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01/01/2009: "2008: Hope prevails over turbulence STATE STEPS INTO THE NEW YEAR ON A POSITIVE NOTE Kevi Soho EMN FLASHBACK 2008 Eastern Mirror"

2008: Hope prevails over turbulence STATE STEPS INTO THE NEW YEAR ON A POSITIVE NOTE Kevi Soho | EMN FLASHBACK 2008 Eastern Mirror

DIMAPUR, DEC 31: Year 2008 proved a mixed bag for the state. While turbulence dominated some periods, it was also a year of hope, reconciliation and positive developments.
The turmoil that marred parts of the year saw tears of sorrow fall in many a home and a sense of insecurity cloaked the environment and forced the citizens to march out on the streets across the state.
However, the new order pushed in through various NGOs, including Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), Joint Forum of GBs and DBs, youth force, Political Affairs Committee (PAC), Women organisations and the public, yielding positive results that reignited hope.
Curtains went up on 2008 with the imposition of President’s Rule in January and an aggressive election mood which finally led to the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) catapulting back to take the reigns for the second term in March.
The poll period witnessed a host of political party big wigs including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP supremo Rajnath, the inimitable RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Sonia Gandhi visit the state to garner support for their respective parties.
As the hectic election activity was rolling towards conclusion in March, veteran politician and former Chief Minister Vizol breathed his last.
January through the better part of June, which saw factional violence at its height, also witnessed a new trend – a public that had long remained passive made its voice heard. Public rallies resounded all over the state even as security machineries, following the government’s decision to promulgate the National Security Act, carried out a series of flush-out operations of factional elements holed up in public areas.
The Prohibition Act also re-emerged as an intense subject of debate during the year with many sections of the society openly declaring the need to lift it totally or at least partially, even as the church strongly countered the view. The year ends with no consensus in sight.
The youth of the state finally got a respite amidst all the violence that had marred the better half of the year when famed gospel singer John Schlit of Petra visited Kohima and Dimapur for much appreciated gigs in May.
In June, NPF candidate Khekiho Zhimomi gets elected as Rajya Sabha MP even as rural farmers voiced their woes to the media over marketing failure for their agro products. Also, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar visits the state and commends the government on ‘communitisation’ for a job well done.
Dimapur Municipal Council’s (DMC) demolition drive takes centre-stage in July and receives a mixed response with a section of the people delighted over the face lift programme while another section objects and complains.
33 percent Women Reservation Bill became the issue of the year in July-August as the Mokokchung ‘public’ said no-thank-you to the implementation of the bill in its municipal election which was slated for October. A series of meetings by the civic bodies of the districts ruled that the bill does not apply to the state and, though women leaders took up the issue with the Governor, the Mokokchung Municipal election was ultimately called off again for the second time in a row.
September saw the U-14 Naga colts bring home the Subroto Cup giving the state reason to cheer in the midst of the grim news of over 15 people losing their lives in a train fuel pilferation scam gone wrong.
Rodent menace also severely affected farmers in Peren district this year with the situation of many families reported to be in dire conditions. There was also a change of guard in the opposition Congress camp when senior leader Chingwang Konyak replaced CLP leader I Imkong and KV Pusa replaced Hokheto Sumi as NPCC president.
Even as factional violence reached a tragic peak during the year, the untiring efforts of the Forum were a notable feature of 2008. The umbrella body comprising members from churches, tribal councils and social organisations stepped forward to work for peace and unity amongst the warring Naga underground groups emphasising on the spirit of reconciliation and oneness with common hope. The reconciliation exercise has been continuously carried out by the Forum leading to endorsement to the initiative from the various underground groups, which even played two Reconciliation Football Matches to strengthen their commitment to peace and unity
As 2008 shifted into festive gear by year end, dramatic changes were witnessed. The annual national event – ‘Hornbill festival’ - was arguably one of the biggest and the best. Besides, chart-topper band ‘White Lion’ dropped in for a visit and became the first international band to perform in Nagaland.
To sign off Year 2008 on a heartening note, the state was the honoured host to the mega science event, the ‘16th National Children’s Science Congress’, participated by 34 states and over 1500 child scientists and inaugurated by none other than Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. An observer noted that this positive closing perhaps is an omen that the state is headed for a much more uplifting 2009.

NDFB ceasefire on PC table - Union home minister arrives today to discuss serial blasts case, Ulfa & truce A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Union home minister P. Chidambaram leaves after a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)
Guwahati, Dec. 31: The issue of the ceasefire with the National Democratic Front of Boroland will be high on the agenda of Dispur’s meeting with Union home minister P. Chidambaram during his visit to the state starting tomorrow.
Sources said this evening that Chidambaram would familiarise himself with the issues plaguing the state by taking part in a meeting of the Unified Command along with chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday. The meeting will be an exhaustive one, attended by senior police, army, paramilitary, intelligence and government officials in Dispur.
Chidambaram, who is arriving tomorrow evening, will inaugurate the State Bank of India’s Sonapur branch on Friday morning and then head for the secretariat for the much-awaited Unified Command meeting before flying back to Delhi.
“Though the visit was formally confirmed late this afternoon, we have been preparing a report on the latest status of the progress made in the October 30 serial blasts case and the peace process with various groups. All issues on internal security of the state and threats from external forces will be discussed,” the source said in an oblique reference to the NDFB ceasefire, which ends tonight.
Till late this evening, the Centre had not conveyed its decision on whether to extend the ceasefire with the NDFB, though most are in favour of an extension.
“After all, you cannot have a situation where you suddenly put about 740 cadres currently living in designated camps behind bars by discontinuing the ceasefire after they have observed truce for nearly four years. I am sure a decision will be taken in a couple of days,” a senior police official said.
The state government had briefed the Centre about the NDFB issue on December 16 and 17, sources said, adding that the Centre was taking its time given the alleged involvement of some of its cadres in the serial blasts case and the subsequent split in the outfit.
Another issue likely to come up is the proposals to be announced by the pro-peace Ulfa group on January 1 to take the unilateral peace process forward. This will be Chidambaram’s first visit to the state after assuming charge as home minister. He had promised Gogoi when the chief minister met him in Delhi to brief him about the situation in Assam that he would visit the state after the Parliament session ended.
Dispur was expecting Chidambaram’s visit to help the state government secure more support from the Centre to tackle the problem of insurgency as well modernise the police force. “Assam can expect something positive after the new home minister’s visit,” a senior official said.
NDFB extortion The spurt in cases of extortion by the NDFB along the border of Jaintia Hills district has become a cause of concern for Meghalaya police, adds our Shillong correspondent. What is making things worse for the police is the lack of public co-operation to tackle extortion.
A senior police official today said reports of the involvement of NDFB and HNLC cadres in distributing demand notes to several coal dealers in the district, especially in Bapung, Khleirihat and Sutnga areas, were received recently. The rebels have the backing of coal labourers working in the mining areas of Jaintia Hills. “A lot of Bodo labourers are wor-king in the coal mines of Jaintia Hills and some of them are either sympathisers or overground workers of the NDFB,” the police official said. The police said since 2005, cases of kidnapping and extortion involving the NDFB in Jaintia Hills have been on the rise and that the group is backed by the local militant outfit, HNLC, to carry out their extortion activities. The police said some of the coal businessmen continue to accept the militants’ extortion demands under pressure and such cases go unreported out of fear.
‘We are called to be a people of hope’ YEAR 2009 MUST RENEW THE PEOPLE OF NAGA-LAND: FNR Eastern Mirror
DIMAPUR, DEC 30 (EMN): The commanding mood of the Naga nation is created by the people, stated the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) today while maintaining that Naga-Land today is no longer characterised by the past mind-set of cultural and political exclucivism.
In a statement released to the press, the Forum said this fact has been witnessed and attested from all the Naga communities on September 25, 2008 - by 37 Naga tribes and other apex bodies - at the Sumi Baptist Church, Dimapur, and added that coupled with this is the affirmation to Naga reconciliation by all the ‘Naga groups’ and its leaders.
“This is historical. There is no turning back! Indeed, ‘The Timeliness in the History of the Nagas’ is our newest song,” said the FNR.
It also said that as we wait to welcome 2009 ‘we are in what might be called a ‘Post-Ambivalent’ year in the life of the Nagas’’, while further stating that ‘the bygone cynicism and scepticism toward ‘Naga solidarity’ will simply be a sad chapter of our national saga’.
Drawing attention to a point it referred to as its footnote, the FNR said it couldn’t agree more with the critics that soccer matches, hoisting of white flags, car stickers, the United National Choir singing in churches, etc, have not deterred nor sealed violence. However, it said these activities had been taken up ‘knowing fully that these are only means towards strengthening the reconciliation process in the Journey of Common Hope’ and reiterated that ‘reconciliation is a process requiring tireless planning, executing, energising and much more’.
Moreover, it sought to make clear that the ‘FNR is not the only entity working for Naga reconciliation and as such we do not have a monopoly on reconciliation’ and acknowledged the various individuals, Hohos, organisations and the Church for their undiminished commitment to the Naga reconciliation, unity and peace.
Pointing out that in recent history, Nagas have been deeply wounded by the conflict, the Forum said ‘many people have become apathetic, while some are caught up in the vicious cycle of hatred, anger, and revenge, many simply walk away’. Still, some say ‘all efforts towards Naga reconciliation are futile’, it added.
Taking the instance of the Guatemalan conflict in South America where a priest had written that he can deal with persecution by the military and the state, ‘but the fact that some of my fellow people are against me hurts me more deeply than anything else’, the FNR said the most painful hurts always come from within.
Nonetheless, it firmly stated that ‘we are called to be a community in solidarity’ and said ‘the year 2009 must renew the people living in Naga-Land’.
We are called to be a people of hope, it said while adding that ‘the hope for the Nagas is built upon the promise that whatever happens, God will stay with us at all times, in all places. God is the God of life’.
“In embracing us, Jesus gives us hope we need to live the life He has given us … Let the year 2009 be for us to share and experience this hope,” the FNR appealed through the statement.

NDFB truce expires, no decision on extension reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 31 – Though the ceasefire agreement with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) expired today, the Central and State Governments have not yet taken any decision on whether to extend the same or not. Official sources said that the State and Central Governments would take the final decision on extension of the ceasefire agreement within the first week of the new year.

Sources said that the involvement of members of the NDFB in the serial blasts on October 30, which resulted in the death of 89 persons, forced the Government to think twice on extending the term of the ceasefire agreement.

Sources revealed that after the involvement of NDFB cadres in the blasts came to light, the Union Home ministry was not keen on extending the cease-fire agreement, but the State Government was of the view that the situation in the state might deteriorate if the agreement is withdrawn at this moment.

Official sources said division in the ranks of the NDFB also complicated the situation. The general assembly of the outfit removed the chairman of the outfit Ranjan Daimary alias DR Nabla from his post recently and on his part, Nabla claimed that he was still the chairman of the NDFB. Sources pointed out that even if the ceasefire agreement is extended, it would be difficult for the security forces to ascertain which member of the NDFB is follower of the pro-talk group of which one is a follower of Nabla.

However, the final decision on extension of the ceasefire agreement is likely to be taken in the Unified Command meeting scheduled for January 2, which will also be attended by the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, sources added.
Decision on NDFB truce after CBI report, says PC: Correspondent Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Dec 31: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has today said that the Centre is yet to take any decision on the extension of ceasefire with the NDFB, and the government will take a decision in this regard only after getting the report of the CBI investigation into the serial blasts in Asom.
Talking to newsmen here today, Chidambaram questioned: “If the NDFB doesn’t shun violence, how can the government go for suspension of operation with the outfit? The CBI is now investigating the serial blasts in Asom. Let the investigating agency submit its report first.” Chidambaram said some of Home Ministry officials have been keeping in touch with NDFB leaders in Delhi.
The Home Minister further said: “I intend to visit Asom on January 2 to meet Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and the Unified Command Structure to review the security situation there. Works of the ongoing national projects and border fencing will also be reviewed during the visit.”
Chidambaram said that the proposed Chief Ministers’ meeting on January 6 on the security scenario in the country after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks would be followed by another meeting the next day when a select group of Chief Ministers would discuss the menace of extremists.
Meanwhile, North East Congress Coordination Committee (NECC) general secretary Sharif U Laskar also met Chidambaram and discussed various issues relating to insurgency in the Northeast. He urged the Home Minister to provide adequate security for completion of Lumding-Badarpur gauge conversion work.