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07/04/2008: "Kumawat meets Rio on clashes OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"

Kumawat meets Rio on clashes OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


A charred vehicle at an NSCN-K camp. File picture
Kohima, July 3: Special secretary (home) K.L. Kumawat today called on Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and discussed law and order in the state.
Kumawat was on a two-day visit to the state to meet the leaders of two factions of the NSCN to try and stem the violence.
Government sources said Kumawat, who is the chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group of the NSCN (I-M) and the ceasefire supervisory board of the NSCN (K), called on Rio and discussed the law and order situation and how to rein in the armed militants.
Sources said the state government had sought the cooperation of the Centre to discipline the armed militants and how to enforce the truce ground rules in totality. The chief minister also asked the Centre to give more teeth to the existing ceasefire ground rules so that the militants do not move around freely with arms.
The government wanted all armed cadres to be confined to their respective designated camps and abide by the ceasefire ground rules in letter and spirit. The Nagaland government has asked the Centre to appoint a permanent chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group and ceasefire supervisory board who would be based in Nagaland.
Kumawat’s is a temporary appointment. Later, the special secretary also met state police and security officials at police headquarters and reviewed the law and order and how to share responsibility to check the violence in the state because of the factional clashes between the NSCN groups.
The meeting also discussed the standard operation procedure to flush out all armed militants from civilian areas with the help of paramilitary forces like the Assam Rifles. The government has on several occasions asked the Assam Rifles and other paramilitary forces to help the police conduct standard operation procedure, but the request has gone unheeded.
Yesterday, Kumawat met the members of the NSCN (K) in Dimapur and discussed the truce ground rules. The meeting approved a designated camp for the outfit at Khehoi near Dimapur despite opposition from the NSCN (I-M).
Fire at Rail gate-Burma camp area By Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
| Dimapur03/07/2008 Several hutments and few concrete buildings (approximately 15) were gutted in a major fire that broke out at Rail Gate-Burma Camp area, Dimapur, late Thursday evening.
According to witnesses in the locality, the fire broke out at around 10 p.m. from a certain house and later spread rapidly to adjoining houses.
However, the exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
Six fire tenders were pressed into action, but due to the narrow approach of the road leading to the site of the fire, the fire tenders had a difficult time combating the inferno.
Though there was no report of loss of any human lives, properties worth several lakhs of rupees were destroyed in the fire.
The residents of the area started vacating their houses as soon the fire alarm was sounded. The bursting of a gas cylinder created more panic as residents ran helter-skelter, some even abandoning their meals midway
Later, through the joint effort of the fire brigade personnel and residents of the locality, the fire was brought under control after nearly an hour.

Kumawat attends security meet By NPN | (Correspondent)
Dimapur03/07/2008 A Central team headed by special secretary (Internal Security), ML Kumawat, who is also the new chairman of the Cease Fire Supervisory Board (CFSB) and joint secretary (North-east) Navin Verma on Thursday attended a state level security meeting here in the state capital.
Highly placed government sources said the meeting took place at Police Head quarters and was attended by senior government and police officials and security forces. The meeting was reported to have taken stock of the latest law and order situation in the State.
Kumawat and Verma also called on chief minister Neiphiu Rio before their departure to Delhi.
The central team’s visit assumes significance as a series of recent factional killings had rocked the State.

NNC condemns By NPN |
Dimapur03/07/2008 NNC (Non-Accordist) and the NNC Sumi region have strongly condemned the killing of its member Nikheto Zhimo, Khapur of Sumi region at Medziphema Wednesday last. Reminding all factions that the NNC was the parent body of the Nagas, its MIP cell, Hokivi Awomi in a release called for immediate stop to shedding precious Naga blood. It also appealed all factions to come forward for unity as Naga unity was essential to bring about settlement to the Naga political problem.

NNC condemns By NPN | Dimapur03/07/2008 NNC (Non-Accordist) and the NNC Sumi region have strongly condemned the killing of its member Nikheto Zhimo, Khapur of Sumi region at Medziphema Wednesday last. Reminding all factions that the NNC was the parent body of the Nagas, its MIP cell, Hokivi Awomi in a release called for immediate stop to shedding precious Naga blood. It also appealed all factions to come forward for unity as Naga unity was essential to bring about settlement to the Naga political problem.
Imagine ‘Naga’ without each other morungexpress
1. FOR Sixty years and little more, Nagas have fought a good fight; Won the wars without victory; satisfied some and yet to be achieved the goal and earned the fame without honour. Thousands of lives have been paid as a ransom to the wrong man. Both the King and the Queen; servant and the master; Sons and daughters of the soil played an equal part just to redeem the snatched away freedom. Naga people’s struggle for freedom no sensible individual can ignore as he/she is not a party to it, for to ignore such costliest issue is not less than ignoring oneself.
2. The issue as such unlike many reactionaries/terrorists or revolutionaries that ‘people’ as a whole extend the unflinching support through which, Nagas could walk in and out season; making the cross lighter through oneness and Unity. However, it was since 1977-1980, (The first Naga crises in the Eastern Nagaland where Naga National leaders found the enemy within and opened the door for fratricidal killing which still open wide! Naga people sacrificed and sacrificing even today which seems like going down into the bottom less pit. How shall we continue in such a way? Why don’t we imagine ‘Naga’ without each other and Thirst for Unity. And if any one who can truly imagine ‘Naga’ without the other let the People call him/her a good teacher of selfishness’.
3. The saddest Part in Naga history among many others are like, busy gardening the Ceasefire ground, instead of striking the pending issue, shifting the concentration from the main issue to the factionalism. Every effort we put today is just to regain our ‘Original position’ and no new step has been set. It the issue as such that can be solved even without other Naga brethren, it would had been solved many years back. But the issue as such is not a piece of cake.
Since 1980 Naga brothers tried to walk on their own effort, slightining the other and have had Oceans of experience without any achievement. We have past through both gloom and green. Therefore, every Naga responsible persons must come to sense that without the other no good and can be attained. Only the collective wisdom can truly lead towards achieving the long Cherished aspiration. Blaming India and Burma for their procrastination policy was not absolutely justified, as we the Nagas are not prepared.
Going through the pages of History, Nagas were/ are second to none and free people; free from all invasion and imperialism. But today we become a prisoner of our own mind and enslaved in own kitchen by the fear of our own brother of the other faction. Are we truly free people? “If someone says” I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar… (The Bible) Are we a true Christian by being a Killer of own brother like Cain and using Gods name in vain or making friends with enemy but hating own brother?
Being a people of one struggle, Naga public must too acknowledge and learn to thank National Leaders for living their sacrificial life not only for our tomorrow but for what Naga are today. To be honest, “Nagas would be a pitiest People had there been no such movement or leaders” As the saying goes “being a good person is like being a goal keeper. No matter how many goals you save, People will remember the one you missed” Yes, dear Naga Leaders, sometime Naga people are so arrogant and complacent that we ignore against your stand and struggle for which we ask your forgiveness. Some time we as a people are like the one who like honey but don’t want to get even a sting. So also the nationalists. It is not you alone who carries and brought to thus far but because of the genuine historical foundation, The Nationhood is still survive. No doubt they are leaders by Commitment and not like any “Opportunist” or ‘Whether Leaders hit without the support and Co- operation of the peoples’ you will be a cursed leader or “Scapegoat” Need to be heeded to the voice/cry and the fervent plea of the public whom you think as good for nothing because if these people are not behind, you will feel the ‘Winter’ even in the Summer Sun.
At such Crucial point of time, if any individual leader talk of and imagine the ‘Naga’ without even a single Community People of Group, he/she is a most dangerous poison to the ‘Naga Society’ who creates ‘division and pesticides own people. “Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’ am a dreamer but I ‘m not the only one. I hope someday you will join us, and the World will live as one” John Lennon.
Yes, Nagas have wasted times looking through Pandora’s Box but still hope for peace and it’s never late. We still hope for peace and reconciliation. Perhaps, it is impossible to kiss each other yet Naga brother can turn their Barrel from where they are pointing now to where they should be Let the Naga leaders also stop issuing statements condemning other at the ugliest which is not only that, but it defiles the glory of the Naga since everyone of us we are Nagas. If someone is so critical and busy judging other, his mind can be red so clear that there is very little room to do good or think for other. Let us be more positive and constructive criticism in all our approach because positive always wins.
Let us imagine ‘Naga’ without each other and realize the need of Unity peace and reconciliation through forgiveness because “Peace is the only road where all Creatures can walk hand in hand timelessly.
(Y.Khomong Khiamniungan)
Gen. Secretary, (ENSA).

MP’s resignation Nagarealm.com
Dimapur, JUL03 [NPN] : Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha MP Wangyuh Konyak has resumed his duty as MP as the Lok Sabha Secretariat has reportedly rejected his resignation letter earlier submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker.


Wangyuh in a letter addressed to NPF president informed that his reason for resigning on “political ground” was not accepted.

Fire at Rail gate-Burma camp area Nagarealm.com
Dimapur, JUL03 [NPN] : Several hutments and few concrete buildings (approximately 15) were gutted in a major fire that broke out at Rail Gate-Burma Camp area, Dimapur, late Thursday evening. According to witnesses in the locality, the fire broke out at around 10 p.m. from a certain house and later spread rapidly to adjoining houses.

However, the exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report. Six fire tenders were pressed into action, but due to the narrow approach of the road leading to the site of the fire, the fire tenders had a difficult time combating the inferno. Though there was no report of loss of any human lives, properties worth several lakhs of rupees were destroyed in the fire.

The residents of the area started vacating their houses as soon the fire alarm was sounded. The bursting of a gas cylinder created more panic as residents ran helter-skelter, some even abandoning their meals midway. Later, through the joint effort of the fire brigade personnel and residents of the locality, the fire was brought under control after nearly an hour.
“It’s Never Too Late for Nagas” morungexpress
•Sir-It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve been struggling to break free from whatever it is that holds you bound. It could be that you’ve had a secret problem in our state for twenty years, even longer. The length of time you’ve struggled doesn’t diminish God’s power or take away from the fact that HE loves you and wants to see you set free. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve tried and failed or what others have said to you or about you. God knows you better than anyone else. He knows better than you know yourself, and he says that you can succeed-and with His power, you can.
We have came across a list of people who were list encouraged us. These were people who refused to give up but kept on moving in the direction of the goals they had established for themselves, and by the grace of God they eventually reached them:
• Winston Churchill was considered “washed up” after committing what everyone agreed was a tactical mistake during World War 1.
• Lucille Ball was told early in her career that she had absolutely no ability as an actress and that she should forget about show business, go home, and find a nice man to marry.
• Zane Grey was told by a publisher,”you can’t write; you’ll be able to write,” and to please quit wasting the publisher’s time with his’ rubbish”.
• Beethoven had such difficulty learning to play the piano that his music teacher gave up on him.
• Thomas Edison was considered a dunce by his elementary school classmates and the grades he received supported their evaluation.
• Louis Pasteur received a failing grade in chemistry class.
• Abraham Lincoln failed at almost everything he tried-business, politics, and law-before he was elected president in 1860.
• Black men in USA they tried for many decades but that failed but today Barak Obama the first black men to contest for the post President in USA.

This list could go on for several pages with names of great, successful people-but people who, for at least part of their lives, were not considered great or successful by anyone’s measure.
Whatever your life has been so far doesn’t have to say anything about what it will be in the future. Past failures don’t mean there won’t be future successes. You may be in bondage today, but that does not mean you won’t be free tomorrow.
“Are we still fighting?”
In spiritual sense, there are thousands of people in our today who are in the position of Iraqi soldiers before they surrendered. They’re bruised and bleeding; still refuse to lay down their weapons and surrender. May be we are the one of these people, who still did not surrender our life to God for our nation. If so, you need to take a moment and read the Bible from the book of Judges Chapter 20’ and ask your self a very important question for our Nagas tomorrow;
“What I am fighting for?” Another question to consider is,
“Whom I am fighting for”.
You probably do not even realize it, chance are very good that you are fighting against God himself. Just as Iraqi soldiers had no way to win the war against the US and its Allies thing about, there is no way you win if you are fighting against God” The ironic thing about it is that God does not want us to fight and kill among Nagas.
Lastly but not least humble appeal to all the collective leaders of Nagas, Let with one stroke of your pen be change the destiny of our Nagas according to the God’s will.
“God Bless Nagaland”

“For Nagas, tomorrow”
H.Vikato Zhimomi Lumami Naga Notun Basti: Dimapur

School Exodus Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS

The way school education is run in the state, given the free choice, probably a majority of the private schools would rush to better organised boards, with curriculum framed with care and scientifically, academic discipline maintained, and independent from petty political interferences or boorish interventions. Reports available indeed say the queue of schools wanting to migrate to the Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE, is long. There is another group of schools wanting to rush away and join the Nagaland board, but this of course is politically motivated and has no academic concerns in mind. Like love, we suppose the passions of politics make its players blind, for at best the impact of such an exodus on the concerned students would be akin to jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. There is nothing cognitive that suggests the Nagaland board is better than the Manipur counterpart. In fact, the Manipur board may actually be a notch up, considering the standard of the cream of students produced by either of these boards who meet latter at common Northeast institutions such as the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, RIMS, for higher studies. Anyway this is another story. For the moment our concern is a cabinet decision on July 1, which allowed three private schools from amongst scores, to leave its fold and join the CBSE.

What exactly was the criterion used in the selection. Some years ago, the Manipur government had actually to declare a ban on any school from leaving for the CBSE or other Central government boards, fearing quite reasonably it would be left with nothing worthwhile. Now it seems that ban has been partially lifted. What we would like the government to clarify now in public interest, and also to ensure the matter does not remain an ad hoc affair, prone to easy manipulation by individuals in positions of power, is the criterion by which these three school were formally allowed to slip through its net. The question also is, if any other private schools in the future fulfil the same criterion, would they too be allowed to go if they so wished? Supposing tomorrow, the Catholic mission schools in the state, who together have a virtual stranglehold on all of the top 25 positions in the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, BSEM, held Class 10 public examination every year, want to also migrate to the CBSE, would the Manipur government allow them. This is a hypothetical question, for as far as we understand it, no mission school has sought such permission. The loyalty of these schools to the state board is touching and the Manipur government ought to be thankful. For without them, the graph of pass percentage as well as good graders would plummet irredeemably. Quality school education would also go for a tail spin. If along with them the remaining top performing private schools were also to begin thinking of migrating to the CBSE, the BSEM Class 10 result sheet may read something like, 15 percent successful candidates, majority of which are in the third division, a few in the second and none in the first.

What the Manipur government ought to be doing at this moment is to pull up its socks and radically overhaul its school education system. We know this plea will fall on stone deaf ears as it has been every year, but all the same we will continue to say it in the hope that at least our voice would have added to the existing quantum of pressure on the government to act on the matter. It must first of all do everything that is needed to make its government schools competitive. This can be best achieved by introducing a system of incentives for achievement and penalties for non performance. The incentives must be substantial, so must the penalties be tough deterrents. The trouble is, politicians would be willing to introduce the incentives, for that get votes, but would be reluctant to include the penalty clause, because that makes them unpopular in election terms. The bigger trouble is, the state has seen few or no politicians who can rise above these selfish concerns. We would also like to suggest one more thing. Good schools which are consistently throwing up good results and are still sticking with the Manipur board volitionally must be entitled to loyalty bonus. The overall messages must be that the Manipur board is as good and competent as any of the best boards in the country, and that staying with it is rewarding in academic as well as material terms.
Family bait for NDFB - Dispur offers kin accommodation to keep cadres in camp A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, July 3: Dispur is planning to rein in married cadres of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) living outside designated camps with the lure of “family accommodation”.
These would be the first designated camps in the region to have family accommodation.
There are nearly 1,000 NDFB activists, of whom 150 are married. The latter have been staying outside the outfit’s three designated camps in Kokrajhar, Baksa and Udalguri, citing lack of facilities and security.
However, by staying outside the camps they pose a threat to themselves and to public order, given the ongoing fratricide in the Bodo belt, that has left 50 dead since January.
Sources in the chief minister’s office said there were 84 married NDFB cadres in Korajhar, 20 in Udalguri and 34 in Baksa districts, but the numbers could increase once the respective district administrations send the final list of cadres to Dispur.
At present, 350 cadres are living in the Kokrajhar camp, 210 in the Udalguri camp and 181 in the Baksa camp. After extension, these camps will be able to accommodate another 200, 190 and 34 cadres respectively. The expansion is expected to be completed in three months.
Dispur has also decided to man the exit and entry points of the designated camps by deploying a permanent armed police platoon. The strategies, including deposit of arms by NDFB cadres, were thrashed out at a meeting of the special branch of Assam police, the home department, the NDFB and the superintendents of police of the three districts in Guwahati recently.
“It is a mutually beneficial strategy and the need of the hour if we have to stop this fratricide. The NDFB cadres can stay in one place with their wives and children and get security. The cases of extortion, allegedly involving a misguided section of the NDFB, will also decline. If we can get the married cadres to stay in the camps, it will solve several problems,” a police official from one of the affected districts told The Telegraph.
“Senior home and police officials recently surveyed the camps and ordered their extension,” he added. Sources said the NDFB had agreed to the plan reluctantly as they feel that they will have to live a “caged” life in these camps. However, supporters of the strategy feel that it would be for the best. They argue that it would end bloodshed in the region where everybody is under threat because of the sharp division between the former cadres of the disbanded Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) and those of the NDFB.
Reports from the districts suggest that most of the armed NDFB cadres living outside the designated camps are indulging in extortion and intimidation, sparking fear and retaliation .
The sources said barring accommodation, the NDFB has not availed of any other facilities provided by the government like stipends to its cadres, ration and vocational training. This, security personnel feel, is behind the widespread extortion drive.
The NDFB had announced a ceasefire in May 2005. On May 30 this year, it extended the ceasefire from May 31 in a tripartite meeting with Delhi and Dispur.
Assam ranks as 'most corrupt' State Nagaland Post
NEW DELHI, June 30: Assam has earned the dubious distinction of being the most corrupt State in the country, on the basis of corruption in 11 vital services. Corruption level was alarming in four other States, as well. The latest India Corruption Study 2007 conducted jointly by Transparency International and Centre for Media Study and released by Vice President Hamid Ansari on Saturday is embarrassing news for Assam, where corruption level was described as 'alarming'. The 4 States, which follow Assam include Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The grouping of States on corruption reflects position of States in the context of eleven services. The eleven services included 'basic services' like PDS, hospital service, school education, electricity and water supply services and 'need -based services', like land records, registration, housing service, forest, NREGS, banking service and police service (traffic and crime). The study does not include operational irregularities in the system and even corruption that does not involve citizens directly.
The study covered all 31 States and Union Territories and is focused on the poorest and rural areas. It included below the poverty line people (BPL) in both rural areas and urban slums.
The level of corruption in all the 11services studied in Assam and Madhya Pradesh was alarming. In Delhi and West Bengal, for example, corruption level was moderate in most services surveyed. Among smaller States of the northeast, like Nagaland and Goa, corruption level was alarming, whereas in Meghalaya and Sikkim, it was very high. In Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur the level was high, while in Tripura and Mizoram it was found to be moderate.
The total bribe amount involved in a year in BPL households availing the eleven services is estimated at Rs 8,830 crore. Based on the incidence of bribe paid by sample BPL households, an estimate is made for the total amount paid as bribe by BPL households in the country during the last 1-year in the 11 services.
School education (up to class XII and government schools) among the 11 services studied stands last in the ranking meaning the level of corruption is the lowest among all. While police service stood number one. The land records and registration and house and plot, which are specially tailored for BPL households, stand at 2 and 3 respectively in the rank.
The level and extent of corruption in police service was high in all States, as if it is universal - but the ranks of other services show variations across the States. Given the nature of need-based services, which are monopolistic or involve asset creation or volume, these services ranked high on corruption as compared to basic services.
Releasing the report, the Vice president said the report brings to light the negative impact of competitive politics on targeted schemes aimed at the poor. It has reported instances of BPL, SC/ST and other vulnerable households of being told by political activists of a linkage between benefits and electoral preferences.
"This, to the extent it is true, amounts to political corruption in its damaging form since it undermines the very institutions of democracy at all levels. A national consensus at its avoidance is thus imperative," he opined. (Courtesy: AT)

Two months after Cyclone Nargis, condition of survivors still 'critical' Mungpi & Solomon



New Delhi - Two months after the killer Cyclone Nargis lashed Burma, thousands of survivors said they still lack basic assistance including food, farming equipments and shelter.

"We received only one time support from the Red Cross. They gave us 24 tins (measured in condensed milk tins) of rice for our family," said a farmer with five family members from Paungthe village of Bogale township in Irrawaddy delta. The farmer said while he did not know how much rice other families received as aid, it was the only help the whole village had seen.

"There are more then 1300 people in our village," the farmer added. Talking to Mizzima over telephone, the farmer said, he had come to Bogale Town, about 40 miles from his village, with the expectation of help from local as well as international aid groups. World Vision, a Christian non-governmental organization that has been helping cyclone survivors, however, said humanitarian assistance is getting through to a lot survivors but difficulties remain in assessing how widespread the needs are and how many people are getting aid.

"It's still quite a critical situation but a lot of people are getting the aid that they need," Ashley Clements, spokesperson of World Vision in Burma told Mizzima. While the immediate need for the farmer and members of his village remain basic food, with the rainy season fast approaching, the farmer said he is also burdened with the fear of missing the cultivation season, which would mean greater disaster ahead.

"I am hoping to find some help from the government in terms of farming equipments as well as some cattle," said the farmer, adding that while there were no human casualties caused by the cyclone in their village, most of the cattle were dead.
"I lost all my buffaloes and cows, which I need to plough the fields before it's too late," said the farmer, who has over 15 acres of farm land.

"If I get some buffaloes, I can still race and finish planting rice within 15 days before the rains start," said the farmer, adding that the plantation period will be over by mid-July.The World Vision said most farmers in the cyclone hit areas will miss this farming season as a result of lack of equipments to work in the fields.

"I think there is going to be a large number of farmers unable to farm their land this growing season," Clements said. "So, we need to look at the coming months to support the farmers in finding a way to make a living," Clement added. The farmer in Paungthe village is not alone in seeking help. An aid worker in Bogale said several survivors from other villages in the Township have often come to town in search of help.

Bogale, one of the worst hit towns in the Irrawaddy delta, where several aid groups are now based, has become a hub for desperate survivors searching for help. The aid worker, who helped the farmer talk to Mizzima, said, "Yesterday around 30 people came to us asking for food but today another 700 people from more than 30 villages came here. He said it was more than what he and his group could afford to provide in terms of food and other assistance, as his group is dependent on local and national donors to help cyclone victims.

"We know that there are several villages that have not been accessed but we are helpless," the aid worker said. Meanwhile in Laputta, another badly-hit town in the Irrawaddy delta, several thousand survivors, who are temporarily staying in make-shift camps, are faced with a renewed threat as the local authority has urged them to shift from their temporary homes. Dr. Aye Kyu, a physician in Laputta Township who has been helping survivors, said at least 10,000 survivors are living in four camps near Laputta town. And as most of the refugees have no land of their own, it has become problematic for survivors to go back to their original villages.

"They are telling me they will not go back, they will try to continue surviving here by themselves," Aye Kyu said.
According to a local resident of Laputta, who met the survivors, the police have threatened them that no more food would be supplied to them unless they move from the area.

"Two survivors told me that divisional police officers told them to go back to their villages or else they will be forcibly evicted," the local resident said. Aye Kyu said, the survivors have no homes, face severe problems of food shortage and fear of an impending disaster ahead.