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06/02/2008: "‘Isms dividing the Nagas’ S. Daiho Mao Morungexpress"

‘Isms dividing the Nagas’ S. Daiho Mao Morungexpress

Kohima | June 1 : As long as the Naga civil society and Church remain passive, the infighting among the various Naga factions will continue, said the newly elected Naga Hoho President Keviletuo Kiewhuo who asserted that the apex civil body shall work to be impartial.
“We can’t steal away the visions of the younger generation”If all the Naga civil society remains neutral on issues, there’ll be nobody to point out or say who is right and who is wrong and the different Naga factions will continue to fight and killing among the Naga brothers will increase, the newly elected Hoho president told The Morung Express today.
There are two phases of urgency confronting the Nagas today when it comes to the Naga political issue: ‘internal’ and ‘external’. Internal issue relates to the ongoing division and killing among the Nagas on factional line and tribal line whereas the external issue relates to the ongoing peace process with the Government of India, said the new Hoho president. He emphasized that the Naga Hoho should today give priority on the internal issue. If the issue is not addressed earnestly today, it could also affect the peace process. Keviletuo further stressed on the urgent need for cessation of hostility among the different factions and immediate stop of killing among the Nagas.
Reacting to a query on what approach Hoho would adopt in pursuing for unity and reconciliation, he pointed out that Naga Hoho is a federation of various Naga tribes and assured that it will approach all the Naga tribes and also the civil organizations such as ENPO to seek their views and opinions. He assured that the Hoho will meet the different factions more vigorously and sit across the table to eke out the differences. “We have to identify the causes why they cannot come together.” Both the Naga underground groups and the over ground civil society should be united on issues for the general interest of the Nagas, he asserted.
He strongly felt that the deeply imbedded ‘ism’ which is dividing the Nagas on tribal lines today should be addressed as priority. Unity has to be broad-based he stated and asserted that the Hoho would have to be consistent in pursuing the same.
Keviletuo stated that in western countries, turf wars were fought among mafia gangs while in the case of other upcoming and struggling nations, internal fightings were fought over differences in ideology and principle. However, in Nagaland, all the different groups and factions have the same ideology, agenda and cause, he reminded and said that if any faction is fighting for domination over territory and business houses, it is no more a national issue and not acceptable to the people.
On the election system of the Naga Hoho, he pointed out on the need for certain amendments in the constitution which will replace the Election of the Naga Hoho office bearers by the age old Naga practice of selection system through instituting search committee. He assured that the new team would take up the matter in the next federal assembly for necessary amendment.
Expressing satisfaction over the composition of the Naga Hoho team, he said that most of the members in the new team were middle-aged and assured that the new team would take the views and vision of both the younger as well as the older generation. “We can’t steal away the visions of the younger generation.”
He further added that the Hoho will work through the system of collective leadership where everyone will be a part in every decision making. He however said that “the Hoho can’t impose its decision on the people; but is there to execute the decision of the people.”

NH focuses on UNITY of purpose Nagarealm.com
DIMAPUR, MAY31 [NPN] : Taking cognizance of the emerging sensitive situation threatening to increase the volume of violence and fatriciadal killings amongst Nagas, the Naga Hoho has stressed on the urgent need for building peace, reconciliation and unity of purpose amongst all sections of Naga society, particularly the different Naga national groups.

Publicity secretary, Naga hoho, in a press Release said the 9th general session of the Naga Hoho held at Peren from May 29-31, hosted by the Zeliangrong Baudi under the theme "Fostering Peace and Harmony", deliberated on the existing bitterness within the naga nation and the crucial need to acknowledge individual and collective mistakes to seriously address the issue of reconciliation through the spirit of truth telling, repentence, forgiveness and healing. The meeting also expressed the common desire for unity of all Naga people and land, wherein mutual respect for each other's territorial space and boundaries were upheld and acknowledgement of traditional ownership firmly establised and respected.

At the same time, the hoho acknowledged the right to settlement of any Naga throughout the Naga homeland. The hoho also called for cessation of all sort of violence, particularly the factional killings and to put to a halt to targetting any unarmed persons. The meet appreciated the united nations for adopting the UN declaration on the rights of indigeneous peoples and appreciated the contribution of many towards putting into place an international legal standard acknowledging and upholding the rights and dignity of the worlds indigenous peoples.

Further Naga Hoho reteriated its support to the initiatives undertaken by the DBs and GBs Joint Forum towards cementing the ceasefire and end of hostilities amongsts the Naga groups, besides acknowledging the "noble pursuit" of the forum for Naga reconciliation.

NSCN(IM) claims (Page News Service)
Dimapur, June 1: The NSCN (IM) today claimed that after Azheto run away from Hebron along with a handful of Sumis, taking shelter under the slogan of "unification", a deeper conspiracy was hatched to dethrone DAN Government with the active connivance of Goa Governor, Dr S C Jamir.
It said that the "vulnerable" minister succumbing to the threat withdrew support to DAN government one after another and the opposition Congress with the support of the minister who betrayed DAN succeeded in bringing President's Rule via Congress-led- UPA Government in New Delhi.
The MIP of the group also claimed that one Capt James Naga, Commander Kohima Urban Command, Naga Army had served an Azha, dated March 12, 2008, to Ato Yeptho, President BJP Nagaland that read, ""Ever since the formation of DAN in Nagaland, it has been an obstacle for the restoration of peace and unity among the Nagas, therefore you are directed to pull out two of your legislatures from DAN conglomerate and join Congress for the formation of new government.
Failing to comply this Azha and DAN letting to power, you will be held responsible and destined to face dire consequences."
The letter was written in the letter head of "Government of People's Republic of Nagaland," it claimed. Meanwhile, state BJP president, Ato Yepthomi has denied of having received any such letter from the said group.
Reconciliation is a Process morungexpress
Any process towards reconciliation is fundamentally shaped by the ethical and spiritual values of a nation. To understand the reconciliation process of a people is to understand their underpinning cultural and ethical values around questions of truth, forgiveness and respectful co-existence. Often it is the ethical values and framework that influence and sustains a people’s search for truth, justice, reconciliation and peace.
It is crucial to acknowledge that Reconciliation is a process that is often begun at the risk of further injury, but that it invariably ends in healing and creating something new. Reconciliation is thus not an ‘event’ but a process. It is true to state that reconciliation cannot take place without at least a shred of forgiveness. The power of forgiveness is that it frees people from the burdens of the past so that they can boldly act in the present. The interplay between confession and forgiveness provides a profound opportunity for reconciliation to take place.
Archbishop Tutu states, “forgiveness is not just a spiritual something that is nebulous. It is infact ‘realpolitik:’ there will be no future without forgiveness.” Reconciliation is therefore a process of encounter and engagement based on mutual respect and recognition where the concerns of both the past and the future meet, with the acknowledgement of the past and the envisioning of the future. Lederach points out that reconciliation “involves the creation of the social space where both truth and forgiveness are validated and joined together, rather than being forces into encounter in which one must win over the other or envisioned as fragmented and separated parts.”
Mamdani suggests that the key to sustainable reconciliation is ‘political reconciliation.’ He says that: “The prime requirement of political reconciliation is neither criminal justice nor social justice, but political justice.” Dr. Rigoberta Tum adds “I can’t forget that forgiveness comes with truth and justice.” The purpose of justice is ultimately the restoration of harmony within and between people and implies the transformation of relationships; after all justice means to be in right relationship.
The translation of the Spanish version of Psalms 85:10 reads, “Truth and Mercy have met together, Peace and Justice have kissed.” Lederach has described the engagement between the four interconnected and interrelated values of truth, mercy, peace and justice as the process and identifies the meeting place of Truth, Mercy, Justice and Peace as ‘reconciliation.’ This indicates that reconciliation does not take place in a vacuum.
The critical question is, where do Nagas begin the process towards reconciliation? These four values are not easy to find in the Naga context because over time, Truth has been suppressed, Mercy has been blinded, Justice has been kidnapped and Peace has come to negatively mean suffer-peacefully. It is a question that Nagas will have to ask themselves through critical self-reflection and self-evaluation. For reconciliation to take place it is fundamental for Nagas to rediscover the values of mutual respect and recognition, forgiveness, truth-telling, ‘restorative justice’ and the willingness to learn and appreciate the spirit of co-existence.
The concept of reconciliation has become an inevitable process in contemporary ‘real politik.’ The realization that conflicts would continue to re-emerge unless reconciliation is a part of building peace has only strengthened the need for reconciliation to be a process that will lead towards healing and the rebuilding of broken relationships. Only time will tell whether the Nagas have the courage to engage in this profound challenge!

Sumi women demand apology from NSCN-IM Correspondent Assam Tribune
DIMAPUR, June 1 – Following the alleged assault of a number of civilians, including a mother and staff members of a school, by NSCN-IM cadres on May 29 at Pimla village near here, the Aqahuto Sumi Totimi Hoho has served a deadline to the “commander” of the outfit to tender an apology. The Sumi women organization has further threatened to march to the Hebron camp in case the demand was not honoured.

A sinister game revealed Nagaland Page
Officially talking peace the devious propaganda machinery of India works overtime
Though the Government of India, GOI, was a signatory to the UN declaration of the right to Self Determination it behaves like it is above it. In fact to force the Nagas into submission it deploys all its might and not only militarily. With that military solution out of question the Government of India uses the over a decade long running ceasefire to create confusion and disunity through its divide and rule tactics. How do they do it?
The sinister game
The propaganda machinery primarily uses the mass media, particularly print media like newspapers. As in any counter insurgency operation, when increased in frequency and plausibility, rumours become reality. India and her impersonators have Naga names which operate from their sheltered habitats but come out into the open with fake Identities in the media whenever they can successfully aggravate emerging divisions in the Naga ranks.
By steering opinion ultimately India wants to shift the public orientation of the Nagas
So, using the media the GOI fields Naga stooges to plant these rumours. Indian security services monitor the information flow and once collected, the Intelligence services fabricate stories, develop write-ups which the media publish and spread. These rumours, based on underlying fears, incorrect causes and motivations, fuel misperceptions and escalate conflict. Rumour subjects include electoral politics and government, quality of life (bad roads, electricity, communication etc), education (posing as teachers or students), insurgency, factional issues, ‘peace and unity’. As they are fed well with information and ‘trends’ these identities have a huge storehouse of subjects they choose and write from: In order to taste the waters some plunge in a few stones, play for a few weeks or months before their hidden agendas sink in, then disappear. And they are well versed and use expert knowledge: they quote from the Bible, Nelson Mandela, A.Z. Phizo; they compare Nagalim with Kashmir, the Meiteis, Boros, and, to show how bad the situation is they compare the Indo-Naga conflict to complex conflict examples from Palestine to Northern Ireland.
Intelligence agents not only sit in far away cities like Delhi or Kolkata, but Kohima and Dimapur too and emerge as Nagas. They are ghost writers, stooges, impersonators. Planting their points in the media is a full time job. They feed on media specialists among military and intelligence personnel who studied history, current affairs, they monitor the current interest of the public. Armed with ample information weeded out from the internet and telephone lines they closely monitor suspects and use their methods, especially on specific words and specific people, before writing their commentary articles meant to fire up or distort. They employ unscrupulous Nagas to translate the information they monitored. Reliable sources say the highest paid are those who can translate Sumi, Tangkhul, Angami and Ao dialects.
Orchestrating their meddling meant to create confusion, the Naga imposters create email identities, some dating a long time back already. These known identities, not the impersonators behind them, write and comment. Some of these identities frequent popular Naga websites to post comments to promote hate.
Based on their findings, conviction and differences between the Nagas they question the Naga freedom fighters (NSCN-IM and Khaplang) to conclude: "Are they not terrorists then?"
These, well protected, Naga impersonators don’t mind being exposed. They know their DAMAGE has been DONE. It is known that similar things go on in Manipur and Assam too.
How do the Nagas react?
There are many well meaning Nagas who are getting confused and conditioned by this kind of deep interfering and meddling. After 50 years of war and ten years of ceasefire tired. They are so tired that they say we want Unification.
Can we blame them for being confused? NISC does not! Consequently:
• The Naga International Support Center in exposing the devious means of the intelligence organizations used on the Naga Peoples urges the Government of India to stop infiltrating in the public domain through the media.
• NISC questions the Government of India on its aim to prolong the peace process by weakening the Naga Society.
For more information visit our website www.nagalim.nl or get in touch nisc@nagalim.nl
Issued by NISC (On E-mail)

‘A Step-By-Step Transformation of the Indo-Naga-Burma-Naga Conflict’ By: Yaronsho Ngalung

In South and South East Asian geographical locations, conflict involving India, Burma and Nagas is one of the world’s longest running yet least known conflicts that need to seek a step-by-step transformation informed by the principles of human rights, peace + justice & truth, equality, liberty and freedom. The conflict is political in nature which does not require much deliberation in its entirety. It is sufficed to say that the conflict takes a true political meaning in the context of the Nagas as a Nation, aspiration for their right to self-determination- self-determination internally and externally. A nation is a group of people having collective political aspiration unlike an ethnic group. An ethnic group is defined and determined more by the cultural aspects of life. Unlike an ethnic group, the Nagas as a group of people is certainly a nation in the sense that they have a collective political aspiration for self-determination.

Historically and contemporarily speaking, the Naga nationalists have not accepted the Indian and Burmese identities as they have refused to consent to any political maneuvering of the colonial and post-colonial states’ definitions and determinations of people’s identities. The Nagas have stated their political vision to the colonial British before they left the Indian sub-continent. Also, the claims of Indian and Burmese identities upon the Naga people have already been refuted and rejected by the Nagas since the 1950s. The sincere request of the Nagas to India, Burma and international community is to recognize and upheld the Naga political identity.

However, the Naga political identity assertion is met with brute forces of the Indian and Burmese states. The inter-nations conflict or the identity conflict has taken a heavy toll of the Naga civilian lives. This deep-rooted identity conflict is yet to get transformation although; the parties have tried several times in the past. The reasons for the failures are due to the fact that the mechanisms and models employed by the Indian state in the past were rather traditional in methods and adhoc in nature. The Indian Government has tried its best to manage the Indo-Naga conflict through constitutional means, counter-insurgency tactics and developmental packages. But all these measures have not been successful because those thought-to-be a good solution were half-baked, incomprehensive, exclusive, out-of- political in context and content, traditional in methods and adhoc in nature. This adhoc measures were applied to divide the Naga people and their struggle for political identity. For example, the Indian state of Nagaland was created to crush the Naga National Movement for Sovereignty. Indeed, creation of Nagaland state has greatly weakened the Nagas’ spirit of nationalism among the Naga people. The Nagaland state is the first backdoor channel through which the Indian state has started eating the vital of the Nagas’ struggle of the right to self-determination from within which many among the Nagas may not know and agree. In fact, creation of Nagaland state was an incomplete process of unification.

The deeper question now is, are we fighting Political Sovereignty for the Indian Nagaland state or Nagas’ Land/Nagas’ Lim as a whole inclusive of the Nagas of both India and Burma? This is the challenge placed before all the Nagas. If we can get a correct answer to the above question, then we may proceed with ‘A Step-By-Step Transformation of the Indo-Naga-Burma-Naga Conflict’. In a way, the people can fight for a political sovereignty only for the territory limited to Indian Nagaland state. Achieving Political Sovereignty or not for such a small territory is another question. However, historically and politically speaking, the Nagas struggle for Political Freedom is not of that case but of for all the Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland states on Indian side and Nagas of Burma as a whole. It means Indian Nagaland state was born like a child without completing 9 months period to be a full born baby in the process of Nagas struggle for Political Sovereignty. The analogy implies that the Indian Nagaland state could not in any case meet the political aspiration of the Nagas as the Nagas have hardly aspired for such temporary measures which satisfy small sections of the Naga people. It is pertinent to mention here that the Nagas are not temporary glory-hunters. Now, it should be cleared that we are not fighting for a Political sovereignty only for a territory limited to Indian Nagaland state which means that the Nagas are fighting for a Political Sovereignty of all Naga territories on both the Indian and Burmese sides. However, a political solution to these conflicts could not be achieved in one go. Instead, any political solution has to be in the form of ‘A Step-By-Step Transformation’. The reason is simple and pure. As far as efforts for conflict transformation is concerned, the Nagas have been engaging with the Indian Government alone for a long time. Political negotiations are taking place between Indian Government and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) of both the factions. And yet, no concrete political formula has been suggested or proposed by the Indian Government that will be able to meet the aspiration of the Nagas. It is to be noted that the political talks are taking place only on the Indian side. It is understandable that the present Indian leadership have no guts to recognize and accept the issue of Naga Sovereignty. It has been observed that the Indian Government will surely talk in terms of solving the conflict by granting autonomy within the Indian constitution which is not different from the past exercises. It is certain that the Indian Government will always insist on solving the political issue through constitutional mechanism even in the future. We have failed to see sincerity and honesty from the Indian Government. Indian Government is dilly-dallying the peace process by making this or that excuse.

The Indian Government policy of peace talks with the Nagas has to be read carefully. The deeper intension of the Indian Government is none other than to crush the Naga National Movement as a whole. It will employ multi-prong policies to achieve this target. Though ceasefire has been declared between the Indian state and the Nagas, counter-insurgency tactics is also at the same time executed against the Naga Army. During the present ceasefire, more than 200 Naga nationalists including civilians have been killed by the Indian Security forces. Another more dangerous policy of divide and rule policy of the Indian state is to pit one group against another so that Nagas kill among themselves. Such fratricidal killing is the result of the systematic game plan and machination of the Indian state which must be watched carefully. Though the gun fighting between Indian security forces and the Naga Army has reduced to some certain extent, it is not the case among the Naga groups. What caused this killing among the Nagas? Is it because of the love for the Naga nation? The answer is a big ‘NO’. The killing among the Nagas is simply committed which is instigated by those individuals among the so-called Naga national workers who do not have a correct political perspective. Why should the killing be encouraged within the Naga family? In all the political struggles in the world rivalries always exist but rivalries must have political connotation and maturity that will pave the way for constructive and creative engagement. This is not the case with the Nagas in the present context. Killings are taking place because of those individuals who are power-mongering with selfish interest and political motive. The killings are born out of hatred, jealousy and lack of clear political wisdom and vision. It can not be ruled out of connivance between those individuals who instigates these killings and the Indian state machineries who are there to sabotage the Naga people’s struggle for human rights. These killings among the Nagas will have far-reaching negative implications for the future of the Naga National Movement. Indian Government, obviously, is having the last laugh. The Nagas must realize that fighting among themselves is not serving their own interest. Instead, it serves the interest of the Indian state. Such killing only strengthens the hands of the real or perceived enemies. The Nagas must realize this fact before it is too late.

It is high time that Nagas forgive one another and reconcile for the cause of the future Naga nation. Because, reconciling among the Nagas is the deepest desire and hope in the minds and hearts of every Naga. We must protect our unique identity that has been embedded in us, and safeguard the land- Naga Homeland- we have occupied since time immemorial. The Nagas must put their heads together how best they govern themselves. Cooperation and solidarity is the need of the hour. Importantly, “Interactive Dialogue” across the table should be initiated for all sections of the Nagas by the Nagas themselves if they have to save the cause. Let all sections of the Naga society respect the differences of opinions we all have. Let us bury the past and create a new vista for the sake of our future generations to come. The Nagas know the best for themselves what should be their future. The Naga people shall be the only people who can save the Nagas cause. No other force on earth can shatter the dreams of the Nagas except the Nagas themselves. Shall we allow ourselves the 60 years old struggle going down to the drain? No, we must not allow this thing to happen at any cost. Let us encourage one another for good things to happen for us. Though, many camps are there among the Nagas, in the final analysis, we are all belonging to the same family- the Naga family. Let us help among ourselves to revive the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of being God’s children.

The crisis within the Naga family and the deliberate policy of divide and rule of the Indian state have not helped in strengthening the hands of the Naga negotiators in this peace process. All Nagas need to do something to overcome the internal Naga family conflict and crisis. We must find an alternative to the present situation of unease and tension just for the sake of Naga people’s struggle for their political identity. We ourselves have to find the alternative because there will be no other people who will like the Nagas to be united and strong. The only alternative to the present internal fighting among the Nagas is none other than refining the future political vision of the Naga people. Refinement can come only when we ourselves have a conceptual clarity of the Naga National Identity and uncontaminated political ideology of the Naga National Movement. The confusion and problem among the Nagas arises due to lack of political wisdom to differentiate which are Indian ideologies and which is Naga Political Ideology. This lack of clear understanding of various ideologies is one of the main stumbling blocks to the process of Naga integration politically, culturally and territorially. This is the reason why the Nagas are insecure and apprehensive. This lack of clear political perspective is responsible for misidentifying who are the real enemies and friends of the Nagas. Its time the Nagas learn to appreciate this shortcomings and misidentifications. Once the Nagas are sure of who they are and what they want, I personally think that political solution and unity is already theirs. And when the Nagas are clear of their political vision, then, who can stop them to achieve it.

Now, coming back to ‘A Step-By-Step Transformation of the Conflict, all sections of Naga people should support and cooperate to the Naga negotiators. If all Nagas, irrespective of this or that groups, are collectively and wholeheartedly supporting the negotiators in words and action we can be certainly optimistic and positive that our aspiration can be clinched with India successfully. The present peace talk with the Indian Government is not going to completely end the conflict involving India, Burma and Nagas. However, it is important that a political solution is arrived at with the Indian Government as a first step towards the further steps. Any future political solution that is being sought between India and the Nagas is not like a kind of centre-state federal relations in India. It’s a different kind of relationship which is greater and bigger than the centre-state relations in India. And this is an opportune time the Nagas and Indian Government reach certain concrete political agreement. For the Nagas, something has to be got during this peace process for further course of its action. A political solution between India and the Nagas on the Indian side would necessarily be sought through the integration of all Naga areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland states. Recognition of the Naga National Identity is an essential ingredient of such a solution. The Naga should have their own Army, Police, Judiciary System, and Monetary Policy while there is a need for sharing of decision-making power in the fields of External Affairs, Defence and Communications between India and the Nagas. The present peace talks are carried out between two entities. Once a political solution is arrived at between India and the Nagas incorporating the abovementioned points for future relationship, there is a need for peace talks between the Burmese Government and the Naga people for further steps in transforming the conflicts. In this case also all Nagas must wholeheartedly and collectively support the Nagas’ negotiators so that a political solution is effectuated.

Once Burma-Naga solution is found, then, there is a need for tripartite talks among the Indian Government, Burmese Government and the Naga people for complete transformation of the conflict. The talks will mainly cover the issue of integrating the Naga territories in India and Burma in which a new Government for all the Nagas is sought to be formed. It will be essential to discuss the status of the Nagas in the UN and other international foras. Certainly, the intervention of the UN will be highly necessary in such future peace talks. The basic point is that, in completing the transformation of the conflict, the Nagas as a nation should have the right to determine their future and destiny in equal terms with the rest of nations. YOU KNOW! IT WILL TAKE SOMETIME, BUT THE BATTLE IS ALREADY ON.