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02/26/2008: "Unification: Desired goal of Nagas- Nagaland Post"



Unification: Desired goal of Nagas- Nagaland Post

The Ao Seden understands that there seems to be confusion on the matter of present Naga unification move in different corners. Infact, unification of all Naga communities irrespective of territorial location and organizations is the most needed of the hour because without this we cannot achieve our goal as desired by the Naga people.
In this regard, the Ao Seden recalls its earlier declaration made in a joint meeting of Ao Seden and ABAM on 20th July'1993, wherein, we have passed three historic resolutions on peace and unity move in Nagalim as stated below:
1. To work for peace and unity move involving ourselves for its complete success.
2. To discourage all forms of violence, factionalism and such, appeal to all concerened to declare unilaterally; the cessation of hostility between different groups at the earliest because peace and unity can be achieved among different groups only through negotiations, mutual understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation.
3. That a competent body consisting of reasonable members acceptable to all concerned to form through the auspicious of Naga Hoho/NBCC in order to achieve the goal of Naga unity.
Further, we wish to keep our record and commitment clear recalling our earlier statements dated 8th February'07, whereby, we have appealed to all Naga National workers, their factions, civil societies, NGOs, Churches and individuals to sincerely respond to the call of the National proclamation made by Isak chishi Swu, the Yaruiwo of Nagalim NSCN (I-M) on the matter of "forgiveness and reconciliation" issued on 13th January'07.
After this crucial juncture, the Ao Senden feels that the on-going peace process and political negotiation under the collective leadership that have been endorsed by all the Naga tribes, civil societies and churches is the right perspective that needs to be strengthened by one and all. The Senden feels that forming different groups taking different nomenclature may simply add more confusion among the people.
While reiterating our previous stand, the Ao Senden feels that the Naga unification, reconciliation and peace making process should pave the way towards successful political settlement on the on-going political negotiation.
Temjenkaba, President of Ao Senden. Temjen Paul, Secretary of Ao Senden.
Ao Senden speaks out on ‘unification’morungexpress
Dimapur, February 25 (MExN): Breaking silence over the current “Naga unification” issue, the Ao Senden has also expressed its stance, reaffirming the number of Ao Senden/ABAM resolutions adopted on July 20, 1993 as well as commitments made on February 8, 2007. The Ao Senden also feels that forming different groups under “various nomenclatures” would only add more confusion on the people.
“The Ao Senden understands that there seems to be a confusion on the matter of present Naga unification move in different corners” stated the apex Ao tribe organization in a statement received from its executives. While reiterating that unification of all the Naga communities irrespective of “territorial location and organization” is critically imperative, the Ao Senden reaffirmed its earlier resolutions made in a joint meeting of the Senden and the ABAM on July 20, 1993. The resolutions affirmed to work for peace and unity, discourage all forms of violence, factionalism etc and that a competent body be formed through the Naga Hoho and the NBCC to work towards unity and reconciliation.
The Ao Senden highlighted two of its resolutions: “…to discourage all forms of violence, factionalism and as such appeal to all concerned to declare unilaterally the cessation of hostility between different groups at the earliest because peace and unity can be achieved among different groups only through negotiations, mutual understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation.” The second resolution the Senden highlighted was a competent body of “reasonable members” to work towards this effect. The resolution read: “…that a competent body consisting of reasonable members acceptable to all concerned be formed through the auspicious (sic) of Naga Hoho/NBCC in order to achieve the goal of Naga unity.”
The Senden also made its commitment clear to the statements made on February 8, 2007 where it appealed to all the Naga undergrounds, their factions, civil society, churches and individuals to respond to the call of the “forgiveness and reconciliation” proclamation made by chairman of the NSCN-IM Isak Chishi Swu. “At this crucial juncture, the Ao Senden feels that the ongoing peace process and political negotiation under the Naga collective leadership that has been endorsed by all Naga tribes, civil societies and churches is the right perspective that needs to be strengthened by one and all. The Senden feels that forming different groups taking various nomenclatures may simply add more confusion among the people” the organization stated. The Senden also expressed conviction that Naga unification, reconciliation and peace-making processes should pave way to a successful political settlement.
Abuse of customary privileges vis-à-vis elections in Mokokchung district T. Nungsang Ao Morung
It is rightly said that elections in Nagaland had betrayed and desecrated every value we Nagas held dear in the past. Elections have ruined family and social amity and harmony, created satanic influences in the churches and most individuals have lost their sense of balance, decency and principles. The most recent casualty in the mayhem of electoral vices and abuses is the one sacrosanct Naga customary heritage including customary institutions, laws and practices particularly in Mokukchung district. I, for one, hide my face in shame on daily observing or reading about election-related violence in my home district and among my own tribal kinsman.
Agreed that election can never be totally fair and free especially where supposedly enlightened people exhibit barbaric traits and irrational mentality every time election takes place. However, things have gone beyond the sane limit in most areas of the district. In other districts, the worst kind of electoral mal- practices manifest in the form of proxy voting, mostly verbal intimidations and unfair inducements, monetary and otherwise. But in Mokukchung district, killings, physical attacks, mob violence, arson and wholesome booth-capturing have become rampant. The single biggest cause of such absolutely undemocratic practices in democratic elections is the abuse, distortion and misinterpretation of the essence and spirit of the customary laws and practices. To elaborate, vested interests in many villages, for instance employ the routine method of securing the sanction of the customary institutions or authorities either through persuasion and inducements or by force to declare support or opposition to certain candidates. Side by side, they organise the ‘youths’ (a euphemism for people of all ages who are ready and available at the price to resort to any illegal or criminal act) and employ them to elect or defeat this or that candidate by any means, hooked or crooked. The groups brandishing customary sanctions and youth power call themselves the ‘village parties’ and terrorize those for fair and free elections. The invariable fall out is pre-poll and poll violence, rigging and booth capturing, thus reducing democratic elections to a meaningless charade. This malaise knows no political colours as it affects almost all parties and entities across the political spectrum- Congress, NPF, BJP, independent, et al.
It is relevant to mention here that many villages in the district having ‘official village candidates’ as well as several have declared certain candidates ‘persona-non-grata’ in the village concerned, thereby effectively preventing many candidates and their supporters from exercising their democratic rights as guaranteed by the law., both customary and constitutional. Paradoxically, the manipulators invoke customary sanctions and privileges for virtually subverting and suppressing natural, customary, constitutional and legal rights of individuals during elections. The saddest part is that respected intellectuals and educated, enlightened and progressive members of the community as well as church leaders have chosen to remain silent on the matter which is tantamount to acquiescence with, if not abetment, to illegal activities that being disrepute and disgrace to the community as a whole. It is also ironical that some of the villages reputed to be among the most advanced socially and intellectually. To drive this point home, take the case of Changki, arguably the most advanced village in the district in the field of education with the people hitherto known for their culture and their educated conduct in life. Unfortunately not only for the village but also for the Aos and the Nagas in general, the village credited with several firsts in different walks of life apparently has fallen victim to the malaise of short sighted politicking to settle personal scores and internal issues by mixing customary issues with the modern day electoral arithmetic. The point is, if purely customary issues can be raked up and used as justification for trampling upon democratic principles in the modern election at Changki, the leader in education and a pioneer in Christianity, what else can we expect from the other villages?
The invocation of Ao customary laws and practices to forcibly deprive the twenty-first century individuals of their democratic rights can never be justified nor must it be condoned. The customary laws, practices and usages, evolved and developed since the primeval ages through head hunting, pre- education and pre- Christianity eras, have gone through a lot of adjustments, modifications and even changes in keeping with the relevancy and requirements of the changing times in a dynamic world. Secondly, and more pertinently, the statehood of Nagaland came into being on the basis of the 16 Point Agreement and Article 371 which provides for the protection of Naga customary laws and practices, shall apply to Nagaland unless it is ratified by the state legislature. Acts of parliament pertaining to election has nothing to do with Naga customary laws and practices. Conversely, elections in Nagaland are not conducted as per the provisions of customary practices and usages. Then, the acts or laws governing elections are automatically deemed to have been ratified by the state legislature since elections are the very basis of the existence of the legislature. Thus, the claim by vested interests that customary laws and practices over- ride electoral or constitutional laws and norms is downright preposterous. It is high time that vested interests exploiting and misusing customary institutions and authority for forcibly paralyzing sections of law and beginning from this election, any attempt to undermine electoral rules and norms on the pretext of exercising customary privileges must thwarted by making maximum administrative and security arrangements. Side by side, these vested interested who deny abuse of customary privilege may be made to make good their denials before a high level enquiry. Meanwhile, since some sections of the Naga label the state assembly elections as ‘Indian elections,’ are the government of India, the Election Commission and the Central Observers taking note? Or, are they apathetic and callous as usual to let everything Naga drag, drift and deteriorate to ensure that Nagas commit self-annihilation.

NSCN-IM renews ties with Sikhs NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph
New Delhi, Feb. 25: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) is renewing its ties with friends in Punjab.
Former police officer-turned-militant leader, Simranjit Singh Mann, writing the lead story for the NSCN’s website today was only a glimpse of the cross-cultural relations. On January 26, the nscnonline.org carried a joint statement by the council of Khalistan and Dal Khalsa on the 22nd anniversary of the Sarbat Khalsa.
The write-up on Republic Day, titled National Self Determination Key to Conflict Resolution, spoke in particular about resolutions at the gathering in 1986 and in general, bashing the Indian state.
“M.K. Narayanan, the guru of the Indian intelligence services, after a visit to the northeastern states, made it known that the Nagas could have anything they desire within the Indian Constitution,” Mann, leader of the Akali Dal (Amritsar) wrote today. Mann and others like him in Punjab have been keeping track of the developments in the Northeast. Narayanan visited Kohima this month and there is suspicion within the security establishment that recently there have been attempts at rejuvenating relations between the Sikhs and the Naga groups.
Last year, two human rights activists from Punjab visited the NSCN (I-M)’s Hebron camp near Dimapur and met senior rebel leaders of the outfit, sources said. The relations have been strengthened through the groups’ membership in the NGO Unrepresented Nations and People’s organisation (Unpo) of which NSCN (I-M) is a member.
After the bombing at a Ludhiana cinema hall last year there were reports of an accused saying militants tied up with the Naga outfits to procure arms and ammunition. While that piece of information has been dismissed by the security agencies, it cannot be denied that there is friendship in the air.
A Youtube video clip last year showed the “Nagalim” flag with the rainbow and Star of David on a sky blue background being hoisted. In the backdrop were the turbaned Sikhs at the function held at an undisclosed location. As for the Nagas, they can have suggestions, criticisms and sympathy from the minority of Sikh militants who, sources said, are now trying to regroup themselves through activities in Germany and Canada besides in pockets of Punjab.
“Any fool would have predicted that the talks (peace) the NSCN (IM) were having with the Indians had floundered,” wrote Mann. The language is strikingly similar to the writings from within the Naga outfit.
Mann said in his study of the Naga, Mizo and Sikh movements he found that the leaders have joined their respective movements through emotion and thus were not committed enough. Another point he had raised was about the NSCN’s mistake of not creating enough political space “overground” and let the Indian state take advantage of it.
UNC appeals for calm morungexpress
Imphal | February 25 (Newmai News Network): The attention of the United Naga Council (UNC) has been caught following the reported blank gun-firing in the residential area of Chingkham Kabui village in Lilong area under According to the UNC, the villagers felt panicky following the blank-firing of the unidentified gunmen. The Naga body also stated that there have been several such occasions in the past too where gunmen harrassed and frightened the Naga villagers settling in the outskirt of the valley districts. UNC appealed all the revolutionary groups not to indulge in such act of terror future.

UNC’ MLAs : (The Sangai Express)

IMPHAL, Feb 25 Congress MLA E Kunjeshore has sought to initiate legal actions against the five independent MLAs sponsored by the UNC for their stance against the resolution of the Assembly adopted with regard to the election manifesto of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee during zero hour of the Assembly session today.

E Kunjeshore asserted that the statements of the UNC sponsored MLAs against the private member resolution of the House amounts to defying the proceedings of the State Assembly and disparaging the House.
The five independent MLAs came out against the resolution in the media yesterday.
The private member resolution to urge the AICC delete the point “unification of contiguous Naga inhabited areas under a single administrative unit” from NPCC’s election manifesto was unanimously passed by the House after it was moved by opposition MPP.
E Kunjeshore also drew attention of the Speaker to seek an explanation from the UNC sponsored MLAs for their act of defying the House resolution.
Maintaining that all the members ought to accept the resolution, Kunjeshore asserted that they should have raised their objections if they were against the resolution when it was being discussed in the House. He urged the Speaker to take up necessary actions against the independent MLAs. Regarding the absence of Secretary in the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur and appointment of Controller as “stop gap arrangement”, MLA Ng Bijoy asked whether the delay in appointing the Secretary is due to inability of the Government to find a ‘favoured man’. He urged upon the Government to appoint a competent man as Secretary of the COHSEM at the earliest. During zero hour, MLA Dr Khasim Ruivah sought attention of the Government to do something, if it can, on the decision of the ATSUM to pull off all tribal students from Manipur University in connection with reservation of posts in the university.
Back in old haunt in new uniform SAMIR K. PURKAYASTHA The Telegraph
Khusiabill (Dimapur), Feb. 25: His heavily Assamese-accented Nagamese with English interpolations give him away, but Assam minister Robin Bordoloi’s persona and poll rhetoric work like a charm.
“Aponi khan Congress ke vote dibi (vote for Congress). Only the Congress can ensure development of Nagaland,” he says and the crowd of voters hearing him nod in approval.
Forget the accent and the banal poll banter, Bordoloi has become the quite the star campaigner for the Congress in Nagaland.
The Congress legislator from Guwahati East constituency struck a chord with the audience when he addressed voters in this predominantly Kachari village under Dimapur III constituency. He was here to campaign for the Congress candidate, Azheto Zhimomi.
Bordoloi, who by his own admission spent the “most memorable” part of his life in Nagaland as a young army officer in the sixties, said the state would always remain special to him. “I visited Nagaland several times even after my three-year-stint as an army officer from 1965 to 1968 . However, this visit is different in many ways. I am here to do a job,” he said.
Zhimomi thought his party colleague from Nagaland did the job very well. “He is a fantastic speaker.
He even spoke Nagamese well,” Zhimomi said.
T. Thaosen, a 60-year-old villager, said he came to hear Bordoloi because he knew the legislator was the son of the first chief minister of undivided Assam, Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi. “But I was surprised to hear that he served in Nagaland during his younger days.”
Congress worker Timor Choudhury said Bordoloi’s biggest asset was his ability to unambiguously get his message across.
“On hearing him, we felt as if he is one of us. He is so well-versed about Nagaland and its situation,” a Congress worker, Timor Choudhury, said.
Old-timers recollected how, as a handsome young army officer, Bordoloi used to move around Kohima in an open jeep. “Oh! How do you know this? Those were really nice times,” he said, delighted to be reminded of the old days.
“It was my third posting as a captain in the artillery. Militancy was at its peak. But I suppose because of my father’s popularity, I never encountered any problem,” he said.
“Jasokie (former chief minister J.B. Jasokie) would visit my mess. He was a good guitarist. We used to spend nights singing together. Kohima will shine tonight was one of our favourites.”
The Congress is hoping Bordoloi’s charm will help it shine on election day.
Centre’s duplicity will harm peace talks: NSCN-IM
Newmai News Network Assam Tribune
DIMAPUR, Feb 24 – In a fresh outburst against the Centre, NSCN-IM has said “duplicity will not go down well in the future course” of the ongoing peace process between the NSCN-IM and Government of India.

NSCN-IM’s reaction was prompted by the remark of the National Security Advisor MK Narayanan who had reportedly said that peace talks between Centre and the NSCN-IM could only move forward if the Naga outfit agreed to accept a solution within the broad parameters of the Indian Union.This comment was reportedly made by the National Security Advisor during his recent visit to the Nagaland capital.

“Ironically, Government of India is speaking in a different tone of political terminology, sending a diabolical message that it will have no qualms to obliterate the hard- earned achievements of the Indo-Naga political talks that has seen more than 60 rounds of talks. The statement of National Security Adviser MK Narayanan on the Indo-Naga solution during his official visit to Kohima, on February 18 has come as a bombshell. “This is bewilderingly obnoxious, but such duplicity on the part of the government of India is not going to go down well in the future course of the peace process”.

“Nagas cannot be subjected to accepting what is not right historically, and India has no political morality to decide the political destiny of the Nagas. It is the Naga people who will determine their political fate”, stated the NSCN-IM on Sunday.

The outfit added, “Seriously focused, 10 years of Indo-Naga political process is long enough for India to exercise a high level of thinking and speak on the issue conscientiously. But choosing to take potshots at NSCN is not a good sign of sincerity, given the long wait of the Nagas that India will not change colour in the manner that reflects outrageous undermining of the Indo-Naga political issue”.

It further said that despite the ‘unwarranted utterance’ of MK. Narayanan on the contentious issue of the magnitude of Indo-Naga political talks that has withstood pressure of vilification for the past ten years, the Nagas are magnanimous enough to wait, for the Nagas have the propensity to wait as demanded by the nature of the Naga issue that cannot be expected to produce result in a hurry. “But if India thinks that Nagas’ aspiration will eventually wear out it is just a delusion of grandeur,” termed the NSCN-IM statement.

The Naga outfit then stated that there is time for everything. And this is no time for India to retract on its commitment for an honourable Naga solution, further stated the outfit. “To speak on the Indo-Naga solution from the Indian Constitution point of view is not an honourable solution for the Nagas. India cannot afford to act sanctimonious on this sensitive aspect. The fact that India, on July 11, 2002 recognized the unique history and the situations of the Nagas does not warrant seeking solution under the Indian Constitution. The NSCN collective leadership in consultation with the Naga people has time and again reaffirmed that apart from the Nagas’ history, there will not be any solution”, the NSCN-IM asserted.

It also said that at this juncture of the new situation it will be preposterous for India to put proposals of the Nagas into cold storage, and with more than 60 rounds of Indo-Naga political talks, India cannot feign ignorance of the stand taken by the Naga people. Naga people’s political aspiration cannot be suppressed by India which is already showing the colour of using Machiavellian policy against the Naga issue, claimed the outfit, adding, “During the talks with India, Nagas made its political stand ‘very’ clear though India may have treated it as intrusive. But at the same time Nagas have considered with due respect of what is best for India and best for the Nagas. But when nothing was forthcoming in the direction expected, it is left to wonder where the Government of India is leading the Nagas to”. It then asked, “But the moot point is – what have the Nagas not done to bring an honourable solution?”
NPF fooling Nagas with false promises: Ranji Newmai News Network
KOHIMA, Feb 24 – All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary, Ranji Thomas on Saturday accused the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) of fooling the Naga people by making false promises.

Interacting with media-persons in presence of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president, Hokheto Sumi and working president Khriedi Theünuo at Congress Bhavan, Kohima on Saturday evening Ranji alleged that the NPF leaders were once again trying to fool the Naga people with their false promises.

Pointing that the NPF leaders during election campaign were talking about their new visions for Naga people, he questioned “what had been the NPF doing during the last five years and why were they unable to take up development activities during their tenure? NPF leader, Neiphiu Rio is a person without any vision for the Nagas during the last five years,” he said, adding, “if Rio had real love for Nagas then he could have carried out visionary projects.”

He also argued that even during the then NPF-led DAN government’s tenure, Centre had several sanctioned funds for several development projects which were never shaped into reality by NPF but fulfilled only papers.

He also lamented that during the last five years of DAN reign, common people were worst affected with the miserable conditions of roads and other essential commodities neglected by the then government.

He, however, congratulated the state Governor, K Sankaranarayanan for taking initiatives to restore and improve the required infrastructure development.

Ranji also debunked the accusation of Neiphiu Rio that Congress is a home for defectors stating that Rio himself is a defector and his own party is based on defectors since the last election. “Congress is not responsible for defections but his own friends in the government had deserted him as they had lost faith in his leadership of lawlessness and corruption,” Ranji said, adding, “every brick of Rio is made out of defection”.A Time to Act morungexpress
The yearning for Nagas to be united in their common pursuit for freedom has been the deep desire of the people for many years now. The imperativeness to find an end to the internal violence that is seeping away the Naga movement is a moral as well as a political necessity, which can no longer be ignored nor avoided. There have been repeated calls for reconciliation, and efforts after efforts have been made by various individuals and organizations at different points of time to bridge the dividing gap between the various Naga ‘factions.’ And inspite of the many steps that were made towards reaching a meeting point, they fell short in fulfilling the ultimate realization of a common understanding that would lead to unity in purpose.
The failures have provided many learning lessons to all those who have been involved and engaged in the difficult and liberative journey towards reconciliation. It is therefore of utmost importance and political expediency to first reflect and discern on the learning experiences of past efforts, so that the mistakes are not committed again, and the areas of potentiality can be further strengthened. The lessons learnt through these experiences will prove to be vital information as renewed efforts are being made to once again give new hope and new opportunity for Nagas to find a common ground on which to create a political consensus that will define and shape the course of the Naga future.
In this regard, the just concluded Naga Peace Convention initiated by the Naga Shisha Hoho has gone a step further than all past initiatives. In suggesting the idea for a ‘Naga Reconciliation Forum’ comprising of all the Naga frontal organizations including the Church, it responds to the crying need to have a common and organized effort, rather than patchy and disjointed efforts where varying efforts end up stamping on each others feet. By having a forum that is mass-based, it unifies different initiatives into one common platform which will then empower its ability to maneuver a broad-based framework for reconciliation. Furthermore, such a broad-based forum will only add to their credibility and will strengthen their persuasive power when interacting with different Naga ‘factions.’
For the first time, a broad understanding around what Reconciliation means in the Naga context has also been publicly articulated for further dialogue. By stating that Reconciliation means, the “overcoming of division, hatred and enmity, leading to peace and love between God and human beings, and between all groups of people so as to walk a common road to achieving freedom,” it has allowed the Naga public imagination to contemplate on what can and should be done to realize this end. The emphasis that “reconciliation is never subjective - hidden in a corner, but reconciliation has social, political and historical implications in the Naga context” only adds to its urgency.
Hence the underlying basis suggested for reconciliation, which is the “historical and the political rights of the Nagas towards a peaceful political settlement with India,” should serve as the critical yeast to bring different opinions together. This suggested basis for reconciliation is accommodating and inclusive by nature. It upholds a political value which transcends factional politics, and most essentially the objectives it implies have been the core reasons for the Naga movement. Therefore this suggested basis provides a common ground which is in the interest of all Nagas and leads to a narrative that neither compromises our history, nor does it hold us prisoners to the past.
Indeed, if the Nagas believe that reconciliation is possible, it must as the Peace Convention stated; be willing to embark on a daring journey with one accord in openness and willingness and to create a common road that will enable all Nagas to walk that road that will lead to freedom. If you are persuaded by the call for reconciliation, this is now the time to Act!

Carnage alert in Karbi belt - Settlers asked to shift to camps or leave A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Feb. 25: Hindi-speaking people in Karbi Anglong have been advised to shift to the safety of relief camps and, if it does not suit them, consider moving out of the district temporarily to escape what officials believe is another ethnic pogrom in the making.
Two Hindi speakers died in an attack yesterday by militants suspected to be from the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front. The incident occurred at Bokoliaghat Rangnagar village, where 27 Hindi-speaking people were massacred only last year.
The administration today began making plans to gather the scattered Hindi-speaking population, especially people based in the remote areas, in anticipation of another round of co-ordinated attacks on the community.
An official in the district headquarters, Diphu, said there was no question of waiting for the militants to strike again before going about this exercise. “We have already requested the government to spare more paramilitary forces. We do not want to take a chance this time.”
Karbi Anglong has a large Hindi-speaking population despite frequent attacks by militants who see them as “outsiders” out to grab the tribal community’s land, jobs and other sources of employment. The size of the district — it is the largest in Assam — and lack of policing in the interiors make the settlers easy targets whenever the militants choose to go after them.
The subdivisional police officer of Bokajan, Chitren Gogoi, said it would be impractical to expect the administration to individually protect every Hindi speaker. He said people from the community residing in the remote and almost inaccessible areas would have to choose between shifting to relief camps and relocating to places outside the district.
“We have requested some of these settlers to either come to the relief camps or leave the district temporarily. We have begun the process of setting up relief camps,” the officer added.
The administration’s advice has, however, brought no comfort to Hindi-speaking people with children who are sitting for their matric examinations. Most are reluctant to shift to relief camps, leave alone move out of the district.
Gogoi said Hindi speakers had made the police’s task difficult by moving back to the interior areas in recent months. “Security forces are finding it more difficult to track these people.”
The Hindi-speaking community controls nearly 60 per cent of trade in the district. Last year’s attacks triggered a shortage of essential commodities with traders temporarily fleeing their homes. The weekly market at Dolamara remained closed for over a month.
Gogoi said security had been tightened in marketplaces.
Gorlosa buys arms from Thailand OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Silchar, Feb. 25: The Jewel Gorlosa-led Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) has been buying sophisticated weapons from the Chiang Mai arms bazar of Thailand bordering Myanmar, intelligence sources said.
Deputy inspector-general of police for south Assam Y.S. Gautam today said the arms were generally routed to the Northeast via Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Gautam said the police have come to know that the rocket launchers, with which the outfit is targeting security forces and the interests of its rival and pro-talks group led by Dilip Nunisa in the North Cachar Hills, were Chinese made and picked up from Chiang Mai. He said Gorlosa visited Thailand via Nepal last year for a reconnaissance trip and bought the weapons with help from NSCN (I-M) activists with whom he is reportedly friendly.
The shopping spree could have been sparked by the police’s decision to go all out against the outfit, the officer felt. Gorlosa’s faction, which has a cadre strength of nearly 80, lost a member last night in an encounter with the army at Harangajao. Police sources in Haflong today said the militant, identified as Pranjit Langthasa, 19, was killed in Neonkro village, 2km from Harangajao, at 10 last night. Sources said the army during its combing operations in that village challenged a young man who was moving about in a suspicious manner.
When the youth opened fire, he was killed in retaliatory fire. A few civilians at Harangajao, however, said Langthasa was not a militant and was killed “unnecessarily”.
Exotic Nagaland M. Konmei Phom
The phrase ‘Exotic Nagaland’ is a highly clichéd term where some get used to the term and others like me get fed-up with such catch phrases. In beauty pageants, mass gatherings and when foreigners visit Nagaland, we keep hearing and saying ‘exotic Nagaland’ blah….blah….blah….! When outsiders come to see Nagaland, we take them to the sleepy villages, War Cemetery, Museum, Folk Dancers and finally please them with choicest Zütho. The tourist route in Kohima is to take them to such places only. Those are the impressions that are reinforced time and again. They could be completely ignorant of the existence of the other face of Nagaland. Well, I’m not degrading the traditional and cultural ethos of Nagaland in any manner but what I’m trying to emphasize here is the fact that inspite of hiccups and hurdles like lack of opportunity and under-development, we have an emerging new face of Nagaland, which mirrors individuals who are techno savvy, articulate and vibrant poets, writers, bureaucrats, teachers, brilliant students, engineers and doctors who can make an impression by their inherent individual quality and capacity. These individuals represent the other side of Nagaland and are raring to go! So why don’t we capitalize on them and showcase that aspect of our land?
Next time when people come to Nagaland, please let’s not flatter ourselves only with the visual pictures of our land rather we must present Nagaland with our intelligence, wisdom and innovative ideas to let people know what we are capable of. And to showcase that we need to have a room for dialogue and a platform for exchange of views and ideas. Interaction is the most important ingredient for both human and social relationship. However if we remain silent and simply showcase our tradition and culture, how would people come to know and learn about the changing face of Nagaland? Everything is changing. Look at the bureaucracy. Earlier, we’d have bureaucrats mainly from the other states of India; now we have our own Naga bureaucrats from every tribe. Now we have our students doing phenomenally well in academics, leave alone Nagaland, even in other states. Look at what Elizabeth Jamir has achieved in Guwahati University. She sure did make us proud! Today in both beauty and fashion industry, our girls are doing incredible well. When we see them in magazines and advertisement hoardings we say, Atta Girl!
I’m sure one would agree with me when I say in music we excel. Naga singers have the ability to adapt to any kind of music genre with panache. Also have you noticed, when you visit various offices and interact with young officials and sometimes pot-bellied middle-aged officials how impressive they are in their originality of thought and innovative ideas! (If they can’t implement their ideas then that’s another issue. Could be due to various other reasons, so let’s not dig into that.) But what impresses one most is that these individuals are so versatile that a nudge is enough for them to take Nagaland to a new height. They are the power house of Nagaland and the changing face of Naga society. When all these groups of dynamic individuals excel, they change the perception of Nagaland. Don’t they?
Many years ago when as a student I stayed in a city in India, I learned the meaning of ‘condescension’ there. They envisaged Nagas as head-hunters and naked people running around with spear and machete. How hurt and angry I felt when they thought of me as a bimbette and a country pumpkin who could not understand English language. Such misconception is all because of the wrong presentation of our state and the stereotypical image we give to others. Clearly it provokes indignation to know that people still think of us as we were fifty years ago. We have done a very poor job of marketing and projecting ourselves. The day we reassess and focus on the image makeover of Nagaland people will find it intriguing and once they get past the exotic factor, their perception will also have a makeover. Let others identify Nagaland with vocabularies such as intelligent, innovative and original and that will be our take on Nagaland 2008.
The Burmese junta and the world’s conscience The Boston Globe
The people who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize have earned the right to act, at certain times, as representatives of the world’s conscience. This was never more true than in the statement on Myanmar issued last week by Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and signed by eight of his fellow Nobel laureates.
After the ruling military junta shot and beat saffron-robed Buddhist monks and other citizens who were peacefully demonstrating for democracy last fall, most governments only dithered. The United Nations sent a special envoy to Myanmar to beg the despotic generals for some gesture of reconciliation with a population that despises them.
Predictably, the regime of General Than Shwe went on rounding up monks and other pro-democracy activists. In a show of disdain for their own people and the rest of the world, the generals announced last week that they will hold a vote in May on a new constitution - a phony referendum on a document that their stooges have spent 14 years drafting. And they rubbed salt in their victims’ wounds by decreeing that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi will not be allowed to participate in elections envisioned for 2010.
Suu Kyi has been under some form of arrest for 12 of the past 18 years, since her National League for Democracy won 82 percent of parliamentary seats in a 1990 election the junta has refused to honor. In their appeal, the Nobel laureates declared, “We stand firmly in support of our fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and have repeatedly called for her release, as well as the release of Buddhist monks and all political prisoners in Burma.”
Because Suu Kyi, her National League for Democracy, and Burma’s oppressed ethnic minorities have been excluded from the regime’s “roadmap” to a new constitution and elections, the laureates said, the junta’s version of reconciliation is “flawed.”
Bishop Tutu, in his own accompanying statement, was more pointed. “The election promised by the military regime is a complete sham,” he declared. Just as an arms embargo was imposed on apartheid South Africa after police massacred black demonstrators in the 1960s and ‘70s, Tutu said, the UN and the nations of the world should “immediately impose arms embargoes and targeted banking sanctions on Burma following the Saffron Massacre.”
Governments habitually act - or refuse to act - for reasons of state. By calling on those states to impose penalties on the Burmese junta, Tutu and his fellow laureates are defending the interests of humanity.
Wet election in dry Nagaland Fr. Rhanben Ovung
The other day I saw a group of unsteady youngsters with bottles on the street. The peep of my bike created no reaction, instead they stopped me and asked; “apni kun laga party ase?” I said, Bal Thackeray. “Accha, accha ami khan laga opposition nohoi,” and they left me free. I escaped from those party loyalist drunkards with a lie but the incident gave me chance for volumes to think tank.
Yeh! Election is in the air. Nagaland goes to poll in a couple of weeks. Nominations filed, candidates declared and party ticket issued. Election is picking momentum at fast pace. Promises of better roads, employment opportunities regular electricity, etc are the voices echoed. Party men are trying their best to woo the voters. In some pockets, people have become frenzy with the idea of election knocking at the door. It means huge, fast bucks and easy, free drinks. Its part of election promises and election halla-gulla.
However, on the other side there is an ugly picture in Nagaland doing its round “Liquor & Money”. How sad for conservatives but joyful news for opened mouthed consumers. “Nagaland a dry state”. Is it true? Yes, it is by law but is it possible/ No, it is just a laughable proposition. The barren land is filled with barriers of bottles. The land is flooded with red drinks. What a pity! Nagaland, a “dry State: has become too wet again. Every nook and corner is flowing with hot drinks. Election! A time to question the prohibitory lawmakers. Is Nagaland a “dry State” written only in the law? Can we do election without alcohol? I am afraid and hesitant to murmur but people are playing with the state at the expense of liquor. We are staking the state with wrong elements and taking the state at ransom. I envy our neighbor-sister Assam who is having a lion share with Nagaland’s election. They are the beneficiaries. Crores of Nagaland money is pumped in to Assam from the sell of liquors during election. The menace of alcohol at election (in particular) is alarming. It is depicting a shabby face in this Christian state. We are baptizing the young generation to a new club of drunkards and imbibing a new culture which should be foreign to our faith. We are making alcohol define our personality. Due to this influence vein for vengeance and blood for hate is created. The slogan of “Vote for… has just become “Mob for…” With this impact people will not be able to think right and bring out the right choices of leaders. How can we afford to have such an unflinching and steadfast devotion to liquor and say we are Christian in real sense? How can liquor and election terminate Christian values in this Christian state and germinate hatred, vengeance, and unforgiveness. Incidents that’s making round has lots of tales to tell. Cars burnt, houses damaged, people killed or injured paints a sorry picture for the state. Tomorrow our leaders will be elected but will they be the right choices elected by the right people? If they are proven with the power of might, money and liquor am sorry but they will be the repeaters of our state’s sad history. If they are proven with right frame of mind by right thinking people I salute those leaders of mine. The way it appears we are heading with wrong footing towards wrong democracy. Let us keep our bottles down and choose our Leaders so that we may make three cheers when he brings changes to our state. If not, watch and enjoy again a wet election in dry Nagaland for empty promises. Kuknalim



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