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02/14/2008: "Role of patriots in Nation building- Nagaland Post"

Role of patriots in Nation building- Nagaland Post

All of us know that our country (Naga) is a young and small Nation. The spirit of the real politicians/National workers needs to be replicated in many spheres of our society to bring about constructive social and political drastic changes. The active involvement of honourable patriots in a wide variety of Nation-building effective activities will be a key determinant in our success and excellence. The young capable Politicians/National workers should seek matured political wisdom and future vision so as to fulfill our common political aspiration of one people in the eye of the world community. We are going to extend our sincere support and warm co-operation to any political party or organization which has strong determination to work hard with political conviction basing on National principle. We have before us our common political agenda to be pursued.
The Naga issue of sixty years standing to be discussed by sidelining the National principle is unthinkable. In defence of National principle, how many Naga good leaders can be counted as worthy patriots willing to drop their precious blood for the genuine cause of Naga.
Look at today political scenario in the state, unprincipled Naga leaders irrespective of all political parties, are busy defecting from one to another party with a sinister designed master-minded by certain section of the people in association with the adversaries. The main intention of defected under ground people! State Politicians was for the sole purpose of perpetrating one's selfish interest for power, position and materialism. We the Naga public feels discourage and ashame of such run away national worker's behaviours. However, over ground politicians are also on the same track. Some are because of not getting party tickets in their favour, whereas some may be not getting lion's share. These defectors are considered naturally unprincipled power monger politicians. Those who play such monetary politics are not deserved to be national worker or real patriots because they have not particular colours of their politics at any level. They may come today and may go away tomorrow as they like because they don't want to suffer in the service of the people.
Many aspiring candidates from different political parties say, "Elect me to serve you". After electing them to power they rather work in their own interest not even respecting the electorates' interest. Most of them become habitual defectors whether under ground or over ground. As and when they lose their interest in the service of the public they run away from their fold expecting to enjoy more power, wealth and better position.
Very unfortunate the recent discriminate unification move initiated by some section of people through back door. Any move for such purpose should be through proper channel with the support of mass based organizations like Naga Hoho, NMA, NSF NPMHR and NBCC. No Naga Civil Societies could extend their support to this present Naga Unification process because of not basing on the National issue and political principle of oneness as enshrined in the Naga Constitution.
Therefore, to me it is time wastage and an inconvenience creating factor to the Naga Political Peace Process. Let us not give a chance violence to beget violence and divide more the Naga people. This is more projecting our colour of disunity and disintegrity.
H. Sosü, general secretary, Poumai Hoho, Nagaland.
Extortion really does deserve the strongest retort possible By J.B.LAMA The Statesman
ONCE again, the issue of extortion begs attention, as much because it has assumed epidemic proportions in the North-east even as no state in the region has bothered to kick itself awake to tackle this social malaise. By whatever yardstick applied, it is an absolutely outrageous act to kill a petty poultry dealer just because he failed to meet extortionists’ ransom demand for Rs 20 lakh! This happened in Nagaland’s commercial town of Dimapur on 31 January. The powerful Naga Students’ Federation and the Nagaland Peace Council condemned the killing and traders and shopkeepers observed a day’s closure — for some reason, this stretched to two days — which prompted the Dimapur Municipal Council chief to comment that they should not have caused the public inconvenience. There was no justifying his “blaming” the traders because downing shutters was their only outlet to conveying their anger and grievances. For far too long they have been suffering silently because they do not have the wherewithal to give back as good as they get from extortionists.
The NSCN(IM) has repeatedly denied its involvement in extortion and intimidation, giving the impression that anti-socials are taking advantage in its name. It even promised to punish the offenders. Last month its collective leadership accused the signatories to the “Niuland declaration” — involving the reunion of two NSCN factions — of extorting crores of rupees from businessmen in Dimapur within a month of its signing. This alone shows the circumstances under which the business community is compelled to function.
It is pertinent to question why the NSF — which keeps a close watch on those living in Kohima without valid Innerline permits — can’t come forward to help the authorities fight the menace. Since those collecting “taxes” and “donations” are said to be mostly cadres of the two warring NSCN factions, the police are loathe to interfere in these activities lest they be accused of violating the truce. The ceasefire ground rules strictly prohibit such activities, but these are observed more in the breach.
The idea behind imposition of President’s Rule in Nagaland a few weeks before the assembly elections is to create an ideal atmosphere, but events over the past few days — growing cases of abduction and extortion and killing — suggest it has not measured up to expectations.
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IN Manipur last week, abductors were forced to release a state electricity department engineer who had been picked up from Senapati district on 31 January before the end of a 12-hour general strike. All of Manipur would have gone without electricity had he not been freed. Such public resistance must be encouraged. But some 18 months ago M Indrasen, a Manipuri entrepreneur, was not so lucky. He was shot dead for failing to pay a Rs 6-crore ransom demand. All because a little-known Muslim organisation — People’s United Liberation Front, which is still active — branded him an Indian agent for having contested an election.
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ON 6 February the Dimapur-based Nagaland Post carried a photograph of men and women from Manipur marching through Chumukidema, a few kilometres from Dimapur, carrying a banner on which was emblazoned “Love, Peace and Unity March”. Said to be have been organised by New Horizon, a newly-formed NGO, the participants — about 441 of them — started from Imphal on 30 January and plan to also visit Assam and Meghalaya, covering 1,860 km in 45 days. According to team officials, the objective is to “rediscover our ones to strengthen the bond of love, rejuvenate our historic energy, gain unity for peace and embrace the new opportunities opening up before us”.
Some organisations are said to have contributed essential commodities for their upkeep along the way. Coming as this does at a time when ethnic feelings are running high, it is a praiseworthy initiative that will, hopefully, meet with a warm response. We wish them God speed.
Political Trust Editorial morungexpress
While there has been political opinions expressing doubts over the resolutions passed last year by the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on the Naga political issue, the Congress high command in Delhi may have to clearly state on the poll manifesto of its Nagaland unit with regard to the affirmation calling for the implementation of the 16-point agreement in Toto. This will include clause 13, which is related to integration of contiguous Naga inhabited areas—a contentious issue and one of the main sticking points in the dialogue between the Government of India and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim. This is therefore a major policy change of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC). But the answer that people are now seeking is whether the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has also taken an honest and deliberate decision to go in for this mid-course correction or whether this is just a catchphrase for electoral dividends. Hopefully, we can get a clear picture when central leaders such as Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh come to Nagaland for election campaigning in the coming days.
It is however not surprising to note the opposition coming out especially from Manipur with regard to the decision calling for Naga integration in the Congress manifesto. Already, political groups like the Manipur Peoples Party (MPP) and social organization such as the powerful United Committee Manipur (UCM) have voiced their protest over the mention of Naga integration in the Congress manifesto. Besides this anger, there is confusion over the ambiguous stand of the Indian National Congress (INC) over the issue. While no doubt the NPCC stand on the integration issue, if at all sincere, is a welcome development for people in Nagaland; however the uncertainty arises from the fact that its counterpart Congress party in Manipur had contested the last assembly elections (which it won) on the plank of safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur. Assurance to this effect was given by the Chief Minister I. Ibobi Singh and none other than Congress President Sonia Gandhi to the electorates of Manipur. And even the Ibobi Singh Cabinet in a hurriedly convened meeting on February 11, 2008 brushed aside any suggestion of the AICC endorsing such a move on integration as mentioned in the 16 point agreement. Given that AICC officials were present during the official release of the Congress poll manifesto recently in Kohima, this only adds to the ambiguity of the INC’s take on the entire issue of Naga integration. The question that needs clear answers are whether the AICC (INC) has endorsed this policy shift vis-à-vis its Nagaland State unit and also whether the AICC has calculated on the possible consequences that it will face in the neighbouring States ruled by the party i.e Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh all having substantial territory inhabited by Nagas. These are important questions and both the electorate of Nagaland and the people of Manipur in particular and the North East in general, need to know. Having said this, if the INC’s stand on the integration issue is merely for electoral gains then it is quite unbecoming of a responsible party toying with the emotions of the public. But if the Congress is at all serious and committed to carry forward this policy shift beyond electioneering purpose, then the party’s stand will no doubt be welcomed by the Naga people. Both ways, the true character of the Congress party will be tested in the coming days.

PCG member denies ULFA hijack plan By Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Feb 12 – Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) member Hiranya Saikia today said that the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is facing the heat of an international conspiracy, the objective of which is to malign the image of the outfit across the world. As the outfit has its presence in several countries like Myanmaar, Bhutan and Bangladesh, this vested interest circle, also comprising a section of Army, police and politicians of the State, is leaving no stone unturned to keep the ULFA-Centre peace talks in doldrums.

Talking to the mediapersons here today, Saikia further revealed that the ULFA C-in-C Paresh Baruah told him that the outfit had no plan of hijacking any plane and it was basically done to defame the outfit internationally.

Saikia also divulged that, on Monday night, he received one phone call followed by an SMS from a cell phone, stating that dreaded ULFA leader Hira Saraniya is hatching a plan to kill the PCG member along with Akash Thapa, another senior ULFA leader.

“Though the person introduced himself as Bokul Das, sergeant major of outfit’s 709 battalion, I have my doubts about his identity,” Saikia said, while adding: “ This could well be a ploy on the part of the State Government machinery to kill me and later project it as the handiwork of the outfit.”

He also displayed the SMS sent from a BSNL cell phone (94356-12707) to him last night.

“The Centre as well as the State Government does not want to continue with the peace talks, they have launched some sort of campaign against those who are the backbone of the peace talks,” he said.

“Now that elections are also over, they are hardly bothered about anything,” Saikia rued.

Saikia, however, said that he is going to file a FIR in this regard later today.

Meanwhile, Debojit Deuri, Additional Superintendent of Police (City) informed that so far no formal complaint was lodged and if required, the PCG member would be given adequate security.

Saikia further said the term ‘sovereignty’ is not what it used to be earlier and therefore the issue revolving around sovereignty should not be seen with an adamant approach.

“The definition of sovereignty has changed. In real term, no country in this world is totally sovereign, though they claim to be one. It, in one way or the other, depends on the other country,” the former ULFA leader asserted.

“If the Indian constitution can be amended on numerous occasions, why can’t the Government become a bit flexible with the sovereignty issue,” Saikia said.

Taking potshots on the Centre as well as the State Government for derailing the peace process, Saikia said, “ “On one hand, India is claiming to be the world’s largest democracy, but on the other, it is supporting an atrocious act like the Arms Forces (Special Power) Act.”
ULFA chief flays Bordoloi’s arrest By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Feb 12 – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today alleged that a section of Army and Police officials did not want a political solution to “India-Assam conflict”. In a statement released to the media through e mail today, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said that the PCG was formed for a political solution to the conflict and the ULFA time and again told the Government of India that all communications to the outfit should be made through the PCG.

The ULFA chairman strongly condemned the arrest of PCG member Lachit Bordoloi and said that it was an attempt to derail the peace process. Meanwhile, in a separate statement, military spokesman of the ULFA, Raju Baruah said that Monon Tamuli, on the basis of whose confessional statement Lachit Bordoloi was arrested, had surrendered before the police way back in 2004 and since then he was working for the police.
"Meeting Lachit Bordoloi in Jail" letter

It is Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Renu-bou (Lachit's wife), an associate and I packed some food for him and took it to the lock-up in Chandmari police station in Guwahati city. They had brought him into the city late at night, which is why he could not be produced in court. He called Renu-bou when he reached the lock-up and asked her to get some moisturiser with her in the morning. She packed a small bag full of clothes, a towel and body oil. The policemen on duty did not allow us inside, saying that only his wife would be allowed. A little later, one of them came and said that I could go in.
Lachit Bordoloi was smiling like a sheepish schoolchild. Two policemen were lazily signing papers and policewoman barked instructions to an orderly to fetch tea for us. Lachit had the daily papers in front of him. Where does one begin to ask questions at a time like this? He was sitting on an officer's chair and reassuring Renu-bou that it would be alright. He asked me to inform the family members of a young man, who looked confused and bewildered inside the lock-up. Apparently, this was the young man who had been part of the great hijack plan. This morning, he looked like a clean-shaved boy, wondering what boulder hit him while it flew North!

I said to Lachit that I would be on the computer all day, writing to people, letting them know what the whole Kafkaesque ordeal is about. Rather naively, I asked him if he would be out today. "No", he said, "I will either be sent back to police custody or, luck permitting, to judicial custody". The cell is cold, so I hoped that he would not have to spend another night there. Judicial custody seemed like a better option. These are moments when our faculties become pliant tools in the hands of higher powers. The absurdity of law, conspiracies, politics all fall apart as we begin to babble in the tongues that we are asked to. We see hijacking as a plausible plot because the police says so. We see connections with ULFA as being bad omens. We become as dumb as the disinformation campaign requires us to be.

This disinformation is a powerful thing. It hits us from the front pages of newspapers in the morning. It says: "PCG convener Lachit Bordoloi Arrested for Links with Banned Outfit". Just the kind of stuff that gentle Assamese folk would not want to be associated with. Just to drive home the point, a second headline reads: "Airline staff held for hijack plot". This chaotic miasma is what the security establishment would love to have us believe. This is also the point where the law becomes an ally of those in power.
Lachit Bordoloi was arrested on the basis of a statement given by an accused in custody. By that logic, any one of us can randomly name people we dislike if we are caught by the police. Lachit Bordoloi, the police say, had links with ULFA. He does not deny these links. He is a peace facilitator and it the irony is, this is what people in corridors of power in Delhi expect of him. As a member of the Peoples Consultative Group (PCG), the mandarins at the home ministry and prime ministers office, probably tell him: "Bordoloi sahab, you must ask these people to climb down on this". Or something like that. But they expect him to carry information back and forth. As do many of us in Assam. We expect that his honesty will be reason enough for some kind of peace initiative to move forward.

We are so naive. As I stood in the police station, awkwardly watching him hug his wife, a police officer came in and said: "Bordoloi, apunak medical loi jabo lage" (Bordoloi, we have to take you to the hospital". Lachit Bordoloi got up, smiled at me a little wistfully and thought about how his young son who moved to a hostel (with great difficulty) last year, would take the news. He boarded the back of a dusty jeep and was gone. His lawyers are working on getting him out on bail once he is produced in court. It feels as if there is concert being conducted and we are watching listlessly. He has been held under the ubiquitous Section 120B and 121, which are basically the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

It would be wise to assess Bordoloi's unlawful activities before we sink into our happy, brain-numbing world of security-induced political positions.

1. He was a peace activist
2. He believed in the movement for human rights
3. He believed that there was a dignified way to negotiate conflicts without humiliating an aggrieved party
4. He wrote critical articles in news papers
5. He constantly challenged the arbitrary exercise of power

And we are asked to believe that what he was doing, and will continue to do, is detrimental to our social welfare. There will be protests all over Assam today. But I fear that we will still be naive and miss the whole point of this exercise. We will fall short of questioning the manner in which a disinformation regime has already taken root in the counter-insurgency driven political milieu in Assam. We will continue to believe in great intelligence successes of the security establishment in "foiling hijacks", even as a car full of mysterious gunmen drive past a police check post and shoot an executive of the region's largest Television channel. For tonight, I just hope that Lachit Bordoloi does not have to spend the night in the lock-up.

In solidarity! Sanjay Barbora

UNLF claims hand in eliminating two By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Feb 13 : The proscribed UNLF has claimed responsibility for killing MPA’s 2nd Lt Salam Mangal alias Biren s/o S Chandumba of Keibul Lamjao Mayai Leikai and Heikrujam Mono s/o H Chinguba of Arong Heibong Makhong. While Mangal was eliminated on February 11, Mono was shot dead yesterday.
A statement issued by the UNLF’s Senior Publicity Officer Ksh Yoiheiba accused Mangal of violating the party’s principle and indulging in immoral activities. Following an injury in his hand, Mangal was posted in valley areas to undergo treatment. But then he started engaging in contract/supply works in association with some individuals. Even as the party authority cautioned him repeatedly to stay away from his activities which was against the party policy and lack approval of the authority, Mangal continued with his activities using a fictitious name. Subsequently, a team of CSF was sent after him to pull him up. But in the meantime, Mangal was appre- hended by the State Police Commandos.
Later, Mangal was set free and he was sent outside the State to undergo treatment of his injured hand. But when he was called back to his unit after treatment of his injury, he paid no heed to the party’s call. Rather, he started indulging in various immoral activities, charged the outfit. Under such circumstances, Mangal was allowed to retire from the MPA. But Mangal, staying at Khordak and Arong Nongmaikhong area, defied all instructions and warnings of the party. He continued with his wayward and immoral activities. On February 4 this year, Mangal with another cohort belonging to another organisation asked two youths to call two women from Moirang area. The duo and the women stayed the night together carousing throughout the night. On the same day, a girl from Yumnam Huidrom who had physical relations with Mangal was staying at Khordak after she was called there. While staying the night in a house at Khordak, the girl was called out by Heikrujam Mono and another Chaningkhomba alias Samsangba (26) s/o H Iboyaima of Khordak Makha Leikai. Then the two raped her at gun point, asserted Yoiheiba. Instead of rescuing his victimised girl friend, Mangal took Rs 25, 000 from Mono and let the culprit go scot free. But two days later, the party came to know about the incident and it promptly launched an investigation. Both the girl and accused Mono were pulled up and interrogated
during which all the facts and circumstances of the incident were revealed. In the course of the investigation, a pistol belonging to the KCP used in the crime was also seized. However, the other accused Samsangba is still at large.
Just as the interrogation of the victim girl and Mono was continuing, Mangal took away the girl from the hands of the party cadres. However, the party cadres went after Mangal and managed to pull up Mangal on the next day. On questioning Mangal, it was discovered that many girls have fallen prey to his pervert behaviour. Sensing possibility of more such immoral activities against other women of the land from 2nd Lt Mangal, he was awarded capital punishment on February 11, informed Yoiheiba.
For his inexpiable crime of using a revolutionary weapon to rape an girl, Mono was also awarded dead penalty yesterday, he added. Subsequent upon eliminating of Mangal and Mono, the former’s elder brother Salam Puranthaba alias Jadumani who was also an MPA cadre (no 1880) had gone to State Police commando with a pistol he took from another MPA cadre deceitfully today.
Puranthaba defected to the MPA from another outfit with a weapon in May 2004. While the weapon was returned to his parent outfit, Puranthaba was made to retire at home. On his insistence that he could not stay home, Puranthaba was imparted training in June 2004 after which he became an MPA cadre. After working as an MPA cadre for about two years, he started misbehaving following which he was made to retire from MPA. But again, he pleaded to work for the party saying that he could not stay home as he was being hunted by security forces.
In the meantime, Puranthaba was intimated in detail that the criminal activities of his younger brother Mangal could not be condoned. Moreover, he was also asked to stay home properly. But then he requested the party not to claim responsibility for killing his younger brother in case Ma-ngal had to be eliminated after all. As the party was consi- dering his request, Puranthaba fled away from the party with a pistol and has sought refuge with the commandos.
While declaring that Puranthaba will be awarded capital punishment in accordance to the principle of the UNLF, Yoiheiba asserted that his family should pay for the weapon Puranthaba took from the outfit.
In case the State police commandos commit the blunder of using Puranthaba against the liberation struggle, it will result in serious repercussions, cautioned the outfit. Stating that Puranthaba is also an indiscipline and mentally unbalanced person just like his slain brother, the outfit further warned that for any eventuality which may befall upon those using/associating with Puranthaba in the course of the party’s attempt to punish the deserter, the UNLF will not bear any responsibility.
Youth`s body recovered near Lamsang The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Feb 12: The bullet riddled body of an unidentified youth was recovered this afternoon at a paddy field in between Kameng and Mana Inkhol about 7 Km north west of Lamsang police station. The unidentified body was picked up by the Lamsang police this afternoon and and deposited at RIMS morgue for post mortem. The deceased, who appears to be a Meitei, was shot in the chest and head.

He is about 30 years in age, fair complexioned wearing black jeans, blue jean jacket and dark blue jogging shirt. A tattooed inscription, `Govind` written in Hindi was also found at his left forearm. According to police source, a hand bag containing ladies` garments and two writing pads were also recovered near by the dead body. One of the writing pads had the name of one Salam Govind Meitei of Singjamei Chanam Pukhri Mapal written on it. Police who visited the spot this afternoon were informed by near by villagers that they heard some gunshots on Tuesday night at the spot.

In the meantime, the bodies of three suspected cadres of the KCP (MC) group who were killed by another UG group at Sansenlok village under Lamlai police station yesterday afternoon were picked up from the spot this morning and brought to RIMS morgue. Among the deceased, one was officially identified as Yumnam Chand alias Apan 30 of Khagempalli Huidrom Leikai by the family.

According to family sources, the deceased was an active member of the KCP (MC) group and he had been arrested by the police about a year back. The sources also mentioned that the deceased was married and had a son. However, he and his wife divorced before his arrest by the police. The family also said he held a sergeant rank in the organisation. In the meantime, two other bodies are still laying at the RIMS morgue. They are believe to be one 2nd Lt.Saphaba and Corporal Sanathoi alias Thoi of the KCP (MC) group. Residents of Sansenlok reportedly told the police that the three deceased cadres had been taking shelter at their village since last Thursday afternoon.

As per the villagers` report, another group of UGs numbering about eight came to their village yesterday afternoon around 1 pm and opened fire upon the three deceased while the latter were eating fruits at one of the houses. There was a brief exchange of fire, but due to the great number of the attackers, the three were killed after overpowering them, the villagers reportedly informed.


"We need more Rambo" Than Htike Oo Mizzima News

'Down with the military junta', 'Don't cheat people's vote', 'We need more Rambo' and 'Free Burma' were written with a yellow spray gun in English and Burmese along the highway a half mile from Nyaung Oo Township in eastern Burma.
"The slogans were written in the middle of the road. The English words were in square script and the Burmese words were in a circular shape, written on the road diagonally. The words are as big as a round bamboo tray [three feet in diameter]", a local resident said.
The slogans were believed to be written on the night of February 10th and the local police erased them the next day at about 9 a.m.
"The police erased them with petrol as soon as they knew about it. They used sand to erase the words and are investigating who did it. They have also deployed security forces at busy junctions. The security forces consist of three men in each team from the police force and fire brigade", he added.
In Hollywood's "Rambo 4 ", released in January, Rambo comes to the rescue of Christian missionaries kidnapped by a battalion of Burmese soldiers.
The military government announced on February 9th that a referendum will be held in May this year and a new election is to be held in 2010.
Anti-government slogans also appeared sporadically elsewhere in Burma. In Myitkyina, Kachin State, an underground organization calling itself the All Kachin Students' Union distributed pamphlets containing the slogans: 'Resolve the political crisis through tripartite dialogue', 'Totally reject undemocratic drafting process of State Constitution' and 'Release all political prisoners unconditionally'.
Similarly anti-government pamphlets containing the slogan 'Protect Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the country' were found on the Taunkup-Kyaukphyu highway in Rakhine State in western Burma on the 19th of January.