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01/30/2008: ""Naga issue has potential to become intl issue": Dr Shurhozelie Source: NEPS / Oken Jeet Sandham"



"Naga issue has potential to become intl issue": Dr Shurhozelie Source: NEPS / Oken Jeet Sandham


Kohima, January 29: NPF President and former senior DAN Minister Dr Shurhozelie said the problem in "Nagaland is national problem" and further cautioned that it had the potential to become an "international problem" one day.

Talking to NEPS here at his official residence on Tuesday, the former Planning and Urban Development Minister regretted that even after 60 years of Indian Independence, the Government of India was yet to realize that the Naga problem was a "national problem." "They (Indian government) take it as a local problem," he rued adding, "They should first acknowledge the problem (Naga issue) as a national problem".

Explaining further, Dr Shurhozelie stated they were neighbors to mighty nations like China and further cautioned that the Naga problem had the potential to become an "international problem" one day. "We don't want the Naga issue to reach to that category," he averred.

"We still hope that the Indian Government realizes this reality sooner than later." He, however, lamented that while the masters in Delhi worked towards finding settlement to the Naga issue, their agencies were working here otherwise. Asked what differences he felt about the coming general elections than what they had in five years ago (2003), the NPF chief recalled about the last general elections saying they were not in the House last time due to non-participation in the 1998 general elections.

"Therefore we faced a lot of difficulty, when the other side used too much money," he said.
"Otherwise, we had everything at our disposal as the public were with us".

But this time they (Congress) were going to fight as opposition as such they may not be able to use money as much as they used last time, he pointed out.

"This is the difference," he said. "For us we remain the same".

Stating that their prime objective was political issue, Dr Shurhozelie said the Congress people, in the past, talked too much about the settlement of the Naga political problem. "But on our part, we said the state government can only act as a mediator".

Reiterating their continued support to the ongoing peace process, the veteran regionalist said when the underground people were divided, the Government of India would find difficulty in entering into any settlement including piecemeal method as such arrangement would not bring any permanent settlement.

"So we continued to work for a permanent settlement to the Naga political problem," he added. "So we appealed to the wisdom of the underground friends to understand this".
With regard to the reconciliation initiated by some people, Dr Shurhozelie opined that it was a very good step but in the beginning proper consultation was not done.
That was how people were critical about it, he explained adding, a proper consultation amongst underground groups was need and that was what the "Naga people want".

* The writer can be contacted at oken_jeet(at)yahoo(dot)com .
'Unification' dilutes election fever in Nagaland Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, January 29: Two things have been dominating the current Nagaland scene the forthcoming assembly election and the 'NSCNs unification' issue. The election fever in Nagaland this time has been, to a great extent, diluted by the NSCNs unification issue and which will subsequently have an immense impact in the forthcoming Nagaland Assembly election.

Nagaland goes to poll on March 5 for the 60 assembly constituencies. With just little more than a month away for the election, the household talks in Nagaland is either the NSCNs unification topic or the assembly election matter.
Given the prevailing situation the mood of the people with regard to the assembly election is yet to pick up to the heat as expected which is otherwise, by this time, the state would have been on the verge of bursting out into the election euphoria as in previous elections. All had begun with the November 24 Niuland declaration where Azheto (former NSCN-IM home minister) and C. Singson (NSCN-K external minister) led group had announced to form the 'Unification Team of NSCNs'.
The 2008 Nagaland assembly election will be a different one. The wave of the general public is going to be definitely swayed accordingly, as in what direction the prevailing atmosphere in the NSCNs' tussle blows. This is, however not to say that the NSCNs will involve in the election.

The Sema tribe based organisations from top to the grass-root level have been in the all-out backing to the Azheto-Singson led 'Unification NSCN' and it will not be a wrong assumption to say that the Niuland declaration of November 24 is another influential factor that had triggered to the series of resignations of ministers, MLAs and 'parliamentary secretaries' from their respective political parties while conditioning and positioning for the forthcoming assembly election.

Citing this 'wind of change' the unfurling development in the NSCNs tussle will also determine the Nagaland assembly election. The situation in Nagaland particularly in Dimapur is fluid and unpredictable, if one has to take into account the present configuration.
‘Unification is to end hostility, bloodsheds’ morungexpress
Dimapur, January 29 (MExN): The NSCN unification group has stated that it had time and again 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.
Pointing out that the on-going Naga unification derives its strength from the support of the people, a press note issued by the Publicity Cell stated that this was 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”.
As such the Publicity Cell note stated that it was “only the headstrong and self-centered individuals taking refuge at Hebron, for their selfish manias”, who were “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 Publicity Cell note stated and pointed out that it was the “popular wish and demand of the Nagas to restore peace, unity, fraternity, dignity and oneness in the Naga country” and that this was the “sole basis and conviction upon which the principle of Naga unification is founded and would be carried forward with the same mandate”.
The press note pointed out that if the initiative undertaken by apex Naga organizations like Naga Hoho, NBCC, ENPO, NMA and various apex tribal hohos, students etc was 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”.
In this regard, it stated that 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”.

Confronting Monologue! morungexpress Editorial One reason why Nagas in recent times find themselves in a perpetual state of arrestation is because of the manner in which ‘monologue’ has become so embedded into the ethos of daily life. Indeed the healthy and dynamic practice of dialogue which was central to the Naga way of conducting human affairs has over time become into a dialogue between monologues. As a result, the monologues have only widened the possibilities of understanding because people are no longer listening to each others point of views. Consequently, each monologue only hears its own voice and because they are no longer listening to the other voices, they are unable to determine and identify the opinions which are found to be common. Is this not the reality of today’s time?
If only Nagas could patiently and actively listen to each others opinions and perspectives, perhaps the differences of views could be addressed meaningfully. However, the culture of monologue which has become the norm of the day prevents any process that resembles genuine dialogue. The culture of monologue feeds into the cycle of power where each voice asserts itself to drown other voices, and rather than being reflective, it assumes a form where it primarily takes the position which is reactive, defensive and self-righteous. This monologue is eating away the spirit of understanding and definitely undermining the ethos of democratic participation and ownership.
The culture of monologue is now prevalent in all spheres of Naga activity and it has infected all forms of human organization in the Naga realm of life and how it conducts it human affairs. Because Nagas have stopped dialoguing with each other, the monotone and bankruptcy of ideas and staleness of thoughts are setting into the psyche and preventing the creative realization of what the human mind can achieve. No wonder one finds that we are constantly repeating ourselves and actually have little or nothing new to say or do anymore. It’s like a music cd that has been overplayed.
Nagas must break out of this monologue and find new meaning and purpose of life again. While building on the legacy of what the elders have handed down to the present generation, we must ensure freshness to life. The existing monologue must be confronted and transcended so that the destiny of a people’s existence is no longer ambiguous, but one that gives people a reason to have hope. Overcoming the existing monologue demands a new consciousness and a way of life which is reflective and representative of a new system of conducting human affairs.
There is an imperative need to shift from a monologue to a dialogue, a dialogue which brings to public expression the issues that are essential towards defining the purpose and existence of life; and one that embodies an understanding, which embraces the understanding and acceptance of differences. Unless, Nagas as a people are able to search deep down within themselves to live again as a dynamic and creative political entity, the cycle of monologue will eat away the Naga capacity to exercise its ability to define and determine itself.
Rejoinder to ‘Congress: Destroyer of democracy’- Nagaland Post
It is really surprising to see some people totally contra-dicts with the reality of Congress party, just for the sake of gaining publicity and slandering the image of the people's popular party. Of course, they have their right to freedom of speech and expression and we respect it. Congress has always been and is open to criticism provided it has to be positive. But, since the aforementioned article is a total product of frustration and narrow vision, it is my humble duty to enlighten its creators and all the minds that have been polluted by this foul propaganda, and to give them the truth and nothing but the truth.
The formation of the Congress was the ultimate need of the pre-independent India and not a mere creation of a political party. The Indians suffered and they were crippled every single minute under the oppression of the mighty British regime. The people fought boldly but do not match for the strongly organized and politically matured Britishers. Centuries of suppression had overshadowed all hopes of the ignorant and poor Indians. Then the people started to realize that fighting with muscular strength would never do. The situation demanded an organized and modern organization based on intelligence and unity to cope with the then most advanced Empire. It was the wisdom and courage of the Indians combined with their thirst for freedom, honor and self-determination that gave birth to the first organized political front of India, namely Indian National Congress, in the year 1885 A.D. Since then, this people's party has rendered innumerable and tireless valuable services to the nation till date. And, it is only because of the love and support of the people that Congress is prospering and serving for 123 years till this very day.
It is a fact that Nagas suffered immeasurable pain and loss during the past when President's Rule was imposed in Nagaland and it shall be always condoled by one and all forever. But the present imposition of President's Rule in Nagaland is nothing of such sort. It is a simple and clear development that has been constitutionally initiated only because DAN government was voted out of power in the recently held no-confidence motion. Hence the responsibility of running the administration of the state has been handed over to the governor and the bureaucratic setup temporarily, till the completion of the soon about to be held general election. Of course, the state shall be accredited with additional security forces but they will be hare only to ensure free and fair polls and not to caste votes or capture booths in favor of Congress. So any political party need not worry about that. But it's shocking to see some political parties exaggerate this topic so much just to foully gain the people's sympathy, misusing this topic as their polls' campaign banner. But the people are not blind and are wise enough to judge for themselves. So, I need not speak another word on this matter. This is democracy and people will get what they want. Lastly, I would like to remind all the concerned that it is the NPF that is in alliance with the biggest anti-democracy party (BJP) and not Congress. So, before calling Congress a destroyer of democracy, please note and study the actual facts.
Paul Angami, Secretary, District Youth Congress, Dimapur.
DNSU welcomes “unification” morungexpress
Dimapur, January 29 (MExN): The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union welcomes the ongoing “unification” move. While terming it to be a positive step, the DNSU also reminded that the “unification” must aim to bring all Naga tribes together. A note issued by the DNSU executives expressed appreciation and support to the “peace move” by the Western Sumi Hoho, Sumi Hoho and the joint forum of the Nagaland GBs and DBs. Such initiatives are the only ways to stop the fratricide amongst the Nagas, the organization stated. The union explained that “the students’ community particularly and the general populace had been dreaming of it way too long as Nagas have lost thousand and thousands of lives, killing same tribe, same community, same brothers and sisters by underground factions and when the dead (bodies) are brought to their families killed by different factions everybody cry out peace must be in our land.”
The union looks forward to a “real lasting peace and reconciliation” in the Nagas’ land. The DNSU also appeals to all underground workers, mass-based organization and “right-thinking citizens” to step forward for unity and reconciliation.
Girls from the Maram community...morungexpress


Girls from the Maram community bring out rice wine to be served to participants of ‘Kkang-hei’ festival held at Maram Khullen, Senapati District, Manipur on January 29. (Pix/UB Photos)
Comments (1 posted): T.Akum Ao on 29 January, 2008 07:57:58
This is the best paper i ever ever read it is in international standard form the web side is designed I,m so happy even to read the litter is big enough. In Nagalandpost.com we cannot enjoy reading the paper because the litter is so small and tiny to read through the internet thanks morung express for helping us we fill like home.

Akum Ao New York USA
Some Nagas own mountains morungexpress Write Wing Navneet
When the Berlin Wall collapsed the more affluent West Germany and her citizens did not want to share their wealth and privileges with East Germany who suffered much more as a nation post World War II.
“We did all the hard work,” these guys on the one side said. It took diplomatic efforts by leaders to convince the Western side that East Germany had to sacrifice for years on the West’s behalf.
The legacy of Phizo and his men lives on because it is the GUN which enabled Nagas to claim its rightful place. If you had chosen to be meek when faced with aggression, you’d be perhaps selling woolen garments to Indians in dirty city corners, something the Tibetan today are forced to do.
While I have no hesitation raising my finger on any NSCN(IM) topgun or middle rung who has amassed wealth , I can say with certainty that their assets are peanuts compared to some veteran politicians or contractors or businessman. I also know NSCN(K) leaders who live rather simple lives barely meeting their family needs.
“He owns two mountains”, is not an uncommon response by a Naga villager proudly stating about his favourite politician.
The wealth accumulated through legal and illegal means accrues to both Nagas of Nagaland as well as Nagas of Manipur. If someone is trying to compare the wealth with some real estate owners of Nagaland, we’d be in for some rude shock. Some Nagas have assets, land, property, stocks and hard cash (and cars) which are not known by most. If some NSCN Kilonser owns a Scorpio, 2 Gypsys and a bungalow worth 25 lakhs, the overground Naga – a businessman, contractor, politician – owns 7 cars (one worth 70 lakh), 5 Gypsies, 3 JCBs. He owns a flat each in Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi worth in crores. He owns about 200 Bighas of land just around Dimapur. He plays golf with the Indian Army in Rangapahar. And he does not pay Income Tax.
A single Angami, Sema or Ao family can feed a hundred impoverished Naga families in Manipur for two whole years without having to go to the bank to withdraw a penny. If you have heard of the tribals of Tripura, you have heard of the Nagas and Kukis in Manipur. The bad roads here are nothing compared to the bullock cart roads the Meiteis calls National Highways. Meiteis have money to travel in the half a dozen Airlines operating cheap flights to and from Imphal.
If a people can be misunderstood, it can spell a historical blunder. Of course, all Nagas of Manipur are not going to heaven, that I can assure you. But, I will not buy the propaganda that they are problem creators.
It is Nagas here, that too, so called “indigenous” Nagaland State people who has been duped by India over and over again. Will you bite the bait again this time?
Look East Policy (LEP) is being described as the only way the Indian Sub-Continent can ensure sustainable and affordable economic growth for decades to come. It will give business and commerce worth trillions of US Dollars and Nagas can enjoy parts of that. The only way to the South East has to pass through the very Naga areas of Manipur, perhaps less than 5 years from now. You need the goodwill of your Naga brethren and must reassure them that the Unification of the Naga Homeland and People is the ultimate destination. I shall conclude that the present confusion shall clear once you analyse and take bold steps. After all, only great leaders can take great and difficult decisions.
NSF played Judas’ role morungexpress Write Wing
The NSF turns to be one amongst the Naga Social Organizations who keep a wide gap between saying and doing. It is a great dismay that such a confident federation has mindlessly deceived the expectation of the people, deluding their senses by money alone and no longer stand to be the mouth piece of the Nagas. The Naga leaders are usurping an era of selling public interest in exchange of personal gain. This is tantamount of massacring a section of society who have less say and influence in the social background of Nag a society.
Earlier, the NSF had given so many press releases in regard to the retirement of Govt. employees in Nagaland. Why have they remained so silent now? There is something fishy in it. The HODs association were collecting in terms of lakh rupees spearheaded by Director of Industries, Secretary of Co-operation, Director of Art and culture are few to be mentioned, who espionage the tragic end. We can catalogue the list of donors who espionage the campaign of fund drive to buy NSF officials. These greedy HODs have collected gigantic amount to buy another three years to add in their service length. They even said that 5 lakh contribution from each HOD amounts to 2/3 months earning through illegal means from their respective departments. If there is HOD association why can’t non-HODs be also unionized? It is a crystal clear that there will be no retirement in the next three years and hence the avenue of appointment is completely halted. Enhancement of entry age to 35 years obviously proved no boon to un-employee youths within this stipulated time of long three years. It is said that NSF officials have been bought by paying handsome amount. We are inclined to believe it because it is advertant by their zooming and exorbitant life style. In our Naga society, some dance and other starve, the former at the cost of later. Such betrayal by our own leaders in the pretext of social workers shall never be erased from the memories of the people from generation to generation.
When recently, on 3rd December 2007, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union imposed bandh in Dimapur town in support of NSF demand for service length criteria of retirement, the NSF was so silent and not even acknowledged in the local media. We doubt the credibility and accountability of NSF. The NSF as a federation of young and growing youth should know the shoe pinch of our youths. Highly depressed, we outburst with the suggestion that other federating units should question the NSF assembly and deliberate in length on this crucial issue. The present team of NSF has no moral right to lead the student community and shou1d resign en masse.
Our former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has made a gross mistake in doing this injustice just to accommodate few of his men and cronies at the top who were at the verge of retirement. Thus, played vital role to discourage the service length criteria opined by many writers. It is a crucial hurt to unfortunate young minds waiting like a dead man’s shoes. The Naga leaders including NSF hardly know anything about the people of other section, nay, they did not bother if any other lower section of society exists. Even Rio should quote that this has substantially imprint negative impressions in the mindset for becoming so blind for the un-employees in the state. The beneficiary in the above superannuation age enhancement is few but who are sitting at the other side of the fence out numbered them. We have witnessed a wide chasm between practice and statement of the NSF and the government. We the Dimapur based un-employee youths keep our fingers crossed that the next government will ensure its biggest concern for the larger interest of Nagas. We still up hold the view that 60 years of superannuation or 33 years of service length is the best choice.

Tokavi Sumi, Alem Ao, Libenthung Kikon, Hukato Chishi Purana Bazar, Dimapur
Cong pits Seyie against Rio Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, Jan 29 (NPN): In an interesting development, though the Congress is yet to declare the candidature of Sevotso Seyie, party general secretary, Kohima District Congress Committee for Northern Angami-II A/C, NPCC vice president Khreidi Thenünuo Tuesday officially declared that Seyie would be pitted against former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of NPF.
Thenünuo told media persons here that the name of Seyie would be announced in the final list of ten remaining candidates. Talking to media persons, Seyie, who hails from Touphema, described Rio as a "dictator" and charged the former chief minister with dividing the people of the constituency into rich and poor. "Only five per cent of Rio's people are enjoying peace and plenty whereas the remaining lots are suffering and living from hand to mouth," Seyie said. Seyie invited the media persons to visit the constituency to see for themselves the real conditions of the villagers. Claiming that his philosophy was to save the weaker sections with the blessings of Congress high command, Seyie said "The fight will be between the rich and the poor and the wave has already been created."
War on trafficking OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph Kokrajhar
Jan. 29: A partnership between Bhutan and an NGO operating in the Bodo belt has become the bulwark of the campaign against transborder human trafficking and HIV/AIDS along the international border. A two-day workshop organised by the NEDAN Foundation in Kokrajhar generated a lively debate on the twin issues among Bhutanese officials and representatives of organisations from India and abroad.
The participants included Charito Riley of the US-based Centre for International Labour Solidarity, Madhurima Barua Sen of the Assam State Commission for Women, Antony Debbarma of the Borok Peoples’ Human Rights Organisation, Lakhikanta Athokpam of the Manipur Network of Positive People and experts from New Delhi and Calcutta.
Strategic planning and development of standard operational procedures in terms of rescue, repatriation and rehabiliation of trafficking victims and people with HIV were the topics of discussion at the workshop, which ended yesterday.
“This will not only strengthen our positive partnership to end human trafficking and AIDS in border areas but also help maintain the peace and harmony that has been prevalent in the area for ages,” said Digambar Narzary, the chairman of the Bodoland chapter of the NEDAN Foundation.
Narzary said the larger goal was “mutual implementation of these procedures in both the Bodoland districts and Bhutan. The Bodoland districts and its neighbours have a long, porous border with Bhutan. Samtaibari-Datgiri is the corridor to Gelephu, Bismuri-Sorolpara leads to Sarphang and Srirampur-Jaygaon in West Bengal to Phuentsholling. Displaced people, especially girls living in the border villages, are often lured to Bhutan on the pretext of employment.
The NEDAN Foundation has formed 20 networking partners in Bhutan who will help prevent human trafficking. A senior official from Bhutan, Rinchen Chopal, stressed the need for strategic regional collaboration to keep the campaign against trafficking going.
Partition pushed NE India into economic isolation Nagaland Page

Guwahati, January 29: Dr Govinda Rao, member Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, has said partition induced bottleneck in connectivity in Northeast has emerged as a major hurdle to the economic growth of the region.
His words echoed Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's speech, who also emphasized on greater connectivity for the region for faster growth.
The Centre for Development and Peace Studies, Guwahati, supported by British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata, had organized the 2-day workshop on 'Identity and Development: Twin Challenges in India's Northeast', which concluded today.
Dr Rao pointed that the region was in the forefront of development 150 years ago. ''But the partition landlocked the region and took away the natural routes of transportation, a phenomenon that has reversed NE's growth,'' he said.
The region boasted of a higher per capita income at the time of Independence, but now, its per capita income was lower by 38% of the national level. Assam has the lowest per capita income at Rs 7513 currently among the 8 NE states, including Sikkim, with Sikkim having highest at Rs 15,924.
To catch up the national GDP or per capita income growth rate, NE's GSDP has to grow at 13% and the per capita GDP at 11.6%. Dr Rao pointed out, adding that total investment required up to 2020 is estimated at Rs 1,156,785 crore at 2006-07 prices for the region to cope up with the national level.
He underlined that private investment was an absolute necessity for achieving this growth, with the government investment being the sole major funding agent currently. Dr Rao, also the director of National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi, emphasised that the natural transportation routes must be opened for the region to accelerate growth, especially for the region to reap benefits of the Look East policy, meant to help economic growth of the region.
He said India should take initiatives for greater regional cooperation with NE's neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh and Myanmar.
He pointed that re-opening of Bangladesh routes, especially water and rail links, would enhance NE's foreign trade share.
''The Dibrugarh-Chittagong railway link was the second oldest link in the country and the Partition closed this link. If these routes, along with road and water ways, are re-opened, it would help NE,'' Dr Rao added.
On India's initiatives to cajole Bangladesh to open trade barriers, he said India could lead by relaxing tariff rates, help develop infrastructure and other such steps as the bigger country.
Dr Rao also advocated NE's greater say in power corridors in New Delhi for a foreign policy that benefited it's immediate neighbours for greater benefit of the region.
Gogoi also identified partition as a major reason for NE's present development backwardness and said, ''The partition disrupted connectivity to the region and we are still groping with it.'' He said the connectivity bottleneck has kept away the private investors from the region and this has deprived NE of an accelerated growth.
''Private investment had helped in various sectors before Partition, like in the tea sector. But with private players now keeping away, the region has to woo them back,'' he added.
Gogoi, however, added that though major private investment was missing, small and medium-scale entrepreneurs were emerging in the region and the rural economy was picking up with this phenomenon.
The Assam Chief Minister also stressed on the need to develop better water connectivity, especially with Bangladesh, to boast the region's trade. (UNI)
Setback for Congress in Nagaland; Congress leaders resign, join BJP Nagaland page

Dimapur, January 29: The internal strife in the Congress party in Nagaland seems to widen, even as the Congress today declared the list of 10 more candidates.
The selection of 50 candidates till now has brought discontentment among the senior party workers, who have either not got party tickets or their supporters have lost faith in the Congress party. The resignation of ex-MLA of Congress Y Patton, followed by the resignation of NSUI President, P. Oren Odyuo, who has been with the Congress for over two decades and again the resignation of Nungsanglemba Chang, who lost the last Assembly election by 7 votes, has shown that politicians are losing interest in the oldest political party.
Talking to media persons today, Oren Odyuo said that he decided to quit Congress and support Y Patton, who recently joined BJP because he found that BJP, as a national party has a vision for the country and the state. He said that the BJP has a vision for the people of Wokha and Nagaland, especially for the youths. He also alleged that seeing the present condition, there is no scope for the youth in Congress.
Y Patton said that even senior members in Congress could not get party tickets in the forthcoming election; therefore they have lost confidence in this national party.
Patton, who is going to contest from 36 Tuyi A/C on a BJP ticket, called upon the youths and the NSUI members to join hands with him.
Nungsanglemba Chang, who was also denied party ticket from 53 Tuensang Sadar-I by the Congress said that although he served the party as general secretary and was intending to contest the elections again on Congress ticket, but few party leader and AICC denied him ticket.
Chang is now seeking ticket from the BJP to contest from 53 Tuensang Sadar-I.
BJP President, Ato Yepthomi has welcomed Y Patton, Oren Oduyuo and Nungsanglemba into BJP and expressed confidence that they would come out in flying colours in the forthcoming elections.
While the Congress has kept everything in suspense about the release of party tickets, the declaration of 40 seats first and then 10 seats today, have left many Congressmen dissatisfied.
Sources said that many more Congressmen would now seek party tickets from other political parties, as they have been denied tickets by the Congress High Command. (Page News Service)


Stillwell road could be Arunachal`s bounty Sukham Nanda Kangla On Line

PANGSAU, Jan 29: `Thanks to the Allied Forces of 2nd World War` are the words often repeated with great expectation by the people of Arunachal Pradesh. The praise is for the 1079 km long Stillwell road which connects Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar and China.

In fact, there have been several traditional trade routes existing at the border of Arunachal Pradesh with China and Myanmar since early periods when the people of the three countries shared economic and social affairs through these trade routes. But with intense restrictions on passing through the area by the security forces of the respective countries the age old trade exchange has gradually decreased.

Now, the people of Arunachal Pradesh, considering the great potential of the Stillwell road in terms of commercial utilisation as trade route, are pressurizing both the state and Central governments for the recognition of Stillwell road as a part of the Centre`s Look East Policy by opening this free trade route with the neighbouring country of Myanmar.

On the other hand, what the local people of Arunachal call infomal trade is still followed by the people of both countries till today where the Burmese people by using the Stillwell road bring their products for sale at the border areas of Arunachal without restrictions everyday. The Arunachalis are hoping this trade becomes the basis for establishing a new border trade centre in Arunachal Pradesh.

It may be mentioned that Arunachal Pradesh is isolated from the mainland geographically and there is no proper transport and communication which can connect one district to the other over the difficult terrain. As a result the Stillwell road is taken as the main lifeline for the future depelopment of the state.

What is legendary about the Stillwell road is that on December 16, 1942, a valiant gentleman, christened General Joseph Warren Stillwell alias Vinegar Joe dared to work against all odds. He helped construct the historical Stillwell road with sheer determination and the construction commenced from Ledo through Jairampur in Arunachal Pradesh, Nampong, across Pangsau Pass in Myanmar to China.

The road linked several significant places between Ledo in Assam and Kunmin in China. While 36 miles of the route fall in Indian territory, 646 and 397 miles fall in Myanmar and China respectively. During that time the world was at war and India was still to attain independence. The Japanese were invincible and Burma was under Japanese regime and the allied forces were struggling to regain Burma from the grip of the Japanese army.

Those were the times the ancestors of the Tangsa tribe fled to the hills from the plains when the foreign military and mammoth modern day machines and vehicles invaded their settlement areas. As the construction of the Stillwell road continued so did the infiltration of the strange people from distant lands. The local inhabitants, the Tangsa people, were coerced to evacuate the road site because the road navigated through the heart of the local villages (Kovin, Hangkap and Taipong).

The courageous soldiers of different nationalities belonging to the allied forces began countering unfortunate demises. Besides war fatalities, they were victims of mysterious diseases and the torturous terrain constrained many dare devils to perish. However, they suffered initially but succeeded in the end. This was the greatest feat of engineering and bravery. In October, 1944, the winding road stretching 1097 miles was completed and a year later the World War II eneded.

The Stillwell road was the lifeline of the allied forces and history has repeated itself and currently it`s the most important route for the economic development of the region. The Stillwell road is synonymous with development and prosperity and it is the beginning of a new era for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Burmese bloggers hide from police Nem Davies Mizzima News
Apprehensive of the relentless crackdown by the Burmese military junta, several Burmese bloggers in Rangoon have gone into hiding. The scare follows the arrest of a Burmese blogger, Nay Phone Latt, earlier in the day. Burmese bloggers in the former capital are alarmed and have been forced to go underground in fear of the authorities taking action against them. Nay Phone Latt (Nay Bone Latt), a blogger as well as a writer, was arrested from an internet cafe in Thingan Kyun Township. A blogger, who requested anonymity in fear of reprisals, said, "At the moment we [bloggers] are fleeing in the wake of the arrest of Ko Nay Phone Latt."
Nay Phone Latt has a blog site www.nayphonelatt.blogspot.com, where he posted writings about expressions of the youth in Burma. Another blogger said he believes the authorities have targeted bloggers and confirmed that fellow bloggers are on the run in fear of arrests.
Internet users in Rangoon said, over a few weeks ago, authorities have stepped up surveillance of internet users and asked internet café owners to maintain strict records of users.
Blogging, which is popular among Burmese youth, has become a dangerous pastime in the country. The authority's stranglehold over information flow remains as tight as ever and there is zero tolerance over any critical writing.
During the September protests, a Burmese blogger Thar Phyu, who has a blogsite www.mogokemedia.blogspot.com, was arrested and briefly detained for posting pictures of monks and people demonstrating on the streets.
Meanwhile, authorities have shifted poet Saya Saw Wai, who was arrested last week for writing a Valentines' day poem that contains a hidden word – 'Power Crazy Than Shwe', – to the notorious Insein prison on Saturday, family members said.
Gambari in New Delhi to urge fresh Indian support Mungpi Mizzima News
New Delhi, India – In his second trip to India, United Nations Special Envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, arrived in New Delhi on Monday and is scheduled to meet with Indian government officials, a UN spokesperson said. Rajiv Chandran, Information Officer for the UN in New Delhi, said the Special Envoy arrived on Monday evening and will begin official meetings on Wednesday.
"We [the UN] have requested four appointments, with the Foreign Secretary, Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and Vice President," Chandran said. Chandran, however, said Gambari is unlikely to hold any press conference during the trip and the Indian government has yet to respond to the meeting requests. Gambari, who will travel to China later, is expected to discuss with Indian leaders how best to push for democratic reform in military-ruled Burma.
The Special Envoy, in his earlier visit to New Delhi, said he was satisfied with the Indian response to the UN Secretary General's initiative for reforms in Burma. However, the Nigerian diplomat urged India to further use its leverage on Burma to pressure the military junta to implement reforms. India came under the international spotlight and was widely criticized for its failure to condemn the Burmese military junta for its use of violence to crackdown on protestors in September. India, which also shares an over 1,400 kilometer porous border with Burma, is being attacked by rights groups as well as by Western nations for its reported supply of military hardware to the Burmese generals. However India, in a turn of events, has since raised its voice and urged the Burmese military junta to restrain from the use of violence and called for a broad-based dialogue with opposition groups toward kick-starting national reconciliation.
But critics say India's policy on Burma remains hypocritical. While India has made rhetorical calls for changes in troubled Burma, it maintains and official relationship with the generals, including the signing of agreements and memorandum of understandings for an enhanced economic relationship. In what seems to be a refute of the criticisms made by human rights groups and Western nations on its supply of military hardware to Burmese generals, unconfirmed information that it has ceased its supply of military hardware to Burma has spread among the media, making critics think India is shifting its policy on Burma.
However, Rahul Bedi, a Jane's Defence Weekly correspondent who covers Indo-Burmese military relations, says India has never changed its policy and has not ceased all supplies of military hardware to the generals. "But, India has temporarily halted the supply of military hardware following the September protests," Bedi told Mizzima.
Following the Burmese general's bloody crackdown on protests led by Buddhist monks in September, India was widely criticized for its silence and continuing engagement with the junta.
"In response to international calls, India has temporarily halted the supply of military hardware to the Burmese junta", Bedi said, adding that "we cannot assume that India has totally stopped its arms supply to the generals." He added that India has its own interests to look after in terms of dealing with the Burmese generals, and increasing Chinese influence in the Southeast Asian nation seems to pose a greater threat for Indian policy makers rather than continuing its vague support for democracy and human rights in Burma.
While the Burmese crisis seems to be sandwiched between its two giant neighbors' struggles for greater influence on the internationally isolated country, both Indian and Chinese leaders have expressed their support for the UN Secretary General's initiative to push for reforms in Burma.
Gambari, who is New Delhi to garner fresh support, is expected to highlight the importance of India's role and is likely to urge India to use its leverage on the Burmese generals to implement reforms. Following his Indian visit Gambari will visit China, but Chandran said, "He will leave on 31st January, the day after his meeting with the Indian government and will not go directly to China from here, it will be later."
Gambari to revisit New Delhi to garner support for Burma Indo Burma News
January 28, 2008: (Mizzima) New Delhi - United Nations Special Envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday in a continuation of his efforts to concoct regional support for change in military-ruled Burma, a United Nations official has said.
Gambari, who is now meeting European Union leaders in Brussels, will meet Indian government officials during a three-day visit from January 29 to 31. He will be urging further support from Indian leaders in encouraging substantive dialogue between Burma's government and opposition figures, said a UN spokesperson in New Delhi.
While details of the Nigerian diplomats' scheduled meetings are yet to be confirmed, Rajiv Chandran, UN Information Officer in New Delhi, said Gambari will focus on garnering Indian support for the UN Secretary General's initiative on Burma. Gambari, in an earlier visit to New Delhi in October 2007, said he is satisfied with the Indian response but urges India to further use its leverage on the Burmese military junta to implement changes in the country.
The UN diplomat, who following India will visit Beijing, has reportedly asked to return to Burma this month, but the ruling junta insists he will only be received come mid-April.
Since Gambari's initial visit following the military's use of violence to crackdown on protestors in late September, the junta's Liaison Minister has met four times with Burmese opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, nothing has materialized from the meetings and there is still no sign of a genuine process of national reconciliation, Burma's main opposition party – National League for Democracy – told Mizzima in earlier interviews




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