12/10/2008: "Stand by your rights: NPMHR HUMAN RIGHTS DAY Eastern Mirror"

Stand by your rights: NPMHR HUMAN RIGHTS DAY Eastern Mirror

DIMAPUR, DEC 9 (EMN): Committing solidarity with every nation that are denied their rights on the eve of the 60th anniversary the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Nagaland Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has appealed to ‘India and her people and the powers of the world’ to respect the Declaration in letter and spirit while stating that ‘the global culture of rights … should be a unifying force within and among all cultures’.
NPMHR – the first democratic rights organisation of the Nagas formed in 1978 – quoted UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navanethem Pillay, who on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of UDHR, said, “The comprehensive vision of the Universal Declaration is a beacon of hope for the future - it contemplates a world with full realization of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights without distinction”.
Contemplating on the Indo-Naga issue, the NPMHR in a press communiqué issued by its secretary general Dr N Venuh, stated, ‘For as many decades as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, India has been blatantly violating our rights as individuals and as a social group and a nation’, but added that Nagas are not living in isolation. ‘Our situation is perceived and understood by other nations of the world. The world also know that ours is a history of betrayal, dishonesty and violence; violence inflicted upon us’, it said.
It further said that ‘in response to India’s violent and inhuman approach to our political conflict, we have been peacefully and respectfully pursuing a resolution through a negotiated settlement, nonetheless without compromising our right as an independent nation and people.’
While stating that ‘India has, time and again, betrayed our trust and has strengthened her grip upon us’, the NPMHR, on the occasion of Human Rights Day, urged every Naga to stand by their rights without faltering and with renewed vigour.
The NPMHR says - ‘Every one of us have human rights and that entails upon us the responsibility to stand up, not just for our own rights but also for those of others - and to help turn the vision of the UDHR into reality.’
‘Our journey of liberation has been long and it is only right that we complete it. And do that we must, through peace and goodwill’, the watchdog organisation of human rights of Nagas categorically stated.
Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on December 10. The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights.
NSCN (IM) on Naga Unification Issued by:MIP/GPRN
The Naga Unification cannot be processed through abduction and kidnapping for ransom, killing and other discriminatory violence. But this how the forces opposed to NSCN indulged themselves in the name of Naga Unification. How violence can be justified to bring about Unification? The answer is yet to be given by the group. Simply beating about the bush will not take them anywhere to cool the public conscience. Resorting to terror is anathema to Unification. But this is how the Unification group find pleasure by terrorizing the innocent public. Discrimination on tribal line is against the unity spirit. But this is the policy and practice of the Unification group and which continues to be practical even after the merger with the Khaplang group in May 7th 2008.
The government of India knows too well who really matters in the Indo-Naga politic affairs. And accordingly, NSCN Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah were invited by government of India to come to India as part of the Indo-Naga political peace process. The international protocol dictates that the security of the visiting dignitaries should be the responsibility of the host country. The Khaplang group must come out of the confine of anti NSCN politics and broaden the horizon of their outlook in order to avoid landing in embarrassing situation, befooling themselves before the public.
Given the complexities of the Indo-Naga political issue the NSCN has been patient enough with the government of India. Because the solution has to be honorable, keeping in view the mutual interests of both India and Nagalim. This is the reason why the Indo-Naga political talks has tracked on for more than 10 years. Because NSCN cannot afford to make any mistake.
The moral degeneration of the Khaplang group is history and when the Unification group seek shelter in Khaplang group and officially merge with them to make a seeming show of unification, it became a matter of "birds of the same feather flock together". Nowhere in the world has the criminal process been given importance to bring political unification. But this is the face of the forces who cried for Naga unification. This is duplicity of dangerous nature. The IB and RAW's role in Naga politics has been a story of success. Because what is happening now in Nagaland in the work of these two notorious intelligence agencies. Worst of all, many Naga allowed themselves to be used as stooges of IB and RAW. And woe betides these anti-Naga elements who are working at the behest of the divisive forces, sponsored by India.
Issued by:MIP/GPRN
‘Respect Nagas’ right as a people and nation’ Newmai News Network
Kohima | December 9 : On the eve of International Human Rights Day, the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights in Kohima today alleged that India has, time and again, betrayed the Nagas’ trust and has strengthened her grip on them. Secretary General of the NPMHR, Dr. N Venuh in a message on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, said the Nagas are not living in isolation as “our situation is perceived and understood by other nations of the world”. The organization said “the world also knows that ours is a history of betrayal, dishonesty and violence; violence inflicted upon us.”
The NPMHR maintained that India, with her military power, overran and subjugated the Nagas, besides blatantly violating their rights as individuals and as a social group and a nation. ‘In response to India’s violent and inhuman approach to our political conflict’, he said, ‘Nagas have been peacefully and respectfully pursuing a resolution through a negotiated settlement, nonetheless without compromising our rights as an independent nation and people’. But India has, time and again, betrayed the trust and has strengthened her grip upon the Nagas, the NPMHR stated.
On the day, December 10, the NPMHR has appealed to India and ‘her people and the powers of the world’ to respect the human rights declaration in letter and spirit and to also understand that the world could be a better place for everyone only through the realization of these rights.
“The global culture of rights … should be a unifying force within and among all cultures” the NPMHR stated. The organization also called upon every Naga to stand by “our rights” without faltering and with renewed vigor. “Our journey of liberation has been long and it is only right that we complete it, and do that we must, through peace and goodwill,” the NPMHR added.
Nagas losing Natural wealth to bio-pirates morungexpress
Dimapur | December 8 : Nagaland is bestowed with rich flora and artistic craftsmen to boot, but the failure to protect these properties and artifacts has resulted in many agencies claiming exclusive rights over them. Nagas have probably lost numerous indigenous plants and artistic creations to others because exclusive rights over creations, both artistic and commercial, have not been patented. It is not surprising to see a Naga traditional insignia printed on tee-shirts of a multinational clothing company or several varieties of Nagaland’s special rice being patented by the world’s apex bank.
Intellectual property rights are legal rights which protect any intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary and artistic fields through the mechanisms of copyrights, trademarks, patents and related rights. But Nagas remain unable to claim any right over their works and properties because such have not been documented to prove their origin.
The hardest-hit property is floras that are with medicinal and exotic value. The Biodiversity Act 2002 provides safeguards to protect the interests of the local people, growers and cultivators of biological diversity thereby giving local communities a say in the use of their resources and knowledge, and to charge returns. The Act also protects indigenous or traditional knowledge, through appropriate laws or other measures such as registration of such knowledge. However, it is known that many medicinal and other useful plants continue to flow out of Nagaland, rendering the ineffectiveness of the Act.
The Medicinal and Essential Oils Association, Nagaland and Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) are said to be producing quality medicinal oils but the exclusive rights over these products have not been claimed. Any plant indigenous to a certain area has to be identified and put on record to prove that it is endemic to the area thus providing royalty to the growers. But this year, trade in white ginger which has medicinal value and found in abundance in Kiphire district, had to be stopped due to rampant smuggling. It is also reported that the ginger marketed from Nagaland are ground and mixed with tea leaves bearing the trademark of another state. Many traditional Naga medicines have also become the targets of bio-pirates. With no proper mechanism to check such piracy and the inability of the state government to go commercial with these produce, Nagaland is losing out heavily in terms of revenue.
The lack of awareness, about intellectual property rights, is also considered one of the main reasons for the loss and theft of many endemic and indigenous products. There is also no knowledge of any Naga tribal handicraft product bearing a trademark. At the recent India International Trade Fair at New Delhi, according to an economist, nobody stands to gain anything in the long run. With no patent right on these handicrafts, buyers can conveniently incorporate it with their brandname. Intellectual property rights are also considered a balance of economy but even with the handful of orders from entrepreneurs, Nagas are not in a position to meet the demand of buyers. The Nagaland government is said to be in the process of patenting traditional handicrafts and trying to stop the flow of indigenous good from one boundary to another but said it needs to consider “suggestions” from different sides.

Rijiju slams Centre’s terror response OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Itanagar, Dec. 7: BJP MP Kiren Rijiju today picked holes in the Congress-led UPA government’s anti-terror mechanism and demanded the Centre to enact a POTA-like law to deal with terror in the country.
“The recent series of blasts that ripped through Delhi, Mumbai, the country’s heartland, and Northeast, including Guwahati and Agartala, badly exposed the anti-terror mechanism of the Congress-led UPA government in Centre. From national capital Delhi, financial capital Mumbai to Guwahati, the gateway to the Northeast, has bore the brunt of bomb blasts triggered by jihadi elements operating in the country. It’s time for the Centre to enact a legislation on the lines of POTA to check Islamic terror in the region,” Rijiju today said.
He also called for formation of border detention centres along the Indo-Bangladesh bordering areas of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and some other states to check infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals, besides adopting a “monitoring mechanism” to check mushrooming of madarsas that has become the “breeding ground” of jihadis.
On the movements of militants in Arunachal Pradesh, he said the frontier state has long been used as a corridor by Ulfa, the Isak-Muivah faction of National Socialist Council of Nagalim and the National Democratic Front of Boroland rebels but the government lacked will to deal with them.
The BJP MP suggested measures like sealing of the 1,300km border with Myanmar. He said Tirap, Changlang and Lohit districts have become safe havens for the outfits from Assam and Nagaland compounding the security concern of the state government that seemed ill-equipped to fight them. Rijiju demanded the formation of a FBI-like security agency to tackle terror.
The fact that the militant groups were breaking the ground rules of ceasefire itself showed the status of the UPA government that miserably failed to act tough on insurgents, he added.
He also took a dig at the subsequent Congress-led government’s policy on matters dealing with China, which despite fighting a bitter war with India in 1962, was making repeated claims on Arunachal Pradesh. “Only a statement by the Union external affairs minister, asserting the state as an an integral part of India, would hardly make any difference. Even after the Chinese army demolished a Buddha statue in Bumla area in 2007, the Centre could not gather courage to even protest. Many areas of Arunachal Pradesh like Samdhrong Chu, some parts of Zimithang, Maja, Asapilla and Purang Lake of Upper Subansiri district have been occupied by China but the Centre could not show guts to reclaim those parts,” Rijiju said.
Cops gun down top Achik militant leader OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Shillong, Dec. 7: An armed constable of a Special Operations Team and a top militant leader of the Liberation of Achik Elite Force were killed during an encounter on the West Khasi Hills-East Garo Hills border this morning.
A police team, led by deputy superintendent of police, G. D. Kharwanlang, and men from the Special Operations Team raided a house at Demid in coal-rich Shallang, West Khasi Hills, where the rebels were hiding.
The militants opened fire, forcing the police to retaliate.
Rel D. Sangma of the Special Operations Team and the Achik outfit’s “commander-in-chief”, Kimrie Sangma, died in the gun battle that followed.
The deputy inspector-general of police (western range), D.K. Rapthap, said following the encounter, they sent forces to several parts of West Khasi Hills and East Garo Hills where a large number of the outfit’s cadres have been taking shelter.
He said the police were also on the hunt for militants hiding in the coal belts from Shallang in West Khasi Hills to Nangalbibra in South Garo Hills.
The police suspect that there are more hideouts and makeshift camps of the Achik outfit along the borders of West Khasi Hills and East Garo Hills.
The outfit, the police said, gets assistance from both the factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), to run extortion rackets.
On November 18, nine Achik militants who were trying to build a camp at Gambalbari near Pilangkatta in Ri Bhoi district, bordering Assam, were arrested.
Formed in 2005 by a former Meghalaya constable, Peter Marak, the outfit has two camps, one in East Garo Hills and another in West Khasi Hills.
They were trying set up the third one in Ri Bhoi when the rebels were arrested.
Marak, however, was killed in an encounter in August last year in East Garo Hills.
The outfit shot into the limelight after it launched grenade attacks in Tura super market in West Garo Hills and markets in Nangalbibra of South Garo Hills and Mendipathar in East Garo Hills on June 22 last year, killing two.
In July that year, one of the militants involved in a grenade attack was arrested with help of the army from Goalpara district of Assam.
The police said there is significance presence of the outfit in Goalpara too.
GPRN/NSCN on runaway cadre Col. Aheto Chophi GPRN/NSCN

is constraint to issue this statement with regard to Lieut. Khekato Sumi, a father of two children, Son of Luzhexu Wotsa of Roni A Village, who served as a J.C.O at the Coucil Headquarters at Khehoi Designated Camp. The said officer had, on many occasions violated the moral conduct as demanded of him by the Nation. He committed immoral acts with Sectional Officer Chubala Ngullie inside the camp on more than one occasion. As the authorities closed in on him for interrogation, he ran away with a Semi Rife to Hebron Camp, the only shelter place for such disgraced cadres, fearing possible termination from service. This is the lowest ebb of existence for any revolutionary. (The disgraced woman was terminated from National service on 6th Dec. 2008). Naga cause shall never be in need of such men and women even in future.
GPRN/NSCN will not hesitate to condemn the rogue revolutionaries who betray their own families, villages, communities and ultimately their own Nation, to fulfill their immoral agendas. There are men and women who throw away their lifelong ambition, sacrifice and commitment and succumb to the desire of the flesh. Wherever they hide, no matter how much they try to erase the sinful act, history will only regard them as revolutionary parasites.
Col. Aheto Chophi, Camp Commander, through the Publicity Cell.

Naga team visits Myanmar to boost trade Nagaland Page
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 8: A 14-member team from Nagaland, comprising government officials and entrepreneurs, visited Myanmar on a study tour in a bid to boost bilateral commerce, particularly border trade between the 2 neighbours.
The study tour was undertaken as part of market access initiative of the Union Commerce Ministry. The tour was a follow up action to the pact signed between the Government of India and Myanmar Trade committee on October 17 at Mandalay since Nagaland shares nearly a 300 km border with Myanmar and potential of border trade is very promising.
In addition to the existing 2 border trade centre, Pangsha (Tuensang) and Longwa (Mon), the Government identified a few more such trade centres and necessary infrastructure is being developed, particularly road communication in border areas.
OSD to state industries department, MK Mero, who led Nagaland team to Myanmar told PTI today that among others, the main focus of the tour was opening up of trade centre at Avangkhu in Phek district during interactions with the Federation of Industries and Commerce, Myanmar.
On the trade centre of Moreh-Tamu in Manipur, Mero said 2-way trade could commence between
Avangkhu and Layshi town in Myanmar, which is hardly 30 km from the international border.
Since we have initiated infrastructure development on this side of the border, we insisted on improvement of road communication on other side during our discussion so that formal Avangkhu-Layshi border trade takes place, he said.
The Nagaland team also discussed possibility of enhancing cooperation in areas such as tourism, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contact. (PTI)

‘Discrimination on tribal line is against the unity spirit’ Issued by: MIP/GPRN

The Naga Unification cannot be processed through abduction and kidnapping for ransom, killing and other discriminatory violence. But this how the forces opposed to NSCN indulged themselves in the name of Naga Unification. How violence can be justified to bring about Unification? The answer is yet to be given by the group. Simply beating about the bush will not take them anywhere to cool the public conscience. Resorting to terror is anathema to Unification. But this is how the Unification group find pleasure by terrorizing the innocent public. Discrimination on tribal line is against the unity spirit. But this is the policy and practice of the Unification group and which continues to be practical even after the merger with the Khaplang group in May 7th 2008.
The government of India knows too well who really matters in the Indo-Naga politic affairs. And accordingly, NSCN Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah were invited by government of India to come to India as part of the Indo-Naga political peace process. The international protocol dictates that the security of the visiting dignitaries should be the responsibility of the host country. The Khaplang group must come out of the confine of anti NSCN politics and broaden the horizon of their outlook in order to avoid landing in embarrassing situation, befooling themselves before the public.
Given the complexities of the Indo-Naga political issue the NSCN has been patient enough with the government of India. Because the solution has to be honorable, keeping in view the mutual interests of both India and Nagalim. This is the reason why the Indo-Naga political talks has tracked on for more than 10 years. Because NSCN cannot afford to make any mistake.
The moral degeneration of the Khaplang group is history and when the Unification group seek shelter in Khaplang group and officially merge with them to make a seeming show of unification, it became a matter of "birds of the same feather flock together". Nowhere in the world has the criminal process been given importance to bring political unification. But this is the face of the forces who cried for Naga unification. This is duplicity of dangerous nature. The IB and RAW's role in Naga politics has been a story of success. Because what is happening now in Nagaland in the work of these two notorious intelligence agencies. Worst of all, many Naga allowed themselves to be used as stooges of IB and RAW. And woe betides these anti-Naga elements who are working at the behest of the divisive forces, sponsored by India.

Gogoi moves PM to set up NSG hub in city correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Dec 9 – The high state of alarm in Assam is likely to continue for some time, with Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi today urging Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh not to withdraw the additional Central Para-military forces deployed in the State in the aftermath of the series of violent incidents. The Chief Minister called on the Prime Minister to brief about the internal security situation in the State here this evening.

Gogoi also used the meeting to formally present him a proposal to set up a National Security Guard (NSG) hub in Guwahati.

According to official sources, the Chief Minister briefed Dr Singh in details about the measures taken by the State Government to beef up security in Assam after the incident of bomb blasts.

The most significant aspect was a plea to the Prime Minister to ensure the presence of the additional Central forces in the State. The Chief Minister requested the Prime Mnister not to withdraw the 14 companies of Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) from the State.

The Prime Minister assured to look into the request. Gogoi, who is meeting Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram here tomorrow, is expected to make a similar request to him as well.

The Chief Minister also conveyed that he is planning a massive overhaul of the State police force. The plan also includes arming the Police with modern gadgets and weapons.

Acting on his earlier announcement, the Chief Minister submitted a formal proposal to the Prime Minister to sanction setting up of a NSG hub in the North-East.

The State Government’s proposal submitted today expressed the apprehension of a Mumbai-like attack in the North-East. It was pointed out that the North-eastern region (NER) is surrounded by foreign countries, where groups inimical to India are operating.

The region shares 98 per cent of its borders with foreign countries and is connected with mainland India by a 22 km stretch. The State Government argued that the groups inimical to India have bases in the neighbouring countries, pointing to presence of ISI of Pakistan and DGFI without naming them.

The proposal also said that the rebel groups of the region have also bases in the neighbouring countries and that the possibility of the militant outfits mounting a Mumbai-like operations could not be discounted.

The State Government also analysed the growing belligerence of the militant outfits in the past few months, expressing the apprehension that they may step up their activities during the winter months.

Under the circumstances, the presence of a specialised force like the NSG is necessary to thwart such attacks.

The Prime Minister had soon after the Mumbai terror incident had announced setting up four NSG hubs in different parts of the country and giving additional facilities to the force besides increasing its size.

The creation of additional hubs in major cities and a separate NSG air wing will help in quick deployment of the commandos at times of emergency, feels the Home Ministry.

As a short-term measure to strengthen the NSG, the Union Government is mulling over drawing commandos from the three armed forces. With large number vacancies, the NSG is also planning recruitment drive.

Meanwhile, sources said the Prime Minister accepted the Chief Minister’s proposal and assured to look into them sympathetically.

The Prime Minister also enquired about the progress of the development projects particularly the ongoing ones, sources said.

Influx in State alarming: AASU Correspondent Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 9 – The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today stated that the problem of infiltration of the illegal migrants in the State has taken alarming shape, which is threatening the identity of the indigenous people in an unprecedented manner. The students’ body urged the people of Assam to take united stand against the unabated infiltration.

In a press release issued to media today, the AASU further informed that ‘Shahid Diwas’ would be observed tomorrow across the State.

AASU also condemned the injury caused to the activists of AAKRASU (B) during police lathicharge on Sunday.

State’s human rights scene dismal City reporter Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 9 – There is nothing to rejoice for Assam on the occasion of International Human Rights’ Day on December 10, with blatant violation of human rights on an upward curve, a trend attributed to the failure of the peace process between the Government and several insurgent groups. The Asian Centre for Human Rights’ India Human Rights Report 2008 released today at Guwahati reiterated the fact that the rights of the people of the State are being widely violated both by the State and non-State actors. The report underlines that human rights violations by the State, combined with the failure of State institutions to address these violations, are fuelling internal conflict.

Releasing the ACHR report today, Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights said that the armed opposition groups (AOG)

across India have been responsible for gross violations of international humanitarian law including killing, abduction and mutilation.

“Among the armed opposition groups in the country, the armed groups in Assam were the worst violators of international humanitarian laws including targeted killings of at least 49 Bihari labourers and killings of many political leaders like Purnendu Langthasa and Nilendu Langthasa in the North Cachar Hills” he said.

“Be it the human rights violation by the security forces by means of custodial deaths, disappearance, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests, illegal detention and torture of the violation of the International Humanitarian Law by the active armed opposition groups including ULFA, KLNKF, Black Widow among others are blatantly violating the rights of the common people in the State,” he added.

According to the report, presently 21 States (13 Naxalite affected, 7 North Eastern States and Jammu Kashmir) out of 28 States are afflicted by conflict and human rights violations by the State agencies are further fuelling the conflicts.

Despite the army and the para-military forces being responsible for gross human rights violations in conflict situations, there are no official crime statistics involving the Army in tackling insurgency as the National Crime Records Bureau of the Ministry of Home Affairs does for the police.

In mainland India, the Naxalites were responsible for widespread killings. Political activists were killed by the Naxalites in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal.

Citing official cover up ACHR report stated that the government has not brought any of the reports of the National Commissions for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes before the parliament since 2002. The Naxalite affected areas are mainly inhabited by the Adivasis and Dalits. Parliamentarians are being kept in the dark by the bureaucracy.

Among the States, Uttar Pradesh has the worst human rights record with 66% of the fake encounter killings (201 complaints out of the 301 complaints), 241 cases of death in judicial custody and maximum number of custodial rape (2) in 2006-2007. Maharashtra has the worst record of deaths in police custody with almost two custodial deaths in each month.

“The North-eastern States, already facing a conflict situation and a big number of insurgent organizations operating here, can experience an event worse situation, if the steps are not taken on time to protect human rights,” he added giving some recommendations in order to address the current systemic failures, that includes a revision of crime statistics collection including all branches of the security forces, compilation of statistics by NHRC in conformity with international human rights practices, increased support to the Judiciary and Quasi Judicial

Institutions, so that people and groups do not look for alternative justice, which is harmful to the society.

Koch Rajbongshi rally turns violent, police resort to lathi-charge By our Staff Reporter sentinel
GUWAHATI, Dec 8: Pressing forth their demand for a separate Kamatapur State and ST status to the Koch Rajbongshi community, as many as 2,000 activists of the AKRSU(B), the Chilarai Sena and the Koch Rajbongshi Mahila Committee today took out a protest rally in the city from Latasil to Raj Bhavan. The rally, however, turned violent as the activists broke a police barricade at the Raj Bhavan gates, forcing the police to resort to lathi-charge and blank firing.
AKRSU(B) president Biswajit Rai, vice-president Gautam Saharia, general secretary Pradip Rai and president of Bangaigaon district committee Shibanan Barman were among the 38 Koch Rajbongshi activists who were injured. While 18 activists were admitted to the GMC and MMC hospitals, the rest of the injured were allowed to go after they received basic treatment. The condition of two AKRSU(B) activists — Nirala Dutta of Dhemaji and Mamoni Rai of Kokrajhar –– who are admitted in MMC hospital is said to be serious.
Terming the police action as pre-planned, AKRSU(B) president Biswajit Rai said that the police attacked them from all sides, leaving them with no route to escape. Adding that there were no lady constables in the assault on the women protestors, Basumatory said they will approach the Human Rights Commission for this gross violation of human rights. He also threatened of taking up arms for the greater interest of the community and the nation.
Meanwhile, All Kamatapur Students’ Organization president Dr Pranab Jyoti Rajbongshi and general secretary Uttam Rai have strongly condemned today’s incident. BJYM president Dilip Saikia also voiced his protest. Condemning the incident, he said, “Today’s incident proves that the government does not pay any attention to democratic forms of protests.”

NDFB 4th battalion ‘commander’ replaced From our Correspondent Sentinel
KOKRAJHAR, Dec 8: The commanding officer of the 4th Battalion of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has been replaced due to the alleged dereliction with the outfit since long.
In a press release issued by the self-styled deputy army chief of the Boroland Army of NDFB B Sudem said a general council meeting of the NDFB was held at its designated camp in Udalguri recently.
The meeting expressed deep concern over the dereliction of G Rifikhang, the commanding officer of the 4th Battalion, from his responsible duty, he said adding that they have already examined over his absence for inconsiderable period even being the commander of the outfit. He also said considering his utter negligence on his duty, the general meeting has served a showcause notice to G Rifikhang and kept him under suspension. B Sudem also said the meeting has empowered him to take a necessary step to replace the commander of the 4th Battalion. As per the decision of the meeting, caption G Songsar has been appointed as the new commander of the 4th Battalion of NDFB, Sudem said adding that the new commander caption G Songsar has been asked to carry on his duty with sincerity and responsibility of the 4th Battalion from December 5 last.

Belgian Model (Cultural integration vs territorial integration)
By: Fr. M.C. George Kangla
Belgium is a small country of about 11 million people. About 55% of the population is Flemish or Dutch; about 45% are French and a very small number are German. The French used to dominate the government and the economy till about the middle of the last century. Over time the Flemish asserted themselves and today there is a better sharing of power and wealth in the country. This was achieved through a long but democratic and peaceful struggle by the Flemish. It involved a lot of negotiations and compromises. But what they have achieved is not negligible. It is an interesting option for peoples everywhere.
This small country of 11 million people have FOUR governments! There is the Flemish speaking state known as Flanders. It has its own state government. All its documents and other inscriptions (such as the names of streets) are written in Flemish. Wallonia is the French speaking state and it has its own government. Everything in this state uses French. The national capital region has the two peoples living intermingled in such a close and intensive manner that it was not possible to separate them geographically. Hence, Brussels is a state by itself. It is bi-lingual. Even the name of every street and square is written in both languages. Over these three state governments there is the central government that controls defence, foreign policy, etc.
The next part is what makes the system unique and extremely interesting.
The government of Wallonia (the French speaking state) has a ministry of culture. The minister of culture is responsible for meeting all the cultural needs of all French speaking people all over Belgium – not only those in Wallonia, but also of those in Flanders and in Brussels.
The government of Flanders (the Flemish speaking state) has a ministry of culture. The minister of culture is responsible for meeting all the cultural needs of all Flemish speaking people in the whole of Belgium – in Flanders, in Wallonia and in Brussels.
This seems to be perhaps the only possible solution to the Naga problem. Territorial reorganisation in the circumstances of our region – particularly in the context of Manipur – is practically impossible. Emotional integration is certainly possible. Cultural integration is possible. Geographic integration and political integration may remain dreams.
The Belgian model is applicable not only to the Naga reality but to the situation of multi-cultural India all over this vast nation. There is a central school in Darjeeling that follow the CBSE syllabus, but has special provisions for preservation and fostering of Tibetan culture among the children of refugees from Tibet. These children receive the normal education that every Indian child receives and that enables them to compete for employment anywhere in India, but have also the extra knowledge and experience of their own Tibetan culture.
What prevents us from having a minister of culture in the government of Punjab, for example? This minister would see to the cultural needs of Punjabis all over the country and, in an ideal, globalised world, perhaps even all over the globe! Punjab’s minister of culture would, for example, set up Punjabi cultural centres in all cities that have a sizeable Punjabi population. Such cultural centres would have libraries, theatres, and whatever other infrastructure and personnel are needed to meet the cultural needs of the Punjabis of the area. Why is it impossible to envisage a Punjabi school in Bangalore, for instance, built and run by the Punjab government or private Punjabis and affiliated to the Board of Secondary Education of Punjab? Punjabi children in such a school would grow up rooted in their own culture. Certainly the Punjabi parents in Bangalore would be realistic and insist on their children being taught also English, Kannada and all other subjects that would enable them to be competitive in the job market.
After all, this is what is already taking place through India’s policy for educational institutions of the minorities. Catholic schools may be affiliated to the State Board or to the CBSE or ICSC or whatever. Their students receive quality education that covers all the subjects necessary to compete anywhere in India. But, they also provide education in their Catholic doctrine to the Catholic children studying in the institution. Their culture is maintained and fostered. The Church also establishes a variety of institutions – publications centres, meditation centres, prayer houses, seminaries, etc. The minister of cultures could be similarly engaged all over the globe!
Emotional and cultural integration is possible without political and geographic or territorial integration. This might be the way forward for the North East as well as for the whole of India.

Nagalim.NL News

12/10/2008: "Stand by your rights: NPMHR HUMAN RIGHTS DAY Eastern Mirror"