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01/22/2009: "Troops surround Ukhrul rebel camp OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"
Troops surround Ukhrul rebel camp OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, Jan. 21: After two days of denial, the Assam Rifles today admitted a standoff between its troops and cadres of the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) in Manipurs Ukhrul district for the past three days.
A resident of Ukhrul said the only thing thats preventing a shootout is the women of Siroy village, where the troops are positioned, who have placed themselves between the jawans and the militants. The women of surrounding villages have also joined in the 24-hour vigil.
It is the womens intervention which has staved off a clash, the resident said.
On January 18, the 17 Assam Rifles came across a camp-like construction in the village, nearly 15km east of the district headquarters and found several NSCN (I-M) cadres holed up there. Since there cannot be any designated camp for the Naga militants in Manipur, the jawans, accusing them of violating ceasefire ground rules, asked the armed rebels to surrender their weapons.
When the rebels did not comply, the troops surrounded the camp and brought in reinforcements. They were not allowing anybody either to leave the camp or enter.
Yes there is a stand-off between the troops and the cadres of the NSCN (I-M) in Siroy of Ukhrul district. We have asked the cadres to surrender their weapons as they have violated the ground rules. The stand-off is continuing today, said Assam Rifles spokesman Maj. Shamsher Jung.
Earlier, the Assam Rifles officials and police had denied that there was a stand-off. Sources said the NSCN (I-M) cadres were staying there for the past two years. The camp was constructed on the site of an unfinished tourist lodge.
The ceasefire is applicable only in Nagaland and no designated camps could be set up in Manipur for NSCN cadres. So the troops asked them to surrender. But they failed to comply. Then the troops surrounded the camp, Maj. Jung said.
The spokesman confirmed that no one was being allowed to enter the camp nor come out of it in an attempt to cut off food supply. It could not be confirmed how many cadres of the Naga rebel group were holed up in the camp.
As tension in the village mounted, social organisations of Ukhrul today reviewed the situation at a meeting, convened by the Tangkhul Naga Long, the apex body of the Tangkhul community, at the district headquarters. It could not be immediately known if any decision was taken. However, the public organisations are expected to appeal to both sides to defuse tension. The resident of Ukhrul who visited the place today said over phone that the situation was still tense.
Nagaland redrawing map with British-era documents Vishwa Mohan, TNN
NEW DELHI: Nearly 30 years after losing its map, Nagaland has finally got down to drawing one with the help of a number of old British-era maps
of the northeast provided to it by National Archives of India.
Though the state had lost its map after submitting it to the Centre in 1979, it came as a shock to the home ministry in September last year when the loss was brought to light by Nagaland during its submission before the Local Commission on Border.
TOI had first reported the loss on September 10 last year -- leading the home ministry to pursue the matter with Survey of India, National Archives, state archive of Assam and National Library, Kolkata, to help Nagaland reconstruct the map all over again.
While National Archives has given 53 old maps of northeast to Nagaland, National Library and Assam state archive have been asked by the home ministry to make the requisite information available to the state so that it can draw its line of jurisdiction as early as possible.
In a glaring instance of callous handling of vital public documents, neither the Centre nor the state could keep the original documents safe.
Officials in the home ministry, however, said it was actually Assam's responsibility to keep the documents/maps safe as it was handed over to the state government which has boundary disputes with Nagaland.
"Government of Nagaland had submitted certain documents/maps in September 1979 to the home ministry with respect to the boundary dispute with Assam. The ministry subsequently referred these maps to Assam for its response, which was duly acknowledged by the state," a senior home ministry official said.
Assam, however, lost it. Nagaland, meanwhile, witnessed large-scale violence sparked by insurgents' demand to carve out Greater Nagaland by extending the existing boundaries of the state -- which came into existence in 1963.
It, however, remains a mystery why the home ministry, which received the original documents including map of Nagaland, did not keep a copy of what it got in 1979.
MNRF owns up to blasting bomb at Ukhrul on Jan 16 Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 20 2009: THE MANIPUR Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) today while owning the blast at Ukhrul town on January 16 last said that it was carried out by a special task force of the Naga Red Army under the front as a part of its military campaign in the district.
"It was nothing but just sounds to the people one and all of our presence in the district, a statement of the front signed by its information and publicity secretary C Rocky said adding that it was also a sign of love, peace and understanding.
The front is well aware of precious of one's life.So they don't want to hurt anyone's life before he or she is well informed for impeding dangers, it said. The statement also call the people (they say brother and sister of Nagas in Manipur) to understand "the threats made by the NSCN (IM) to each and every good citizen as land lord for their benefits only".
"We must know that NSCN(IM) is for the development of their organization, they are not for the Nagas/Nagalim.
We are deceived and suppressed by the organization in the name of the Nagalim sovereignty," the statement said. The front will go on fighting against the act of "hypocrisy, imperialist and relentless attitude" applied by the NSCN(IM) towards the poor people like us. They want peace, unity to self liberty in the society, it said.
It also warned the NSCN(IM) not to forget what UG could do against impostors and asked to leave the public free to choose the right thing to do and way to go.
NSCN (IM) should not interrupt the relationship building up between the MNRF and the public, the statement asked while stating that any untoward incident occur will be the responsibility of the IM as they would not able to provide life security for a person they like most.
"If you leave us free we have nothing to say against you. Lets behave ourselves and mind our own business to make things smoother," the statement finally said.
'Feast of love' held in Nagaland for unity and friendship From ANI
Kohima, Jan.21: Members of the Nagaland's Shuya clan from different parts of Kohima, Dimapur and Phek districts, assembled here recently in large numbers for a much-awaited Shuya clan meet headed by 96-year-old L.Shuya.
The event was the traditional "feast of love" at Meriema, one of the oldest villages in northern Angami area of Kohima.
The Shuya clan from 10 villages of Nagaland came together after a gap of one decade to mark this special occasion.
The event is traditional practice of the clan, which used to occur after an inter-village war as a sort of peace treaty.
It was held to encourage unity and friendship among the people. A monolith stone was also unveiled signifying unity and friendship among the members of the clan.
Rarovilhou Khfu of Jotsoma village, said: "When Kipfhu came from another village, Merie's eldest son Shyatsu and Kipfhu's son developed close friendship and became a family. So we are here to carry that tradition forward and get to know each other and to participate in the feast of love. Through this our relationship becomes better and we are at peace with each other."
Dr. Thepfudi Shuya, said: "Peace can be brought through such events. This is the true meaning. This is the place where peace was ushered in and we can bring peace through this."
The event, which highlighted the history and the present status of Shuyatsumia in different fields, was marked by songs and concluded with a grand feast.
The organization of this special event showcased a strong desire among the locals to spread the message of solidarity and peace among the Nagas, which sets a example for all others. By Vibou Ganguly
Some important points of Naga sovereignty Vezonu Venuh Morung
Through your esteem local daily, I the undersigned would like to highlights the following few genuine noted points in respect of the birth and formation of the Naga sovereignty, where our fore fathers fights for the rights and cause of the Nagas since from the time immemorial. This publication is indeed aimed at creating a better knowledge of how our leaders and pioneers of the Naga Freedom fighters engage themselves fighting for the better future of the Nagas with firm determination and loyalties. Following few enumerated points are some of the in formation points in regard to the formation and birth of the Naga Sovereignty.
1. From the beginning Nagas were independent people, Nagas were never ruled by any other nation other than themselves. Nagas lives with the feeling of oneness.
2. During the first world war in 1917, Nagas too fights in the war claiming themselves free from ruled of any other nations. Subsequently, a team of Nagas went to French under the Allied Colonel Leber Corps proclaiming that Nagas had their own uniqueness and free from the ruled of whatever nation.
3. It is to be noted that, with the formation of the Naga Club in 1918, some Naga leaders were assigned to work for the cause of the Naga rights.
4. Under the initiatives of the Naga Club, a memorandum was submitted to the British Cabinet on 10th January 1929 urging the British government to take note of the rights of the Nagas.
5. It was in 1935 that the British Parliament passed a resolution that Nagas should be excluded from the Indian territory, hence, the covered lands of the Nagas was termed as Naga Hills Excluded Areas.
6. Naga Club was abolished on 2nd February 1946; thereby Naga National Council (NNC) was formed in its place.
7. The global announcement of 14th August as the Naga Independence Day initiated in the year 1947.
8. 99% of the Nagas participated in the famous Naga Plebiscite Day on 16th may 1957. All plebiscite day participants take firm Oath provided that they shall be ever faithful and loyal to the Naga Sovereignty.
9. The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was formed under the initiatives of the Parasent Sendenyu Area Rengma Region on 22nd March 1956. Following the formation of the FGN, a rainbow colour Naga National Sovereignty Flag was hoisted. Meanwhile, the following designated leaders of the Naga were assigned to read the given Holy Bible verse and thereby they were being blessed by the mandatory of the Nagas to work for the cause of the Naga rights.
(a) Khriesaneisa, FGN Kedahge (President) Roman 10:18. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: Their voice has gone out into all the earth, Their words to the ends of the world.
(b) Wheha, FGN Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) Mathew 6:33. But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(c) AZ. Phizo, NNC Kedahge (President) Zechariah 4:6. So he said to me, This is the word of Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord Almighty.
(d) Kruzhalie, FGN Ahng (Governor) Japfu State. Roman 8:33. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Meanwhile, General Thongti Chang, Chief of the Naga Army, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) hoisted the Naga Sovereignty Flag followed by the above stated leaders read their assigned bible verse. Under the banner of Nagaland for Christ the leaders were ask to declared themselves as such; I shall be ever faithful to God and the people of the Nagas in all the pursuing activities of the NNC.
I also do felt pertinent to analyse the real meaning and objectives of the Famous 1957 plebiscite day participation. The participants of the plebiscite solemnly vowed before God and the man and take the oath as stated under;
(i) That I as a Naga shall honour the NNC and nothing else.
(ii) That I will never be part of the Central Investigation Department (CID) of India that may compel the citizens of the Naga to sold the rights of the Nagas.
(iii) That I shall never do with the name of NNC whatsoever for the personal benefits.
I shall be loyal to the above solemn words, I vowed before God and man that I shall always lives behind the fellow Naga friends, besides- heaven and earth curse be mine in case I fail to abide by the above words. This plebiscite participation was done by pressing their cut bleeding thumbs on the white documented paper.
Dear readers, therefore, let us remind ourselves with the loyal deeds of our forefathers who stays firm and committed all the time even in times of great difficulties May God Almighty blessed each one of us
(Vezonu Venuh)
President,
Naga National Council,
Phek Sub Region
Nagas suppressed and neglected for so long morungexpress
Dimapur : The United Naga Democratic Socialist Party (UNDSP) today asserted that the Nagas have been suppressed and neglected by the Government of India for the last many decades, that the Naga areas have been divided into so many sectors which cannot be denied historically and anthropologically, and therefore it was necessary to unify these people.
In a four page memorandum submitted to the visiting 13th Finance Commission to the state, the UNDSP president, N Ntsemo Ngullie, while highlighting the condition of the Nagas, said that the Nagas in fact are hardworking, energetic, imaginative, and can play any role in any organisation of the world. However, he lamented that the Naga areas have been divided into so many sectors like Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and China.
Therefore, it is necessary to unify these people based on historical facts. By doing so, it is hoped that peace and development activities will speed up in the State without hindrances from various quarters, the UNDSP president asserted. In this connection, the UNDSP maintained that the allocation of funds should not be based on population and area, instead it should be on need base, since Nagaland state is known as a political state formed out of the agreement between the Government of India and the Nagas and that a separate constitutional provision for the state of Nagaland was enshrined in the Constitution of India to look into the peculiar socio-economic and political needs of the state.
However, the UNDSP stated, there is no development in sectors like industry, agriculture, etc., and that businessmen are also not willing to invest their money due to the prolonged insurgency problem. The alternative is Government to invest and allocate more funds for developing the state, the UNDSP stated. In this regard, the Party stated that the state of Nagaland needs the blessing and sympathy of the 13th Finance Commission given the present economic, socio and political conditions.
Until and unless your generous allocation of fund is extended, it is difficult to run the Government. Therefore, UNDSP suggest that special allocation should be given to the Nagaland state, the party implored. Besides, the Party also expressed its belief that there is a system breakdown in the country which needs to be revived so that India can survive as a nation. To check corruption in the tribal area where people do not pay income tax, the party suggested the evolving of a system to detect corruption.
As long as corruption prevails, the Nation cannot survive and mutual trust and confidence among each other will be lost, the UNDSP stated. Also, asserting that the Financial Commissions and Planning Commission are interrelated, the party also highlighted some points as to why the Planning Department of the Government of India should not seriously look into the development activities for the state of Nagaland.
In this regard, the UNDSP stated that Nagaland is surrounded by unfriendly neighbouring countries and also agitating states like Assam and Manipur who are against the Nagas and are forcibly taking Naga forests and lands leaving no plain areas left to the Nagas to cultivate.
It also highlighted that Nagaland has enough potential for economic development and that it is rich in mineral resources which could not be explored due to lack of communication. It maintained that Nagaland government and the government of India are busy in dealing with the Naga Undergrounds for over sixty years and no funds were spared for the development activities. Most of the development funds have been diverted for fighting the Naga insurgents and which in turn have slowed down all the development activities or have kept them in pending, it added.
In this regard, the UNDSP stated that for extraction of minerals, good communication and roads are needed. The Party stated that since air and waterways cannot be made possible in the area, it suggested opting for a cheaper transport which is railways, the party maintained. Besides this, the UNDSP also suggested the opening of roads to link the state with other Southeast Asian countries.
Former Nagaland minister slams Gogoi over terror tag morungexpress
Dimapur : Former Nagaland minister TA Ngullie has slammed what he termed as irresponsible utterances and accusation made by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. The latter had reportedly accused Nagaland pointing as a breeding place for terrorists in the northeast. This is a serious matter in the eye of the nation, in front of the chief ministers of India. Such irresponsible utterances and accusation is unfounded and uncalled for, the former Nagaland minister stated in response to the Assam Chief Ministers statement on terrorism.
Ngullie, who is now advisor to the newly formed United Naga Democratic Socialist Party (UNDSP) went on to claim that Assam government was one of the factors which created situation in Nagaland whereby an innocent Naga, most popular and handsome sportsman were shot down by Officer In-charge (OC) Assam Police at Kohima in the year 1950. Ngullie stated that this was the beginning of provocation and open challenge to the innocent and harmless Nagas. Ngullie went on to add that the Nagas have never killed innocent civilians in the State ever since the Indian generals and bureaucrats who conducted counter-insurgency operation in Nagalim. The former minister also pointed out that former Chief Minister of Assam Medhi visited some parts of Nagaland to assess the situation and bring down the independence movement and to destroy and eradicate it completely. It was alleged that instead of bringing peace between the government and the Nagas, such an action only antagonized the Nagas creating rift between the people of the two states and that the former chief minister Medhi brought the Army to operate against the Nagas.
In contrast, Ngullie stated that Late PB Chaliha visited Nagaland as leader of the Socialist Party and that among the Nagas, his work of understanding and love between the Assamese and the Nagas were restored. As a reward for his good works, the Nagaland Baptist churches demanded his inclusion in the peace talks between the Naga undergrounds and the government of India.
Ngullie went on to state that, as Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi could not bring out any solution with regard to the insurgent groups of Assam, especially with the ULFA, which is the strongest organization in Assam today. Instead, he should be ashamed of increasing terrorist groups in the State of Assam, Ngullie alleged. He pointed out that during his regime there had been increase of militant groups such as the ALNA, BODO, DHD, KNLP, SULFA, NDFB and many others.
The former Nagaland minister stated that the Congress leadership in Delhi was blind to all these activities and allowing Gogoi to continue in office. Ngullie stated that through Gogoi the Congress will be finished in Assam never to come back. Since time immemorial, the Ahoms and Nagas have lived in peace and harmony, Ngullie said and urged that the Centre should push for an amicable settlement of the boundary issue between Assam and Nagaland. It was also stated that the Assam chief minister through his utterances was dividing the people of the two States. Gogoi is told to apologize to the Nagas and Assamese people for his unmindful utterances and false statement of misleading the people.
Ngullie while claiming that the Naga freedom fighters were the only organization which abided with the laws of the land, customary laws and traditions besides international law, has asked Gogoi that if there is any terrorist activities being undertaken by the Naga undergrounds, the Assam Chief Minister should specifically pinpoint them such as the particular group and the place and occurrences. If he does not clear his position, it will go down in the history and it will be bad for him, Ngullie stated. It was also suggested that in order to deal with the situation in the northeast, leaders should be careful and sincere because the problems in the region itself was sensitive.
Assam Rifles jawan kills 6 colleagues at Manipur checkpost Manu Pubby Indian Express
New Delhi: In perhaps the worst case of fratricidal killing in the security forces, a jawan of the Assam Rifles shot dead six of his colleagues at a remote checkpost in Manipurs Ukhrul district this evening.
Sources said the victims belonged to the 17 Assam Rifles and were manning a road checkpost at Awang Kasom Khullen. According to initial reports, the jawan got into a verbal altercation with another soldier and shot him dead with a service rifle. Hearing the gunshots, five other soldiers, including a JCO, rushed in. However, they, too, came under fire and were shot dead. Only one jawan was reported to have survived.
Security forces are searching for the jawan who hails from Nagaland and is believed to be familiar with the local terrain. Police suspect he might be headed to a stronghold of the NSCN-IM insurgents. The group has a ceasefire agreement with the Government in Nagaland but is active in Manipur.
The Assam Rifles has been carrying out counter-insurgency operations in the area and had busted two NSCN-IM bunkers in the last few days. In the last such case, an IAF sergeant shot dead his superior at Kalaikunda airbase in September last year. More than 70 officers and men have died from colleagues bullets since 2001.
Gandhi Peace Foundation steps in for bringing peace in Manipur Manipur Information Centre
NEW DELHI, Jan 20: Having felt that the state of Manipur has been under alarming situation of violence, the Gandhi Peace Foundation has come out with determination to find a solution so that Manipur could take part in the issues of development.
To discuss the issues exclusively for Manipur, the Gandhi Peace Foundation is organizing a seminar-cum-workshop on the subject `Peace is essential for development` on February 7 from 10 am to 5.30 pm at the conference hall of the Gandhi Peace Foundation at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg here.
The secretary of the foundation Surendra Kumar said, "We are well aware that Manipur has been a victim of violence and the situation needs immediate rectification. The violence has seriously affected all aspects of life, the society, the state and its overall progress.
"Peace is a pre-requisite for development and the civil society can play a very vital role in establishing peace. Believing in peace which is indispensable medium to foster development, the foundation has taken initiative to organize a seminar where people of Manipur from different walks of life could discuss about the issues of peace and development in the state."
He underlined, "The fast pace of development of today`s globalizing world is of no use to Manipur, if the people of the state cannot participate and take advantage of the development process."
The seminar will be a platform for different voices to express their views and ideas on different aspects of the problem. The deliberations of the workshop will also help in formulating strategy for strengthening the peace process in the region and thereby facilitating all round development.
The proposed issues for the seminar-cum-workshop include - How violence has affected the education system, health facilities, trade and commerce, tourism, developmental works including infrastructure development and economic progress?; States which are peaceful have shown all-round progress and are taking advantage of opportunities in India; Potential of development in Manipur and people`s participation in its planning and implementation;and Formulating strategies of mechanism to establish peace in the state with people`s support.
Surendra Kumar said, "The objective of this seminar is to understand and appreciate the different views expressed by the participants on these crucial and important issues and this will also be an opportunity to chalk out the direction for the future."
Besides inviting some eminent scholars from Manipur including academicians, intellectuals, media representatives who are deeply concerned with the present state of affairs in the state to address the seminar, the Gandhi Peace Foundation has also invited students and youths of Manipur who are studying and working in Delhi for active participation in the conference and interaction with each other.
The Gandhi Peace Foundation was formed in 1963 to promote the principles of truth and non-violence and to carry out studies and research on the teachings and practices of Mahatma Gandhi and also to determine their relevance in today`s context.
Ibobi claims peace talks on right track OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
A religious group performs at the statehood day function in Imphal on Wednesday. A Telegraph Picture
Imphal, Jan. 21: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today announced that the peace process with 20 militant groups in the state was making good progress. He renewed his appeal to the rest of the outfits to join the process.
I am happy to announce that the peace process with some militant groups is making good progress. I appeal to the rest of the groups to come to the democratic process and contribute in making a new Manipur, Ibobi Singh said, while addressing the statehood day function at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground here today.
The Ibobi Singh government is holding talks with these militant groups since August last year.
Ibobi Singh, however, did not elaborate on the progress of the peace process.
His appeal to the armed groups came shortly after a team of the 13th Finance Commission landed at Kangla by helicopter on a three-day visit.
After attaining statehood in 1972, the state has been making rapid strides in various fields, particularly in the field of education, healthcare, infrastructure development, games and art and culture. We have a vision to include Manipur among the list of developed states of the country by 2020, he said.
The chief minister, however, expressed his unhappiness that the problem of militancy was in the way of his governments implementation of development projects.
Stating that his government believed in the democratic process, Ibobi Singh reiterated his appeal to the armed groups.
Health minister Pheiroijam Parijat Singh hoped that the militant groups would respond positively to the chief ministers appeal .
The statehood day function was a low-key affair. The highlight of the programme was all religious prayers.
