02/19/2008: "NSCNs not to involve in polls Nagaland Post"

NSCNs not to involve in polls Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, FEB 18 (NPN): The NSCN (I-M) and “NSCN/GPRN”, Sumi Region, have informed that they would not involve in the forthcoming State election.
The MIP/NSCN (I-M) in a press release said its collective leadership has made it clear that the NSCN (I-M) cannot compromise its principle by participating in the election conducted under the Indian Constitution. “What is of utmost importance to NSCN is the ‘Cause’ and therefore, there should be no confusion about this. The issue of the magnitude of Indo- Naga political problem cannot be diluted under any circumstances, come what may,” the release said.
In a separate press statement, the “NSCN/GPRN”, Sumi Region, has informed all its military and civil authorities not to involve in the ensuing state Assembly election. Caretaker, NSCN/ GPRN, Sumi Region, Vitoho Aye warned that action would be taken as per the “Yezabo” of NSCN against those NSCN members involving in the polls.

Oscar plea for Naga unity OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Oscar Fernandez
Shillong, Feb. 18: Delhi’s pointsman in the Naga talks, Oscar Fernandez, today said unification of all warring Naga groups was imperative to take the “stalled peace process” forward.
Fernandez, who is in Shillong, to campaign for the party in the forthcoming elections, said disunity among the various Naga factions was the main hurdle in the peace process and that only “unification” would lead to an early solution.
“If all the underground factions join hands, it will be the easiest method to find a solution to the Naga problem,” he said. His statement is likely to give a new dimension to the ongoing controversy in the state over the unification efforts by a breakaway faction of the Isak-Muivah group. A few members of the NSCN (I-M), led by its former home minister (klo kilonser), Azheto Chophy, recently broke away to form the NSCN (Unification) to try and bring unity among the Naga militant groups.
The NSCN (I-M) leadership, however, has questioned the manner the nascent outfit was trying to push the unity agenda and declared a “state of emergency”.
Contradicting national security adviser M.K. Narayanan’s view that the peace process in Nagaland has slowed down, Fernandez said the talks are on the right tracks.
“Peace talks are on the right track and we are now dealing with the technical aspects of the talks to arrive at a viable solution.”
He added that a technical committee, comprising government officials and NSCN (I-M) members, has been constituted to arrive at an acceptable formula.
“Both sides are working on the technical aspects and we hope that the matter will be discussed in the next meeting to be announced shortly.”
The Congress leader, however, avoided speaking on the manifesto released by the party in Nagaland seeking integration of all Naga inhabited areas, saying he was yet to see the manifesto.
“I have not seen the manifesto and during my trip to Nagaland, I will find out the content of the manifesto.”
Asked further on the party’s stand on the matter, Fernandez said, “It is a sensitive issue. If you have a copy of the manifesto, I am eager to see that”.
On the spurt of violence in Nagaland, Fernandez said the government was taking steps to check violence.
‘Slow-down in Naga peace talks worrying’ Morung Express Al Ngullie
Dimapur | February 18 (MExN): Reflecting the overall perspective of India’s position on the more than half-a-century Indo-Naga political issue, some political observers declare that the ‘slowdown’ in the Government of India-NSCN (IM) talk in fact translates into ‘stalemate.’ This is a cause for much alarm, it is observed. It is also a relative reminder to both the Government of India and the NSCN-IM to redefine what each wants and to do, to push the talks forward, they say.
A number of senior and prominent media persons as well as civil rights personalities from the mainland interacted with The Morung Express over the recent comments made to The Morung Express by National Security Advisor to Prime Minister MK Narayanan over the Indo-Naga parleys. The National Security Advisor, during his Nagaland visit two days ago, had admitted that the GoI-NSCN (IM) talks had reached a ‘slowdown.’
Some of the more perceptible and significant observations made by the political observers included perceived delay-tactics played by the Indian government and what was implied to be the exploitation of Naga-disunity to prolong the talks to India’s advantage. Further, trust-building measures like demilitarization in all Naga areas alongside removal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) are critically imperative if the Indo-Naga peace talks are to experience any solution. Another important observation was that if “broad concessions” are to be made to the Nagas, then the Constitution of India is not so rigid that it cannot be amended to accommodate the Nagas’ aspirations.
‘What the NSA said is alarming; it is a treachery to the Nagas and to the Indian Constitution’ says Ravi Hemadri, Executive Director of The Other Media, a rights’ watchdog. Commenting on the GoI wanting a ‘forward movement’ only if the NSCN-IM agrees to a solution within the Indian Constitution, Hemadri stated that this is demonstrative of India retracting its ‘promises’ when the talks first commenced ten years ago. For instance, the GoI assured that the talks would be unconditional, he said, and putting the condition of a solution only if it is within the parameters of the Indian union, is a “treachery” he said. He is also doubtful that the GoI is at all sincere. He said that no elaborate and cohesive consultative process has been undertaken in the Parliament or with the political parties over the last 10 years by the government. “This kind of process never happened. No, the government is not serious. It (Indo-Naga talks) is turning out to be a farce” Hemadri observed.
Expressing concern that the talks are hanging ‘in balance’ Hemadri, however, suggested that trust-building measures have to be set in place first. Firstly, demilitarization – not only in Nagaland but in all Naga-inhabited areas in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh – should be embarked on. Secondly, remove the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). These, Hemadri said, demonstrates democratic political participation and sincerity if the current political negotiations are to hold good water.
In the same vein, Gautam Navlakha is convinced that admitting to a ‘slowdown’ by the PM’s advisor in fact translates to ‘deadlock’ or ‘stalemate.’ This gives the impression that whether or not the GoI wants to give “broad concessions” whether within or outside, demonstrates passing the buck to the NSCN (IM). This means the Indian government is ‘stuck’ and has placed the ‘ball in the court of the NSCN (IM)’ as a way out, asserted Gautam, Associate Editor of the Economic and Political Weekly. He expressed concern that nothing tangible has emerged out of the 10 years ceasefire or talks. Relatively, he said, this also shows that the Government of India is employing the disunity of the Nagas to prolong the talks. ‘The question of Naga politics has become critical now that Naga disunity is a handle for the GoI to prolong the talks’ he observed, implying that the GoI has an advantage over the Naga issue. The Nagas have to understand that their disunity is being exploited by others, he reminded.
Gautam also wondered what MK Narayanan meant by “broad concessions.” He has to spell out and specify what they (“broad concessions”) are, the Editor said. ‘If after 10 years, if the Government of India says there is a slowdown…then it is of much concern and alarm’ he added, however, expressing hope that a honorable and acceptable solution for the Nagas is worked out by pushing forward the “hanging in balance” peace talks.
Over the perceived claim that the Indian Constitution cannot accommodate the Nagas’ aspirations, senior journalists like AS Panneerselvan, are not convinced. Attached as executive director for the international organization, Panos International, Paneer wonders: ‘If the Constitution (of India) can be amended 112 times, why not just one for the Nagas.’ And the broad and vague comments about “broad concessions” are confusing, he admits. “They (GoI) have to spell out what the ‘broad concessions’ are and what they are willing to offer” he said. Citing the instance of Jammu & Kashmir, he said the India Constitution is flexible enough and can be amended. All that is imperative is a political will from the GoI, he said. “The Indian Constitution cannot be cited as a reason for not taking forward the parleys. In fact, the GoI and the (Nagas) have to understand that the flexibility of the (Indian) constitution is a stepping stone and not a stumbling block as claimed” he said.
In a relative but slightly varied perspective, Bharat Bushan, chief of Mail Today says that the peace process has held good. The ceasefire of the last 10 years has ushered in ‘some benefits.’ He also cautioned that observations of ‘slowdown’ or stalemates’ in the parleys should not be jumped. The reason, he said, is that such processes cannot be culminated in ‘two days’ or ‘twenty days’ and needs time. However, the Government of India admitting that there is a slowdown in the parleys reminds that both have an onus to define where they both stand and want. “If the Government of India says there is a slowdown in the Indo-Naga talks, then it is incumbent upon both the Government of India and the NSCN-IM” he said. He also added that the Naga people have been ‘very patient’ and somehow the process is holding good.
‘No compromise’ on state election morungexpress
Dimapur, February 18 (MExN): Pointing out that the tempo of electioneering has increased for the Nagaland State Assembly elections slated for March 5 and stating that there is the tendency to use the “good name” of its organization, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) under the leadership of Isaac and Muivah has made it clear that it cannot compromise its principle by participating in “one way or the other” in the election conducted under the Indian constitution.
“As usual it is a game of one-upmanship resorting to any means to get elected. But in the race to out do one another there is also the tendency to use the good name of NSCN unceremoniously and giving wrong side of the story that NSCN is involved in the election. Such situation warranted the collective leadership of NSCN to make its stand very clear that NSCN cannot compromise its principle by participating in one way or the other, in the election conducted under the Indian constitution”, an MIP press note stated. Therefore, it stated that no party, be it NPF, Congress, BJP or any other political parties involved in election should have anything to do with the NSCN to get its “blessing.” “What is of utmost importance to NSCN is the ‘cause’ and therefore, there should be no confusion about this. The issue of the magnitude of Indo- Naga political problem cannot be diluted under any circumstances, come what may”, the MIP stated.
Governor appeals for free and fair election morungexpress
Kohima, February 18 (DIPR): Governor of Nagaland, K. Sankaranarayanan, in an interview to NDTV appealed to the people and all the political parties, for a free and fair election. His expressed faith in the maturity of the political leaders of various parties in the election fray, and urged for commitment to principles of responsibility and not of opportunism. The Governor said that a good and stable government is needed for peace and development in new spheres of activities for the youth. The Governor was optimistic that peace would be achieved, through negotiations by change in the mindset of the people and not by gun-point. The Governor expressed confidence over the keenness of the Government of India in bringing a peaceful settlement through the ongoing peace talk.

How Long?morungexpress
How long will it be before Nagas realize that there are ways of settling differences of opinion other than just resorting to the use of force and violence? Evidently it seems like the hammer is perceived as the only available tool for resolution, and everything else seen as nails, to be hammered upon. What then is the difference between political actions and criminal acts?
How long will one turn a deaf ear of indifference to the voices that echoes from the past, reminding the futility of the arrogance of power? Indeed the chasm of the being has reached a point where any possibility of dialogue for understanding is being broken down by the vicious nature of violence within. Tragically, how long will it take for grace to reach the hearts of humankind?
How long will it be before the people challenge their politicians to work for the future of the next generations and not their next election? How long will it take for the bureaucrats to make policies effective in paper as well as in the hearts and lives of the people who are faced with the consequences of their decisions? Indeed how long will it take to weave freedom with responsibility, service with humility, concern with courage and to act with fairness and equity? How long?
How long will it take before one realizes that with every act of violence; the pain and anger, the hurt and alienation it caused, is being passed on from one generation to the next? How long before one acknowledges that the chasms within is only destroying the very foundation of what one envision to build? How long will it take to recognize that with every missed opportunity for understanding, the chasms only widens and engulfs the drowning voices for freedom?
How long will it be before there one overcomes mistrust, transcends prejudices and stereotypes? How long will it take to put aside pride and reach out to fellow humans with compassion? How long will it take for one to look beyond the façade and concede the truth? How long before one comes to a point where one cannot remain indifferent to the principalities of evil that is eating away the core of human life?
How long will it be before the society is able to take responsibility for their actions and to take criticism responsibly without having to feel the need to issue rejoinders? How long will it take before civil religion is questioned and transformed into a prophetic voice of hope and compassion? What will it take before people can express their yearning without having to feel ashamed about it? How long will it take before empathy breaks down the walls of hatred, yes how long?
Indeed, how long before every gun is silent, injustices corrected and the human endeavor to live a life of purpose and fulfillment accomplished? Indeed, how long until there is realization that change needs to begin in the consciousness of challenging the status quo of the mind?
But then, how many are out there actually listening and wondering, How Long?
Reconciliation for Peace or Pieces morungexpress
Naga society has been hearing the echo in our hills and vales for Peace, unity and reconciliation for many years between especially between NSCN. Today these words have become hotchpotch because the national leaders quote so accurately, as well pronounce so well. It has become a hackneyed word because it is beautiful to hear but today it is diminishing by the receptor about its real meaning. These leaders uttered peace but many are living in the island of their own ego. Our national leaders from different camp have to set up their priorities right. They have to labor and construct a garden filled with varieties of flower like love, patience, understanding, peace & integrity in their private life. To bring healing to our emotional wounds. We have to experience and let it overflows from our personal life to some one next to us. Unless we have some certain qualities. Trust is far away from People and National leaders. Leaders who stand for peace must have peace in their core of their heart. We must probe deeper in order to discover new dimensions in self.
The Inner being
The inner souls have to be scrutinized carefully before they embark to be people’s representatives. We have to ask self before we question others and before we lecture others. Self discovery will reap good harvest if we are willing to disturb our comfortable zone to future zone. Self discovery is a mirror to self. Any leaders or persons who have their inner costly Jewels like love, peace, and harmony will offer other out of their abundances; these inner costly Jewels cannot be duplicated by money, power or by any antithesis forces. These kinds of persons can offer other and nation what is their best. National leaders have to listen to other counsel as well to listen their inner voices. Does it condemn them or not? Costly qualities can develop by people who have discipline in their inner life. We better discipline self before we embark the journey of peace. Leaders who have cheaper inner quantities like hatred, division, killing and all sources of evils. If they stand and echo for peace, those inner cheap quantities they posses will mock at them. In reality it is not peace but pieces …. Pieces!
The outside Atmosphere
Those who offer only corpse to family after families and funeral after funerals. Can you still say that it’s from the deep well of sweet water or bitter? Can it be from a source of peace or source of hatred? We cannot drink water which is bitter for long. Naga creation of storm is too cruel and many family are been wiped away. Many of these national leaders have all the inferiors and cheap quantities in their personal life. These leaders are offering to million of Naga people their own objectives and decision for thousand and thousand days. Younger generations are looking upon leaders who will rise and give us hope. If we see in other nations what their leaders are offering to their fellow people. They are sacrificing their lives for their people however; here they are sacrificing others to do their will. Here many of them give us only blood, bullet, bully, belittle and bemoan etc. Leaders who are not discipline cannot bring discipline in social, economic, and political arenas’. Discipline person is able to train up others as well respect the being of other. Here in our land they give us nothing but, Bang! Bang! Bang! Is there any peace in this nation or not? How many president, prime minister and kilonsers do we have today?
Leaders who want to talk about peace reconciliation must not think we are okay, others are not. They must come to our camp not us. It is not reconciliation but re-diversion. Reconciliation transcends about conditions.. Reconciliation is higher than faction. It is also perhaps not to say ‘come to our side because we are strong.’ It is about an alternative camp where Naga people’s will is sealed. It is where people freely exchange views and opinions. It is where younger generation’s will is taken into consideration, where future has strong foundation and where Naga people from East, West, North and South come together, hold hands in circle and pray, remembering one another. It is reconciliation where younger generation’s mind set is focus upon but not our faction, our ideology .Naga younger generation wants to take a bold step….give us a space to. If not, we will become a hewer of wood and drawers of water for other nations.
Nagaland for Christ banner is not bad, too beautiful to hear. However, it is not found in the Bible .It is not above the bible. Under this banner, we kill! Is it Biblical or anti-Biblical? Unless we have the spirit of Christ we do not belong to Christ. Which Christ are you talking about? Which Christ have we accepted? Which spirit are we talking about it? Taking Christ name, we cannot use God’s name in vain. We can quote any banner but to fulfill God’s agendas. Not to full fill our evil schemes. We can be political but we cannot politicize Christ. All of us today we have to confess our personal sin and corporate sin before the Lord .If we truly have the forgiveness of Christ, we will even forgive others. We can remember the pain others have inflicted upon us. But the other side is that we will not have the sting for revenge in Christ. So that reconciliation from our inner being can form in slow and steady process. We must be willing to open the book of reconciliation from Genesis to Revelation one day at a time, learning the alphabet of Hope. Are we willing to reconcile to self and to other?
Naga issues have been internationalized Internationalized minus proper home .atmosphere needs our time and energy to work more in greater zeal. Net working should begin at home. Today we are too busy and there is lots of noise, we failed to hear what other are saying in their inner souls. Today we must construct our land in to a home where people from other nations will be amazed by our zeal for our motherland not a zeal for faction supremacy. Others are amazed by our barbaric act today. The world may not grumble and talk when you are near by but other nations are talking about our foolish acts. No doubt internationalized is important but reconciliation among us is more important. Our story begins from here not out some where. Our success, our struggle begins here in our own territory. Our story begins where our people lives. We can write our history from here not from other nations. The story of forgiveness and hope can start if we are willing today. We want to share our story of tears to outsider but not willing to sit together and sort out here at home as family. Today we have to turn to another new page. We must begin here from our soil. If we want to echoes’ reconciliation, unity & peace. Today national leaders have to be willing to vacate their chairs because we cannot have many president or prime minister or kilonsers. We need only one president, one prime minister. We must be willing to become humble for the sake of this nation. We can work for this nation even without any designation or rank. If not the word reconciliation is another beautiful word but not in reality. We must begin our story with one perspective and one heart if not there are many wolves already in our midst. National leaders have to begin their story of reconciliation from their heart. If we have a story to tell to others about our struggle it has to be one if not if there are many stories from one family it will bring confusion to our self and even to those who are listening to us.
H. Apise Purana Bazar, Dimapur
Myanmar gains in Karen leader's death Brian McCartan is a Thailand-based
freelance journalist
General Secretary Mahn Sha (right) of KNU pictured with Gen Bo Mya at Karen Revolution Day in 2004.
The killing of Mahn Sha La Pan, the 64-year-old general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU) rebel group, represents a substantial loss to the movement - which at 58 years running represents the longest armed struggle for independence anywhere in the world - and promises to undermine the wider ethnic and democracy struggle in Myanmar for years to come. Mahn Sha was killed on Thursday in an assassination in the Thai-Myanmar border town of Mae Sot. Although sources vary about the details, it appears he was killed by two men who entered his house at about 4:30pm. The assassins went upstairs where Mahn Sha was resting on his balcony, greeted him, then shot him one time each with 9mm pistols.
Independent accounts say he was shot once by one assailant and then shot again while on the ground by the second. The two men then fled the house and got into a waiting pickup truck which a third man drove off at speed.
Neither the KNU-breakaway Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. nor the Myanmar junta's military intelligence service can be ruled out as possible culprits. However, KNU insiders believe Mahn Sha's assassination was most likely carried out as a revenge killing by members of the KNU/KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army) Peace Council, an armed splinter group loyal to former KNLA 7th Brigade commander General Htain Maung, which broke away from the KNU in January 2007.
Statements from the Peace Council often vilified Mahn Sha and blamed him for many of the verbal and military attacks later launched against them. One of the leaders of the group, Saw Ler Mu, the son-in-law of leader General Htain Maung, was killed on January 29 when a bomb was placed under the hut in which he was sleeping. It was widely estimated, though never proven with corroborating evidence, at the time to have been carried out by the KNU.
Another member of the Peace Council, spokesman Maung Kyaw, has been missing for several days and thought by many to have also been killed by the KNU. Sadly, the one person who could have served as a unifying agent for both the Karen and the political opposition was likely assassinated by his own people in the cause of furthering disunity.
Mahn Sha first joined the KNU in 1966 and his subsequent duties within the KNU took him to the insurgent areas of the Shan, Karenni and Kachin, which gave him a broader appreciation for the struggles of the other ethnic groups than many of his Karen leadership peers.
Following a visit to the headquarters of the Burmese Communist Party in 1986 and the conclusion of an agreement to establish a joint military alliance with the communists, Mahn Sha was demoted to private and sent to the frontlines by an angry General Bo Mya, then the leader of the Karen and then a staunch rightwing anti-communist.
Mahn Sha, however, proved his worth and rose quickly back up through the ranks to become Bo Mya's personal secretary in 1988. At the KNU's 12th Congress in 2000 he was elected general secretary, the number three position in the KNU. He was reelected to the position in the 2004 Congress and also was a member of the secretariat of the National Council of the Union of Burma, a political umbrella organization of ethnic political organizations and the democracy movement.
This respect and sympathy for other ethnic groups and his willingness to work with the democratic opposition made him a unifying figure in Myanmar opposition politics. In a milieu where many ethnic minority and Burman-majority leaders are often more interested in gaining advantage for their own nationalist or political causes - sometimes to the point of racism - Mahn Sha made strenuous efforts to build consensus. During the funeral for his wife several years ago in Mae Sot, representatives from many of the other ethnic insurgent organizations and political opposition came to pay their respects.

Leadership vacuum
Although officially number three in the KNU, serving behind both president Saw Ba Thin Sein and vice president Saw Tamala Baw, the president's ill health and the vice president's advanced age had in recent years left Mahn Sha in real terms holding the reigns of power. He was definitely the public face of the KNU, being the most frequently sought after official for press interviews.
The KNU now faces the difficult task of filling his leadership shoes, just over one year since the December 2006 death of former charismatic KNU leader Bo Mya. Although there are other capable leaders in the organization, the complex nature of Karen politics means that before a new general secretary can be chosen there must be some form of consensus. This will be difficult to achieve in an organization where clique politics plays an important role and the Cold War-era ideological struggle between communists and non-communists still plays a role in internal Karen politics.
Mahn Sha was also a Buddhist and an ethnic Pwo Karen in an organization which since its creation has been overwhelmingly controlled by Christians and Sgaw Karen. The majority of Karen are Buddhists, although the large percentage of Christian leaders within the organization has lead to the movement being erroneously represented as a Christian group. Simmering anger over the perceived privileged positions of Christian leaders and their families resulted in a serious split in 1994 and the formation of the DKBA.
Sources in Mae Sot close to the Karen say that Mahn Sha was one figure who could unite Buddhists and Christians, communists and non-communists, Pwo Karens and Skaw Karens, and maintain peace between the different power cliques. For consensus on policy and important decisions to be reached within the KNU, all sides have to be balanced and Mahn Sha was uniquely qualified as a mediator.
He was however unable to stop the 7th Brigade's commander and some of his soldiers splitting from the KNU over issues surrounding whether to maintain the ceasefire with the junta. The split was largely contained and very few joined the new group, but the damage to the KNU's reputation had already been done.
Further splits within the KNU, even if they are internal ideological ones, are not something the rebel group can afford if it hopes to continue to fend off the Myanmar army and engage the junta in future negotiations. Some analysts believe that Mahn Sha's death will serve to embolden the ruling State Peace and Development Council's attempts to further divide and rule the KNU.
While it is unlikely that Mahn Sha was killed on the direct orders of the military regime, it is certainly to their benefit. He was known to be a tough negotiator and the junta expressly requested that he not be included in the ceasefire negotiations of 2003-2004. It was felt by those close to the Karen struggle that this was because Mahn Sha could not be enticed by promises of personal enrichment or the lure of economic concessions - a tactic that several other ceasefire ethnic groups in Myanmar have been frequently accused of succumbing to.
The Myanmar Army's renewed offensive in early 2006 in the northern Karen State and eastern Pegu Division is two years later slowly eroding the last remaining areas under Karen control. The army's scorched earth tactics are also causing serious hardships for the civilian population of the region. Mahn Sha was never in support of the ceasefire agreed between the KNU and the junta and which many now believe was simply a diversionary tactic by the Myanmar military to prepare its frontlines for the offensive.
Mahn Sha's support for continued military resistance to the junta until the military regime is willing to hold an honest political discussion with the KNU made him unpopular with some who felt that the Karen should have peace. Mahn Sha's stance, however, was seemingly vindicated with the army's renewed military activity against KNU strongholds.
The Karen are also suffering from something of a crisis of resolve with many seeking to emigrate as refugees, including members of the KNU and KNLA and large numbers of young people. Mahn Sha was a leader that the younger generation of Karen could look up to and his death may further diminish hopes for a people already in crisis.
More than most ethnic or democratic opposition leaders, Mahn Sha was willing to put aside his nationalism and try to form united fronts. While this cost him support in some Karen circles, due to feelings that he may have been appeasing other groups at the cost of Karen issues, it made him invaluable for uniting ethnic opposition to the military regime.
At this January's Karen new year celebrations, Mahn Sha stated, "The KNU will also cooperate with opposition groups inside and outside the country in matters relating to change in Burma [Myanmar] and increasing the progress of the democracy movement."
Cooperation is something the opposition is going to need to counter the junta's new plans for a referendum on its new constitution and follow-on elections. Unity, however, is something the ethnic and democracy struggle in Myanmar has historically lacked, making the loss of a leader who inspired people across ethnic and political divides that more tragic.
Statehood plea by Karbi body Correspondent Nagaland Post
Diphu, Feb 18: The Organization for Revival of Mass Movement for Hemprek (ORMMH) has reiterated the demand of Statehood within the jurisdiction of Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
A high-level delegation of the ORMMH met Union Minister P.R. Kyndiah recently and urged him to accommodate the demand in the terms of reference of 2nd State Reorganization Commission. ORMMH leader Welcome Teron said Kyndiah agreed to extend his fullest cooperation towards realizing the dream of the Karbis.
According to Welcome Teron, Kyndiah also said that Karbi leaders of the seventies made a blunder by not joining Meghalaya when the opportunity came in their way. The Minister said if the Karbis had grabbed the opportunity, Karbi Anglong would have achieved a better tribal entity and comprehensive chance to preserve its rich traditions and values.
ULFA bandh hits normal life Deepika global

Guwahati, Feb 19 (UNI) The 12-hour Assam bandh called by ULFA paralysed the state today.

The bandh call demanding release of the arrested PCG member Lachit Bardoloi, who was arrested in connection with the alleged plane hijacking conspiracy, hit the Brahmaputra valley hard.

There was very little vehicular movement on the road with most of the towns wearing a deserted look. Though the rail and airlines operated normally, the bus services were severely affected.

However, no violence has been reported so far. ULFA denied that they had ever conspired to hijack a plane. ''Our tough actions would continue. There would be no stopping. I have instructed the security forces to go all out'' said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

The security forces had been achieving major success in the past one week, killing four ULFA cadres and arresting more than a dozen with arms, from various parts of the state besides foiling an alleged hijack conspiracy and two bombing attempts. The organisation, on the other hand, rejected moderate path of peace and announced in their mouthpiece ''Freedom'' that they would ''no longer be interested on the peace process. This is the time of struggle and offence'' it said.

''They have been talking like this for long. They are trying to continue terrorising the people but have failed because of our security. Now they are sending new recruits into Guwahati to evade our net,'' said lower Assam DIG G P Singh. However, Mr Gogoi made it clear that the operation would be suspended only if ULFA directly shows interest for negotiation. ''Otherwise it would continue. There is no point wasting time with PCG because they do not have much access and control over the leadership of ULFA,'' he said. ULFA had constituted the Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) as a liason between them and the Government. Mr Gogoi also said as per the intelligence briefing by the state police, the arrested PCG member Lachit Bardoloi had connections with ULFA and was working as an over ground member of the banned organisation. Another such PCG member Hiranya Saikia, however, accused the Congress government of using ULFA to cross the electoral battle.
Transport project to connect Myanmar with India Indo Burma News
February 18, 2008: (PTI) Aizawl, The Kolodyne Multi Modao Transport Project, which would connect Sittwe port in Myanmar with Mizoram, would be launched soon after the Indian and Myanmar governments signed a formal agreement in April, DONER Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said on Wednesday.
The multi-crore project would benefit not only Mizoram and the North East, but would open a gateway to South Asia, Aiyar told mediapersons at the Lengpui Airport near here after returning from south Mizoram.
“The project would make south Mizoram, the remotest part of the country, a hub of international trade,” Aiyar said, adding it would make true the prophesy by a great visionary about a hundred years ago that the south would be shining.
He asserted that the ‘Look East Policy’ would become a reality after the implementation of the project.
The Kolodyne Multi Modal Transport Project is bifurcated into two - one inside Myanmmar taken up by the Ministry of External affairs and the other inside Mizoram, to be monitored by the Ministry of Shipping, Highway and Transport.
The Myanmar project is estimated at Rs 550 crore while the estimate on Mizoram side, originally pegged at Rs 250 crore in 2000 is likely to be raised to Rs 400 crore, Additional Manager of RITES K G S Sharma, who accompanied the Union minister, said.
Aiyar, who also holds Sports portfolio, said that comprehensive National Sports Policy would be introduced in the Parliament during March.
Turning to rice scarcity in south Mizoram, he said the matter would be taken up with the Union Minister for Food Sharad Pawar and he would also urge Chief Minister Zoramthanga for immediate measures in this regard.

Nagalim.NL News

02/19/2008: "NSCNs not to involve in polls Nagaland Post"