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02/11/2008: "Develop spirit of forgiveness- Nagaland Post"



Develop spirit of forgiveness- Nagaland post

To pave the way for reconciliation and unification among different Naga factions, let us all try to create the spirit of forgiveness in our personal life. Forgiveness occupies highest place in human endeavor for re-union without which reconciliation and unification cannot be possible. We must try to create sufficient rooms in our minds for accommodating other friends. To achieve real reconciliation and unification, one must seek forgiveness from all oppositions and people whom he hurt/wounded socially or politically.
I am quite sure that, many of write ups and expressions might have hurt the sentiments of many people including the leaders of I-M and Naga NGOs for which I am tendering apology seeking unconditional forgiveness from them. I wish in future, they will not create any atmosphere where condemnation and criticism falls upon them. I wish, I should not write anything condemning and maligning any faction, particularly, NCSN (I-M). However, I want them to change their mind shed to suit other Naga friends. Reconciliation and Unification does not mean surrendering of one faction before the other faction but coming together in the spirit of forgive and forget the past mistakes to form a single organization/government or at least to come to an understanding.
Our leaders should change their mind shed to broaden the sense of oneness by removing tribalism, individualism and chauvinism. I believe, 'love' is the only remedial to do away with all forms of selfishness and 'ism. I wish, I should not be the citizen of a particular tribe other than simple Naga citizen or freedom fighter nor should I know what clan I belong to. Therefore, I humbly request all Nagas to look at me as a simple Nagas citizen. I am so sorry that, my expressions might have hurt the sentiment or Interest of my senior leaders NSCN (K) set up for which I am seeking their forgiveness. Due to frankness and as an out spoken personality, my expressions might have definitely wounded my senior leaders who have already sacrificed many years in National service before I joined the National movement. I exceptionally prayed that, I may be forgiven.
Unification is a thing all Nagas longing for. Few months ago, there were counter and counter attack, condemnation and accusation for unification move carried out by Azheto and his group. I wish, what ever the nature of unification might be, carried out by Azheto must be nourished and take care of by all the Nagas for the benefit of entire Nagas. The desertion of former Kilo Kilonser of the NSCN (IM) from Hebron camp might be a highest form of Crime for NSCN (I-M), yet it politically benefited the Nagas particularly different faction's camps who could meet one another after the many years of senseless wars.
In fact, the said unification gave me a great chance to meet many brothers and friends of different Naga factions. The cease-fire agreement signed on 7th December'07 under the aegis of Nagaland DBs/GBs was between two NSCNs and it was nothing to do with Azheto and his group. However some people condemned the said unification move, it created an atmosphere where cease-fire between two NSCNs had been signed for the first time. Instead of condemning them (Azheto's group), all Naga must contribute their best thoughts to achieve total/broad base unification out of present move. Azheto's group has not only deserted I-M Hebron camp but also has not joined the NSCN (K) too. However, I believed, he (Azheto) is in contact with all the Nagas NGO leaders and NSCN (K) leaders. I wish, he should maintain equal-closeness with even NSCN (I-M) leaders. Even I-M leaders should contribute their best thoughts to Azheto who seems to be very a simple person, instead of attacking him in different corners. We all must appreciate him for breaking the ice. I humbly request everyone not to give any rejoinder or counter attack to this write up because it is only my thinking and not commanding anybody but simply requesting all to reason together for our own good.
Regarding state general election I wish, since all the 60 (Sixty) Assembly seats has to be filled by the Nagas alone, no faction should involve in favor of or against any particular political party. In the past, I-M faction have been blamed for their openly supported the particular political party and equally blamed DAN government for openly sponsoring the I-M faction, but I wish any Naga faction openly supporting particular political party is a crime because such activities narrow down the sacred cause. We must differentiate between state politic and National politic. Let the state politicians play state politic while National leaders lead the Naga People in National Movement and those who leads the Nation should be so careful because they are in highest place who should treat all equally. But mutual understanding between the state politicians and National leaders is most important to build the Nation. State politicians, church leaders and NO leaders should bring all different factions together instead of supporting particular faction against other faction. Let us reason together and come out together with open minds to build confidence and trust among us for our own good.
Y. Wangtin Naga, Dy. Kilonser, Ministry of Kilo (Home) affairs, GPRN/NSCN (K).
NSCN(K) asks ultras to stay away from polls Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, Feb 10 – The NSCN (K) today called upon the Naga underground factions not to involve themselves directly in the ensuing Assembly election slated for March 5.

Wangtin Naga, ‘Deputy Kilo Kilonser’ (‘Home minister’) of NSCN(K), in a statement, said “no underground faction should involve in favour of or against any particular political party since all the 60 assembly seats in Nagaland had to be filled up by the Nagas alone”.

Wangtin pointed out that in the past NSCN(I-M) was blamed for openly supporting a particular party and the Neiphiu Rio led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government was equally blamed for openly sponsoring NSCN(I-M).

Any faction openly supporting a particular political party is a crime, because such activities narrow down the sacred (Naga) cause. We must differentiate between state politics and (Naga) national politics, he said.

He asserted that the state politicians and (Naga) national leaders have their respective roles to play, but suggested that there had to be mutual understanding between the state politicians and national leaders to build the (Naga) nation.

He said state politicians, church and NGO leaders should work to bring different factions together instead of supporting a particular faction.

Referring to the controversial unification move initiated by the deserters of NSCN(I-M) in December last, Wangtin called upon leaders of all factions to support the initiative, instead of criticising each other, in the spirit of forget and forgiveness so that the Nagas can come to a single platform.

Let us reason together and come together with open minds to build confidence and trust among us for our common goal, the NSCN(K) leader said.

Meanwhile, a powerful grass-root level Naga organisation has appealed to all underground groups not to involve themselves in anyway in the ensuing assembly elections so that a peaceful, free and fair poll can be conducted in the state.

The Joint Forum of Nagaland Gaonburhas (village chiefs) and Dobhashis (interpreters), which has been working for peace and unity among the Naga groups, made this appeal recently keeping in view the prevailing fluid situation in Nagaland. – PTI

Integration issue hots up again Nagarealm.com




IMPHAL, FEB10 [IFP] : The Manipur People`s Party (MPP) has expressed strong opposition against the alleged statement of the AICC general secretary Siddarth Patil that the AICC will be approving the inclusion of phrases mentioning the integration of Naga Inhabited areas under one administration in the election manifesto of the NPCC.

Reacting sharply to the statement given during the release function of the NPCC election manifesto yesterday at Kohima, Dr. L Chandramani Singh, president of the MPP during a press conference held this evening at the MPP office disclosed that the recent statement of the AICC general secretary at Kohima seem to be inviting another June 18 type incident in the state where 18 lives were sacrified for the cause of the territorial integrity of Manipur. The MPP took the statement seriously and termed it a policy of the Central Congress led UPF government to keep Manipur in turmoil, he said adding that the MPP also took it as an insult to the people of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as the question of Naga integration seriously affected the territorial integrity of these three states.

The Mpp president further clarified that the media in general has been wrongly interpreting the 16 point prgramme of Nagaland state as an agreement as clause 13 of the 16 point programme of Nagaland state was rejected by the government of India at the time of awarding statehood to Nagaland in 1963. Senior member of MPP, MLA O Joy Singh also said that the statements of AICC general secretary Siddarth Patil at Kohima supporting the Naga integration for achieving political gain shows the double standards of the AICC. O Joy further said that if the state government led by the state Congress is sincere enough for the people of the state there would be no need for declaring withrawal of the Congress agreed allowance of Naga integration signed between the Naga National Council during 1972 in the state.

He said the MPP could never term the recent statement of the AICC general secratary at Kohima as a good sign, and the Congress led state government needs to clarify before it is too late. Former MP Th Chaoba and MLA RK. Anand while particiapating in the press conference observed that it would not be the right monent for the Congress led government to remain silent on the issue, as the Congress in their recent election manifesto approved by the central high command of the Congress, clearly indicated upholding and protection of the territorial integrity of the state.

Meanwhile, reiterating its stance against the campaign for bringing the Nagas under one administrative unit, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee termed the reported assurance of its counterpart Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee on the same during its poll campaign for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state unfortunate. It is a very unfortunate thing to seek votes with this promise and the MPCC will never accept it, a statement of the MPCC said today. There is no change in the resolution of the MPCC to stand against any decision which will affects the integrity of Manipur till today, it stated recounting that Congress in its manifestos in both Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections had included its stand on the issue.

In the common minimum programme also it has been clearly mentioned, it said and warned its counterpart NPCC not to try to woo the people with Naga integration which would amount to attack on the neighbouring state stating that MPCC always stood for the integrity of Manipur. In the meantime, the United United Committee Manipur, UCM, taking serious note of the news items published in various national and local dailies on the statements of Siddarth Patil has sought clarifications from AICC president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary north east in charge, Prithviraj Chauhan.

According to a statement issued by UCM, the committee has sent fax messages to these Congress leaders at the centre asking for their comments on the statement given Siddarth Patil during a election campaign on behalf of the Congress. The UCM statement also further mentioned that the committee also sent fax messages to the concerned offices of respective Congress presidents of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh today asking for their comments on the issue.

The statement further mentioned that if the recent statement of Siddarth Patil is endorsed by the AICC, the UCM would stand against the decision and it will be a big barrier between India and Manipur. An emergency meeting of the state executive committee of the Nationalist Congress Party, NCP, Manipur Pradesh held today also discussed the AICC general secretary`s remarks.

A statement issued by the NCP said that it was committed to its stand on the protection of the territorial integrity of the state, while condemning Patil`s statement. The statement also mentioned that Patil`s remarks may lead to a new enmity among the people living in north eastern states and could affect their peaceful coexistence. The executive meeting of the NCP also decided to demand a copy of the statement made by Siddarth Patil and a proper clarification on the matter.
Manipur fumes over AICC seal Nagarealm.com



Parties condemn Cong manifesto

Imphal, FEB10 [TI] : The organisation that had spearheaded a violent uprising to protest extension of the NSCN (I-M)’s ceasefire to Manipur in 2001 today warned the AICC against putting the state on the boil again with its endorsement of the Naga demand for integration.


The United Committee, Manipur (UCM), demanded a clarification from the AICC regarding the Nagaland PCC’s poll manifesto, which states that the Congress will continue to remind Delhi about the need to implement the 16-point statehood agreement, including the controversial clause on the integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas.

Integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas is also a demand raised by the NSCN (I-M). The militant group has been in dialogue with Delhi for almost a decade and the issue of bringing all Naga-inhabited areas under “Nagalim” has been the stumbling block because it involves carving out parts of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. On Friday, AICC secretary Siddharth Patil, who was in Nagaland to oversee the party’s preparations for the Assembly elections on March 5, said the Congress was committed to implementing the 16-point statehood agreement, including the clause on integration, “in letter and spirit”. As expected, a wave of protest against the manifesto coursed through Manipur.

Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his council of ministers went into a huddle last night to discuss the development in Nagaland. He also called to some AICC leaders immediately after the meeting to lodge a protest and also to demand withdrawal of the endorsement by the AICC. The UCM today faxed a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the party’s Manipur in-charge, Prithviraj Chauhan, demanding a clarification on reports of the Nagaland Congress manifesto. Stating that the UCM would not compromise on the issue of territorial integrity of Manipur, K. Langamba, president of the party, warned Delhi against making any attempt to put Manipur on the boil. The All Manipur United Clubs Organisation also said it would not allow Manipur to break up.

The state executive of the NCP held an emergency meeting this afternoon to discuss the Nagaland manifesto. In a resolution, the party demanded that if the AICC had endorsed the demand, it should provide a copy of the resolution to the people of Manipur. “The move by the Congress would not only strain relationship between states in the Northeast, but also create misunderstandings among various communities living in Manipur,” party president Radhabinod Koijam said. L. Chandramani Singh, the president of the MPP demanded a clarification from the AICC, the PCC and the chief minister on the manifesto.

Twist in Arunachal Pradesh abduction drama OUR BUREAU The Telegraph
Guwahati/Itanagar, Feb. 10: The 39 Arunachalee boys who were reported abducted recently were not hostages but willing participants in the NSCN (Khaplang)’s recruitment campaign, the militant group has claimed.
A spokesman for the outfit, P. Tikhak, said from his hideout along the Indo-Myanmar border today that the government’s statements were attempts to save face rather than the truth. He said all 39 Arunachalee boys who came to join the NSCN(K) ranks of their own will were scanned for eligibility and some of them sent back because they were “underage”.
This contradicts the police’s version of how the drama unfolded.
The police maintain that the boys were “forced” to join the outfit and that two FIRs — one at Longding and another at Pongchou police station — were registered after they went missing. A senior official said a joint rescue operation by the police, army and paramilitary forces from February 8 led to 15 of the boys being reunited with their families.
Chief minister Dorjee Khandu complained about the “abductions” to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to the state. The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union made the same allegation.
Tikhak said the chief minister and the student union should have spoken to the families of the “abducted” boys before issuing the statements. “We are surprised by the statements of the chief minister and the AAPSU about 39 youths being abducted by us. Had the family members of the youths been contacted before issuing the statements, the truth would have been known.”
Most of the families are said to have kept quiet because they were threatened with dire consequences if they informed the police. Tikhak said his group began its recruitment campaign in January and continue this month. He claimed that a large number of youths “volunteered to serve the Naga army” over the past month.
“There is no basis in the police theory. Several boys voluntarily came to join us. But since many of them did not fulfil the criteria for recruitment, we expressed our inability to accommodate them in the organisation and asked them to go back home. Most of the boys we had to send back were underage. We do not recruit minors.”
The NSCN (K) is focusing on recruiting youths from Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh and Sagaing division of Myanmar. The spokesman insisted that the recruitment campaign was tantamount to violating the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement with Delhi simply because the truce was applicable only to Nagaland.
Welfare schemes for BTC - Sops announced for the Bodo belt on sixth anniversary P.B. CHOUDHURY The Telegraph
Kokrajhar, Feb. 10: Dispur today announced a slew of development projects for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) to mark the sixth Bodoland Day. The projects included setting up of an engineering college, upgrading Kokrajhar campus of Gauhati University to a full-fledged university, a multicrore-rupee planetarium and an enhanced economic package for the council in the next budget session. Besides a Rajya Sabha seat, a special package of Rs 25 lakh for the development of Chakrachila wildlife sanctuary and another Rs 45 lakh for tourist guesthouse at Gossaigaon were also included in the project. According to the decision taken by the state government, initially, the engineering college would be taken up for immediate construction this year. The planetarium will be built at Kokrajhar with an amount of Rs 15-Rs20 crore.
Announcing the projects at the new BTC secretariat, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and forest minister Rockybul Hussain reassured the BTC of Dispur’s commitment to develop the council. Transport minister Chandan Brahma was also present.
Sarma said Bodoland region had seen many changes in the past six years since the signing of the Bodo Accord in 2003 and the state government supported BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary wholeheartedly and would continue in its endeavour to do so. Sarma made it clear that of the three Rajya Sabha seats that would be vacant, one would be reserved for Bodoland.
Mohilary urged the people to cooperate in the development work. He paid homage to the martyrs of the Bodoland movement. The national flag was also hoisted.
A colourful cultural procession, march-past and tableau were brought out to mark the sixth year of the Bodo Accord.
Northeast Echoes Polls, meaningless ritual PATRICIA MUKHIM


Union parliamentary affairs minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi (second from left) releases the Congress manifesto at Congress Bhawan, Shillong, on Friday. Also seen in the picture (from left), Union tribal affairs minister P.R. Kyndiah, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president O.L. Nongtdu and chief minister D.D. Lapang. A Telegraph picture
It is heart-warming to watch the manner in which the primaries in the US are being fought. There the issues are intelligently debated down to the last detail so people know exactly what each candidate stands for. On their part, the candidates lay out the agenda they believe are in consonance with good governance and the over-all interests of the country. Discussions on the seamy side of the Iraq war and the profligacy of the Bush administration are brought out with remarkable clarity and all backed by facts and figures. In a country of enlightened voters no candidate can afford to indulge in filibustering.
Contrast this with elections in Nagaland and Meghalaya. Issues that impinge on the lives of people are diabolically side-stepped. In Nagaland, all that is being talked about is the unique Naga history and how “India” as represented by the demonic Congress has pulverised democracy in that state by imposing President’s rule.
In Meghalaya, the United Democratic Party (UDP) which continues to be part of the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government is portraying the Congress as vile, corrupt and untouchable. Such arrogant double-speak against a coalition partner informs us that civility and political propriety are no longer in currency.
Seat of power
When Neiphiu Rio speaks of the death of democracy in Nagaland he ought to enlighten people what democracy he is talking about. Is it a democracy where 60 people are elected to virtually loot the state coffers even as the poor are getting poorer? This is not to berate only the Nagaland Peoples’ Front (NPF) which Rio is heading. The Congress is equally venal. The problem with politics in the Northeast is that it has become, for politicians, a legitimate way of ensconcing themselves in the seat of power and then running the state like a fiefdom.
In Nagaland, ministers think nothing of giving out contracts to their offsprings and extended families without floating tenders and without batting an eyelid. To say, that this tantamounts to not just brazen corruption, but also crass nepotism, is an understatement.
In political science, one learnt that democracy is a people-driven, people-owned government. But in this country as in the Northeast, democracy has completely disempowered people.
The rising middle class has a vested interest in remaining silent at the crimes of omission and commission of the political class. The poor, whose interests lie in speaking up and claiming their rights have neither a cohesive organisation nor a platform to air their views. But even if they did, they would face the rough end of the stick and would not be able to fight back. Poverty drives them to sell their votes to the highest bidder. This works well for the political class. Having nothing to show by way of achievements they now engage in straight vote purchasing.
In this kind of rotten decrepit democratic system unless we have far-reaching political reforms, elections will be meaningless exercises of empowering a minuscule minority to indulge in excesses that mutilate democracy even as scholars continue their banal seminars on the deepening of democracy in the Northeast.
I wonder sometimes why the political misdemeanours such as the arbitrary shortening of legislative sittings do not form the basis of our election discourse. Is it because the spectacle is so overwhelming it defies analysis? In Meghalaya, the legislature met only for 40 days in 2007. On an average, the House met no more than 190 days in five years. The legislature is the only forum where the executive can be held accountable for its lapses. This is the only space where issues from the ground can be brought up for meaningful discussion and which could later form the basis for policy legislation. But that sacred space that makes democracy a people-centric arrangement is rapidly shrinking.
Money power
Taking the example of Meghalaya yet again we have some very peculiar incidents in the Assembly. Once when a question was asked to a particular minister, the incumbent passed on the chief minister to give the answer on his behalf.
In enlightened democracies this would have been seen as a legislative impropriety, even an audacity that a minister should dare come to the House without doing his homework and then depending on his boss to answer on his behalf. But the boss did acquiesce because the minister happens to be an extremely wealthy coal trader and carries a lot of clout with the Congress.
So the qualification to be an MLA is no longer education, or the qualities of head and heart. It is sheer display of money power. So can we expect democracy to make progress in such circumstances? Can such a minister contribute anything at all to the enhancement of political values or enriching the discourse on democracy? What sort of leadership can such a person provide to a generation of IT savvy, progressive youth with a free mind and an entrepreneurial spirit?
In the 21st century, 75 per cent of the population in Meghalaya do not have a latrine. An equal number do not have access to safe drinking water. People still die from epidemics of treatable water-borne diseases like diarrhoea and dysentery.
Several die from tuberculosis and malaria. Maternal mortality ratio is as high as 401 per 100,000 births. Infant mortality rates in Meghalaya are as high as 81 per 10,000 live births.
Women in a matrilineal society do not even enjoy reproductive rights. In the villages, women still produce on average about seven-eight kids.
Then you have the chief executive member of the district council rewarding a woman who gave birth to 16 children. All sorts of specious arguments are advanced to justify the need for Khasi women to reproduce as many kids as they can. One convoluted argument is that Khasis are too small a race so women must bear the onus of neutralising the burgeoning non-Khasi population in the state. If this is the content of our public discourse what development can we talk about and what gender rights can women in Meghalaya expect?
Corruption galore
Although corruption is rampant both in Meghalaya and Nagaland, people are not serious about addressing the issue up-front. Corruption is so well grafted into our thinking that, like global warming it has become the inconvenient truth. The corrupt wield power and all of us want to be part of that power circuit because at some time or other we all need to plug on to that circuit to push our private agenda. Getting a job today is next to impossible unless you know someone. Even getting a seat for our kids in the nursery section requires some arm-twisting from politicians. How can a soft polity fight corruption? Yet corruption is the single most corrosive element in the governance delivery system. Many look up to the church to tackle corruption among its prominent members. Incidentally, some of the most corrupt legislators and bureaucrats are also prominent church leaders, unabashedly preaching the Gospel from pulpits. But even church leaders are happy as long as their coffers fill up.
They usually do not question the source of the “donation”. Church leaders are themselves attracted to aura of power that a politician emits. Haven’t we seen church leaders gleefully rubbing shoulders with those in positions of power and authority?
In the final analysis, electoral reforms and political education in the villages and hamlets would be of immense help. It would be presumptuous at this juncture to speak of zero tolerance for corruption. But if the present system can be revamped through progressive legislation there is still hope for democracy. That an important legislation like the right to information (RTI) could see the light of day gives us enormous strength to carry on the fight.
(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com)



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