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06/03/2009: "NSCN (K) willing to hold talks with the central government Ani"

NSCN (K) willing to hold talks with the central government Ani

New Delhi, June 3 (ANI): Shedding a decade long inhibition and reservation not to hold talks with the Government of India, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) or NSCN (K) has expressed willingness to hold talks with the government. “NSCN(K) is ready for dialogue provided a formal invitation is sent to us”,said Kughalu Mulatonu, emissary to the Collective leadership of the Khaplang faction. For long K group has been opposed to the talks with the government of India on the ground that the centre is engaging the rival faction NSCN (IM) for talks. Isac -Muivah faction is still in talks with the government but this change of heart in the Khaplang faction is due to a “deadlock” in discussion between the NSCN (IM) and the centre.
“Since IM can’t solve the problem and talks have come to a deadlock”, that’s why we are willing to come forward to carry on talks, said Mulatonu who is in the national capital to explore the option for talks. Mulatonu accuses NSCN (IM) leadership of being “not serious” in solving the problem of Nagas. “Muivah is in Europe and Isac Chisi Swu is in China. If they are serious then they should be amidst the Naga people”, argues Mulatonu.
He also blames IM leadership of being a stooge in the hands of the Indian government and claims that recently Muivah was in Somalia at the behest of the government, a claim denied by the NSCN(IM) when contacted. When asked how hopeful K group is to get invitation for talks from the government Mulatonu doesn’t sound so confident. He however said that “if the Indian government is eager to solve the Naga problem then there should not be any problem in getting invitation”.
Regarding the agenda of the talks the NSCN(K) emissary says that nothing is fixed so far but we will talk with an “open mind” and the contour of talks would be decided by the Khaplang,the President of NSCN(K) and Kitovia, the Prime Minister of Nagaland government in exile. Since 1997 both the factions have been under ceasefire agreement with the Government of India. NSCN (IM) have been holding talks with the Indian government and so far more than fifty rounds of talks have been held in the last one decade but no result has been found out yet.
The main contentious demand is the issue of Greater Nagaland. Over the years IM, which claims to be the sole representative of Naga people, has come down from its original demand from a sovereign state to a some sort of a constitutional arrangement within Indian union. However it insists that all the Naga areas in the North East should be clubbed as Greater Nagaland which the centre and many state governments in the region vehemently oppose. NSCN(K) emerged as a separate faction in 1988 an assassination attempt on the General Secretary of what emerged as the rival outfit - NSCN (IM) - Thuingaleng Muivah. Clannish divisions among the Nagas (Konyaks and Tangkhuls) were the primary reason behind the split of the NSCN in 1988. The Konyaks formed the NSCN-K (Khaplang) under the leadership of Khole Konyak and S S Khaplang. The Tangkhul faction, the NSCN-IM (Isak-Muivah), was led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thingaleng Muivah. (ANI)
NSCN-IM speaks out on Ningshen handover morungexpress
Dimapur, June 2 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today said its decision to hand over HK Ningshen the accused in the murder of SDO Dr. Kishan and two others, took ‘tremendous courage.’ The action of the NSCN (IM) to hand over the accused to the Naga Hoho (who later handed him over to the CBI) on May 28 is unprecedented in the history of the Naga struggle, a note from the MIP said.
“It took tremendous courage for the NSCN leaders to take such an agonizing decision” a note from the ‘MIP’ stated. “Though the impasse between the GOI and the NSCN continued over the killing of Dr. Th. Kishan and the NSCN was prepared to face any new situation that unfold out of this incident, it was eventually the Naga Hoho that intervened,” the NSCN (IM) stated. The MIP said “full trust and confidence of the NSCN made it all possible” to hand over Ningshen to the Naga Hoho.
It also reaffirmed the commitment made by the group’s collective leadership to the then Indian Prime Minister late PV Narashimha Rao in Paris in 1995. “NSCN will leave no stone unturned to find an amicable solution…NSCN will not allow any obstacles that comes in the way of peaceful negotiated settlement” it stated. Condemning the murder of Dr. Kishan and his two staffers “committed by Lt.Col. HK.Ningshen”, the NSCN (IM) said it is a crime against humanity and “crime against the principle of NSCN as well”.
Transporters helpless against ‘tax’ morungexpress

Loaded vehicles with ‘National Permits’ are stationed at one of the many transit points between Khatkhati and Lahorijan, under Karbi Anglong district in Assam, on Tuesday, June 2. (Morung Photo)

Dimapur | June 2 : IF THE so-called “tax” demanded from the transporters by various underground groups and petty criminal gangs continues, the rates of essential commodities, both major and minor, will very soon double in Nagaland, especially in the commercial capital of Dimapur.
Talking to a cross-section of transporters who are stationed at Khatkhati and Lahorijan areas under Karbi Anglong district in Assam, they say, “We have to pay tax ranging from Rs.5,000 to Rs.30,000 to different organisations depending upon the goods we carry.” They revealed that “Rs.5,000 has to be paid annually to one party alone by one transporter and in turn they will receive ‘cash payment receipt’ of the underground outfit and also protection from petty criminals. However, if the transporter negotiates and settles for minimum cash, then there will be neither ‘cash payment receipt’ of the underground outfit nor “protection from petty criminals”, it was revealed.
Some of the transporters, since the last three to four months, have not entered Dimapur only because of the so-called “tax” by various underground outfits as well as the petty criminal gangs. Most of the transporters prefer to unload the goods in Khatkhati and Lahorijan areas since these organisations do not enter Assam to demand tax. So, they feel quite safe and secure to unload the goods and deliver it to the respective parties (businessmen) of Nagaland. However, many transporters have to enter and cross Dimapur to deliver the goods to parties in Imphal, in Manipur. They, however, point out that “the moment we enter Dimapur and travel along the stretch of National Highway–39 till Imphal, we have to pay numerous taxes, both legal and illegal”. And in case of non-payment of tax to undergrounds, the transporters say, the documents and keys of the vehicle are confiscated and sometimes the drivers are badly beaten and later picked up or kidnapped by them. “They will not release the documents or the person until we pay their demanded tax,” the transporters voice.
“It is not only the transporters who have to pay, but the businessman who receives the goods has to pay as well since the undergrounds follow the vehicle till the godown,” they (transporters) enlighten. The transporters who travel from all over India, especially Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati, say, “We do not face any such problem in other states; however, fear grips our mind when we enter and travel through Dimapur.”
The transporters are of the opinion that “all are corrupt over here” while some also term the underground outfits as the “‘Talibans’ of India” since they simply do not understand the problems that the transporters face, but rather demand money on every occasion.

Zunheboto rape: Court fails to pass verdict morungexpress
Dimapur, June 2 (MExN): The Additional District & Session Judge of Zunheboto has not been able to pass any ruling in the bail-hearing of the five accused involved in the April 11 Zunheboto rape case. The hearing was held today in Zunheboto. An order in this regard is expected to be passed only tomorrow at around 11 AM.
The Additional District & Session Judge of Zunheboto, K Chophy, when contacted said the hearing started at 11:30 AM and there was a lengthy ‘argument’ in the court between the complainant and the defendants. He informed that there were two petitions received in the court: one was about the ‘regularization’ of the interim bail granted to the five accused including the main accused, Tito Kiba, filed by the defendants. The other petition was about the cancellation of the interim bail granted to the accused, which was filed by the plaintiff – the Sumi Totimi Hoho (Sumi women hoho) in this case. Chophy said the court could not pass any order today and the hearing is set to be heard tomorrow as well.
Meanwhile, the Sumi Totimi Hoho, the petitioners in the case, did not attend today’s meeting. The Additional District & Session Judge informed that today’s hearing was peaceful and held under tight security. An order is expected to be passed tomorrow, he added.

Member-change for inquiry commission In a related matter, the Governor of Nagaland has appointed Additional Commissioner, KN Ngully as one-man inquiry commission for the Zunheboto rape case in place of HK Khulu, Commissioner of Nagaland. All the other terms and conditions remain unchanged to the earlier notification, according to a notice issued by Mhathung Kithan, IAS, Home Commissioner.
NSCN (K) willing to hold talks with the central government Bombay News.Net Wednesday 3rd June, 2009 (ANI)
New Delhi, June 3 : Shedding a decade long inhibition and reservation not to hold talks with the Government of India, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) or NSCN (K) has expressed willingness to hold talks with the government. "NSCN(K) is ready for dialogue provided a formal invitation is sent to us",said Kughalu Mulatonu, emissary to the Collective leadership of the Khaplang faction.

For long K group has been opposed to the talks with the government of India on the ground that the centre is engaging the rival faction NSCN (IM) for talks. Isac -Muivah faction is still in talks with the government but this change of heart in the Khaplang faction is due to a "deadlock" in discussion between the NSCN (IM) and the centre.

"Since IM can't solve the problem and talks have come to a deadlock", that's why we are willing to come forward to carry on talks, said Mulatonu who is in the national capital to explore the option for talks. Mulatonu accuses NSCN (IM) leadership of being "not serious" in solving the problem of Nagas.

"Muivah is in Europe and Isac Chisi Swu is in China. If they are serious then they should be amidst the Naga people", argues Mulatonu. He also blames IM leadership of being a stooge in the hands of the Indian government and claims that recently Muivah was in Somalia at the behest of the government, a claim denied by the NSCN(IM) when contacted. When asked how hopeful K group is to get invitation for talks from the government Mulatonu doesn't sound so confident. He however said that "if the Indian government is eager to solve the Naga problem then there should not be any problem in getting invitation".

Regarding the agenda of the talks the NSCN(K) emissary says that nothing is fixed so far but we will talk with an "open mind" and the contour of talks would be decided by the Khaplang,the President of NSCN(K) and Kitovia, the Prime Minister of Nagaland government in exile. Since 1997 both the factions have been under ceasefire agreement with the Government of India. NSCN (IM) have been holding talks with the Indian government and so far more than fifty rounds of talks have been held in the last one decade but no result has been found out yet.

The main contentious demand is the issue of Greater Nagaland. Over the years IM, which claims to be the sole representative of Naga people, has come down from its original demand from a sovereign state to some sort of a constitutional arrangement within Indian union. However it insists that all the Naga areas in the North East should be clubbed as Greater Nagaland which the centre and many state governments in the region vehemently oppose. NSCN(K) emerged as a separate faction in 1988 an assassination attempt on the General Secretary of what emerged as the rival outfit - NSCN (IM) - Thuingaleng Muivah. Clannish divisions among the Nagas (Konyaks and Tangkhuls) were the primary reason behind the split of the NSCN in 1988. The Konyaks formed the NSCN-K (Khaplang) under the leadership of Khole Konyak and S S Khaplang. The Tangkhul faction, the NSCN-IM (Isak-Muivah), was led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thingaleng Muivah. Sanjay Kumar
Racism a disease of modern society, says BJYM Nagaland morungexpress
Dimapur, June 3 (MExN): The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Nagaland, in its meeting, has condemned the racist hate attacks on Indian students in Australia. The party has requested the Australian High Commission to convey its resentment over the “most barbaric kind that is happening on its peaceful shores” and urged them to initiate a strong and exemplary action to prevent such unfortunate events in the future and secure the lives of the young and innocent students of the international community.
The BJYM, in a press release issued by its vice president, Jaangsillung Gonmei, has also noted with resentment “the seemingly callous, casual and general attitude of the Australian Prime Minister on such an urgent criminal matter”, when he called upon his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, to congratulate him on his second term and on being queried by the latter on the matter.
The BJYM has termed racism a disease of the modern society brought on by selfishness, narrow-mindedness and lack of work ethics, and called it a shame that this should be happening in an advanced country “which is otherwise a peaceful nation”. Pointing out that while Australia and the western world democracies have been looked up to as role models for various developing societies and nations because of their sacrifice of millions of lives in the two World Wars to protect peoples' democracy from the narrow sectarianisms of Nazism and fascism, the BJYM stated: “it is a great shame for racism to be taking place in their soils. The Second World War cemetery at Kohima, Nagaland, bears witness to the extreme and exemplary sacrifice that the western democracies had made to protect democracy even in this most remote comer of the world. And therefore, the BJYM, Nagaland, is shocked and ashamed of the brutal and barbaric treatment meted out to Indian students and calls for an urgent and highly prioritized solution to the matter at the earliest.” Meanwhile, the BJYM has expressed that youths of today’s modem world should learn the necessity of adjusting to the “growing conjestment” in every aspect of social life because of the growing urbanization, and adopt only peaceful democratic means to solve various problems. “This is the only way to grow socially harmoniously, fulfilling every individual’s aspects of life and his/her expectations,” the BJYM added.
IM credits Hoho for handover Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Jun 2: The NSCN-IM while firmly stating today that the murder of subdivisional officer (SDO) of Kasom Khullen Dr Kishan and his two staff committed by the outfit’s “Lt Col” HK Ningshen was a crime against humanity and also crime against the NSCN-IM’s principle, said that the action of the NSCN/GPRN (NSCN-IM) to hand over “Lt Col” HK Ningshen, the accused in the killing of Dr Th Kishan to the Naga Hoho on May 28, was unprecedented in the history of the Naga National struggle. It took tremendous courage for the NSCN leaders to take such an agonizing decision, the outfit added. “Lt Col” Nighshen was found guilty by the NSCN-IM’s “Military Court Marshal” on May 14. In a statement issued to Newmai News Network tonight, the NSCN-IM said that though the impasse between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM continued over the killing of Dr Th Kishan and the Naga outfit was prepared to face any new situation that unfolded over the stand off, it was eventually the Naga Hoho that intervened and prevailed. The full trust and confidence of the NSCN-IM made it all possible to hand over “Lt Col” Ningshen to the Naga Hoho, the Naga outfit added. Reaffirming the commitment made by the NSCN-IM “Collective Leadership” to the then Indian Prime Minister late PV Narashimha Rao in Paris in 1995 that, “NSCN will leave no stone unturned to find an amicable solution” NSCN will not allow any obstacles that comes in the way of peaceful negotiated settlement, the Naga outfit affirmed. “The NSCN condemned the murder of Dr.Th.Kishan and his two staffers committed by Lt Col.HK.Ningshen. It is a crime against humanity and crime against the principle of NSCN as well,” it re-iterated.
DHD(J) militants fleeing to Nagaland to escape crackdown (Page News Service) Ultras taking Niuland, Bor Lengri & Peren routes to enter State
Dimapur, June 2: In a major security threat to the state of Nagaland, DHD (J) ultras on the run following crackdown on the insurgent group by the Indian army and Para Military Forces are reportedly fleeing into Nagaland through the porous Assam-Nagaland border to escape capture by the Indian Security Forces. According to intelligence sources, DHD (J) militants are entering Nagaland through three main routes - Niuland side, Bor Lengri area and Peren side.
Nagaland has in recent times become a safe haven for militant groups in the Northeast after the declaration of ceasefire between the NSCN groups and India. Since the declaration of the ceasefire, military operations in Nagaland have been stopped to a large extend thereby making the State, particularly its commercial capital, Dimapur, a target for all militants groups in Assam and Manipur to set up a base. Sources from intelligence agencies said it suspect some Naga National group of giving shelter to the DHD (J) militant group.
The DHD (J) has been unleashing a reign of terror in the areas of Cachar, North Cachar, Karbi Anglong and Nagaon Districts of Assam. It is mainly responsible for the ethnic violence in NC Hills.
The Government of Nagaland has, however, so far not made any security arrangements in the border areas to prevent easy entry of the militants into the State. Police patrolling in the border areas is non-existent or very lax making it very easy for any militants to cross over, intelligence sources said.
But State police sources maintained that patrolling along the border is very difficult since most border areas are disputed land between the states of Assam and Nagaland. In fact our State police cannot even go to some border areas because it is disputed, the sources said.
When contacted PRO IGAR (N) Maj Pallab Choudhury admitted that DHD (J) militants might try to enter Nagaland following the crackdown on the group in NC Hills. He, however, assured that troops deployment has been intensified all along the borders sharing with NC Hills particularly Peren district and so far no movement of DHD (J) towards Nagaland has been noted.
He also said that troops are maintaining high vigil and under no circumstances DHD (J) cadres would be allowed to enter Nagaland to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the State.

March to demand killers’ punishment - One of nurse’s murderers still at large OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph


Langailu Pamei’s mother (centre) and sisters at the rally in Noney on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Imphal, June 2: Thousands of Nagas in Manipur today took to the streets of Noney in Tamenglong district demanding exemplary punishment to the culprits in the Langailu Pamei murder case. Pamei, 25, who was working as a nurse in Vinayak Hospital at Derawalnagar in New Delhi, went missing on May 13 after she set out from her rented house at Gandhi Vihar for the hospital.
Her body was recovered from the thick jungles of Banta Hills on May 14 but disposed of by the Delhi administration as unclaimed after no one came forward to identify her. Pamei was from Noney in Tamenglong district. The Zeliangrong community has formed an action committee to take up the case with authorities in Imphal and Delhi. A 25-year-old man, Gaijaomei George, was arrested in connection with the murder of the girl on May 25. George, who is also from Noney, was in Delhi and preparing for an UPSC examination. Pamei’s younger sister Easter identified her maroon top and jeans in the photos the police showed her. Easter, who lived in Delhi with her sister, said Pamei went out with two youths, George and Roshan.
Demanding the arrest of Roshan, who is also from Noney, and punishment of both the accused, thousands of protesters today marched nearly 3km at Noney. The procession was organised by the joint action committee formed in connection with the case.
“We demand that all the accused be given exemplary punishment. We also demand that the government should give ex gratia to the next of kin of the victim,” Th. Pamei, a spokesman for the action committee, said.
Peace and protest in BTC - Mohilary leads march, asks for Gogoi’s intervention OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


BPF activists at the peace rally in Kokrajhar on Tuesday. Telegraph picture
Kokrajhar, June 2: The Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) today organised a rally in Kokrajhar and sought the intervention of Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi in restoring peace in the area. The BTC region Hindi Bhasi Yuba Chatra Parishad has also called for a 12-hour Chirang district bandh tomorrow in protest against the killing of Sambuk Sah, a teacher, at Kanthalguri yesterday.
In a memorandum to the chief minister through Kokrajhar deputy commissioner Carol Narzary, the BPF said the ongoing turmoil in the BTC area, particularly in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts, has made life a nightmare with hardly any security to speak of. It also accused the NDFB of indulging in anti-social activities like kidnapping and extortion. “It has been noticed that the NDFB has been violating the ceasefire ground rules by committing crimes one after the other, making lives of innocent people miserable,” The memorandum said.
Hundreds of people joined the rally, which started from the BPF party office through JD Road. BPF party president and BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary led the rally. “The peace rally was organised to highlight the endless problems of the people in drawing the attention of the administration. The government should consider the gravity of the matter and take necessary steps to nab the culprits and punish them according to law,” Mohilary later told reporters.
Mohilary urged organisations, people irrespective of caste and creed to end the violence and work for the development of the region. He also urged the insurgent groups in the state, including those operating in the BTC and NC Hills, to come forward to negotiate for permanent peace and development in the region. Last month, 15 lives were lost in the region. Moreover, the region witnessed as many as five cases of kidnapping.
Five arrested students detained under NSA, eight others get bail The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, June 2: Five persons, including volunteers of students organisations, who were arrested in connection with the daylight murder of Manipur University professor Md Islamuddin have been detained under the National Security Act, NSA after they were produced before the additional CJM, Lamphel this afternoon around 2.15 pm.

It may be mentioned that the state police during investigations into the killing of the professor inside the Mu campus picked up 13 suspects, including volunteers of leading student organisations of the state, and detained them in judicial custody for trial.

All the 13 suspects were produced before the additional CJM this afternoon. Eight of them were released on bail on a surety bond of Rs. 30,000 each. The rest of the five suspects, including three representatives of the student organisation DESAM, identified as Thoudam Shyam, 33, son of Megha of Thoubal Leishangthem, Phijam Dinesh Meetei, 29, son of Deven of Changangei Mamang Leikai and educational secretary of the DESAM Arambam Thoithoi, 28, son of Biren Singh of Khurai Nandiebam Leikai, along with the other two who are believed to be UG activists identified as Thangjam Lankishore Singh, 30, son of Angou of Ukhongshang Mamnag Leikai and Kshetrimayum Kiran Singh, 29, son of Tomchou of Kakching Khunou were sent to jail.

The eight who were released on bail by the court today were identified as Laishram Bijenkumar Singh, 25, son of Bisebor of Kha Senjenbam, Khomdram Ranabir Singh, 26, son of Thoiba of Nambol, Ksh Rajen, 28, son of Nimaichand of Kongpal Naoroibam Leikai, Laishram Joyprakash, 30, son of Ramaton of Utlou Mayai Leikai, Namoijam Dinesh, 19, son Manglemjao of Oinam Utlou Mayai Leikai, Seirem Robindro, 26, son of late Rajendro of Nambol Kha Jiri, Wahengbam Binoy Singh, 27, son of Meidha of Toubul Maning Leikai and RK Suresh Singh, 28, son of Gouri of Kakwa Ashem Leikai.

According to the defence lawyer, advocate Yumnam Devadutta it was the second time the 13 were produced before the court in an attempt to take further judicial remand. However, due to lack of adequate evidence against the arrested persons eight of them were allowed bail today.

There was heavy security arrangement from the state government’s side at the court where the suspects were produced this afternoon.

After the procedings were completed the detained NSA detainees claimed before the crowd waiting outside the court that they were made to sign on blank papers by the security forces while they were in judicial custody. This was an attempt by the state government to turn them in as UGs, they said while seeking support from the public against their detention.
The Myanmar & Asean connection By: Rangan Dutta indoadmin
May 31, 2009: THE “Look East Policy” naturally brings back memories of a turbulent era when the Allied forces fought the Japanese and the Azad Hind Fauj, and Assam was the British bridgehead for the Burma campaign.
The construction of the famous Stilwell Road linking Ledo in Assam and Kunming in Yunan province of south-west China, passing through mountainous upper Burma, and the Burma Road connecting Dimapur, Kohima and Imphal to Burmese towns, are engineering marvels in any period of history.
This strategic road network provided a base for future economic and cultural cooperation between India’s North-east and South-east Asia – an unintended legacy of the war. Old official documents refer enthusiastically to the Delhi-Chungking Road as Kunming was connected by road to the city (now spelt Chongqing) that was the virtual capital of China during World War II. Events, however, took a different turn with an inward looking Burma and conflicts in South-east Asia. It is only with the dawn of the 21st century that an environment conducive to the growth of trade and cooperation seemed to have emerged. The LEP reflects this new mood and the Association of South East Asian Nations, as a regional grouping, has broadened its vision with the induction of Myanmar and acceptance of a role for India.
However, if one looks at the ground reality, the picture that emerges is not so encouraging. Take, for instance, our trade with Myanmar, especially border trade under the 1994 Indo-Myanmarese agreement. India’s exports to Myanmar in 2005-06 of top 20 commodities was worth $110.7 million, while we imported commodities worth about $526 million – a modest volume by any standard.
Iron and steel and pharmaceutical products constitute about 59 per cent of exports followed by electrical machinery, motor vehicles and engineering products. Over 90 per cent of our imports from Myanmar consist of wood and wood products, rubber goods, vegetables and products like raw hide, animal and vegetable fats.
Thus, it is one-way trade — India being able to absorb primary products from Myanmar while its high value added exports are limited, presumably because of huge imports from China and other Asean countries. In this scenario, Indo-Myanmarese border trade appears to be a very modest endeavour as the emphasis is on “head loads” or non-motorised transport, limiting the transaction to $20,000 and significantly on “barter”.
The items that can be traded/bartered have been restricted to 22 under Schedule I, all of which fall in the category of primary agricultural produce such as fruits, vegetables, pulses and beans, chillies, ginger; not even locally processed food items like honey or pickles. Obviously within such restrictions, the volume of border trade has remained low while smuggling of consumer goods flourishes like never before. To expand trade with Myanmar, the only Asean country that shares a land border with four North-east states, a bold initiative is required with the building of infrastructure to set up Myanmar export oriented industries in the region and include value added products in Schedule I.
We might even consider investing in industries in Myanmar to meet the needs of the North-east and thereby avoid the huge transport cost of moving goods from distant centres in India. What is needed, therefore, is complementing the economy of the North-east and Myanmar as part of the LEP, which is absent today in good measure.
To examine what products the North-east could export to the Asean, it is useful to look at India’s trade regime with the Asean. In 2006-07, 10.08 per cent of our trade was with the Asean, 17.24 per cent with the European Union, 8.07 per cent with China and 9.5 per cent with the USA. During 1997-98 and 2006-07, in percentage terms, trade with the Asean has grown slowly, from 7.68 per cent to 10.08 per cent.
In 2005-06, our total exports were about $10.4 billion, while our imports were $10.88 billion. Major export items were mineral oils, bitumen, waxes, etc (23.66 per cent of the total exports), pearls, gems (15.28 per cent), organic chemicals (8.01 per cent), iron and steel, animal fodder, ships and boats, boiler machines, copper articles, electrical machinery vehicles. These cover 72.69 per cent of exports.
If we look at what we import from the Asean, the picture is the same. Machinery, electrical equipment, boilers, mineral fuels, organic chemicals, wood products, charcoal, plastic, ores, slag and ash, ships, boats, iron and steel, optical and surgical instruments, miscellaneous chemicals, aircraft parts are major import items.
Roughly 70 per cent of imports are industrial products, though India imports spices, coffee and tea as well. The share of the North-east in imports must be as negligible as in exports. (Source: Export-Import Data Bank, Union commerce ministry.)
To promote trade with the Asean, the first thing to do is to develop a means to compliment the respective economies. This does not exist in adequate measure between India and the Asean because, essentially, both seek entry into the EU and US markets to expand their share in exports.
Indo-Asean trade has developed, however, indirectly because after “liberalisation”, several foreign and Indian firms procure their spare equipment from their bases/factories in Asean countries, especially in computers, electronics and chemicals. The North-east is not a part of this process.
Thus trade between the North-east and Asean has to make a real start because “organised” commodity trade on a large scale is not envisaged under the Indo-Myanmar Border Trade Agreement, 1994. Keeping in view the aforesaid ground reality, the following strategy is suggested to position North-east products in the Asean market:
Create facilities in the petrochemical industry in the North-east, including gas-based enterprises, to produce “downstream’”products for exports because these items are imported from India. The North-east should be part of this export drive;
Develop Sittwe port in Arakan for exports from Mizoram, Tripura and west Assam; Specialise in areas where the North-east enjoys a comparative advantage as follows: horticulture – strawberries, oranges, pineapples in Meghalaya, oranges in Assam and Tripura could be taken up for processing and value addition for exports with “quality control”, cold storage and air transport facilities at Guwahati airport; Tripura produces 20,000 tonnes of rubber, of which only 2,000 tonnes are used locally.
This could be a “base” for an industry geared to meet the specific demand of Asean. A Special Economic Zone is required for this activity, including natural honey; floriculture – Meghalaya is already producing two million roses per annum for exports.
This could be replicated in other states and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development have an important role to play. A cold storage at Guwahati airport is required for expansion of the floriculture sector;
The North-east is the storehouse of medicinal plants and is suitable for the setting up of the pharmaceutical industry for exports to the Asean. Technology or scientific collection of plants from forests, without affecting conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants, at small units in villages has to be developed for the region, backed by research and enterprise development; For export of spices, there is the need for an accredited laboratory for organic certification and a “spices park” for production and demonstration of organic ginger and turmeric, grown in abundance in Meghalaya and Mizoram. The Spices Board should develop these facilities at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research complex in Shillong;
The very low fertiliser use (about 20 kg) in the North-east states suggests a vast scope for “organic farming” and processed organic food products. It requires organisation of farmers’ groups on the Self-Help Groups model, organised cultivation in compact blocks and a system of control and organic certification acceptable to export destinations. Demand for organic food is fast picking up in several Asean cities and North-east products could target Australia through this route; and In cane and bamboo products, bulk wood substitutes like bamboo boards for use as floor or ceiling materials could be a major export item, provided “innovative” products are developed. To sum up, the North-east should specialise in low-weight high-value products and an essentially rural-based production system using modern technology. The region’s university system must be involved in such R&D, especially in pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals. The author a former Assam-Meghalaya cadre IAS officer, is presently a scientific consultant in the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the government of India.
Need for political change in Burma for regional stability: Thai FM Kasit Piromya Foreign Minister of Thailand indoadminNarinjara News
June 2, 2009: Dhaka, Political change in military-ruled Myanmar was "very much needed" for regional stability, said Kasit Piromya Foreign Minister of Thailand yesterday.
Piromya was holding a joint-press briefing with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry office in Dhaka yesterday. The Thai FM was on a two-day official visit. "Changes in Myanmar are very much needed. It is not only a necessity for the security of Myanmar but also for all the neighbouring countries including Bangladesh and Thailand," Piromya said.
The Thai minister said changes in Myanmar would resolve the issues of internally displaced Myanmarese along the Bangladesh-Myanmar and Myanmar-Thailand borders. He, however, avoided comment to the Press on the affect the trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by the Burmese junta would have on regional stability. U Maung Aye Chan, a senior Arakanese politician in Cox’sbazar said the Thai FM is also likely to discuss the trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Insein prison because ASEAN and other neighbours of Burma are being criticized by western countries and international human rights organizations for its failure to pressurize the Burmese military regime for political reforms.
Thailand has also been severely criticized by the international community and human rights organizations for putting Rogingya boat people, who come by boat, adrift at sea in engineless boats. On the Rohingya issue, Piromya said that Thailand is ready to work with Bangladesh on repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
“It is a common problem for the two countries next to Myanmar,” Piromya said. Both the foreign ministers felt that the two countries should convince the Burmese military authorities that the Bangladesh-Myanmar Road is "a more viable" route for the proposed Asian Highways to connect Thailand to western countries.
The Thai Foreign Minister added that Bangladesh and Thailand could easily be connected by road via Burma. The road will help the two countries economically.