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02/05/2009: "Naga students’ protest Delhi’s ‘insincerity’ morungexpress"



Naga students’ protest Delhi’s ‘insincerity’ morungexpress

A leader of the Naga Students’ Union shouts a slogan in urging the Indian government to expedite the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogues for a positive solution, New Delhi on February 4. (AP Photo)
Dimapur : In view of the absence of a concrete decision by the UPA Government with regard to the “aspirational demand put forward by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN)” and considering the current tense political situation in Naga areas in the aftermath of the Shirui standoff between the 17th Assam Rifles and the NSCN, the Naga Students’ Union, Delhi (NSUD) took to expressing its disappointment and resentment. It staged a protest demonstration from Jantar Mantar to Parliament Street today at 1 pm. The protest was attended by over 2000 Naga students, sympathizers and well-wishers. Naga MPs and MLAs, the co-ordination committee on Shirui Siege, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and others spoke during the protest demonstration.
The Shiroi standoff was a ‘deliberate sinister’ attempt to ‘reign in terror’, according to the Naga Students’ Federation. Terming it to be an attempt to wage repression and disrupt the “peaceful” existence of the Naga populace, the NSF today urged the government of India to “instantly cease harboring policies and activities” that are negative to the people.
The NSF today said in a note from its president that the Shiroi standoff has cast a cloud over the Government of India’s commitment to the ongoing Indo-Naga political “peace” process. The recent action of the Assam Rifles “to subjugate the Nagas” and to “censor” their political rights has “vividly exhibited the threatening superficial policy of the GoI”, the NSF stated. The apex Naga students’ organization also said the security forces’ action was in open negation to the principles of ceasefire.
“The exercise of the AR was a deliberate sinister act attempted to reign in terror for suppression and to disrupt and defy the peaceful existence of the Naga populace. The adage (sic) ‘friends of the hill people’ have become a challenge and threat to out Naga political identity and existence” the NSF said. The Naga Students’ Federation urged upon the wisdom of the GoI to “instantly” cease harboring policies and activities that are detrimental to the “peaceful co-habitation” of the “two nations” instead of “fringing employing provocative and subduing military might”.
Similarly, the Naga Students’ Union of Delhi has written to the Prime Minister of India, expressing disappointment and resentment “before your good person and office”. The NSUD in its memorandum to Dr. Manmohan Singh demanded “solemn political commitment” from the government of India.
‘The GoI must clearly spell out a concrete proposal to resolve and transform the Indo-Naga conflict.
It is disturbing to know that the Government of India has failed to show evidence of its claim of sincerity, seriousness and political commitment to the public even after 11 years of several rounds of political negotiations with the NSCN’ the NSUD stated in its memorandum. The union also said the Naga students in Delhi deem as unfortunate the Indian Government not pronouncing a political formula but intensifying the emphasis on brute force of military means to “manage” the Indo-Naga issue.
Referring to the recent two-week standoff in Shiroi village between Assam Rifles troopers and NSCN (IM) activists, the union said the action was not “only an infringement of people’s right to freedom of movement but also gross violation of human rights”.
“You are well aware of the fact that Nagas inhabit in four north eastern states, namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. It is imperative to point out that the peace talk is between the Government of India and the Nagas, it is not a peace talk between the Government of India and the Nagaland state; therefore ceasefire continues and ceasefire must also prevail all around the world” the NSUD demanded in its memo.
Stating its demands, the NSUD called for a meaningful political solution as it is the “bounden duty of the UPA Government to resolve and transform the Indo-Naga problem before the end of its tenure in office”. The political talks should be expedited for a political solution by taking all possible steps to create conducive environment, NSUD stated. Without it, the union said, ‘meaningful political talks cannot be carried out’.
On the purview of the current ceasefire, the union said it should cover not only all Naga areas “but also all around the world”. The NSUD explained that the Indo-Naga peace talk is between the Government of India and the Nagas and not “peace talks between the Government of India and the Nagaland state”.
The ceasefire is to bring peace for all the Nagas and not restricted to Nagaland state alone, the union said. The government of India is also asked to “show evidence of its claim of seriousness, sincerity and political commitment to resolve and transform the Indo-Naga political issue”. The aspiration of the Nagas for a political solution is the rights of the Naga people, the NSUD added.

Siroy ripples reach Delhi - Students seek final solution to the Naga problem, anti-Nagalim campaigners want answers The Telegraph


File picture of the NSCN-IM camp at Siroy
New Delhi, Feb. 4: Peace may have just returned to Siroy at the end of a 14-day siege but the ripples of the standoff between the Naga militants and the Assam Rifles reached New Delhi today.
Scores of Naga students today poured out of their rented homes across Delhi and gathered at Jantar Mantar, from where they marched to Parliament Street demanding a “final” solution to the “problem”, of which the Siroy incident was only a symptom.
On January 19, troops of Assam Rifles surrounded a camp set up by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) atop a hill in Siroy, a village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, after the militants who are not allowed to be in camps outside Nagaland according to ceasefire ground rules, refused to surrender.
Over the next 14 days, Siroy and the rest of Northeast watched with bated breath as the Assam Rifles and the Naga militants stuck to their guns with a wall of village women standing in between to pre-empt possible clashes and bloodshed.
The Assam Rifles even cut off food and water supplies to the camp hoping the rebels — sources said there were 30 of them — would give in once their rations ran out.
But the rebels finally moved out on Monday, two days after Union home minister P. Chidambaram said the Centre would consider further talks with the NSCN (I-M) only after the camp was vacated.
Today, Naga youths studying in various colleges and universities in Delhi, supported by Outer Manipur MP Mani Charenamei and human rights activist Nandita Haksar, decided to step up pressure on the government to resolve the Naga issue.
They submitted memoranda to the Prime Minister, besides six other ministers and officials to expedite the peace process with the NSCN (I-M).
Copies of the memoranda were sent to ministers Prithviraj Chauhan, Oscar Fernandez, who is the political representative in the negotiation with the NSCN (I-M), minister of state for home, S. Reghupathy, besides interlocutor K. Padmanabhaiah.
The students strategically left out Chidambaram in a show of annoyance.
The home minister had declared that the peace process would continue only if ceasefire ground rules were not violated.
“We only want to involve the Prime Minister as talks are to be at that level,” said Naga Students Union Delhi president, Gideon Shadang. Five other Naga legislators from Manipur and the CPI (New Democracy) also joined their movement. The Naga legislator from Chingpi, W. Keishing, said Naga legislators from Manipur were not speaking in favour of the NSCN (I-M) but wanted peace in the region.
Keishing accused the Assam Rifles of disconnecting water supply to the Ukhrul region in order to mount pressure on the rebels at the camp. “This kind of behaviour is unbecoming, especially when you consider that the Assam Rifles had kept the camp in tact for the past few years. We do not understand what led to the sudden provocation.”
Assam Rifles was peeved after the NSCN (I-M) held five of its men, including an officer, captive at the camp in Ukhrul.
Militancy in India's Northeast needs a healing touch Monjib Mochahari Assam Times
Feb. 4: India's northeast is a geopolitically strategic region. Earlier, it was popularly known as the seven sisters of India and by its distinct diversity it is a mini-India with all its diversity and characters. Now it comprises eight states - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Sikkim and is spread over a 262,179 square kilometer area. The eight states contain a total population of 39 million. The region is encircled by countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China and Nepal. However, connects to the rest of mainland India only through a narrow and tenuous land corridor known as the ‘chicken’s neck’ measuring merely 22 kilometers.

Despite its diverse natural beauty and diversity, Northeast is widely known for a bad reason. The decades of insurgency and frequent ethnic conflicts are to be attributed to it for the reputation it has earned in the last decades. The mushrooming of militant organizations has become the hallmark of the region forcing the government of India to initiate military strikes and pressuring the bordering countries to dismantle the militant camps lodge in the jungles. Certainly, for no other reason than this, the Northeast is called the - “hotbed of militants’. A brand name indeed that everyone hate to acknowledge.

It’s certainly a crisis, long have we realized. Yet, it’s turning into chaos and its solutions a nightmare. There is a rapid rise of insurgent activities and regional movements in the northeast – a new trend leading us nowhere. New militant organizations are being under the guise of fighting for a genuine reason, especially in the states of Assam, Nagaland, and Tripura. Of late, the entry of Bangladeshi terrorist organization Harkat-ul-Jihad (HuJI) revolutionizing the militant groups in the region – sure, a locomotive engine for nearly formed insurgent groups.

It’s traumatic, but a reality check point, according to an unofficial figure, there more than 120 militant groups are operating in the regions. Technically speaking, out of this awesome figure nearly thirty indigenous armed groups – like, NSCN-IM, ULFA, NDFB, Tripura Tiger Force are waging wars for sovereignty against the government of India. The demands of the different militant groups range from autonomy within the provisions of the Indian constitution to outright secession. Many of these are said to be either China sponsored or patronized by the Pakistani Inter Service Intelligence (ISI). Such militant movements started early with India's independence in 1947.

At one point of time, though these enjoyed vast popular support since they, in their formative years, voiced genuine grievances of the people such as poor governance, alienation, lack of development and an apathetic attitude from the central government in New Delhi; soon they took converted this opportunity to exploit the people. Now, they are the real nuisance value of the society putting obstacles to modernity – certainly everyone love to embrace.

No doubt, the insurgency dilemma in the northeast needs a genuine healing touch. Over the years, both the state and the central government have used tactics from negotiations to military operations to bring stability and to rooting out militants in the region. Nevertheless, the region remains a potential tinderbox. Of late a number of insurgency groups like, NSCN-(IM), NSCN (K), NDFB, factions of ULFA are in cease fire with the government of India for a couple of years. However, ceasefire policy of the lackadaisical attitude of the government has widened the gap between the government and the militant organisations from the main issue. Lack of political will and sincere effort for lost lasting solution to the demands for the insurgency groups is never given importance; rather the extension of the cease is discussed more often than the problem which needs solution.

The NSCN-IM, at one point of time termed as deadliest of all insurgency groups in the north east have been fighting for sovereign a Nagaland for more than five decades entered into ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997. Even after the elapsed of twelve years little progressed have been made. Similarly, NDFB is ceasefire since 2005, yet so far, no formal talk was held even today. A sign of slow death of the ceasefire agreement, certainly will, erupt like a volcano in the near future.

Assam Rifles dismantles NSCN camp at Bade (Page News Service)

Kohima, February 4: Just a day after the visit of Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram to review the security scenario in the state the Assam Rifles on Wednesday dismantled six huts of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) at Bade village near the Council Headquarters of the group.
Source from the Information and Publicity of the NSCN told Nagaland Page that Assam Rifles personnel forcibly dismantled six huts which housed the "Naga army" as Road Opening Party (ROP) and took away all their belongings, but not arms. The group spokesman said Assam Rifles came in three gypsies and three trucks and dismantled the ROP camp promising to return all the belongings of NSCN cadres at the earliest. "Some Assam Rifles were in civilian dresses," the NSCN said.
Bade village is halfway to the council headquarters of the NSCN which is also popularly known as "Camp Hebron". The camp Hebron is some 35 km from Dimapur.
But security force sources here said the "so called" ROP camp was illegal and not approved by the government. Security forces said all such camps will be dismantled in the state and that cadres would not be allowed to violate the ceasefire ground rules.
In Bade village camp there were around 20 well armed NSCN gunmen. Armed cadres had to vacate the camp before the arrival of the Assam Rifles to avert arm confrontation says NSCN.
But the NSCN had insisted for "notified camps" and not designated camps stating that the Centre was trying to push them to the wall. The group wanted the present ceasefire be that of "two nation" type ceasefire and not in the present form.
Today's action came against the backdrop of Home Minister sending a strong warning to the cadres against violating the ceasefire ground rules.
Chidambaram yesterday said that government would act tough against NSCN cadres if they violate the truce ground rules. He had also directed the state government and the security forces to implement the ground rules in totality. He however said Naga peace talks would continue stating that no solution is possible outside the ambit of constitution of India.
Meanwhile, the group slammed the action of the security forces for what it alleged testing the nerves of the NSCN. It said Assam Rifles have gone overboard testing the nerves of the NSCN. But the group said it has been trying to avoid any confrontational attitude with the security forces. "They are testing our patience," the NSCN sources said.
The group warned that any fallout due to the actions of Assam Rifles it should not be held responsible.
The group accused the security forces of violating the truce ground rules.
Assam Rifles and army have been put on maximum alert to check the movement of NSCN cadres. This has been taken as per the directive from the Centre to implement the Special Operation Procedure (SOP) against the Naga armed cadres.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio also insisted for absolute operationalisation of SOP so as to check the illegal movement of cadres with arms in civilian areas.

Women demand exemplary punishment for rapist in Nagaland Zee News

Kohima, Feb 04: Hundreds of women have marched the roads demanding exemplary punishment to the accused of an attempted rape case in Sechu village near here.

The women carried placards and raised slogans outside the residence of the accused and also went to the village council chairman seeking justice yesterday.

However, police barred the agitating women from entering the residence of the accused, who was now under police custody.

Villagers alleged that the accused, a 40-year-old married man, had attempted to rape a woman in the absence of her husband. After the woman managed to escape, her husband brought the matter to light.

NSF on Shiroi incident Nagaland Page
Living testimonies bequeath to us and we all today are proud bearers to that dignified history of our Naga people and Nation. Ever since Nagas, as an Indigenous People, struggle for Self Determination and Sovereignty started, which is authentically based on the inalienable Historical Principle of Humanity and Universal Political Rights of Nations, Nagas has experienced, endured and triumphantly overcame all sorts of Indian military belligerent oppressions and atrocities beyond our wildest imagination since for the last past five decades till the Ceasefire Agreement was reached with the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN)s by the Government of India (GoI) in the year 1997 and 2001 respectively. As a generation of the age the younger generations richly salute and revere the immense sacrifices made by our leaders in defending our God's gifted rights.
Aftermath the initiation of the famous Peace Process, the Nagas and the younger generation with wounded hearts yet with a praying hope, trusting the goodwill and commitment of the Indian democracy, had being patiently looking forward to the Indian spirit of democracy, peace and value of human rights, in ushering an honorable solution to the long protracted Indo-Naga issue. However, by and large, we yet to see any light of sincerity and commitment on the part of the GoI in this particular endeavour.
The recent standoff and the undemocratic military siege of Shiroi village by the Indian Security forces, as represented by the 17th Assam Rifles, has casted a dark cloud and made us to quire the spirit of GoI of its principal and commitment on the ongoing Indo-Naga Political Peace Process, under the tag of Ceasefire Agreement. The traumatizing Shiroi siege exercised by an Indian security agency was in total gross violation of the Universal Human Rights. Contrary to the GoI and its military agent's admittance and recognition in identifying the geo-political meridians of the Nagas existence i.e. the people and its land, in the context of applying the ongoing Ceasefire Rule, the recent action of the AR to subjugate the Nagas and to censor our political right in open negation to the principles of Ceasefire had vividly exhibited the threatening superficial policy of the GoI in according to an honorable solution to the genuine rights of the Nagas. The exercise of the AR was a deliberate sinister act attempted to reign in terror for suppression and to disrupt and defy the peaceful existence of the Naga populace. The adage "friends of the hills people: have become a challenge and threat to our Naga political identity and existence.
As we struggle for our historical and political right, right of Peace in our land, be heard and honored befittingly, thus the Federation urge the prudence of the GoI to instantly cease harboring policies and activities that is detrimental to the peaceful cohabitation of the two nations instead of fringing employing provocative and subduing military might.
Imchatoba Imchen
President, NSF
Question for Nagaland state & 16 point agreement with GoI morungexpress
•Sir—Inviting reference to the Chief Minister’s statement during the Chairman members and official of the 13th Finance Commission meeting with the state Chief Minister and senior officials at Jafu Hotel on 20th January 2009. The Chief Minister said that Nagaland State was created on 1st December 1963 according to clause 11 of the Historic 16 point agreement with government of India.
In connection with above statement I would like to know the following points. Whether the Naga public and politicians demanded a separate state for Nagaland from the government of India and the demand letter was included 16 point agreement or not? And if there was no demand from the government of India then how a separate state was created for Nagaland without demand. The government of India would never distribute state to any community without demand and it is not easy to get state, it takes a long time to meet demands.
Not only Nagaland state but Dimapur town land along with Dimapur Administrative HQ was also brought to Nagaland with state, was there any Naga public and politicians demanded Dimapur Administrative HQ from the government of Assam or from the government of India whether the public demand letter was included to 16 point agreement or not? And if there was no demand how Dimapur Administrative HQ was brought to Nagaland under Kohima District Administration.
Because District Administration HQ was established by the Assam government during the British regime and running the Administration up to 1962.
Therefore, the history of Nagaland state and the history of 16 point agreement with government of India.
The Nagaland state and Dimapur town land and District Administration HQ was brought to Nagaland for some other reason and it has got no connection with peace agreement, 16 point agreement, Shillong accord and no compromised with Naga Sovereignty.

V K Sema, Dimapur

Centre plans crackdown on NE insurgents (TNN) Nagaland page
NEW Delhi, February 4: The Centre has asked security forces to go all out against insurgents in the northeast, making sure that all outfits which are not in ceasefire mode are wiped out from the region in a time-bound manner.
Whether it is ULFA, All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), People's Liberation Army (PLA) or Borok National Council of Tripura (BNCT), all the outfits, which have cadres numbering 100 to 1,000, are already facing the heat.
Though such a diktat has not been sent for NSCN (IM) and NSCN (Khaplang) which have been in ceasefire with security forces for long, the agencies have been asked to keep a close watch on these groups so that they do not violate the ceasefire. The matter was discussed in detail on Tuesday with Manipur and Nagaland in security review meetings.
The Centre's stand was articulated by home minister P Chidambaram after the meeting in Dimapur when he said violation of the ceasefire by Naga underground groups would not be tolerated and asked the state government and security agencies to strictly enforce the truce terms to create a congenial atmosphere.
Sources in the home ministry said similar instructions had been sent to Assam and Tripura. Besides, the security agencies have also been asked to see that both factions of the Naga group cannot extend their activities beyond their designated camps. India has, meanwhile, planned to take up the issue of insurgents' camps with neighbouring Bangladesh and Mayanmar as territories of both these countries have been used by militants as hideouts and training ground, they added.
An official said the issue would be discussed with Bangladesh in detail when the foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee goes to Dhaka on February 9. With the friendly Sheikh Hasina government now firmly in charge, New Delhi would like Dhaka to cooperate with it in tracking down ULFA and NDFB militants, he added.
It is believed that unless ULFA and NDFB are uprooted from their bases in Bangladesh, it would be difficult to contain terrorism in Assam as the groups are being backed by HuJI and the ISI. The two groups jointly have over 20 camps in various parts of Bangladesh, including in Dhaka and Chittagong.




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