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04/05/2008: "Delhi was never serious on Naga issue: Dr Shurhozelie- Oken Jeet Sandham - Asian Tribune"

Delhi was never serious on Naga issue: Dr Shurhozelie- Oken Jeet Sandham - Asian Tribune

Kohima, 05 April (Asiantribune.com): Nagaland Minister for Urban Development and Higher Education Dr Shurhozelie said “if the Government of India thinks Nagaland is part and parcel of the Union of India, the problem of Nagaland should be a national problem.”
Talking to Asian Tribune here at his private residence today, the senior Minister said the problem in Nagaland was not the problem confining to the Nagas alone. “It is a national problem, if the Government of India thinks that Nagaland is part and parcel of the Union of India,” he said adding, “Once this problem is solved, one of the national problems is solved.” They had lost many golden opportunities where Delhi could have settled the issue, he pointed out.
Asked who was to blame for such a long un-resolved issue, Dr Shurhozelie said, “For me I want to be very clear that Delhi was never very serious to solve the Naga political issue.” But now they had to blame their own underground people for having so many factions. “Every one of them is fighting for sovereignty. But according to the present trend, each of them (factions) is fighting for the same sovereignty, that means, we will be having 6 to 7 sovereignties,” he said wondering the reason why they could not come together when they had same cause.
The NPF Chief also described the recently held election as “unique” saying that almost all the underground factions went against NPF candidates. In some places, the NSCN (IM) went against their candidates, somewhere the NSCN (K) went against their candidates while the “so-called Unification Group” had openly went against the NPF sponsored candidates, besides the State Government machineries too went against them, the Minister said.
Even in Aghunato Village under Zunheboto district, the so-called revolutionary group came in support of the Congress but in that village, the villagers fought with them and snatched away their guns and beat them up. He also claimed the NSCN (IM) cadres worked so hard against him in his constituency. “I don’t know the reason why they went against me,” he added.
Yet the people were with them and that was how their NPF party emerged as the single largest party in the aftermath of the election in the State. Had their candidates faced the elections without such underground threats and intimidations, they would simply have walk over, he claimed.
He further wondered whether all these factions could come together as they did during elections to fight against a particular political party. "I wish they come together for the sake of the Naga political settlement,” he said asking, “Why can’t they come together for the sake of political settlement if they could do so to fight against a particular political party during elections.”
Justifying his claim of State Government machineries going against them during elections in the state, Dr Shurhozelie said in Jangpetkong, the Government had posted IRB personnel but that IRB personnel were withdrawn which the State DGP was not aware of. Later on they found that that was directly withdrawn by Advisor to the Governor, he asserted saying these were some of the instances where the Government machineries went against them during the elections by taking advantage of the President’s Rule that was illegally and unconstitutionally imposed in the State.
DAN readies REAL Reconciliation Map orungexpress
Consultative process to be Reactivated Dimapur, April 4 (MExN): The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government is expected to chart very soon, what was stated to be this time a “tangible” plan of action to address and complement reconciliation of the warring Naga resistance groups. The matter was discussed, among other likened agenda, at today’s joint meeting of the DAN’s Political Affairs Committee and the Nagaland Cabinet, in Kohima. A number of resolutions were also undertaken by the PAC, which has yet to be made available to the media.
Featuring in this plan again would also be the reactivation of the DAN’s people’s consultative forum which stalled during the alliance’s last stint.
This “tangible” plan of action that the DAN Cabinet has in mind, through the all-important Political Affairs Committee, includes setting up subcommittees within the PAC itself. Complementing the sub-committees would be civil forums and organizations with representatives who are expected to play the role of initiators and facilitators.
Further, organizing public forums and consultative processes would play a complementing role to these actions, a senior Cabinet minister said today. The involvement of relevant civil society and the Naga church is natural, it was informed.
However, it is understood that these course of initiative would have to be detailed later on in the next meeting of the PAC, where the fundamentals would be worked out. Nonetheless, the gist of the matter was discussed in the “introductory meeting.” This is the PAC’s first meeting after its inception in the DAN’s second stint in power, this time headed by former health minister Dr. TM Lotha, as convener of the committee.
The role of the PAC’s working sub-committees on their coming into being, are expected to approach relevant sections of the Naga society, including the warning Naga factions. Consultative forums are also expected as part of the “tangible” plan of action. Mention may be made here that during the latter part of DAN’s previous stint, people’s consultative forums were envisaged but failed to take off for one reason or the other.
Nonetheless, the government expects that this time, the story would different once the “tangible” initiatives are put to place. When contacted over the new development, senior DAN minister Dr. Shurhozelie confirmed that the matter was discussed at today’s joint meeting of the PAC and the DAN government. The Urban Development minister said the PAC has been entrusted with undertaking a number of resolutions toward the said effect. “We feel that the sub-committees will continue to approach the different sections of the society. From now, we will take to confidence representatives of the tribes, NGOs…” the minister said adding that consultative processes would be initiated.
Dr. Shurhozelie wondered that every Naga faction is fond of “talking” on an on about ‘reconciliation,’ ‘unity’ and ‘peace’ but none of them actually take to living out these assertions so often highlighted in the media. He reminded that the warring factions, if at all they claim to fight for the cause of the Nagas people, they should not be “quarrelling” and deepening the already deepened factional antagonism. “They (each Naga faction) all have the same goal!” the senior minister remarked in wonderment.
“Reconciliation is a high standard. It is a theme which (redeems) Man to God. We need reconciliation” he said referring to the divided Naga movement. He observed that a greater degree of seriousness is needed from all in concern if the Naga problem has at all to see a closure. The minister was of the opinion that “everyone in the past talked so much about peace, unity but I believe talking in the media, public meetings etc will not help us.”
The minister also expected that greater and intensified effort would be exerted towards ushering in reconciliation of the Naga groups. “Without reconciliation, unity has no meaning” he emphasized repeating the Dr. TM Lotha’s earlier contention that reconciliation should precede solution. Dr. Shurhozelie added that the responsibility to ushering in healing is for all, “including the Congress party” and not just state-instated bodies like the PAC or even the government itself.
Push for united Naga family Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, APRIL 4 (NPN): The political affairs committees (PACs) of both the state government and the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) have urged all sections of Naga society to work towards reconciliation and unity amongst the Naga national groups so as to build a united Naga family.
Towards this end, the state government would extend all possible support to the Reconciliation Forum formed by civil societies and the Church.
Home commissioner and member secretary, PAC Government of Nagaland, Sentiyanger Imchen in a press release informed that the two PACs which held a joint meeting Friday at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima, also called upon the civil societies, tribal hohos, Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) and Church organizations to extend support to the reconciliation process.
Among other resolutions adopted in the meeting, the state government and DAN would continue to support the ongoing peace process and the “Indo-Naga political dialogue” by playing the role of facilitator, while appealing to the negotiation parties to expedite the peace process in order to bring about a logical and honourable settlement acceptable to the Naga people.
The meeting also resolved that the state government and DAN would appeal for a ceasefire between different underground groups and that the different underground factions should listen to the voice of the people whom they represent, to bring to a halt fratricidal killings among Naga national workers.
Further, both the state government and DAN resolved to work for and support the cause of the Eastern Nagas in Myanmar, so that the Eastern Nagas “get due political recognition and political rights within their traditional territory in Myanmar,” the release said.
Meanwhile, the DAN government has reiterated its declared commitment that it would “pave the way and step down from office in the event of an alternative arrangement that may be necessitated by the successful conclusion of the Indo-Naga political dialogue.”
A Symbolic Gesture of Common Hope morungexpress
The best thing to happen in a very long time for the Naga moral spirit was the news of the unconditional release of the arrested cadres by the NSCN/GPRN (Unification) and the NSCN (IM). This small but significant step has given rise to a Common Hope, and it has aroused a new imagination that is calling out for the urgent need for Nagas to come together and begin a new future of right relationship. It is in this symbolic gesture of faith and courage that we find hope which will empower Nagas to break free from the chains of mistrust and suspicion.
In polarized situations where a strong sense of mistrust and suspicion between conflicting parties prevails, the process of overcoming these obstacles begins with small steps of faith and courage. And it is through these well-meaning and well-intended symbolic public actions that one is able to slowly but surely tear down the monolithic structure of distrust. It is said that in the art of Peacebuilding, symbolic actions are vital in enabling confidence building and in helping the process move forward. The well-being of any process can be gauged by the presence and number of symbolic actions expressed by the parties concerned.
Considering the context in which the arrested cadres were released by the two parties, this symbolic gesture must be appreciated and applauded by all and it quite clearly manifests the yearning deep within them to take decisive steps that can pave the way for reconciliation; and most importantly, their willingness to give reconciliation a chance. This gesture of faith enables the Naga public to also discern and recognize that the leadership in both the parties if given a fair opportunity and a patient hearing has the political will to be accommodating.
Seizing this glimmer of hope, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation must be the bridge and should build upon the momentum generated by the release of cadres by both sides. The forum needs to further persuade them to make more symbolic actions of common interest as confidence building measures, in order to strengthen the process. It will be the responsibility of the forum to encourage the parties not to renew acts of “inciting, kidnapping and targeting” of each other; and to urge upon them to desist from publishing statements and articles in the media which would only tarnish the positive steps they have themselves taken in paving and strengthening the way towards reconciliation.
The forum is not wrong in pointing out that “Despite the seemingly un-surmountable difficulties, Nagas are determined and prepared for the victory which lies ahead of us. Above all, let us fear God our Creator and Salvation.” It is the united voice of the people that Nagas come together and it is this conviction and determination that will provide the energy and inspiration to sustain the process. It is important not to forget that the Forum for Naga Reconciliation was initiated in the House of Faith, and it is by faith and by acts of simple faith, that the possibilities of the Common Hope can be realized. And I can tell you, when the cadres were finally released on both sides, it was ‘a gentle breeze felt.’

Factional clash Sangai Express
A day after the exchange-release of the rival cadres by both the NSCN-Unification and the NSCN-IM from their respective custody after kidnapping them, two cadres of the NSCN-IM have been kidnapped again from the New Market area in Dimapur on April 3, reports NNN. Both the NSCN-U and NSCN-IM had released their rival cadres from their respective custody on April 2 initiated by Reconciliation Forum. However, on April 3 two cadres namely “captain” Wungreithan and “sgt” Peter have of the NSCN-IM have been kidnapped by the rival NSCN-U from Dimapur fueling fresh wave of tension. Following this development, the NSCN-IM today said that ironically, every effort is coming to naught in spite of the hard work done by Rev Dr. Wati, Convener of Reconciliation Forum, even after getting the release of the NSCN-IM members abducted by the unification group. The outfit further stated that respecting and honoring the sentiments of the Naga civil societies to maintain peace in
Dimapur NSCN-IM have not gone beyond what is expected by the Reconciliation Forum. “But the good work done by Dr. Wati is being nullified even before a day passed. On April 3 Capt. Wungreithan and Sgt. Peter were abducted along with one AK- 47 and one Pistol from New Market. This kind of incidents that goes on unabated in the face of the appeals by the public is not going to augur well in any sense of the term as indicated by the prevailing situation,” cautions the NSCN-IM.

Nagaland woman murdered Times of India TNNBANGALORE: If she had finished the farewell party before midnight, her chances of being alive could have been brighter. When the party ended half-an-hour before Thursday midnight, she chose to stay alone at her relative's place and was found murdered the next morning. The J P Nagar police have arrested three persons.

The deceased Indrawati, (48), wife of late Mawhalal, was a native of Nagaland. She was working in Bangalore since January 2007. The incident occurred in J P Nagar 2nd stage in the wee hours of Friday. According to Robert, Indrawati's cousin, they had been to their friend's house in Shanthinagar on Thursday as she was returning to Nagaland. Indrawati, who was working as a cook and staying in a flat in J P Nagar could not get back to the apartment since it was an hour past the entry deadline. So she decided to spend the night at her cousin's place.

"It was around 10 am on Friday, when Robert and other friends came home with noodles and milk to prepare breakfast. But the door was locked and the key not kept in the usual place behind the window. They got suspicious they broke open the door to find Indrawati dead in the pool of blood. "She had been smashed by wood on her head. The assailant also charged her with a lethal weapon and slit the throat and face," said an investigating officer.

Before Indrawati came to Bangalore in 2007, she was living in Nagaland. She has three children and all of them are settled in Nagaland. The police added, "We have picked up three persons over the suspicion. However, there is no possibility of murder committed for gain. Jewellery, cash and mobile phones were found intact at the crime scene."

The police are interrogating workers and students from Nagaland to get more clues on the murder. Several liquor bottles were also recovered from the room were Indrawati was found murdered.

ONGC to resume mining in Nagaland AMARJYOTI BORAH Down to Earth on line

UB PHOTOS
In 1994, the Nagaland government asked the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ongc) to shut shop in the state. Pressure from local people and militant groups had a big role in the decision. The country’s largest crude oil producer is now set to resume operations in the north eastern state. It has signed a lease with the Nagaland government to revive petroleum mining in Changpang village in Wokha district. The state government claims to have resolved old issues but local people and militant groups dispute that. They have also raised the issue of pollution from oil wells. ongc began explorations in Nagaland in 1973.
Changpang with its rich crude oil deposits came in for special attention. According to the corporation, the village has 20 million tonnes of hydrocarbon reserves. Production began in 1981 but it stopped 13 years later. Local people and militant groups contended that land was leased to ongc in violation of Nagaland’s special status under article 371 of the Constitution—no central government act pertaining to transfer of land applies to the state unless the state assembly ratifies it.
They demanded an additional 2 per cent royalty for the state. Consent of local bodies, mandatory since most of Nagaland falls under Schedule vi of the Constitution, was also not taken, local people alleged.

The Nagaland government bowed to local pressure and put a stop to ongc’s operations 14 years ago.
But villagers continue to suffer from the after effects of oil mining. Leakage from the wells is a major problem. “We have to be extra careful while venturing into forests since a fire can break out anytime,” says Opvuo Odyuo a resident of Changpang. A lot of agricultural land in the village has become barren, he adds.

A village is split
Pollution is not the only problem in Changpang. The oil-rich village is starved of development. Electric poles were put up more than 10 years ago, but Changpang has not got electricity yet. Changpang got a small dispensary in 1960 but it lacks infrastructure to treat serious patients.
It is true that development will cause some environmental damage. But care should be taken to minimize that. If ONGC is so concerned about local development why doesn’t it clean up its sites in Changpang?

—PUNGTHING SHIMRANG
Member, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM)

Villagers allege that very little of the oil royalty money has gone into local development. ongc has paid a royalty of Rs 33.83 crore for crude extracted from Changpang to the Nagaland government, but of that only Rs 67 lakh reached the village.

In 2006, some villagers felt that developmental issues could be addressed if local bodies had a say in oil mining. That year landowners with oil-bearing wells came together to form the All Lotha Resource Management Cooperative of Changpang (alrmcc). The cooperative held talks with Spice Resources Management, an affiliate of the Gurgaon-based corporate Spice Energy, to conduct oil exploration in Changpang. But the state government refused to allow the corporate any toehold in the state’s oil sector.

The issue also drove a wedge in the local community. H Longshithung Kithan, the then chairperson of the village council, was alleged to have taken bribes from Spice Resources. Kithan had given alrmcc a mining lease for 25 years. According to the state government this violated section 12 of the Nagaland Village and Area Councils Act, 1978. Kithan was suspended from his post.

In November 2007, people of the Lotha tribe, the most populous tribe at Changpang, held a series of meetings, where it was agreed that areas held by members of the tribe will be made open for oil exploration and extraction. Nyanbemo Ngullie, chairperson of Lotha Hoho, the apex body of the tribe, said, “We have given consent to the government to issue mining leases since we believe that it is the right agency for the purpose.” But Ngullie added that the state government should hold equal shares with any company involved in oil development. The apex body of the Lothas has also put another demand: an oil refinery must be established in Nagaland.

But not all Lotho bodies are unequivocal about allowing ongc to explore in the area. Nzanthung K Yanthan, president of the influential Lotha Students Union, said,“We want development but it should be in a way which benefits local people. We don’t have any objection if decisions are taken properly. But right now authorities are giving short shrift to issues of pollution and local development.”

The development miss

SUDIPTA NAYAN GOSWAMI
Oil sludge, a bane
K Zhimomi, Nagaland’s former industry minister believes, that oil exploration holds the key to Changpang’s development. “It will also help the overall development of the state,” he said. ongc has entered into a partnership with a Canada-based company Canaro Resource Limited to take up oil exploration in the state. The two companies signed a joint study agreement in June 2007. “ongc holds the licence to conduct oil exploration and production but Canaro will look after the actual operational aspects,” Ankush Dutta the Indian spokesperson of the Canadian-based company said. Les Kondratoff, the company’s ceo, believes the Nagaland operations could secure the company’s position as the largest oil operator in north-east India. “People want good roads and better income generating activities. We can help them get these,” he said.

But militant groups remain skeptical. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland, which had opposed ongc’s activities in Nagaland 14 years ago, remains steadfast. “If ongc is so concerned about the people why don’t they clean up its site?” Pungthing Shimrang, a senior member of the group’s Issac Muviah faction asks (also see box: Interview).

ongc is also planning to invest heavily in infrastructure at Changpang, there are plans to invest Rs 2,500 crore in revamping old installations and pipeline networks. An additional Rs 1,500 crore will be invested in drilling hi-tech wells.

A team of the Nagaland Pollution Control Board has directed ongc to take care of the pollution problems. “They must clean up the site. Oil exploration can commence only after that,” said Rusovil John, member secretary of the Nagaland Pollution Control Board. “In many places pipes have started leaking, and there is a lot of sludge,” John added.

But it seems that ongc has more than sludge on its hands.
Assam Rifles to get more fire power PTI
New Delhi (PTI): The Assam Rifles, hailed as the ‘Sentinels of the North East’, has embarked on a vigorous modernisation drive to give it more fire power.
The modernisation plans of the senior-most paramilitary force of the nation include procuring state-of-the-art weapons and latest gadgets to boost operational efficiency of the troops, Assam Rifles spokesman Lt Col Shashank Ranjan said ahead of the 173rd anniversary celebrations of the force beginning on Saturday.
Also known as the ‘Friends of the Hill People’, the Assam Rifles has 65,000 troops at present, having grown in strength of just 750 combatants at the time of its inception in 1835. The force, raised as a ‘militia’ outfit by the name of ‘Cahcar Levy’ to protect and safeguard British interests in the region, saw a change in its role over the years and came to be known as ‘Frontier Police’, ‘Assam Military Police’ and finally ‘Assam Rifles’ in 1917.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil will be the Chief Guest at the anniversary function on Saturday. The Assam Rifles is not only entrusted with the task of maintaining internal security, but also makes a lot of contribution towards uplift of the people of the North East as it believes that development is the only remedy to various woes of the people of that region.
With the region prone to calamities like floods, earthquakes and famine, the Assam Rifles also plays a key role in providing succour to victims in the most inhospitable and remote areas, that are also hit by insurgency.


BTC to conserve primate habitat A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, April 4: The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) has taken up a project to restore the habitat of the golden langur, as part of its efforts to conserve the endangered species of primates. The Kokrajhar divisional forest officer and in-charge of the wildlife and working plan division, Sonali Ghosh, said the golden langur population has become restricted to a few pockets in the forest areas bordering Bhutan because of largescale deforestation.
“The population of golden langurs is dwindling because of a lack of connectivity between the habitats. We have taken up a project to restore the connectivity by going in for massive aforestation in the areas,” she said.
Golden langurs are found in the forests of western Assam and Bhutan bordered by the rivers Sankosh in the west, Manas in the east and Brahmaputra in the south.
The population of golden langurs is estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,500 in the areas along the Assam-Bhutan border, particularly in Ripu, Chirang and Manas forests.
“The golden langur population has become fragmented and has been confined to pockets because of deforestation in the revenue areas between the forests. In our project, we have roped in local NGOs to convince the villagers to go for largescale plantation in the areas between the fragmented habitats of the primate species,” Ghosh said.
The BTC authorities and the NGOs have launched a campaign to convince the villagers to plant commercial species like rubber and gamari.
“We have asked them to go for rubber plantation with gamari trees in between. The fruit of this tree provides food for golden langurs and it is also an important source of timber,” she said.
The head of the forest and tourism department of BTC, G.C. Basumatary, said the department is going to host a three-day Chakrashila Conservation Tourism Festival from April 12 to create awareness on the importance of wildlife conservation.
The festival will promote the unspoilt beauty of the Bodoland districts, their ethnic diversity and tribal lifestyle. “Tourists can also see how different tribes, including Bodos, Garos, Rabhas, Koch Rajbongshis, Nepalis, Santhals and Adivasis are living in harmony,” Basumatary said.