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02/28/2008: "APO speaks its mind on ‘unification’ The Morung Express"

APO speaks its mind on ‘unification’ The Morung Express

Dimapur, February 27 (MExN): Emerging to make its stand clear over the issue of “Naga unification,” the Angami Public Organization today issued a statement supporting the concept of “unification.” However, the apex Angami organization also made clear that all Nagas should be equally represented in the initiative for unification as well that respect should be accorded to each others’ “territories” and boundaries to restore hope and confidence in the people. The statement, appended by the organization’s chief executives, also reminded that “unification” cannot be forced on the people by anger, threat and extortion or by the barrel of the gun.
The Angami Public Organization stated: “The APO firmly holds the view that while the goal of unification is most important, the means to achieve the goal is no less vital, if not more. It is necessary that all the Naga tribes join hands together in the task because the Naga tribes must be equally represented in the initiative. Unification envisages peaceful co-existence with mutual respect for one another’s traditional territories and boundaries because there is no territory known as “no-man’s land anywhere throughout the breadth and length of the Naga contiguous inhabited areas.”
The APO also reminded one and all in concern that “unification” cannot be imposed, dictated or forced upon the people by anger, threat and extortion or by the barrel of the gun. Because, the APO reminded, unification in the Naga context is part of the process of healing the souls of the Nagas. “Any national dream not fuelled by God cannot stand the test of time” it reminded.
In summary, the APO set forth its points of stand: “Initiatives of unification should be broad-based so as to include all the Naga tribes and uphold Naga brotherhood. Peace and reconciliation among the political factions must precede unification initiatives so as to stop all forms of violence and fratricidal killings among Nagas. The Naga tribes must have mutual respect for one another’s traditional territories and boundaries so as to restore hope and confidence among the people.”
While agreeing that unification of the war-torn Nagas is the need of the hour to ensure their survival, the APO however expressed support to any initiative for the Nagas’ reconstruction and unification, based on the principles of Naga brotherhood, tolerance, peace and reconciliation acceptable to all Nagas.

AR cracks whip in Nagaland; NSCN cadres held with arms, cash
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Kohima, February 26: The Assam Rifles, during the last few days of intensified patrolling, to ensure environmental security during the forthcoming election has nabbed four underground cadres along with five arms, ammunition and cash amounting to Rs 22.24 lakhs.

Confirming the report today in Kohima, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles-North (IGAR-N), Major Pallab Chaudhury issued a statement stating that Assam Rifles have intensified security all over the State with increased patrolling of vantage points, establishing Mobile Vehicle Check Posts (MVCPs) and frisking of vehicles which have already yielded results.

AR troops in collaboration other security agencies are carrying out combing operations day and night to ensure no underground elements are able to carry out any nefarious activities which lead to harassment of the innocent civilians.

During the drive, personnel of 18 Assam Rifles apprehended one NSCN (IM) cadre and three civilians along with one AK-47 and two 9mm pistol today. During an operation led by 31 AR, Dimapur, troops apprehended a NSCN (Unified) cadre along with Rs 24,000 in cash besides several extortion notes and documents. AR patrols have also evicted NSCN (K) cadres from Yanongyimsen village while NSCN (IM) cadres were forced out of village Samjuram under Peren district. NSCN (IM) armed cadres moving in the general area Cheplema (near Piphima village) were also countered by AR patrols and eventually evicted from the civilian locality.

On February 25, the MVCP established by 42 AR at Zubza intercepted suspected NSCN (Unified) cadre along with a 7.65mm pistol, while the intensified follow-up search led to further apprehension of a NSCN (IM) cadre with one AK-47 rifles at Kukidolong along the National highway-39.Mobile area domination patrol of 37 AR apprehended two NSCN (K) cadres in uniform from Mon super market area, he stated.

Earlier, on February 23, MVCP of 42 AR deployed at Zubza intercepted a Gypsy bearing regd.
No.NL01-8059 and recovered Rs.16 lakhs meant for use in election purposes. Addition stepped up vigil yielded further results when suspiciously moving Tata Safari Regn No AS01-C-6566 was intercepted by MVCP of 42 AR at Kukidolong which led to cash recovery of Rs.6 lakhs.

In addition to these, the Assam Rifles have managed to seize smuggled liquor at various check points established. On February 22, MVCP of 30 AR at Desai confiscated six cases of rum while 37 AR at Naginimora intercepted 128 bottles of IMFL which was destroyed in Situ. 37 AR at Tizit recovered five cases of IMFL from a NST bus during the course of surprise check.
On February 25, a huge consignment of IMFL � 1016 bottles of rum, 206 bottles of beer was confiscated by 27 AR at MVCP Atoizu, Zunheboto. The same was destroyed in the presence of Police. In addition to this contraband ganja weighing 80 kgs was also intercepted by troops of 37 AR at Nagini-mora, which was subsequently handed over to the police and destroyed in their presence, said the statement.

AR statement also said that instructions have been issued to Commanders at all levels to maintain strict vigil and keep area of responsibility under round the clock surveillance with an overall aim to ensure peace and instill confidence within the public at the same time resorting to stringent actions to curb elements trying to vitiate and disrupt the election process early next month.
Sumi Hoho support Naga unification- Nagaland post
The Sumi Hoho facilitated and supports the ongoing Naga unification to bring all warring factions under one political organization so as to completely stop bloodshed and fratricidal killing.
Gen. Zuheto Swu in his Patriot Day speech on 4th August'2001 stated that from 1954-1964, 485 Naga national armies were killed by the Indian Security Forces. These people can be called patriots, because they were killed by the enemy for the cause. He said that he has recorded the names and where they were killed by the Indian Security Forces.
From 1964-1990, there was silence in the Naga political movement and peace prevailed in Nagaland. But again from 1990, another new political dimension erupted among the Naga underground setup. Because of this factionalism, Naga underground were fighting among themselves, killing each other. We Nagas professed ‘Nagaland for Christ’, but taking the name of Christ, fratricidal killing started unabated. The Nagas claimed that thousands and thousands had sacrificed their lives for our motherhood and called them as patriots? I would say, we are murderers; no one will kill his own brothers.
If you trace back the revolutionary history of the world, there has been always two groups struggle for sovereignty. To take few examples, in Russia, there were two revolutionary groups, one under the leadership of Lenin, ie, Bolshevik. Bolshevik wanted to secure freedom from Czardom by means of non-violence. Another revolutionary party was called the Menshevik under the leadership of Kerensky wanted to achieve their goal by means of violence. But though they had different approach for their freedom, they did not fight among themselves. Both the political wings fought against Czarist to attain their goal. Same is the example of Indian political struggle. Mahatma Gandhi followed the path of non-violence and Satyagraha which ultimately brought freedom for India. But Subash Chandra Bose wanted to attain freedom through the means of violence and organized Azad Hind Fauj. But there was no record that they fought themselves. But we Nagas though our ultimate goal is the same "Sovereignty", we fought among ourselves in the name of sovereignty.
Now what is the political salvation for the Nagas? It is only through the unification of all Naga underground factions, peace tranquility and prosperity will prevail in Nagaland. There are only two choices for the Nagas. We have to choose between bloodshed and peace. If we want to live in peace and harmony, we have no other option than "unification of all factions". With this end Sumi Hoho and Sumi public are working hard to bring peace in Nagaland.
In 1793, one of the organizers of the Girodin Club, Roland was suspected to be traitor and she was leading her way to Scaffold remarks: "O Liberty, how many crimes are committed in thy name".
The saying goes, "A troubled mind often the product of a troubled soul". Our souls are in trouble but we blame our mind. Let us clean our souls then our mind will be in peace.
Hokishe Yepthomi, president of Sumi Hoho.
American-style campaign in Nagaland OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Feb. 26: Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama are not the only ones sparring at election debates. Election candidates in Nagaland, too, are learning what Clinton feels like on being snubbed by her main political rival. Taking a cue from the American presidential elections, various organisations, especially students’ unions, have come forward to bring their local candidates to a common platform to interact with the people as well as the candidates.
Kohima village — the second biggest village in Asia — witnessed such a common platform today, where the three candidates from the Northern Angami-I Assembly constituency tried to outspeak each other in front of the audience. The platform was, however, a very tame affair with all the candidates — Shurhozelie Leizietsu of Nagaland People’s Front, Seyiekuolie Angami (Congress) and Prasielie Angami (Independent) — voicing their poll promises and avoiding controversies. While all the three pitched for adequate employment avenues for youths and uplifting poor people and farmers, the NPF and Congress candidates stressed more on the need to facilitate the peace process between the Centre and the Naga outfits. Prasielie, who resigned as the Nagaland Youth Congress president to contest as an Independent after he was denied party ticket, said it was time for the Naga youths to arise and take the lead in the all fields.
The audience was, however, least bothered about peace talks, or for that matter, youth and women’s empowerment. What mattered to them most was better roads, adequate water, uninterrupted power supply, better healthcare facilities and proper implementation of schemes for the farmers. Today’s programme was jointly organised by the Kohima Village Students’ Union and Kohima Village Youth Organisation — the two most powerful organisations of the village. In another such meeting held recently at Phek, the candidates were asked to sign a paper promising to serve the people with utmost sincerity if elected. All the candidates promised to properly utilise the welfare schemes, construct roads and communication links, implement schemes for the farmers and generate employment opportunities for youths.
A senior student leader from Kohima village, Neibu Angami, however, appeared doubtful about the promises of the candidates to provide the youths with jobs. Citing the failure of the 25,000-job opportunity programme announced by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said, “Hardly any Naga youths got jobs under the special package in the right way.”
His friend Mhalezolie Kire, a social worker, said common platforms are important but added that they did not seem to have worked till now, accusing the candidates of shying away from promises. He said the idea would not work in the state as the candidate with the most money to offer the people will win. “Whoever spends more money will win the elections,” Kire said.
Vikheto Sumi, another social activist, said the present unrest and antisocial activities in the state were the direct result of the widened gap in the Naga society between the haves and have-nots, and majority of the people are deprived of the welfare programmes.
Govt willing to go extra mile for peace in Nagaland Financial Express Kohima, Feb 27 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the UPA government was willing to go the “extra mile” to bring permanent peace in Nagaland, where the masses fed up with violence and want to be the part of an overall process of development and change in the country.
Addressing a well-attended election rally here on Wednesday, the PM said, “Development requires peace, stability and security and we alone are sincerely committed to bring a lasting peace to the north-eastern region, in particular Nagaland”.
“We have been open and liberal in our approach and are hopeful that we will succeed in our efforts towards finding an honourable solution,” he told an election rally here. Singh, however, did not make any reference to contentious issue of integration of Naga inhabited areas.
The Congress party election manifesto has expressed its commitment to pursue implementation of the 16-point agreement of 1960 which in a clause mentions integration of contiguous Naga inhabited areas of the region. —PTI
“Willing to go the extra mile to solve Naga problem” Sushanta Talukdar The Hindu
Niephiu Rio government has completely failed the people in the last five years, says Manmohan Singh
Kohima: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the Congress was “willing to go the extra mile” to find an honourable solution to the Naga problem and bring long-lasting peace to Nagaland.
Addressing an election rally here on his maiden visit to Nagaland, he said: “We have been engaged in a peaceful dialogue with disaffected groups to bring long-lasting peace. We have been open and liberal in our approach and are hopeful that we will succeed in our efforts. We were willing to go the extra mile for this purpose.”
Dr. Singh assured the people that the Congress would do “whatever is required to address all the genuine aspirations of the Naga people. Nagaland needs a period of peace and stability so that the Naga people can devote all their energies to their cultural, educational, social and economic development.”
“Fed up with violence”
The people of the State, he said, were fed up with violence and they wanted to be part of the overall process of development and change. “Development requires peace, stability and security. We alone are sincerely committed to bringing lasting peace to this region and, in particular, to Nagaland.”
Dr. Singh urged the voters to change the “ineffective and inefficient” Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government led by Niephiu Rio. He alleged that the Rio government had completely failed the people in the last five years.
“For the last five years, Nagaland has been under a hotchpotch coalition of different political parties under the DAN. They do not have a common ideology. They do not have a common agenda. Each one of them pulls in a different direction. What is common among them is a desire to be in power.”
Alleging that there was no rule of law, the Prime Minister said: “A government which could not provide security to its people has no right to get the support of the people again.”
Dr. Singh claimed that his party alone could provide a stable, united and efficient government, deliver on its promises and live up to the trust that the people of Nagaland repose on it.
AICC general secretary Margaret Alva, Congress Legislature Party leader I. Imkong and Pradesh Congress Committee president Hokheto Sumi spoke. Earlier, Dr. Singh was accorded a warm welcome and presented a dress of a traditional warrior of the Angami Naga tribe.
UNC in manifesto chorus OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph
Imphal, Feb. 27: The United Naga Council (UNC) has “condemned” the Manipur Assembly’s resolution taken against the Nagaland Congress manifesto, saying there was nothing wrong in including the demand for integration of Naga-inhabited areas.
The Manipur Assembly on February 22 adopted a private members’ resolution asking the AICC to withdraw the demand for integration from the Nagaland Congress manifesto. The manifesto said the Nagaland Congress would continue to remind the Centre of the need to implement the 16-point statehood agreement, including Clause 13 concerning Naga integration, in letter and spirit.
AICC secretary Siddharth Patil said the AICC was committed to implementing the 16-point agreement. Another AICC general secretary Margaret Alva ruled out any change in the manifesto evoking sharp reactions from the Manipur People’s Party, which had moved the private member’s resolution.
“The UNC notes with seriousness the hue and cry raised in the Manipur Legislative Assembly over the inclusion of the 16-point agreement in the Nagaland PCC manifesto and passing of the private members’ resolution,” UNC publicity secretary S. Milan said in a statement today.
The statement said the 16-point agreement was a pact between the Centre and the Naga People’s Convention and New Delhi’s commitment was yet to be implemented. “It is the wish of the Nagaland PCC to include it in its manifesto and we see nothing wrong in it. We condemn and oppose the Manipur Legislative Assembly in particular for always trying to object to the wishes of the Naga people,” he said.
The five members sponsored by the UNC did not raise any objection when the House adopted the resolution. The UNC said it was not happy with the way the Naga MLAs “failed” in opposing the private members’ resolution, which aimed at opposing the Naga integration movement on the floor of the House. “We caution them (Naga MLAs) not to repeat the mistakes for they will be accountable to the people,” the statement said.
PM avoids Naga integration issue at Kohima poll rally Oken Jeet Sandham Kangla

Kohima, Feb 27: Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has tactfully avoided mentioning the contentious Naga integration issue while addressing a mammoth Congress Party election rally here at Kohima Local Ground on Tuesday. He however assured the people of Nagaland that the Congress Party would do "whatever is required to address all the genuine aspirations of the Naga people."

It may be mentioned that the election manifesto of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) that said the "Indian National Congress in Nagaland will continue to urge upon the Government of India the need to implement the 16-Point Agreement of 1960 in letter and spirit," had already created furor in neighboring Manipur demanding even to the extent of removing the text from the "manifesto."

Dwelling mostly on the ongoing peace process, the Prime Minister said his Government had been engaged in a "purposeful dialogue" with disaffected groups to try and bring a "long lasting peace to Nagaland." "We have been open and liberal in our approach and are hopeful that we will succeed in our efforts for an honorable solution," he said adding, "We are wiling to go the extra mile for this purpose."

Stating that the people of Nagaland were fed up with violence, Dr Singh maintained that the people wanted to be part of the overall process of development and change. The people wanted to benefit from the new opportunities being created, as their economy moved forward, he said. "Nagaland needs an era of peace and stability so that Naga people can devote all their energies to their cultural, educational, social and economic development," he pointed out.

Telling the people that he would like them to live a life of "dignity, a life of self-respect, a life of prosperity and peace and a life of greater creativity and enterprise, the Prime Minister further assured that the Congress party would do whatever was required to address all the "genuine aspirations of the Naga people."

Reminding the people of Nagaland as to how the Congress Party from the days of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had special affection for them, Dr Singh said it was Nehru who had the foresight to recognize the "distinct identity of the Naga people and gave statehood to Nagaland." "Nehruji wanted Nagas to maintain their distinct identity and genius," he added. Later, under the inspiring leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Nagaland saw a new era of development. She and later, Rajiv Gandhi were deeply committed to the welfare, the well-being and the empowerment of the people of Nagaland. "It is this proud tradition of abiding commitment to Nagaland`s development, to peace and security for every person in this state that we continue today in the Congress Party, under the inspiring leadership of our party president, Sonia Gandhi," the Prime Minister narrated.

Urging the people of Nagaland to strengthen their hands and Sonia Gandhi`s as well to vote for the Party (Congress) and to vote for peace and prosperity in Nagaland, Dr Singh expressed belief that the future for the State was with the Congress party.
Congress Promise On Naga Unity Raises Heat Newspost India
Ahead of the March 5 assembly polls in Nagaland, the Congress has promised to push for integration of Naga areas in the northeast. But other parties in the region are opposing the idea tooth and nail. The move has been vehemently protested not just by groups in Manipur that are wary of losing territory to Nagaland but has drawn the ire of outfits in Assam as well.

'The Congress may be trying to woo voters by promising to integrate Naga areas in the region with Nagaland state, but we won't let this poll promise turn into reality. Not an inch of Assam territory would be parted with,' Apurba Bhattacharya, leader of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Assam's main opposition party, said in Guwahati.

A powerful student group in Assam, the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), has also said it is dangerous that the Congress in Nagaland is pursuing the same line as a frontline militant group on the Naga integration issue.

'It is a threat to Assam. The Congress is talking in the same language as that of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM),' AJYCP general secretary Manoj Baruah said.

In Nagaland, however, the Congress, which is pitted against its main rival, the regional Nagaland People's Front (NPF), is hoping to capitalise on Naga sentiments on the integration issue and take the wind out of the opposition sails.

A total of 1.3 million voters are to exercise their franchise March 5 and the counting is scheduled for March 8. More than 90 percent of the state's nearly two million people are Christians.

The Congress, which has made this promise in its election manifesto, has actually succeeded in making the subject of integration an election issue, forcing rival parties to take note.

The NPF has said the party would go beyond the integration issue and is talking of the need for a permanent solution of the Naga problem.

'We have to go beyond integration. What is needed is an acceptable solution to the Naga problem,' NPF secretary general Chubatemjen Ao said, referring to a solution to the Naga insurgency issue.

The Congress' promise to unify the Naga areas in the region may be nothing but a poll plank, but it has triggered off a controversy because the rebel NSCN faction headed by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah has been pushing for the same demand.

The NSCN-IM's demand for integration of Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with the Naga-dominated state of Nagaland is being bitterly opposed by governments and parties outside Nagaland.

Manipur, in fact, had witnessed a mass uprising in June 2001 with protestors burning down the state assembly building and dozens of other government property after the centre announced the extension of the ceasefire with the NSCN-IM to areas outside Nagaland.

That decision was seen as the first step by New Delhi before dismembering Manipur and including the state's Naga areas with adjoining Nagaland. The centre eventually withdrew this plan after massive street violence in capital Imphal that culminated in 18 protestors being killed in police firing in June 2001
Undemocratic Poll morungexpress
As a people known for their honesty and hard work, rooted in a culture of individual integrity and society’s solidarity, Nagas today find themselves in the grip of alien systems, which we are unable to come to terms with. The western political concepts of majority democracy and elections because of their fixation with materialism and power struggles, has spawned a vicious cycle of greed, antagonisms, exploitation and social anarchy. And this is best demonstrated during so called ‘democratic elections’ that we are witnessing today in Nagaland. This is indeed a travesty of truth—politics without principles; wealth without work; business without morality; knowledge without character and power without conscience. This is the sorry state of affairs that plague us today.
The despicable resort to intimidation and muscle power during electioneering in Nagaland is a cause for concern and needs to be condemned by all right thinking people. While supporters of various political parties and the respective candidates have every right to campaign in a peaceful and democratic manner, any form of intimidation and resort to violence goes against the tenets of a civilized society. As such, reports of large scale violence reported from Mokokchung district is a matter of concern deserving urgent attention of the concerned authorities and civil society. The State government must be reminded again to ensure free and fair polls and that no untoward incident occurs, which may lead to loss of life and damage to property.
What was most shameful of those resorting to violence yesterday was the complete disrespect shown to the goodwill gesture of the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (Ao Baptist Churches Council) who had only hours earlier conducted a prayer fellowship at Impur (landmark of Christianity) with all the candidates for the coming assembly election under Mokokchung district present. Ironically, election related violence, with particular reference to Mokokchung district, and the appeal to abhor from it was a major subject that found space in each of the candidates’ ‘prayer points’. Likewise, the message from the Church to the invited candidates was to revere and adhere to Christian principles.
It is with great dismay that we note the series of poll related violence reported from across the State particularly Mokokchung district, considered to be among the first to receive the benefits of education and Christianity. As a matter of fact, the first sign of violence much ahead of the coming assembly election was reported from Tuli under Mokokchung district. And as election draws nearer, this so called forward looking district among the Nagas is at the center of most poll related violence taking place in the State. This is something that the Nagas in general and the Aos in particular should not be proud of.
It is equally distressing to note the involvement of armed cadres belonging to the underground groups freely partaking in the frenzy and lure of money. Force and coercion cannot be allowed to determine the outcome of choosing people’s representative and therefore the involvement of armed cadres using intimidation and bullying tactics is completely unacceptable. It is surprising that although the underground groups have officially declared not to involve in the current electioneering process, yet it is an open secret that this stand to remain apolitical is turning out to be a sham. It also goes to show that either there is confusion in the rank and file of the concerned organization or worse still, it shows that the top rung leaders are not able to exercise command and control over their wayward cadres. The UG leadership should show more seriousness to enforce its own decision. Also there is a need for everyone to remain vigilant against those who propagate a culture of violence driven by their ideology of power by any means.
Imkong using police, NSCN-IM: NPF Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, FEB 27 (NPN): Making serious allegations against CLP leader I.Imkong, the NPF under 29 Jangpetkong has drawn the attention of the Chief Election Commissioner Gopalaswami on the alleged use of 22 police personnel attached to I.Imkong to terrorise NPF supporters in league NSCN(I-M) activists under 29 Jangpetkong constituency.
According to NPF Mangkolemba unit president Nuchet, the police personnel were identified as: ABSI Imrong (5th NAP), Hav. Katikaba (5th NAP), Hav. Alingba (2nd NAP), C/N Talinokcha (7th NAP), ASI Temsulemba (DEF Phek), UBI Temsunochet (DEF Kiphire), UBI Onenlepden (DEF Zunheboto), UBC Tekanangshi (DEF Mokokchung), UBC Aotsungba (DEF Mokokchung), L/NR Lanuyabang (7th NAP), C/N Limaysungchet (SB Mokokchung), C/N Temsuakum (2nd NAP), Hav. Mayangmendong (DEF Mon), C/N Imkongnochet (NAP), SI Apongtoba (DEF KIphire), C/N Jangdongshashi (6th NAP), C/N Imtinoktsung (2nd NAP), C/N Bendangnochet (2nd NAP), C/N Lanuwapang (2nd NAP), C/N Tekasunup (SB Kohima), C/N Tionglepden (2nd NAP) and C/N Lolenangba (2nd NAP).
Further, Nuchet alleged that the above police personnel were seen moving around in same vehicles with NSCN (I-M) men led by Maongtoshi (tatar), Remajemba (tatar) and Lipok (tatar).
He also alleged that all weapons in the possession of the 22 police personnel were arranged and supplied by “Imkong and his trusted coteries”.
It was also stated that on Tuesday, February 26 at around 6 a.m., the armed personnel attacked the NPF office at Mangkolemba in police uniform and used explosives and automatic weapons. The NPF said, IRB stationed at Mangkolemba intervened and arrested a suspected NSCN (I-M) activist alongwith a pistol from the house of a shopkeeper identified as one Rongpangkumba and also seized one AK-47, a service revolver and few explosives.
However, instead of seizing the arms and arresting the five persons who were in the house, the SDPO Mangkolemba and the commander of IRB allowed the suspected NSCN (I-M) activist to escape. The NPF said the IRB jawans had vehemently protested against the decision which led to an open altercation between the IRB jawans and the officers in full view of the public. The NPF also alleged that on Tuesday evening around 4 p.m, another armed group in six Gypsies attacked Khar village from Mopungchuket side after crossing the Milak river.
It said the bomb which they were carrying accidentally exploded critically injuring a number of Congress workers and some of the armed attackers, who were shifted to Mokokchung hospital for treatment. Demanding immediate enquiry into the incidents, arrest of the personnel involved and suspension of the police officers for allowing the armed personnel to escape from Mangkolemba, the NPF said public were ready to give evidence of the involvement of police personnel.
Hypocrisy of elections Nagarealm.com




The Chief Election Commission has set a spending limit of Rs 5 lakh per candidate. State election commissioners are trying their best to keep track of each candidate’s expenditure. But there are money transactions between the voters and the candidates, which the local election authorities cannot detect and perhaps are not keen to unearth.

Almost every candidate in Meghalaya has expended at the very least Rs 6 to Rs 10 lakh at this point of time. They would require a fresh replenishment of funds from their respective parties and from individual funding sources for the last leg of the campaign. It is part of the election ritual for candidates to have an open house where food and drinks flow freely. Everyday, at least 100 supporters would be eating lunch and dinner. A candidate who tries to cut down on such hospitality will soon find himself isolated. In fact, the measure of a candidate’s popularity is the noise and fanfare that happens in his house and the number of people who come and go on a daily basis. Word spreads very quickly when the crowd at a particular candidate’s house begins to thin. Rumours are then set afloat that his/her popularity is on the wane.

Star campaigners While a section of the intelligentsia is trying to spread the message of issue-based election to the voting public, this campaign is still a cry in the wilderness. As the star campaigners from Delhi descend one after the other on Meghalayan soil, voters may forget what they should actually be voting for. Sonia Gandhi raised a shrill campaign pitch in Jowai and Tura, leaving Shillong for the more composed and non-rhetorical Dr Manmohan Singh. Union minister for information and broadcasting Priya Ranjan Das Munshi is camping there to woo the non-tribal voters in their enclaves. It is doubtful that the non-tribal voter will buy into what Das Munshi says. After all, they are the more enlightened category of voters and know exactly what to expect from which candidate.

It is the tribal voter, especially in the rural areas, who could possibly be swayed by sentiments and filibuster. On Friday, the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) candidate had a public meeting at Smit where party stalwart and minister for urban affairs Paul Lyngdoh, known to be a master of rhetoric, took a dig at all political parties. Defending his party’s support for the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, he termed the KHNAM as a small party that acted as the brakes on the MDA vehicle and prevented it from speeding like a roller-coaster into disaster. The irrational crowd obviously loves such election wisecracks and applauded each time Lyngdoh delved into his kitty of wit and dark humour. No issues of concern were expounded for discussion by the electorate. It was a speech-making exercise designed to suit the mental capacities of the poor and illiterate voters. A similar speech in Shillong city would have cut no ice. This is the hypocrisy of elections. You devise different speeches for different sets of listeners.

Rural voters Travelling to the villages, especially those areas of Meghalaya where broomstick harvesting is on in full swing and farmers are parking themselves away from their hearths and homes in temporary sheds closer to the broomstick farms, the awareness about candidates is almost non-existent. Many know only the name of their sitting MLA but very little about the other candidates, much less about their symbols. If this is the 21st century for Shillong or Kohima, the rural voter is still living in the dark ages. On voting day, they will only go to the pooling booth if a candidate provides a vehicle and takes them there. In several villages, the nearest polling booth is quite a distance away. Only the enthusiastic camp followers would trudge the extra mile to cast their votes.

Life in rural Meghalaya has changed very little since 1972, when the state was born. If there are changes, they are all for the worse. Large-scale deforestation — forests are the only sources of income — is visible in large parts of the state. There are indications that some villages have dipped even further below the poverty line because of low awareness about birth control. The average family size in rural Meghalaya is between eight and 10. It is a common narrative of women boasting that they have delivered a dozen or more kids. Obviously, the kids are all undernourished and barely have clothes to wear. To talk about education for such a family seems criminal because they can just about afford two square meals a day.

The Sarva Shikshya Aviyaan, which aims at bringing all children to school, and the midday meal scheme to retain those children in school have all suffered from lack of monitoring and supervision. Most upper primary schools, middle and high schools are located at least 3km away from the villages. Unless government thinks of boarding schools, it will be too taxing for children to be trudging 6km every day. That village kids still do not have access to senior schools is itself a stark reminder that MLAs have not cared enough for education. Yet this should have been the priority if MLAs were really committed to their electorate.

Talk about health care and the scenario is even more dismal. Lack of proper health care impinges especially on women and those in the child bearing years. Only less than 40 per cent women in Meghalaya deliver a child under the supervision of a healthcare provider. The rest depend on “dhais” and other semi-trained midwives. Often women die because of complicated labour since they have no access to a hospital or a health centre. Not a single candidate discusses these crucial matters. Water and sanitation and the road-map to water sufficiency is not in the agenda of many candidates. All of them are harping on employment generation without actually spelling out how they will go about achieving this noble goal.


Urban poverty Malcolm Tariang, an independent candidate from Laitumkhrah constituency, one of the leading localities of Shillong has come up with a swish tool kit for the voters. This is likely to go down well with the educated, suave, tech-savvy voter. But there are pockets in Laitumkhrah which are declared as slums and successive representatives have failed to address this phenomenon. Urban poverty in this locality is on the rise. This constituency also has a huge chunk of Mazhabi Sikhs, whose habitat is still pejoratively termed the “Sweepers Colony”.

Those who have won the Laitumkhrah seat have done so on the strength of the non-tribal votes. All the eight candidates are desperately wooing this attractive chunk hoping that they would vote en-bloc. But whether any group actually votes en-bloc is the moot point. With two weeks to go before the final countdown candidates are using every trick of the trade and pulling all the stops to ensure their win. Failing to make any impression with the voters the Congress has unabashedly roped in Indian Idol 3 runner-up Amit Paul to woo voters.

But definitely the most crucial game in this last leg and what could possibly upset the fortunes of many is the ubiquitous envelope passed through a warm handshake. Candidates will ensure that the crisp notes fall in the hands of their committed vote banks. So long as the CEC has no mechanism to check the circulation of money, voters will be available to the highest bidder. Till such time elections are but a five-yearly fanfare of eating and merry-making of song and dance and finally electing the undeserving candidate because those who are truly committed to public service do not have the money to drive their election campaign. [PATRICIA MUKHIM< TI

(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com)
Huge quantity of explosives recovered in Guwahati Times of India
PTIGUWAHATI: A huge quantity of explosives was recovered from a house and two persons were arrested in this connection at Noonmati on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip-off, the police raided the house of Binod Thapa where some of the explosives were stored. Binod later led to the house of Hari Barman where the remaining explosives were seized.

The explosives include 14 electronic detonators, 60 detonators, 15 metres of fuse wire, a grenade and several gelatine sticks.

The police arrested the two persons who are being interrogated by senior police officials to ascertain their antecedents and possible link with militant organisations,
Junta's referendum law lacks independent monitoring Mungpi Mizzima News
Burma's military rulers on Tuesday announced that it has set the rules for a referendum on a new constitution, but critics said no independent commission to monitor the polling has been set up.
The announcement broadcast on state-owned radio and television said the junta has enacted a law that covers matters relating to polling such as the preparation of electoral rolls, vote counting and postponement and cancellation of voting.
The announcement also released on Wednesday's Burmese language New Light of Myanmar newspaper, said the law states that the votes will be counted in the presence of the public, but did not mention having an independent commission to monitor the polling.
A Rangoon based legal expert, who request not to be named in fear of reprisal, said the junta's law reveals that it is determined to win the support of the people in rubberstamping its constitution.
"An independent monitoring commission is a must to see that the polling is conducted in a free and fair atmosphere," the legal expert said. However, the legal expert declined to comment further on the junta's law and the process of referendum, in fear of punishment by the junta.
In a bid to cover its actions from internal criticism, the junta has enacted several acts including the 5/96 act, which allows the junta to punish those criticizing the junta's seven-step road map of up to 20 years in prison. In its latest law on the referendum, the junta said those criticizing, campaigning against, disrupting or attempting, and disturbing the process of polling, would be liable to punishment of up to three years in prison or a fine of Kyat 100,000 or both.
The junta on Tuesday also announced that it has formed a 45-member Referendum Convening Commission, chaired by Supreme Court chief justice Aung Toe, who also served as the chairman for both the constitution drafting commission and the national convention convening commission that supposedly laid the guidelines for the draft constitution.
Thein Nyunt, spokesperson of Burma's opposition party – National League for Democracy – said the commission members are not high profile figures.
"Even in the referendum for the 1974 constitution under Newin's rule, the convention, the drafting committee, and the commission overseeing the process of polling were chaired by different people and included some high profile figures," Thein Nyunt said.
Thein Nyunt said most of the members of the commission were those included in the drafting committee and were delegates to the 14-year long national convention, who largely faced criticism as handpicked men of the junta.
"But we [the NLD] do not want to comment on the details of the law at the moment," Thein Nyunt said. The NLD, led by detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi last week said the junta's unilateral announcement this month of a constitutional referendum and general elections was undemocratic and could bring more instability to the country.
But it did not call for or advocate a boycott or a "no" vote for the draft constitution.The junta's referendum law, which has 31 articles in 12 chapters, lists detail plans of how the polling will be conducted. But it fails to state any dates for the referendum to be conducted in May.
The law gives provisions to all citizens, above 18, the right to vote, however, it disqualifies persons suffering from mental illness, foreigners, Burmese nationals who are illegally residing in other countries, criminals and persons charged under existing law, and religious leaders, essentially barring Buddhist monks, Christian pastors, Hindu and Muslim leaders from casting votes. It also said, Burmese citizens who have gone to foreign countries under legal permission would be allowed to cast their votes.
As a preparation to allow Burmese nationals in Singapore, the Burmese embassy in Singapore said, they have begun collecting the names of Burmese nationals residing in Singapore.
"We have begun collecting the names of Burmese people who are above 18 years of age and have come with official permission here. And once we finish, we will send it to Rangoon. We will finish it before the end of March. And we will wait for the next instruction," said an embassy official in Singapore, who wished to remain anonymous because he is not authorized to speak to the press.
The law also entrusts the referendum convening commission with the power to postpone, cancel and reconduct the polling if the prevailing situation is unsuitable for holding polls, which critics said, is the junta's twist to allow them to nullify the polling result or have it forged to their desire result. U Thein Oo, chairman of the Burma Lawyer Council in exile, said, "By declaring that a general election will be held in 2010, without first considering the result of the referendum, it is obvious that the junta in anyway will approved its draft constitution."
To conduct a free and fair referendum, Thein Oo said, it is necessary to make the public aware of the constitution by explaining the contents of the constitution.
"Based on the results of the referendum, the dates and nature of election has to be decided," Thein Oo added. An article in the junta's mouthpiece newspaper, New Light of Myanmar, on Wednesday, however, said the government in order to make the public aware has published the contents of the constitution through out 2007 in the newspaper.
The article written under a pseudonym, 'U Pyay Kyaw' said the government in its New Light of Myanmar newspaper had published the 15 chapters that will be included in the constitution in 2007 and listed the dates and the titles of the chapters that had been published, an apparent declaration that the junta will not make efforts to educate the pubic on the constitution.
(Additional reporting by Htein Linn & Nem Davies)