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05/30/2008: "Hoho session reviews violence, unity - Nagas from Assam, Manipur, Arunachal & Myanmar attend OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"



Hoho session reviews violence, unity - Nagas from Assam, Manipur, Arunachal & Myanmar attend OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Kohima, May 29: Against the backdrop of unabated factional clashes and persistent peace initiatives, a three-day crucial Naga Hoho general session got under way in Peren, about 84km from the killing fields of Dimapur today.
Nagas from Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar are attending the Zeliangrong Hoho-hosted conclave.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, several cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries and top party functionaries are scheduled to attend the session tomorrow.
Rio will spell out his government’s agenda and policies on the Naga political issue vis-à-vis the surge of violence in the state.
Naga Hoho vice-president Kevilietou Angami said representatives of various Naga tribal hohos and Naga organisations from every nook and cranny of Naga-inhabited areas are attending the meet.
The organisations include the Naga Students’ Federation, the Naga Mothers’ Association, the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation.
The session’s agenda includes various issues confronting the community, like Naga integration, the spate of violence triggered by internecine clashes, the ongoing Naga peace process between the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and Delhi and the reconciliation and unity process initiated by various organisations.
Angami expressed concern over the non-development of Naga-inhabited areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar and underlined the need to bring them on a par with the rest of Naga society.
On the Naga unification process, he said it should be based on a specific agenda and purpose. “There must be bases for the unification,” he stressed.
Angami said the Nagas should have a clear vision on integration, reconciliation and unity.
He supported the initiatives of gaonburas and dubashis for Naga peace and unity, but said their role was limited — unlike other Naga organisations — since they were government workers. He, however, added that Naga organisations, including hohos, backed the gaonburas and dubashis for restoration of peace and normality in the state.
The session will elect a new team of office-bearers.
Sources said Angami was likely to be elected the next president, but the vice-president told this correspondent that he was not vying for the post as he had served the people enough and needed to relax now.
He said a Hoho president should be energetic and full of life who could shoulder the responsibility of Naga people during “bad and good” times.
More killings greet Naga truce call The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, May 28: Even as the NSCN-IM has clarified on Wednesday that the outfit was not party to the decision taken at the May 27 meeting convened by Nagaland Joint Forum of Gaonburas and Dobashis in Kohima on the ceasefire agreement among the Naga underground factions, two persons including a civilian and a cadre of NSCN-Unification have been killed by the NSCN-IM in Dimapur on Wednesday.

According to the Dimapur police, on Wednesday morning at a place called New Showuba near Nagaland Baptist College in Dimapur, a civilian and a cadre of NSCN-Unification were shot dead allegedly by the NSCN (IM) cadres.

The Dimapur police identified the victims as Vihugha Aomi (19), a civilian of Ghotovi village and Zakaito Zhimomi (20), son of Bohoto of Zinti village under Zunheboto district, an NSCN-Unification cadre.

The police said that the dead bodies of the two were recovered from a teak plantation plot that surrounds the Theological College campus.

On being informed about the bullet riddled bodies of the slain cadre and the civilian lying and also a burnt motorcycle (Enticer), the police rushed to the spot and after conducting necessary formalities, the bodies were handed over to their respective family members.

The Dimapur police claimed that the two were allegedly kidnapped before they were shot dead by the NSCN-IM cadres. On the other hand, the NSCN-IM has different thing to say.

The outfit said that the two persons were riding on a motorbike when cadres of the NSCN-IM on duty signalled them to halt but did not pay any heed.The action of the two motorbike borne persons had prompted the NSCN-IM cadres to open fire.

On the May 27 Kohima meeting the NSCN-IM said today, "With reference to the Joint Forum initiated one year ceasefire extension among the various underground groups as a result of the meeting on 27th May 2008 in Kohima, it is to be clarified that NSCN is not a party to the meeting, and therefore, is not the signatory to the resolution", clarified the NSCN-IM statement.

"Above everything, NSCN still stand by the Yaruiwo's Proclamation (Chairman Isak Chisi Swu) of 13th January 2007 wherein he stated, ''Let RECONCILATION, FORGIVENESS AND COMPASSION ring all over Nagalim", affirmed the NSCN-IM today.
The Essence of True Reconciliation morungexpress
(Top) Convener of Forum for Naga Reconciliation Rev. Dr. Wati Aier. (Bottom) Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (Morung File Photo)
Dimapur, May 30 (MExN): Convener of Forum for Naga Reconciliation Rev. Dr. Wati Aier in his address to the Naga Hoho Assembly today dissected some of the burning points of contention that are in virtual contest by and between various sections of the Naga political spectrum. Rev. Dr. Wati Aier made special reference to the contentious issue of ‘reconciliation’ as well as forgiveness and “collective sin” in the Naga context. He also pointed to the tendency to ‘unknowingly’ bring harm in the process of involving in carrying out agendas, through self-justified “arrangements” or organizations. Rev. Dr. Aier emphasized on the essence of reconciliation as motivated by truly Christian ideals. He said that reconciliation in its initial phase is not about “merging” and “emerging” identities: “It must be brought to bear in mind, in Naga context, that Christian reconciliation in its initial phase is not about merging and emerging. To be sure, it will be safe to say that while reconciliation is occurring, each organization remain in its post without being disturbed.”
The leader also made a strong call to resist the politicized version of ‘reconciliation.’ Rather ‘reconciliation’ in its essence is not subject to party or monopoly. “In the Bible, reconciliation means, ‘setting right broken relationships and restoration.’ Reconciliation is solely the work of God in the cross of Jesus Christ. No party has a monopoly on reconciliation. Nagas must resist a politicized version of reconciliation. Christian reconciliation is not about power play nor is Christian reconciliation about being sapped into something else” Rev. Dr. Aier reminded. ‘Reconciliation is not a sign of weakness rather, it is all about courage and character leading to wholeness and restoration’ he added. He also cautioned against using reconciliation as a cover, a diversion to avoid the truth. “Reconciliation is not to be used as a cover, a way to avoid truth about ourselves and about our Naga nation and about what we have done.” The leader then pointed out the fundamental prerequisite is to change attitudes and values to impact true reconciliation. “Healing, which will last, will never happen unless those attitudes, values, and institutionalized justification that produced painful and sad and angry fallouts are acknowledged. Our affirmation must have an adequate basis for values, vision, and goals which can provide the motivation, direction and self-criticism necessary in bringing about healing” he reminded.
“To be sure, no party has a monopoly on reconciliation. For this, space must be provided for the parties concerned, who are at conflict with one another, to review their own finitude and redefine their path into the future. It is here that the biblical truth of reconciliation must be accepted: Because God sought us first and in response we are reconciled to Him, we in turn, without any pre-condition forgive our fellow brothers and sisters.” He noted the ease of criticizing others but not finding fault with one’s own self. This is difficult, he acknowledged, and said self-criticism remains a challenge to Naga Christianity. “To begin with, self-examination is a difficult task. We are ready to give full justification for our actions but point fingers to others as the sources of our problems we are faced with. Many well-meaning individuals, public and church leaders and national workers resist self examination and this accelerates conflicts. This is a very serious challenge to Naga Christianity” he said.
Referring to “collective sin,” Rev. Dr. Aier pointed to the tendency to ‘unknowingly’ inflict pain and injury on others, while involving in destructive social and political “arrangements.” The ideological direction and agenda carried out through organizations (or “arrangements”) would seem justified, overlooking the evil built in the system. “Often, we become involved in destructive social and political arrangements without being aware of it. We are not aware of the anger, pain and harm we inflict on others when it is done through the organizations or institutions or parties we are part of. The agendas and ideologies set up to justify and defend one’s organization has a strong grip on its constituent members thereby, clinging tenaciously to the agendas and ideologies of an organization by making it seem right and justified, while easily overlook the evil and sin built into the system.”
Referring to ‘bitterness,’ the leader also made a pointed reminder that most of man’s problems are of his own creation.” “This simple statement hits the nail squarely on the head. We are the cause of most of today’s Naga problems. Among others, one of the deep problems among the Nagas is bitterness. Bitterness refers to a spirit that refuses to be reconciled” he said. “First, we must recognize it (bitterness) for what it is – a sin. Being a Christian means, ‘getting rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Eph 4:31)’” he said.

Need of the hour: Work for Understanding

Dimapur, May 30 (MExN): Against the backdrop of the spurt in factional clashes and tension in the state, especially Dimapur, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today called upon the people not to undermine the Naga political issue by terming it as mere law and order problem since ‘factional clashes are political in nature’.
Rio, in his address as the chief guest at the 9th Naga Hoho General Conference at Peren district this morning, expressed deep concern over the factional clashes in the land and said it has created difficult times for the people. While asserting that the need of the hour is for all sections of Naga society to work towards understanding and oneness, Rio however, affirmed that factional clashes are political in nature and must be handled differently, unlike law and order problems.
“This stand of the State Government had been vindicated and conformed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India, while issuing the SOP guidelines in January 2008,” said Rio adding that the government of India accepts the “fact that the Indo-Naga problem is a political issue and that is why there is a ceasefire agreement and dialogue.” “Therefore, we must be careful not to undermine the Naga political issue by terming it as a mere law and order problem,” said Rio.
About the unification and reconciliation process, Rio said that the state government has always supported and will continue to support all efforts towards unification, which are broad based and inclusive, of the underground national workers, Asserting that there is equally a need for unity amongst the mainstream societies as well as the undergrounds, Rio appealed to the people of “eastern” Nagaland to rejoin the Naga Hoho and the Naga Students’ Federation.
He maintained that the 9th Naga Hoho general session is of special significance since it came at a time when the Naga society is undergoing a period of difficulty and pains due to fratricidal killings within the Naga family. This he termed as the most worrying aspect of the present Naga society. He urged the tribal hohos and the mass-based civil societies to carry forward the voice of the Naga people. Asserting that the Naga people want the killing to stop, Rio said any person or organization that professes to represent the interest of the people should also listen to their voice. He suggested that instead of fighting here, the people should focus on the ‘Naga family in Myanmar’ so that they also get some political recognition which will pave way for their socio-economic uplift.
NSCN-IM cadres charged with assaulting civilians morungexpress
Dimapur, May 30 (MExN): A number of civilians, including a mother and school staffers, were assaulted by cadres of the NSCN (IM) on May 29, in Pimla, Dimapur, the Aqahuto Sumi Totimi Hoho stated in a press statement. Following the assault, the Aqahuto Sumi Totimi Hoho has served a deadline to the NSCN (IM) “commander” to tender an apology, failing which “the ASTH will march to Hebron camp for the justification.”
According to the ASTH, on the evening of May 29 at around 7:30 pm, one Mrs. Vikali was assaulted by a group of NSCN (IM) cadres under the command of a certain Howoto. The victim was on her way to buy medicines for her daughter and in the dark, her torchlight accidentally shone upon the NSCN (IM) cadres. On this, the cadres proceeded to assault Vikali by kicking her onto the roadside. She even apologized to the cadres but this did not stop the cadres from assaulting her, the hoho stated.
Later, the group of cadres proceeded to Yehovi Memorial School, Pimla, and assaulted two teaching staffers and the headmaster of the school as well who live in the residential quarters in the vicinity. “The NSCN (IM) cadres did not stop the assault even though the headmaster and staff identified themselves and pleaded for them to stop” the hoho stated. Noting the assault, the Aqahuto Sumi Totimi Hoho (ASTH) has demanded to know what benefit was derived from assaulting the helpless mother and teachers by the armed cadres who claim to be “fighting for the motherland.”
The Aqahuto Sumi Totimi Hoho has demanded that the “commander” responsible for the assault should tender apology to the Aqahuto Sumi Totimi Hoho and Pimla STH on or before June 5 failing which, the ASTH will march to Hebron camp for “justification” the hoho stated in a note appended by its president V Sumiholi Swu and general secretary Z Khetoli Zhimomi. Stating that the action of the NSCN (IM) cadres has insulted the entire ASTH, the hoho added that if the first demand is not met, the “commander” should be handed over to the ASTH.

DAN government is neutral: NPF morungexpress
Dimapur, May 29 (MExN): Following the charge of the “NSCN/GPRN” that the DAN government is being “one-sided” in favor of a particular underground faction, the NPF today issued a counter. The NPF also made a pointed reminder that any leader or faction claiming to represent the people should also meet the duty of listening to the people.
The response from the NPF stated that rather “this allegation is definitely a one-sided allegation that need to be clarified for the knowledge of the people.” The NPF reminded that the DAN government has remained neutral with all the sections, playing favorites with none. The NPF reminded: “Time and gain, the government has made it clear that it is working for lasting peace, understanding and reconciliation in Naga society. The state cabinet and the Political Affairs Committee and the sub-committee have publicly announced that it will extend support to the Reconciliation Forum that has been instituted by the church and the civil societies.”
The NPF also reminded that public appeals have been made by the government through various forums to bring the mindless bloodshed to a stop. “The killing of IRB jawans was also condemned by the state government and the state cabinet and the government had not remained a silent spectator in providing safety and security to the citizens, of which the state government is duty-bound” the NPF said. The party also reminded that deployment of security and police forces is only meant for security of the citizens and not for any underground faction.
“The DAN government is neutral and it is committed towards its role of an active mediator in working towards bringing lasting peace in our land” the party reiterated. The party urges all the groups to commit themselves to understanding and reconciliation so that all sections can work together for peace. The NPF reminded that any leader or group that claims to represent the people must listen to the cry of the people.

Success story of Nagaland's community programme Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, May 29 – At a time when privatisation of public sector units has become the buzzword, Nagaland Government has utilised its rich social capital for management of public institutions and services through the concept of community approach.

The venture paid off with the Nagaland government having been selected for United Nations Public Service Awards for communitization programme in recognition of its innovative use of rich social capital. The award will be conferred to the state government on June 23 at New York.
Nagaland is the only award winner in Asia Pacific region in the category of fostering participation in policy-making decisions through innovative mechanism and one among the 12 awardees selected globally in different areas of public services, official sources said.

The concept of communitisation was introduced in 2002-03 and after enactment of Nagaland Communitisation Act on public institutions and services the same year, the government in phases handed over ownership and management of education, health care, water supply, electricity, tourism and bio-diversity conservation to the communities..

In many places in Nagaland, committees function beyond its given roles and responsibilities for overall development of human capital in their respective areas, the sources said. And it appears to work, the sources said.

There has been a marked improvement in the percentage of school dropouts, teachers' attendance, judicious utilization of fund for infrastructure development and monitoring of the quantity and quality of food for mid-day meal scheme after the entire responsibility of elementary education management was handed over to village education committees (VEC) and ward education committees (WEC), the sources said.

Last week villagers deliberating on community participation in implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) at Pfutsero town in Nagaland resolved to enforce study hours for students from 5 am to 8 pm in their respective villages and asked primary schools to subscribe to at least one daily newspaper.

The slogan 'no work no pay' under Communitisation Act also paid dividends since VECs deducted salaries of teachers for unauthorized absence from classes.

But re-deployment of excess teachers from urban centres to rural areas remained a difficult task for the department and here VEC/WECs could play a major role, the officials said.

Besides elementary education, rural health institutions were also taken up for communitization in 2002.

Under this concept, village health committees (VHC), urban health committees (UHC), common sub-centre health committees and health centre management committees (HCMC) were constituted in order to strengthen the system.

Althouginitial response to the concept was mixed, over a period of time the process started taking roots and committees acted on it, the officials said.

With transfer of responsibility to the community, government hospitals too witnessed an improvement in staff attendance, improvement in availability of medicines and timely disbursement of staff salaries, the sources said.
As per the latest annual report of health and family welfare department till March this year, 450 sub-centres, 63 PHCs and 21 CHCs were brought under communitization programme and capacity building exercise was continued at all levels.

Communitization management through single point metering (SPM) was introduced in 2000 to check the chronic problem of distribution loss, the officials said.

The power department brought 602 villages and 12 urban areas under SPM till March 2008. With transferring of responsibility of tariff collection to village electricity committees, there has been improvement in revenue as collection is shared between the department and the village.

However, the positive responses to SPM in the initial stages could not be sustained in the subsequent years due to fund constraint, but the government allotted Rs 2 crore to undertake communitisation programme in a massive way during the current fiscal, an official report said.

But in case of tourism sector, privatization and communitisation went hand in hand for efficiently running tourist lodges andother tourism assets created by the government over the years.

Since the department embarked on promotion of rural, cultural and eco tourism in Nagaland most of the assets created in rural areas had been handed over to the village tourism boards, the officials said.

Handing over water supply to the community not only mproved services but the process also helped in popularizing rain water harvest and conservation of water sources in villages, the official said. – PTI

Officials pointed out that existence and operation of village development board (VDB) and village councils (panchayats) facilitated the process of communitization taking a firm ground in Nagaland.
‘Piece-meal unification will bring more disaster’ morungexpress
Dimapur, May 30 (MExN): The outgoing President of the Naga Hoho, Bendangmayang today said that the Naga Hoho is fully aware that piece meal unification and reconciliation will bring more disaster and pave the way for more bloodshed. The outgoing Naga Hoho President, who could not make it to the 9th General Session at Peren Town due to poor health condition, send a copy of his Presidential address which was read out by the Vice President of the Hoho to the audience.
The Naga Hoho President, in his speech, said that the Nagas have fought more wars among their own people than the wars with Indian state under the banner of Nagas’ cry for sovereignty. Asserting that ‘hatred, jealousy, tribalism etc’ have dominated the Naga movement, Bendangmayang said that the Nagas cannot stand as spectators to the random killings among brothers and that they cannot look away to all the ‘isms’ eroding the society.
“Today, we are going through a very grave situation where Naga families are divided based on tribal and regional interest which is not at all acceptable for a nation to grow,” he said. Saying that a time has come for the Nagas to reconcile and unite together to bring permanent settlement to the vexed Indo-Naga political problem, the Naga Hoho President, said that ‘while striving for peace and unity among the Nagas, the unity should not be at the cost of ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks which is so dear to all of us’. “The present political negotiation with India is a hard earned for the Nagas and this opportunity should not be allowed to sway owing to petty differences among the Naga families,” he stated, “The Naga Hoho is fully aware that piece meal unification and reconciliation will bring more disaster and pave the way for more bloodshed.”
Also, the President of the Naga Mothers’ Association, Khesheli delivering the solidarity message, strongly asserted that the Naga women have their full confidence on the Naga men folk. Saying that many lives have been lost during the past sixty years, Khesheli said that the Naga mothers are extremely worried of the infighting in the Naga society. She therefore called for all the civil societies to be united first and carry on the Naga issue in a concerted manner.
The GBs & DBs Joint Forum Convener, A Taku Longkumer, in the solidarity message, extended cooperation and support to strengthen the Naga Hoho for fostering peace and harmony. Opining that the Naga Hoho should raise above the horizon of ‘ism’, the Joint Forum appealed that the Naga Hoho and the ENPO should come together, bury all the differences to rescue and lead the Nagas to foster peace and harmony in all round developments economically, socially and politically. Around 300 delegates from Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Burma attended the session which was graced by the Chief Minister along with a host of state ministers and Parliamentary secretaries.
Something about “Postmodern” Nagaland Asangba Tzudir
It may sound too strong a claim but I am tempted to say that we have reached a stage from which it is really difficult to imagine a future. We are living in a world marked by uncertainties, unknown elements and various forms of ‘cultural traits’ alien to our culture which have evolved over the years. The uncertainty is the only thing certain. Worst of all, our barren imagination, our hope and faith might even result in our annihilation. This difficulty or rather, our failure to visualise the future have also resulted in the failure of our morality. We need to adopt a new moral order to restore enough, physical and intellectual equilibrium to create a more favorable and fortunate society.
Here I would like to present some current facts about postmodern Nagaland. To begin with, Killing has become a trend. It’s the fear factor for the ‘other’ and the uncertain elements involved that drives them to such act of unconscious cowardice. At times I am cajoled up in certain thoughts that haunts me every now and then... that it will finally narrow down to the last man standing. How many deaths will it take before we realize the value of a brother?
What’s more heartening is the upcoming younger generation and the high rate of explosion of popular culture. Our rich cultural legacy is being eroded and the whirlpool of popular culture has trapped and polluted the minds of the young. Our rich cultural heritage we were once proud of has become endangered. The latest trend in fashion has been ushered in by Korean movies. Pierced lips, dangerously low jeans, dyed hairs making them look so foreign but still the chatter of accented Nagamese takes the foreign away from them. To top it all, these days, guys are the most stylish of all. It’s a fact and not any mistaken assumption. Sadly, we tend to stray away from what we are and live out of our identity by trying to be someone else.
The poor is literally looked down. There is ‘business’ among the rich while the poor ones too harmonise among themselves in their struggle for existence. Let me put it frankly here. In contemporary Nagaland, the defining parameter for a guy to bravely put up a marriage proposal without any fear of rejection is a four wheeler and bank balances… marriage has become an institution of contract. Materialism has gripped in at the cost of virtues and values. But I still subscribe to the fact that ‘love conquers all.’ Sad to say, but corruption has become synonymous with Nagaland. The culture of “palm greasing” coupled with “the juice is worth the squeeze” attitude has become a deeply rooted chronic disease. Worst of all, our people seem to be so contended with the kind of situation we are placed in. Or perhaps the “system” has trapped them so much that it is hard to come out of it. The voice of the intellectuals is silenced. I believe, up to a certain degree in good faith, it has become a world phenomenon. The truth will never surface. There is looming skepticism over the value of knowledge and thereby truth. Do we really care to dig to the bottom for the truth to surface?
Finally, the slogan “Nagaland for Christ” has been put in the dustbin of history. There are many people who will say that they are Christians and they live like Christians on the Sabbath day. Nowadays, even Sabbath day Christians are slowly diminishing. May be its high time we shy away and replace the slogan by ‘Nagaland for Killings and Alcohol.’ We need another Noah’s flood to awaken the slumbering Nagaland.
I know that the enlightenment is often spoken of as an epoch preceded by a naive premodernity and followed by an enigmatic and troubling postmodernity. And we find ourselves asking whether postmodernity constitutes, the sequel to its enlightenment and its development or whether we are to see it as a rupture or a deviation with respect to the enlightenments principles. The fault lies in the mistaken transition from the enlightenment to the postmodern. I perceive that there is a lack…there has to be a consensus or rather a kind of negotiation between modern and postmodern that, if we find it difficult to embrace the universal then we can go for the particular in the philosophy of possibilities and not in impossible or useless engagements. Today, all the major ideological constructions are being tossed on the ash heap of history. All that remains is the cynicism of postmodernism, with its false assertions that there is no objective truth or meaning, that we are free to create our own truth and thereby knowledge.
Let us not be drawn towards skepticism in creating a morality for ourselves. Our morality manifests in our choices – How we live, to what we devote our time and energy, the kind of person we become and the kind of person we want to be. Our moral problem is man’s indifference to himself. It is because we have lost the sense of significance and uniqueness of the individual, that we experience and treat ourselves as commodities and that our powers have become alienated from ourselves... and hence just mere existence and finally annihilation. The result is that we feel powerless and despise ourselves of our impotence. Since we do not trust our own power, we have no faith in ourselves; we have no faith in man or in what our powers can create. Simply put, the problem is, man does not want to give up his autonomy. And this is not an intellectual problem, rather it is moral. John Dewey says that, “The highest good for man is neither enjoyment nor passive contentment, but rather a passive dynamic power of growth and self realization.” Changes cannot take place overnight. It is a constant process and demands a conscious effort. This begins not with the society but with the individual and the first step in the process of a change begins with self-realization.

Asangba Tzudir is a Ph.D student at the Centre for Philosophy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

NDFB sees evil design OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kokrajhar, May 29: The National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), at loggerheads with the Bodo People’s Front (BPF), has smelt a conspiracy in the statement of the BPF chairperson and chief of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Hagrama Mohilary.
The BPF was born out of the disbanded Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) that never saw eye to eye with the NDFB despite pursuing the common goal of “Bodoland”.
Yesterday, at the council secretariat conference hall, Mohilary told the media that 20 former BLT cadre were killed.
Others spread across the state who had been receiving threats from the NDFB were ready to surrender before the outfit, he said. In a press statement, NDFB information and publicity secretary S. Sanjarang said the suggestion was a conspiracy by Mohilary.
Assam lays condition for peace talks Agencies
Guwahati, May 30 (AIR): The Assam Government has laid down some new conditions for holding peace talks with the militant outfits. From now onwards, the militants have to come forward with a proposal of talks within the parameters of the Constitution only. This was decided at a meeting of the Unified Command, chaired by the Chief Minister, Mr. Tarun Gogoi at Dispur on Thursday. It resolved that rebels would now require giving in writing to the Government to abide by the laid down norms for sitting in peace talks. Once the Government approves a peace proposal, the outfits have to surrender their weapons and stay in designated camps till the peace process is over. General Officer Commanding (GOC) of four Corps of the Army Lt. General B.S. Jaswal, who heads the operational group of the Unified Command, was present at the meeting along with representatives from the Border Security Force, the CRPF, State Police and the Home Department. AIR Guwahati Correspondent reports that the State Government came out with the idea perturbed by recent violences by the Jewel Garlosa faction of the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) militants in North Cachar hills district.

NKC suggests Arunachal to constitute think-tank
ITANAGAR, May 30 (PTI): Constitution of think tanks have been suggested by the National Knowledge Commssion (NKC) to the Arunachal Government for bringing the state at par with front ranking states of the country through planned development. The suggestion was put forward to chief minister Dorjee Khandu by a NKC delegation headed by its advisor S Raghunathan when it called on the former at his office here yesterday, an official release said today. Raghunathan said the delegation suggested that there should be two think tanks to be headed by the CM and the Chief Secretary each. These think tanks should be mandated to discuss the developmental needs of the state and plan accordingly as is done in other front ranking states. Raghunathan was of the opinion that instead of including more subjects in the school and college curriculum, emphasis should be given to impart training to students in the state in subjects relevant to the hilly state, like hydropower and tourism and bio-technology. This approach will help the state get manpower in tapping its huge natural resources and at the same time provide jobs to the unemployed.

Giving up arms a must for peace talks: Gogoi Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, May 29: In what could best be termed as setting a precondition for peace talks, Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said the door of the Government is always open for militant groups that are interested in peace talks but the militant groups have to deposit their arms and shun violence first, and talks can be held only within the purview of the Constitution.
A meeting of the Unified Command Structure (UCS) was held today at Dispur with the Chief Minister as president. The meeting was attended, among others, by 4 Corps GOC Lt Gen BS Jaswal, Asom DGP RN Mathur, Principal Home Secretary Subash Das, IGP (law and order) Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta and other top police and Home Department officials. The meeting took a decision to continue Army operation in the State. The two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting reviewed the current law-and-order situation in NC Hills.
Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Gogoi said: “We are always ready for talks with any militant outfits of the State, but the talks should be held only within the purview of the Constitution. The peace process with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) derailed when the outfit remained adamant on its sovereignty demand. So we want to make it clear for all rebel groups of the State that peace talks can be held only within the framework of the Constitution.”
When asked on the ceasefire offer of the DHD(J), Gogoi said: “We will reciprocate the offer if the rebel group gives up arms, shuns violence and comes forward for peace talks. The question of cessation of Army operation doesn’t arise. Army operation was always there, and will continue.”
On the statement aired by 4 Corps GOC Lt Gen BS Jaswal that there should be a stringent law to bar militants from joining their respective outfits after their release from jails, Gogoi said: “The Government is concerned over the fact. We need to consider the matter.”



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