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06/18/2008: "Sorry for A.Z. Jami Nagaland Page"

mood: Sorry for A.Z. Jami Nagaland Page

Sorry for A.Z. Jami Nagaland Page
When the damage has been done and when you have cleared your conscience before the Naga people, you are only making yourself a ridiculous figure by withdrawing your statement. The predicament you faced is understandable. Because we understood you were placed under great pressure and you were compelled to listen to the diktat of those persons who runs the Azheto-Mulatuno-Kitovi group. This also reflects your sorry state of position in the group. In the earlier occasions you were designated as the Convener of the Council of Kilonsers. But this is only a decorative designation as the unfolding drama shows. This is unfortunate. I wish you are not in the place where you are now. Why be in the place when your conscience is like a living hell? A disgrace to the community you belong, and it is not a good indication of your ethical standard.
Issued by: (Chipenthung Ezung)
Dy. Kilonser, MIP/GPRN

Naga Women: The Enemy Within Nagaland page
Just one look at her haggard and pigmented face and you can well see that she is struggling to make her ends meet. She doesn’t look healthy, she doesn’t look happy. Looking thin, dark, undernourished, dressed in pale well worn out clothes that has seen better days; she looks much older than her actual age. Years of struggling to keep her family running has taken a toll on her looks and spirit. She sits quietly and shyly in a corner. She says she has not been to school. She was ashamed to tell about her background. Later she admitted she couldn’t even study up to high school. She failed and she dropped her studies. Since then it’s been a hard life. She has no regular income. She has separated from her husband. She is a single mother. She works as a daily wage earner and earns some meager amount whenever she is lucky enough. She is desperately in need of help; she needs a regular source of income. She is willing to work but there is no avenue for a woman who has no qualification, no skills, not smart enough, no influential family background to get her a job, no ‘Uncle or Aunty’ with political connections to connect her somewhere, no money to start something on her own, no connections with any ‘Higher Ups’ for any small benefits from the government. She is not aware and has no access to information about any help that is rendered for women like her. She is the picture of an average struggling Naga woman who has not much prospect in doing better in life. Perhaps she will continue to struggle silently and patiently for she knows this is her fate and she has to accept her fate. But she is worried abut her child. If she doesn’t give good education to her child, the child will one day land up in the same situation or may be even worse. She is resigned to the fact that, she can’t hope for any help or support for a poor, unskilled, uneducated and a voiceless woman like her. Or is there help somewhere? Is there a ray of hope for her?
Look on the other side of our Naga society, our privileged and fortunate Naga men and women misappropriating and depriving hundreds and thousands of poor woman like her even for small benefits meant for destitute women from the government. The government has designed, allotted various forms of support for the poor and the marginalized but do they actually reach the neediest? There are many women who are not actually ‘destitute’ and are living comparatively comfortable lives are claiming to be ‘destitute’ and misappropriating even the small financial assistance meant for such woman destitute who is desperately in need of even the most meager amount of financial assistance. To this poor woman even a hundred rupees, Rs. 200 a month, means a lot. She can buy the much needed food for her kitchen, perhaps a couple of kilos of rice and salt and a kilo of dal (a luxury for her). My dear fellow brothers and sisters, how can you even think of robbing/depriving this poor woman and her son of her genuinely deserved assistance? When you dream, think, talk, earn and spend in terms of thousands and lakhs, this woman everyday struggles to earn some 30/50 rupees or so, and sometimes she can’t even earn as much. A kilo of pork a week is a luxury. Sugar and milk (even occasionally) is beyond her means. Think of her, do you still have the heart to deprive her and so many other struggling women like her of her Rs. 200 monthly financial assistance provided by the government ? Rs. 2400 a year may not mean anything to you, maybe just a pocket money, an easy side income. But you still take away that amount in the name of the destitute woman, claiming to be one. Thank God for your many blessings. Thank God you don’t have to worry about where your next meal is coming. Thank God you don’t have to worry whether you will be able to toil and save enough to pay for your child’s monthly school fees or perhaps even a pair of cheap rubber shoes for the rainy season! Thank God you don’t have to worry whether you will earn enough day in and day out to keep your bare kitchen running. Thank God you don’t have to worry whether you will be thrown out from your cheap rented house called ‘home’ for not able to pay the monthly rent of Rs. 300! This is my earnest and humble appeal to the other fortunate Naga women/men, on behalf of the poor, the ignorant, the struggling and illiterate Naga women; even if you can’t/don’t help those who are in need, please don’t deprive them of their due shares/assistance! I believe it’s no fun being a destitute woman. I believe its not easy being a woman/a mother in difficult situation. I believe its no fun watching your child sick and in pain and you don’t even have auto fare to take your child to the hospital! How would you feel to be in her place? How would you feel if you come to know some imposters are stealing away even some benefits meant for a poor woman like you? Would you curse them? Would you bless them?
This is the reality of our society today. Educated men and women, supposed to be good citizens, suppose to be regular church goers, suppose to be leaders in the community, to be so and so etc. etc. etc.!, in the name of destitute women, in the name of disabled persons, in the name of helpless poor old people, in the name of marginalized unemployed youth, in the name of the sick and the dying, are enjoying (Enjoying?? God, how long will they enjoy??), thinking that no one is aware of what is happening. The poor, the illiterate, the ignorant, the handicapped, the sick and the dying may not raise their voice against you, may not punish you, but never forget there is “SOME ONE” who knows everything.
K Ela, Prodigals’ Home. (On E-Mail)

Aiyar all praise for communitisation prog in Nagaland Zee News
Kohima, June 18: Union Panchayati Raj minister Mani Shankar Aiyar was of all praise for successful implementation of communitisation programme and effective functioning of village level statutory bodies in Nagaland.

Expressing his desire to "learn the A to Z about such unique alternative development model" during his three-day visit to the state, the Central minister informed villagers that this rural alternative development concept had already created a wave in many parts of the country and replicated in some places with success.

Rather than putting up at Raj Bhavan as per protocol, Aiyar this time volunteered to live with Naga villagers and opted for chief minister Neiphiu Rio's native village Touphema, about 40 km north of state capital Kohima.

Under a rural tourism and cultural tourism project Touphema has been developed into a tourist village with construction of cottages with required facilities.

"Spending a night with locals in a village is the most suitable place for the Panchayati Raj Minister than the usual Raj Bhavan," Aiyar commented.

The Union Minister, accompanied by the Chief Minister yesterday visited Kutsapo village in Phek district where the concept of Village Development Board (VDB) was first introduced in late 70s by former Chief Secretary A K Gokhale as a pilot project.

The VDB was later formed in all recognised Naga villages and the entire responsibility of rural development was transferred to the institution that brought about great socio-economic changes to the rural landscape of Nagaland.

Aiyar during his visit to Phek and Kutsapo villages held extensive interactions with members of village council, VDB, village commitees on education, health and electricity and informed them that the success of communitisation programme in Nagaland caused ripple in many parts of the counry.

The DONER minister yesterday said this participatory model of development brought about 'remarkable changes' by way of ensuring better staff attendance, greater availability of medicines, greater participation of people in health care, increase in enrolment in schools and better access to infrastructure.

Interestingly, both Aiyar and Rio opted to sit along with audience leaving the dias for village level functinaries.

"I am interested to listen to the villagers as how do they plan, execute and manage development works rather than delivering a lecture by myself this time," Aiyar told the villagers.

In this connection, the Chief Minister pointed out that unlike in other parts of the country no elections are held to constitute such village level institutions or committees because in traditional governance leaders are selected or nominated by villagers with consensus.

"This practice helps many ways in effective implementation of development schemes because here every member of the village is accountable to VDB or village committees," Rio said.

In recognition of its innovative use of rich social capital, Nagaland government has been selected for United Nations Public Service Awards for communitization of public institutions and services.

The award, which will be conferred to the state government on June 23 in New York, comes under the category of 'fostering participation in policy-making decisions through innovative mechanism.'
Some Reflections on Naga Ceasefire By U A Shimray
“This is not my farewell to you. My only wish is to fight as a soldier in the battle of idea”
— Fidel Castro Sangai Express
Naga people today are fundamentally unhappy and dissatisfied with the ongoing ceasefire and peace talks. In this decade of ceasefire many “unprecedented activities” are taking place in the Naga hills. But most unfortunate one is the recent emergence of “political divides” in the form “ethnic” line. This division led to senseless fratricide killing under the confusion tag of “IM” and “U.” In other word, Nagas are killing each other. Indeed, peace talks are now in confusing stage. Naga public is dis-heartened and it seems the political talks distant from people. Ceasefire and political talks is rather “deconstructed” into ethnic division and fratricide in the name of “blame-game.” It is a sad episode in the Naga history [ceasefire].
The Indo-Naga peace talks between the [NSCN-IM] and the Government of India has crossed one decade. In 2007, “indefinite” ceasefire or “sine die” was declared at lesser known place Dimapur [Nagaland] on July 31st 2007. Hitherto, some Naga people demanded for “No Solution, No Extension of Ceasefire.” Interestingly, a press statement issued by the Ministry of Information of NSCN-IM flayed the Government of India for what was described as “hurting the sentiment of the Nagas” despite holding 59 rounds of talks.
Ceasefire and “Development activities”
Neo-liberal economic ‘reforms’ in India saw intense protests against Special Economic Zones [SEZs] in many places cutting across all sections of people. Way back in 1965, were the Export Processing Zones [EPZs] which are ‘industrial zones with special incentives to attract foreign investment in which imported materials undergo some degree of processing before being exported again [The International Labour Organisation, 1998]. “EPZs emerged in response to the emergence of finance and global capital as the major economic players, the rapidly accumulating capital that seeks to move out to invest, the growing competition between developing nations to attract foreign direct investment and the thirst of capital to have an unfettered play in the pursuit of profit” [CR Bijoy, “Special Economic Zones: Profit At Any Cost,” Memo]. The SEZs thus can be seen as an upgraded version of EPZs based on the “success” model of China. Through SEZs, the Indian State gives further free hand for the market to operate. The giving of primacy to industries over agriculture is part of growth driven development. As a result of this policy there is a bee-line for acquiring fertile agricultural lands. This in fact robs people from their subsistence livelihoods by displacing them permanently
At this backdrop it will be worthwhile to examine the situation in Nagaland. Mr Rio led DAN Nagaland Government invited multilateral agencies and trustees like Sir Ratan Tata and SEZ. Nagaland is the first State in the Northeast that was registered on the map of upcoming SEZs. Two SEZs have been approved. Mr Pillai, Commerce Secretary said: “The multi-product zone proposed in Nagaland will come up over 400 hectares and land is in possession of the developer” [Expressindia.com, July 12, 2007]. A daily from Nagaland reported: “...a group of ministers set up to finalize a relief and rehabilitation policy today decided in Delhi to give state governments discretion to acquire 30 per cent of the land required for an industrial project or special economic zones provided the developer has acquired the balance. State governments can now acquire 30 per cent of the land on behalf of the project developer if the company has already taken 70 per cent of the land in possession.” [The Morung Express, 31st August 2007].
Coincidently, all these mega-development schemes are taking place in the period of ceasefire. Two decades of “silence” the Government of India is keen enough to have parley with the Nagas that also interestingly in so-called liberal and neo-liberal era. Misra [2000: 59] wrote: “Any settlement [with Nagas] would obviously prove to be of great disadvantage to the other militant outfits of the region” [Misra, Udayon. 2000. The Periphery Strikes Back: Challenges to the Nation-State in Assam and Nagaland. Shimla: IIAS]. In this regard, New Delhi’s policy always term Naga political movement as the “mother of insurgency.” In going Misra’s line, New Delhi by any “means” require to tame the Nagas insurgency in the region for economic benefits. As of now, the State is enthusiastic to poach North East’s resources, extract properties, and tap the natural-power in the name of development. Therefore, in turn creates doubts over the veracity of the sine die ceasefire reached between New Delhi and NSCN-[IM].
Further the editorial of Economic and Political Weekly [August 4, 2007] wrote: “At the same time, a new rhetoric of development now binds the centre and the north-east into a fresh relationship that does away entirely with the earlier involvement of the local community. For instance, the Democratic Alliance government of Niephiu Rio, elected in 2003, has pursued development aggressively. Recently a multi-product 400 hectare special economic zone was cleared for Nagaland. And the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, in alliance with the Canadian firm Canaro, announced its decision to resume exploration activities in the state 13 years after it was first driven out by the NSCN-IM on grounds that exploration could not continue without the consent of local communities.”
“Uneasiness”
Sometimes reflections cause “uneasiness.” Calcutta based National daily wrote: “By the end of this year, Nagaland might well be exporting ballistic body armour and load-bearing equipment to Baghdad and Washington.” [The Telegraph, April 12, 2007 under the caption of “Armoured for Big Business- Defence equipment firm chooses Nagaland over Malaysia”]. The report claimed that the Armour would acquire about 50 acres land near Dimapur town to prepare armoured vehicles and bullet-proof vests. Mr. Rio’s Government is obviously ecstatic as the project promises initial employment for at least 100 people, not to speak of the potential for growth of ancillary units. So, at the expense of 100 people employment Nagaland is ready for the “arm/war-race” company in the land of peace yearning Naga people. Further the report indicates that the products manufactured here have been earmarked for use by the US Allied Forces in Iraq.
One Human Rights activist, Deena comments that: “The political atmosphere is becoming more confused and murkier as there seem to be increased economic or development activities in the state of Nagaland. While those who are involved in the peace process have focused on political issues concerning their future, the Government of India has used cleverly its statecraft to use the economic development programme to undermine the political movement. Even the civil societies have failed to comprehend the ploy of the Indian state in its use of economic development programme to undermine the peace process and divert the attention of people from finding a political solution to the Naga issue [Observation, thoughts and reflections based on interaction with Naga civil Society in Dimapur, Kohima and Mokochung in Nagaland from 26th to 30th July 2006].
With regard to Naga Hills, a new economic incentive is rather observed as “unhealthy” trend. The basic deliberation here is Naga Hills really on the way of “economic-shining,” that would be based on market economy [capitalism]. On the other hand, market has potential tools that will create social classes based on economic assets [so-called middle-class/upper class]. In fact such trend could detour support base of the any socio-political movement in the region. Also, economic policies driven by the neo-liberal economic process would undermine or rather dilute the Naga politics and traditional rights. Or, can economic investment “rescue” Naga political imbroglio? This invite serious thought.
Remarks
The oldest armed struggle in the region is on ceasefire at the moment. A relatively “peace” prevails in the Naga hills except unfortunate senseless fratricide killing among the Naga family. No doubt, Naga society also cannot shy away from the wave of economic development. However, the so-called development activities is taking shape not in Naga perspective but in corporate [capitalist] format. Capitalist model only encourages individualism and greed. Most importantly, such wave tags with powerful forces that can dilute not only the Naga political movement but basic value of Nagas’ livelihood. In this juncture, one can reflect upon the Tibet scenario too. The recent N Ram’s article, “Future Tibet” [Frontline, July 27, 2007] concludes as: “…the future of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the extensive Tibetan autonomous areas that form part of four major provinces will be — in their differentiated and distinctive ways — with one China.” China’s policy in Tibet claims that Chinese Government developed the region within a short span of time. Indeed, this is how the Chinese intrinsically maneuver to divert the Tibetan’s political aspirations. New Delhi seems to be emulating the Chinese model not only in the case of SEZs, but also in dealing with the political aspirations of the struggles for self-determination.
Ready for direct talks within constitutional framework: Gogoi Assam tribune

GUWAHATI, June 18 — The Assam government is ready for talks with all insurgent outfits at any time within the framework of the Constitution, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said.
All groups can come for talks. "We will accept anybody, any group. But they have to talk directly with us and not through any third party. They also have to follow certain conditions," Gogoi told reporters here.
"They (militants) will also have to surrender their arms, stay within their designated camps and not collect donations under any pretext," he asserted.
The militants would also be provided training in their designated camps so that they can earn their livelihood later, he said.
On media reports about possible ceasefire between the government and ULFA, the Chief Minister said "no decision has been taken yet. It has only been decided in the Unified Command Structure meeting that when militants send feelers for ceasefire or talks, they have to follow the conditions set".
To queries if messages had been sent to any underground outfit for talks, Gogoi said "we have sent messages to all. There is no final agreement with any group and no feelers have been received so far." PTI
Operations against ULFA to continue Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, June 17 – The Ministry of Defence is opposed to the slackening of the ongoing operation against outlawed ULFA. Reacting to the latest development, Army sources said that they are going to take up the issue of the ceasefire offer by 28th Battalion of ULFA with the Ministry of Home Affairs and insist on keeping the heat on the militant outfit. ULFA has lost 65 militants in the intensified drive.

Senior Army commanders are tipped to meet the Union Home secretary, Madhukar Gupta, in this connection, sources said.

Interestingly, adding to the sense of urgency, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi is arriving in the Capital on Wednesday to meet the Prime Minister. And top of the agenda is the ULFA’s latest move. Gogoi during his last visit to Delhi had a rather long meeting with National Security Adviser, MK Narayanan.

The NSA’s office is also reportedly not keen on announcing a ceasefire with the Battalion. Sources said the stand to insist on presence of chairman and commander-in-chief of the outfit in the talks and surrender of weapons, remain unchanged.

Sources said the Army is apprehensive over the latest developments. They see a ploy to stall the operations in the latest ceasefire offer by the 28th Battalion. They point out that ULFA adopted a similar strategy in 2005, when several of the top leaders were trapped by the Army in Dibru-Saikhowa Reserve Forest. The troops shot dead Achinta Saikia, self-styled 28th battalion commander and finance secretary, and Janwi.

The outfit announced the formation of People’s Consultative Group to negotiate with the Central Government.

The Centre asked the Army to call off the cordon allowing the ULFA leaders to sneak out. The Centre later admitted in Parliament that ULFA may have used the 15-day unilateral ceasefire period to re-group. Army sources said the stand taken by the Unified Command vis-à-vis negotiation with ULFA should be followed.
UGs maintaining ceasefire continuing with subversive activities, says report The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, Jun 17: Underground outfits maintaining ceasefire and suspension of operation with the government of India and army establishments are still actively involved in extortion and other criminal activities in Manipur, a report of the state government has said. An official source disclosing the report said that though the NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) are under ceasefire agreement with the government of India, they are actively involved in extortion and other criminal activities in Manipur.

Likewise, the underground outfits belonging to Kuki, Hmar, Paite and other tribes who have entered into suspension of operation understanding with the army and Assam Rifles are also involved in extortion and subversive activities, the state government analysis has said, according to the report.

More than 20 underground outfits are operating actively in Manipur with eight rival groups. Kuki based undergrounds are the highest on the list followed by five Meetei based outfits. Four different Naga based outfits are also operating along with two each of Zomi and Hmar outfits and one Muslim based outfit. Continuing activities of the insurgent groups in the form of extortion, kidnapping, ambushes and encounters with the security forces, killing of civilians and security personnel, and indulging in criminal activities have remained a constant threat to the security scenario of the state, it said.

Of late, the report said large scale counter insurgency operations in both hills and valley areas have resulted in some underground militants crossing the international border towards Myanmar from where they operate and some undergrounds are seeking refuge in the foothills bordering the valley districts where they have set up temporary base camps.

Detaining or kidnapping for ransom is increasingly being resorted to also, the report said.

A large number of undergrounds have been arrested and many of them have been killed. Though the situation on the surface appears to be calm, the activities are continuing causing insecurity in the minds of the general public, the report observed.

The source also said that the presence of security forces like the army, Assam Rifles, BSF and CRPF is very useful in containing the underground activities. The security forces are operating under the authority of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which is in force in the state and if the act is withdrawn from the state, it may not be possible for the security forces to continue their operations as is being conducted presently, it observed.

The role of the civil police, Manipur Rifles and IRB in maintaining normal law and order and containing the underground activities is not by itself enough to give a foolproof security environment in the state, the report stated, the source added.

IPI urges junta to allow free access to journalists Mizzima News

Belgrades - International Press Institute , a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, on its 57th general assembly urged the government of Burma to respect and protect the rights of journalists, particularly those who are now covering the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.

Members of IPI, meeting in Belgrade, Serbia condemned the Burmese junta for its failure to allow journalists to freely report the natural disaster -- Cyclone Nargis, that lashed the country on May 2 and 3, leaving at least 133,000 people were dead or are missing.

"Even after the disaster and the consequent need for food, water, shelter and medical assistance, which put more than one million persons at risk, the Burmese junta chose censorship over information," the IPI said in a resolution released on Monday.

The call was part of the IPI's appeal to all governments around the world to respect the rights of journalists, who are particularly covering natural catastrophes and their aftermath, by allowing them to collect and disseminate information.

"When earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and other disasters strike, media coverage serves many essential purposes. In their immediate aftermath, it can save lives by helping in proper coordination of rescue and relief efforts," the IPI said.

Meanwhile, Burma's military junta has detained several domestic volunteers including a former editor of a weekly journal Zaw Thet Htwe, who have been helping in relief work for cyclone victims in the country's delta region in Irrawaddy division.

The IPI World Congress and 57th General Assembly held at the Belgrade, was attended by over 300 editors, media executives and leading journalists from over 60 countries.

The IPI is a global institute that seeks to promote freedom of speech and expression and look to the safety of journalists while carrying out their work.