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02/03/2008: "Project probe evidence of ancient Naga settlement Morungexpress"
Project probe evidence of ancient Naga settlement Morungexpress
Mokokchung, February 2: The Department of Art and Culture Nagaland, led by K.Khekiye Sema, Commissioner and Secretary, Art and Culture and Tourism, Allem Longkumer, Addl. Director, Dr. Anungla Coordinator and Principal Investigator of the Research Project, Team members, Engineers from Tourism, Art and Culture and other scholars besides an official from Doordarshan visited Chungliyimti on January 29. An archaeological excavation is being carried out in Chungliyimti under the personal initiative of Dr. Tiatoshi, Principal Investigator of the Research Project commissioned by the Department of Art and Culture during the year 2006-07. The task is conducted by the Anthropological Society of Nagaland. The excavation conducted at several sites around the famous ‘6 stones of Longtrok’ by way of digging trenches as long and wide as 3x2 meters and 3 meters in height, and also, smaller ones unraveled the physical evidence of ancient Naga settlement.
Many interesting findings have been sited namely potsherds ranging from plain wares to cord impressed and paddle variety, Ambaries wares and perforated potsherds have been found. Neolithic tools like axe of ophilite and sandstone variety, grinding stones and pestle, stone bowl, hearthstone, whetstones, weed scrappers etc have been found. Besides, a number of storage pits were also sighted. Curiously, one of the main settlement, said to be of prominent leaders, unearthed, has revealed the actual size of the houses which once stood with all postholes intact, as the soil/earth was scooped out by the careful handling of the excavations. Interspersed between the houses are the drainage and footpaths. These are important archaeological source and would enable scholars to draw inference about the ancient people, their social, cultural, economic and technological levels etc.
The importance of Chungliyimti, the legendary story of Longtrok and the evidence of human habitation would hopefully lead to greater discoveries towards scientific proof from historical perspective. Commissioner and Secretary had emphasized on protection and conservation of the excavation sites which will be done by Art and Culture while for fostering and promoting tourism, the concerned Department has assured to provide an infrastructure for accommodation. This archaeological site of Chungliyimti is about 8 kms from Chare, Tuensang District, and is located at an altitude of 1500 meters. (MExN)
PRESS RELEASE NSCN
January 3,2008
It was all the way a process without substance when viewed and examined from the Nagas’ interpretation of unification. Because, criminalization and commercialization have no rooms in Nagas’ unification. But under the present scheme of things initiated by Azheto Chophy and other like minded persons the very purpose of starting the unification has turned out to be just another criminal oriented program just for the heck of greed for money and power.
As indicated by the present scenario in Dimapur the unification gang members are on the prowl like hungry wolves. Forcing the business heads to go underground, but many being abducted for huge ransom and to be killed when not paid in line to their greed. What a tragic state of affairs for the business community of Dimapur to be hunted and haunted by the criminal gang. The NSCN/GPRN finds no proper vocabulary to condemn the greed of the unification gang desperately in hurry to amass ill-gotten wealth to sustain their unification mission on criminal line.
There is time for everything. It is time for the Nagas to distinguish between illusion and reality. But Nagas should no longer be placed under the illusion that Naga unification can be processed through flattery and flatulent means, because Naga issue is a political issue and not a criminal issue where money can have its way.
Whatever is happening from the day the unification initiative was set in motion has become nothing more than criminal perversion. Obnoxiously horrible in every respect as this is directly linked to the fading unification initiative. The call of the moment is therefore to face the truth boldly to save our society from getting criminalized. The business group of Dimapur cannot be isolated to be thrown at the mercy of the criminal gang. Solidarity with the business community has to be demonstrated in a very meaningful manner and not just by merely co-operating in ban organized by the business community.
NISC appeals for ‘true unity’morungexpress Dimapur, February 2 (MExN): The Amsterdam based Naga International Support Center (NISC) has called on the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) to speak out on the “standards of unification so that the threats or recurrence and the vengeance evoked by unaddressed deep inflicted pains will be averted”. In a press note, the NISC called on all involved to be prudent and wise “so that true unity can be achieved, not half baked and primarily for the sake of those who are guilty of selfishness, greed, power and the like, for true unity leads to a united stand against a formidable opponent which has the Nagas in tight grip for over 60 long years”.
“A look into history shows when unforgivable deeds are left unaddressed, deeds leading to death and disunity, then unification without accountability for these deeds throw shadows over unification”, the NISC stated while adding that “like a sword of Damocles this accountability hangs over the deep rift caused by those yearning for unification”. While acknowledging the unification drive as a laudable initiative, the NISC reminded that there were a few things to be considered. This included the cause of disunity, the ever important respect for human rights and thirdly the motivation behind this type of unification devoid of the concern for accountability.
“True unity means all Nagas are directed to achieve one thing: self determination. It does not mean all have to think alike and do alike. On the contrary in a democratic society all are free to express themselves. However, in such society it is absolutely out of the question to raise and use a gun to get what one wants”, stated the NISC while pointing out that a democratic society is one where “ideas from several, even opposing parties come together meant to try out and implement for the benefit of the whole society”. In this regard, the NISC urged the NPMHR to speak out and take the lead and initiate this unification drive using the objectives the NPMHR stood for i.e. safeguarding of human rights.
The NISC however stated that this is not just NPMHR but “for unification to bear the much desired fruit justice should be done” and that “a respectable civil society will adhere to that”. Consequently the NISC also called on the Naga Hoho, the Naga Mothers and Naga Women, the Naga Student Federation and all civilian parties concerned to take unification seriously so that suspicion, hatred and vengeance vanish in favor of forgiveness.
NSCN (IM) alleges violation morungexpress
Dimapur, February 2 (MExN): Terming it as a serious violation of their “over stated mission on Naga Unification”, the NSCN (IM) informed that the unification team was going all the way to prove themselves wrong on their own professed unification initiative, and for which the Naga Civil Societies should not afford to remain silent but to start raising probing questions to the unification team.
An MIP press note received here informed that on Friday around 3 pm the unification team abducted UTI C.A.O. Tokishe G. Swu along with two Naga Army personnel—Asangba Sangtam and corporal Nikhuyi with one AK-56, one .22 rifle, one M-20 and one Gypsy soft-top.
“It is obnoxious to let this happen in the hands of the group who calls for Naga unification. But this is just one incident in the past few weeks such undesirable incident have taken place too and anyone who have the concern for Naga unification cannot feign ignorance”, stated the MIP press note.
The MIP note recalled that in the Wungram colony incident, Tatar Viniho seized two SLRs from two Naga Army personnel and again on December 8, 2007 Sgt. Maj. Khevishe was attacked with bomb at Qwality hotel in Dimapur. Q. Awomis’ house at Burma camp was also rounded up by around 30 unification members, but Qhehovi had a miraculous escape, stated the MIP.
“Should the Nagas allow this anti- peace and anti-unification activities to go on and all behind the façade of unification?” the NSCN (IM) questioned and stated that it was waiting on the Naga civil societies to react positively. The NSCN (IM) also demanded the release of the CAO and his wife along with the two Naga Army personnel unconditionally along with the arms and the vehicle. The MIP note lamented that the continuing abductions for ransom and even killings in the name of Naga unification is going un-abated.
Reinstate DAN govt: Rio urges governor Nagarealm.com
KOHIMA, FEB01 [NPN] : Following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of two petitions challenging the interim order passed by Nagaland Assembly Speaker in respect of three Independent MLAs and an earlier general direction also issued by the Speaker on August 21, 2006, former chief minister Neiphiu Rio has petitioned the State Governor to recommend revocation of President’s Rule in Nagaland and to re-instate the DAN Government.
Rio who is also the leader of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) in a petition urged the Governor to recommend revocation of Presidential Proclamation dated January 3, 2007, restore the DAN Government and revive the 10th Nagaland Legislative assembly from its suspended animation. Reminding that it was the constitutional duty of the Governor to explore the possibility of government formation when the Assembly was kept under suspended animation, Rio pointed out that the present effective strength of the Assembly stood at 40 after the resignation of 20 members, out of which DAN with 19 NPF (including Speaker) and 4 BJP legislators and the support of one Independent MLA, was in “clear majority.”
Meanwhile, the former chief minister in a press conference held at NPF Central Office, Kohima, told mediapersons that the Supreme Court had Friday dismissed two petitions filed by legislators opposed to DAN challenging the Speaker's order barring three independent members from voting and declaring nine votes as invalid during the December 13, 2007, no-confidence motion.
Rio informed that a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan dismissed the petitions as “not maintainable, devoid of merits and legal technicalities.” “With the dismissal of the two writs petitions by the Supreme Court, it explicitly demonstrates that the imposition of President Rule in the state is undemocratic and unconstitutional,” he said. Rio also informed that DAN’s challenge on the Naga people was to “filter the political domain by giving a befitting reply to the Congress party, ‘the party who blurred the vision of the Naga people, the party who snatched the destiny of the Naga people.’”
Terming imposition of PR in the state as illegal and unconstitutional, the former chief minister charged the central government with targeting minorities and backward communities. NPF secretary general Chubatemjen who also attended the press conference, said the NPF was fighting their rights in two courts - in Gauhati High Court seeking “legal rights” and Raj Bhavan through Governor seeking “Political rights.” NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie questioned on what ground the UPA government had imposed PR and said the NPF-led DAN government had full right to claim back the government.
‘Laos and India need to work together for mutual benefit’ From our Reporter Sentinel
TINSUKIA, Feb 1: “I am happy to know that the Government of India has adopted an agenda to initiate a new chapter of regional cooperation with the South-east Asian nations through the northeastern region of India and has been trying to materialize it through the ‘Look East’ policy. Such a concept of regional cooperation has also been supported by other countries like China, Thailand, Myanmar.
The Laos People’s Democratic Republic also believes in such cooperation for the mutual benefit and development of both nations.”
These were the words spoken by ambassador of Laos, Dy Ly Bounkham, while addressing as the special guest during the third technical session of the seminar-cum-public convention on the second day of the central Me-Dam-Me-Phi celebrations, held at Sukapha Nagar, Sripuria, in Tinsukia, presided over by Jogendra Nath Phukon, president of the Purbanchal Tai Xahitya Xabha on Thursday. The theme of the programme was India’s Look East Policy: A People’s Dialogue.
The ambassador of Laos said that such a policy is a big bold step towards regional cooperation and development, helping India to play a leading role in the region. The North-east and particularly Asom will surely benefit from the policy, he added.
In the era of globalization and in the changing scenario of development of understanding, our border should not act as a barrier but as a gateway, as the two countries — India and Laos — can explore so many avenues of bilateral cooperation on the backdrop of the Look East policy, the ambassador added.
Citing India’s plans to build a road map which has been supported by all ASEAN countries to build a trans-Asian railway network, linking Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and India.
Speaking about the development of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, he emphasised on mutual cooperation regarding education and IT sectors.
