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08/08/2008: "NSCN (I-M) ‘Maj’ shot dead By NPN Nagaland Post"

NSCN (I-M) ‘Maj’ shot dead By NPN Nagaland Post |

Dimapur An NSCN (I-M) activist identified as ‘Maj’ Ningtam Tangkhul was shot dead by unidentified persons at Jalukie town under Peren district, Friday morning, sources said. Late Ningtham, reportedly the NSCN (I-M) town commander of Jalukie and married to a Zeliang lady, was ambushed by gunmen, some 500 meters away from an Assam Rifles post. However, the NSCN (I-M) in a press release alleged that Ningtam was killed in cold blood by personnel of 28Bn. ‘C’ company of the Assam Rifles.
NSCN (I-M) said the AR commander Maj. James, had invited Ningtam to the latter’s camp for some unknown matter. “Maj. James was carrying Maj. Ningtam in his vehicle. But on reaching the spot near the Assam Rifle Camp, Maj. Ningtam was made to alight and shots came from behind to kill him on the spot. A country made .22 pistol with five rounds was found placed on his body,” the NSCN (I-M) alleged.
The NSCN (I-M) also said there was every indication of the involvement of ‘K-group’ in the incident. Condoling the death of ‘Maj’ Ningtam, NSCN (I-M) saluted him for “shouldering the duty assigned to him in the face of great risk and hardship.”
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY: MIP/GPRN August 8, 08
Assam Rifle is yet to learn how to honour the ceasefire in its true spirit and desperate to find every pretext to confront the NSCN. Among Lim is a member of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group and should have been treated in the manner he deserved. The Assam Rifles knows to well this status of Among. But they went a step further just for the pleasure of insulting the NSCN. If the Government of India failed to rein on the Assam Rifles to make them behave to preserve the sanctity of the hard earned ceasefire, it will only go towards dampening the cordial atmosphere of the Indo-Naga political talks.
Assam Rifles should not smart themselves to justify their freewheeling action. They should also know the implication of such deliberate and headstrong confrontation against the NSCN.
PRESS RELEASE August 8, 08
It was in the second week of June.2008 when the security of the Wungram Colony was taken over by the IRB from Naga Army under the security program initiated by Dimapur District Coordination Group led by DC and SP. So far, it has been going well. But with the passage of time two companies of IRB stationed within the Wungram Colony exposed their meaningless presence and security laxity exploded on the night of 7th August. at around 7pm when miscreants belonging to the K-group set on fire a house in the absence of the family members. Taking full advantage of the non-existent security in that particular area, the miscreants have taken their own free will to attack the house and set ablaze.
The NSCN is taking a serious view of this failure which is a betrayal to the NSCN in particular and to the residents of Wungram in general
It was in the heat of the flush out operation the DC have given the commitment to Brig. Ramkathing, Dy. C-in-C, Naga Army, and NSCN agreed to vacate all its cadre from the colony on the condition that the administration provides round the clock security to the residents, and even certain vulnerable locations were earmarked for positioning security forces for comprehensive security of the civilians.
The failure to follow up security obligation on the part of IRB is a matter of serious nature that cannot be overlooked as freak accident. Much explanation from DC is demanded and the concern IRB Commander cannot escape from bearing all the responsibilities.
ISSUED BY: MIP/GPRN
PRESS RELEASE August 8, 08
CONSPIRACY OF HIGHEST ORDER
The highhandedness and hotheaded confrontation of the AR show up its ugly head again when the 28Bn. 'C' company of the Assam Rifles kill one Maj. Ningtam of NSCN in cold blood at Jalukei on 7th August, morning.
Leaving no room for doubt on their 'mission to kill' Maj. Ningtam. The Commanding Officer, Maj. James of 28 Bn 'C' company, invited Maj. Ningtam to his camp for some unknown matter. Maj. James was carrying Maj. Ningtam in his vehicle. But on reaching the spot near the Assam Rifle Camp, Maj. Ningtam was made to alight and shots came from behind to kill him on the spot. A country made .22 pistol with five rounds was found placed on his body.
There is every indication of the involvement of K-group in the operation against, Maj.Ningtam The CO Maj. James also just return from Delhi. This complicity of K-group in eliminating Naga Army officer is a part of the treacherous partnership between K-group and Assam Rifles in countering and undermining the NSCN forces.
The Naga nation pay respect to the departed soul of Maj. Ningtam and salute him for shouldering the duty assigned to him in the face of great risk and hardship. May his soul rest in peace. May God take care of the bereaved family members and also give consolation in this hour of sorrow and grief.
ISSUED BY: MIP/GPRN
Assam Rifles refutes NSCN (IM) allegations of high handedness morungexpress
Dimapur, August 8 (MExN): Apropos to the news item ‘NSCN (IM) accuse AR of high handedness’ published in local dailies on August 7, PRO IGAR (N) Major Pallab Choudhury in a rejoinder stated that “the allegations leveled by NSCN (IM) in the article against Assam Rifles are totally baseless, false and bereft of any truth”.
He clarified that “on August 6 at 0930 hrs, 2 vehicles carrying NSCN (IM) members were intercepted at Singrijan Junction by 24 Assam Rifles in which 3 identity card holders were travelling along with 2 body guards. Search of the vehicle revealed that the group was in possession of four weapons, which is in contravention to Cease Fire Ground Rules (CFGRs). As per CFGRs laid down by Government of India, an identity card holder is allowed to move with an armed bodyguard with only one weapon in a concealed fashion. Accordingly, the extra weapon was confiscated by AR troops and the NSCN (IM) party was allowed to go”.
The Assam Rifles reported that “later in the evening on instructions from the Chairman CFMG, S S Kumawat, the weapon was handed back to S Among Lim at the Assam Rifles Forest Gate. The Assam Rifles wished to inform the public that it remains committed to support the state government in maintaining peace and tranquillity in the state and implementing the CFGRs strictly without any bias or favour”.
For peace in Nagaland, dialogue among Nagas must succeed (Commentary) Sindh Today
For months, the fragile peace in the Naga Hills has been shattered by internecine conflict. This is ironical because the ceasefires between the government of India and its armed forces, including the paramilitary, and the two factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (or Nagaland) — the group led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah and that headed by S.S. Khaplang — remain in place.
These represent in fact among the oldest ceasefires anywhere in South Asia between armed groups, purportedly fighting for ’sovereignty’, and a national government. Yet, these peace pacts with the government have not translated to a real calm in the villages and towns of Nagaland. The reasons are mired in a complex history that embraces ethnicity, demands and concepts of nationality as well as deep divisions along tribal and factional lines.
Violence is not new to Nagaland - it was here that the Japanese invasion of World War II was stalled and then turned back, on the tennis courts of the Kohima deputy commissioner, as is historically known. Those courts are one of the most frequently visited sites of the northeast with relatives of the fallen, retired soldiers and ordinary visitors coming to pay homage to those who laid down their lives, their sacrifice marked by a low tombstone with the name of the fighter; there are some who remain unknown till this day.
Violence erupted again in the 1950s with the uprising for independence led by A.Z. Phizo and his Naga National Council, which brought the full force of the Indian state against the movement. Soon after fighting erupted, parliament passed the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in 1958 which remains the legal sword arm and shield of the security forces in battling insurgency as well as dominating and intimidating the lives of people in many parts of the region - after all it no longer applies only to Nagaland (which was carved out of Assam in 1963) but to at least three other states of the region: Assam, Manipur and Tripura.
There were two ceasefires beyond the current one - one in the 1960s and then another which followed the Shillong Accord of 1975 which brought one group of Naga fighters into the system. But Muivah and Swu stood firm along with Khaplang, their comrade in western Burma (Myanmar), and forced a split in the NNC, one which gave birth to the NSCN. This group split again in 1988 with Swu and Muivah on one side and Khaplang on the other. Both groups have remained embittered foes for 20 years, with cadres from either hunting down members and supporters of the other.
In between, the Nagas established connections and training facilities as well as arms supplies with China and Pakistan. The relationship with China came to an end in 1976 although an informal arrangement appeared to have continued well into the 1990s.
In 1996, a fresh ceasefire came into place between New Delhi and the I-M group (Isak-Muivah) while another separate one followed with Khaplang’s organisation, much derided by the former as a cat’s paw of Indian intelligence agencies. Such was the bitterness between the two that the I-M has consistently held that it would break off negotiations with the government of India should the latter begin formal talks with the Khaplang group.
But the standstill agreement between the Indian armed forces and the two factions has not translated into peace in the field, as was widely hoped. The guns did not fall silent because Naga fighters turned on each other, seeking to establish supremacy. For several years, it appeared that the K group was getting the worst of the exchanges but from the end of last year, amid charges of central involvement, a new factor emerged: the Unification faction, which had broken away from the parent group, the I-M, and allied with the K. Pitched gun battles followed in the district headquarters and the largest urban centre of Nagaland, Dimapur, and its surrounding areas were the scene of some protracted and bitter fighting; in one incident, an outraged mob ransacked and torched an entire colony where many Tangkhuls, members of Muivah’s tribe, lived.
Till date, no fewer than 70 fighters from either side have died in the clashes. For much of the time, the central forces have been either passive onlookers, reluctant to be involved in peacekeeping between the factions, or simply have looked the other way. The head of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG), which was to review the peace between the Indian state and the I-M, was forced to quit amid bitter charges that he was on the side of Muivah’s men. His replacement by the centre was rejected by the I-M leadership, saying they had not been consulted.
All this time, civil society groups and especially church leaders counselled not just restraint but also reconciliation between the factions and the tribes. Why the latter? Because the Naga tribes - there are 16 of them in the state alone and another 20-odd in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam not to speak of Myanmar - have been long divided along factional lines, with ethnic splits often dominating and indeed defining approaches and strategy as well as issues themselves.
As this went on, a group of well wishers from abroad, especially from the Quaker movement of the UK and the Baptist church of the US, enabled what were regarded as path breaking meetings in Chiang Mai, the hill town in Thailand, between the two major factions. A new organisation, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) under the leadership of the Rev Wati Aier, one of the state’s most respected church leaders and theologians, took the lead here. By this time, the Unification wing had morphed into the Khaplang faction although some members later returned to the I-M.
There was a Chiang Mai declaration that called for reconciliation. Yet, even as it was issued, bloody gunfights and clashes erupted between the factions, belying both hope and opportunity. The ground reality characterised by bitterness and mutual suspicion was far too deep to be resolved by idealism and even gestures of goodwill.
The struggle for power dominates. In one incident, an entire camp of the Khaplang group was stormed by I-M soldiers. The I-M even ‘banned’ two Sumi (Sema) tribe organisations, prompting the FNR to declare that the ‘common cause of reconciliation’ should be safeguarded and that ‘violence, threats, notices, bans, however justified’, needed to be stopped. But even that carries little weight with the I-M: it has declared that no civil societies should consider themselves ‘greater’ than the ‘national freedom organisation, which has carried the national burden for more than 50 years’.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the principal actor, New Delhi, is sitting smugly in the wings, waiting for the next round of talks with the I-M and watching the rival factions battle it out. Yet, it is unacceptable that security forces continue to largely twiddle their thumbs in the face of a visible breakdown of law and order in the state. What is required is far more robust peacekeeping by government forces. This must not be confused with the peace seekers, the civil society groups and the church, who must continue to press for a just and durable peace. Yet violations of the law, by whichever group, should be met with the force of existing laws within the domain.
The centre’s approach underlines two grim political realities: one, that to ‘democratic’ India, the Naga issue and much of the problems of the northeast, barring possibly that of illegal migration from Bangladesh, represent irritants at best; they may cost lives but are not threatening the stability of the state. The second is that numbers or size count. The population of the entire state of Nagaland could easily fit into a small district of Uttar Pradesh or Bihar. There is just one Naga MP from the state out of 542. Thus, the persistent pressure that Pakistan exerts on Kashmir and the LoC, the battle to win the nuclear deal at the Nuclear Suppliers Group before moving it through the US Senate are, to India, far more significant issues, not to speak of winning the parliamentary confidence vote.
Frustration over the lack of progress in the talks is growing on the Naga side. However, they have probably also realised that sovereignty is not in the picture nor is the ideal of a larger Naga territory, sliced from three neighbouring states, getting any closer because of the political backlash it invites from Manipur, Assam and Arunachal.
Perhaps it is better to think of an interim settlement that allows, as India suggested to China in the case of Arunachal, existing settlements to continue undisturbed. In the meantime, an all-party committee, with representation from the Naga side (both government and the armed groups) as well as the three states to look at claims and counter-claims, headed by a jurist with knowledge of the area could be important.
However, before all this can take off, the Naga groups need to develop a working relationship that would ensure equality but also promote cooperation through transparency. For political dialogues to succeed with New Delhi, dialogue among the Nagas must first succeed.
(Sanjoy Hazarika is an author, commentator and documentary filmmaker who also works extensively on health, governance and conservation issues in the Northeast. He can be reached at sanjoyha@gmail.com)
NSF declares roads are “holocaust” morungexpress
Dimapur, August 8 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation is convinced that the roads in Nagaland look like they have undergone “some kind of holocaust of earth” or “river run dry”. The state government must wake to this reality and attend to the long-standing need of the people for good roadways, the Naga students’ apex today stated in a press release.
“…roads in Nagaland are in its worst status compared with the rest of the different states of the country of India. A careful survey into the actual conditions of the roads make one conclude that there have been some kind of holocaust of earth or river run dry…” the NSF observed in a statement appended by its chief Imchatoba Imchen.
The state government, NSF felt strongly, must wake to the need of the people for good roadways and should ensure that the welfare of the people is the supreme law and duty which should be fulfilled. Urging to put an end the ‘pot-holes’ the NSF reminded that roadways are the lifeline of the people, bring them closer and “makes life easier and faster.” Economies boom with good roads, the Federation said, “but alas it seems that Nagaland still finds itself struggling to maintain the roads…”
Health, roads and education are most important for survival of the individual and the society. Any government claiming to be a welfare government must ensure that the said three facilities are made available to the people. “Unfortunately, in Nagaland, the public are yet to avail these three amenities in its real sense of the term…” the NSF added.
NSCN (IM) questions IRB MIP/GPRN
It was in the second week of June 2008 when the security of the Wungram Colony was taken over by the IRB from Naga Army under the security program initiated by Dimapur District Coordination Group led by DC and SP. So far, it has been going well. But with the passage of time two companies of IRB stationed within the Wungram Colony exposed their meaningless presence and security laxity exploded on the night of 7th August at around 7pm when miscreants belonging to the K-group set on fire a house in the absence of the family members. Taking full advantage of the non-existent security in that particular area, the miscreants have taken their own free will to attack the house and set ablaze.
The NSCN is taking a serious view of this failure which is a betrayal to the NSCN in particular and to the residents of Wungram in general.
It was in the heat of the flush out operation the DC have given the commitment to Brig. Ramkathing, Dy. C-in-C, Naga Army, and NSCN agreed to vacate all its cadre from the colony on the condition that the administration provides round the clock security to the residents, and even certain vulnerable locations were earmarked for positioning security forces for comprehensive security of the civilians.
The failure to follow up security obligation on the part of IRB is a matter of serious nature that cannot be overlooked as freak accident. Much explanation from DC is demanded and the concern IRB Commander cannot escape from bearing all the responsibilities.
ISSUED BY:
MIP/GPRN
GPRN/NSCN on sovereignty issue Nagaland Page
There is nothing which is not possible. It is only a matter of time and efforts. The NSCN under the leadership of chairman S.S.Khaplang is of a very strong opinion that, sovereignty will be achieved at any cost. The NSCN (I-M) do not have any right to undermine the feelings of the Nagas.
The NSCN(I-M) who claims to be holdings talks in the prime-ministerial level has nothing to tell to the Naga people, for whom they are supposedly negotiating, even at the end of eleven long years. If not, why are they not making their achievement public? I doubt if Muivah would be able to incorporate even his own home district. It would be also interesting to see what Muivah gives back to the Naga people in lieu of hundreds and thousands of lives of Eastern Nagaland who were massacred in the name of accordist.
I also wonder how the NSCN(I-M) could alleges us of hobnobbing with the adversaries while they are looking for a solution within the ambit of the Indian constitution. It is equally shameful to say that, they are concerned for the people of Eastern Nagaland whence, their leader instead of being gratitude to chairman S.S.Khaplang and General Khuli for releasing them from house arrest has rather opted to blame them for their own selfish interest. The NSCN(I-M) leaders felt the need to forsake the people and the land of Eastern Nagaland at the time when they were needed the most because, they knew that life would not be that easy and comfort.
P.Tikhak, Deputy Kilonser, MIP, GPRN/NSCN.
AR is yet to Honour Ceasefire MIP/GPRN
Assam Rifle is yet to learn how to honour the ceasefire in its true spirit and desperate to find every pretext to confront the NSCN. Among Lim is a member of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group and should have been treated in the manner he deserved. The Assam Rifles knows to well this status of Among. But they went a step further just for the pleasure of insulting the NSCN. If the Government of India failed to rein on the Assam Rifles to make them behave to preserve the sanctity of the hard earned ceasefire, it will only go towards dampening the cordial atmosphere of the Indo-Naga political talks.
Assam Rifles should not smart themselves to justify their freewheeling action. They should also know the implication of such deliberate and headstrong confrontation against the NSCN.
ISSUED BY:
MIP/GPRN
‘Yimchungrü should be example for Nagas’ Morung
Our Correspondent CL Konyak, MLA and Chairman of MARCOFED being presented with Yimchunger traditional items at Diphupar village on Friday. (Morung Photos)
Kohima | August 8 : The Yimchungrü community residing in the state capital today joined the rest of their community and celebrated the Metumneo festival with much pomp and show at the official residence of State Parliamentary Secretary, T Torechu, who hosted the celebration.
Minister for Road and Bridges, Kaito, who graced the festival as chief guest, in his address lauded the Yimchungrü community which speaks six different dialects but comes together and lives as one people. “Diverse culture and dialect is a gift of God,” he said and also stressed that Yimchungrü “should be an example to the Nagas to live together as one people.”
Nagas have rich culture and tradition but it is fast disappearing, Kaito said and urged upon the Yimchungrü community to build a strong culture. “Culture of your community is your passport and your community passport,” he said and stressed that each Naga tribe and community should invite each other in their festivals so that they can learn each other’s culture.
Touching upon the prevailing situation in the state, the minister said that Nagas talk everywhere about fear of God but today the Nagas were looking for their own graveyard everywhere. In this regard, he appealed to every Naga to put their head together and ponder on how to build Nagaland. The Nagas have their own unique history but can’t fight for their rights through violent means, he said and appealed to all the Naga national workers to shun all types of violence including abduction, kidnapping and killings.
Earlier, host and Parliamentary Secretary CAWD, T Torechu, and Parliamentary Secretary I&PR, R Tohanba, conveyed Metumneo greetings. The main attraction of the celebration was the enthralling display of Metumneo significance by a group of performers from Pungro. The crowd was seen laughing away and cheering the performers for their wit and humour who displayed the entire process of the celebration of Metumneo festival by Yimchungrü villagers. The formal function was followed by a cultural programme and the grand Metumneo feast.
ENPUDA celebrates Metümneo festival The Eastern Nagaland People’s Union, Diphupar Area (ENPUDA) today celebrated Metümneo, one of the most important festivals of the Yimchunger Nagas at its union treasurer’s residence, with C L Konyak, MLA and Chairman of MARCOFED, as the chief guest, and K Kapfo, Chairman of Diphupar Village Council, as the guest of honour. In his speech, Konyak said that the ENPUDA was formed not to prove the strength of the 6 tribes of the 4 backward districts of the state but to face the problems of the districts with joint efforts from all the 6 tribes.
Making an appeal to other Naga tribes, he said the formation of the union would not create any division amongst the Nagas but due to the backwardness of the districts, people came together to form a union that could work for the upliftment of the areas. He also appealed to the other tribes not to breed any ill feeling against the organisation, and that the organisation would need the contribution of the other tribes in its progress and development.
Konyak advised the people of Diphupar area to initiate peace in their jurisdiction so that it would have a positive impact on the rest of the state. He urged the people of the 6 tribes to show responsibility and bring about good name to the area. He advised the six tribes to cooperate and help each other. He also donated a sum of Rs.30,000 to the organising committee.
Guest of honour, K Kapfo, said festivals were meant for merry making, to respect and honour each other, and to strongly develop unity and relationship. He also urged the people of the six tribes to work for the community and Nagas as well. Kapfo also sought cooperation from all tribes to live peacefully in the area. He further donated a sum of Rs.5,000 to the organising committee.
B Henok Büchem, EAC Chumukedima, said Naga society had lost vision and has compromised on values, and added that Nagas were known for truth and honesty but today the same things had become the weakness of Nagas. He also suggested to the people to analyse and examine themselves. The significance of the festival was read out by Shokum Yim, DSP (Retd). The highlights of the programme included cultural dance, song and a fashion show. ENPUDA will be celebrating the Tsokum festival of Khemiungan tribe in 2010.