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07/11/2009: "Oppn urge Nagaland govt to pursue peace Bureau Report Zee News"

Oppn urge Nagaland govt to pursue peace Bureau Report Zee News
Kohima, July 09: Opposition MLAs in Nagaland on Thursday urged the state government to pursue peace talks with Naga underground groups and improve the law and order situation in state's commercial capital, Dimapur.

Senior Congress MLA, I Imkong, said, "State government should vigorously pursue both Centre and Naga underground groups to speed up peace talks for finding a settlement of the political problem."

Congress party appreciated the initiatives of Forum for Naga Reconciliation and other civil society organisations towards building peace and understanding among the Nagas, he said.

Imkong also alleged that ruling DAN government in Nagaland failed to enforce law and order in the state, particularly at Dimapur.

"Dimapur has turned into a haven for criminals and becoming a hideout for various militant groups of North-East. Terror organisations from Bangladesh also taking shelter to carry out all sorts of criminal activities at the very nose of administration from the town," he alleged.

He cautioned the government about threats and dangers posed by large-scale infiltrations of suspected Bangladeshi people to Dimapur and its surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the session was cut short since nothing could be heard due to heavy rains on the corrugated iron-roof of the assembly building.

Naga rebels torch 17 Dimasa homes TNN
, SILCHAR: Suspected Naga rebels torched houses belonging to Dimasa tribals as fresh ethnic violence erupted in Assam's North Cachar Hills district
on Saturday. "Miscreants, armed with guns and weapons, raided Sabujoy village and set ablaze 17 houses around 8am," a police official said. Sabujoy is a Dimasa-dominated village situated about 35 km from the district town of Haflong.

"There were no casualties because the villagers had shifted to safer places when clashes between Dimasas and Zeme Nagas intensified in the district recently," he added. Locals identified the attackers as Naga militants. Police and paramilitary forces from Mahur and Haflong rushed to the area. A manhunt was launched to arrest the assailants. Worried over the continuing violence, the Centre on Thursday banned the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel faction), a Dimasa outfit which is also known as Black Widow, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1965.

For quite some time, the Black Widow has been fighting for a separate Dimasa state comprising North Cachar Hills, Cachar, Karbi Anglong in Assam and parts of Dimapur in Nagaland. The outfit's rivalry with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) and its demand for parts of Dimapur are cited as the reasons for the conflicts between the Dimasas and the Nagas. Dimasas have always resented the inclusion of Dimapur, a part of the erstwhile Kachari kingdom, in Nagaland.
Nagaland CM apologises for minister's failure to reply Chennai On line
Kohima, July 9 Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today apologised in the assembly for the forest minister's failure to reply questions related to a reserve forest in Mon district of the state.

Opposition legislators had asked about the status of Wangla bamboo forest which was taken up for bamboo cultivation under National Bamboo Mission and also referred to a media report alleging that Forest Minister M C Konyak grabbed forest land in a nearby reserve forest.

When members repeatedly demanded the status of Wangla bamboo forest, the chief minister intervened and tendered an apology for the failure of the department to submit latest information.

Rio suggested for a half-an-hour discussion on the topic in the House during the current budget session, which was agreed by Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie. - (Agencies)

Rejoinder to statement issued by Mamnab Hegue Tsunthiuba Yimchunger Morung
At the very outset, I am issuing this rejoinder to clear and enlighten the confused mind of the high sounding writer Mamnab Hegue, Secretary, Inlanders League, Peren who has been made to believe the concocted and distorted historical facts with regard to Intangki Reserved Forest. The ignorance of the writer may be overlooked since the writer may not be a Naga of Nagaland and also might be a young, enthusiastic person who wants to advertise his use sounding foreign language which neither impresses nor convinces the Nagas of Nagaland since the truth and the history relating to the present Intangki reserved forest is an open book for the Nagas of Nagaland unlike his ignorance about the historical facts and events leading to the present issue of the Intangki reserved Forest. Secondly, the writer might either be from Manipur or Assam State as such, I would advice him not to speak something which he has no idea or clear concept about. As the matter in issue relates to the Nagas of Nagaland and not to outsiders, so whatever decisions has to be taken regarding the Intangki issue shall be done by the true owners of the Land/Nagas of Nagaland. As a matter of fact, the writer is at liberty to express his opinion with issues relating to his hometown i.e. Manipur or Assam.
On the matter at hand, as an elderly person, let me enlighten him as to how and by whom the villages at Intangki reserved forest were started (I wont go into detail as enough has already been said and published in local dailies citing various Govt. Orders and Historical documents/evidence leading to the establishment of Inavi and Beisampuikam village and the erstwhile status of the Intangki reserved forest etc.)
The Govt. of Nagaland granted the permission to establish Inavi Sumi Naga village after seeing the plight of flock of landless Nagas of Nagaland. However, Beisampuikam village clandestinely/unknown to the Govt. of Nagaland brought people from Manipur-Assam and set up an illegal occupation and encroached deeper and deeper into the Intangki reserved forest destroying on its way the national treasure of the Nagas. So there should be no doubts as to who the real culprits are.
The writer also ignorantly claimed that the Intangki Reserved Forest belongs to the Old Beisumpui village (Donors), on the other hand, he also claimed that the beisumpuikam village is in exchange of the Intangki Forest. Here it is self contradictory statement since, if the Intangki Reserved Forest belongs to Beisumpui village as claimed, then where does the question of exchange of Land with the Govt. arise?
Beware Nagas: The Zeliangs have now started claiming Intangki Reserve Forest as their own and that they are the Donors of the Intangki Reserve Forest, one day we may well see the whole stretch of Intangki Forest inhabited by their fellow brothers from Assam and Manipur. One day the Zeliangs will claim Intangki Forest as Zeliang country.
The writer has accused me to have come from a far away place but the writer should introspect as to where he came from, does he have a proper migratory place to seek refuge if ever need arises?
Lastly, I being the real inhabitant/the owner of the Land will be happy to indulge you with information and history as to whom the present Intangki forest Land belongs to, what you have to know is:
(1) To whom does the Intangki forest belongs to, in the beginning?
(2) To whom did the British Govt. proclaimed the land belongs to?
(3) To whom does the present Intangki belongs to?
These are some questions which I will be happy to indulge you without any cost.
Tsunthiuba Yimchunger
Advisor, Western
Yimchungrü Hoho

Illegal migrants and its impacts: Big threat to Naga society Jetovi Chishi
•-The issue of illegal migrants has reached even the highest talk of the country. Most of the states in India suffer from this issue today, and our state (Nagaland) is not exempted from it and its deadly consequences. This has become a daily phenomenon in our country that continues to increase e.g; - approximately 6000 Bangladeshi illegal migrants are entering Assam daily (read census report table 2001). That means by 2015, illegal migrants in Assam alone will be more than the entire population of North East. In Tripura, 80% of population in 1950 was tribal & 20% Bengalis, but now it has reversed. According to 2001 census, Nagaland has 19, 90,036. It must be about 2.5 million or 25 lakhs by now and have about 5 lakhs illegal migrants (including ILP defaulters), out o these, 90% are Bangladeshi illegal migrants, and 95% of them are Muslims.
Two of its dangerous impacts, (out of many) in our society today are their control over economic and political matters, which many of us are not aware of. For instance, in Assam, they control 40% of politics and nearly 50% of Assam’s economy. Uniqueness of Nagaland is that, we do not have data, no control over illegal migrants, give them all political and economic rights, thus they have become indispensable to our society which is the most dangerous thing. Even if some illegal migrants are put behind the bar or deported by authority, their owner (master) will do anything to bail them out. They are also trusted agents of influential persons like GB, village council chairman and officers of both over and undergrounds leaders. Today, a Naga GB may not trust his man, but he shares his secrets with these illegal migrants, who are so entrenched in our society. We have outsourced everything to them including axone preparation. They have started adopting local names, and we are adopting them as sons, daughters and relatives. We are also issuing them various documents such as permanent resident certificate (PRC), ration cards and voters ID without even knowing them well. They engage in cultivation, domestic helps, carpentry, masonry, cart pullers, taxi drivers, business and trades, liquor and drug dealers, prostitution, human trafficking even teachers and government servants. These have led them control major economic activities in Dimapur and Kohima, (90% of shops in Dimapur are kept closed on ID-ul-Adha Day). If it is true that Nagaland has 5 lakh of illegal migrants, and each migrant earns Rs. 100/day, it comes to 5 crores Rs/day. Now, if we divide it by 85,000 Naga educated unemployed, it comes out around 588.23 Rs/day and 17467 Rs/month for each of them. Surely, it is not a peanut. According to their daily earning, it comes around 150 crores Rs/Month or 1800 crores Rs/year. Is it double of annual budget of Nagaland Government? Who earns and who saves in our land? Or who is the King maker or the King himself?

(The writer is not trying to offend illegal migrants. We should love them, but we can not afford to let people one day over numbered us in our land. It is good to help and love them since, it is a Christian value, but we should also think about the future consequence which is very serious matter. We should keep in our mind that, our present selfish act may one day destroy our coming generation’s future.)
Jetovi Chishi

Intangki subject; it’s time we close Pawan Rahaa
‘Silence speaks louder’ goes an adage and is believed to be infallible and effective by many in certain situations. But in a place like our land Nagaland where anything and everything is discussed, accused, denounced and defamed through the newspapers, silence does never speak louder, but instead has become to be thought of as a sign of faintness, weakness and self-surrender.
The most worrying aspect of these excessive accusations in our newspapers by persons deprived of wisdom and tolerance is the manifestation of gradual communal flare-ups, divisions, misinterpretation of facts and disorientation of the unlearned mass by some ill-learned leaders. This ought to be checked. Unlearned and innocent Nagas ought to be careful of ill-learned leaders and their ideologies lest they also imbibe such worldviews and tread the footsteps of the ill-learned.
Words are powerful. The Bible said it and we have seen it. We are witnesses of the many affluent orators and writers who have finally landed up in prisons, exiled or severely indicted for their words. And that word ‘yardstick’ which frequently appears in the articles related with Intangky issue; if the same yardstick is to be applied to us writers as well , Nagaland can surely expect many leaders like Varun Gandhi, who for his ‘communal flare-up speech’ was recently imprisoned and his prestige as a social worker went down forever.
The ideology present in the article written by one social worker Kevika S Sumi, which was carried in one of the local dailies entitled “Intangky belongs to Nagas of Nagaland” is a shock and should be a wake-up call for us Nagas.
At this juncture of the Nagas issue for sovereignty, a time when the bells of unity are ringing, a crucial time when the realization and preparation for a mass involvement in the push for early solution is high, Mr. Kevika S Sumi has, to our misfortune, attempted to open up the old wounds of the Nagas again by:
1. Segregating the Nagas of Manipur from the Nagas of Nagaland thereby manifesting his limited knowledge of the term ‘Naga’. Whereas the dream of every Naga is to unite and bring all Naga inhabited areas under one sovereign administrative unit, his statement has widely separated us and caused division among ourselves.
2. By falsifying Beisumpuikam village as a village of the Zeliangrong Nagas hailing from Manipur’s Tamenglong district is a total fabrication. Whereas everyone including the government knows and accepts that the village existed since time immemorial with the beginning of Naga history, and that the Zeliangrongs were the original inhabitant and landlord of Intangky; and that out of generosity, part of the land was donated to the government of Nagaland for a Reserved Park by Beisumpuikam villagers. Therefore, any attempt or even a fantasy to simply evict Beisumpuikam village from Intangky would be like the monkeys’ futile fantasy of chasing away the farmer and taking hold of his maize field!
3. By maintaining that the NSCN-IM is a group led by the Tangkhuls and Nagas from Manipur, Mr. Kevika S Sumi has brought about a bad name to the Government of Peoples’ Republic of Nagalim. If at all he is to be believed, should we presume the other national workers from different Naga tribes in the NSCN-IM as puppets of the Tangkhuls or puppets of Nagas from Manipur? No. They work for the Naga Cause. That is what unites them; that is what brings contentment to their hearts. This clearly manifests his greed for position and leadership and the readiness to part ways if he is not given the highest recognition.
4. One needs to ponder, particularly at this hour, the sanctity of a person’s state of mind to boldly declare that the Nagas of Nagaland are treated like dogs in Manipur. This is sensitive and such claims can be found wanting for excessive use of his right to speech. I have never been offended by any Manipur Nagas or Meiteis in my several visits to Manipur. This surely is a weird kinda person!
5. The counsel that he gave and the challenge he posed on the wisdom of the NSF and the Naga Hoho for poking their nose in the NC Hills violence, while neglecting the evicted Inavi Villagers. His assumption and seeming fear that the intervention of a parent body like the NSF and Naga Hoho in the NC Hills violence will make it a Naga issue, is a narrow and limited thinking. No one has so far claimed the NC Hills carnage a Naga issue although a Zeme Naga tribe is involved. Therefore his comparison of the NC Hills violence and Intangky eviction is very much irrelevant. His attempt to put together the Intangky eviction issue and NC Hills carnage thereby put the Zeliangrong community in the limelight demonstrates his seeming hostility on the Zeliangrong tribe in particular.
6. Let’s face it: Chased out 27 times and still intruding! This is a social shame of greed and wantonness. Such stubbornness and greed is unbecoming of the ethics of any Naga men and women. No right thinking citizen or society would ever think of giving any moral support to the outcome of such greed. Encroached 27 times! This literally and figuratively amazes me as rare of rarities, one in a million! However many rights one may possess to inhabit a particular land, if one is accused of intrusion and chased out 3 or 4 times, any sensible and responsible family man ought to look out for other places for the comfortable settlement of his wife and children.
The question is, why have all these unnecessary and irrelevant accusations come up with the Intangky issue? The picture drawn by this so-called social worker on this Intangky issue is murky and filled with ‘isms’. A Psychologist can conclude, by cross-examining his assertion, as a man void of wisdom, devoid of the potential to possess a genuine love even for his own tribe. His ideology poses a threat to the unity and diversity of Nagas. His open hatred and intention to humiliate the Zeliangrong community in particular, needs to be forgiven by one and all.
Pawan Rahaa
Jalukie

‘Hotahoti forest land belongs to the Govt.’ morungexpress
Dimapur, July 10 (MExN): Minister for Forest, Environment, Ecology & Wildlife, MC Konyak has come out publicly to defend his position by stating that the Hotahoti reserved forest land belongs to the Government and will continue to do so. “Thus, the question of me encroaching it does not arise. I hereby clarify that I have never been a land grabber or an encroacher, and I have no intention to be one”, stated a press note from the minister following allegation of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) Media Cell chairman and member R. Paphino and Dr. K. Hoshi accusing the minister of land grabbing and demanding his resignation. The minister has asked Paphino and Dr. Hoshi to tender unqualified public apology to him within one week with effect from publication of this statement, failing which the minister will have no option but to file a defamatory case.
Meanwhile, making his stand as also that of the Forest department, MC Konyak clarified that the bamboo plantation project at Hotahoti in Mon district was a venture involving the community and should be appreciated rather than hurling “bitter ignorant criticisms”. Hitting out at the allegations leveled against him by the NPCC, the minister ridiculed that if the Congress members had any concern about Hotahoti reserved forest, they should “get their facts straight”. Konyak informed that the forest was full of bamboo at the time of purchase and it was earmarked with the intention to supply raw material to Tuli Paper Mill. But the paper mill was closed down after ten years, in 1988. Subsequently, the land was rendered barren because of bamboo flowering.
MC Konyak slams Congress slur; threatens defamation suit
Meanwhile, in the northern part, the people of Assam frequently encroached as the land was lying unattended to by anybody.
With the formation of the DAN ministry, the need of reviving the paper mill was recognized and no effort was spared to see the mill flourish in due course of time, stated the Minister while informing that the government was presently at work in full swing with the intention to plant bamboo in large scale to meet the requirements of supplying 3.5 metric tonnes of bamboo annually to the paper mill. Accordingly, the Forest Department has been taking up bamboo plantation in collaboration with the local communities in all the lands purchased for the paper mill.
It was further informed that since 2007, bamboo plantation works were started. The bamboo plantation at Hotahoti in Mon district was started in April 2009. The plantation was done by the Forest Department in collaboration with the local communities in a “particular pattern of growing agriculture crops along with the main forest plantation in order to control the growth of weed and to facilitate the growth of bamboo plants simultaneously”. In coordination with the Nagaland Bamboo Mission headed by the top bureaucrats of the state, all interested local farmers, irrespective of political affiliations, were invited to avail the opportunity through an MoU which is under process, the Minister stated while adding that since the initiation of this MoU, the local farmers themselves have invested a lot for jungle clearance and in the purchase of seedling with the view to help meet the Government commitment to supply the required quantity of bamboo.
Naga King Chilli: A powerful biological weapon
FACE TO FACE with Ngathingkhui Jagoi
Some people define a journalist as ‘a person who knows something of everything and everything of that something’. But the truth is that journalists don’t always know something of everything and conversing with people from different trades and fields at times brings this to an embarrassing fore. I have very little knowledge about microbiology, but I go to meet this young microbiologist, Y Marinus Ngullie, for a Face to Face conversation about his research on Naga King Chilli at the Bio-Control Lab, Nagaland University, SASRD Campus, Medziphema. In the process, I must admit I had a pretty tough time trying to make out some of the technical terms and terminologies he used as he explained about the economic prospects of the King Chilli. EXCERPTS:

EASTERN MIRROR: What prompted you to undertake this research?
MARINUS NGULLIE: As you know, Naga King Chilli (capsicum chinense jacq) also known as Naga mircha, has been considered as the world’s hottest chilli and entered in the Guinness Book of World Records beating the Mexican red habaneros. The hotness of Naga mircha measures 8,55,00 scoville units beating the Mexican red savanna habaneros which has 5,77,00. Another interesting point of the Naga chilli is that the Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) extract from the chilli is popularly used for controlling riots, crowd and self defence. So, Naga King Chilli is a powerful biological weapon. This is one interesting subject. Besides, I want to study the prospect of Naga farmers’ economy.

EM: Are you doing this in your own capacity?
MN: Actually, I have taken up this research under the Pathology Department, NU SASRD Medziphema. I have been working on it for the past four years, especially in disease management because it is very difficult to grow this chilli. We have covered Jalukie in Peren district and few areas where Raja mircha is grown in the State. Since last year, I have been carrying out experiments sponsored by Naga Fragrance Private Ltd, Dimapur.

EM: So, what are the peculiarities or speciality of this raja mircha according to your findings…
MN: As I have said earlier, this is the world’s hottest chilli which has incidentally been claimed by Assam. But it is none other than this Naga King chilli. Apart from its hotness, among the capsicum family this is a species which grows in high acidic soil and environment factors also trigger the level of hotness. According to my findings, the soil condition of Nagaland is most suitable for its cultivation.

EM: Do you meant to say that if it is grown in other parts of the world the level of its hotness and the quality will not be the same as those grown in Nagaland?
MN: Yes, if an artificial environment and soil condition is used, we cannot expect the quality we get here. For example, in England they are growing under a controlled environment to increase the penchantcy level.

EM: It learnt that England is claiming the patent rights of Raja mircha. How far is this true? Do you have any idea about it?
MN: Two years ago, Nagas filed for patenting rights, but so far I have not seen any document. I only read in the media that Nagaland now has the patent.

EM: Is there any chance of the patent being claimed or taken by others?
MN: No geographical conditions have proven that Raja mircha is best grown in this part of the region only. One instance, a US couple tried to claim the patent but it was hybrid. But that is a breeding right if you see the IPR of intellectual properties.

EM: Do you think extensive farming of raja mircha would boost the economy of the state?
MN: Sure. Our king chilli has a big demand around the world but the thing is we cannot meet the demand. In the past one year, I have been studying the export prospects. There is a big demand from countries like the US, England, Israel, Sweden, etc. These countries demand only organic and genuine raja mircha.
Look, for instance if a single Raja mircha costs $ 2 in the US, that means cultivation of this chilli can sustain the economy of Naga farmers in a big way. Yet, low production due to farmers’ lack of scientific knowledge of farming and preservation, things are not moving right for us. Raja mircha is a very delicate plant and very prone to diseases.

EM: What kind of agency(s) or company is taking care of exports presently?
MN: Naga Fragrance Private Ltd, Dimapur, is currently handling export of the product. We have also got some companies like Agro Tech in Jorhat, Assam and a few others.

EM: Stories of exploitation by companies cannot be written off. It is always there. In such an event, what will be the preventive steps? Can you highlight?
MN: The King chilli is grown in border areas of Assam. But they also could not produce in a big way to meet the export demands. So as of now, the companies in Assam also have tied up with us. And, like you said, exploitation of farmers is a worrying factor that should be carefully monitored.
As for Naga Fragrance Ltd, it is proposing to handle everything eventually. Installation of a big machinery involving multi crore rupees is under consideration. So export and farmers’ problems would be solved.
But lack of scientific knowledge in cultivation and drying process is the problem with our farmers. They dry raja mircha in the sun or over the fire, whereby quality and pungency is lost. If we dry over the fire, the smoke also becomes a cancerous agent. International buyers want the original quality. So there is a need for the farmers to develop a scientific method of drying and preserving so that the quality is maintained to the expectation of international buyers.

EM: Is Naga Fragrance Ltd providing seed money to farmers?
MN: No. Right now Naga Fragrance deals with only finished products. This year, I am handling a project for more than 200 farmers sponsored by NABARD. Each farmer will cultivate multi crops like maize and rice including raja mircha in not less than 1 bigha of land so that they can be benefited in three ways.

EM: Well, you have established the potential Naga King Chilli. Any other crops grown in Nagaland which can be a good source of income?
MN: Nagaland can be divided into four zones according to the altitude geographical locations. In all the four zones, there are a number of aromatic and medicinal plants and fruits, vegetables, etc, which can be cultivated for income of the rural populace. Nagaland is a hotspot of aromatic and medicinal plants which are in great demand the world over.
My Dear Grand Uncle and Me – A Naga Taliakum Pongen Morung
“I have come again,” says my grand uncle as he enters the kitchen, the most happening place. He took the village bus. I have always admired his adventurous Naga spirit. Ours is the first house he picks whenever he comes on such visits. Maybe because we share the same vein of Naganess.
His already old knees have started to ache again. The patellae are reporting cases of anatomical breach. Therefore, he has to get some orthopedic attention. And I will, once again, hear him say, “Tali, ‘the independent price’.” He was a village functionary during his younger days. Like many of my beloved Naga grandfathers he was also beaten up. His knees became the contact point of Jawaharlal Nehru’s extravaganza –or should I say so. That is what he means by ‘the independent price.’ It took me a while to understand his use of words this way. Nagas love metaphors and similes and there is a class in those expressions. And all that I see in him is me –a Naga.
Every time he comes for a round of treatment I am reminded of another pain [of my people] and the silent deep panting for hope and peace thereof –nothing else matters. Will anybody hear? A profound question indeed. And that is the singular cry that cuts across the land. Travailing precedes the birth of a nation, they say. I have learned this as I saw him writhe around on the bed in agony many times. How long? That is the only question that seems to be around during such times. For the moment the pain may linger but everything under the sun has its term. This is why he is who he is and I am, he says. I couldn’t agree more as I see the same pattern in a different form. Much is expected as much as much has happened down the decades. And as much as the patellae and the pain are undeniable, redemption too is undeniable. It’s a reality. Will I see it in my lifetime? That’s another question my generation thinks about. My grand uncle’s lifetime has passed. He is already dead now. He didn’t see it in his lifetime. But he knew it was coming. And it is coming.
So, generations come and generations go. But they won’t vanish just like that. There is more to being humans and more still, to being a people. Today, the 93-year old Mr. Yamaguchi is still alive having survived both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. I saw his picture just a few days back. The beauty of being a people is not skin deep, though beauty may be skin deep. And there have been no instances of not pursuing the beauty of being a people down the ages so far. Therefore, this pursuance is only human and divine perhaps. There seems to be no contradiction. Nothing can be more appreciative than this pursuance by a people for a people being a people and, human of course.

A Challenge
Populism breaks down because it undermines freedom in the process. Populists self-destruct. Incidentally, the whole globe suffers from this. A nascent nation (Nagalim) can embark upon a standard against populism and be a globe changer too, having changed itself.
Taliakum Pongen
Beautiful Nagaland! Kevi Meru
Would you like to go back in time and have dinner with the real Attila the Hun? I would in a heart beat, but the closest I can get to Attila is watch a Hollywood version of his story, or read an eyewitness account of someone who dined with him in person. I have done both. Of the several books that I brought with me in my journey back to Nagaland, I selected one that is a collection of ‘Eyewitness Accounts to History” (published by Harvard University Press). In it a delegate from Constantinople by the name Priscus narrated his dinner of a lifetime with Attila the Hun. But that’s all I have to say about it (Sorry, my purpose here is not to entertain you further with the juicy details).
I am a full-blooded Naga and a quintessential Kohiman. Having been privileged to study and work abroad in two long stretches (1984-89 and 1993-2009), I think my impression of Nagaland might offer a slightly different take from others who may not have lived abroad as long as I did. My wife would at times notice and bring to my attention the phrase ‘my people’ when on occasions I refer to Nagas in that way. And yes, cliché it may be, even though I may be away from Nagaland there is no way the Nagaland in me can be taken away.
I love Nagas and I love Nagaland. I have just returned (last week of June) from a 16-year exile and I am inspired to share an ‘eyewitness account’. I hope readers will receive my opinions in a generous spirit because I am writing from a genuine heart.
I am aware that Nagaland is beginning to get a tiny slice of the global village as foreigners come to our State though friends, as tourists, or to celebrate Hornbill Festival. This may increase over the years. Only after I went out of Nagaland to a foreign country and returned, I noticed our roads are really narrow. Again, this time around, I cannot help but notice the pitiful condition of our main highway between Dimapur and Kohima. I’m sure tourists too notice the same right away, but too polite to tell us so.
Though it never materialized under him, I’m glad Vajpayee raised the need for the now much talked about (and desperately hoping for speedy fruition) four-lane highway. And why not! This should be a top priority among Nagas, specially those who are wielding both the power and the purse. How can we remain complacent when the main highway between the State Capital and the Commercial Capital of Nagaland lie in perpetual disgrace or eyesore? Not to mention of the shortening of vehicle life and the involuntary exercises from all the bumps and potholes and narrow misses. How I wish our Government sahibs and political babus would come together on this four-lane development without thinking of ungodly profit for themselves, just for the love of Nagaland. Just for the pride of Nagaland. (I’m dreaming). In Kuknalim.com (no longer in operation) I remember naming National Highway 39 within Nagaland as “Phizo Highway.” (Let Meiteis name their portion as Gambir Singh Highway or whatever).
Nagaland is beautiful. No doubt about it. I wish for Nagaland to be appreciated and recognized for its own sake and in its own right, and that is the reason I don’t wish for Nagaland to be referred as ‘Switzerland of the East.’ Please take pride in Nagaland as a gift from God and stop comparing it with any other. (And I don’t wish for Shillong to be referred as ‘Scotland of the East’, but that’s another story).
Recently I stayed overnight in Kolkota. The ride from and to the airport by taxi was quite a challenging experience --- the dust, the unique odor, and the heart stopping traffic chaos and daring negotiations for space. In my lifetime will I witness an orderly Nagaland or will the rich and powerful simply don’t care so long as they can drive fancy cars and live in another planet (lavish homes) at the end of the day? I say this because it is in the hands of the rich and powerful to make this highway a reality and a pride of Nagaland --- the powerful can decide not to take hefty cuts to release the project funding and the rich (contractor) can develop it as a labor of love for Nagaland (quality roads, not ungodly profits at the expense of quality workmanship). To borrow a line from Jeremiah, as I lament Phizo Highway on life support (medical jargon): “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?”
The pathetic road condition has become the fly in the ointment for our beautiful Nagaland. The Catholic has a doctrine called ‘perpetual virginity’. Are roads in Nagaland destined to be pitiful in perpetuity? I hope not. Perpetual potholes is not a doctrine set in stone, so let’s take pride in Nagaland and do something about our roads. Is anybody listening?
I wish to make another comment concerning the three mills in operation in Nagaland: Paper Mill, Sugar Mill, and Degree Mill. Of the first two, I think the master found them barren (Luke 13:6-9) and has applied the axe (Matthew 3:10). Sad that Nagaland has not benefited from them, but sadder still is that the custodians will frightfully stand before God and give account (Romans 14:12).
As for the Degree Mill it seems to be doing well by the way it has been advertised in a hip magazine. Though a PH.D can only be earned and not conferred in an honorary manner, the mill seems to be doing just that. (An honorary doctorate can be given to an outstanding person from a prestigious or legitimate institution). That says something about the profitable mill preying upon those Nagas who have a particular itch for a fancy title to go with their names. During His earthly ministry Jesus had a controversy with some Pharisees who are long on public show but short on integrity. This Degree Mill will wilt and die in Nagaland if conscientious Christians decry and refuse to buy its products. But I’m not very confident this will happen because in every society there are always those who love shortcuts and will look for them with eagerness. Brace yourself to find more Nagas with fancy titles freshly manufactured from the Degree Mill. And learn to live with it. Let Jesus separate the chaff from the wheat at a time of His choosing.
God bless my Nagaland --- and may the fly in the ointment find a remedy.

1.5 lakh BPL families in Nagaland Our Correspondent Morung
Kohima | July 9 : There are approximately 1,57, 117 families living Below Poverty Line (BPL) in Nagaland as per the latest BPL survey conducted in 2002.
Replying this to MLA Chingwang Konyak in starred question, Pangnyu Phom, parliamentary secretary for rural development and REPA furnished the district - wise numbers of families living BPL as; Dimapur - 16252, Kohima - 20953, Mokokchung - 13894, Mon - 17246, Phek - 15544, Tuensang - 15001, Wokha - 12433, Zunheboto - 16340, Kiphire - 10597, Longleng - 5943 and Peren at 12195.
Hotel Management Institute at Dimapur
Kohima | July 9:Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Art & Culture and Law & Justice Yitachu today said that Rs 1000.00 lakhs was earmarked and Rs 400.00 lakhs has been released by Ministry of Tourism for setting up Hotel Management Institute at Dimapur. Replying to MLA K V Pusa, the Parliamentary Secretary said that 35% of works has been completed so far. The infrastructural work of the project include the institute’s main building, boys hostel, girls hostel, principals quarter, engineering staff quarter and teaching staff quarter. Welcoming the move for setting up of this institute in Nagaland, MLA I Imkong said that it should be affiliated with National Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism.
Nagaland Fiscal Responsibility & Budget Management Bill
Kohima | July 9: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today moved a government bill for introduction of the Nagaland Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2009. NLA Deputy Speaker Ralanthung Yanthan said that the consideration and passing of the Bill shall take place on July 11 and amendment if any can be submitted on July 10. Yitachu, parliamentary secretary for tourism, art & culture and law & justice also laid on the table a copy of the Nagaland Judicial Service Rules, 2006.
TERRORIST GROUPS IN INDIA ALI SUKHANVER Lankanews
Beauty needs admiration; skills need recognition; talent needs appreciation. All these desires reach the climax if the desirer is sagacious educated and sensible. But there is always a very obvious difference between recognition and separatism. For the last few months the people of the southern Punjab in Pakistan have been raising their voices for the division of Punjab on administrative grounds. They claim that they have to face a lot of difficulties while seeking for the solution of their problems. People from the far-flung areas like Rajanpur and Bahawalpur have to travel a long distance to reach the provincial head quarter Lahore. They say that by this division the newly established province would be in a better position to take care of the financial matters of this area.
Unluckily as per tradition, the Indian media-men have started portraying this movement as a separatist movement but still they have got no valid argument to support their misconception. The fact is that not even a single fraction in Pakistan is striving for independence from the federation. Be it the Balochistan or the Southern Punjab, the demand is purely on administrative grounds confining to the federation. At the time of independence India had 12 provinces from which it moved to 28 states. But Pakistan remained a composite of four. In fact Pakistan is one of the very few federations of the world in which such a big population is represented by mere four entities. This has created numerous problems over the last sixty years; as a result few have been proposing the idea of creation of newer provinces. Further division and sub-division of Punjab would never be an unwise decision if it is taken at a proper time. Smaller administrative units are always easier to handle with. But a division on the basis of ethnic or racial grounds must never be appreciated.
When we look at India we find a lot of racial and ethnic groups striving for a separate identity. Usually these groups belong to the crushed segments of society and mostly they are the outcome of the horrible caste-system of Indian society. Naxalites, Maoists, Salwa Judum, ULFA, NSCN and so many other separatist are operating successfully in the region. According to the reports some groups like Salwa Judum are state sponsored. They were created to counter some rival groups but with the passage of time such groups got out of the government control and started operating at their own. Asian Center for Human Rights on India reported that Indian Security Forces and state sponsored civilian militia Salwa Judum cadres were involved in gross human rights violations in the name of counter insurgency operations.
The growing influence of all these terrorist groups has prompted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to declare them as the most serious threat to India’s national security According to India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, 20,000 insurgents are currently in operation. The area of Northeast is considered the most troubled one with respect to these separatist groups. ULFA, the United Liberation Front of Assam and NSCN [-IM] the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) are the most active among such groups. They are striving for the independence of Assam and Nagaland respectively. These two organisations have been continuously trying to extend the spheres of their influence in the Northeast region through violence as well as by training and arming a large number of other terrorist and proxy groups. According to the reports the Naxal Movement is the most horrible of all terrorist groups in India. Naxalite or Naxalism is an informal name given to communist groups that were born out of the Sino-Soviet split in the communist movement in India. Ideologically they belong to various trends of Maoism. Initially the movement had its centre in West Bengal. In recent years, they have spread into less developed areas of rural central and eastern India, such as Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh through the activities of underground groups like the Communist Party of India. They are conducting an insurgency, typically called the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency. They now have a presence in 40 percent of India’s geographical area and are especially concentrated in an area known as the “Naxal Belt,” comprising 92,000 square kilometers. The Naxal insurgency has become the biggest threat to India, surpassing Indian Held Kashmir and insurgency-hit northeastern states. Out of 630 districts the Indian government has declared 220 districts as Maoist affected areas.
India is facing a high casualty rate of security personnel in Naxal affected states. According to government sources in the past five months more than 181 Security Personnel have been killed. On 16th June 2009 about 400 Moist guerillas entered Lalgarh in Medinapore district of West Bengal and captured it including Police Station, destroying all symbols of administrative authority. The State government ordered Security Forces to control the situation. The Security Forces launched a full scale military operation using two companies of BSF, one company from CRPF, a platoon of Kolkatta Police Rapid Action Battalion, a company from west Bengal Armed Police and a platoon of Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB). The Maoists enjoy considerable influence in Lalgarh and are still in control of the district. The Maoist leaders say that their movement is a protest against oppression and exploitation of neglected tribes and landless farmers. They claim to fight for India’s poorest. The Naxalites now operate in at least 11 of the country’s 28 states and are thought to boast some 22,000 fighters.
It is nothing but an irony that a country like India who is bringing up so many terrorist and separatist groups is worried about the movements like the Saraiki movement in the Southern Punjab of Pakistan. India must pay attention to its own society where life has become a blob for the untouchables. The Saraiki movement is not a separatist movement. It is a struggle for the division of Punjab simply on administrative grounds.
alisukhanver@hotmail.com
One Response to “TERRORIST GROUPS IN INDIA”
Abbey Says:
The tragic suffering of many humans living in the subcontinent is a disgrace to all others with similar physical complexion. The cause of this tragedy is the Hindu doctrine of undermining the progress of others when they permanently remain stagnant and stuck in a pre-medieval cultural set up. Like in many other ex-colonies of the English empire, English built a regimented bureaucracy that allows a single authority to manipulate all aspects of human lives to pillage their assets. Since so-called independence, semi-European Hindu elites from the largest minority in India are using this bureaucracy to impose their will and subjugating all other minorities following the same English principles. Unfortunately, there are some minorities who willing to support this menacing conduct as done during English rule, such as Sikhs and Tamils, who have turned the future of all other minorities to a very bleak situation. These minorities living under inhumane conditions do have no option but to challenge these threats to their very own survival. Though there are many other nations who are vociferous about events happening in other countries, where minorities are much better than the majority, like Sri Lanka, there is no one worried about the suffering and disintegration of these hapless minorities under the jack boots of the Hindu domination ably supported by a bunch of few other minority groups. For all those sufferings under the current conditions of despair, the revival needs not just individual effort but the defeat of Hinduism holding them backward. Those with kind human hearts must support them in their evolution process to reach a level equal to those at the top of the human society.