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07/26/2009: "Manipur Governor given additional charge of Nagaland ICT by ANI -"

Manipur Governor given additional charge of Nagaland ICT by ANI -

New Delhi, July 22(ANI): As per a press press communique issued by the President of India on Wednesday, Gurbachan Jagat, currently the Governor of Manipur, has been appointed to discharge the functions of the Governor of Nagaland, in addition to his own duties, until regular arrangements for the office of the Governor of Nagaland are made.
Jagat became a member of the Indian Police Service in 1966. He has served as the Director-General of Police in Jammu and Kashmir from February 1997 until December 2000. He was then appointed Director-General of the Border Security Force, a post he held until June 2002, at which time he was appointed to the Union Public Service Commission.
Jagat served on the UPSC for five years, until being appointed Governor of Manipur in July 1, 2007.
Jagat was awarded the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1982, and has also received the numerous service medals, including Pashchimi Star, Sangram Medal, Special Duty Medal (Punjab and J-K) and Aantrik Seva Suraksha Medal. (ANI)
Do we need another reconciliation group for civil societies Chumbemo T. Ngullie
•-Much have been said and written in regards to the outburst of anomalous scandal in the so called ‘Autonomous body’, Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). The present imbroglio between NSF and APO is a sensitive and dangerous which have to be amicably settled or may create more division and misunderstanding among our Naga Society, when our Naga people are longing eagerly for peace, unity and reconciliation. Both the parties have their logical and genuine reasons, yet one must have a spirit of understanding of the issue in priority, which I feel should be above the individual aspects. Owing a moral responsibility in dousing down the flame is the need of the hour before things goes out of hand. Above all unity is a mass to fight and eradicate all sorts of corruption prevailing in our society.
The students need co-operation and support from all organizations i.e, Naga Hoho, Tribal Hoho’s, Naga Mothers, NGOs and the Government to revamp and streamline the present system of Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). It may be Autonomous Commission but public interest cannot be denied by any court of law. “Let the sense of competitive spirit prevails in our Naga Society”.

Chumbemo T. Ngullie Former Deputy Speaker Naga Students’ Federation
‘Lack of unity delaying solution to Naga pol issue’ DIPR
Mon, July 22 (DIPR): Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Lalthara, IAS, called upon the student community to play a vital role in uplifting the Nagas to resolve the age long Naga political issue in a peaceful atmosphere. He was addressing the inaugural function of the second ENSF Conference at the Council Hall in Mon town, on July 21 last. It is high time to put our hands together to find a peaceful solution to the Naga political issue, and the students as an influential section of pressure group, should play a vital role in bringing solution to the problem, he added.
Maintaining that lack of unity among the Naga underground groups and the NGOs is the reason for delay in finding a solution to the Naga political issue, he urged the ENSF and the ENPO to be active members of the NSF and the Naga Hoho. He also appealed for adoption of the policy of ‘forgive and forget’ and to move forward together under one apex organisation for early solution.
In the development sector, the Chief Secretary pointed out that in Nagaland funds sanctioned are not utilised as planned and that public interest was weaker than private interest. For these reasons, he said, the state is lagging behind other states where funds are properly utilised and common interest was placed above individual interest. He urged the gathering to protect public property for visible development in the state.
Lalthara also enumerated the state- and centrally-sponsored schemes sanctioned for the development of Eastern Nagaland under various packages. He exhorted the students to learn the art of discipline and motivation for constant achievement in life and advised them to endure to achieve new heights. The chief guest also released the first annual magazine of the ENSF.
The evening session of the programme was enlightened by the researched speech and presentation by Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS, on the topic ‘developing an illumine society’. Basing on his research for development of Eastern Nagaland, Alemtemshi emphasised on human resource development and expressed the need for the government to adopt a policy to encourage private schools and hospitals in the backward districts.
The Deputy Commissioner of Mon, Dinesh Kumar, IAS, also exhorted the students. The resource persons, Civil Judge for Mon, O Purnuken Phom, and advocate, president of NVCO, Kezhokhoto Savi, spoke on ‘Lok Adalat’ and ‘consumers rights’ respectively during the workshop. Earlier, the inaugural function was chaired by Yangtsapila Sangtam and the presidential address was delivered by ENSF president Y P Chillio Khiam.
GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF NAGALIM

Office of the Public Relation Officer
Information and Public Relation, Dept. of R & D
General Headquarters, Naga Army

Press Statement 23rd July 2009

It came to our knowledge recently that a group of extortionists had been terrorizing the locals in the Englan range of Wokha district. Taking stock of the situation, Leacy Chichamo of Rephim Village apprised the central authority time and again for safe intervention, in the interest of the public. However, before anything could be done,
he was targeted by these unscrupulous goons. This morning, they came looking for him at his residence in Rephim village; luckily this time too, he escaped narrowly. Therefore, a section of our security personnel was dispatched from Thungbo Brigade Headquarters to enforce law and order in the area. It so happened that our cadres and the extortionists, abruptly intersected at the junction between Old and New Changsu village. While our cadres shouted halt to identify themselves, the gangsters opened fired and flee. During the unfortunate shootout, one of the gangsters was gunned down by our cadres in retaliation. Two hand grenades were also recovered from the possession of the slain gangster.

PRO/IPR
GHQ, Naga Army

Naga rebels gunned down A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, The army today said the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) could carry out attacks in Assam along the state’s border with Arunachal Pradesh in the run-up to Independence Day.
The statement came after troops gunned down three militants of the outfit at Harmoti village near Nijlaluk in North Lakhimpur district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh, last night.
The slain militants were identified as self-styled sergeant Nameng Kobin, sergeant Babang Bake and Bhai from the driving licences found on them. Three 9mm pistols, ammunition and SIM cards were also recovered.
An army officer said the security forces had received information about the militants’ movement in the area a fortnight ago and were on the alert since then.
The three rebels were located by troops of the Dah Division and North Lakhimpur police in a house in Harmoti village.
“A fierce gunbattle followed during which the three militants were killed,” Lakhimpur superintendent of police S.A. Karim said.
“These militants were operating from Arunachal Pradesh and frequently entering Assam on specific operations like recruitment of cadres and sabotage activities,” he said, adding that there were reports of the rebels trying to carry out strikes in Assam prior to Independence Day.
Karim said the NSCN (I-M) was planning to carry out sabotage activities in the state with the help of youths from Assam who were recruited to the outfit recently and trained at Camp Hebron in Dimapur.
Sources said some of these youths had already returned after training and were “ready” to strike.
The outfit’s plan to recruit youths from Assam to expand its territorial influence was revealed by two NSCN (I-M) cadres arrested from Dhemaji district a couple of months back.
They were identified as “sergeant” Gobik Hai and “private” Rela Mgondir. Both were from Arunachal Pradesh.
The army officer said the NSCN (I-M) had been “trying hard” to carry out recruitment drives in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh and Dhemaji and North Lakhimpur districts of Assam. “These recruitment drives could be a part of the NSCN (I-M)’s dream of a greater Nagalim which includes parts of both states.”
He said there were also reports of the NSCN (I-M) serving extortion notices to Assam businessmen residing along the boundary of the two states.
Khekiho asks Delhi to ‘rescue’ Nagaland morungexpress
Dimapur, July 20 (MExN): Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Khekiho Zhimomi today appealed to the Centre to “rescue” Nagaland, affected by short rainfall this year. In the parliament today, Zhimomi sought “short term” relief measures as well as “long term” measures which spelled on irrigation development.
“The situation is alarming and intervention of the central government is absolutely necessary for providing relief and rehabilitation of the drought-affected people of the state,” Zhimomi said in his speech, a copy of which was received here today. The “Short-term” measures which the MP sought are immediate relief for the affected while the “long term” measures are “irrigation facilities, bore well etc.” These have to be given priority to prevent “such situations in future,” the MP said.
The MP explained to the parliament that the current monsoon season has brought the lowest ever rainfall for the state, affecting paddy cultivation. The ‘drought-like’ situation has impacted agriculture crops alongside reports of pest and insect infestations, Zhimomi said. “Against an average rainfall of 750.50 mm normally received during the period from January to July 15, only 471.50 mm of rainfall has been received this year, indicating a deficit of 278.32 mm, 37.10 %,” Zhimomi stated in his speech. The shortfall has affected 25% of ‘jhum’ cultivation and 50% of wet cultivations, he explained further. “Many have lost their livelihood because agriculture activities have come to a standstill due to lack of enough fodder, the livestock are also dying; crops have failed and a possible famine and shortage of food are looming over the state,” Zhimomi asserted in his plea.

IM-Centre talks held Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 18 2009: The routine talks between the Government of India (GoI) and the NSCN-IM discussed issues pertaining to adhering of cease fire ground rules by both the sides while the Naga outfit reportedly expressed unhappiness over the seizure of their arms and weaponry by police and security forces.

According to reports published in a section of local dailies in Nagaland today, the routine monthly talks held in Delhi on Friday reviewed the implementation of Cease Fire Ground Rules.

The Government of India's representatives brought up issues like rampant extortion by the Naga outfit, harbouring other militant groups of the Northeast and imparting training to them, besides reports of recruitment of non-Nagas for anti-social activities.

Though the NSCN-IM authorities denied such reports and allegations,the Government of India sternly told them to stop such activities in Nagaland for the larger interest of the general public.

The NSCN-IM has been asked to adhere to the ceasefire ground rules in order to maintain peace in the State of Nagaland, the reports said.The Government of India also took up the issue of the claim of a designated camp at Shiroi in Manipur's Ukhrul district and said that no such approval was given by the Government to the NSCN-IM to set up any designated camp there.

The Government of India was critical about the recent incidents at Inavi village where the cadres of NSCN-IM burnt down several houses and told the NSCN-IM delegation that it was breach of the ceasefire ground rules..

The Centre also brought up the ongoing violence in the NC Hills district of Assam and dwelling on certain reports of Naga undergrounds' involvement in the carnage asked the NSCN-IM to desist from such activities.

However, the NSCN-IM denied their involvement and pointed fingers on the DHD (J) militants who are active in the region.

Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) delegation led by Gen (Rtd) V S Atem, Emissary to the Collective Leadership, Brig Phungthing and others representatives reportedly expressed unhappiness over the seizure of their weapons by the Nagaland Police and Assam Rifles from time to time.

It may be mentioned here that the Government of India and NSCN-IM have entered into cease fire agreement since 1997 and involved peace talks for the last 11 years.

They have entered into 'indefinite cease fire' in 2007 and next round of peace talks is likely to be held in the month of August this year, wherein the outfit's Chairman Isac Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th.Muivah would be directly having talks at the Government level.
NSCN (I-M) kills two rape accused PTI IST
KOHIMA: The NSCN (I-M) has killed the two rape accused, defying repeated pleas from the district administration to hand over them to the police.

The bodies of the two were recovered on Saturday in Nagaland's Wokha district and the police has confirmed it. The police said that the bodies of the two accused with bullet marks on their heads were recovered at a place between Wokha and Bokajan (in Assam) after an anonymous caller informed the Wokha police about the incident.

Two empty cases of AK 47 rifle were also recovered from the site and police also found a piece of paper by the side of the bodies where names of the deceased were written.

The Dimapur police had identified five suspects in the March 25 sensational dacoity and rape case and arrested two persons. While one was absconding, two others were apprehended by the NSCN (I-M). A statement issued by information and publicity wing of NSCN(I-M) on Sunday confirmed the 'execution

Gogoi, Mahanta lock horns over Nagaland encroachment
Staff Reporter Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, July 20 – The Assam legislative Assembly today witnessed war of words between Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta over the issue of encroachment of Assam’s land by Nagaland. Replying to a Zero Hour question in this regard, the Chief Minister said that during the AGP regime, the State Government accepted a proposal to extend the area of ceasefire with NSCN (I-M) to Assam as a part of the design of the militant outfit to create greater Nagalim and only after the Congress came to popwer, the State Government strongly objected to that. He said that he was told by the then Union Home Minister LK Advani that the AGP Government had accepted extension of the area of ceasefire.

However, Mahanta strongly objected to that and claimed that the AGP Government had never supported either the creation of greater Nagalim or extension of the area of cease-fire with NSCN to cover Assam.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the AGP Government had never opposed the move for extension of the area of cease-fire between Central Government and NSCN. He said that the NSCN tried to extend the area of ceasefire in an attempt to create greater Nagalim. He also said that the Government was ready for a detailed discussion on the issue.

Earlier, raising the issue during Zero Hour, Mahanta said that encroachment of Assam’s land by the people of Nagaland is a matter of serious concern. He said that the State Government must take bold steps to prevent further encroachment. He also expressed doubts on whether the State Government managed to forcefully plead the state’s case in the boundary commission constituted by the Supreme Court. He also said that the State Government had filed a case in the Supreme Court in this regard during the time of the AGP regime.

Drupad Borgohain (CPI) said that encroachment by the people of Nagaland with the support of the Government of the neighbouring state has become a common phenomenon. He said that the NSCN has included vast areas of Assam in its map or proposed greater Nagalim.

In reply, the Chief Minister said that in the past, the Government of Nagaland refused to abide by the recommendations of the commissions set up by the Government of India in this regard and hoped that Assam would get justice from the Supreme Court. He said that the neighbouring states often accuse the Assam Government of adopting big brother attitude, which is not a fact. He said that the Government of Nagaland always refused to accept the constitutional boundary, which created the problems. He further informed the House that the State Government has increased allocations for border areas development to ensure overall development of all the border areas.

The Minister in charge of Border Areas Development, Gautam Roy said that the Government of Nagaland often violated the agreement of maintaining status quo, while, the Assam Government has been abiding by the same. He said that all concerned have been given directions to evict the encroachers and steps have been taken to strengthen the border outposts.

More than 30 militant groups operating in Manipur PTI STAFF WRITER
Imphal, July 20 (PTI) Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today said more than thirty militant groups, including major outfits such as United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and People's Liberation Army (PLA), were operating in the state.

Replying to a question in the state Assembly, Singh said Naga militant outfits such as National Socialist Council of Nagaland--Isac Muivah (NSCN-IM) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) were also operating in parts of state's hill districts.

After the state government had signed agreements with Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF), the security forces have stopped operation against the two groups, he said.

While KNO was formed by eleven small militant outfits, including Kuki National Front-Military Council (KNF-MC) and Kuki Revolutionary Army-Unification (KRA-U), UPF was also formed by small outfits, including Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), Singh added
Nagaland handloom expo from Aug 5 morungexpress
Dimapur, July 24 (MExN): Nagaland Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation Limited, Dimapur, is organizing a special handloom expo at the Naga Shopping Arcade in Dimapur from August 5 till the 19th. The event is sponsored by the office of the Development Commissioner of Handloom, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
All interested societies, self-help groups and individual participants from within and from outside the state are invited to apply for participation. The application may be made to the Project Officer of NHHDC Shikaho Jimo on or before July 31, during office hours. For more details and information the officials may be contacted at 9436602955, 9436063173 and 9436603095. Transportation (bus fare for to and fro travel) will be given to the participants who are from outside the state while a daily allowance of Rs. 200 per stall per day will be paid to all the participants, it was informed.

Nagaland rich in mineral deposits Our Correspondent Morung
Kohima | July 24 : Nagaland, a state in the eastern part bordering Myanmar is endowed with substantial deposits of minerals. The main established mineral reserves comprise of petroleum and natural gas (prognosticated reserve of 600 million tonnes), limestone and marble (inferred reserve of 1000 million tonnes), magnetite with nickel, cobalt and chromium (5 million tonnes proved so far), coal (inferred reserve of 150 million tonnes and deposits of varieties of decorative and dimensional stones. The said minerals and other associated metal like zinc, molybdenum and possible precious metals such as gold and platinum groups in the eastern parts of Phek, Kiphire and Tuensang districts and many others when properly explored and exploited, is envisaged to boost the economy of the state.
This was stated in the annual administrative report (2008-09) of the Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (a Government of Nagaland undertaking) tabled in the recently-concluded state assembly session. To exploit them commercially, Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (NSMDC) was set up by the Government of Nagaland and incorporated in May, 1981 with the main objectives of initiating commercial exploitation of limestone, coal and other mineral deposits and promoting, establishing and developing economic activities in mines and mineral-based industries.
The report also stated that the eleventh plan was formulated with the basic aim to promote and facilitate mineral-based industries in the state for economic growth along with generation of employment. The investments will also be justified by cost benefit analysis, the report said. Strategies proposed to be adopted include initiation of mineral-based industries by facilitating and involving the people or private sectors with technical guidance and assistance from the government. The assistance is to be through corporations to generate economic growth and employment; to enter into profit-sharing ventures with private companies in various limestone and other mineral based projects; to enter into joint venturing with various oil companies in exploration and production of hydrocarbons and its downstream industries and leasing and/or privatization of existing production units such as cement plants and the decorative and dimensional stone plants for better cost effectiveness.
The report said that the board also decided that restructuring should be undertaken towards which privatization or joint venturing possibilities and formation of separate profit center divisions or subsidiaries must be examined and taken up. It was further decided that the corporation should draw up programmes to involve the people, villagers and landowners for exploitation of mineral resources in the private sector.
The Report said the approach and strategies to be adopted in respect of NSMDC as approved by the State Planning Board includes; the existing units should be quickly brought up to profitable operation to make them attractive for eventual privatization and the possible viable mineral based industries to be identified and promoted by involving the people/private entrepreneurs so as to generate economic growth and employment with full justifications in terms of cost benefit analysis and economic viability.
It also stated that NSMDC should steadily change over from being a direct promotion/production agency to become a facilitating (including consultancy) and channeling agency for rapid establishment of viable mineral-based industries in the state during the Eleventh Plan, availing Negotiated Loans from LICI, HUDCO and other financial institutions wherever possible, for which various steps are to be taken by the Corporation.
The steps, according to the report, include; provide technical information on the potential of minerals to the people, provide technical expertise including drawing up of appropriate project reports for exploiting such resources, provide guidance to tie up with other enterprises outside the state for marketing including collaborations for exploitation of minerals, guide and provide avenues for funding, specially from institutional finance, to the entrepreneurs, the possibility of NSMDC becoming a financing agency to be examined in this respect, examine the possibilities of disinvesting and privatizing or collaborating with private entrepreneurs in the present projects, training and capacity building of not only the department personnel but also of the people as another important strategy, intensive co-ordination with other related departments to ensure that necessary infrastructures are in place to exploit the mineral wealth of the state.
In particular, coordination with the rural development department to harness the potentials of the VDBs as producers or production agents for the “people oriented mineral development programme’ and explore the means of laying down the framework for export of mineral resources specially the limestone and decorative stones to south-east Asian countries. Another strategy is to enter into joint venturing arrangements with oil companies for exploration and exploitation of oil resources in the state, the report stated.
‘PM won’t say No to needs of Nagas’ DIPR


The outgoing Governor K Shakaranarayanan and his wife Radha is seen here along with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his wife Kaisa at the State Banquet Hall.

Kohima, (DIPR): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio hosted a dinner on behalf of the state to outgoing Governor of Nagaland, K Sankaranarayanan on July 23 at the State Banquet Hall. The humble, soft-spoken but sagacious governor gave a parting assurance to the people of his help in whatever he can even after he leaves the state. Sankaranarayanan expressed optimism that even the Prime Minister will not say no to the needs of the people of Nagaland. Sankaranarayanan said he and his lady wife were happy being in Nagaland.
The outgoing governor was of the view that Nagaland state is not a poor state inspite of not being like Jhrakhand which has annual revenue of Rs. 4300 crores. He lamented that Nagaland is functioning without any revenue at present and requires development to change this status. The governor said he was “so happy here” and that he got so much support as the governor. As a word, he stressed on the need for the government in exercising transparency, stringency and expediency in expenditure, which he claimed he had exercised to set an example during his tenure in the Raj Bhavan.
Earlier, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio recounted the short tenure of the governor in the state. In his words, the governor was received by the people in 2007 with joy and is being sent off with heavy hearts. The governor has endeared himself to the people as a seasoned, matured, dedicated, upright, straightforward, genuine, uninhibited and a person of integrity, Rio said. He called Sankaranarayanan down to earth, by being in proximity with the people, traveling to the rural areas and gathering first hand interactions.
The governor in his farewell address said he never dreamt of becoming the governor of a state called Nagaland. He knew little about the state, although he was briefed of the Naga insurgency problem, prior to his two and half years as the governor, Sankaranarayanan said. Revealing his reading on the political status of the state, the governor said “I am sure and I am serious, Rio is not going to vacate the CMs chair, unlike in Jharkhand where in ten years already nine chief ministers have been there” and is under President’s Rule. The outgoing governor said he has met many leaders in the state and found Rio a very shrewd man.
Rahul Gandhi to visit Nagaland Morung
Kohima | July 22 : Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary will visit Nagaland this year. However, the date is yet to be finalized. This was stated by Nagaland Pradesh Youth Congress (NPYC) president Kuputo Shohe during a press conference here this afternoon. “Rahul Gandhi would visit the state very soon on invitation of NPYC,” Shohe said and thanked the latter for accepting the request to visit Nagaland.
Meanwhile, Mhonlumo Kikon has been appointed as PYC chief coordinator of Aam Admi Ka Sipahi (AAKS) in charge of Nagaland state. The appointment was approved by Ashok Tanwar, president of the Indian Youth Congress (I).
Nilesh Deshmukh Parwekar, national coordinator, AAKS in a letter directed Kikon to proceed and monitor the national level progarmmes sponsored by the UPA government in the concerned districts.
The idea of Youth Congress coming up with a programme such as AAKS emanated from Rahul Gandhis’ vision of the necessity of the youth to connect with the grassroots level and popularize the historic pro-people schemes implemented by the Congress led UPA Government, especially the NREGA.
NYC president said that it would chalk out programmes to go to rural areas where it will give trainings and propagate the message of the various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, so that the people gets benefit from it. He said the report collected by AAKS will be sent to Delhi thereafter.