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11/13/2008: "NISC wants South Asian Terrorism Portal to rectify list morungexpress"

NISC wants South Asian Terrorism Portal to rectify list morungexpress

Dimapur, November 13 (MExN): The peace talks between the Government of India and the “Naga people” are on, yet the “rubber stamp approach of the Government of India needs to be criticized”, says the Naga international support center.

A note from the NISC said that the government of India needs to “instruct the management of South Asian Terrorism Portal to rectify its declaration on the NSCN and NDFB and all other organizations which have wrongly been declared”.
The government also needs to direct both the Assam Rifles commanders and the state government to immediately “reform the troops, their commanders and those whom they receive their orders from” according to the NISC. This way, the NISC explained, in the peace talks the “creditworthiness” of the representatives of the Government of India can be restored and ‘there is no more peace talks on while they are being undermined under the table’.

The NISC argued that the South Asian Terrorism Portal, SATP, declared more than 150 Indian organizations as terrorist organizations of which the “National Socialist Council of Nagaland” and the “National Democratic Front” were also. “Yet the Government of India sponsored SATP declined to show evidence to that supposed fact and did not entertain the declaration of the Government of India that the NSCN, with which it is engaged in peace talks for over a decade, is no terrorist organization” the NISC claimed. According to the center, the conflict between India and Nagaland cannot be solved militarily and is not just a matter of law and order, but can only be solved politically. “It should be obvious then to the SATP also that no Government can be present at the negotiation table when the ‘other’ party is a terrorist organization” the NISC said.

The NISC also stated that the 41 battalion of the Assam Rifles at Wokha town under jurisdiction of the state government and with a camp adjacent to the public ground where festivities were held created unprecedented havoc among the Lotha Naga People. “Was it only because the people rose to the occasion and confronted the soldiers who shot blanks at them that their commonly known misbehavior was broadly reported in the local press?” it queried.

The inquiry authorities agreed to conduct inquiry in the wake of the protests against the Assam Rifles deflects the attention from the root cause of this and other now so well reported incidents, the NISC added.
NSCN (IM) ‘condemns act of terrorism of any kind’ morungexpress
Dimapur, November 13 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today asserted to be ‘advocating’ the “protection of human rights” and so ‘condemns’ the “act of terrorism of any kind”. Expressing ‘abhorrence’, the outfit claimed it had “have never taken the path of adventurism in terrorism”.

Stating that on October 17, 2003, the outfit committed itself to a total ban on the use of ‘uncontrolled anti-personal mines by signing the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment,’ an MIP note said “killing each other in combat is all a different matter and does not fall within the ambit of committing atrocious acts of terrorist”.

For this, the NSCN (IM) expressed belief that terrorism is an “antithesis of human rights”. The MIP even asserted that Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nationalism impacted the Nagas’ political struggle as the Nagas are “wedded to non-violent means” to achieve their political aspirations.

“The fact that NSCN endured the burden of political discussion with India for more than 10 years is a clear demonstration of NSCN’s faith in solving any political differences with India through negotiation across the table and not going for blood-bath in the battle field,” the MIP asserted.

In recent period some of the “revolutionary groups” in the Northeast have crossed all limit of “revolutionary ethics”, the outfit stated. “Mention may be made of the bomb blasts in Dimapur, Railway Station in 2006, Imphal bomb blast in Ragailung last month and the latest being in Assam’s Guwahati and Kokrajhar. NSCN condemn such act in strongest term,” it stated while expressing condolences or the victims and their families.

“But at the same time any act that involves victimizing innocent people should never be condone with. NSCN never believe in shedding innocent blood through terrorism. This has been our history and we shall stand by it,” it asserted.

3rd Reconciliation soccer match ends in tie Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, NOV 13 (NPN): Nagaland Post



Widows of ‘Naga national workers’ presenting flowers to ‘United National’ players before the soccer match at DDSC Stadium, Thursday. (NP)
As part of the ongoing initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to reconcile various warring Naga underground factions under the banner ‘A journey of common hope’, members of Naga ‘Civil Society’ and ‘United National’ comprising of Naga underground factions clashed for the third time in the soccer pitch.
The ‘National workers’ who were beaten in the previous ‘Reconciliation’ soccer matches played at Chiang Mai in Thailand (Aug 20) and Kohima (Oct 9) on Thursday put up a spirited fight at DDSC Stadium before a 6000- odd crowd to level the match 3-3.
The goals for United came through the boots of Sangti Konyak and Hopeson, the latter of who scored twice in second half. For the Civil Society, the scorers were Fr. George, Dr. Wati Aier and Vashum. The match was kicked off by‘Gen’ (Rtd) Thenoselie Keyho .
After the match, senior NSCN/GPRN leader Singson,also a one time state player and who played a key role in securing a draw for United said the event was a “sign of oneness among Nagas. Nagas were one and will always be one.” He also said the spirit of oneness and camaraderie should go beyond the soccer field.
Earlier, FNR convenor Dr. Wati Aier in a brief introduction described the occasion as “the moment in our history in which a new order is being born. Today, we are here to witness the death of ‘old age’ of the Nagas and the emergence of the new.”
Dr. Wati lauded leaders of various factions for their commitment and taking the ‘risk’ to bring the new. Urging the people to guard their rights jealously, he said Nagas must discard the false doctrine of ‘exclusivism” and embrace the new order “togetherness.”
The FNR convenor also said the challenge before Nagas in the new order was “good will.”
“The virtues of truth, mercy, justice and peace must stand tall at the centre of our lives. Only then, will ‘emerge a child called reconciliation,’” he added. He further assured that the FNR would never betray the people from its commitment to Naga reconciliation.
Sidelights of the soccer match included ‘Naga national melodies’ presented by Oriental Theological Seminary students, songs by United National choir and orphans of Naga violence. Rev. L Bizo offered invocation prayer while Rev. Loli Kape pronounced the benediction.
Earlier, widows of Naga national workers also presented flowers to ‘United National’ players before the kick off. The programme winded up with a mass prayer led by Rev. Dr. V.K. Nuh.
People without a Country: The Nagas and Nagalim Lungthui Yang Riamei
The Nagas live in Nagalim which literally means “land of the Nagas”. It is mostly a mountainous region with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The area’s natural beauty is reflected in their cultural folklore and traditions. There are no officially recognised borders in Nagalim because the Nagas have never had a state of their own. Nagalim is strategically located in between South Asia and South East Asian region. Nagas live in the Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Burmese state of Kachin and Sagaing sub-division. The population of 4 millions or more are spread out in several thousands villages over 120, 000 sq km land area which is a little larger than the size of South Korea.

The rise of ethnic consciousness and the political demands of many minority or ethnic groups for self-determination have run against the perceived interests of the existing states. History indicates that ethno-nationalism demonstrates politicisation of an identity coincides with the formation of the modern nation state system. Further, the end of Cold War and the process of globalisation unleashed new forces in people groups like the Nagas who were the victim of colonialism. In fact, Nagas are a people without their sovereign power over the territory in which they live.

Ethnic problems like the Nagas’ are not only an internal but also an international problem in several senses. They are divided across international borders (without their consent by the colonial powers) like many other communities of the world: Kashmiri, Punjabis, Palestinians, Baluch, and the Kurds etc. Specifically ‘Nagas’ aspirations and nationalism appear to be strengthening slowly and are likely to affect the future development of other neighbouring states in significant ways. The aspirations of a people in one country thus will directly affect the aspirations and actions of the minority within or across the border. Any pretension to ethnic unification of one of these peoples therefore, does not imply separation of territory from one country but also require a massive redrawing of the national and international boundaries. As a result of this challenge, regional states may cooperate to ensure that cross-boundary ethnic groups are unable to exercise any resurgent nationalism or separatism.

There are certain drawbacks in the process of the Nagas’ fight for self-determination. Nagas struggle for independence reached its zenith during A.Z Phizo. Unfortunately, the 16- Points Agreement with the government of India and creation of the present Nagaland state had shattered the dream of the Nagas. In fact, this has created antagonism amongst the Nagas. Had they not signed the Agreement, Nagas status could have been in different level by now. Since then, many promising Naga leaders were hypnotised by the Indian political system. The Nagas’ political struggle is not in accord with the theories of national liberation movements. The Naga national movements have lacked peoples’ solidarity and have been dominated by tribal and parochial values. Gradually the fragmented traditionalistic political culture and tribalism has constituted the core of the Nagas forces. As a result the internecine factional clash continues unabated. In this context, the slogan ‘Nagaland for Christ’ does not seem to be justified.

For decades Nagas have suffered brutally and faced systematic assaults from the hands of Indian and Burmese military forces. Nevertheless, the Naga issue continues to stand with its own uniqueness. The Indo-Naga peace process which came into effect in 1997 has not yielded much rather it has been delayed. The delaying tactics played by government of India in the peace process is only to suppress and invalidate the political movement. Therefore, Nagas need to re-think and work out different strategies for solving the problems. It is essential for the Nagas to establish more diplomatic relations with other countries and mobilise to gain international attention. However unless Nagas are united, the struggle for self-determination will not yield even an iota. The sacrifice made by our forefathers and the dreams that they had for the Nagas will remain only as a hypothesis. Once again let us reason and re-think together. Are the Nagas deserved to be call as ‘People without a Country’?
Kuknalim!

Lungthui Yang Riamei
Research Scholar
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Email: loongryamei@gmail.com
‘To be a good watchdog, do not bark unreasonably’ morungexpress
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 12 (MExN): The NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie, has responded yet again, to the NPCC’s ridiculing of his statement on the state media, explaining that his statement had merely been a reply to the queries directed to him. “When some friends asked me about the role played by the media in Nagaland, I have said that they are doing very well, they are second to none,” stated the NPF president adding that the Congress, however, were angry at his statement terming it as silly. He expressed confusion at the anger of Congressmen on the issue since it did not concern them and was a matter between the press and himself.
Shürhozelie added that when he was again asked if he had any advice, he had conveyed his wish that the press be more positive so that negative news do not hit the headlines of the front page every time. This advise was a personal opinion, he said, continuing that “achievements”, according to him, had meant the coverage of achievements of people belonging to various professions, “which, in rare cases, may cover the achievement of some Congressmen also.”
The NPF president stated that because of the aforementioned statement by him, the Congress had gone on to accuse that there had been no development worth its name in the recent time. If this was the case, he questioned the Congress as to why they had been critical of the official residence of the DGP which was inaugurated just the other day. “The developments that we are taking up now are all permanent basis which will solve the Nagaland Government’s problem for some hundreds of years to come,” stated the press release, adding that there were many more developments worth the name in progress. He stressed that the party would continue to maintain the trend for the development of the State even if some were angry with them.
The press release issued by Dr. Shürhozelie exhorted all to be more reasonable and play positive roles in the real interest of the people, no matter which bench they belonged to. “If we want to be a ‘good watch dog’, one should not bark at every moving creature unreasonably,” maintained the NPF President, adding that it was not good to remain angry all the time.
Hawk eye on NDFB camps
OUR BUREAU


File picture of a blast site
Kokrajhar/Guwahati, Nov. 13: Police today unveiled a slew of measures to curb the activities of NDFB rebels staying in designated camps in view of their alleged involvement in the October 30 serial blasts.
The investigations so far have revealed that the plot for the blasts at two sites in Guwahati — Ganeshguri and CJM court — and two at Barpeta Road — Choudhury Complex and the vegetable market — was hatched by the commandant of the NDFB’s 4th battalion, Ritikhang.
The self-styled commandant of the outfit is now believed to be hiding in Bhutan.
Ritikhang’s name was in the list of 12 persons in search of whom a police team had entered the Borbori camp of the NDFB in Baksa district yesterday. But he was not found in the camp.
The source said Ritikhang had fine-tuned the terror operation in the four sites at his residence in Khagrabari under Barpeta Road police station.
The special investigating team (SIT) was of the view that the core group, involved in the serial blasts at two places each in Guwahati and Barpeta Road, was headed by the NDFB commandant and had six members altogether. A few of them were either picked up or arrested.
Police said the explosives were sneaked in 20-25 days prior to the blasts from across the border.
After the NDFB’s role in the blasts was “established beyond doubt,” the government has decided to strictly implement the standard operation procedure (SOP), a terminology used for the ceasefire ground rules, with the outfit.
Baksa superintendent of police P.K. Dutta said the police would keep round-the-clock-watch on the movement of the outfit’s members.
“The cadres would now require to procure a permit from the police to step out of the designated camps and have to return to the camps within four hours,” he said.
As per clause six of the SOP, the NDFB cadres must stay in the three designated camps and all their weapons are to be kept in a centralised place at the camps under lock and key.
“A platoon of armed police will be deployed near each of the designated camps”, he said.
“As per the SOP, the superintendent of police or his representative would be entitled to conduct surprise checks in the camps for a headcount of the members and stocktaking of arms,” Dutta said.
Distancing itself from the blasts, the NDFB said the persons or organisations involved covertly or overtly with the attack should claim responsibility for it and reveal the reason for their role.
S. Sanjarang, the NDFB information and publicity secretary, further claimed that Sabin Boro, nabbed by the police, was expelled from the organisation in January this year and he was no longer the home secretary of the outfit as claimed by the police.
In a related development, Barpeta district police today said they have not made much progress in the investigations into the cycle used for the blast at the vegetable market in Barpeta Road although they have identified its owner.
Police, however, were not willing to disclose the name as they suspect that the bomb may have been planted on the cycle when it was parked at the market by someone else, without the owner’s knowledge. Police today picked up Lakhan Boro alias B. Laithun, agriculture secretary of the NDFB, for interrogation in connection with the blasts.
In yet another development, Bimal Musahary, an explosives expert of the NDFB, was arrested from his Barama residence in Baksa today by the police for his alleged involvement in the Ganeshguri blast. Musahary, is a former commander of NDFB’s second battalion.
Sources said Musahary, who also has links with Ulfa, is being interrogated at Dispur police station.
Police today also detained two more NDFB cadres, Sailya Musahary and P. Swargiary from Udalguri district in connection with the blasts.