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06/19/2008: "Second Naga unity meeting this month OUR CORRESPONDEN T he Telegraph"

Second Naga unity meeting this month OUR CORRESPONDEN T he Telegraph

Kohima, June 18: The second and crucial Naga reconciliation meeting will be held at Changmai in Thailand in the last week of June. Representatives of warring Naga factions as well as various Naga organisations will discuss the possibility of unification of Naga militant groups at the meeting.
Sources said some Naga leaders have already left for Thailand, while a second group will leave on Friday. The meet is being organised by the Naga Reconciliation Forum, headed by a Baptist clergyman, Rev. Wati Aier.
Foreign peace brokers and representatives from Naga Hoho, Sumi Hoho and Konyak Hoho — who are directly involved in conflict resolution between the warring factions — will also attend the meeting. Though organisers refused to disclose the dates for Chingmai meet, sources said it would be held on June 24 and 25.
A similar meeting was sponsored by the Naga Reconciliation Forum last month. It was attended by representatives of the NSCN (Isak-Muivah), the Naga National Council/Federal Government of Nagaland of the S. Shingyu and Senkha Ao groups as well as several Naga organisations and foreign organisations.
The NSCN (Khaplang) and the NNC/FGN (Peace Camper) did not attend the meeting. A senior kilonser (minister) of the Khaplang faction, A.Z. Jami, said the general secretary of the outfit, Kitovi Zhimomi, had stopped them from going to Thailand. “Ato kilonser (prime minister) Kitovi Jhimomi forbade us from going to Chingmai. We don’t know whether he is sending someone to represent us this time,” he told The Telegraph.
The Isak-Muivah faction’s chairman, Isak Chishi Swu, has spoken to S.S. Khaplang, the chairman of the rival group, at least twice for the meeting. Sources said the response was positive. Swu has also written to Khole Konyak, the commander-in-chief of the Khaplang faction, inviting him to Thailand.
Wangyuh clear air on his resignation Nagaland Page

Dimapur, June 18: Former MP (Lok Sabha) Wangyuh Konyak has reiterated that he had resigned from the Lok Sabha not because of any pressure from the NPF or the DAN alliance but owning "moral responsibility" for the rampant factional clashes taking place in the state due to wrong policies of the Congress-led UPA Government.
"…due to wrong polices of Congress led UPA Govt. in the center for keeping the state aloof from their discussions with the factions in Nagaland, as result of which rampant factional clashes are taking place and almost every day so many Nagas are losing their life, I owing to moral responsibility to all the people of Nagaland, had tendered resignation and not under any pressure from my party or alliance," he said.
In a press release, Wangyuh also appealed to the people of Nagaland to give a serious thought about the ongoing factional clashes in and around Dimapur, where all the legislators belong to the Congress. "Instead of appealing for peace, the Congress is rather busy in instigating the situation," he alleged.
On setting up Khekiho Zhimomi as Rajya Sabha candidate by the NPF in consultation with its alliance partners, he said the candidature of Khekiho was decided solely on the basis of merits. He also maintained that there was nothing wrong in the appeal issued by the NPF to other political parties to support Khekiho for the RS seat, which the NPCC has condemned.
Rather Wangyuh ridiculed the appeal made by the NPCC for support from NPF, BJP, NCP and independents, saying it indicates that the NPCC has accepted defeat on its own. (Page News Service)
Khekiho’s RS Agenda: Naga solution morungexpress
Dimapur, June 18 (MExN): DAN consensus candidate for Rajya Sabha, H Khekiho Zhimomi, has assured that his priority as member of the Rajya Sabha is the Indo-Naga political issue and endeavoring for its early settlement.
The former minister today stated his assurance to pursue early settlement of the “problem,” acceptable to the Naga people through the present peace process initiated by the DAN government.
Khekiho also affirmed that the decision to contest the state’s lone Rajya Sabha seat was purely because of his individual desire to serve the Naga people and not because of pressure or imposition from anybody, a statement said referring to the Congress’ criticism.
It is his long-felt ‘dream and aspiration’ to serve the people in the capacity of Member of Parliament and with the same intention and dedication he had contested the Lok Sabha parliamentary election in 1996 as consensus opposition candidate, he stated.
He further stated to have approached the NPF and DAN leadership expressing his desire to serve in the said capacity. Accordingly, he stated, having good faith in his leadership, he was given the NPF party ticket and endorsed by DAN alliance partners. He expresses gratitude to the NPF party high command, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, party president Dr. Shurhozelie and the DAN partners for having confidence in him and endorsing his candidature.
On the allegations leveled against him by the “opposition candidate,” Zhimomi said that “baseless allegations and counter allegations against one another will not bring any solution.” Rather, he maintained, “it is more of reflecting one’s own character who is afraid of his own shadow and misdeeds that he has committed in the past.”
Naga Consciousness morungexpress Editorial
At the core of a peoples existence is its collective consciousness and perhaps Nagas must consciously and deliberately take the task to nurture, nourish and evoke a consciousness and perception that is an alternative to the status quo. The Naga consciousness should be a call for self-realization and re-examination of themselves, their value systems, their culture, their worldviews, their faith and their future as peoples. It should bring to public expression those hopes and yearnings that have been denied so long and suppressed so deeply that one no longer knows that they are there anymore.
As Brueggemann would say, “hope is the refusal to accept the reading of reality which is the majority opinion; and one does that only at great political and existential risk.” Hence, a people’s consciousness must be in response to an imperative necessity to inculcate a spirit of independence. It must grasp the notion of who they are and their readiness to assume responsibilities that emerges out of this realization, for one cannot be conscious and yet remain in bondage. It is essential that the attainment of the envisioned collective self is a free and dignified self.
Critical consciousness must enable a person to relate the present to the past and reject attempts by the powers that be to perpetuate a deliberately arrested image of a culture as a static element. Culture when defined in concrete terms presents and demonstrates the historical and political evolution of a people which must be made to live in a real manner. Hence, Naga consciousness must empower them to overcome dependency and transcend the walls build around them.
Where does one go from here? Ones thought, behavior and institutions are made to fit into a pattern largely and often wholly determined by others. Originality and forms of thoughts have been dulled to the point where it takes extreme effort to act with reason even in order to follow one’s own beliefs and convictions. This has limited creativity and damaged the ability to act with will, generating a feeling of powerlessness which Steve Biko says “breeds a race of beggars who smile at the enemy and swears at him in the sanctity of their toilets.”
Nagas must ask themselves whether they are serious about making change. Are they prepared to free themselves from the chains of bondage that has made them stop thinking? And so how does one address all the questions that define ones existence? Is it therefore not essential to become a living element in that popular yearning which is entirely calling forth for the freeing, the progress and the happiness of the Nagas?
Decolonization of the mind with the willingness to accept that there indeed is a future by aiding and empowering each other into consciousness, and to be participants in the making of that history is a fundamental step of a process. The Naga consciousness must lead to understanding; an understanding which is the understanding of differences through dialogue. Nagas are in need of a dialogue that appeals not out of our minds and dreams alone but out of experiences, which revolves around practical possibilities and realities so that one does not just give in to despair, but develops a hope and a sense of human security in which we neither compromise our history, nor become prisoners of the past.
Urgent Need: Human Rights Commissions in NorthEast Imtinaro Longkumer Morungexpress
Kohima | June 18 : Justice H.K Sema (Rtd), former judge of Supreme Court of India and Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh State Human Rights Commission today red-lined the need for all the north-eastern states to have a state Human Rights’ commissions each. “It is an irony that out of seven states, except two states, Assam and Manipur, no other state in the region has constituted state Human Rights commission where the need of having such commission is more than the other states,” Justice HK Sema said.
He was addressing the two-day state-level seminar on ‘Legal Empowerment of the people of Nagaland’ here this morning at the ATI complex. Justice Sema was of the opinion that the commission should be set up in all the NE states as warranted by the situation prevailing, and also urged the concerned state authorities to consider the impact of the act in a civilized society in proper perspective and take appropriate decisions. “Section 21 of the protection of Human rights Act enables the concerned state to constitute a body to be known as State Human Rights Commission” he reminded.
On Fundamental Rights, he said that social justice has been accepted as a Fundamental Right by the Supreme Court. He opined: “It is unfortunate that even after 60 years of independence, social justice is still evading the lowest strata of society, marginal and weaker sections of our society who are residing in far-flung areas, unaware of legal intricacies and are unexposed to technicalities of the law”.
He queried: “if citizens particularly marginalized or underprivileged groups, are ignorant of the law then how they can assert their rights?” If so, he said, rights and freedom enshrined under the constitution will have no meaning.
On Human Rights, Justice Sema said the people – particularly the marginalized and underprivileged class like SC/STs and Dalits must be made aware that they have rights under the constitutional scheme and rights can be asserted according to the procedure established by the law. Speaking on the role of the Press in democracy, he maintained that it plays an important role in molding public opinion, and impressed upon the Media to represent the “voice of the voiceless”.
Dwelling on fundamental duties of the citizens, he expressed concern that every citizen asserts his rights enshrined in the constitution but forgets his Fundamental Duties imposed by the constitution.
Also discoursing on the Human Rights scenario in India, the need for legal empowerment of the poor’, resource person and facilitator Colin Gonsalves Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India stated that 70 % i.e. 750 million people in India live below the poverty line. The founder-director of Human Rights Law Network expressed shock at the level of hunger in Nagaland he said many Naga children are on the brink of malnutrition (Rs.14 per person a day). Stating that the older generation has now become dysfunctional, he opined that “globalization is like a union of rich people”, wherein subsidies are back, and nothing is for free. “Everyone has to pay for education, food, medical assistance and support and the like” Gonsalves said.
In this connection, he urged the younger generation to think afresh and clear the basic ideals and fight for one’s rights. “Lawyers play a very crucial role in the society”, he said and urged them to open up their minds to the world around. The role of lawyers is not just legal but to be top-of-the-line lawyers and fight for rights, being a part of the movement. “You should have political understanding and should not be misled by what people tell” he added.
The two day seminar will deal on issues pertaining to current Human Rights scenario in Nagaland, Right to Food, Right to Information, Employment Guarantee Act, status of women, health issues, like access to treatment with special emphasis on HIV and the like. The inaugural programme was attended by eminent personalities, like activists, doctors, lawyers, students, NGO’s and students’ organizations. The session had Daisy Mezhür, secretary for Nagaland State Welfare Board as moderator. Atoho Kiho was moderator for the first session of the seminar.

Need for human rights commission mooted Source: The Sangai Express
Kohima, June 18: Setting up of the Government constituted human rights commission in Nagaland has been been mooted by various resource persons during the State level seminar christened as "Legal Empowerment of the People in Nagaland" which was held on Wednesday in Kohima, reports NNN.

Among the speeches of the various resource persons, chairman of Uttar Pradesh Human Rights Commission and former Supreme Court judge HK Sema can be noted with seriousness.

The former Supreme Court judge from Nagaland HK Sema opined that setting up of Nagaland Human Rights Commission is necessary now.

Mention may be made that only Assam and Manipur have this human rights commission constituted by the Government while the rest of North East States are yet to see the commission.

Today's seminar was organised by the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), Nagaland Voluntary Health Association (NVHA) and the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) in Kohima.

HK Sema while dwelling more on the need to set up the hman right commision, has said that the existence of the commission would bring more awareness of human rights literacy among the people.

The former Supreme Court judge also said that the media should spread the message of this rights through their respective publication.

HK Sema who is currently the chairman of Uttar Pradesh Human Rights Commission appealed the media to represent the voice of the voiceless and must act as the mouthpiece of the poor and downtrodden section of the society.

Others who spoke on the occasion include NPMHR leader N Venuh, Naga Students' Federation (NSF) president Imchatoba, Gauhati High Court advocate, Kohima Bench CT Jamir, Collin Gonsalves, Founder-Director of HRLN, Chingmak, Food Advisor, Nagaland; Divyajyoti Jaipuriar, HRLN, Metsubo Jamir, director RD, Sandhya, HRLN, Sano Vamuzo, chairperson, NSWC; Dr Dietho Koza, Consultant FPA, Dr.Khanlo Magh, joint director, NVBDCP and Kevisekho Kruse, executive director CCDU (PHED) .
Present Unification move: WSH's last option is not Nagas' last Nagaland Page
It would have been nearing to the point of appreciation if Western Sumi Hoho leadership would admit to the truth as much as they admitted to some historical facts. It was true, as they have stated, that "Unification Process was born all of a sudden with the initiative of Azheto and his colleagues from NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) at Hovishe village near Niuland Town" just last year with an ulterior motive. Azheto and his men produced a lot of concocted stories and WSH were made to believed on their fabricated propaganda such as "Brig. Ramkathing was preparing for attacking the designated camp of NSCN (K) at Suruhoto and Zunheboto of which the then Kilo Kilonser Azheto was not informed even though the matter was a very serious in nature." If you were wise, Hebron is not that far from your place that you should have come for verification before you took a jump into their pit. For God's sake, you should have come for guidance or for advice or for suggestion or for consultation while "Azheto, Shikato and their colleagues" started their ground work for their so-called Naga Unification "under the directive of Isak Chishi Swu." But, sad to say, your becoming of a "like minded people" in Azheto's line has placed you at a very sorry state of position.
It should have been wise on your part if you withdrew yourselves from participation in passing the resolution of "expulsion and excommunication of Sumi National workers who do not join the Unification move from Sumi community." Accordingly, you, together with the runaway people and K group, passed this divisive and destructive resolution consecutively on November 23, 2007 at Hovishe village and on November 27, 2007 at Kuhuboto Town respectively. Later on, you picked up this deadly resolution into your hand and by befooling the whole Sumi community "adopted (it) at Dimapur on 11th December 2007 and at Zunheboto Town on 15th January 2008." As you mentioned, no doubt, enough documents in the form of audio, video and print media are available. This resolution under Azheto's Unification was just like Korah's "Golden Bull" made by befooling the Israelites at Sinai while on Exodus for the Promised Land. Therefore, you yourselves have smeared the Sumi Community with national insults. It was not by MIP as you blamed.
Unification initiative, if ever it happened in "Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung and any other place," their approach would have been done thoughtfully and correctly in the national line, not in the way of your blue-eyed boy, Azheto. Running away with arms and ammunition, uniform and equipments is never meant for unification but for more bloodshed. How many civilians, businesspersons and cadres have died in the hands of Unification group speaks loud enough to reach heaven. Sincerely, you don't like your area or Nagalim a killing field but sad to say, inadvertently, you have made it happened by taking hasty decision to support Azheto.
To plead so much for Azheto's misadventure simply will drive you farther and farther. An attempt to understand will be better in such case. If we were to read your mind and understand you through your actions as well as your writings, would you still be angry with us! Allow us to quote you and ask a few questions later. "Therefore, the question of this unification move as being labeled as 'Sumi Unification' does not arise and nor does this unification move was initiated by Sumi Hoho and Western Sumi Hoho alone." Well, if you are consistent to your today's statement, why did you take side with Azheto who openly advocates "Sumi Unification" is essential and pre-requisite to Naga Unification, as a result of it, many Sumi cadres ran away. Seccondly, if Azheto's Unification move was not initiated by you, how come that you almost single handedly are supporting it while the rest of the Naga tribes are watching you silently? If it was a consensus move, why did you also state that "Unification Process was born all of a sudden with the initiative of Azheto and his colleagues from NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) at Hovishe village near Niuland Town." Evidently you were the only participant Hoho according to your discourse. What makes you to take side with K group who are bitterly waging war against NSCN, Naga Hoho, NSF, NMA and many Naga civil societies? And in the like manner, why did you also quarrel with Chief Minister Rio, NBCC, APO and NSCN?
Without giving a proper examination you also pronounced that Azheto and his pretentious unification was God's answer to Naga people's ardent prayers. Could this really be the answer of God! No, never. God's answer will be freedom, peace and prosperity, not this kind of bloodshed and fighting amongst brothers.
Regarding to "Quit notice to Tangkhul Community" no tribe had ever issued such devilish notice. Horrendously, it was by K-group. Honestly speaking, SH/WSH didn't do that in the Hoho level. Would you be able to recall the time when you were served quit notice from Dimapur Area by 15 tribes of Nagaland State at which NSCN came to your rescue? This was a painful reality of the past which should not be forgotten easily. There are, however, many Sumi people who are maintaining their age-old good relationship with the Tangkhuls. We wish such relationship outlived. Thanks a lot for the philanthropic service toward the Tangkhuls. May God indeed bless you and those other kindly people who came and stood by their side in the hour of great distress. Any way, Tangkhuls must have conveyed their heartfelt gratitude for themselves to all concern people. We are simply extending our acknowledgment.
Please don't mind but allow us to ask you two questions on Wungram Colony mayhem. Can you tell us whose unruly mob did it if not K people to whom you have so much attachment? Can you hold your Bible and wash your hands off that the program was not announced in Sumi Baptist Church, Purana Bazar? We will be very grateful if you are honest enough to help us trace the culprits and book them in a court.
In regards to Unification, yes, all Naga tribes cherish for it. But you know, unlike you, they, as you mentioned, have a "second thought on the current unification move even though they want Naga unification at all cost." Because, wrong starting cannot take anyone to right ending. Therefore, it is advisable that you better follow other's example of cautious approach when dealing with such delicate issues, like Unification and Solution. It must have been known to you that such issues must be taken up or carry forward conscientiously and with mutual understanding. It is also worth drawing your attention that to handle such sensitive issues are not a layman's task. To lend credibility to your much hyped unification agenda some certain person with national character could have been placed in the fore front rather than using some persons' names with the tag of deserter and traitor. Because Naga issue is too big an issue to be handled by such persons devoid of national principle. Any authoritative statement on sectarian line should not come in the way of national interest which is supreme to all the Nagas, hence your slogan "Unification: First and last opportunity for Nagas" is totally against the unification taste of the Nagas.
Issued by MIP/GPRN

NSCN accuse rival of launching a bitter diatribe against it on tribal line Nagaland Page
Any single word emanating from Azheto-Mulatuno-Kitovi group is reflective of its existence without a political vision other than to act as a counter force against the NSCN. This is best in line with the goal of Indian policy to counter weight the NSCN and to delay the ongoing Indo-Naga political peace process. The feeling of discomfort and sheer inferiority complex is getting all the more visible as this frustrated group is now focusing on launching a bitter diatribe against NSCN on individual and tribal line. This is nothing surprising as this development is not a new thing in the course of the Naga Struggle.
A mere show of indulging in empty rhetoric does not make any political sense. Sovereignty or integration when not involved in any sense worth echoing by this group is not worth the time to be given in explaining. The complexities of the Indo-Naga political issue is not a question of overnight solution like the type of 'accords' signed with different groups in Northeast. The accords, in the language of assessment is the accord of betrayal and the off shouts of such political cheating and betrayal is already a living testimony in today political scenario.
The destiny of any political movement cannot be separated from correct leadership built on the foundation of people's aspiration. No matter how long it takes, the nation will be safe in such leadership. The motley group of self proclaimed leaders taking the name of national workers is just the antithesis of Naga revolution, and therefore, the enemy of the Naga nation.
The Naga people is proud to witness the like of Mrs. A. Lonchari and Lieutenant Hukato Yeptho,
Their unsparing and hard hitting write ups have shaken the consciences of the group in question. The panic reaction is therefore reflective of the sense of quilt that must have hit the group with a pang. Well done Mrs Longchari and Lt. Hukato Yeptho. Keep it up!
Issued by: MIP/GPRN
Dear Sir Welman,
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord & savior Jesus Christ.
Please convey this ( Attached) message to your favorite faction-NSCN(I-M) whom you groomed and brought up with the wrong notion of divisiveness and uncalculated risky favoritism that has badly misled them to their doom. Sir, we are sorry to say that you are missing the most important part of the episode- "the gratitude and acknowledgement of majority nagas" in the course of our freedom struggle. Please be neutral in your writings and approach if you are not a member of I-M, because in doing so, the ethics, principal, sanctity and social standing of the international peace making organization like NISC will be upheld by the people of the world. And the man with a stature like you will get due recognition in the history of nagas.
Till now most of the people in nagaland think that you are not given the true information about the facts of majority nagas.May be we, the backward tribes could not reach you to give you the right information.
So, if you want to work for nagas, be with nagas morally, politically, socially and mentally.
Guide the NSCN(I-M) wisely as they are also our own brothers and sisters, and in doing so, one fine day we may be able to unite for the common cause, and you will always be occupying the special place in our heart.
Comments anticipated. Thanking you Sir.
KUKNALIM.
Concerned people of Nagaland
ATTACHED MESSAGE.
Dear brothers & sisters of GPRN/NSCN, NNC, FGN, Peace campers, NISC and Nagaland.
Please be brave and come to our rescue. Our solidarity is with you. And above all, If God is with you and you are with God, no one can go against you.
We the young generation of Nagaland are fed up of killings, threats & intimidations, heavy taxes and blaming games among the factions. Independence of nagaland is what we dreamed of in the past days, and so we prayed, contributed and morally supported for that sole cause. But it seems our expectation is going down the drain. We thought that NSCN(I-M) was doing great things for us in the national and international level, but till now nothing tangible outcome has come up even after 60 to 70 rounds of talk for more than 10 years. NSCN(I-M) setup was well organized with so many educated people with excellent planning, mobilization and efficiency. Forgive me if I am wrong and please don't hunt me down also for speaking the raw truth. People’s feeling of goodwill towards NSCN(I-M) is no more the same. NSCN(I-M),s ideology of killing who ever is not in their favour is taking it's toll on themselves. People’s life is more important than everything, but NSCN(I-M) failed in this vital strategy very badly and now it has boomeranged on them. We don't like their - NSCN(I-M),s killing and torturing spree.

What we want now is a leader who is capable of winning the heart of (not the head) of the whole naga tribes. Our new leader should not possess revengeful or gun tooting personality nor should he be after the money and power. We want action not words from anybody. We have observed that NSCN(I-M) has done more works than GPRN/NSCN, NNC, FGN and peace campers even though their work is now overshadowed by crying souls of thousands Naga beheaded by them in the name of principled killing. So we want GPRN/NSCN, NNC, FGN and peace campers to be more action oriented rather than waiting for the NSCN(I-M) outcome, because we have lost confidence in the NSCN(I-M)'s capability in solving our sensitive and complicated issue.

Every Naga should be given the due share of respect and right irrespective of minor or major tribe. For example, Major tribes like Sumi, Angami and Ao should love and protect their other brother and sisters from minor tribes of nagaland.So that love and unity is evolved among our Naga tribes in better and different flying colours.

We will be happy if you can also give your contact phone numbers in the news papers so that we can keep in touch with your organization whenever necessary to control unwanted elements in our land.

May God bless you. - Thanking you Sir.

KUKNALIM. Concerned group Nagaland
Khekiho to give priority to Naga political issue Nagaland Page
Dimapur, June 18: DAN consensus candidate for Rajya Sabha, H Khekiho Zhimomi has said that his priority as member of the Upper House would be the Naga national political issue and to endeavour for early settlement of the problem acceptable to the Naga people through the present peace process initiated by the DAN Government.
In a press release, Khekiho said his decision to contest for the lone Rajya Sabha seat was purely because of his individual desire to serve the Naga people and not because of pressure or imposition from anybody. This he said is contrary to the statement made by Congress candidate for Rajya Sabha, K Therie that "he was not prepared for ensuing polls for upper house prior to imposition of his candidature from party high command".
He maintained that it has been his long felt dream and aspiration to serve the people in the capacity of Member of Parliament and with same intention and dedication he had contested the Lok Sabha parliamentary election in 1996 as consensus opposition candidate but could not fulfill his desire as he was defeated.
On the implications leveled against him by opposition candidate, Khekiho maintained that baseless allegations and counter allegations against one another would not bring any solution. Rather, he said it is more of "reflecting one's own character". (Page News Service)

NSF against using LTC to promote NE tourism Nagaland Page

Dimapur, June 18: The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has expressed serious reservation over the proposal of the DoNER Ministry to actively promote the North East as a tourism destination for Government officials traveling on Leave Travel Concession (LTC). According to the NSF, the LTC is not people-centered.
The NSF was reacting to the proposal highlighted by DoNER Minister, Mani Shankar Aiyer in his speech at Kohima on June 16 last.
"The proposal of the DoNER Ministry to actively promote the North - East as a tourism destination for government officials traveling on Leave Travel Concession (LTC) is not people-centered. According to media reports the Ministry hopes that the arrival of government officials and their families on leave to North East will give a much-needed jump-start to tourism in the region. According to DoNER this move will give rise to a "footfall" of 7000 tourists," the federation said in a press statement issued today by its president, Imchatoba Imchen.
The statement pointed out that such moves can have unintended and even disastrous consequences as the recent case of the Andamans and Nicobar Islands only proves.
The Government of India, in May 2005 issued a Memorandum (No. 31011/3/2005-Estt. (A)) relaxing LTC Rules such that all central government employees could avail their LTC to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in place of their home town. It further permitted Group A and Group B government employees to avail of this facility via air from either Kolkata or Chennai. With this relaxation, the number of domestic tourist which was 30,225 in 2005 rose to 1,18,648 in 2006, of which majority were those traveling to the Andamans by availing LTC. As a result, now on an average 700 LTC travelers visit Andamans in a single day.
The NSF, however, pointed out that LTC travelers visit the Islands as part of a packaged tour usually arranged for them by a tour operator in their city in association with a travel agency based in Port Blair. Many stay in budget accommodation or mid-range hotels in Port Blair and spend most of their time sightseeing in and around Port Blair.
Their travel, stay and food being all pre-planned and taken care of, there is little direct perceivable link to the local economy and all benefits that would accrue would be indirectly through their stay in their accommodation units or through tour operating agencies. It seems that the main beneficiary of this scheme was the private airlines, it said while at the same time pointing out that the pressure exerted on resources is huge.
The NSF was of the view that the positioning of tourism in any region must take into account a variety of factors - the nature of the tourism product, its suitability in terms of sustainability and impact (social, economic environmental etc) the aspirations, constraints and desire of local communities, the availability of adequate infrastructure and human capacity to engage in such forms of tourism and clear tangible benefits to local communities and the local economy.
"We fear that this move by DoNER if not posited against many of these factors would lead to a boomerang as the evidence of the Andamans Island clearly demonstrates. Like the case of the Andamans, the question arises, what actual benefit it will bring to the local communities in the North East," it asked.
Calling upon the DoNER Ministry to seriously reconsider the proposal and study it in the light of these experiences and the demonstrable benefits, the NSF cautioned that would oppose any moves that exclude the interest of the people in any such packages or programs designed by Delhi for the Northeast. (Page News Service)