLA Atomi Zhimomi and former minister and Congress candidate from Dimapur II A/C Imtisungit Jamir met with the affected families.
Unification: too many cooks? The Morung Express Perspective
Unification? Who doesn’t like unification? Every Naga wants unification. But what happens when unification is prostituted?
When I was young, I loved to go fishing in the streams. The fresh fish, prawns and crabs steamed in bamboo tasted delicious. But on one such trip with two of my friends, each of us, without the others knowing, put salt in the curry. When our catch was finally cooked, we couldn’t eat the fish because it was too salty. We ended up washing the cooked fish in the stream, but by then the delicious flavor was gone. As the saying goes, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” Naga unification is something like that. With too many people working on unification, the result is a naklification (duplication) of unification and that causes a mess.
The one bit of good news is that factional killings have reduced since mid-November. For some, this can be read as a sign that those involved in this “unification” are well intentioned.
On the other hand, Nagas’ mistrust of this “unification” is realistic and not unfounded. Whatever it is, the present “unification” has not received the blessings and support of the top leadership of any of the factions.
A positive thing emerging is the fact that Nagas are not as gullible as they were at earlier times. We are becoming more analytical about the future of our own nationalist movement and becoming more critical of the various factions who are claiming to champion the cause of the Nagas. It is also about time that Nagas should be critical of their leaders and their integrity instead of blindly following anybody who cries unification. Nagas should seriously question who their leaders are – many of whom are self-styled.
If the current “unification” efforts by some of these self-styled leaders is to unify the warring Naga factions, the intention is good and should be supported. But if in the name of unification, the intention is to start another faction leading to more tax, extortion and intimidation of Naga people, it should be stopped as soon as possible.
The other day, a prominent Naga businessman in Dimapur told me, “We are being over taxed in the name of unification.” Another Naga businessman in Dimapur said to a friend of mine, “We are wondering what this unification is really about. In the name of unification the organizers have asked us to give them a new vehicle. We have given the same people so many vehicles when they were in IM and K. Non–Naga businessmen have been abducted and forced to give money, and they (sic) have already collected several crores already that way. We are all so tired of these people."
From what has gone on so far, the present “unification” has the typical character traits of another faction: alleged kidnappings, extortion, intimidations, threats, split groups and self-styled leadership. Instead of GPRN and FGN we now have PAN (Peoples Army of Nagaland). I wonder who vested all the ranks and positions on these people? And as usual, intimidation is the only language our Naga undergrounds know. Observing “the prevailing silence of some Naga intellectuals, social leaders, civil societies and some Naga tribes on the “unification” issue,” “brig” Niki Sumi of the ‘unification” group even warned, “If non-cooperation and non-participation of such section should jeopardize Naga unification and thus consequently bring woes and destruction upon the Nagas or their own tribe, sole responsibility would be borne by them and none (sic) should be blamed”. But, for anyone intent on genuine unification of all Nagas, intimation and coercion will only be counter productive.
Rightfully and prudently the Naga intellectuals and many of the Hohos are keeping their distance and silence. It is about time that Nagas question and refuse to be bullied by force and guns.
For the interest of all the Nagas, there are some questions that we need to ponder in order not to become victims of manipulation. If unification is the real intent, why are we having so much war of words? I have been reading the press releases, rejoinders, allegations and counter allegations by the “unification” group, all of which have been authored by a Sumi or someone claiming to be a Sumi, with all self-styled ranks, of course. Of the 27 members dismissed by the NSCN (IM) on January 21, except for two Yimchungers and one Kuki, the other 24 are all Sumis. To any intelligent observer, this speaks volumes. Aren’t there members from other communities in the “unification” group? If yes, what rank and role are they playing? Or is it supposed to be a monopoly by one community?
Most of the press releases by the Hohos and NGOs have emphasized a unification of all Naga areas. So, if people are serious about unification of all Nagas, why are the Nagas, including the ones in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal and Burma not included in the dialogue? I have read that the Sumi Hoho met with the Konyak Hoho and other NGOs, but I have not read that they met with the Southern Nagas or with the Tangkhuls for that matter. If not, why is it so?
Why are certain communities being singled out as non-supportive when most other tribal Hohos have kept silent? Most press releases by NGOs such as tribal Hohos and Naga Hoho, have supported unification which is inclusive of all the Naga tribes. Why it is then the “unification” group continues to alienate a particular Naga community? Isn’t this a contradiction of the very word unification? Or do Undergrounds have a different meaning for unification?
Naga factions have been too busy building up the factions and solidifying their territories like some warring gangs or warlords that there is no space for a common good and vision of the Nagas. Or perhaps, as Akum Longchari once shared with me, “We focus so much in terms of state building, in terms of the demarcation of the territory, but we have not dwelt enough on nation building which is building good relationship between the different nations.”
One of the elements that unite the various Naga communities is our food habit. Among the Nagas, Lotha dishes are very popular. So I felt deflated one day when an Angami gentleman told me he didn’t like Lotha chicken curry. “Why?” I asked him. “The taste of chicken is lost because they put too much bamboo shoot. Even when you eat, your fingers smell of bamboo shoot and not chicken.” This unification is something like that. We have put too many ingredients such as power mania, false ego, shortsightedness, gullibility, and opportunism in it. The end result is that what is happening is not unification but baklafication (creating madness). Indeed, there ARE too many cooks in the stew of Naga unification.
-Abraham Lotha

Do not wash dirty linen in public- Nagaland Post
I wish the kitchen politics to be sorted out in the kitchen of our area instead of going out in the full view of all the Nagas revealing to our fellow friend our lack of sense of maturity and intellectual.
I do not mind for parties calling names and raising propaganda for the chief cause of gaining numbers that what it is in the world of Politics and vote courting, but I do want our people in the Area with big nametags and offices in their footstool should go and put every effort to gain self effort trust and confidence at the cost of the society's welfare and community conjugal existence.
I wish to cite the press statement given by various office head in the Congress Party of the 7th Peren A/C, where the statement amount to Personal and individual enmity put the Politics in the shape and style of individual affairs. What we are now can never be tomorrow and what we were yesterday can never be today, for which I want our leaders like them to think twice before letting out all held loose, where human integrity and value is challenge for the shake of one political gimmicks and whims.
I would rather say let us call our self worthy to be trust and believe if we are to go out in the full scale paper war that they have declared. The paradox of given a person accountable for what anything happen can better be term as psycho-phobias in the world of politics which now maturity and intellectual count, nobody can have the right to decide anyone's capability and accountability for the shake of our prejudice, it can only be reveals and taken into account by the work and job one undertake as a leader, Who else can be a leaders if we are to give account of what evil comes up in the Society? Can anyone blame the other for the effect of Naga Society driving topsy-turvy? I do not wish my fellow citizen to turn cheap politicians turning issues into individual approach.
The fact remains and Vatsii Meru can never be blame for what Naga Army does or decide. And nobody can deny the fact that He is not only qualified but have a vision and integrity to lead the people, and it is for people to see that his Supporter who vote him to success not because of what He is but for the cause of his vision and integrity will remain as ever for the area to see. I hope no self-style leaders make use of the fact that we are honest, innocent and just for the cause of individual whims and fancy.
K. Kakam, President, Southern Zeliang Wrestling Association, Peren

Big cache of arms seized in Guwahati PTI Times of India
GUWAHATI: A big cache of arms and explosives were on Monday recovered from Pandua area of the city here, police said.

Patrolling personnel of CRPF's 65 Battalion found the explosives from a polythene packet kept under a boat moored on the banks of Brahmaputra river near the office of Government Railway Police Superintendent at Pandua, they said.

The seized materials include three Austrian grenades, three Universal Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), two kg of RDX, one kg of gunpowder, two detonators and half kg of gelatine powder.

The CRPF handed over the explosives to the Assam police. Police have launched a search operation to nab the persons involved in carrying the explosives but no arrests have been made so far, the sources added.

Timber smuggling network busted OUR CORRESPONDENT North Cachar
Jan. 28: The confiscation of two teak-laden trucks in Hojai subdivision has revealed the existence of an inter-district network of timber smugglers working in association with the North Cachar Hills forest department staff.
Hojai forest division officials stopped the trucks at a checkgate last month. The trucks were carrying 1,700 cubic feet of teak from Langting Mupa reserve forest in the North Cachar Hills.
A department source said subsequent investigation revealed a nexus between the timber smugglers, owners of illegal saw mills and dishonest department officers.
The drivers had submitted fake transit passes to carry 1,295 cubic feet of ordinary grade timber. The Lumding range office under Hojai forest division had allegedly issued the transit passes.
“The failure of the North Cachar Hills forest department to keep a close watch over the forests has aggravated the situation,” the source said. The source added that the North Cachar Hills forest department and the northern circle conservator of forests have constituted an official inquiry into the matter, after questioning persons related to the scam.
The Lumding range officer claimed that one of the two trucks had loaded 700 cubic feet ordinary wood in Lumding and moved on towards Mandardisa.
The owner of the trucks said his truck was taken on lease. The drivers and the conductors also claimed to be innocent, as they were not aware of the discrepancy between the amount and nature of the timber in the truck and on the papers. Timber smuggling has destroyed nearly 75 per cent of the green cover in the two NC Hills reserve forests — Langting Mupa and Krumging.
“Till 1995, sunlight could barely penetrate these reserve forests. Now one has to search quite a bit for a patch of shade,” said a villager in Langting. According to department records, more than 800 hectares of these reserve forests were covered under an aforestation drive and eight nurseries were set up for jatropha cultivation. No forest department officers are seen inside the reserve forests. When asked about the massive deforestation, senior officials say the presence of militants prevents them from going inside the forests.
Time for investors to follow “Look East” policy Nagaland Page
Mumbai, January 27: The economic potential of the Northeast region has increased manifold after the Central government adopted ''Look East'' policy, making it attractive for prospective investors.
''The Northeast is a very different and unique part of India and there are lot of areas that have not been explored yet,'' said Governor of Manipur and Meghalaya S S Sidhu, who was here to present the economic potential of the region.
Things may however change for the better as the investments of the Central government's ''Look East'' policy, implemented two decades ago, seems to be bearing fruits, making the region more attractive for potential investors, he said.
For long, the Northeast slipped under the radar of not only business houses but also the general public, making the region and its people an enigma for the rest of the country.
The region, inhabited by 40-odd lakhs of people (39.04 lakhs as per 2001 census) from over 200 ethnic communities and covering 2.62 lakh sq km, had seldom made inroads into the public's consciousness.
Therefore, private investments in the region were rare and low. The region has large reserves of coal, lime, coke ash and uranium, which are being utilised. And surveys are being undertaken for more minerals, oil and natural gas. Its closeness to Myanmar can provide access to its massive natural gas reserves.
Private companies are also harnessing 30,000 mega watt of hydel power in the region and twice the amount is still unexplored. Cargo movement down the Brahmaputra and Barak waterways offers easy access to the ports of Chittagong (Bangladesh) and Mandalay (Myanmar).
Access to these international ports could open the whole South East Asian markets, Sidhu said.
The region is rich in bio-diversity, making it one of the world's top 27 areas, with 64% of its area under forest as compared to 19% of the country. There is also a huge potential for agriculture and horticulture-based industries.
In the tertiary sector, due to low economic growth, the Northeast has a large unemployed educated workforce. States like Mizoram and Meghalaya have already started exploring the IT, hospitality and insurance industries for the youth.
The government has laid out plans to set up Hotel Management institutes in each state of the region. Projects worth Rs 50,000 crore have been cleared for improving road and air connectivity, including the ''ASEAN highway'', which will connect the border town of Moreh and Bangkok. With the reopening of ''Stitwell Highway'' used during World War II, connecting Myanmar and China, it will strenghthen the region's weak infrastructure.
''98% of the region's 8,000 km-long border touches the international boundary lines and are gateways to the ASEAN, Chinese and Far East markets, where a healthy unregulated trade had already existed,'' said Governor Sidhu.
These will be supported by projects for 23 new airports to add to the 11 existing airports, which will not only increase trade but also open avenues for tourism.
Another Rs 10,000 core have also been earmarked for railways for better connectivity of the region with the rest of the country. It can be extended to a railway line connecting ASEAN countries.
According to Sidhu, each of the state has a robust tourism industry with regular inflow of foreign tourists and is also being promoted under ''Paradise Unexplored'' theme and the ''Inner Line Permit'' (ILP), necessary for visitors in the region, is in the process of being phased out.
When questioned about insurgency, the Governor said most of the region, excluding small parts of Assam and Manipur, are free from it and in Nagaland there is a cease-fire between the government and the NSCM (IM) group. (UNI)
Move to oust Manipur Chief Minister intensified Sentinel
IMPHAL, Jan 28: Ahead of Manipur assembly’s budget session, the crisis in ruling Congress took a new dimension as party chief Gaikhangan threw his weight on the dissidents’ side demanding ouster of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.
The majority of 31 Congress legislators in the 60-member house divided in two camps are now camping in New Delhi and wooing AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, to prevail upon faction ridden party and save the government.
The dissident Congress MLAs and the Chief Minster, O Ibobi Singh, are both claiming to have support of at least eighteen legislators on their side.
The infighting in the party took a new turn as party’s Manipur unit president Gaikhangam was also reportedly backing the rebels, claimed a party source today.
The rebels headed by Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra wanted immediate change of guard claiming that Singh had failed to control the law-and-order situation.
Ibobi Singh, after serving the State as Chief Minister for a full-five-year term retained the power for the second term after the February 2007 election, was now facing an unprecedented rebellion from the party legislators.
The rebels had appointed Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra as their leader. However, Debendra had refused to take a flight to New Delhi for now and preferred to stay at his constituency at Jiribam. The rebels had requested Debendra to fly to New Delhi immediately. The rebel Congress MLAs were not happy with the refusal of Th Debendra to come to Delhi. They were claiming that Debendra had supported their move for ouster of Ibobi Singh.
The Chief Minister was also planning to go to Jiribam by a special helicopter, party sources said.
With the Budget session scheduled to begin from February 1, the fluid political situation within the Congress party was of concern for functioning of the crucial assembly session, said some political observers.
Another report said that the Chief Minister had reportedly proposed the name of Elangbam Kunjeshore, Congress MLA of Yaiskul Assembly constituency, to succeed his post in the government, another party source said. NCP President Radhabinod Koijam had also called upon the Congress party to resolve the crisis in the interest of the state. Taking a dig at the infighting, Koijam said the ministers were not concerned about the governance as they were busy in the internal politics which has been going on for the last three months. (UNI)
Nam Khan residents forced to contribute for VIP tour Myo Gyi Mizzima News
The Burmese military junta functionaries stop at nothing to fleece people. Authorities are coercing residents in Nam Khan to contribute money at the rate of Kyat 2,000 per household to spend in the inaugural ceremony of Nam Khan suspension bridge across the Shweli River. The ceremony will be attended by SPDC brass from Naypyidaw.
The new bridge will be opened on February 12 by SPDC brass. The local authorities collected money from the residents forcibly to spend in welcoming and entertaining the VIPs and for the inaugural ceremony. "The Township Peace and Development Council Chairman said Kyatt. 2,000 must be collected per household. They said the Prime Minister will come and open the bridge. The local authorities and local organizations will welcome the VIPs and they need money for dresses to be used for the function," a resident told Mizzima.
Nam Khan PDC Chairman said at the meeting with Ward and Village level PDC Chairmen that the required fund is at the rate of Ks. 2,000 per household. It must be collected from their respective administrative zones to be used for the bridge inaugural ceremony, sources close to local authorities said. The local authorities have arranged to summon 50 USDA members, 30 women from pro-junta Federation of Women and Maternity and Child welfare, 30 members from fire brigade and Shan and Lisaw ethnic races from each ward and village to the Shweli suspension bridge opening ceremony, this local resident added.
"Yes, they are collecting money for USDA uniforms. But they haven't yet said anything to the people in the township to welcome the VIPs. I think they will summon and inform the people from wards and village at short notice just before the function," another resident said.
The news has been circulated among the local people saying that SPDC Chairman Thein Sein will come to the opening ceremony and about 10,000 people will be summoned to attend the function. The new Shweli suspension bridge is 600 feet long, 24 feet wide and 35 feet high. It is situated on Nam Khan – Bahmo highway, built near Mang Wing village in 2003, three miles from Nam Khan.