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09/16/2008: "Charter of Peace morungexpress"



Charter of Peace morungexpress

The 10-Point “A Covenant of Common Hope” adopted by Naga participants during the latest Naga Peace Summit III at Chiang Mai, Thailand needs to be welcomed. Though not specific and lacking some clarity—yet the importance of the document as a guideline for ensuring peace and mutual understanding cannot be overlooked. And as rightly mentioned by the participants of the Naga Peace Summit III—representing Naga political groups, frontal Hohos, Churches and Civil Societies—this is in response to the general desire of the Naga people for peace and “there is no turning back”. With the summit in Chiang Mai drawing to a close, one is not surprised to hear the pessimism expressed when it comes to peace among the UG groups in particular and the Nagas in general. This tells a lot about the total frustration of people. And they cannot be blamed if they have lost faith in the good sense of our UG leaders. Leaders should take the high ground and consider what is good for the over all interest of the Naga people.
As far as the doubts expressed about such peace summits—while past negotiations (and there have been countless number of them) have failed to address the issues—no one will disagree that bringing the UGs in a common platform has not been an easy task. In fact it is a thankless job. Every one from the Naga Hoho, Church, civil societies have burned their fingers while dealing with this issue. It will be only fair to give time to the latest initiative undertaken by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. It is very easy to criticize. But we must show the courage of conviction and prayerfully support the cause of peace.
And given the cynicism and hopelessness that has been expressed due to past failures of such peace initiatives, it is all the more a challenge for the Naga participants and the signatories to this 10-Point Covenant, to doubly ensure that the same is implemented both in letter and spirit. Noteworthy among them include the need to “exercise utmost restraint and shun all forms of confrontation and violence (Point 4) that may result in further divisions among the Nagas” and instead—as rightly mentioned—to “constructively work together (Point 4) in addressing differences and difficulties of the ground realities that stand in the way of Naga reconciliation”.
All concerned parties must take immediate steps to end violence and create the conditions for lasting peace. An unconditional ceasefire goes with the spirit of the agreed covenant and therefore the public will expect a positive decision on this front sooner than later. It is also suggested that one of the first things that needs to be done by the concerned national groups/UGs, tribal hohos and civil society organizations is to review on their policy or orders/Azhas that has been detrimental to peace. For instance the quit notice/s, banning of organizations, excommunication order/s, threats etc. must be immediately revoked. Further the information wing of the respective groups must stop all unnecessary acrimony through the media. All this should be seen as a natural corollary to the 10-Point Covenant.
Making a public commitment “before God and fellow Nagas” is no ordinary undertaking and would require the highest degree of maturity, restraint and responsibility, which hopefully will be demonstrated in the days to come. In response to the 10-Point Covenant, one comment posted in the internet reminds of the Biblical verse that “Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, Exodus 20.7”. The onus now lies on the signatories and it is hoped that they will consider the 10-Point “A Covenant of Common Hope” as both sacrosanct and inviolable.
As for the Forum for Naga Reconciliation—due credit goes to them for taking up the role as peace mediators at a crucial and difficult period. Their unwavering commitment, diligent effort and positive energy to create real, lasting peace among the Nagas must be appreciated. At the same time their task is far from over and would require them to be engaged in the process to its logical conclusion. This will demand meaningful intervention—necessary monitoring/verification mechanism—and appraisal when it comes to implementing the peace roadmap. Without reciprocal compliance on the ground, the peace charter will remain a mere paper exercise, which will become a mockery and an embarrassment for Nagas. At the end, cooperation and collaboration is required so that people at long last come to enjoy the dividends of peace. This golden opportunity should not be missed.

(The above article is purely a personal analysis of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinion of this newspaper)
GPRN/NSCN Comments On Recent Killings GPRN/NSCN
The issue of Naga Unity and Reconciliation is slowly but steadily gaining momentum and every Naga understands its importance; it shall be the cornerstone for any political solution with the Government of India in future. After numerous reconciliation meetings: Chiang Mai I, II, III and Forum for Naga Reconciliation organized Akuvuto meeting of 9th Sept 2008, the picture has clearly emerged; the only obstacle that stands before the Nagas is the Hebron Campers who have played the politics of rigidity and random killings to prevent the Nagas from coming together. GPRN/NSCN has, so far, exhibited courage and commitment towards fulfilling the plea of the Naga people yet as the results have shown, Hebron Camp prefers bloodshed to Naga reconciliation.
GPRN/NSCN would like to remind the Naga people and the apex Naga Organisations particularly the Naga Hoho, DB’s GB’s Forum, NPMHR, NMA, NSF, Forum for Naga Reconciliation etc. that allowing passive comments to rule one’s judgment on blatant killings will only make killing a simpler sport. A tiger without its claws will earn little or no respect. Since the Akuvuto Reconciliation meet of 9th Sept. 2008, one civilian and four GPRN/NSCN members have been murdered by Hebron Campers. Lieut. Moa Ao and Mr. Aoluien Ao, a civilian were killed on 10th Sept. at Khensa. Mr. Hukato Sumi, a Sectional Officer from Xekiye Village, Lieut. Vihokhe Sumi of Phuyemi Village and Mr. Vito Sumi, a Sectional Officer and also a Chaplain, hailing from Akuluto, were murdered in Dimapur on 12th Sept. 2008. GPRN/NSCN shall, as always, stand firm for unity and reconciliation in Nagaland yet it will not hesitate to strike back at those threatening the fabric of Naga unity.
GPRN/NSCN offers revolutionary salute to the dear departed comrades who have fallen victims to anti-Naga elements. They fought and survived as proud Nagas, willing to go an extra mile to unite the Naga family and finally to a political solution. Their dreams of seeing a united Nagaland shall now be fulfilled by those who truly love Nagaland. May the good Lord grant them eternal rest. GPRN/NSCN also conveys heartfelt condolence to the families of bereaved comrades and prays for their solace and comfort from the Heavenly Father.
MPF and NSCN (IM) assure peace-efforts morungexpress
Dimapur, September 15 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) and an organization from Mizoram state, Mizoram People Forum, today said to have undertaken a joint statement making assurance over peace-building initiatives from both sides. A copy of the joint statement said the NSCN (IM) was represented by “gen.” VS Atem, emissary to the collective leadership and dy.kilonser Lalminglien while the Mizoram People Forum was represented by senior vice president Rev.Zosanghana Coinev and secretary Dr. Lalbiakmawai Ngente. The two met today at Kolkata.
The three-point statement highlighted what was stated to be Mizoram People Forum’s genuine interest in the peace process in Nagaland. It also said to have expressed serious concern on the “fratricidal struggle” in Nagaland and the problems and hardships caused to the Naga people due to the ‘internecine clashes’. “The Mizoram People Forum committed itself to do its best for the cause of the Naga people and, if the situation so demand, will try its best to bring about unity and harmony amongst the Naga people for lasting peace and amicable settlement of the Naga problem” the resolution stated.
Further, the second point mentioned Mizoram to be facing its General Assembly elections at the end of the current year. “In order to conduct a free and fair election, it is desired that there should be no interference from outside the state or by any underground groups operating in the north-east region or the neighboring areas” it stated. The NSCN (IM) on its part assured and agreed to ‘instruct all such underground groups operating in the vicinity of Mizoram, not to interfere during election period and not to resort to violence of any kind in connection with General Assembly election’. “The meeting decided to continue working for the common cause of the people of Nagalim and Mizoram in the future” the statement said.

Over 20 Moreh-Imphal travellers brutally assaulted by Assam Rifles IFP
Imphal, Sep 15 : More than 20 male passengers of Moreh to Imphal bound Tata Sumo vehicles were brutally tortured by the personnel of 18 Assam Rifles under 9 sector for being unable to produce their personal identity cards during a check at Tengnoupal Assam Rifles post today
Assam Rifles PRO however claimed only routine non-physical screening was done. The matter came to light following the disclosures of some of the victims after they reached Imphal this evening. According to them, the incident occurred when two personnel of the Assam Rifles at the entry gate under the influence of alcohol made all the male passengers of Tata Sumo vehicles coming from Moreh towards Imphal get down before reaching the check post at Tengnoupal Assam Rifles post.
The male passengers were interrogated and asked to show their identity cards, failing which they were detained inside the interrogation room and given third degree torture. One of the victims, Brajamayum Robin Sharma, 30, son of B Shyam Sharma of Bamon Leikai and a businessman, the Tata Sumo which he was travelling in with some local businessmen from Moreh was the first passenger vehicle to reach Tengnoupal army check post around 9 am.
The passengers from the Tata Sumo were made to get down before reaching the said army check point as usual and walk through the check point. Suddenly, a Manipuri speaking personnel conducted verification of each of the male passengers, asking for their personal identity cards as they were walking across the check point.
Thereafter, passengers numbering about 13 males who were unable to produce their identity cards were detained and taken into the nearby army barrack and interrogated one after the other on their reasons for their visit to Moreh.
Many of the male passengers who were known to each other because of their business in Moreh. All were then brutally assaulted. Robin said he was beaten with a bludgeon several times on his back and knees which resulted in the total damage of his mobile phone also.
One of the personnel also took away Rs. 4,500 in cash from his pocket and he saw many other passengers being brought into the same barrack one after the other to be given third degree treatment.
Some of them were also taken away and sent back in half conscious state and detained till this afternoon. Meanwhile, another victim identified as RK Dhanajit Singh, 29, son of RK Sanajaoba Singh of Wangkhei Hijam Leikai who runs a shop at Moreh and who came with his wife this afternoon, said that the passengers of the Tata Sumo in which he along with his wife and other passengers from Moreh were travelling reached Tengnoupal army check point around this noon.
He also said all passengers walked across the first army check post at Tengnoupal as usual and two personnel standing near the check post suddenly asked the male passengers to produce their identity cards.
Three of them were brought to an isolated room in the camp where he saw several male persons with signs of torture. He further said another personnel entered the room and announced in Hindi for three persons including him to step out. On his inability to produce his identity card he informed the AR personnel that he was a BE student who had left his studies and had lost his card.
At this another AR personnel who was drunk entered the room and assaulted him with firewood several times at his back and knees and later he was taken into a small interrogation room where he found an elderly man who was a handyman of a JCB lying there in half conscious state after he was subjected to electric shock.
He said after being detained for some time in the room, they were called by an officer in civil dress and set free around 2 pm. The wife of RK Dhanajit, named Chitrabala, said that soon after the male passengers were detained by the army at their camp, all the Tata Sumos remained parked beyond the Tengnoupal army post waiting for their release till this afternoon.
She further said following the prolonged detention all the women passengers got down from their respective vehicles and gathered at the gate of Tengnoupal demanding release of the male passengers this afternoon. After the post commander of the army post was informed he came out in civil dress to where the women passengers were gathered and thereafter all the detained passengers were released one after the other. However, three of the passengers were detained further in the Ar custody at Tengnoupal, they added.
Thornbill on goodwill mission to Nagaland morungexpress
Elizabeth Thornbill, Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in New Delhi.
Dimapur :On a goodwill mission to meet and interact with representatives from different sections of society, visiting Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Elizabeth Thornbill expressed her keen desire to return to Nagaland saying that she felt ‘welcomed and at home among the Nagas’. Ending her maiden three day trip to Nagaland, Thornbill while interacting with senior journalists at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur said that people whom she met in Nagaland ‘appreciated’ the ‘values’ and culture of America and hoped that there will be a continuing dialogue towards ‘mutual understanding’ of problems and shared interests.
Coming across as a strong votary of dialogue and public diplomacy, Thornbill spoke on the need to communicate with citizens in other societies and to take a common approach to solving problems whether it is global warming, violence, HIV/AIDS, trafficking and all. Advocating the need to explore avenues for greater people-to-people contact, Thornbill in particular suggested student exchange programs. In this regard, she informed that an agreement was signed recently between the US Government and the Government of India for financing educational exchange programs known as the US-India Educational Foundation, awarding ‘Fulbright-Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarships and Grants’.
The visiting US official also took several suggestions to enhance the opportunities available especially for the Northeast so that the region and its people can also benefit from the initiatives such as the Fulbright program. Thornbill also assured that publicity material about such programs will be highlighted through the local media in future. When queried about the silence of the US government to the recent religious violence in Orissa and whether Washington was too caught up with the euphoria of the India-US nuclear deal, Thornbill while expressing her concern over the Orissa violence made a note to take up the matter with her higher-ups in the US Embassy. It may be mentioned that Thornbill had earlier served as Program Officer in Kolkata in the early 1980s. After that she returned to Washington as Desk Officer for Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Subsequently she occupied public affairs position at US embassies in Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Her most recent assignment was as Cultural Affairs Officer in Cairo where among other duties, she served as the Ambassador’s representatives on the Board of the US-Egypt Fulbright Commission. Thornbill was accompanied by Smita Basu, US Consulate Kolkata.
Army Killings Fuelling Insurgency in Northeast Agencies
New Delhi, September 15 (Agencies): The Indian government should fully prosecute army, paramilitary, and police personnel responsible for killings and torture in the northeastern state of Manipur, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Human rights violations by Indian security forces have fueled the armed opposition in Manipur. Armed groups have carried out torture, killings, indiscriminately used bombs and land mines, engaged in forced recruitment, and conducted widespread extortion.
The 79-page report, “These Fellows Must Be Eliminated: Relentless Violence and Impunity in Manipur”, documents the failure of justice in the state, where for 50 years the army, empowered and protected by the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), has committed numerous serious Human Rights violations.
“Soldiers and police are protected by laws granting immunity and officials unwilling to hold them accountable for serious crimes”, said Meenakshi Ganguly, senior researcher on south Asia at Human Rights Watch and author of the report. “These laws perpetuate human rights abuses, which drive civilians to seek the protection of one or other armed group”.
The report details the failure of justice in the killing and possible rape of alleged militant Thangjam Manorama Devi by the paramilitary Assam Rifles in 2004. Repeated attempts to identify and punish those responsible for her death have been stalled by the army, which has received protection under the immunity provisions of the AFSPA.
The report documents specific cases of extrajudicial executions and torture by soldiers, paramilitaries, and police in Manipur since 2006, and the Indian government’s failure to curb the abuses. Torture of detainees, in particular severe beatings during interrogations of suspected militants and their supporters, remains common. Torture victims described to Human Rights Watch how they were arbitrarily arrested, beaten, and subjected to electric shocks and simulated drowning (waterboarding).
Extrajudicial killings often followed a consistent pattern in which the military or police took a person into custody, often in front of eyewitnesses, who was later declared to have been killed in an armed encounter with militants. Such faked “encounter killings” often occurred when security forces suspected someone to be a militant, but did not have enough evidence to ensure a conviction. On occasion, government officials or members of the armed forces would later admit to relatives that a person had been killed by “mistake.” This claim is never made officially, so in police records the victim remains identified as a militant, and avenues for redress remain closed.
“Security forces are bypassing the law and killing people on suspicion that they are militants instead of bringing them before a judge,” said Ganguly. “In the name of national security and armed forces morale, the state protects abusers and leaves Manipuris with no remedy to secure justice”. Human Rights Watch called on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to act on the findings of the committee he appointed to review the AFSPA in Manipur. Created after weeks of protests in Manipur following the killing of Manorama in 2004, the committee led by Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy recommended in 2005 that the AFSPA be repealed. The Indian government has failed to take action on the committee’s recommendation.
India has also ignored concerns and recommendations by United Nations human rights bodies calling for a review of the AFSPA. For example, in 1997 the UN Human Rights Committee said that the continued use of the AFSPA in Manipur was tantamount to using emergency powers and recommended that the application of these powers be monitored to ensure compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In 2007, the Committee on the Elimination Racial Discrimination (CERD) called for India to repeal the AFSPA and to replace it “by a more humane Act” in accordance with the recommendation contained in the leaked Jeevan Reddy committee report. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in February 2007 urged India to provide information on the steps being taken to abolish or reform the AFSPA.
“The Indian government has not only ignored the pleas of ordinary Manipuris and UN human rights bodies to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, but has even ignored the findings of its own committee,” said Ganguly. “This reflects the sort of callousness that breeds anger, hate and further violence.”
In addition to repeal of the AFSPA, Human Rights Watch recommended that the government of India and the state government of Manipur should investigate and prosecute government officials, including members of the armed forces, police, and paramilitary responsible for human rights violations; arrest and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those found responsible for the 2004 killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi; armed groups in Manipur should publicly denounce abuses committed by any militant group and ensure that there is appropriate accountability for such abuses and that they should immediately stop the abduction and recruitment of children into their forces.
Govt has lost original map of Nagaland TNN vishwa.mohan@timesgroup.com




NEW DELHI: The government has lost all "original documents" — comprising details of boundaries — of Nagaland, in a glaring instance of callous handling of vital public documents. The Union home ministry and the Assam government, which originally kept the records of Nagaland, do not even have the valid "map" of the state which ironically is in the throes of violence sparked by the demand to carve out Greater Nagaland by extending the existing boundaries of the state.

The matter came as a shock to home ministry officials when it was brought to light for the first time by Nagaland during its submission before the Local Commission on the Assam-Nagaland Border here last week.

In response to the commission's direction to submit before it the original documents of the state to settle boundary disputes, Nagaland said it was not in a position to give the written statement unless "its original documents which were purportedly lost by Assam" were returned.
Sources in the ministry said that though several important documents "in original" belonging to Nagaland were earlier submitted to the home ministry and were later passed on to Assam, nobody seemed to know what happened to those "original documents".

The commission has now asked the home ministry and Survey of India to help trace Nagaland's original documents and report the matter to it in the next meeting. Confirming the commission's direction, a senior home ministry official said the Survey of India office has been contacted to salvage the records. A meeting will take place next month when all the stakeholders — Centre, Nagaland and Assam — will try to find a way out if Survey of India fails to come out with some concrete records, he added.

"The final solution will be to reconstruct the boundaries all over again, which may not be an easy task," the official said, adding the issue may have some far-reaching implications at a time when the ongoing peace talks with NSCN (IM) also hinges around settling the boundary dispute with Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Areas dominated by Naga tribes remained split between Assam and the then North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) till 1963 when the statehood was finally granted to Nagaland.

Lohe questions Naga Contradictions morungexpress
Dimapur, September 14 (MExN): Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Z. Lohe today decided to do away with “niceties” in the 11th Convocation Service of the Indian Institute of Missiology. He was unable to keep away the stark reality of the Naga society from the congregation, a reality he termed “to be most fit to have introspection”.
He took to flaying the pretentious, self-righteous and self-serving ways the “Naga movement” had come to hone, as well as Naga church leaders who failed to protect the life and property of “your members from the hand of anti-people elements by putting your tail between your legs.”
Lohe opined that for the last many years the Naga people have not been in ‘our best form due to fragmentation into factions resulting in fratricidal killings just for territorial supremacy’. He expressed disagreement with Nagas who simply enjoy conferring “the honor for patriotism to a Naga for killing another Naga” and also disagreed “conferring the title of martyrdom to the unfortunate victim although unjustly killed”.
Thus, Lohe said, pseudo-patriotism has depleted the spirit of true Naga patriotism. Lohe maintained that Nagaland is popular, not for any good accomplishment but for the “degeneration of spiritual life” and because of converting “Nagaland for Christ” into an ‘amphitheatre’ where “head-hunting is exhibited in practice by its best youths.”
Lohe also referred to the elections in Nagaland as not democratic but “money-cratic” where votes of Naga Christian voters are ‘costlier’ by far. “Naturally it costs Naga economy dearly”, he remarked. He also said that political parties have found many Church leaders get thoroughly ‘diluted’ during elections and many preachers and prayer group members are found to be more capable than professional politicians, in wooing voters.
Stating that the present day Naga society is afflicted by fratricidal killing between the so-called “national workers”, corruption, laziness and drug abuse, Lohe maintained that to a large extent, it was the public, meaning Naga Christians, that force in corruption of politicians. He also condemned the replacement of the hard-work culture and self-reliance of Naga forefathers and elders with that of dependency, laziness and ‘cultured-begging’. And this is not to mention increased alcoholism, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS in the state, he said.
Strongly reiterating his belief that the ailing Naga society needed sacrificial Nehemiahs and bold Nathans, Lohe questioned the spiritual leaders if it was not true that “several reverends and pastors have failed to protect the life and property of your members from the hand of anti-people elements by putting your tail between your legs.”
“Had you, the most blameless and non-partisan leaders, stood firm and bold enough to rise up to the occasion more Uriahs would have been saved. Are the Church leaders not responsible for misguiding the Naga national workers to certain extent in several respects for personal and selfish interest?” demanded the political advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland.
The politician also expressed concern over the mushrooming theological colleges in Dimapur as to whether all these colleges are manned by qualified teachers producing quality theologians. ‘Quality in the sense that they are theologically and spiritually trained’ he said. He also suggested that these theologians should be trained not only spiritually and theologically but also vocationally. He concluded that our churches would reflect what theological colleges have produced and provided to them.
KUKI BLACK DAY Lenin H Kuki
With probity and accolade to the departed souls, the KNO entreat all the people, the Kukis in particular, to solemnize 13 September (Kuki Black Day) as a day of prayer for peace and forgiveness and no ill-will towards others.
Though some critics may speak against the observance of Kuki Black Day, it is customary practice of the Kuki people to pay honour and tribute to those beloved departed souls. Such an occasion is called “Sahnit Nikho”. At the same time, it is also not against the beliefs and tenets of Christianity to mourn and pray for the bereaved family.
On the occasion of Black Day, it is relevant to recollect or narrate briefly the most gruesome event recorded in the history of Christians in Manipur, i.e. the Zoupi/Zanglenphai massacre.
“The Naga cry against human rights abuse perpetrated by the Indian army for over fifty years was, completely overshadowed by one incident of Zoupi village on 13 September 1993”.
The above remark made by Yambem Laba, a noted journalist from Manipur, refers to one of the many horrific incidents in which NSCN (IM) and its acolyte Nagalim Guard cadres at gunpoint tied up and butchered 108 innocent Kuki men. That, 88 villagers of Zoupi and Zanglenphai died on the spot, not far from Tamei police station, and another 20 innocent Kukis exterminated from Gelnal, Santing and Nungthut in separate incidents on that fateful day, decimating them with machetes and spears, deserve to called nothing less than a mindless massacre. In fact the NSCN (IM) served notice to the Kukis to quit Zoupi village by 15 September. In spite of the people leaving the village on the 13 September, two days ahead of the deadline served, they were mercilessly annihilated. The atrocities committed on the innocent Kuki villagers and those who stand for justice clearly violate not only basic human rights, but also contradict NSCN (IM)’s slogan, ‘Nagaland for Christ’. Need anything more be said!
Nevertheless, the KNO, in the name of our gracious Lord Jesus seek forgiveness for those who committed the worst sin and crime, and pray for peace and solace for those hapless widows and orphans. As the God of the Bible says; “Love your enemies …. And pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”.
However, KNO expresses concern over the discriminatory attitude of the Manipur government and the Manipuris (Meiteis) concerning the death of hundreds of innocent Kukis in the blood-stained hands of NSCN (IM) compared to the hue and cry over the death of 18 Meiteis in the hands of state security forces. It is undoubtedly manifested that the Meities of Imphal valley, till today has a prejudiced mindset and maintain a chauvinistic attitude towards the hill peoples despite the contradictory sloganeering of “Hingmin nasi” and “Ching-Tam ama tani”.
Long live Zale’n-gam!

Lenin H Kuki Secretary, Information and Publicity
Kuki National Organisation (KNO) MANMASI

Nagaland to develop new facilities to attract tourists The Hindu
Kohima (PTI): Nagaland has urged the Centre to further relax Restricted Area Permit to facilitate foreign tourists to come to the state, the government told the assembly.
Apart from developing infrastructure like improving trekking routes, accommodation and construction of a helipad have been planned to attract more tourists to famous Dzukhu valley, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Itachu informed the House.
During January-August, 548 foreign tourists and 15,219 domestic tourists visited Nagaland, he said.
But, Congress Legislature Party leader Chingwang Konyak alleged that foreign tourists were being harassed by police personnel at every check gate in the name of verifying travel documents. He suggested verification of travel documents of foreigners at the entry point to the state - airport, rail station or inter-state check gates.
Nagaland’s rival NSCN factions close to historic reunion By Sindh Today
Dimapur (Nagaland), Sep 12 (IANS) Two warring tribal separatist groups in Nagaland are close to a historic reunification, ending decades of a violent fratricidal gang war in the region, said rebel leaders.
The two National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) groups, one led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah (NSCN-IM), and the other faction headed by S.S. Khaplang (NSCN-K), have been engaged in a bitter turf war for territorial supremacy with an estimated 500 cadres killed in the past four years.
The two factions are also operating a ceasefire with New Delhi - the NSCN-IM is currently holding talks with the Indian government after entering into a truce in 1997.
The Khaplang faction of the NSCN is yet to begin formal peace talks although it entered into a ceasefire in 2001.
The peace attempt is being brokered by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, the apex body of various civil society and rights groups in Nagaland, backed by the powerful Baptist Church in the state. Helping the Forum in its efforts are conflict resolution experts from the Britain-based Religious Society of Friends, whose members are commonly known as Quakers, besides some members from the American Baptist Church.
‘We are ready for peace and trying our level best if at all they (NSCN-K) want reconciliation,’ R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN-IM leader, told IANS.
‘The process may take time, but we are positive.’
The NSCN had split into two factions in 1988 following ideological differences and since then were waging a violent turf war in the region.
‘We had several rounds of meetings in South Asian cities with leaders of the two NSCN groups and now we held the first such reconciliation meet in Dimapur (Nagaland’s commercial hub) on Tuesday where 21 members from the two sides met,’ said Reverend Wati Aiyer, leader of the Forum.
‘The talks were positive and we hope the two factions would reconcile soon.’
Said Hokato Sumi, a senior NSCN-K leader: ‘We welcome any move by any NGO or church bodies for peace. The meeting was very positive.’
Several attempts made by different church groups in Nagaland have failed to unite the two rival factions.
‘Unless there is some understanding and points of acceptance, the future of peace dawning in the state is remote. We have been trying hard and still continuing with our efforts,’ said Reverend Zhabu Theruza, leader of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council.
Nagaland, where more than 25,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency since India’s independence from Britain in 1947, is a majority Christian state of two million people.
Some Reflections on Naga Ceasefire by U A Shimray Mainstream
The Indo-Naga peace talks between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim [IM] and the Government of India have sojourned many places like Paris,1 Bangkok,2 Zurich, Geneva, Amsterdam, Hague and New Delhi. An indefinite ceasefire or “sine die” was declared at a lesser known place called Dimapur [Nagaland] on July 31, 2007. Naga grassroot civil society organisations including the Naga Hoho demanded “No Solution, No Extension of Ceasefire”. Interestingly, a press statement issued by the Ministry of the 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. So far there is no sight of any political solution but there is a confused reflection.
Ceasefire and Special Economic Zone [SEZ]
INDEED, the remote North-Eastern region [NER] has also been affected by the wave of “globalisation”. The wave is in the form of market and resource extraction. Recently, the Government of India has proposed dozens of dams in Arunachal and Sikkim, uranium mining in Meghalaya and SEZs3 in Nagaland. Further the region is seen as a “hot-spot” to promote economic investments through multilateral agencies like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank and also the proposed Asian railways and Trans-Asian Highway to East Asia. However, all these developmental activities are silenced by the environmental aspects and socio-cultural implications. Undoubtedly, such a trend of investment inevitably would change the very face of the region.
Neo-liberal economic ‘reforms’ in India saw intense protests against SEZs4 in places like Raigad [Maharashtra], Jhajjhar [Haryana] and Nandigram [West Bengal] cutting across all sections of people. Against this backdrop ‘it will be worthwhile to examine the situation in Nagaland’. Mr Rio-led DAN Nagaland Government invited multilateral agencies and trustees like Ratan Tata for SEZs. The Nagaland State is the first state in the NER that was registered on the map of the upcoming SEZs. Two SEZs has been approved. The first one is to be developed by Messers H.N. Company in Dimapur. The second proposed SEZ is related with a Specific Agro Food Processing Special Economic Zone and to convert the existing Export Promotion Industrial Park [EPIP] at Ganeshnagar, which is to be promoted by the Nagaland Industrial Development Cooperation Limited [NIDC]. Mr Pillai, the Commerce Secretary, said: “The multi-product zone proposed in Nagaland will come up over 400 hectares and the land is in possession of the developer.” [Expressindia.com, July 12, 2007] A daily from Nagaland reported: “…a group of Ministers, set up to finalise a relief and rehabilitation policy, today decided in Delhi to give the 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, August 31, 2007]
Coincidently, all these activities are taking place in the period of the Indo-Naga peace process. After two decades of “silence” the Government of India is keen enough to have parleys with the Nagas that also interestingly in the so-called liberalisation era. At the same time, New Delhi’s policy-makers term Naga political movement as the “mother of insurgency”. In this regard, Misra [2000: 59] wrote: “Any settlement [with Nagas] would obviously prove to be of great disadvantage to the other militant outfits of the region.”5 As per Misra’s line, New Delhi by any “means” requires to tame the Naga insurgency for economic benefits. As of now, New Delhi is so keen to poach into India’s North-East resources, extract properties, and tap the natural-power in the name of development without taking the people into consideration [read as public hearing]. Therefore, this in turn creates doubts over the veracity of the sine die ceasefire reached between New Delhi and the NSCN-IM. In spite of eleven years of ceasefire, the talks are yet to come out with any political understanding. Ceasefire and Development
APART from SEZs, Nagaland indicated a positive nod to the ONGC and Canoro Resources Ltd. to extract crude oil from Champang, under the Wokha district.6 According to the report, the Canoro President is in touch with the NSCN-IM. Canora further said that the Naga underground outfit has expressed support if the company’s oil ambitions are consonant with the ‘wishes of the people’. Also, for the company, considering the history of the Naga people, it is imperative that the people’s sentiments as well as of the government be kept in focus. The report mentioned that the stakeholders include the Nagaland Government, the local public, Naga outfits and ONGC.7 Interesting enough, how can the NSCN-IM claim ownership of the Champang Oil Fields and also who gives them the right to negotiate with Canoro? In this case there are four parties—the ONGC, Canoro. NSCN-IM and State Government—but the people’s development issues are not taken seriously.
Sometimes reflections cause “uneasiness”. A 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.”8 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’s employment Nagaland is sold to the “arms/war-race” company in the land of the 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.
Bangalore based human rights activist, Mr 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.”9
If these trends continue, the Naga traditions, values and subsistence economies would be destroyed in the name of growth induced development. As a result, the Naga community would be alienated from their culture, economy, and polity due to displacement. This would further increase conflicts and tension in the region.
In fact such economic incentive is rather observed as an “unhealthy” trend. The basic point here is that the Naga Hills are really on the way to “economic-shining”, that would be based on the market economy. On the other hand, the market has the potential tools that will create social classes based on economic assets [so-called middle-class/upper class]. In fact such a trend could detour the support base of the any socio-political movement in the region. Nevertheless, economic policies driven by the liberal economic process would undermine or rather dilute the Naga political issue. Or, can economic investment “rescue” the Naga political imbroglio? This invites serious thought.
Moreover, it is in contrast with the Special Status guaranteed to the Nagaland State under the Indian Constitution: “no Act of Parliament in respect of- religious, social practices, customary law and procedure, ownership and transfer of land and its resources…”10 Remarks
INDEED, the Naga society is in a state of socio-political transition. The transition is now incorporated with the wave of globalisation. This wave bears enormous and powerful forces that can dilute not only the Naga political movement but the basic values of Nagas’ livelihood. At this juncture, one can reflect upon the Tibet scenario too. 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 the Chinese Government developed the region within a short span of time. The whole article highlighted the good work done for Tibet by the Chinese. New Delhi seems to be emulating the Chinese model not only in the case of SEZs, but also in dealing with the political aspirations in the struggles for self-determination.
NOTES
1. Meeting with Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao on June 12, 1995 for the ceasefire and peace talks.
2. First meeting with the Indian Representatives, including Swaraj Kaushal, Special Emissary to the Prime Minister, Shyamal Dutta, IB Director and S. Kumar, Joint Director IB after officially declared ceasefire and peace talks on August 1, 1997.
3. Today, the North-Eastern region becomes the main focus in Delhi’s policy. The region has many packages like- “Vision 2020: Peace, Progress and Prosperity in the North eastern Region”, “Look East policy”, and the newly created Public Diplomacy Division [PDD] in the Ministry of External Affairs [MEA] is keen enough to learn about the North-East. Rajiv Sikri, Secretary, East, MEA, said: “Envisage the NE region not as the periphery of India, but as the centre of a thriving and integrated economic space linking two dynamic regions with a network of highways, railways, transmission lines crisscrossing the region.” [Moirangthem, 2008, “North-East: Bridging India and ASEAN”. The Sangai Express, November 27, 2007]
4. Kannan [2008: 32] wrote: “Land in a single piece, capable of being fenced off so that it can be treated as a ‘foreign territory,’ is the fundamental precondition of the ‘Special Economic Zone.” [“Of public purpose and private profit,” Seminar, February]
5. Misra, Udayon, 2000, The Periphery Strikes Back: Challenges to the Nation-State in Assam and Nagaland, Shimla: Indian Institute of Advanced Study.
6. The editorial of Economic and Political Weekly [August 4, 2007] observed: “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.”
7. “Champang Oil: US $ 115 million for Nagaland Government,” The Morung Express, August 31, 2007.
8. The Telegraph [April 12, 2007] under the caption of “Armoured for Big Business—Defence equipment firm chooses Nagaland over Malaysia”.
9. Observation, thoughts and reflections based on interaction with Naga civil society in Dimapur, Kohima and Mokochung in Nagaland from 26th to 30th July 2006. [Memo].
10. Article 371[A] of Indian Constitution.
The author belongs to the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore. He can be contacted at e-mail : uashimray@isec.ac.in
Thailand seeks road, rail links with NE Surajit khaund Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 16 – Deputy Permanent Secretary of Thailand Government Norachit Sinhaseni has favoured road and railway links with the North East India to improve the bilateral trade. Talking to this correspondent here today, Sinhaseni said that a railway link connecting Thailand-Myanmar and the North East India would definitely boost the volume of trade in three countries. “If we want to increase our present volume of trade, we must develop road and transportation linkages,” he said.

Asked whether the Thai Government would put forward any project for the railway link, the senior official under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We are ready for any fruitful project. Trans-Asian Highway project is already underway and we can undertake similar kind of railway projects with active support from the Indian Government.”

Sinhaseni has come to Guwahati to participate in the 4th North East Business Summit. In this context, he said that Thailand is also keen to explore avenues in agro-based industry in the North East. “Agro-based products are available in the region and therefore we are in favour of initiating joint venture projects with the traders of the North East,” he informed.

Providing more information on his future plan, Sinhaseni revealed that Thailand is also interested in investing in infrastructure and telecom sectors in the region. “This region is a high-potential area. Moreover, we have close historic ties with the North East. So we are really looking forward to establishing investment links,” he observed.

On Indo-Thai trade, he said that the bilateral trade between the countries has been picking up gradually. “Last year we had a target of $4 billion, but we surpassed the target and the existing trade is likely to go up to 38% this year. We want to increase our trade with India,” he added.

Meanwhile, trade bodies of the State have welcomed the decision of the Thai official for showing keen interest in the region. RS Joshi, chairman of Federation of Industry of North Eastern Region (FINER) said that foreign investment in the North East is always a positive move. “We are making efforts to attract more investments into the region so that traders can extract the benefits,” he added. Industry and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA) also hailed the initiative taken by the Thai official, saying it would further boost the trade relations among the people of Thailand and the North East.

Ulfa killing miffs Assam cops - Army’s unilateral decision will harm peace process, feel police officers A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Sept. 15: The killing of Ulfa leader Sasanka Baruah has opened a can of worms with civil and police officials in the Unified Command, headed by chief minister Tarun Gogoi, lodging a strong protest with the army for its unilateral role in eliminating the militant. Senior police officials under the Unified Command today said these kinds of unilateral decisions by the army would complicate the peace process.
“This kind of unilateral decision by a few army officers will become a hurdle in our efforts to convince more Ulfa cadres to join the peace process,” a police officer said. The police’s displeasure has been communicated to the army while a formal protest will be lodged during the next meeting of the strategy group of the Unified Command within a few days.
The police officer said it was because of the “hardline approach” by the army that Bijoy Chinese, the commander of the B company of the 28 battalion, had decided against joining the ceasefire group.
“Chinese was very interested to join the ceasefire group but decided against it soon after the army started killing some senior cadres in Upper Assam,” the officer said.
The protest comes in the wake of the pro-peace group of Ulfa blaming the army of killing Sasanka in cold blood.
Mrinal Hazarika, one of the leaders of the pro-peace group, has even threatened to call off the ceasefire if such senseless killings continue.
Another leader of the pro-peace group, Jiten Dutta, while blaming the army for the cold-blooded killing, said it was trying to destabilise the peace process.
“A few army officers are not happy with the peace process. These officers want to create a rift between the pro-peace group and the Ulfa leadership,” he said.
To add fuel to the fire, Bokakhat police today stumbled on evidence that Sasanka was holed up in a private tourist lodge in Kaziranga National Park in the name of Ajit Gogoi who went missing on September 11, a day before the Ulfa militant was killed.
The owner of the lodge had filed a complaint with the police that the person who was staying in the room had gone missing.
The police found that the man, who had entered his name as Ajit Gogoi from Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh, resembled the photograph of Sasanka.
The police recovered a mobile phone, a sealed envelope wrapped in a towel and clothes from the room.
The sub-divisional police officer of Bokakhat, Nobin Singh, said Ajit Gogoi checked into the hotel in the evening of September 11.
He went for dinner in a nearby hotel later that night but did not return.
“As of now we can only say that Ajit Gogoi is still missing. Investigations are on,” he said.
Sources said unidentified persons who had come in two vehicles forced Ajit Gogoi into a vehicle from near a hotel around 8pm.
The army claimed Sasanka died in an encounter inside Dirok reserve forest in Tinsukia district on September 12, a day after Ajit Gogoi went missing from the Kaziranga lodge.
The distance between Kaziranga National Park and Dirok reserve forest in Tinsukia district is nearly 350km and it takes nearly seven hours to cover the stretch.
The army had also claimed that it had busted an attempt by Ulfa to reassemble its 28 battalion after it split to form the pro-talks group.
The army claims it had specific information that Sasanka was travelling from Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh to Margherita in Tinsukia through the Dirok reserve forest.
The army laid a trap and killed him in an encounter.
Ansari asks NE states to play their role in Look East Policy Nagaland Page

GUWAHATI, SEPTEMBER 15: Vice-president Hamid Ansari on Monday asked the Northeastern states to adopt innovative and concerted approaches in economic and trade arrangements to make the Look East Policy a reality.
This, he said, would not only ensure closer integration with the national economy but also with economies of the neighbouring countries of the region as well.
"The Look East Policy is not just a foreign policy initiative. It is an amalgam of a strategic shift in our global perspective, an aspect of our economic reform process focused on enlargement of our external economic engagement accompanied by renewal of civilization linkages with our neighbours in south east and East Asia," Ansari said while inaugurating the fourth North East Business Summit in Guwahati.
There is a very important external dimension to economic development and growth of business and entrepreneurship in the Northeastern region, he said.
The Look East Policy is also complemented with a "Look Around Policy" of closer economic and political partnership with neighbouring countries in the SAARC region, he added.
"The Northeast is at the focus of all these multifaceted initiatives. Southeast begins where north east India ends.
Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan are central to ensuring sustainable economic development through close cooperation and partnership", Ansari added.
The North Eastern Region Vision 2020 document, released by the Prime Minister in July this year, had noted that the region should play "the arrow-head role....in the vanguard of the country's Look East policy".
The Vice-president pointed out that the institutional structures for increasing economic cooperation and trade were being put in place like the commitment of all SAARC countries to implement SAFTA in letter and spirit.
The institutional structures which were being put in place must be harnessed and "only then will there be real and tangible dividends for the people of the region", he said.
The Indo-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement negotiations have been completed and "lies at the core of our engagement with ASEAN," he said.
Besides ASEAN, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and the Mekong Ganga Cooperation bring together Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam and finally the East Asia summit provides a forum to take forward the vision of an Asian economic community.
"All these efforts must be seen within the context of the objectives of the vision statement of an imaginative leap in the foreign policy, defence policy and internal security... to end the geo-political isolation of the north east and launch it on the growth path," Ansari said. (PTI)



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