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05/25/2008: "No respite from factional clash Source: The Sangai Express / NNN"



No respite from factional clash Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Dimapur, May 24: The appeals of the various Naga social organisations and the Church and also the elaborate measures taken up by the Nagaland government to stop the factional clashes among the Naga underground groups have failed to deliver any goods as the gun battles among the Naga militant outfits continue to go on even today.

With the 'epicentre' of the factional clashes at Dimapur, the factional related violence has spread over to the far-flung Nagaland district of Mokokchung on Saturday.

According to the reports received this afternoon, there occurred a fierce gun-battle between the cadres of NSCN-IM and the NSCN-Unification but the reports of casualties could not be confirmed.However, it has been reported that an NSCN-IM cadre was seriously injured after being shot by rival cadres during the clash.

According to reports, the clash erupted at around 1 am on Saturday at Yimyu Ward, Mokokchung, when the NSCN-Unification cadres attacked the residence of "Major" Imkachang of NSCN (I-M).

The firing continued for about 20 minutes, during which the NSCN (I-M) cadre, identified as "Private" Lima of Khensa village, received bullet injuries on his left shoulder.

Police recovered 46 empty cases of AK 47 rifle, one empty case of M 35 pistol and one live AK 47 round from the site of the incident.

It is pertinent to note that peace rallies across Nagaland were held some three days ago organised by the Joint Forum of Gaonburas and Dobashis of Nagaland appealing the Naga underground groups to stop the clashes.
Coward dies before their death; Nagas must stand and deliver-Nagaland Post
Naga historical and political rights are too glaring to be ignored and so also our inability to comprehend the reality of the situation. Our political struggle is a saga of a people fighting for truth, justice and freedom. What is freedom of a nation without truth and justice? Its people will be ultimately be enslaved. The French Revolution of 1789, the Russian Revolution of 1917, are two historical lessons which says, "Listen to the voice of the people." Factionalism was, is, and will be the bane to our common aspiration. The tragedy of the Nagas is that Th. Muivah, who once preached unity and reconciliation, has given direct order to shoot even Naga public who dare challenged his hegemony! Is it not the embodiment of unrestraint savagery? It also implies that the is not afraid to repeat the mass murder committed on his order in Eastern Nagaland in the 1980s. to order extermination of national workers and general public who stands stoutly for the desire of all Nagas is moral bankruptcy at its lowest ebb. How long can the Nagas seed the peace who survived only on Naga blood? NSCN/GPRN has long identified the monster and is prepared to defend our land and people to the last.
NSCN/GPRN seeks to appeal to the conscience of Naga people particularly the intelligentsia, the NGOs, the church, civil society and Nagaland state government to venture out of their seer induced silence for the sake of future Naga generation because it is through them that truth and reality filters down to the masses. Nagas unification, no matter from which door it showed its faces, have well been welcomed and embraced. An error of judgment, surge of ego fuelled by tribal instinct, a dormant fear of the possibility of power sharing with leaders from other factions, led to a momentary lapse of reasoning which failed Th. Muivah at a crucial hour, as he unilaterally disowned Azheto Chophy, his very own trusted Home Kilonser and many die-hard elders, for taking a bold step. It is worth mentioning that since the merger of NSCN-K, NSCN-IM and NNC/FGN. Azheto's name has been mentioned one thousand and forty eight times in all local dailies and still counting! Any accusation directed at Kilonser Azheto reveals more and fallacy to Muivah politics.
Do not hold truth at ransom; do not choose to suffer in agony or pretend to be blind and worship the monster. Where are the so called Indo-Naga political talks? Much has the Nagas issue been lost in the brouhaha of Integration. After 11 years and more than seventy rounds, the so-called peace talks have been reduced to mere political debris strewn all over. House no 1, Lodhi Estate in New Delhi is a tomb stone of a failed political gain of Th. Muivah. It would not be a surprise if Th. Muivah narrow down his goal from 'No integration, no solution' to union territory status for Naga districts in Manipur and still come short.
To live on tragic past with stony heart is dead politics; to curse a united political figure, holding on to Holy Bible is blasphemy! Th. Muivah has drawn the Nagas into a bloody whirlpool. For too long, Nagas have been taken for a ride. Unity and reconciliation was the demand of the Naga people. Outwardly he shouted in support too. His Kilonsers were delegated time and again to create a common understanding among Naga brethren; acceptability was achieved many times in the last 1 years, yet at its report the open door policy undid all hard works. In his heart, there was never a hint of genuine feeling for Naga unification.
Do Nagas know how many Naga intellectuals were blotted out of existence? How many NGOs/civil society leaders were/are marked to be assassinated or warned with dire consequence for speaking out boldly? May have vanished without a trace and the dead do not tell a tale. Attempts were made or planned on many Naga leaders, only merciful God saved them from certain death and they continued to lead the Nagas. Do the Nagas really know the terrible crime committed upon the people of Eastern Nagaland? Thousands still mourn for their dear and near ones. Once vibrant villages were wiped out and are still uninhabited. Yet, rising above the terrible past, leaders irrespective of factions, listen to the voice of the people and under the grace of God and initiative of DBs and GBs, Hohos, Church and other civil society, decided to forgive each other and pledged to seek a common feature for all Nagas. What NSCN/GPRN is striving for under the banner of "Nagaland for Christ" is a broad based unification of all Nagas. This is the sole agenda of the Nagas. Kuknalim.
Issued by Publicity Cell, NSCN/GPRN.
Rising anger against militancy Correspondent Nagaland Post

IMPHAL/AGARTALA, MAY 24 (NPN): Discontent and anger against militancy seem to be gathering momentum in the insurgency-ridden states of the North East.
While the civilians have increasingly become more vocal in making it known that they were no longer inclined to live under the shadow of the gun, a large number of militants too, especially the lower-ranked cadres, have also literally thrown up their arms in despair, preferring to tread the path of peace again.
At Heirok village in Thoubal district, Manipur, angry villagers including women Friday afternoon raised their arms and shouted “Give us weapons” and “We will protect ourselves.” The villagers were demanding weapons from the government to protect themselves as well as avenge the killings of 3 youths (two boys and one girl) of the village on March 24 last when militants opened indiscriminate firing while the youths were engrossed in the ‘thabal chouba’ (dance) as part of the Yaoshan festival. Hitting out at the State government for failing to provide arms to the villagers despite the government’s earlier assurance, a father of one of the victims also alleged that some NGOs in link with the militants were pressurizing the villagers to give up the idea of arming themselves. Inside the 34 Assam Rifles camp at Thoubal Bazar, a former middle-ranked PLA cadre disclosed, on condition of anonymity, that he along with a 3-4 of his friends surrendered to security forces after realizing that they were not fighting for a cause, which they were made to believe they were fighting for.
He also claimed that the group in which he had served was into human trafficking.
The commandant of 34 AR told mediapersons the force was presently working out means to rehabilitate 23 surrendered militants staying in the AR camp. In Tripura, more than 200 militants belonging to NLFT (B), ATTF and BNCT groups have surrendered since 2007 including 126 in the past four month alone, defence sources said.
Most of the surrendered militants have, more or less, the same story: while the lower ranked cadres sweat it out in inhospitable terrains and conditions, their leaders live in comfort across the border in Bangladesh. Commander, 21 AR Sector, Agartala, Brig. SB Asthana Saturday said though militancy in Tripura has its roots in the attempt of tribal militants to nurture and protect their cultural identity and language, over the years, the activities of the militants revealed a strong flavour of materialistic gains being adopted by the militants, in terms of extortion, kidnapping for ransom and tax collection as easy ways to make quick bucks.
At the 14 AR base at Kanchanpur, North Tripura, a surrendered NLFT militant said he had joined the NLFT to fight for “Azadi” of his people and had undergone training at “Hongkong camp” in Bangladesh.
However, he confessed he was soon disillusioned as his commander lived a life of luxury on the other side of the border and never came to enquire into the wellbeing of the cadres. In NC Hills district of Assam, Army sources said security forces apprehended 213 cadres and seized 87 weapons of various groups since January 2007, and busted at least six camps of the prominent militant group DHD (J) between March-May this year.
Army sources also said the unilateral ceasefire declared by the DHD (J) was a battle-weary sign of the outfit’s rank and file. It may be mentioned mediapersons from Nagaland, Assam and Manipur along with Col Rajesh Kumar of Media Cell, 3 Corps and Defence PROs Col Rajesh Mishra (Imphal) and Lt Col Nirupam Bhargava (Kohima) undertook a two-day tour (May 23 & 24) of Tripura, Manipur and Assam in an Army helicopter.
NISC urges Naga forces to support Eastern Nagas (Nagaldn Page News Service)

DIMAPUR, MAY 24: The Naga International Support Centre (NISC) has expressed its concern about the fate of Nagas living in Myanmar, after its visit to Leshi Burma/Myanmar, Eastern Nagaland.
The NISC observed that all indigenous people as well as Burmese themselves are captives in the hands of the Burmese Junta.
On the basis of its last visit to Leshi in January 2008, NISC called upon the NSCN(K) to use its camps for the struggle against the Burmese oppressors ; concentrate its efforts in alleviating the burden of its fellow Nagas and to defend them against discrimination and conversion by coercion.
Stating that since the Nagas in Myanmar are isolated and their fate is at stake as they are economically persecuted when they persist living their own culture and religion, NISC said that it has decided to stand up for the eastern Nagas in Burma.
It urged all Naga forces to support the Nagas of Burma/Myanmar, lay down animosities, resolve differences, forgive each other and redeem to defend the rights of all Nagas.
Considering the suffering of the Nagas People in India and Burma, factional differences should not overrule the common stand of wanting to be free of oppression from India as well as Burma, the NISC stated.
It also reminded the Khaplang Group that their fellow Nagas in Burma are in dire straits, therefore, do not abandon them.
Imkong Imchen defends statement Nagaland Post
Dimapur, May 24 (NPN): Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen Saturday lamented that the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) had reacted negatively to his statement that “instead of playing one up-man-ship, we should provide avenues to sink out our differences and try to discover common ground so as to contribute a common agenda to the Naga National Worker with a view to help solve the problem”.
In a statement, the minister reminded the NPCC that he was also a staunch Congressman till recently and therefore, was aware what the party had been doing during such period. He insisted that all political parties should take the responsibility of throwing light on the vexed Naga political issue instead of blaming one another. “One should admit his own weaknesses and limitations honestly as a Naga patriot. Naga people will benefit nothing if we continue to play blame game”.
The minister reiterated that factional killings among the Nagas could not be termed as mere “law and order” but should be viewed as “political issue” as given due recognition by Government of India. Imchen reminded the Congress that even Ministry of Home Affairs had issued Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) while dealing with the underground factions and there in Para 2(a), it was clearly mentioned that “inter-factional killing cannot be termed as a mere law and order problem of the state”.
In this connection, the minister urged the NPCC to reconsider its resolution that Naga issue was a mere “law and order” and not “political” in larger interest of the Nagas. Further, he urged the party to come forward with an open mind. Imchen said as Opposition, the Congress had every right to criticize the ruling government for good but the party could not afford to go beyond the limit so as not to mislead the people.

Nagas object to factional clashes Nagarealm.com
Kohima, MAY24 [ANI] : A visit to the Seithekima Village in Nagaland’s Dimapur District reveals how angry locals are over the recent factional clashes in the state. Blaming militant groups for harming their interests and for the loss of innocent lives, residents like Visanyu, Seithekima say that it is hard to understand why these clashes between cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland NSCN (IM) and the NSCN (Unification) keep taking place.

“People are really suffering. We have been subject to suffering for long by these factional killings. So, I appeal to all the villagers to come together and react strongly against such mindless killings,” Visanyu says. Ngulo Kapfo, another villager says: “Right now, two factions are fighting in the village, so it is a period of pain for us. We are not supporting any group. Their (factional groups) has disturbed school-going children, disturbed farming activities, and non local labourers have run away. So, the undergrounds fighting with arms have brought life to a standstill. We want them to go to the non-residential areas and not disturb normal life anymore.”

Seithekima is not the only village at the receiving end of such group clashes. A few weeks ago, children of a public school in Dimapur were also caught in a cross fire. Nearly 40 people, including civilians and students, have been killed during the past two months in stepped up factional fighting between the two groups of NSCN. “Our villagers are suffering, especially the school children. They are unable to go to school. Villagers are lying indoors, labourers in the farm have fled, and domestic animals have been killed in the crossfire. So, we appeal to the State Government to protect us with forces,” said Keneingulie Seyie, a village chief. The State Government has remained a mute spectator to the ongoing factional clashes.

Immediately after the killings of 15 people in Seithekima village, hundreds of people attacked the monitoring cell office of the NSCN (IM) in Dimapur. State Home Minister Imkong Imchen described the factional clashes as “unfortunate” and appealed to warring groups to maintain ceasefire ground rules, or face stiff action. [Vibou Ganguly]
NNC cautions general public Sangai Express
IMPHAL, May 24: The NNC/FGN while infor-ming the general public to stay alert so as to foil attempts of unauthorised in- dividuals serving demand notes has alleged Bishnu-pur police commandos of misconduct.
A statement issued by commander Col G Athui of the 1st Bde. W/C Naga Army of the FGN said that Eno PG Philip Gaidimchung-pou s/o PG Biren of Ramgai- long (Laimanai) village was dismissed from the ‘national service as a national wor-ker’ since August 2, 2007 for neglecting national responsibilities, misuse of regional fund, immoral behaviour and other irregularities.
However, it is learnt that Philip had occasionally demanded and collected mo- ney from the people in the name of national worker, said the commander and urged all concerned to contact and report any such future activities of Philip.
Meanwhile, a separate statement issued by P Pan-mei of the FGN’s Zeliang- rong Region alleged that Bishnupur police commandos took Rs 30,000 for releasing one Razou Peyu.
the commandos after detaining Razou Peyu (sub-regional officer) and tortu- ring the arrestee insisted on coughing up Rs 30,000 for his release, it claimed.
Highighting that NNC/FGN is neither an underground group nor a terrorist outfit, the statement expressed strong resentment against the conduct of security forces in Manipur.
Further reminding that after subsequent agreements with the Government of India beginning from the first deal in 1964 to the lastest in 1975, NNC/FGN had been exercising restrain to sustain peace in Nagaland, Panmei caution-ed security force personnel to reciprocate in the same manner rather than abet the situation.
Naga bodies condemn killings Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, MAY 24: A consultative meeting of the Naga tribal hohos, frontal organizations, activists, intellectual and student organizations, convened by the United Naga Council was held on May 23 at Tahamzam (Senapati).
The meeting strongly condemned the killing of innocent civilians, students, targeting lives and properties of a particular community as senseless in the violent situation that has erupted in Dimapur.
It further appealed to the parties involved in the conflict to heed to the rational call of the Naga people to immediately put a stop to the killings, which has spilled over to civilians, and has put a blot on the Naga consciousness.
The meet also requested all general public to apply their rational minds in dealing with the situation and not be swayed by emotions and totally refrain from indulging in anti social activities.
It urged all to be responsive and support to the peace and reconciliation process initiated by the Naga Reconciliation Forum.
Further, the consultative meeting unanimously reiterated its support to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process and Political Talk mandated by the Naga people. (Page News Service)

Naga clashes affecting villagers Sentinel
Kohima, May 24: A visit to the Seithekima Village in Nagaland’s Dimapur District reveals how angry locals are over the recent factional clashes in the State.
Blaming militant groups for harming their interests and for the loss of innocent lives, residents like Visanyu, Seithekima say that it is hard to understand why these clashes between cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland NSCN (IM) and the NSCN (Unification) keep taking place.
“People are really suffering. We have been subject to suffering for long by these factional killings. So, I appeal to all the villagers to come together and react strongly against such mindless killings,” Visanyu says.
Ngulo Kapfo, another villager says: “Right now, two factions are fighting in the village, so it is a period of pain for us. We are not supporting any group. Their (factional groups) has disturbed school-going children, disturbed farming activities, and non local labourers have run away. So, the undergrounds fighting with arms have brought life to a standstill. We want them to go to the non-residential areas and not disturb normal life anymore.”
Seithekima is not the only village at the receiving end of such group clashes. A few weeks ago, children of a public school in Dimapur were also caught in a cross fire.
Nearly 40 people, including civilians and students, have been killed during the past two months in stepped up factional fighting between the two groups of NSCN.
“Our villagers are suffering, especially the school children. They are unable to go to school. Villagers are lying indoors, labourers in the farm have fled, and domestic animals have been killed in the crossfire. So, we appeal to the State Government to protect us with forces,” said Keneingulie Seyie, a village chief.
The State Government has remained a mute spectator to the ongoing factional clashes.
Immediately after the killings of 15 people in Seithekima village, hundreds of people attacked the monitoring cell office of the NSCN (IM) in Dimapur.
State Home Minister Imkong Imchen described the factional clashes as “unfortunate” and appealed to warring groups to maintain ceasefire ground rules, or face stiff action. By Vibou Ganguly(ANI)

Mahanta flays Gogoi for ‘double standards’ A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


AGP (P) chief Prafulla Kumar Mahanta addresses the media at the party’s office in Guwahati on Saturday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, May 24: AGP (Pragatisheel) president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today accused the Tarun Gogoi government of double standards for deciding to launch an auxiliary force of surrendered militants to fight insurgency.
“Gogoi had opposed my government when we were tapping the former militants, but what is his government doing now? Why this dual role?” he asked, “I believe that opportunities should be given to former militants, but they should be absorbed in other jobs and not in the forces,” he added.
Virtually accusing Gogoi of having links with militants, Mahanta urged the Centre to institute an independent inquiry into the militant-politician nexus to settle allegations and counter-allegations once and for all. “It is unfortunate that chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who did not find time to visit the North Cachar Hills district even when hundreds of people were killed, is today accusing the Opposition of having links with militants,” he said.
Mahanta alleged that Congress leader and former chief minister late Hiteswar Saikia had accused Gogoi of maintaining links with militants when the latter was a Union minister. He added that some Dima Halam Daogah militants have also confessed that the Congress had used them during the previous polls.
Mahanta also launched a scathing attack on Dispur for failing to check price hike.bThe attack comes on the eve of the Gogoi-led coalition celebrating its two years in office at a function to be held at Judges Field tomorrow.



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