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05/09/2008: "India's Naga rebels say govt hurting peace process Biswajyoti Das Reuters"

India's Naga rebels say govt hurting peace process Biswajyoti Das Reuters

GUWAHATI, India, May 8 (Reuters) - A powerful rebel group in India's revolt-racked northeast accused New Delhi on Thursday of encouraging rival groups to attack them and sabotage a decade-old peace process aimed to end the long-running insurgency.
A senior leader of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-Issac-Muivah) faction said the group had lost faith in the government's sincerity in finding a lasting solution to the problems.
"India is not at all interested to solve our problems," R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN-IM leader said by telephone from an undisclosed location.
"The government is now busy encouraging rival factions to attack our cadres and camps to derail the whole peace initiative."
A home ministry official in New Delhi said the government would not comment right away.
The NSCN split into two factions in the late 1980s and the breakaway group, NSCN (Khaplang) is said to be backed by the government, political analysts say.
The two groups regularly fight against each other, but in recent months the Khaplang group had the upper hand, in which dozens of militants from either side have been killed in the past two weeks. To make matters worse, two senior leaders of the NSCN-IM recently deserted the organisation and formed a separate group. The defectors were appointed as ministers this week in the parallel underground government run by the Khaplang group, further complicating the issue.
"How can we trust India when no steps are taken to reign in the new group, whose activists are killing our boys almost every day," Raising said.
The NSCN-IM leaders and Indian officials have met more than 50 times over the past ten years to end the conflict that has killed thousands of people and soldiers. Nagaland is a mainly Christian state of two million people on India's far northeastern border with Myanmar. (Editing by Bappa Majumdar and Sanjeev Miglani)
Nagaland Talks Going Slow Mainstream, Vol XLVI, No 20 Harish Chandola
A new round of negotiations between the Government of India and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) was held in Delhi on April 16, at which it was decided that the next round would take place next month, for which no dates were fixed.
The negotiations are over the Constitution. The NSCN has a constitution of its own. The attempt is to adjust or make changes in it to bring it closer to make it a part of the Indian Constitution. This is a difficult task and will take a many rounds of talks to sort it out.
In last month’s (March) elections, the old State Government of Chief Minister Nephiew Rio of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, which the governor had dismissed a mere three weeks before the elections, returned to power. This government, unlike the Congress one before it, kept peace in Nagaland. The ceasefire between the Isak-Muiva led National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and the Government of India has now entered its 11th year.
Last year these two sides that are holding negotiations for a political settlement, decided that the ceasefire should be co-terminus with the talks, which means that it should go on as long as the talks or negotiations continue. Earlier, the ceasefire used to be extended periodically, mostly for a year at a time.
A peaceful settlement of the Naga problem has not been reached in these 11 years. It is expected that the talks will continue until a settlement is arrived at. The Nagas, however, find the pace of the talks very slow. Nobody knows how long these will go on.
A ceasefire and a settlement are two different things. A ceasefire only provides a peaceful atmosphere for negotiations for a settlement. This is the second Naga ceasefire. The first had come into being 43 years ago, on 6 September 1964, and was terminated by the then Governor of Nagaland, B.K. Nehru, in 1972. Fighting had resumed after that and ended when the second ceasefire came into being in 1997.
The Naga movement is now over 60 years old and its armed struggle 51 years. A lot happened there during these years. First, when fighting began there in 1956, the Indian Army was sent to put it down. The Army is still there but now it stays in camps because of the ceasefire.
The negotiations are between the Prime Minister of India and the leaders of the NSCN. To help the Prime Minister, Delhi has appointed three Ministers and a retired Home Secretary as a Special Representative to take part in the peace talks.
THE NSCN stands for the unification of all contiguous areas inhabited by the Naga people. At the moment, besides the State of Nagaland, the Nagas live in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh mainly. But Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh do not want to part with their territory inhabited by the Nagas, to create a unified Naga homeland.
The NSCN organisation consists of people from all Naga areas, including these three States. In fact its main leader, Th. Muivah, the organisation’s General Secretary, is from Manipur, from its Ukhrul district. A fairly good number of NSCN people are from the Naga areas of Manipur and some from Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. A settlement will have to include people of all these areas.
The basic point is that the Nagas want to live together in one compact region, under one administration. Keeping them under the administration of different States cannot be justified. The Nagas have little in common with the rest of the populations in these three States, where they had been placed.
There are other issues also under discussion between the Government of India and the NSCN. The NSCN wants its territory, which it calls Nagalim, to have a constitution of its own, based upon the conditions and requirements of its people. The NSCN actually has a constitution. It will, however, be prepared to replace it with a new one that will serve its people and also meet the requirements of India. It will want a relationship and a commonality between its constitution and that of India. It may even be possible for the Naga constitution to become a part of the Indian Constitution. But this matter has to be discussed and explored in the talks that are going on between the two sides.
The other matter concerns defence. The NSCN believes that the primary responsibility for the defence of its territory has to be with the Naga people themselves. The Naga region has an almost 300 kilometre-long border with Burma and it is not far from China. The NSCN, one believes, will be ready to concede that the overall responsibility for defence should be with the Indian Army. But in the event of a conflict, depending on the situation, the Indian Army, like other armies, can withdraw or advance. While the Indian Army, if needed, can withdraw, the Nagas cannot. The Naga region or Nagalim, as the NSCN calls it, is their only home from which they cannot go anywhere else. They will therefore have to fight until aggression on their land is ended. In this regard, they give the example of the 1962 border conflict between India and China. When the Chinese troops took over almost the whole of the North East Frontier Agency (now the State of Arunachal Pradesh), the Indian Army withdrew to Assam. The people of the North East Frontier Agency did not put up a fight. They remained under occupation until the Chinese troops withdrew. The Nagas do not want that to happen in their land.
The NSCN wants the Nagas to fight until the aggressor is ousted. They have trained people who constitute the present Naga army for such a fight.
When a political settlement is arrived at with India what role will the men of the present Naga army play? That is a subject to be discussed and settled. The negotiations so far, though very slow, have not been totally unsatisfactory to the NSCN. In the beginning of the negotiations the NSCN had asked the Government of India to recognise the fact that the Nagas were a unique people. In the course of the negotiations, the special representative of the Indian Prime Minister, Padmanabhaih, conceded the point that the Nagas are truly a unique people. Having acknowledged that, the Government of India will have to create a unique relationship with them and make arrangements that will be special or unique, and not to deal with them on the basis of the common arrangements it has for the rest of the country. This issue of evolving a unique relationship has still to be negotiated at the talks
More killed as NSCNs battle morungexpress
Dimapur, May 9 (MExN): An NSCN (IM) activist who was allegedly involved in an ‘abduction’ case and captured by the NSCN/GPRN (Unification) group has been executed at the unification’s Hq at Vihokhu village, Dimapur. The captured NSCN (IM) activist, Atong Pongener, ‘“Jt Secy” who was in the custody of the unification group has been executed today. Pongener was captured by the Unification cadres last Sunday and was paraded before the media on May 6 at Vihokhu. Sources from the Unification camp disclosed that Pongener was executed last night. The GPRN/NSCN (Unification) informing about the execution, justified the killing stating he committed a crime against the “Naga nation and its people”.
The GPRN/NSCN (Unification) in a press note issued by its publicity cell stated that “pursuant to the declaration and intimation to the administration and law enforcing agencies of the state of Nagaland on December 30, 2007 by GPRN/NSCN to severely deal with the prevalent anti-social activities committed and blamed upon NSCN, the GPRN/NSCN has penalized joint secretary, Atong of Hebron Camp for committing crime against the Naga nation and its people.”
However, the NSCN (IM) maintained that “Atong was abducted and killed by the Unification group at Vihokhu on May 9, lest Atong exposed the kidnapping crime of the unification group”. It is learnt that the funeral service of Atong was held at his residence at Aoyimti at 3 pm this evening.
Meanwhile, in an apparent retaliation against the offensive by the NSCN (IM) cadres on NSCN/GPRN (Unification) cadres near Showba village on May 8 and the subsequent firing that continued in Diphupar ‘B’ area, a factional fight ensued at a place between Jalukie town and the NSCN (IM) Training Centre, Mount Gilead this morning which continued till 12:30.
NSCN (IM) sources said that two of its cadres along with a civilian, who were on their way to a farm, were ambushed by Unification cadres, during which one cadre along with the civilian were captured, while another escaped. The unification cadres blindfolded the captured NSCN (IM) activist and shot him, while the civilian was let off. The killed NSCN (IM) cadre has been identified as one Athikho Mao, “section officer” attached with the “ministry of religious affairs.”
Police sources from the Jalukie town said that reports of firing started at around 6:30 am and that they received report of a dead body in the area, which is about approximately 10-12 kms away from Jalukie town and 12-16 kms away from Mount Gilead. However, when the police along with representatives from Zeliangrong Baudi and other civil society leaders were on their way to the spot, another firing started at around 8:45 and it continued till 12:30, sources said. During the gun-fight the dead body was taken away by the NSCN (IM) cadres. Police and civil society leaders could not go near the area due to security reasons, sources said.
In the meantime, reinforced NSCN (IM) cadres chased unification cadres till Athibung area and fired at them. The NSCN (IM) sources claimed that the Unification side may have suffered some casualty or injuries. Sources from the unification side denied that they suffered any casualty.
Unification source asserted that today’s firing incident was a response to yesterday’s ‘provocative’ attack by the NSCN (IM) on unification cadres near Showuba village, which is just nearby the latter’s headquarter village, Vihokhu. The source asserted that today’s attack by the Unification cadres was in order to send a message to Hebron that the unification group ‘can also do the same or even worse’.
Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) today expressed heartfelt condolence over the deaths of Athikho Mao “SO” and “pte.” Ayin Kashung and Athong Pongener, “joint secretary” at the hands of the Unification group. An MIP press release stated that “pte.” Ayin died fighting like ‘a true Naga soldier’, while Athikho Mao was killed in cold-blood by the unification group, after abducting him near the “training centre, Naga Army.”
Athong Pongener, who was in the custody of the Unification Group was executed on May 9 at Vihokhu village. It could not be confirmed as to how exactly, ‘Pte’ Ayin died.
“They died with their spirit focused to stand by their commitment to serve the nation till the last,” the release stated and added that ‘the Nation is proud of them and they died ‘martyrs’, to be given a place of honour in the pages of the Naga history’.
The NSCN (IM) Kilo Kilonser, in a separate press release, expressed sorrow over the death of L Athikho s/o Loli of Kalinamei village, Spmth Region, GPRN.
The Kilo Kilonser, in a press release issued by the Secretary of Kilo Affairs, regarded the deceased as a young and committed Christian; a theologian with excellent academic career and having a noble love for the nation.
“The nation shall remember and always treasure his unflinching service and well recorded his name in the history of the Naga Nation,” the release stated.
The NSCN (IM) extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.
Home Ministry official to hold CSFB meeting today Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 9
Amidst the ongoing rival NSCN factions engaging in an open undeclared war in and around Dimapur and speculations on the likelihood of declaration of its stand on the newly floated NSCN-Unification group, senior officials of the Home Ministry will be arriving Nagaland tomorrow to hold the Ceasefire Supervisory Board meeting.
According to official sources, Joint Secretary, Union Home Ministry incharge of Northeast Naveen Verma will be arriving in the State tomorrow to hold the Ceasefire Supervisory Board meeting with the NSCN-K at Dimapur. Verma is also likely to be accompanied by other officials from the Home Ministry.
The CSFB meeting scheduled for tomorrow comes at a time when confusion continues to surround the identity of the NSCN-K which is generally observed as having merged en-mass with the newly floated ‘NSCN (U)’ and also when the State government is demanding the Union Home Ministry to issue necessary directive on its stand on the ‘NSCN (U)’ and how to deal with the group.
State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio accompanied by State Home Minister Imkong L Imchen reportedly called on the Union Home Minister recently and demanded that the Union Home Ministry issue necessary directive on the status of the ‘NSCN (U)’ and also how to deal with them.
Both the NSCN-IM and the NSCN-K had signed ceasefire agreement with the Government of India in 1997 and 2001 respectively. Since then both the NSCN factions are engaged in a ceasefire arrangement with the GoI. The NSCN-K however joined en-mass to the newly-floated ‘GPRN/NSCN (Unification)’ which came into being in November last.
Both the NSCN-IM and ‘NSCN (U)’ are presently engaged in a bloody war which has being continuing for the last few days in and around Dimapur resulting in the death of several cadres on both sides. The CSFB is headed by Chairman Lt.Gen (Retd) R V Kulkarni and comprises of representatives of the Government of India, NSCN-K and State Government. Government of India is represented by IGAR (N) and DIG (Ops) CRPF while the state government is represented by DGP Nagaland and Home Commissioner.
Naga MLAs from Manipur SOS Rio

Dimapur, May 9 (MExN): All six Naga MLAs in the Manipur Legislative Assembly today wrote a letter to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressing solidarity with him and the DAN government in their endeavour in “envisioning just-society for all Naga families”. A copy of the letter released to the press expressed concern over the prevailing situation in and around Dimapur district “where senseless killings have been taking place including innocent lives”.
“We perceive this as a threat to the well-being of our society. We all know that we are on the verge of taking a collective responsibility in making a right decision encompassing the whole society. At this juncture, notwithstanding the confusion being shaped from certain quarters, we expect us to be firmed and committed”, the six Naga MLAs wrote in their letter to Rio.
Expressing their “our utmost concern over the situation”, the MLAs wrote that they were “ready to render ourselves in partnering the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation in the best interest of our people” and also expressed appreciation on the steps taken up by the DAN Government in providing all necessary security in sensitive areas.The letter addressed to Rio was signed by all the six Naga MLAs which included Dr.Khashim Ruivah, MLA,Chingai, Ukhrul, W.Morung Makunga, MLA, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Awangbou Newmai, MLA, Tamei, Tamenglong, K.Raina, MLA, Tadubi, Senapati, Danny Shaiza, MLA, Ukhrul and W.Keishing, MLA, Phungyar, Ukhrul.
For whom the Bell tolls next … Al Ngullie Morungexpress
Dimapur | May 9 : “We nearly urinated in our pants running for cover. We did not know where the bullets were coming from. But bull we didn’t care; we just ran for our God lives!” an infuriated Lanusangla muttered, mincing no choice for words. “Our lives are hell today. Do they (factions) even think about it?” added Lanusangla’s girl-friend Ajung, with visible anger.
*Lanusangla, a Bachelors student of Tetso College in Diphupar and a couple of her classmates had to scurry for cover as warring NSCN cadres began shooting at each other just north of Tetso College, on Thursday midday, May 8. Students and villagers alike either rushed for the nearest cover, or simply dropped numb, flat onto the ground, she said. “You could touch the terror with your fingers. We were even thinking the UGs would start shooting at anything that moved” Lanusangla whispered as tears welled up her eyes, recalling that terrible day.
*Selina, a Tetso College administration-staffer shared a tale of terror and confusion, similar to Lanusangla’s. “We almost urinated while running. God Knows I have never run so fast in my life” she confided. Selina resides in interior Diphupar village, and rather than her usual throughway from Diphupar 4th Mile gate, she along with her friends took a roundabout from 7th mile all the way towards Chate river, down to the Dimapur Airport regions before reaching home. “Why do they always do this to us?” Selina queried the warring factions. “And where is the DAN government we voted for?” she added with irritation in the afterthought.
Yesterday, Diphupar erupted into chaos, screaming and the ugly bark of bullets as a gun battle between NSCN (IM) and NSCN/GPRN (Unification) cadres commenced. The Diphupar shootout followed gunfights in Xelhozhe village near Showuba village and Seithekima ‘A’ and ‘B’ villages. The standoff between the two rival groups culminated at the Diphupar Government High School ground. The day would forever remain a terrible testimony of the hatebreed generation, for the young children and students who had to tough out the terror alone. No government, no IRB, no security forces just plain terror. Or at least the forces were not at hand. Children studying in AG School, St John School and Government Middle School shared the same story: *Anouk, a class VIII student did not know what was going on. “We remember only fear” he says. “We were made to lie flat on the ground and cover our heads with our arms. It was very, very frightening” he mutters.
For young mother *Mhabeni Lotha, the day couldn’t have been sunnier for the taking. She’d been looking forward to a visit from her in-laws, from proper Dimapur. Her two children were at school. Meantime, she began rustling up vegetables for lunch for her in-laws. Then at around 10:20 hell broke loose: she only remembers spilling a wicker of “gum” rice on the floor, and screaming in terror, rushed underneath her bed for shelter. “The bullets sounded so near. I recall thinking of my two children, my husband and whether or not Tetso College students have been killed. I reached out for the telephone which was nearby and from underneath my bed, I dialed my in-laws not to come up since there was a war going on” she says.
“Today we don’t want to think of the Naga struggle for freedom. We only fear for our lives, for our families and our careers. Where is the Naga movement? Where?” lamented *Edward Angami, wishing no to be named. Edward, an active student leader from Diphupar is not new to civil society’s unending patience and penchant for dialogue “like proper, civilized people.” He’s been part of endless “peace” and “unity” meetings, rallies, condemnations and appeals over the years. He questions: How many more condemnations and appeals do we need? How many appeals have we made? Were the condemnations and appeals worth it? Did our national workers listen and do they, still somehow?
“No matter what, every Naga soul knows in his heart that unless the bloodshed is stopped, Naga freedom will remain a mirage” he echoes his students’ union colleagues. “We can only keep praying” he adds. The student leader also lashed out at the state government’s tepid response to the Dimapur situation. “They (government) will come know what it is like to be surrounded by fear and terror and bullets when someone fires at them” Edward spate angrily.
No tale each Diphupar citizen narrated was less in color and feeling to the others’ story. Fear, bullets, death, confusion, anger, frustration and haplessness and God. And questions. Questions about governments, people’s movement and innocent lives. Children, career and hopes and dreams for a better future. But as life demands it, many a citizen has picked up his day’s tools of trade as if to say there had happened nothing; as if there was no bloodshed or any horrible twist of event that pushed him near it. But the tired and torn Naga citizen knows better – he can only hide so much behind his flimsy cover of courage.

“When will this madness stop…?” Edward queried.
‘Public now the Ultimate Authority’ morungexpress
Dimapur, May 8 (MExN): Notwithstanding the new wave of terror and peril to innocent public lives and their properties from the resurgent factional blood-hunting, the state government continues to maintain adamantly that the ‘latest situation’ is a political problem. Virtually hapless, the state government today ‘appealed’ to the people to ‘take to the streets.’ It is about time the people put its foot down and stand up against the elements of violence, bloodshed and terror, since they (people) are the ultimate authority, it was conceded.
Nagaland Home Minister Imkong Imchen today ‘appealed’ to the harried Naga people to put stand up boldly against the factional violence. “I appeal to the people to come out on the street against the bloodshed. The public is now the ultimate authority” the Home Minister said while expressing haplessness that “these people” (underground factions) have turned deaf to the endless appeals, condemnations and efforts that civil society has exerted.
Interestingly, even as he urged the people to ‘stand up,’ it was reported that the people of Diphupar village were being mobilized to arm and be ready to confront the armed cadres concentrated in the village. Public leaders were reported to be engaging mobile loudspeakers announcing to all to arm up with whatever weapons they can and be ready to confront the underground cadres. It was informed that cadres had concentrated themselves at the Diphupar Government High School ground.
Queried to respond to the common perception now that the government has turned out to be a ‘weak government’ owing to its failure to protect citizens and their properties, Imchen strongly argued it had not. The state government has not failed in fact, the “IRB boys and the police department” are doing its best. However, he implied that the entire state of affairs should have been addressed by the Government of India “since the ceasefire is between the government of India and the factions.” The GoI should be more “determined” he explained implying it is the Centre’s onus to implement the ceasefire ground rules. “It is a political problem” he said simply.
Over this, when queried if loss of innocent public lives and destruction to their properties also fall within the ambit of “political problem” Imkong said “we cannot go out declaring war and shooting the undergrounds.” Nonetheless, the Home minister simply maintained, without elaborating further, that the government and the state security agencies are “doing our best.”
Also in a separate press release Imchen took serious note of the deteriorating situation in the commercial hub of the State. He termed it to be “a very disturbing happening” and appealed to all the leaders of Naga underground groups to cease fire and stop fighting against their own Naga brethren.
He remarked that the people are ‘laughing at the Nagas and we are heading for a major tragedy.’ “Bloodshed among us has already gone beyond imaginable limit and it is time to think and to talk peace among us so that a peaceful atmosphere is brought and then discuss issues across the table with trust and confidence” he stated.
Meanwhile, senior NPF leader and DAN Minister Dr. Shurhozelie commenting on the volatile situation in Dimapur said “we don’t like it.” However, he also assured that “we are doing out best.” To the query if any concrete security steps to protect the people, is forthcoming, he said the state Cabinet “discusses this issue in our meetings always.” The Urban Development Minister also echoed the Home minister’s opinion that the GoI should be “more determined” to tackling the matter.
NSCN (I-M) flays Centre Nagaland Post
Guwahati, May 8 (Agencies): The NSCN (I-M) has accused New Delhi of encouraging rival groups to attack them and sabotage a decade-old peace process aimed to end the long-running insurgency.
A senior NSCN (I-M) leader said the group had lost faith in the government's sincerity in finding a lasting solution to the problems. “India is not at all interested to solve our problems,” R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN (I-M) leader, told Reuters on Thursday. “The government is now busy encouraging rival factions to attack our cadres and camps to derail the whole peace initiative.” A home ministry official in New Delhi said the government would not comment right away. The NSCN split into two factions in the late 1980s. The two groups regularly fight against each other
“How can we trust India when no steps are taken to reign in the new group, whose activists are killing our boys almost every day,” Raising said.
On Wednesday, the State’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had blamed the continued delay in talks with NSCN (I-M) and absence of any clear directions from the Union Home Ministry for multiplication of the problems in Nagaland.
Rio said that there was no clear cut direction from the Union Home Ministry about what was the fate of talks with NSCN-IM.
“Definitely, the delay (in talks between NSCN-IM and Centre) is the cause of all the problems. It is getting multiplied. We want to see the sincerity of the government of India and the underground groups to resolve it,” Rio had told PTI after his meeting with Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Wednesday.
‘Naga movement is not illegal or unconstitutional’ morungexpress
DIMAPUR, MAY 9 (MExN): Speaking at the Parliament on March 4 and April 21, 2008 Lok Sabha MP of Outer Manipur, Mani Charenmei, called attention to the slow progress of the talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India and said that it has created doubt on the success of the peace talks. He said that the delay was eroding the faith and confidence reposed on the Centre and creating restlessness, particularly among the youth. He sought to make clear that if the GoI’s aim is simply to contain the underground groups instead of committing to give peace to the Naga by removing injustice done to then, real peace may prove elusive even if the Centre is to exterminate or abolish all the Naga insurgents. “The Naga deserve peace; their demand is legitimate; and their demand for unification or integration to live under one administration is not at all unconstitutional; it is not illegal.”
Saying that all states of the country are formed on the basis of language and culture, he stated that Nagas share a common history, common culture and tradition and this demand needs to be looked into. Saying that the tenure of the UPA Government is also running out, he urged the Primed Minister and Home Minister to take a bold step to give peace to the suffering Nagas who have been fighting for justice.
In another occasion, on April 4, 2008, the Lok Sabha MP of Outer Manipur expressed sadness for the Naga issue not being featured in the President’s Address. Mentioning the 16 Point Agreement signed between GoI and Naga People’s Convention, which stated that if Nagas desired to live together, it would be granted. He said that Nagas have been divided and given different treatment. While Nagas in Nagaland are allowed to enjoy privileges over land, culture and their identity, it was not so for Nagas living in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, who are subjected to different kinds of discrimination. He appealed for the issue to be considered and brought to a logical conclusion at the earliest.
Factions clash at Xelhoje, Diphupar ‘B’ -Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, MAY 8 (NPN): One NSCN (I-M) activist was killed and another from the same cadre, injured during a clash in at Xelhoje village, while one NSCN Unification activist was also injured in a separate incident at Diphupar ‘B’ under Dimapur district, on Thursday.
In the first incident, villagers of Xelhoje said the clash took place after a group of armed NSCN (I-M) activists entered the village early Thursday at around 4.30 a.m. in search of rival activists. After locating the rivals, the NSCN (I-M) group attacked the five NSCN unification activists taking shelter inside the panchayat hall.
The firing went on for sometime and after the NSCN Unification activists, trapped inside the hall, received reinforcement, the group repulsed the attack and chased the NSCN (I-M) activists from the village to the nearby jungle adjoining Seithekiema village.
Meanwhile, talking to this Reporter, Deputy kilonser (defence) and convenor of the operation, GPRN/NSCN Unification, Akato Chophi who was on the spot said the NSCN Unification had seized one US carbine from the slain NSCN (I-M) activist. Police later identified the slain NSCN (I-M) activist as one Ayin Tangkhul while the injured also from the same cadre, was identified as Yarin Tangkhul.
In another factional clash at Diphupar ‘B’, one NSCN Unification activist identified as ‘Sgt Maj’ Hokivi was injured after the rival NSCN (I-M) attacked a building occupied by five NSCN Unification activists.
According to villagers, the exchange of fire started at around 10-10.30 a.m. and lasted for more than two hours. It was reported that armed NSCN (I-M) activists, barricaded the house where the NSCN Unification activist were holed up and began firing. During the shoot out, a kitchen attached with the building caught fire and was completely gutted.
In a similar scenario with the earlier at Xelhoje village, reinforcement from the NSCN Unification arrived and the counter attack began.
The trapped NSCN Unification activists were rescued only after the villagers led by DMC chairperson Khekaho Assumi, his DMC colleagues- Lipok Pongen, N.K. Gonmei, Simon and Yanger Toshi- and GBs intervened. The public then confronted both factions and forced them to vacate the area.
The DMC members and GBs had earlier, rescued school students of St John School, opposite the site of the clash, when they were trapped inside their classrooms during the heavy exchange of fire. The DMC members, GBs and villagers took care of the injured NSCN Unification activist who was rushed to hospital for treatment of injury sustained on the mouth. An unexploded high intensity grenade and the shell of a 40 mm Lethode were recovered from the site. Meanwhile, according to a late night report, both rival NSCN factions were concentrated in heavy numbers at Chekiye village spreading a wave of panic among the inhabitants about an impending clash.
Peace…Ceasefire Editorial morungexpress
The continuing spate of factional killings spread across Nagaland is a sad reminder of the tragic extent to which killings among Nagas has come to symbolize its freedom struggle. Unless there is an immediate stop to such madness, the continuing violence will only awaken further feelings of anger and reprisal. Whether it is the killing of persons from this or that group, for ordinary Nagas, the hurt and sense of despair is felt in equal measure. That fratricidal killing is taking place amongst those who took up arms for a common political struggle and the fact that more Nagas are being killed in the last few years at the hands of fellow Nagas not only questions the very aim of the struggle itself but is also becoming increasingly embarrassing and at the same time shameful.
The Naga public have every right to start questioning the national leaders and to demand an explanation as to why infighting is taking place’ to such an extent and whether there are no more sensible leaders left among the armed groups who have the authority and moral conscience to stop this hell on earth being perpetuated and at what cost, for what reasons and for whom. It is now high time that the UG leaders are made answerable for their acts of commissions and omissions and for this they should have no qualms about subjecting themselves to a critical appraisal if they at all claim to represent the people’s mandate.
As for the State government, political parties and civil society groups, a strong and visible demonstration of unity must be forthcoming to send out the message that the continuing internal strife must end now. One of the fundamental flaw in pursuing the goal of peace and unity among the Naga groups, is clearly the inability of the political leadership in the State, the civil society groups and tribal hohos to themselves rally and come together in one clear unison and this failure only sends a negative message to the armed groups that peace and unity can be undermined as long as one continues to serve the status-quo of powerful interests, ideological differences, political rivalry and personal/tribe loyalties. Only when the public—led by the political, society and tribal leaders—demonstrates the resolve to themselves unite, the call for peace will be taken as both serious and credible.
As far as the several initiatives to bring about reconciliation and peace among the warring groups, all such efforts are welcome but they must not work at cross purposes but complement each other. While the newly floated Forum for Naga Reconciliation is trying its best to engage all the legitimate groups in reasoning out the core issues at hand, the GBs & DBs are also in the best position to revaluate the ceasefire agreement which had been signed late last year but which obviously has been not been complied with. The village elders should immediately take the initiative and work on a formal appeal to the factions for suspension of hostilities (cease-fire). This appears to be the only realistic first step to bring an end to the constant cycle of violence and fratricidal killings. Once suspension of hostilities comes into force, a favorable climate can be created for exploring different mechanisms towards working out a functional peace arrangement for which a representative body like the newly formed Forum for Naga Reconciliation will be in the best position to take forward.

Press Release May 9, 2008

On the abduction of Atong Pongener, Secretary I/C, Steering Committee NSCN, wild allegation and incomprehensible charges were placed on him by the Unification group. And he was subsequently shot dead on 9 May at vihokhu.

There is no iota of truth on the allegation and the truth of the abduction and killing of Atong is to camouflage all the abduction crimes of the Unification group. Following his abduction Atong was made to confess under duress his involvement in the kidnapping of a school student. His obstinate stand to counter charge the unification group while in their captivity cost him his life.

Atong was in no way connected with the tax collection in any manner nor he is found to be doing it on his personal level. Every single word on Atong's involvement in such abduction case was fabricated and was forcing him to implicate NSCN's name in the numerous abduction cases and thereby to make the unification group clean of all the crimes. But Atong refusal to accept the unification group worth into his mouth cost him his life. Respecting the dictates of his conscience Atong never surrender himself to be used to defile the NSCN's name under whom he has served for the Nagas' cause for so long. And for his integrity till the last breathe of his life. NSCN is proud of Atong.
Issued by: MIP, GPRN

Declaration of allegiance to NSCN- Nagaland Post
We, Kahoi, joint secretary, ministry of chaplee NSCN (IM), 2nd 'lt', Bokavi, unit STF, Naga Army and 'cap' Niqhei, Unit VT battalion, Naga Army, assert that we on our own violation and will declare our full support and allegiance to NSCN/GPRN in the larger interest of the Nagas. This decision is also taken in consonance to the mass general public desire and interest for the unification of all the Nagas to pursue our common aspiration in unity.
We also appeal to all our comrades in arms, who has been misguided and stranded in the wrong camp to follow suit us infighting between brethren will endow to us nothing but internal hatred and further aggravate the situation, thus diverting us away from our aspired goal.
Let us unite for the Lim and glory of the Naga.
KUKNALIM
Kahoi, joint secretary, ministry of chaplee NSCN (IM) 2nd 'lt', Bokavi, unit STF, Naga Army 'cap' Niqhei, Unit VT battalion, Naga Army.
Villagers turn ire on police Nagarelam.com
MAY08 [NPN] : Venting their resentment against the district administration and security forces for failing to intervene in the factional clash between the rival NSCN factions at Diphupar ‘B’ village, the public of the area partially damaged a police vehicle, which appeared on the scene with a handful of policemen long after the armed cadres retreated from the village.

Angry villagers also chased away the IRB and other security personnel who entered the area after the clash saying their presence was no longer required as the villagers themselves successfully evicted the armed cadres. A village elder told Nagaland Post that though the district administration and police were informed and well aware of the factional clash that started around 10-10.30 a.m, both failed to intervene, thereby prolonging the plight and tension of the villagers. “Forget about the DC or ADC, even an EAC was not deputed to enquire into the wellbeing of the villagers,” the elder said.

A police team and the Tata Sumo in which they came at the site around 3 p.m. to transport the injured NSCN Unification cadre to the hospital, were the target of public fury. Angry villagers broke the windshields of the police vehicle and the driver was also reportedly manhandled. The situation could have gone out of hand and the vehicle completely damaged but due to timely intervention of Dimapur Municipal Council chairman Khekaho Assumi who pacified the villagers.



Nagaland killings condemned Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, May 8 (PTI): Expressing concern over the recent spurt of factional killings in Nagaland, various organizations and individuals today asked rival underground groups to exercise restraint.

Condemning the killings, Lok Sabha MP Wangyuh Konyak said stepped up factional fightings were taking the Nagas nowhere.

He called upon the underground groups to immediately stop fighting and come up with a common vision for settlement of the vexed Naga political problem instead of killing each other.

In a joint statement, 22 students organizations under the banner of Naga students Federation (NSF) said the acts of violence perpetrated by underground cadres with total disregard to human lives displayed their ‘insincerity’ towards the greater Naga political cause.
NDFB wants army role in law & order NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph
New Delhi, May 8: As Delhi hammers out ceasefire ground rules with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in Guwahati this week, it is likely to face harsh accusations against the Tarun Gogoi-led government.
Accusing police of state-sponsored terrorism, the Bodo militant outfit is demanding that the army should take care of law and order.
“Civilians have been killed by the state police. We have no faith in the state government,” senior NDFB leader S. Sanjarang told The Telegraph over phone from Assam.
Given the mood, Delhi is holding its cards close to the chest. “Political talks will be held after we frame the ground rules,” was all that a home ministry source said.
A tripartite suspension of operations agreement was signed between Delhi, Dispur and the NDFB on May 25, 2005, in New Delhi.
Since then, a joint monitoring committee, comprising representatives of the state government, security agency and the NDFB, has been set up.
Sanjarang said the committee had only discussed ground rules so far and no political-level talks had been held.
Delhi had also insisted that the outfit should prepare its charter of demands before any political-level talks could begin. The outfit handed over its charter of demands to home ministry officials here on May 1.
The meeting to be held between a team of home ministry officials and NDFB leaders this week will first hammer out the ground rules.
Once the ground rules are laid down, the NDFB would stand a better chance to have the ban on it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act revoked.
The meeting in Guwahati is also important because of the NDFB’s equations with the Bodo People’s Progressive Front (BPPF), an ally of the Congress in the state government.
The NDFB is in rivalry with former members of the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), a militant group that was disbanded after its leaders signed a tripartite agreement with Delhi and Dispur. Although the BLT no longer exists, its rivalry with the NDFB continues.
The BPPF was born out of the BLT.
Gunbattles between the two rival Bodo groups continue in several Bodo-dominated districts in Assam and the NDFB accuses BPPF leaders of being “politicians holding guns”.
NSCN (K) spurns reconciliation meet in 'foreign land' . (Page News Service)

KOHIMA, MAY 8: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) has reiterated that it will not be part of the ongoing reconciliation process that is being initiated by the "Reconciliation Forum" headed by Rev Dr. Wati Aier, a prominent Naga Baptist clergyman.
The outfit said there was no question of reconciliation after the unification of NSCN groups. "After achieving unity, meeting in the name of reconciliation is advocation of terrorism," Kughalu Mulatonu, a senior kilonser (Minister) in NSCN (K) set-up, said. He was referring to the proposed Chingami, Thailand reconciliation meeting between the Naga warring groups later this month under the aegis of "Reconciliation Forum".
The NSCN (K) functionary cautioned that recreating a foreign trip an issue with an intention to leave the real issue behind is an act of treason and a "national crime". He said process of unification is not a mandatory after attaining unification. 'Process of reconciliation is not even mandatory when we have attained unification," he added.
Mulatonu said unification among the Naga groups has been achieved on November 23 last year and that there was no need for the 'NSCN" and the Naga people to travel to foreign land for reconciliation. "After Naga unification on 23rd November 2007, reconciliation is a non issue and Nagas and NSCN will not go to foreign soil in the name of reconciliation to undo unity achieved today", the kilonser said.
He said Nagas wanted unity and it is on the edge of 'completeness'.
NSCN (IM) has put a condition that reconciliation should precede Naga unification, but the rival groups say unification is a must for any solution to the long drawn Naga political issue.
He said NSCN (IM) Ato Kilonser (prime minister) is part and parcel of Meitei kingdom and therefore should not talk of Naga issue.
Mulatonu at the same time said Nagaland will not be in peace as long as "criminals and terrorists' like chief minister, Neiphiu Rio and I. Imkong and NSCN (IM) exists. He said Rio and Imkong were funding the rival group with crores of rupees. "Rio gave Rs. 15 crores and Imkong gave Rs. 5 crores terrorist Muivah before Indian election in the so called Nagaland state" he alleged
1 killed, 4 injured in serial 8-hour NSCN armed clash in Dimapur(Page News Service) School students comes in line of fire at Diphupar 'B'

DIMAPUR, MAY 8: In the unabated turf war between rival NSCN groups in Dimapur, at least one NSCN armed cadre was killed and another 4 injured in one of the fiercest encounters between the two groups at three different locations on Thursday. The clash lasting more than 8 hours started at around 4:30 a.m. Thursday morning between Xelhozhe village and Seithekima 'A' Junction, later spilled over to Seithekima 'A' & 'C' at around 7:30 a.m. and then shifted to Diphupar 'B' village at around 10 a.m. and continued till 1 p.m.
Police said an NSCN (IM) cadre, identified as one Ayin of Ukhrul town was shot dead and another NSCN (IM) cadre identified as Yaron of Photong village under Ukhrul District was injured in the exchange of fire at Seithekima 'A' Junction. Another two cadres from the NSCN Unification camp were also reported to have sustained injuries in the clash at Seithekima 'A' Junction.
Police also informed that a cadre from the NSCN Unification camp identified as one K Hokivi (27), son of late Khotoi of Lotovi village was injured in the exchange of fire at Diphupar 'B' village.
Police sources informed that the clash erupted after armed NSCN (IM) cadres attacked a rival camp between Xelhozhe village and Seithekima 'A' Junction early this morning. The casualties in the clashes could have been more but for the timely intervention by village authorities and public in the three villages.
According to police sources, weapons used in Thursday's encounters between the rival NSCN groups included assault rifles and grenade launchers.
At Diphupar 'B' village, the lives of many students were endangered as a result of the clash, when students of AG School, Saint John School, Government Primary School and Daekshin Academy came in the line of fire between the two rival groups. The students had to lie down on the floor for hours even after their class hours with no let up in the exchange of fires between the two groups.
Fortunately the public of the village, risking their lives, evacuated them to secure places before any harm came to them.
But enraged for endangering the lives and limbs of their children as well as disturbing the peace, the citizens of the village led by the GBs, elders and Council members, both young and old, armed themselves with spears, lathis and tin drums to chase away the warring faction from the vicinity of the village.
Exhibiting real unity, sheer guts and risking flying bullets, the resident of Diphupar 'B' village confronted the warring factions and managed to chased out the two factions from their locality after a frustrating wait for security forces for two hours to take action.
Earlier some Diphupar 'B' villagers were caught in the cross fire when one of the warring group, in their bid to take strategic position, invaded the residence of Rongsenwati, a retired personnel of Mechanical Engineering Department, where they had taken shelter from the flying bullets. The house became the main target and was pounded with firing from assault rifles and grenade launchers resulting in burning down of the kitchen as a result of a grenade blast. Fortunately none of those taking refuge in the house were killed or injured in the crossfire. Police recovered at least 5 'missed' grenades and a live grenade from the place. DC Dimapur, Maong Aier informed that the District Administration has given Rs 5000 as immediate relief to Rongsenwati, the owner of the house.
DMC members led by their chairman, members of DDGBA and Joint Forum GBs were also actively involved in order to bring the situation under control at Diphupar 'B'.
When contacted Dimapur police officials admitted that the situation in Dimapur continues to remain tense but under control. Heavy frisking operation has also been undertaken in all major junctions to preempt any groups from creating unwanted situation.
However, with reports of more reinforcement being brought into Dimapur by the rival groups, the situation is unlikely to improve in the district in the near future.

HM urge Naga UG to cease fire(Page News Service

DIMAPUR, MAY 8: Taking serious note of the deteriorating situation in Dimapur, Nagaland Home Minister, Imkong L Imchen has termed today's incident in Dimapur as a very disturbing happening and appealed to all the leaders of Naga underground groups to cease fire and stop fighting against own Nagas.
Imkong asserted that such killings and clashes is an open declaration of war within ourselves. He said others are laughing at the Nagas and "we are heading for a major tragedy".
Cessation of fire should be immediately brought about between the factions and let peace and tranquility prevail, he said.
"Bloodshed among us has already gone beyond imaginable limit and it is time to think and to talk peace among us so that a peaceful atmosphere is brought and then discuss issues across the table with trust and confidence," he added.