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05/17/2009: "Rio promises to deliver Chizokho Vero Morung"

Rio promises to deliver Chizokho Vero Morung
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio along with the successful NPF candidates and party workers in Kohima on Sunday,. (Morung Photo)
Kohima | May 17 : A visibly jubilant looking Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, while commenting on the victory in the Lok Sabha and By-elections in the State today, said that the fresh mandate will give the DAN government a new enthusiasm in fulfilling “our commitments and in delivering the goods to the people.” Speaking at the thanksgiving service for successful conclusion of Lok Sabha and By-elections polls in Nagaland here today, Rio said that the DAN government has embarked on a comprehensive action plan to reach the fruits of development to the grassroots.
“Beginning next month, the state government will launch district level road shows, or jamborees in every district headquarter to highlight the activities and achievements of the various departments and also to create general awareness on the many welfare programmes and policies of the government, so that the targeted sections can better avail from various schemes of the government,” Rio said adding that each jamboree will also feature capacity building exercises, and showcase the festivals, music and cuisines of the districts concerned.
In this respect, he called upon the party organizations to extend cooperation and assistance to the government agencies in every possible manner. While informing that the DAN government has initiated new policies and programmes, Rio assured that his government will continue to focus on strengthening of infrastructure, improving human resource, continuing its policies of youth empowerment, upliftment of the farming sector, promotion of capacity building and development of industries and commerce etc. All this will be pursued vigorously, Rio said.
“This year, we aim to train maximum number of person in skill upgradation, in both the government and non government sector. This policy is being given special impetus due to the fact that human resource development is the most basic requirement for achieving progress and prosperity,” Rio said while adding that the DAN coalition is committed to finding the best formula for bringing rapid development and accelerated progress of the people. “We still have a long way to go before we can catch up with the rest of the country,” he said and stressed on the need to take a mature political decision which will benefit the people.
Rio thanked the people of Nagaland for once again reposing faith and confidence in the DAN government by giving it a “conclusive mandate” and added that the huge victory margin was among the highest in the country. “Though we have just one seat in the Lok Sabha, the margin of our victory has made the rest of the country take notice of our presence.”
He also pointed out that the “people’s mandate is a vote for unity, peace and reconciliation” and that it was a mandate that supports “our peace initiatives and the DAN government’s political stand”. Rio said that the victory was a reaffirmation and renewal of the peoples mandate to the government and demonstrated the fact that the people have firmly placed their confidence in the DAN coalition. “The voices of the people have given a befitting answer to all the criticisms and wild allegations that have been made against us by our adversaries. In democracy, there is no higher court than the people’s court, and once again, the people have reposed their faith in us,” Rio said. Rio also stressed on the need to realize “that we carry a huge responsibility, as the people have firmly placed their destiny in our hands.”
As a party workers and public leaders, he said, we must renew our dedication and commitment towards the cause of our people, instead of resting on our laurels, because it is only on the basis of our performance that we can continue to enjoy the people’s confidence. Rio also assured that the NPF led DAN government will work tirelessly to uphold the uniqueness and the identity of the Nagas “wherever they are and we will fully pursue to develop them politically and culturally while working to emotionally integrate all our people.”
“Nagas enjoy a special status and our unique history has been duly recognized. In 1873 under the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation, the Naga territories were given special protection and the Indian Union has given us special status under Article 371 A of the Constitution of India,” he said adding that the state is now in the 47th year of statehood and definitely matured enough to be governed by “our own people through our own regional party along with the like minded central parties and leaders.
He also stated that the NPF led DAN government will uphold the aspirations of the people and listen to the voice of the masses, adding “it is our endeavour to deliver the goods to the people and respect the people’s mandate in all humility.”
Congratulating all the successful candidates, the Chief Minister also called upon them to continue to be committed to the people’s welfare, “and together we shall not leave no stone unturned in our endeavour to uplift our people.” “Victory is not an end, but rather it is the beginning of a new, exciting and challenging journey,” he said.
NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, agriculture minister Dr. Chumben Murry, forest minister MC Konyak including the CM Chang, Deo Nukhu, Kejong Chang, Aloh Wangham and Azheto Zhimomi also spoke on the occasion.

CM Chang, new Lok Sabha MP of Nagaland NPN):
KOHIMA In a record breaking win, DAN consensus and Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) candidate won the lone parliamentary seat from the state by defeating his nearest rival Congress candidate Asungba Sangtam by the highest ever recorded margin in the state. DAN consensus and NPF candidate C. M. Chang’s margin was 4, 83,003 lakh (4.83 lakh) beating the previous record of 4.52 lakh in the 2004 Lok Sabha election, when then NPF candidate W.Wangyuh Konyak defeated sitting MP Mr Asungba Sangtam by a margin of 4.5 lakh votes.
In the 2009 election, Chang polled 8,32,206 votes,while his Congress rival K. Asungba polled 3,49, 203 votes and the third candidate Dr. Rilanthung Odyuo polled 8174 votes, while 141 votes were rejected.
Returning officer and commissioner Nagaland H.K.Khulu formally announced the results Saturday evening and handed out the election certificate to CM Chang in the presence of observer, election officials and media persons.
Later addressing media persons, the newly elected MP CM Chang expressed his gratefulness to the people for reposing their faith on the DAN government under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and electing him. “We’re happy that the people gave their mandate on the DAN coalition under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio. The result confirmed that people are happy with the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio”, he stated.
He also assured the people of the state that he “will not betray the Nagas” and said that his priority would be on the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks. On the developmental front, he pointed out that Nagaland been a special category state, it should also be equally provided with facilities which is available in other parts of the country such as Airways and Railways and assured to work for the same.
Meanwhile, Abu Metha, Press secretary to Chief minister Neiphiu Rio while commenting on the election of the DAN consensus and NPF candidate CM Chang stated that “the Naga people voted for development and endorsed the Political leadership of Neiphiu Rio and more so good governance.”
The opposition Congress when contacted refused to comment on the Lok Sabah polls in Nagaland verdict.
The poll percentage in the April 16 Lok Sabha election in the state was 90.22 %.
The state has a total of 13, 17,729 lakhs electorates and three candidates- C. M Chang (NPF), K. Asungba Sangtam (Congress) and Dr. Rilangthung Odyuo (AITC) contested the lone seat.

Cong strengthens base in NE Nagaland page

Guwahati, May 16: Barring Nagaland and Tripura, the Congress party has strengthened its based in the Northeast winning 13 of the 24 seats - an improvement of two seats from the last general elections in 2004.
The Congress won 7 seats in Assam, two in Manipur, two in Arunachal Pradesh and one each in Meghalaya and Mizoram.
In Assam, the Congress won 7 seats, while its alliance partner the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) bagged one. The opposition combine of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) won 5 seats - the BJP in four seats and the AGP in one. The Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) bagged one seat.
In the 2004 elections, both the AGP and the BJP had won two seats each, while the Congress had won nine seats and the BPF one.
In Manipur, the Congress won both the Inner Manipur and the Outer Manipur seats.
In Arunachal Pradesh, sitting MP Khiren Rijiju and BJP MP Tapir Gao lost their seats to the Congress - a major setback for the BJP in the Northeast.
In Nagaland, the BJP backed Nagaland People's Front candidate CM Chang won the seat defeating the Congress.
In Meghalaya, the Congress candidate Vincent Pala won the Shillong seat, while in the Tura seat, sitting MP of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Agatha Sangma won.
Tripura's ruling CPI-M candidate Bajuban Reang won the Tripura East parliamentary constituency, defeating his Congress rival Diba Chandra Hrangkhawl by a margin of 295,000 votes, while former Tripura health minister and CPI-M central committee member Khagen Das defeated his Congress rival Sudip Roy Barma in the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 247,000 votes. In Mizoram, the ruling Congress candidate won the seat. In the 2004 general elections, the Congress party had won 11 of the 24 seats, of which 9 were from Assam, while the BJP had bagged 4 seats - two each in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. (Agencies)

Can Nagas dump shackles of history ? Wasbir Hussain (Courtesy: Sentinel)
Sixty years after the Naga insurrection began, and more than a decade after the start of a peace dialogue between a frontline Naga rebel group and the Indian Government, a new voice has emerged from among the Naga leaders asking if their struggle for 'full independence' was practical in today's changing world order. This is significant because from the time Angami Zapu Phizo, considered the father of Naga insurgency, declared war against the Indian state by announcing 'independence' of the Naga areas on August 14, 1947, the Naga insurgents have been pushing for and dreaming of an independent Naga homeland.
The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland or the NSCN-IM-regarded as the most powerful of the three main Naga insurgent factions (the other two being the Khaplang faction of the NSCN and the near defunct Naga National Council formed by Phizo and others in 1946-47)-after years of sticking to the independent homeland idea did indicate a change in stand when it talked of a 'greater Nagaland' comprising Naga-inhabited areas of the region along with the existing Nagaland State. But till today, the NSCN-IM has not made it clear whether it sees such a homeland within India or outside it although the group has held more than 60 rounds of peace talks with the Indian government leaders ever since it entered into a ceasefire with New Delhi in August 1997.
It is in this backdrop that the recent brain storming by the influential Naga Students' Federation (NSF), the apex student organization of the Nagas, on the future of the community bears significance. Ahead of its 23rd general conference in April 2009, the NSF produced a concept paper titled 'Forging Mutual Destiny' where it noted that 'generation after generation (of Nagas) had been treading the same road (in the quest for a homeland) without any logical outcome.' The NSF said: "When the world is advancing rapidly the Naga people are still stuck in the ancient/ancestor's trend of thought that Nagas can live in isolation with the belief of (achieving) full independence." The NSF concept paper called for 'today's generation' of Nagas to do a thorough "reality-check". The student group said 'Nagas need to realize that the world has become interdependent and not fully independent'.
The Nagas have been talking even today about the 'uniqueness' of its history, an argument that has not cut much ice with the Indian Government that wants a solution to the Naga problem within the framework of the country's Constitution. The Nagas have been sticking to the premise that they were historically independent even before India attained freedom. And this assertion of historicity, if it can be said so, is what triggered the Naga insurrection in 1946. They say Indians had never subjugated them and blame the British for handing over the Naga areas to New Delhi when they withdrew as India attained freedom in 1947. The British, the Nagas would like to argue, came to exercise control over Naga territory after they signed the Treaty of Yandaboo with the Burmese on February 24, 1826 after defeating the latter. The Treaty that brought the curtains down on the first Anglo-Burmese War gave the British control over Assam, of which the Naga-inhabited areas were then a part.
Over the years, Naga insurgent groups have multiplied, mostly after parent groups split into breakaway factions, making things extremely murky on the ground. The NSCN was formed in 1980, and in 1988, it split into two factions-one led by Isac Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah and the other by S S Khaplang. Armed campaigns against the Indian state were on until New Delhi signed a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN-IM in 1997, and later with the NSCN-K in 2001. Peace talks are being held only with the NSCN-IM but a solution is nowhere in sight. That the various Naga rebel factions are engaged in violent fratricidal feuds is another story, but none of them have ever openly expressed their willingness to work out an acceptable solution within the ambit of the Indian Constitution. Sections of Nagas are obviously frustrated at the uncertainty of the community at the end of it all.
The NSF's call for a 'reality check' can, therefore, be seen as voice for change-a change in the outlook of those pursuing the Naga dream of an independent homeland. "We need to reassess the idea of our struggle and bring to a logical end without compromising the basic features of an independent nation," the student group observes. "Time is running out," the NSF rightly notes and calls for the need to "put our ideas together to see what is within our reach and what is attainable as this moment". This is indeed a very valid point: the need to realize what is attainable and what is not. The Naga rebels cannot obviously hope to achieve a military victory with the Indian military or security establishment and carve out their dream homeland.
Introspecting further, the NSF has observed that Nagas are not engaged with the entire world as far as its struggle for nationhood is concerned. "But it is with Burma and India to whom we are directly concerned with as half of our home is within the administrative control of Burma and other half within administrative control of India". In a carefully worded observation, the NSF has stressed on the need to "examine" the growing strength of these two nations and "forge our mutual destiny" accordingly. The student group has also expressed its dismay at the factionalism and lack of unity among the Naga rebel groups although it sought to regard it as 'inner differences' that need to be resolved as soon as possible.
Time is running out for the present generation of Naga rebel leaders, the still active top rung being in their seventies. The magic formula lies in their willingness for a compromise. The NSF on its part has called for a solution without compromising the basic features of an independent nation. A separate nation may be far fetched but Nagas can certainly live and prosper as a unique and distinct community within the four walls of India.

Bangla ex-generals held for Ulfa links The Telegraph
Dhaka, May 16 (PTI): Two former Bangladeshi army generals, who had worked as the country’s intelligence chiefs, were arrested today for suspected involvement in an arms haul linked to Ulfa.
The former chiefs of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) were arrested in a pre-dawn raid at their residence today, CID officials said.
“We have arrested Maj. Gen. (retd) Rezzakul Haidar and Brig. Gen. (retd) Abdur Rahim for their involvement in the 2004 arms smuggling case,” an official said.
The former generals would be taken to Chittagong, where security forces had seized 10 truckloads of weapons believed to be meant for Ulfa in the Northeast five years ago, he added.
Rahim was the NSI chief during the seizure of weapons, while Haidar succeeded him as the top boss of the main intelligence agency during the tenure of Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The arrests were made after a detained NSI director made a confession before a Chittagong court reportedly naming several high-profile people in the then BNP-led four-party coalition government.
Reports said former NSI director and Wing Commander Shahabuddin Ahmed also implicated several “foreigners”. The arrested NSI officials allegedly played a key role along with some policemen in planning the transportation of the weapons from Chittagong to Assam. But the case was shelved for years after the “accidental” seizure of the weapons.
The past military-backed government of chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed ordered a reinvestigation last year after allegations that there was a deliberate attempt on the part of the then administration to suppress facts.