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02/25/2009: "NSCN (IM) welcomes talk at the highest level Newmai News Network"

NSCN (IM) welcomes talk at the highest level Newmai News Network

Kohima |: Commenting on the just-concluded Naga Convention for Reconciliation and Peace the NSCN-IM tonight expressed appreciation at the development especially with regard to the point that reconciliation must take place at the highest level of all “Naga political groups”. “What has been discussed and adopted on the reconciliation at Kohima local ground is something to be appreciated. And now everything must follow in the right earnest and with the spirit of tolerance and patience,” the NSCN-IM said in a note issued by its MIP.
“From the very beginning the outfit’s stance has been made very clear and it was all for the genuine unity that must come-forth from the highest level as the second rung leaders of the other groups are simply beating about the bush and nowhere to take decisive action on reconciliation and unity” it stated.
“In the past we have participated twice in such convention expecting the highest leaders to turn up but they failed to show up, much to the disappointment of the NSCN top leadership. Nevertheless, the persistence of FNR is well appreciated”, the NSCN-IM statement said. “Let it be known that the NSCN will never stay apart from the Naga peoples’ socio-political aspiration. And that was the reason why NSCN took the initiative on this crucial issue” it asserted.
Rio upbeat on reconciliation push
Dimapur, February 23 (MExN): Nagaland chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is appreciative of the reconciliation initiatives being undertaken by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. Extending full support to the peace and reconciliation efforts under the forum’s banner, Rio also welcomed the clarion of “GPRN/NSCN” chairman SS Khaplang that the voice of the people is supreme. In a message today, Neiphiu Rio extended appreciation and congratulations to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, particularly in the backdrop of what he said the recently-held successful Naga Convention for Reconciliation and Peace. The chief minister was of the view that the forum has made tireless efforts to bring about reconciliation in the Naga society and that it needs to be supported by all sections of the people.
The message stated DAN government’s full support to the reconciliation and peace efforts under the banner of Forum for Naga Reconciliation. Rio has made an appeal to all Naga sections to work towards understanding, reconciliation and oneness. Rio also welcomed SS Khaplang’s recent message issued yesterday in the backdrop of the Naga convention in Kohima. The chief minister appreciated Khaplang’s statement calling for peace and understanding while observing that the voice of the people is supreme.
Stop dirty politics, Rio govt told - Cong concern over peace OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Feb. 23: The Opposition Congress has cautioned the Nagaland People’s Front, the main constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, that the ongoing Naga peace process would be hampered if it continued to indulge in “immoral and unprincipled” politics. PCC president K.V. Pusa, Congress Legislature Party leader Chingwang Konyak and former chief minister K.L. Chishi warned the DAN government that the peace process would be affected if the party continued to indulge in “dirty politics with money”.
The statement has come against the backdrop of four of its members resigning from the Assembly and defecting to the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF).
“This will affect the peace process adversely,” Chishi said today. Pusa said such activities would derail the peace process. He said the party would discuss the issue of offering support to the Naga consultative meeting to be held from March 5 to 7. The state government has convened a meeting of all Naga leaders from abroad and from Naga-inhabited areas to deliberate on how to take forward the stalled peace process. But the Congress leaders have warned that it might even pull out of the meeting in the event of the DAN government’s “cash for MLAs” scam.
“We should be putting our heads together for this issue between the government of India and the Naga people,” the former chief minister said. But he regretted the ruling party was indulging in dirty politics, rather, ignoring the main issue confronting all Nagas. Pusa said keeping in the mind the importance of Naga political issue, the Congress in Nagaland has been supportive and co-operative with the state government.
He indicated withdrawal of support to the DAN over the Naga issue, but reiterated the Congress’s commitment to an early solution to the Naga problem. He said the party would continue to strive for taking the peace process ahead. The PCC president said the party had been constantly apprising the central leaders of the need to expedite the Naga peace process.
“Recently we had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, AICC president Sonia Gandhi and home minister P. Chidambaram and requested them to expedite the ongoing Naga political talks,” Pusa said. “We will take a back seat in supporting the DAN on the Naga issue,” the PCC president said. CLP leader Konyak said the DAN government was dragging its feet on the Naga issue. Chishi said the DAN government, which had said, would be a facilitator to the Naga peace process has become facilitator to corruption and defection.
Manipur seeks killer’s custody OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, Feb. 23: Manipur today requested the ceasefire monitoring cell in Dimapur and the Union home ministry to hand over the culprit/s involved in the abduction and killing of three officials to the state government for trial.
The move has come a day after the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) admitted that a senior cadre of the outfit was involved in the abduction and brutal killing of the three government officials.
The NSCN (I-M) in a statement issued in Dimapur yesterday, admitted that self-styled commanding officer of Kiusumong battalion H. Ningshen was involved in the gruesome murders. The outfit termed its cadre a “black sheep” and said whatever prompted him to undertake such a severe measure against the officials could not justify the “inhuman action”. The outfit said it would soon announce its decision on what action was to be taken against the rebel.
Sub-divisional officer of Kasom Khullen, Thingnam Kishan, and his five subordinate staff members were abducted on February 13. Kishan and two of the staff members were found murdered on February17 in Senapati district.


A protest rally against the killings on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections
The other three missing officials were rescued from Ukhrul on Saturday and they are being interrogated.
“The findings of the interrogation and the confession of the NSCN (I-M) match. The investigation is still in progress and we are making headway,” director-general of police Y. Joykumar Singh said today.
A senior minister said the Ibobi Singh government made a formal request to the ceasefire monitoring cell in Dimapur to hand over the culprit/s to the government for trial. The state government also apprised the Union home ministry of the development with a request that the culprits be handed over to it.
The DGP said the home ministry would be approached for the custody of the rebels involved in the murders. The joint action committee, spearheading the protest against the killings, tonight announced the next phase of agitation starting tomorrow. The committee has demanded the arrest of the NSCN (I-M) cadre responsible for the killing and the report of the probe panel be made public by February 27.
NPMHR flays killings (NPN):
DIMAPUR, The Naga Peoples’ movement for Human Rights has strongly condemned the action of NSCN (I-M) functionary who confessed to the killing of Kasom Khullen SDO Kishan Thingam and his two staff members Yumnam Token and Aribam Rajen Sharma.
While appreciating ‘Kilo Kilonser’ Kedutsii Tsuzuh and ‘Col’ Levi Zimik for their affirmation that the NSCN (I-M) had no hand in the murder and that their cadres if found involved in the case would be awarded befitting punishment, the NPMHR in a release issued by its general secretary Dr Venuh on Monday reminded the organization of its assurance and commitment.
“We demand that the guilty be put under trial immediately and severely penalized by the competent authority without any attempt whatsoever to manipulate the due course of justice,” the release stated.
The NPMHR also termed the allegations made against late Th Kishan as not only “dehumanizing” but also as a “very unhealthy face-saving exercise” that should have been avoided when dealing with such a tragic and unwarranted event.
It said this was not the time for blame-game but a time to take responsibility in bringing the guilty to account.
Observing that this traumatizing incident has once again been a testing time for the different communities of the region, the NPMHR appreciated the role of different organizations and communities in maintaining a peace during this trying period.
It also appealed to the public to uphold the dignity and respect that each of us have for one another and maintain communal harmony during this difficult time.

AR crossing limits, alleges NSCN/GPRN Nagarealm.com


DIMAPUR, FEB23 [EMN] : The tightening of security by the Assam Rifles, apparently to enforce the cease fire ground rules, has now nettled the ‘GPRN/NSCN’ which feels that the paramilitary force have ‘stretched the military code of conduct a little bit too far.’


Hokato Vusshe, Dy. Kilonser & Member, SFSB/GPRN, in a press communiqué, stated that the AR has grossly violated the peaceful atmosphere by indulging in what he termed as ‘unnecessary frisking’ right at the entry point to designated camp Khehoi. The ‘GPRN/NSCN’ termed the arrest and detention of four its civilian workers on February 23 from the vicinity of the camp as unacceptable and uncalled for, claiming that the four were on their way to the weekly market nearby to purchase vegetables.

It demanded an immediate halt to conduct of frisking at Toshiho village gate, the only road to the designated camp, as it says that it amounts to harassment of general public in the area and disrespect to ceasefire agreement in force. It may be recalled that the NSCN-IM had also accused the AR of not respecting the ceasefire ground rules on more than one occasion. In its most recent statement it had said that ‘the world is watching the post ceasefire Indo-Naga relation, particularly the free rein given to the Assam Rifles’ while stating that the ethical standard that normally governs any ceasefire signed between two entities is missing in the Assam Rifles.

The NSCN-IM further said that as GoI tries to establish itself as a country that detests any act of terrorism, ‘the nature of AR state actors of terrorism exist in the land where the ceasefire was signed in 1997’. Double standard interpretation of Indo-Naga Ceasefire is against historical reality and therefore unrealistic in the search for the Indo-Naga political solution, it had added. Meanwhile, the ‘GPRN/NSCN’ has also clarified that the reported arrest of two impostors claiming to be activists of NSCN-K is incorrect. A release by Tokiho Aye, ‘Office of the Regional Administrative Officer (RAO), UT I GPRN/NSCN’ said GPRN/NSCN has nothing to do with Raj Khan and Babu Rai and that they were neither enrolled in the national service nor been assigned for any duty. Their claim as being part of GPRN/NSCN and serving as RSI and Private respectively is utterly baseless, it said.

NSCN-IM welcomes commitment Eastern mirror
KOHIMA, FEB 23: Commenting on the just concluded Naga Convention for Reconciliation and Peace organised by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), the NSCN-IM said tonight
, “From the very beginning, the outfit’s stance has been made very clear and it was all for the genuine unity that must come forth from the highest level as the second rung leaders of the other groups are simply beating about the bush and nowhere to take decisive action on reconciliation and unity.”
However, the NSCN-IM statement issued by its Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) said that if the just concluded convention held under the theme ‘Let My People Go’ participated by different Naga ‘national groups’, tribal hohos, NGOs, church leaders and organisations, including from abroad, have come for at the common opinion that Naga reconciliation must take place at the highest level of all ‘Naga political groups’, it is an indication of positive development and the NSCN-IM welcomes such commitment.
“In the past we have participated twice in such conventions expecting the highest leaders to turn up but they failed to show up much to the disappointment of the NSCN top leadership. Nevertheless, the persistence of FNR is well appreciated,” the NSCN-IM statement said while adding, “Let it be known that the NSCN will never stay apart from the Naga peoples’ socio-political aspiration. And that was the reason why NSCN took the initiative on this crucial issue.”
“What has been discussed and adopted on the reconciliation at Kohima Local Ground is something to be appreciated. And now everything must follow in the right earnest and with the spirit of tolerance and patience,” the NSCN-IM said. (Newmai News Network)
Rio calls for support
DIMPAUR, FEB 23 (EMN): Noting with appreciation the tireless efforts made by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to bring about reconciliation in the Naga society, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today emphasised and urged all sections of the people to support the movement.
While congratulating the Forum on the success of the just concluded Naga Convention on Reconciliation and Peace at Kohima on Feb 21 and 22, Rio also reiterated his Government’s full support to the process of reconciliation and peace under the banner of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and appealed to all sections to work towards understanding, reconciliation and oneness.
The CM further appreciated the statement made by SS Khaplang calling for peace and understanding and observing that the ‘voice of the people is supreme.’
CM tells Delhi to tell IM to hand over ‘killers’ By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Feb 23: A day after the NSCN (IM) admitted that one of its Lt Cols identified as Hopeson Ningshen masterminded the brutal killing of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan and his two staff, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today has sent a missive to the Union Home Ministry to instruct to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group to hand over the killers to the custody of the State Government.
The message which was sent before the Chief Minister left Imphal categorically stated that the present case has shown that the NSCN (IM) has been letting loose a reign of terror in Manipur and demanded that the accused be handed over to the State Government to deliver justice.
In his missive, the Chief Minister also recalled the past instances when the IM group had subverted the process of law.
The Chief Minister is set to meet the Union Home Minister and highlight the role of the IM group in the killing of the SDO as well as recall past incidents, such as the cases of Hrinii Hubert and Muheni Martin, said the source.
The Naga rebel group, which is engaged in peace talks with the Government of India for 11 years now, yesterday disclosed that three persons who were suspected to be involved in the killing have been taken into custody for further interrogation.
Accordingly, the Chief Minister today communicated with the Home Ministry to give necessary instruction to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group for handing over the three suspects who are in the custody of the NSCN (IM) to the State Govt so as to help in dispensing of justice, disclosed a Cabinet Minister of the SPF Govt. On the other hand, according to a top police officer, interrogation of the three staff who were abduc-ted together with Dr Kishan but rescued from Tolloi in Ukhrul district by a joint team of Assam Rifles and Manipur has led to some conclusions that are similar to the disclosure of the NSCN (IM). The police officer conveyed that the black colour Bolero used for transportation of the three staff rescued from Tolloi has been recovered. The three rescued staff are being kept in the custody of the Assam Rifles on security reason, the police officer explained.
JAC, others question NSCN (IM)’s sincerity Sanagi Express
IMPHAL, Feb 23: Even as the JAC Against the brutal killing of Dr Th Kishan, Y Token and A Rajen has questioned the explanation that the GPRN did not order the killings and that alleged mastermind Lt Col H Nighshen was acting on his own, various social organisations have expres-sed doubt over the sincerity of NSCN (IM) and demand-ed that the accused killers who are in the custody of the Naga rebel group be hand-ed over to the State Govt.
United Committee Manipur (UCM) said that public of Manipur who are well aware of the past misdeeds of the NSCN (IM) could not convince by the simple declaration of the Naga rebel group that the kingpin and three other suspects involved in the killing have been taken into custody.
The sincerity of the Naga rebel group is all the more doubtful as the declaration has come about only after repeated denial of its involvement following sus- tained public outcry, information and public relations secretary of UCM said in a statement, adding that if the Naga rebel group understand the pulse of the peo- ple, then the accused killers should be handed over to the State Govt at once.
Raising the same dema-nd, All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) has categorically stated that the final admittance of NSCN (IM) on the involvement of its cadres in the brutal killing after repeated denial is not surprising to the people of Manipur who are aware of the past criminal activities of the armed outfit.
The student body has also raised suspicion over the possibility of a conspiracy behind the killing of Dr Kishan as he was a person who during his lifetime had written against the activities of the NSCN (IM) and the administration of Government of India.
Similarly, Meetei Nation-al Front (MNF), Kangleipak has observed that since the NSCN (IM) has admitted to the involvement of its cadres in the killing then it would be appropriate to hand over the accused killers to the State Government for taking up necessary action and punishment. NSCN (IM) should also take the public into confidence by disclosing the name and address of the accused killers and assuring that all its camps being set up inside the territory of Manipur in violation of the ceasefire agreement would be removed within a set deadline. The Meetei Society, Churachandpur has also demanded that the accused killers be handed over to the State Government.
On the other hand, rejecting the explanation that the GPRN did not order the killings and that Lt Col H Ningshen of NSCN (IM) was acting on his own, the JAC Against the brutal killing of Dr Th Kishan, Y Token and A Rajen has demanded an explanation from Muivah himself, the leader of the Naga rebel outfit why he is sitting comfortably in a foreign land and watching his army run havoc among the people and how he can call himself a leader when he cannot control his own army. If the high command of the NSCN (IM) has no control over the discipline of its cadres, then it is a matter of great concern not only for the security of the common man but also for the very nature and aim of the peace talks which the Government of India and the Naga rebel group are presently involved in, the JAC stated.
While questioning why the Govt of India and the Government of Manipur are hesitant from taking up necessary action inspite of all the evidences, the JAC has also reiterated hat the suspended Deputy Commissi- oner of Ukhrul Pankaj Pal must be criminally charged not on the ground of lapses in performing his duty but as the sole abettor who pushed Dr Kishan and his two staff into the jaws of the henchmen of NSCN (IM).
Even when prima facie evidences have been piled up against the DC and are revealed to the Ibobi Government, it is a shame that the Chief Minister is sparing him with just a suspension, the JAC lamented, adding that this has revealed not only the weakness of the State Govt but a larger political design such as fear of losing an ally in the Central Government.
NSCN IM seeks some more time Sangai Express
Dimapur, Feb 23: The NSCN-IM has said tonight that the outfit’s ‘official decision and action’ on the killers of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Kishan and his two staff could not be taken today as some more persons involved in the barbaric act, are yet to be rounded up.. ‘Lt Col’ H Ningshen was held responsible by the NSCN-IM on Sunday as the mastermind in the gruesome killing of the SDO and his two subordinates. The NSCN- IM’s Ministry of Information and Publicity said that the outfit is on the war-path to bring justice and that it would award punishment according to the severity of the crime involved in the killing at the earliest.
NPMHR demands severe penalty Newmai News Network
Kohima, Feb 23: Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) strongly condemned the individuals of NSCN (IM) for the inhuman murder of the SDO of Kasom Khullen, Kishan Thingam and his staff Yumnam Token and Aribam Rajen Sharma.
While appreciating the clarification by NSCN-IM’s Kilo Kilonser’ Kedutsii Tsuzuh and Colonel Levi Zimik reiterating that the NSCN (IM) has no hand in the murder but cadres found involved shall be given befitting punishment, NPMHR would like to remind the organization of its assurance and commitment.
“We demand that the guilty be put under trial immediately and severely penalized by the competent authority without any attempt whatsoever to manipulate the due course of justice,” the Naga rights body asserted while adding, “We would also like to state that the allegations made against late Th Kishan is not only dehumanizing but also points to a very unhealthy face-saving exercise that should be avoided when dealing with such a tragic and unwarranted event. We would like to remind everyone that this is not a time for blame-game but a time to take responsibility in bringing those guilty to account.”
It also said that this traumatizing incident has once again been a testing time for the different communities in the region. NPMHR appreciates the role of the different organizations and communities in fomenting a peaceful atmosphere during this trying period. “We admire and acknowledge the fact that together the people of the region have withstood the test by not giving into communal emotions which otherwise would have fragmented the voices demanding justice for the peoples and would have only served the interest and the purpose of the many divisive forces that confronts the region today,” the Naga rights group stated. “We would like to appeal to the public to uphold the dignity and respect that each of us have for one another and maintain communal harmony during this difficult time,” stated the NPMHR.
NSCN(IM) promises justice after all those involved are found Imphal Free Press
DIMAPUR, Feb 23: The NSCN(IM) has said tonight that the outfit`s `official decision and action` on the killers of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr. Th Kishan and his two staff could not be taken on Monday as some more persons involved in the barbaric act are yet to be rounded up.
A "Lieutenant Col." of the NSCN(IM) H Ningshen was held responsible by the NSCN(IM) on Sunday as the mastermind in the gruesome killing of the SDO and his two subordinates.

The NSCN(IM)`s ministry of information and publicity (MIP) said tonight that the outfit is on the warpath to bring justice in the heinous incident and that the outfit would award befitting punishment according to the severity of the crime to the persons involved in the killing at the earliest.
New ABSU leaders take oath at Bodofa House Correspondent Sentinel
KOKRAJHAR, Feb 23: The new leaders of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) was formed on January 31 during the 41st annual conference held at Borgaon in Sonitpur district were given oath at Bodofa House here on Sunday in an oath taking ceremony.
Outgoing president Rwngwra Narzary administered the oath to the new ABSU presidernt Promod Boro while other Executive leaders and members were given by the new president. Later, files of the respective sections were handed over to the new sectional secretaries for smooth running of the Union. The new executive body has been given full responsibility from that day onwards. The new general secretary of the ABSU is Jiron Basumatary, former president of Kokrajhar district committee, ABSU.
Former president of the ABSU Rwngwra Narzary while welcoming the new leaders suggested them to work for the unliftment of education, society, culture and literature with noble outlooks. He also hoped that the new leaders will bring a significant change in the society. The new president Promod Boro said the ABSU has a lot to do in the society. He also added that education would be given the first preference in their mission.
Meanwhile, Kokrajhar District Committee ABSU upgraded Bijoy Kr Basumatary to the president’s post in place of Jiron Basumatary after the latter has been chosen as general secretary of the Central Committee.