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10/29/2008: "Naga talks: Govt taking closer look at accords Nirendra Dev The Statesman"

Naga talks: Govt taking closer look at accords
Nirendra Dev The Statesman

NEW DELHI, Oct. 28: Wary about disturbing the 11-year-old Naga peace process and wanting the parleys with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) to continue, the government is working overtime studying various pros and cons of previous accords signed between ultras and the Centre.
“Home ministry mandarins are examining closely various agreements signed between the Naga insurgents and the government since the 1940s when insurgency took root in the northeast,” sources said here. Official sources said the Naga parleys have always been “hyper-sensitive” and therefore ought to be treated with caution.
The next round of talks in slated for the Hague in the Netherlands, the first time on foreign soil since 1997 when the peace process had begun during the I K Gujral regime. The government side is to be represented by the Union minister, Mr Oscar Fernandes, minister of state in the PMO, Mr Prithviraj Chauhan, and Prime Minister’s interlocutor Mr K Padmanabhaiah, a former Union home secretary. From the ultra camp, top leaders NSCN (IM) chairman Mr Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Mr Thuingaleng Muivah will participate at the parleys.
Pressure seems to be mounting on the government as the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, told the Governors’ meeting in Delhi recently that the Naga peace talks are not progressing well. Insurgent representatives had staged a walkout from a peace monitoring cell meeting near Dimapur in Nagaland citing bureaucratic hurdles in the negotiation process. Among various parleys between the government and the Naga groups from time to time, the chief bone of contention relates to “Greater Nagaland” dispute.
The great labyrinth of Naga integration CJ: dhruva saikia
There are 66 Naga tribes in India and Myanmar. 15 tribes are recognised by Nagaland. Naga integration is a decade long process now but its human side has been mostly overlooked. A calm and collected analysis of the divergence is need of hour..
NAGA INTEGRATION, after insurgency and drugs, is the most relevant topic in and outside Nagaland about this state and its people. Experts and interested people from different backgrounds perceive Naga integration in divergent modes; and this divergence at no cost should be allowed to serve the purpose of those inimical to Naga interest. Rather, a calm and collected analysis of the divergence is highly called for to make things happen. Appreciation of the divergence is no prelude to compromise. Naga integration can be achieved or deferred, but there is no chance it can be manipulated because it is their birthright.

There are as many as three interpretations of the Naga integration bid which needs a connecting bridge; I mean three divergent approaches can be noticed to this much talked about issue - number one - the Naga angle, number two - the Assam-Manipur-Arunachal angle and the third - the Delhi angle.

Nagas never lived under a king unlike Hindus, Muslims and the British. The utmost challenge for Naga integration seekers is to establish the fact that Naga integration is not Naga imperialism. But in order to do that, Naga leaders should figure out what makes non-Nagas think so. There are always justifications for wrong concepts because what is right for one is often wrong for another.

Again, the failure on the part of non-Naga intelligentsia to grasp the tribal attachment to territory, the tribal philosophy of sovereignty and unawareness of Nagaland’s inaugural humiliation at the public meeting addressed by the two prime ministers of Burma and India only widens the Naga-non Naga gulf that is perpetually under turmoil.

The Naga attachment to territory, a distinctive tribal characteristic, needs elucidation for a hold on the subject of Naga integration. The apex body of Naga tribes Naga Hoho compiled and published white paper on Naga Integration in January, 2002, in a book form wherein we find names of the sixty six ‘authentic and bonafide’ Naga tribes.

An expert committee appointed by Naga Hoho prepared the list consulting a 1992 gazette publication besides seven other scholarly books. This is a clear indication of the enormity and delicacy of the Naga integration exercise.

The Naga Hoho white paper states that sixty six Naga tribes are domiciled in Myanmar and four Indian states of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Seven Naga tribes in Myanmar and India are Anal, Kayo, Konyak, Tikhir, Tangkhul, and Yimchunger, Khiamnungam; 28 tribes in India alone are Angami, Ao, Chakesang, Chiru, Chothe, Hewa, Inpui, Lamkang, Liangmai, Lotha, Maram, Mao, Maring, Moyon, Monsang, Phom, Pochury, Poumai, Rengma, Rongmei, Sangtam, Singpho, Sumi, Tarao, Thangal, Tangsa, Wanchao and Zeme.

The 30 Naga tribes found in Myanmar are: Cheril, Chirr, Heimi, Kharam Khaklak/Hkaklak, Kayo, Khaklak/Hkalkak, Kengu, Laihe, Lainung, Macharay/makury/Makhori, Malang, Nokho/Noko, Nokte, Nolang, Namshik, 17. Pakang, Phellongri, Phango, Phankem, Pangmi, Pangu, Para, Rangpan, Rasit, Rekho, Saplo, Shangphuri, Sira, Somi. There is another tribe named Koireng in the Naga Hoho list of 66, but it is not clear where they live.

Naga life is governed by three institutions, namely village, tribe and the Naga Hoho. The Naga village, with their own territory and customary law, is unit of people’s sovereignty. No village entertains outside interference. The second Naga institution is tribe comprising villages of one language known as Hoho. The third institution Naga Hoho, a federation of all Naga tribes, was formed on June 25, 1994, at Wokha and its constitution adopted in 1998.

Nagas did not migrate to Assam or Manipur or Myanmar, instead their land was divided among two countries and four Indian states, maintains the Naga Hoho white paper.

It says, “When British left their south Asian empire in 1947, in spite of six Naga memorandums submitted to them, they left the Naga territory divided with half given to India and the other half to Myanmar. After getting their independence, the two prime ministers of India and Burma, Jawaharlal Nehru and U Nu visited Kohima on March 30, 1963. On this occasion they came to Manipur with the purpose of demarcating their national boundaries. They did this demarcation without inclusion of even a single Naga. Thus the Naga territory was furtively dissected without the consent or knowledge of real land owners.”

What Naga integration means to Nagas is totally incomprehensible for its neighbours due to dissimilar background of the peoples; again the appeal of integration does not relate a parallel exigency for all Nagas. But the most important thing at this juncture is the need for conveying a message that Naga insurgency or Naga freedom struggle is not a corollary to Naga integration, but it is an issue with broader humanistic appeal. The trauma of Nagas outside Nagaland, the dilemma of Nagas seeking home in Nagaland, is a social and cultural catastrophe and a political challenge.

While plight of Harijans and Dalits is a worthwhile obsession of the middle class Indian, why the homeless Nagas, yes Nagas without home and land are overlooked? Because prejudices prevail against Naga values and characteristics, besides a shocking communication gap between Nagaland, its neighbours and the outsiders.

Nagas in Delhi and Dimapur, Assam and Manipur or Mokokchung and Tuensang are passionate about integration though appreciations of the issue by each tribe often fall to pieces.
This diverse approach to Naga integration truly needs a German analysis which would be helpful for an appropriate conclusion. Expedition into Naga disintegration will deliver the integration clue.

Nagas hate to be taken for granted. They are gentle but not meek. But it is Nagas from Manipur who encounter a double edged knife in this sustained unification endeavour. Before the Naga leaders conversing with Delhi can hope to convince them, it is of paramount importance to attain social Naga integration in Dimapur and Kohima. Delhi can give Nagas only administrative integration, but they will sit idle until a Konyak, Mao or Tangkhul says yes too.

Nagas must have realised that they want Delhi to demarcate the territory, but the social structure within that territory would essentially be a Naga discretion. So build the mental society, physical territory is inevitable. Delhi, Manipur or Assam can’t hinder Naga bonhomie.
ZWU urge Kuki groups ‘not to provoke things’ Newmai News Network
Imphal | October 28 : The Zeliangrong Women Union, Tamenglong district in a strong worded press note, has said that the setting ablaze of a passenger bus in Assam by the cadres of Kuki Liberation Organisation/Kuki Liberation Army (KLO/KLA) on October 23 killing two passengers, can invite unwanted consequences.

In a statement, the ZWU-TML District urged the KLO/KLA not to provoke things or else situation may go out of gear. The Zeliangrong women’s body alleged that the Kuki militants on October 23 seemed to have targeted the Zeliangrong passengers. The statement further alleged that after all the passengers had moved out of the vehicle on the fateful night at Loharijan in Assam, the militants shut the vehicle doors although the assailants knew that a woman in Zeliangrong traditional attire was still inside the bus.

After closing the doors from outside, the militants set the bus on fire killing Robert Goimei s/o Dingenang Goimei of Tamenglong and Ginthailiu Gangmei w/o Lanbidimpou Gangmei of Bishenpur, both belonged to Zeliangrong community, alleged the ZWU-TML District.

Meanwhile, family members of both the victims have expresed gratitude to MLA Gaikhangam, MLA Awangbow, MLA Khangthonang, Ex-MLA Samuel Jendai, former Naga vice president Gaingam, Army official of ASC,Aeliangrong Union, AZSU, Rongmei Lu Phuam, Rongmei Christian Church, Dimapur, Zeliangrong Women Union, Tamenglong, Thoiba Longmei, all the doctors who assisted the victims, Zeliangrong Baudi, Nagaland, advocate Alin Kamei, Athiu Remei, RNBA, Athiu Gonmei of Nagaland and all those people who helped the victims brought back the lifeless bodies of the victims to Manipur from Assam.
Bodo outfit asks Bangla migrants to leave Assam Agencies
GUWAHATI, October 28 (Agencies): Apparently as a fallout of the recent communal bloodbath in Darrang and Udalguri districts, Bodo insurgent outfit National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) – now in ceasefire with the Centre – has asked the illegal Bangladeshi migrants to leave Assam. This is the first direct warning by the insurgent group to the illegal Bangladeshi migrants to leave the state since it waged an armed struggle against India in 1986.
“They (illegal Bangladeshi migrants) are a potential threat to the existence of indigenous people of Assam. Therefore, they shall have to leave the state,” said NDFB general secretary Gobinda Basumatary to a group of journalists in Udalguri on Sunday. With most of their leaders either operating from Bangladesh or holed up there, the other insurgent groups of the North-East, including the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), are, however, yet to make their stand clear on the issue of illegal migrants.
“We don’t have any concrete evidence to suggest the involvement of Jehadi elements (in the communal mayhem). But still, we don’t rule out their involvement,” the NDFB general secretary said. He also allayed doubts about the NDFB’s possible nexus with any Jehadi group. “As an organisation, the NDFB is free from any Jehadi influence,” Basumatary said. Officially, 55 persons have died in the riots but unofficial sources claimed that over 200 people have lost their lives. An estimated twolakh people were also affected.
Dismissing allegations about their involvement in the riots, Basumatary said, “A section implicated us in the violence but police never said that we were involved.” Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, suspecting the hand of NDFB in the violence, had warned that he would recommend the abrogation of the Centre- NDFB truce if the outfit was found to have indulged in the violence. The NDFB had first signed the truce pact with the Centre in 2005.
The current term of the three month ceasefire would expire on December 31. The outfit’s demand for a sovereign Bodoland had been turned down by the Centre recently. Commenting on their revised charter of demands served on the Government, Basumatary said, “We submitted the same charter but with slight modifications so that the peace talks could begin.” His indications were that NDFB has not yet dropped the demand of sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the delay in commencement of peace parleys have made a section of the cadres frustrated. “We feel bored here as the authorities have put restrictions on our movement due to security reasons. In fact, we have nothing to do now,” said one of the 250 cadres lodged at Udalguri designated camp. The NDFB general secretary said since it was a longstanding problem, it would take some time before the achievement of any solution. Designated camps in Kokrajhar and Baksa have housed 350 and 250 cadres respectively.
The NDFB is spending about Rs 2 crore per annum for food and clothing of the cadres lodged in the three designated camps. “We are hopeful that the Government would meet the expenses. They have assured to provide us with funds,” Basumatary added.
Refugees refuse to leave relief camps ANI
Darrang, October 28 (ANI): With fears of more violence lurking, residents living in relief camps after being hit by violence between the immigrant Bangladeshi settlers and the Bodo tribals in Assam, refuse to return to their homes. Villagers from both communities, armed with bows and arrows, machetes, spears, and guns targeted rivals. More than 50,000 fled their homes and took shelter in makeshift camps set up by police. The inmates of the camps refuse to return to their villages unless they are provided with security.

“When these incidents had taken place in earlier this month, the situation was very tense. The situation has improved comparatively, but we all living in the relief camps have not been able to muster the courage the go back to our villages,” said Prafulla Bodo, a person living in a relief camp. “My appeal to the government is that these people should be sent to their respected places as soon as possible. They should be provided with proper security because if they keep living in these relief camps, they would have to suffer a lot. And I doubt whether these people can go back to their homes unless security is provided to them,” said Zakir Hussain, a resident.

Tribals in the state have often been at loggerheads with the Bangladesh settlers who have occupied vacant lands over the past few decades. According to police sources, at least 25 people were killed and thousands left homeless in ethnic violence between tribal people and Bangladeshi settlers in Rowta in Assam’s Udalguri district, about 100 km from the state capital Dispur around a fortnight ago. The authorities have called in the army and paramilitary forces to bring the violence under control.