12/27/2008: "Reconciliation initiatives gain momentum in Nagaland (PTI)"

Reconciliation initiatives gain momentum in Nagaland (PTI)

Kohima Amid mounting tension arising out of rampant factional fighting among rival underground, groups, overwhelming peace and reconciliation campaigns by social groups and churches dominated Nagaland's socio-political scenario which witnessed unprecedented violence. The beginning of the year saw the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), comprising Nagaland Peoples Front, BJP and NCP, retaining power after an almost peaceful conduct of assembly election during a short spell of President's Rule.

Emphasizing on the spirit of forgiveness and a common hope, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), an umbrella body comprising members from churches, tribal councils and social organizations, endured to usher in peace and unity when senseless killings for supremacy reached its peak vitiating the whole atmosphere during the first quarters of the year.

The reconciliation process, supported by the state government, was initiated at Chiang Mai in Thailand by holding series of discussions between FNR members and leaders of both groups of NSCN.

Similar exercise was also carried out in Nagaland leading to endorsement to the reconciliation initiative from the underground groups, which even played two friendly football matches as part of their 'commitment' to unity.

But contrary to hope for peace nurtured by the people, the war of attritions between the NSCN factions refused to die down and accusations and counter-accusations against each other continued unabated despite people's repeated appeals for exercising restraint. PTI

Be harbingers of a better future: Jamir Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR Governor of Maharashtra SC Jamir Monday gave a clarion call to the youths of Nagaland to be harbingers of good tidings and a better future.

Maharashtra governor, Dr. S.C. Jamir along with students of Patkai college at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.
Interacting with a group of students from Patkai college who called on him at Raj Bhawan, Mumbai Jamir lamented the negative environment in the Naga society today due to what he called "insurgency syndrome" brought about by the several decades of violence and bloodshed.
He called upon the younger generation to ignore violent developments and petty issues like tribalism and to concentrate on what they want to be. He said the youth alone can usher in a better future.
"Be harbingers of good tidings and a better future for yourself and the succeeding generations," he exhorted. "Consider yourselves as worthy citizens of the world and strive hard to achieve much more than what we your parent generation could."
Jamir also lamented that a Naga Student organization from a metropolitan city had started to collect funds from motorists in Nagaland and termed it as blatant extortion which should be desisted by the student community.
"Illegal taxation is rampant in Nagaland and we do not need the student community to impose any more 'taxes'," he said.
He also exhorted the students saying that they have much better facilities than the preceding generation and that they should strive to reach much higher goals than your parents.
"Live in reality, not in dreams," he said. "You must decide what kind of future you want and single-mindedly concentrate on achieving what you want. Do not pay any heed to the violence and violent means some of our people have adopted. Concentrate in your studies and compete with the rest of the world. There is no room for mediocrity," Dr. Jamir urged.
Reconciliation: NPF welcomes Cong support morungexpres
Home Minister Imkong Imchen along with other NPF leaders and the Congress leaders of Dimapur who joined the NPF recently.
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 23 (MExN): Home Minister Imkong Imchen has appreciated and welcomed the statement of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) that the opposition’s office would join in the present reconciliation process. Imchen addressed a press conference at the NPF’s office at Midland in Dimapur today.
Referring to himself as a “concerned public servant” aside from being a member of the DAN Government, Imchen said the Congress statement is a very important statement which deserves sincere appreciation and consideration.
If the particular statement of the Congress is to be believed and if the NPCC stood by its statement “unlike before”, Imchen said it would give a tremendous boost to Naga politics. Through their efforts to bring about unity among Naga factions, Imchen said, a “common agenda framework” can be presented to the Government of India to expedite a solution to the Naga political issue.
On the law and order front, Imchen claimed that the police are ‘doing splendidly in maintaining law and order in the state’. He appealed to the people ‘to cooperate with the police’ and ‘for better results’. The Home Minister said there is no ‘shortage’ in the police department but expressed dissatisfaction with the “interstate intelligence sharing mechanism”. He however, credited the “improvement of law and order” to not “just the efforts of the government” but also to that of Naga civil society and citizens.
Curiously, the Home Minister also sought to convey his “profound gratitude” to the Naga underground leaders “for listening and heeding the voice of the Naga people for reconciliation among themselves and maintaining peace between them”.
“It is by no means a small achievement, it is by no means a small understanding” the Home Minister gushed, adding that their decision to maintain peace itself, demonstrated their desire “to provide” peace to the people. The minister expressed optimism that the Naga underground groups would ‘continue to maintain peace in the state and avoid bloodshed’. Wishing all the underground cadres, irrespective of factions, a merry Christmas and happy New Year, Imchen expressed optimism that year 2009 would be ‘more peaceful and harmonious than 2008’.
The Home Minister went on to appeal to civil society and citizens to continue their support and efforts to bring unity among the underground groups. “These NGOs and civil societies have contributed immensely and tendered sacrifices which the general public have not noticed and seen” he said. The tireless efforts are bringing good results for the public, he said.
The Home Minister also acknowledged and welcomed the veteran Congress leaders from Dimapur who resigned from the primary and active membership of the party to join the NPF. Informing that these leaders had joined the regional party without any condition, Imchen maintained that their joining had given a huge moral boost to the NPF.

HM optimistic that UGs will maintain peace Says extortions are 'normal crimes' (Page News Service)
Dimapur, December 23: Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L Imchen today expressed optimism that the Naga underground factions would continue to maintain peaceful atmosphere in the state and avoid bloodshed, as they have done so during the Christmas season.
Imchen expressed gratitude and appreciation to the underground leaders for listening and heeding to the voice of the Naga people for reconciliation among themselves and maintain peace. "It is by no means a small achievement and by no means a small understanding," he said adding, "Their desire to maintain peace itself demonstrated their desire to provide peace to their own people."
The Home Minister also appealed to the NGOs, Civil Societies and individuals to continuously support in the effort to bring unity amongst the underground groups. He said that their efforts, contributions and sacrifices has brought good results.
Wishing all the underground groups irrespective of the factions, a merry Christmas and Happy New Year, the Minister hoped that the Year 209 will be more peaceful and harmonious than 2008.
Taking to media persons here, the Home Minister welcomed the statement of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) for their offer to 'join hands in the present reconciliation process'. "This is a very important statement which deserves sincere appreciation as well as consideration," he said adding, "If we have to believe and also if we are to understand their statement, it will give a tremendous boost in Naga politics in our efforts to bring about unity among the Naga underground factions."
Imchen also hoped that a common agenda or framework can be presented to Government of India for expediting solution to the Naga political issue.
When asked about the law and order situation in the state, the Home Minister said that the DAN Government is making its best efforts to maintain law and order in the state. He said that the situation is quite peaceful at present. "Comparing with the neighbouring states of Assam and Manipur, Nagaland is more or less peaceful," he said adding, "Our police forces are tirelessly to maintain law and order."
About the rampant extortions and intimidations to business community, the Home Minister described it as "normal crimes". "I look from that angle and therefore we have been arresting people and putting them under NSA." Those underground cadres are booked under NSA while others are booked under relevant sections, he further added.
When asked whether the Government was considering reducing VIP security as demanded by the business community, Imchen said that it was not relevant as the VIPs also have diverse threats.
About abductions of two businessmen recently, the Home Minister said that it was "not pure abduction but a hostage situation". He explained that the abductors create a hostage situation after abducting people, therefore while trying to catch the culprits, the police has to ensure safety of the life of the victim. He termed abductions as "most cowardice acts" and said that those committing abductions are perverted minds/fellows.
Stating that interstate crimes are being committed in Dimapur, the Home Minister lamented that intelligence sharing is not that effective. He also suggested of joint operations along Assam-Nagaland border by police of both the states.

IM’s godown tax on LPG distributors State to approach CFMC Our Staff Reporter sangai express
IMPHAL, Dec 26 : To break the impasse that has arisen following the imposition of godown tax on LPG stockists by the NSCN (IM), which is engaged in a peace talk with the Government of India, and the subsequent refusal of the Bullet vehicles to procure gas from Assam, the State Government has decided to approach the CeaseFire Monitoring Cell. Following the imposition of godown tax on the Bullet vehicles to the tune of Rs 13 lakhs, the process of lifting gas from outside the State has been suspended since December 8, leading to a shortage of cooking gas in the State.
The Sekmai Bottling Plant too has run out of stock and bottling works there came to a grinding halt since December 16.
Since then no LPG cylinders have been delivered to the distributors leading to an acute shortage of the gas here. To discuss the situation, the Chief Secretary today convened a meeting with the LPG transporters and distributors.
During the meeting the distributors and transporters made it clear that even if security is provided to them, it would not be possible for them to resume service since they have to pass through territories which are the strongholds of the NSCN (IM).
As such the armed group must be persuaded to retract their godown tax, the transporters and distributors made it clear.
The transporters and distributors urged the Chief Secretary to let the State Government get in touch with the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell to prevail upon the Naga outfit to withdraw their godown tax.
The Chief Secretary was also urged to settle the matter soon so that the transporters can avail the escort service on Monday and resume normal duty.
After listening to the story of the transporters and distributors, the Chief Secretary assured that the State Government will take up due process to get in touch with the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell. The transporters also highlighted the problems and inconveniences faced while travelling through the National Highway.
After the meeting with the Chief Secretary, the transporters and distributors tried to get an appointment with the Chief Minister to discuss the issue, but no appointment was granted, said the dealers. The attitude of the Chief Minister towards the current situation is highly unfortunate, said the transporters and distributors.
Meanwhile with LPG stock running out at most of the LPG distributors/agents, many households have switched back to kerosene stove, firewood and charcoal heater.
As reported earlier, LPG stock at Sekmai Bottling Plant has run out while transporters have been refusing to ferry LPG from the beyond the State.
The transporters have been refusing to transport LPG following a huge monetary demand made by NSCN (IM).
If one is lucky enough, one may have the opportunity to buy filled LPG cylinders at Rs 700 to Rs 800 per cylinder. But for that, one has to go round and search far and wide.
It is reported that the NSCN (IM) has been demanding Rs 15 lakhs as annual ‘godown tax’ from the Sekmai Bottling Plant under AOC as well as from the LPG distributors.
With the AOC and LPG distributors unable to fulfil the rebel group’s demand, transporters have been refusing to transport LPG from refineries in Assam for fear that they may be targeted along the highway.
One LPG distributor said that almost all distributors have run out of their LPG stocks.
Under the circumstances, the distributors would not able to serve their consumers effectively.
One housewife said that her family has switched to charcaol based heater for the last five days after their LPG cylinder went empty.
Pointing out the inconveniences of using charcoal based heater for cooking which is highly time consuming, she asserted that the Government should take up necessary actions on order to ensure availability of LPG to the people.
In connection with the issue, workers of the Sekmai Bottling Plant staged a protest demonstration at Sekmai under the aegis of the AOC Contractual Labourers’ Union, Sekmai Branch on December 23.
LPG distributors of the State also staged a protest sitting on the same issue at Keishampat here on the same day.
Attempts to contact relevant Government officials on the matter proved futile.

Eye on rebels to check extortion A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph

Guwahati, Dec. 26: Security forces, posted along the Indo-Bhutan border, have since last night intensified vigil to thwart an extortion drive by militant outfits.
The move comes in the wake of a spurt in demands for money from businessmen and professionals of the area.
The militant outfits have set up “transit camps” across the border to carry out the drive.
Sources in the state police said while the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) are in charge of the border, police and other security forces had formed a second line to keep tabs on the movement of militants.
“Some militant groups, including Ulfa, have found shelter once again in these parts and are running an extortion racket from there,” a source said, adding that these camps were, however, not like those inside Bhutan that were dismantled in 2003.
“They are taking shelter in the villages there,” he said.
An Ulfa militant was apprehended about 15 days back from near Coramoor tea estate along the Indo-Bhutan border under Panery police station in Udalguri district.
Unidentified gunmen killed Gautam Kotoki, the deputy manager of the garden last week. The sources said the monetary demand ranged from as low as Rs 5,000 to several lakhs, depending on the person’s income. “They have not even spared petty shopkeepers in these areas,” he said. The security forces are keeping a strict vigil on the stretch of border in Udalguri district. “Much of the extortion is taking place in this area as several tea gardens are located there,” he said.
The source said complaints of extortion were few and that it was “source information” which has thrown light on the extortion drive. He said the recipients of extortion notes would be warned not to buy peace with militant groups, as it would constitute a grievous offence. “Stern action would be taken against those who do not report to the police about any demand and instead choose to pay up,” he added.
Udalguri superintendent of police A.K. Tiwari admitted that militant activities along the border areas had increased of late. He said there are reports of a few rogue elements of some militant groups, which are currently in a ceasefire pact, indulging in anti-social activities.
He also said there were reports of cadres of several militant groups joining hands in carrying out an extortion racket. Apart from Ulfa and the ANLA, the Birsa Commando Force and NDFB have a strong base along the Indo-Bhutan areas.
“We are carrying out regular operations in the interior villages in the area,” he said.
2008: A review of NE states Elora Sen Kolkata, India Today
2008 - The year saw Mizoram bring about a change in the political scenario of the state, while Tripura and Nagaland decided to go with incumbent governments. In Meghalaya, the United Democratic Party (UDP) came to power. Assam saw one of the worst terror attacks where more than 70 people died with nearly 500 injured and the state was devasted by floods too.
On December 8, in Mizoram, the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) bit the dust in the state Assembly elections with the Congress coming back with a thumping victory. Led by former chief minister Lalthanhawla, the Congress won 32 of the 40 seats, leaving no doubt that this was a mandate against the corruption charges than has been leveled against the ruling MNF.
Not only did the PCC chief and three times former chief minister, Lalthanhawla win, the Mizo National Front's leader, the CM Zoramthanga lost from Champhai North to Congress candidate T. T. Zothansanga. Lalthanhawla romped home from South Tuipui seat in Lunglei district and Serchhip seat in Serchhip district, his home turf.
The mandate brought to end the 10-year tenure of the MNF. They now have only four representatives in Mizoram Assembly as against 21 that they had before.
Tripura on the other had re-elected Manik Sarkar as the CM for the third consecutive term. On March 10, Sarkar took oath as Tripura Chief Minister. The Left Front has been in power in Tripura since 1978, barring one term, 1988-1993.
In Nagaland, a 12-member ministry headed by Neiphiu Rio was sworn in March as the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland came to power for the second consecutive term after the Union Cabinet decided to revoke President's rule in the state. After the revocation of President's rule, Governor K. Sankaranarayanan invited Rio to form the government.
In March, a coalition government Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA), headed by top regional party leader Donkupar Roy, backed by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), assumed office in Meghalaya. The 54-year-old Roy is the president of the United Democratic Party (UDP).
For Assam this year has been marked by violence, and the worst of them happened on the festive day of Bhai Duj. Twelve blasts went off within 15 minutes, in Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Barapeta and Kokrajhar. The blasts started around 11.30 am on October 30 and about 70 people died and more than 500 were injured.
The Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, claimed that the state intelligence service did have some prior intimation of such an attack, but "no one expected it to be this serious."
The blasts took place in crowded market places and as it was the day of Bhai Duj, the occasion celebrated all over Assam with a lot of fervour, the number of people out enjoying a festive day was many. In Guwahati, blasts took place in Fancy Bazar, Pan Bazar and Ganeshguri DC Court.
Floods from July to September caused havoc in Assam, rendering nearly 5000 villagers homeless and at least 17 people dead. The swelling Brahmaputra caused massive damage and the Assam floods were no less devastating than the one in Bihar.
Insurgents operating from Bangladesh, Myanmar India has been putting pressure on these nations to stop such activities Sources: The Hindu News
December 18, 2008: New Delhi, Many Indian insurgent groups are operating from Bangladesh and Myanmar and India is putting pressure on its neighbours through diplomatic channels to stop such activities. It is also focussing on completing the fencing of the border with Bangladesh to check illegal immigration and infiltration.
This was stated by Home Minister P. Chidambaram in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
He said several anti-India groups were finding Bangladesh and Myanmar as safe havens, though both nations denied it. There were reports that insurgent groups from the northeast have links with terrorist organisations, including Bangladesh-based Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami, which in turn is reported to have links with Pakistan-based terror groups and the Inter-Services Intelligence.
Terror groups such as HuJI and Lashkar-e-Taiba were using Bangladesh for infiltration and carrying out terror activities in India. We are not happy with the situation. This issue has been discussed with Bangladesh and will be taken up again when a democratic government is elected by the end of this month.
Mr. Chidambaram said he was not satisfied with the progress in the fencing of the India-Bangladesh border. He had asked the authorities concerned to “quicken the process.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has instructed that the fencing should be completed on schedule. It is a difficult terrain where normal fencing may not work. We have asked the authorities to take whatever additional measures are required to complete the job.
On Samajwadi Party member Amar Singh’s question that whether the government was aware that terror camps were operating at Dhubri and Bongaigaon in Assam, Mr. Chidambaram said: “Neither can I confirm nor deny that such camps are there. This government will take note of the matter seriously; and if there are any camps, the Centre and the State government would dismantle them immediately.
The Minister pointed out that there were gaps in the intelligence apparatus. “The problem is being addressed expeditiously to prevent recurrence of terror attacks. We are focussing on better gathering and sharing of information between intelligence and security agencies. All States have been asked to raise special anti-terror squads.
Regional hubs of the National Security Guards would be set up soon and coastal security was also being beefed up. A ‘Coastal Command’ with a mandate to protect the India’s coastline would be put before the Cabinet for approval soon.
India, Myanmar ink bilateral agreements Sources: IRIS News
India and Myanmar have signed Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement (BIPA) and agreements on banking arrangements.
The two countries have agreed to convert the existing border trade at Moreh in Manipur and Zowkhathar in Mizoram into normal trade. The duo also agreed to develop Avankhung in Nagaland as a third border trade point with Myanmar.

Meanwhile, both countries have also decided to expand the list of commodities under Indo-Myanmar Border Trade Agreement from the existing 22 items to 40 items and also to operationalise the banking arrangements.
Than Shwe and team to tour cyclone-hit Irrawaddy delta Written by Mungpi by Mizzima News
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Several ministers and businessmen have reportedly rushed to the cyclone-hit Irrawaddy delta in preparation of welcoming Burma's military Chief Snr. Gen Than Shwe and his team, who will be touring Rangoon and the Irrawaddy divisions in end December, during a holiday trip.

A source in Naypyitaw, Burma's new jungle capital, said Than Shwe along with a team comprising Thura Shwe Mann, Prime Minister Thein Sein and secretary (1) Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo arrived in Rangoon on Monday and will visit cyclone-hit townships in Rangoon on Wednesday. Than Shwe along with his team on Wednesday are to tour Daedeye, Kun Chan Kone, and Kyaitlatt townships in Rangoon division to inspect recovery and relief work in cyclone ravaged areas.

Than Shwe is scheduled to head for Ngwe Saung beach in Irrawaddy division on holiday with his family, the source said. But from December 27 to 28, Than Shwe, will make a second trip to townships in Irrawaddy division including Pyapone, Bogale, Mawlamyinekyun, Ngaputaw, and Laputta.

Meanwhile, Than Shwe's planned trip to the cyclone hit areas, have caused panic among several ministers, who were assigned to look after the recovery work in Rangoon and Irrawaddy division along with the junta's business cronies.

The source said, several ministers holding portfolios including Railways, Forestry, Hotel & Tourism, and Sports as well as the junta's business cronies such as Htoo Trading, Max Myanmar, Asia World, Eden Myanmar, Yuzana, and Dagon, have rushed to the Irrawaddy Delta to "prepare" the sites for Than Shwe's visit.

"There has been a lot of last minute preparations in villages that were ordered to be reconstructed like painting of fences, cleaning up the grounds and renting of houses to prove that cyclone victims have benefitted from the government allotted recovery work," the source said.

Companies have brought back many of their tractors, bull-dozers, road rollers and several trucks to show that work is still going on in the cyclone ravaged areas. But the source said, almost all the companies have pulled themselves out of the area, and have even sold out houses, which were meant for cyclone victims.

"All the ministers are trying their best to lie and show that the recovery work is effective. Some have even sold off the houses built for cyclone victims and some have rented them off. And the new villages also look like destroyed villages, so they are getting it repainted," the source said.

"Currently they [ministers and companies] are patching up the road to Kun Chan Kone as Than Shwe will be visiting the area tomorrow [December 24]," the source added.

The source said, Than Shwe and his team wants to see the cyclone shelters that are included in the recovery and emergency projects, but since the ministers have not constructed any shelters, they could only make a power-point presentation.

However, with Than Shwe and his team travelling by helicopters, the ministers and businessmen are relieved as they only need to make a show and do not have to prove real work has been done, the source added.

"Than Shwe knows too well that it was impossible to build cyclone shelters and roads to block another wave surge, the ministers have built a pile of mud alongside the coast, which looks like a high road from the helicopter. But it will be gone as the rain starts," the source added.

Despite all the patchwork, Than Shwe and his team should be able to figure out the extent of recovery work that has been done if they are seriously surveying, the source said.

"But the problem is that they [Than Shwe] is visiting the areas for namesake, just along his way for a holiday at Tayza's resort in Ngwe Saung," the source said, referring to Tayza, the junta's biggest crony and owner of Htoo Trading company.

Nagalim.NL News

12/27/2008: "Reconciliation initiatives gain momentum in Nagaland (PTI)"