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04/15/2009: "NSCN-K/GoI truce extension talks soon Nagarealm.com"

NSCN-K/GoI truce extension talks soon Nagarealm.com
AHTHIBUNG [EMN] A five-member delegation of the Ceasefire Supervisory Board of the NSCN/GPRN is scheduled to leave for New Delhi after April 20 for talks on extension of the truce between NSCN-K and the GoI.

Disclosing this to a section of media persons, Supervisor of the Ceasefire Supervisory Board and Kilonser for External Affairs (NSCN/ GPRN) C Singson said the delegation would comprise of himself, Wangting, Hukato, Nitovi and Bohoto. The Government of India and the NSCN-K had come to a ceasefire agreement in 2001 which has been extended for a period of one year since then. The current one expires in April end. Singson said the delegation would opt for truce extension stating that it was the aspiration of the common people, while also exuding confidence that the Government of India would comply with the wishes of the people. Voicing a personal view, he also felt that ceasefire should continue till the commencement of the Naga political talks.

On the reconciliation process, Singson viewed the inculcation of the power of understanding amongst various leaders as key step towards achieving forgiveness and unity in the Naga society. “We need the power of understanding; only then will we have the power for acceptance; and ultimately I think we will have the power to forgive,” he said. Stating that he did not see any reason why India should not relent to the wishes of the people when all Nagas are reconciled and united, he stressed that Naga leaders should move away from blame games of the past and forge into one in the larger interest of the Naga society. Singson further lauded the initiatives of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and felt that it should continue with their activities. He also urged the people to understand the gravity of the situation and play a constructive role to bridge different underground groups while adding that people’s role is most crucial at this juncture.

EM correspondent assaulted by IRB jawan Nagarealm.com

MOKOKCHUNG, APR14 [EMN] : The Mokokchung Correspondent of Eastern Mirror was today physically assaulted by an IRB jawan while he was on duty covering a situation that had cropped up in Mokokchung town.

A confrontation had taken place between IRB personnel and drivers of the vehicles requisitioned for the election, after the drivers, accusing the jawans of physical harassment, had refused to undertake any kind of poll duty. Correspondent Nungsang Jamir was covering the situation at the DC’s office complex at around 8:30 pm and was trying to take a photograph when an IRB jawan started shouting at him (konpara noksa khechi asi) and then hit him with his assault rifle.

The Mokokchung Press Club (MPC), in the aftermath of the shocking incident, held an emergency meeting and has decided to submit an ultimatum to the Deputy Commissioner while strongly stating that this kind of action by an uniformed personnel is uncalled for since the reporter was carrying out his duty for the people and the government. The press fraternity of Mokokchung has demanded that the IRB Jawan should be identified and appropriate action taken against as per the law. The action taken should then be made known to public, it has demanded.

It has also asked the District Administration to publicly apologise to the people of Nagaland and the Mokokchung Press Club, on behalf of the IRB, for the misconduct and high handedness towards members of the fourth estate. Until and unless the government satisfies the above mentioned demands, the Mokokchung Press Club will not cover any govt function, meetings, events, etc, from Tuesday onwards, the ultimatum said.

Meanwhile, the MPC has also resolved to cover the ensuing Lok Sabha Election, ‘since election is for the people, of the people and by the people’, with black arm bands in protest against the crime committed against the Forth Estate. It is also contemplating observing April 14 as a black day for the Mokokchung Press Club, a MPC press communiqué informed.
Nagaland on the verge of financial bankruptcy: Chishi morungexpress
Dimapur, April 14 (MExN): The Convener of the NPCC Election Coordination Committee and former Chief Minister KL Chishi today cautioned that that Nagaland state “might fall into the ditch of financial crisis due to the mismanagement of funds by the state government”. Addressing media persons at his residence at Dimapur, the veteran Congress leader and MLA said that the Centre has promised a fund of Rs 1500 crore to Nagaland; however, the state government had incurred a deficit of Rs 600 crore before the election and now the deficit has shot up to Rs 900 crore. He said that out of the Rs 1500 crore, if the deficit is deducted then there would be only Rs 600 crore left to run the State machineries. Besides, the state government has availed many “ways and means advance” from different financial institution ‘amounting to few hundred crores’. He said that the central government might give the fund after ‘adjusting’ the Rs 900 crore deficit and release only Rs 600 crore.
In this regard, while saying that the state government has not disbursed the salaries of the government teachers, the work charged employees and other government employees and also to the contractors in the State, Chishi said that the Rs 600 crore will be used up easily while running the state machinery and paying the salaries of the state government employees. Besides, while alleging that the state government has resorted to purchase of MLA by utilizing funds from the public exchequer, Chishi asserted that the state might face a financial crisis after the election.
Pointing out that there is a provision in the Indian Constitution which empowers the Reserve Bank of India to declare financial emergency for a state, Chishi said that the state government will face a state of bankruptcy, since the UPA government (which he predicted will come back to power after this election) would not come to the rescue of the DAN government. “Perhaps our state will land in that technical ditch,” said Chishi.
On the NPF constantly harping on the booklet Bedrock of Naga Society, Chishi said that what was contained in the booklet was the opinion of an individual and since anybody can opine on any topic, it should not ‘sway’ them into ‘war of words’. However, he said that the words were purportedly written by SC Jamir but that next to him during that time was Neiphiu Rio who was the then Home Minister. Chishi alleged that it was Rio who proposed the book to be published and circulated in the name of the NPCC. “The book to the Naga people is a redundant book. It only remains as the thought of an individual. NPCC has disowned it,” Chishi asserted.
Chishi also expressed optimism that Asungba Sangtam Congress LS candidate would be elected as the MP from Nagaland and would represent the Nagas in the Indian Parliament. Saying that Asungba stands taller than CM Chang, Chishi stated that Chang was more of a bureaucrat than a politician while Asungba was described as an outstanding social worker who has served in the Parliament in the past and a Padmashree.

Cong chants unity mantra OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


K.V. Pusa
Kohima, April 14: The Congress has fervently appealed to the Naga voters to elect its candidate K. Asungba Sangtam to push forward the protracted Naga political problem and give momentum to the integration issue.
Addressing a rally last evening on the penultimate day of campaigning for the April 16 election, Nagaland PCC president, K.V. Pusa, said the Indian National Congress can take initiatives for finding a lasting and honourable solution to the Naga problem.
He said the Congress was committed to the “Naga integration”, which is a common aspiration of the people in the state. He said the party had been all along been supporting the issue and that there would be no backtracking on it.
Pusa said Nagaland became the 16th state under the Union of India by virtue of the 16-point agreement of 1960, whose clause 13 mentions about the integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas. However, the Centre is yet to implement this clause, he said. Pusa said the 12-year-old Naga peace talks between the Centre and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) was too long and that a solution “acceptable and honourable” to both the parties must be worked out. He said the ceasefire vis-à-vis peace talks have taxed the Naga people to the maximum.
The PCC chief also urged the Centre to expedite the Naga talks in a transparent manner. CLP leader Chingawang Konyak said the Congress has been protecting the unique identity of the Naga people and, therefore, it is the only party which can resolve the issue.
Former chief minister and PCC election convenor K.L. Chishi also lashed out at the Nagaland People’s Front, the main constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), for its “high political rhetoric” just to woo the innocent Naga voters for political mileage. He said only the Congress could deliver justice to the people.
PCC vice president Nillo Rengma said the regional party spoke about the Naga political issue and their identity only during poll time, adding that after April 16, the Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) would forget all about it.
Recalling that the then Congress Prime Minister Narasimha Rao had declared the Naga problem political, he questioned the inability of the Nagaland Peoples Front to resolve the Naga issue. The Congress also branded chief minister Neiphiu Rio as “Varun of the East” because of his strong anti-Centre and anti-Constitutional statements throughout the election campaign. “In order to gain electoral mileage he spoke more like a rebel leader than a chief minister of the state within the Union of India. Rio should spell out the harms the Congress had brought to the Nagas,” said R. Paphino, convenor of the PCC media cell. He said Rio’s statements are contradictory because on the one hand he projects himself as a champion of the Christians and on the other he joins hands with the BJP, the communal “anti-Christian party” that is part of the DAN government.
On Rio’s defence of the NPF candidate for the LS seat, C.M. Chang, that marrying and living with three wives is accepted in Naga society, the Congress said the statement of the chief minister had displayed “his height of hypocrisy”. The statement is an insult to the Naga Christian community as Rio had directly challenged the authority of the Church that permits monogamy only, the party said.
Congress indicts Govt on Law and Order, morality morungexpress
Kohima, April 14 (MExN):Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president, KV Pusa today said the Congress party in Nagaland is seriously considering the views given by public in their recent election campaign throughout the state. “We are glad to see that the people by and large are against the way DAN government is functioning; be it political, academic or law and order”.
He said ‘people feel security of property and lives were not properly protected by the DAN government’. He was addressing a press conference here this evening at the Congress Bhavan. The party pointed out and ‘highly objected’ the recent NPSC paper-swapping scandal, scams in the PWD department, RGVVY-power and irrigation departments as well as bogus appointment of teachers under the School Education department. While expressing resentment at the failure of the government to stop the corruption, the party said “social security system in the state has completely collapsed”. “There is killing, molestation, rape, extortion and nobody is doing anything to stop these things” the NPCC president said.
The party further highlighted the various undertakings and schemes of the centre’s UPA government like the NGRES, PMGSY, ARWSP, SSA and the RTI. The NPPC president said the DAN government is indulging in ‘very heavy corrupt activity’ in implementing them at the state level, despite fulfillment of commitments made by the UPA. “Numerous corruptions which were not heard during Congress regime have emerged” he said.
“People are the best judge” Pusa said and expressed confidence that people will give a befitting reply to the DAN government in both the Lok Sabha and by-elections.
‘If everything goes round the truthful nature of Naga people’, the NPCC president said, ‘the party may get 60 to 70 percent of the votes for Lok Sabha election’. “I am confident that people will repose trust on the party and the candidate”, he added.

Congress on Rio’s sense of morality
In a separate press statement, the Congress has questioned the Christian credentials of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio after reports emerged of his purported condoning of polygamy and extra-marital affairs’.
The NPCC media cell chairman in the statement today contextualized the NPF’s ‘befriending’ communal and anti-Christian parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “… the NPF leaders, particularly the Chief Minister have been diluted and adulterated to such an extent that they could not differentiate between black and white of Christian life” the NPCC said.
In a state of moral degradation, the NPCC said, the NPF leaders have failed to identify the abhorrent polygamy and extra-marital statuses with that of strict Christian ideals of keeping only one wife. The NPCC has expressed deep appreciation to Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Council of Naga Baptist Churches, Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship and other churches for coming out strongly “against the State Chief Minister’s statement approving and acknowledging a Christian member Shri. C.M. Chang, NPF candidate for keeping three wives”.
“..In line with the Christian standing principle of holy matrimony and the clear doctrine of monogamy, the NPCC fervently appeals to other Church Organizations to come out with their view points on this issue” NPCC added.

Regional parties seethe against Cong - Small groups, Delhi dreams The Telegraph


A child plays with flags during an election rally at Williamnagar in East Garo Hills on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, April 14: The regional parties of the Northeast are looking for options to jointly influence the formation of the next government at the Centre, especially a non-Congress one. Notwithstanding their present alliance and seat-sharing arrangements, the parties have initiated discussions to evolve a “workable formula” which would enable them to be an “influential factor” in government-making.
The man behind the movement is former Lok Sabha Speaker and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Purno A. Sangma and the common rallying point of the parties is their stiff opposition to the Congress.
“Our main purpose will be to see that a non-Congress government is formed at the Centre because the Congress has this uncanny habit of destabilising regional party governments in smaller states,” Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio said. He should know. Rio’s government was unceremoniously dismissed in 2007, just months before it was to complete its term, and President’s rule imposed in the state. Rio, however, bounced back to power after the Assembly elections in February last year.
To work out the “workable formula” that would bond the regional parties together, Rio recently held a threadbare meeting with Sangma at the Nagaland House here. The rethinking is triggered by the realisation that the BJP-led NDA might not manage to get the requisite number to take a shot at government formation.
Rio, however, said his party, the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF), was not in favour of floating a common platform of regional parties immediately. “We tried floating such a platform in the past, but it did not work. This time, we are trying to come out with a workable formula which will enable us to remain as a group so that we have enough bargaining power in Delhi,” he said. He did not elaborate on the “working formula”.
Rio said he was in touch with the AGP and the leaders of other regional parties in the Northeast. The AGP has a seat-sharing adjustment with the BJP in this Lok Sabha election. But AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary made it very clear that his party was yet to be part of any alliance, meaning the AGP is keeping its post-poll option open.
Rio, too, said all post-poll options were open. “We are weighing all possibilities of forming a non-Congress government at the Centre. It could be the NDA, a third front on its own or a third front-led government backed by the Congress or the BJP from outside.”
In Nagaland, Rio is running a government with the constituents of both the NDA and the UPA. “The BJP, which is leading the NDA, and the NCP, which is in the UPA, are part of my government. In Meghalaya, the NCP is fighting the Congress despite supporting the Congress-led government at the Centre,” Rio said while insisting that political equations would further change after elections. Rio’s NPF is already providing “logistic (read financial) support” to some of the regional parties and Independents. He is also planning to extend the NPF’s base to Naga-dominated areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
UDP hits out A day after Congress president Sonia Gandhi heaped scorn on smaller parties for creating instability in Meghalaya by switching allegiance, United Democratic Party president Donkupar Roy hit back, saying it was the Congress that encouraged defection and instability in the state.
At an election rally held here yesterday, Sonia said, “The voters should reject parties, small groupings, and individuals who have shifting loyalties, narrow and divisive agenda with no regard for the national interest and no vision for the future.”
Roy today said the UDP (a major constituent of the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance) had never shifted allegiance. Rather, it was the Congress that had always been instrumental in creating instability by actively encouraging defection.
“In fact, Sonia should advise the state Congress leaders to give up the old habit of encouraging defection,” he added. He said Sonia should practice what she preached and what was happening in the state was the result of the Congress’s clever move to divide regional parties and other small groups for its own gain. Alleged Congress-engineered defections had reduced the NCP-UDP-led MPA to 27 from a strength of 33 in the 60-member House, triggering a political crisis and imposition of President’s rule.
Initially four legislators — Independents Limison Sangma and Ismail Marak, Paul Lyngdoh of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and Sanbor Shullai of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) came out of the MPA fold for the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance. This was followed by the resignation of two UDP MLAs, Nimarson Momin and Ampareen Lyngdoh, from the Assembly. Roy also said though Sonia was attacking the smaller parties, the Congress always depended on these parties to form the government in Meghalaya. “National parties like the Congress do not know the ground reality in Meghalaya as they are Delhi-centric. During elections, the central leaders of the party come to Meghalaya and pass comments which are devoid of any truth,” he added.
Nagaland candidates parade "Arms" before Battle Poll morungexpress

Lok Sabha runners for the lone Nagaland seat, DAN consensus candidate CM Chang and INC candidate K Asungba Sangtam, spell out their priorities as the state goes to polls in April. The Morung Express put forward a Common Questionnaire for the Lok Sabha Candidates. The following are their responses:
RESPONSE OF K. ASUNGBA SANGTAM
1. Key issue you will raise during your poll campaign
I will give priority to the Indo-Naga political issue and ensure that I am a functional facilitator to help bring the curtain down on the issue.
There is monumental development work to be done especially the problem of high rate of unemployment in the State. The work that I did during my 6 years tenure as a MP was only the beginning and if given the opportunity to represent Nagaland in the Lok Sabha again, I am confident that with the support of the people of Nagaland together we will be able to improve Nagaland and bring a sea of change economically, socially and politically.

2. Whether a Regional or National MP will be able more effective at the Center. Why?
I do believe that an MP from a National Party would definitely be more effective especially for Nagaland since we have only one seat allocated to us in the Lok Sabha.
In the Parliament, a MP belonging to a major National Party is given more importance and also has the support of his party members especially on key issues and debates whereas a representative from smaller regional parties are tagged as unattached or independent and does not receive much support from other political parties. A prime example would be, when in the year 2002, there were many fratricidal killings happening in Nagaland, Madam Sonia Gandhi, President AICC, asked me to lead a delegate which included the present Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr Oscar Fernandes, Madam Ambika Soni and many other senior party MPs to approach the then Prime Minister Mr A.B Vajpayee of NDA government, to apprise him about the situation and effectively take measures to ensure that the killings were brought to a halt. Because of the support that I received from party members and eminent leaders the meeting proved to be very effective.
Also, we need to know that in the Parliament when there is any debate on key issues of national importance of a ministry, it is the National Party who will be allotted maximum amount of time to highlight the problems or issues. Whereas the time allotted to a MP from a regional party is marginal which leaves insufficient time to talk on key issues in the Parliament. For example: when the Indo-Naga political issue is brought up in Parliament how would a MP from a regional party present in detail the complex issue when given the time to talk on it but it is just a couple of minutes whereas a MP from a National party would be given maximum time. So it is a question of who would do more justice on behalf of the people of Nagaland.

3. First priority in the event of being elected to Parliament
If given the opportunity, I would want to revive the projects that I undertook during my last tenure and give fine tuning. For instance, after a long and arduous debate in the Parliament by me for lifting the ban on the usage of mobile phones in the North East now almost every household owns a mobile phone in Nagaland. However, the connectivity seems to be a major problem in Nagaland that most often we have to keep dialing a number several times to get clear connection and money is spent unnecessarily. So this is one of the several issues I want to take up.
Also, I will lobby for various new projects and schemes that are made available by the Government of India from which the Naga people will benefit.

4. What is your view/s on the Government of India’s Look East Policy in particular with reference to Nagaland?
I do believe that the Government of India’s Look East Policy is beneficial for Nagaland and should be utilized to capitalize and profit from this policy. If the Look East Policy is adopted in a proper manner it will provide business hubs which will create employment and act as a launching pad for boosting the economy of the State.

5. What corrective measures can you suggest to ensure proper utilization of funds meant for development reaches the people at the grassroots?
There are few measures that I could suggest regarding proper utilization of funds at the grass root level:
i. Ensure regulation of rural population with the help of bio-cryptic system.
ii. Keep a check that the real beneficiary names are identified and recorded in a central hub which would require advanced technology to be installed to keep a check on misappropriation of funds by the authority concerned. At the same time, the authority will be able to track whether the real beneficiaries have received the allocated funds.
iii.Awareness of funds available should be created amongst the public to make sure that there is transparency in the system.

6. What is your personal viewpoint on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)? Is the continuance of AFSPA in Nagaland justified?
I feel that the use of AFSPA should be removed in Nagaland and the rest of the North East region. There are several other acts which exist in the country that do not violate human rights that can replace AFSPA.

7. What about the issue of law and order in the context of fratricidal killings, extortion, kidnappings etc? Is factional violence a breakdown of law & order?
In any society, such acts of violence and killings are condemned and do not create an environment for the progress of the society therefore we should work towards an understanding and settlement which will put a halt to such heinous crimes.

8. What is your personal thought on the Indo-Naga political issue as things stands today?
There should be an amicable settlement between the two and it should be taken on a fast track so that the society benefits from it. Once there is peace and harmony in the State it will create a situation for peaceful co-existence which will lead to progress and development.
9. You are well aware about the work being put in for peace and reconciliation among the Naga factions. Give us your personal thoughts on ways/measures to take this forward to its logical conclusion.
There should be certain amount of give and take as long as the reconciliation is concerned. The issues at hand should be approached according to its relevance in the present times which will benefit the society.

10. On the basic infrastructure of road, power and water (scarcity), what can you as an MP do to improve on each of the three sectors mentioned.
In a state like Nagaland the rains play a deciding factor on the road development front so as an MP, I would have the capacity to lobby and pressurize the ministry in the Centre to release funds well ahead of the dry season so that all work can be executed once the monsoon rains stops.
For the infrastructure of power, an MP will be able to direct the Central Government to take up minor and medium hydel projects to ensure proper power supply to meet the state’s urgent requirement.
To tackle the problem of water scarcity, an MP could direct the Ministry concerned for water resources to try and conserve water by rain harvesting and water treatment and various techniques applicable to the state.

11. On the two fundamental social issues of ‘health’ and ‘education’ what changes if any or suggestions do you recommend for improving the current system?
There are several measures that can be taken up to improve the current system. For improving the health care system there should be clean and accessible clinics set up in every village to guarantee every citizen of quality health care. Hospitals of excellent service and updated instrument and technology should be made available so that people do not have to travel to different cities to receive their treatment. Also, various schemes and incentives should be introduced and there should be awareness amongst the public so that the citizens are protected and ensured a good health care system.
Regarding education, we need quality education which means absorption of teachers that will teach students not only bookish knowledge but inspire them to believe in themselves. Montessori education should also be given importance. There should be introduction of more polytechnic institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), hospitality management institutes as well as human resource management courses this will definitely lead to specialization and help a section of the educated unemployed in the State.

12. What is your opinion on the RAP, should it be lifted?
In my opinion RAP is unnecessary burden which is imposed on tourists who want to visit particularly Nagaland for leisure and are prevented from doing so. I would recommend the Government of India for lifting the Restricted Area Permit.
RESPONSE OF CM CHANG
1. Key issue you will raise during your poll campaign?
At the top of the NPF agenda, which is also my agenda, is the Indo-Naga political problem. This decades old issue needs early resolution through a negotiated settlement that that is honorable and acceptable to the people. If given the opportunity to represent Nagaland in Parliament I will join the DAN Government to play the role of facilitator to expedite the peace process while also calling upon the Government of India to take up the issue of the suffering eastern Nagas who are being suppressed under the military government in Myanmar. The Nagas in Myanmar need political recognition and they need to be given development for progress especially in education, health care and economic growth. The fact that I will tirelessly work for accelerated development of the State goes without saying. We will also have to put our heads together as one Naga family to work towards peace, reconciliation, understanding and oneness.

2. Whether a Regional or National MP will be able more effective at the Center. Why?
Definitely a regional MP from a party like the NPF so far as Nagaland is concerned. As a recognized and registered political party, the NPF will be represented at all forums that concern political parties. The NPF will be invited to every all-party meeting, it will be represented in all matters concerning chief whips and as a recognized and represented party in parliament the NPF MP will be given specific and reserved time in all discussions and debates that take place in Parliament. The NPF MP will also have the liberty and space to express the true desire of the Naga people both inside and outside parliament especially political issues that concern the Naga people. However an MP from a national party will have to be a backbencher since there will obviously be dozens and dozens of MPs who are more seasoned and senior. Moreover, he will hardly get the opportunity to speak since priority will have to be given to the seniors. But most unfortunately, if at all he gets the opportunity to speak, he will have to tow the party line and speak as per the requirements of the policies of the Congress and he will not be allowed to deviate from the party’s policies. Therefore a regional MP will definitely be more effective at the Centre instead of sending someone from the national party like the Congress who will remain a perpetual back-bencher who will rarely get the opportunity to participate in any parliamentary discussion. Past record clearly justifies my statements.

3. First priority in the event of being elected to Parliament
As mentioned earlier, at the top of our agenda is to address the vex Indo-Naga political problem, while also working for reconciliation, unity and understanding while giving special focus on accelerated development of the State.

4. What is your view/s on the Government of India’s Look East Policy in particular with reference to Nagaland?
The Look East Policy of the Government of India has been spoken about for quite some time in numerous forums and platform however apart from the theoretical policy, not much has happened in reality. The look-east policy can only take off if the country invests in improving infrastructure and all related sectors in the region through which the policy is to take shape. The east-west corridor has to be taken up on a war footing, communication and connectivity have to be upgraded significantly, and the physical infrastructure must be able to support and propel the dynamics of the look-east policy. The Government of India must realise that the Centre must put in place appropriate infrastructure in multiple sectors to make the policy work instead of making big commitments that have hardly materialized. For example, the Centre could not implement even the four lane highway between Kohima and Dimapur which was the commitment of the Prime Minister of India. If this is the attitude of the Centre, how can the look east policy work?

5. What corrective measures can you suggest to ensure proper utilization of funds meant for development reaches the people at the grassroots?
The DAN Government has been the most transparent government in the State so far and this policy of transparency will be further strengthened. We have to capitalize and take full advantage of the enormous social capital at the grass roots level to ensure that the targeted sections benefit from the policies and programmes of the government. Over and above such measures, there are instruments and tools like the RTI which ensure that transparency will have to be implemented at every level of governance. On this count the DAN Government has performed in an admirable manner and institutions like the State Information Commission has had a significant role to play without any government interference so far. It is because of such an approach, where transparency is at the heart of the government’s functioning that the DAN Government enjoys mass public supports in every part of the State.

6. What is your personal viewpoint on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)? Is the continuance of AFSPA in Nagaland justified?
My opinion like that of my party is firmly with the people and the civil societies. Such draconian laws have to be removed so that democracy is strengthened. How can nation building take place or democracy progress if the people are kept under suppression through such laws? As far as Nagaland is concerned there is no justification to implement of putting in force the AFSPA since the underground groups are in a ceasefire with the security forces and there is an ongoing political dialogue taking place. Moreover there in not a single banned group that is operating in Nagaland. The undergrounds groups have been recognized by the government of India and that is why they are participating in the dialogue. There is no need for the AFSPA since both the ceasefires are guided by the guidelines and the Standard Operating Procedure.

7. What about the issue of law and order in the context of fratricidal killings, extortion, kidnappings etc? Is factional violence a breakdown of law & order?
It is unfortunate that factional killings are taking place within the Naga family, though all will agree that the fratricidal killings have substantially reduced after the mandated DAN coalition took over the government. It is also a fact that fratricidal killings are political in nature and cannot be termed as breakdown of law and order. If there is anybody that says that fratricidal killings are not related to the Naga political issue, then they are undermining the political problem. However it is unfortunate that the innocent and peace loving public are made to suffer due to the factional clashes. I once again appeal to our brothers and sisters to cease killing each other and rather come closer to each other so that we can all work towards unity, understanding and oneness.

8. What is your personal thought on the Indo-Naga political issue as things stands today?
As things stand today, there is no doubt that the ball is in the court of the Centre. The Indo-Naga peace process has to be expedited and the Centre must listen to the voice and desire of the people. The people are crying out for lasting peace and this peace can only come about through peaceful dialogue where both sides understand and respect each other. But, I must repeat that the ball is in the Court of the Centre and more than a decade of dialogue is definitely sufficient time to reach an acceptable and logical conclusion. The Centre must show its seriousness and sincerity on the matter.

9. You are well aware about the work being put in for peace and reconciliation among the Naga factions. Give us your personal thoughts on ways/measures to take this forward to its logical conclusion.
First and foremost we must appreciate the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, which has been working tirelessly for reconciliation and unity. The recent Naga Consultative Meet was another platform in which the message was loud and clear. It is high time that we bring the senseless killings to a halt. How long will we keep killing within ourselves? Bloodshed only succeeds in creating more hatred and division. It is time for us to come together as a family and unite so that together we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and bring lasting peace to our people especially to our children and the future generations. All sections of Naga leaders must listen to the voice of the people if they genuinely claim to represent the voice of the people.

10. On the basic infrastructure of road, power and water (scarcity), what can you as an MP do to improve on each of the three sectors mentioned.
I hope that I can make some genuine contributions. We all know that we are not a revenue generating State and the State depends on grants and assistance from the Centre. We will have to pursue with the Centre to do justice to the State by allocating sufficient funds for us to use in order to improve our roads and augment water supply to the masses. In the power sector, we are not even getting our State allocated quota due various technical problems like low generation and depleting water resources. The Centre will have to come up with a long term master plan that will immediately be put to the implementation process keeping in view present requirements and increasing future needs in the power sector. The north eastern region has vast potentials in developing hydro-electric power generation and the Centre must take up projects that will target not just sufficient power supply to the region but take an approach where we look at exporting power beyond the region to other parts of the country and even to neighboring countries.

11. On the two fundamental social issues of ‘health’ and ‘education’ what changes if any or suggestions do you recommend for improving the current system?
In the health sector, the DAN Government is aggressively pursuing its target of quality health care for all. We must strengthen our existing systems while leaving no stone unturned to improve our infrastructure and facilities. The CIHSR, previously the Referral Hospital must be upgraded to introduce a nursing college and then a medical college. The Naga Hospital Authority also needs to add more facilities to what is already a very well equipped facility. Constant improvements must continue in the major centers while not neglecting the interior and rural sections. In all this the Centre must understand the needs of the people and ensure that quality health care is reached to the people at all levels.
On the education front, the present leadership of the department has been tirelessly working towards streamlining of the department and taking tough decisions. This is being supported with political will and we hope that the department will take a positive turn after decades of years where the department has been unable to provide optimum output. The department needs to be supported by all sections so that the State Government’s total literacy drive is achievement sooner than later. The Centre must also introduce facilities for higher education especially in the engineering and medical fields. The vast potentials of our youth and human resources can only be effectively utilized if we have quality centers of learning at our doorsteps. Nagaland is perhaps the only state in India which does not have any technical college in even the common areas of civil engineering and medicine. This trend has to be reversed.

12. What is your opinion on the RAP, should it be lifted?
My personal opinion on the RAP/PAP is crystal clear. These regimes have to be abolished. Where is the practicality of look-east policy or promotion of trade and industry and tourism when we have these outdated strictures in place? The Government of India must apply practicality and listen to the State Government which has taken up with the Centre on several occasions for removal of these guidelines. They are not only impractical but also illogical if one goes into the details like the rule where only groups of even numbers can be given permits and not groups of odd numbers! Nagas can take care of ourselves and there is no need for these regulations anymore.

Note: The Morung Express encourages our readers to respond and comment to the viewpoints provided by the intending candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. Some of your responses will be published in this column.
Rebels claim attack on Assam Rifles OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, April 14: Militants ambushed an Assam Rifles convoy near Kongkan village of Kamjong subdivision in Ukhrul district around 8 this morning as Operation Summer Storm launched by the army in Loktak lake continued for the third day today.
The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has claimed that it had attacked a convoy of the Assam Rifles in the area.
Ksh. Yoiheiba, the senior publicity officer of the UNLF, said in a statement that the Manipur Peoples Army (MPA), the military wing of the outfit, had ambushed the convoy and also attacked another group of Assam Rifles reinforcements from the nearby Nambisha camp.
It claimed that it had killed 14 Assam Rifles personnel and injured 10 others.
Assam Rifle spokesperson Lt Col Prasant W. said he was yet to receive the details of the incident.
The police were yet to rush to the sites of the encounters. In another development, the army today handed over five more bodies of militants killed in the operation in Loktak lake. The troops launched Operation Summer Storm on Sunday morning to flush out militants from the lake. On the first day, the troops killed one militant and recovered three more bodies yesterday. The troops today handed over five bodies of militants along with four AK-series rifles, one lethod gun, one hand grenade and live ammunition.
In their report to Kumbi and Moirang police stations, the troops said they had killed two militants at Khordak and killed three others at Keibul Chingmei last night.
Meanwhile, the lake settlers fled their homes out of fear of being caught in the crossfire and are now staying at a relief camp opened by villagers at Ithai Khunjao, a village on the fringe of the lake. More than 330 villagers living on phum houses and hillocks inside the lake have left their homes since yesterday and are now sheltered at the relief camp.
The displaced villagers alleged that the troops forced them to work as boatmen during the operation. Congress MLA representing Thanga Assembly constituency T. Mangibabu Singh visited the relief camp this morning. A human rights group from Imphal also visited the relief camp this afternoon.
Army spokesperson Col Rajesh Mishra said 11 militants have been killed during the operation. Nine bodies were recovered and two more were caught in the phumdi (floating biomass) inside the lake. He said 10 weapons, including six AK rifles, one lethod gun, three pistols, two hand grenades and explosive materials, were recovered till today. He said no harm was caused to the Sangai population at Keibul Lamjao National Park during the operation.
Ops Summer Storm : Eight confirmed killed, claims Army By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express

Army men at Loktak under Operation Summer Storm
IMPHAL, Apr 13: In continued Army operation, code named Summer Storm, in Loktak lake which is still under siege with even the staff of the Forest Department barred from entering Keibul Lamjao National Park to assess possible damage to the home of the endangered Sangai species (Cervus Eldi Eldi), three (four as per the claim of Army PRO) more suspected underground activists were reportedly gunned down in an early morning swoop today.
Yesterday, one suspected underground activist was killed in the operation.
Army PRO in a statement today claimed that so far eight militants have been confirmed killed and added that three more bodies have been spotted in the lake during a recce by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
The PRO said that the troops had to suspend firing for a while during the course of the operation as they saw a woman along with a child.
The woman has been identified as the wife of a S/S Sgt Maj of PREPAK Suresh Kumar, claimed the PRO. The woman and the child are safe and sound.
Stating that troops of 73 Brigade are still continuing the operation, code named Operation Summer Storm, the PRO claimed that another camp was busted at 4.30 pm today.
According to local sources, Army personnel are still present in the surrounding villages of the National Park which has been under siege since the intervening night of April 11 and 12. A team of mediapersons from Imphal which had visited Kumbi, Ithai Wapokpi, Nongmaikhong and Khordak today also witnessed signs of Army still surrounding the National Park even as troops were seen keeping close vigil atop the watch tower at Nongmaikhong. On the other hand, the staff of the Forest Department who have expressed concern over the fate of the Sangai following the gun battle and bombing raids of the suspected hideouts of the UGs inside the park have been reportedly given cold the shoulder treatment by officials of the 7 Assam Rifles which has set up a temporary camp at the Inspection Bungalow (IB) located at Keibul Chingmei.
An official of the Forest Department said prior to the operation no infomation had been given and access is being denied till today.
It is learnt that the troops of 7 Assam Rifles set up their temporary camp at the IB since March 3 along with opening up of a range office from there. Under this range office, check posts have also been established at various places like Chingmei Natal, Thangbren, Keibul Sagram, Khodangkhong, Laphupat Tera and Khordak.
Leaders of social organisations and Meira Paibi bodies of Keibul Lamjao, Kumbi and Nongmaikhong who interacted with the visiting media team suspected possible casualties on Sangai population in the only world famous floating National Park as a result of the ongoing bombing and firings. Over and above this, they informed that continued siege of the Army has given a serious impact on the livelihood of villagers who depend on fishing activities in the lake. They also fervently appealed to the UGs to stay away from the lake as well as to the Government for taking up necessary steps to ensure normalcy in the area without waiting for the poor villagers to agitate. A statement issued by the Human Rights Initiative has also called upon both the security forces and the armed UGs to respect Article 21 of the Indian Constitution as well as the Common Article 3 related to International Humanitarian Law of the Geneva Convention during the course of the ongoing operation at Loktak lake. No collateral damage should also be caused to Sangai and its habitat, it added. In the meantime, three more suspected underground activists have been reportedly killed by the troops of 7 Assam Rifles during an encounter which took place at Khordak Mayai Leikai, eastern side of the lake at around 3 am today.
However, the report of the 7 Assam Rifles furnished to the police in con- nection with the incident, said that the encounter broke out in the wee hours of April 12.
However, when the media team visited Khordak today, the villagers inform-ed that apart from hearing sounds of gun firing and bomb explosion at around 3 am, AR troops were seen bringing about three bodies at around 10 am today.
Sound of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying in the night sky and helicopter in the morning were also heard, the villagers added.
The report of the AR furnished the police further listed recovery of one AK-47 Rifles and magazine loaded with 10 live rounds of ammunition, two 9 mm pistol with 10 live rounds of ammunition from the possession of the three slain UG suspects.
Along with these three bodies, the body of another UG suspect who was shot dead by the 21st Para-troopers at Ungamen Pat during the operation yesterday have been deposited at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital after being picked by the Kumbi Police.
Police sources said that the identity of all the four slain UG suspects have not yet been able to confirm. Although troops of 4.8 GR and 7 Assam Rifles were also part of the operation yesterday, the report submitted to the police only stated that the suspected UG cadre was killed by 21st Para-troopers at an encounter at Nongmaikhong Pat at around 2 am. However, according to local sources there is no Nongmaikhong Pat (lake) in the area though there is Nongmaikhong village.
Three more armed persons killed at Loktak; PIB claims all seven killed are PREPAK The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, April 13: Three unidentified armed persons were killed today in an encounter with the AR following the successful operation yesterday at Loktak lake in which a militant activist was killed, arms recovered and camps destroyed.

The encounter took place this morning around 9 am at the area of Khordak Nongmaikhong of Thoubal district. According to a source from the police, the encounter took place when a team of the 7th AR entered the area of Khordak Nongmaikhong at midnight after receiving specific information on the presence of some UGs. One AK-56 rifle and one 9mm pistol with two live rounds were recovered along with the three dead bodies.

Police later picked up the dead bodies and deposited them at the RIMS mortuary for identification. Meanwhile, the dead body of the militant killed yesterday in the Loktak operation was picked up by the Kumbi police station and is now being kept at the RIMS mortuary for identification.

Meanwhile, a PIB (defence wing) reklease said in a release that seven Prepak cadres have been killed in encounters in the ongoing operation named, `OP Summer Storm` to flush out militants from the Loktak lake. While one body was recovered on April 12 three more bodies were recovered this morning. The fifth militant was killed in an exchange of fire in the evening while two more bodies were recovered, the release said.

While trying to escape three to four militants at Khordak opened fire but in the retaliation by the security men one militant was killed and weapons recovered from him. The others tried to escape using a woman and a child as human shield, the release said.

On seeing this, the troops stopped the fire and permitted the militants to flee. The lady and her infant child were escorted to a relatively safe area and handed over to the Kumbi police station. Later, she identified herself as the wife of SS sgt maj Suresh Kumar of the PREPAK. One AK-56 rifle, one German made 9mm Mouser gun and one 9mm pistol were also recovered alongwith some ammo. Three big huts were part of a camp destroyed by the Red Shield troops in Chingmaipat area at about 5 pm on April 13.

A total of five camps have been destroyed so far, said the release adding that the militants who managed to escape were seriously injured. The operation is still going on to flush out the militants trapped inside the camp. The PREPAK`s design to disturb the election process has been thwarted to a great extent, the PIB release said.
Border trade reviewed Mizzima Sources: The Telegraph, India
April 10, 2009: Imphal, India’s ambassador to Myanmar, Aloke Sen, today said physical work under the Kaladan project— an Indo-Myanmar venture— would start by the end of this year.
Sen along with officials from Manipur reviewed the ongoing border trade between the two countries.
“We have done the technical survey for the Kaladan project twice and the physical work would start by the end of this year. However, the introduction of Imphal-Mandalay (Myanmar) bus service would have to be examined further,” Sen told reporters before leaving for Calcutta at the end of a three-day visit here today.
Under the Kaladan project, India will construct a port at Sittwe in Myanmar, about 400km from Aizawl. Once completed, the project would open links between the Northeast and Myanmar through the sea route and thereby boost trade in the region.
“Both India and Myanmar are very interested in the Kaladan project as it would benefit both the countries. The completion of the project would take five to six years,” Sen said.
China planned $10 billion invest fund at failed summit Indo Burma News Sources: Reuters
April 12, 2009: BEIJING, China had planned to announce a $10 billion (6.8 billion pound) infrastructure investment fund and offer credit to neighbours at a cancelled weekend summit of Asian leaders in Thailand, its foreign minister said.
Anti-government protestors forced the cancellation of the summit in Pattaya after they swarmed into the summit venue. In an interview with state media on a flight back to China, Foreign minister Yang Jiechi avoided direct criticism of the Thai government while detailing measures that Chinese premier Wen Jiabao had planned to offer at the summit. China plans to establish a $10 billion China-ASEAN investment cooperation fund to promote infrastructure that connects it to ASEAN nations, Yang said.
China has been active in building roads from its southern border through neighbouring Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, to ease trade. It will also offer a credit of $15 billion to ASEAN countries, including preferential loans of $1.7 billion for cooperation projects, Yang said. It plans to offer 270 million yuan ($39.51 million) in aid to Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to help those impoverished countries combat the global financial crisis, and will inject $50 million into the China-ASEAN cooperation fund, Yang said.
While not an ASEAN member, China's growing economic clout, huge market and competitive exports make it an important participant in ASEAN summits, although tensions persist over competing claims to the South China Sea and Chinese plans for dams that are opposed by other nations along the Mekong river.
China recently appointed its first ambassador to ASEAN, after the 10-member grouping formally adopted a charter.