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08/06/2009: "Rise Above Party Politics on Naga issue morungexpress"

Rise Above Party Politics on Naga issue morungexpress

The two main political parties in Nagaland, the ruling NPF and the Nagaland Congress needs to come together over the Naga political issue. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has already publicly endorsed this thinking and his open invitation to the Nagaland Congress is welcomed. It is another matter that the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) continues to remain silent on this issue despite the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Chingwang Konyak also speaking in favour of taking a bi-partisan approach to deal with the Naga issue. While the need to uphold debate within a given political space is not being belittled, what is required of both the NPF and NPCC is to keep at least the Naga issue above politics. It will be extremely unwise and at the same time unfortunate if both parties play to the gallery or use the Naga issue to score brownie political points. In fact when the decision to dissolve the DAN Sub-Committee for Peace was taken a few years ago—to facilitate the formation of a Joint Legislators’ Committee for Peace—the move was welcomed because excluding the Opposition Congress Party from having any say in the peace and reconciliation process was in the very first place, a fundamentally flawed notion of addressing the issue itself. It has been the constant endeavor of this column to push the case for having a joint forum with members drawn in from all political parties and representing all shades of opinion. The simple logic is to involve all political parties especially the NPF and NPCC without sidestepping anybody. Only then can a collective decision be expected in which both would have a stake in it and hence remain accountable to the process itself. Unless there is wide-ranging support cutting across party lines agreement or decision will face a legitimacy crisis. A complete polarization of the Naga political society has now engulfed the political landscape in Nagaland and beyond. To further add to this woe, fissures are along tribal and party lines which is only accentuating the problem further. At this juncture, good sense and wisdom is required of our leaders. With the decision of the Chief Minister openly calling for rising above party politics over the issue, the response from the Opposition Congress Party will be keenly watched over the next few days and weeks. All the political parties will have to abandon rigid stands or claims and instead work collectively by submitting their political interests for the overall objective of bringing about peace among the Nagas. One of the problem of having a party system means that there is hardly any place for reason and the political space will be cornered by those who will agree to disagree just for the sake of sticking to their pretentious convictions. Politics without reason will turn out to be a dangerous game. The choice for both the NPF and Congress is clear. They should realize that they have no legitimate right to ask the Underground groups to reconcile when it is clearly evident that they themselves are unable to come together. A joint Legislators Forum is long overdue. Both the NPF and the Congress should close rank on this if at all they are serious about peace and unity. Both should approach the Naga political issue from an apolitical position minus electoral politics.

Judicial probe ordered, 6 cops suspended for 'fake' encounter
Shoot-at-sight orders in curfew-bound Imphal Nagaland Page PTI
Imphal, August 5: In the face of stepped-up protests against the killing of a youth by police commandos in an all alleged fake encounter here, Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Wednesday ordered a judicial probe into the incident and suspended six policemen in connection with it. Addressing a press conference, Singh said further action would depend on the report of the judicial inquiry. He did not say when the juidicial commission would submit its report.
Chungkham Sanjit (27) was killed in the allegedly fake encounter on July 23 at Imphal Market complex by police commandos. Leading apex social outfit Apunba Lup had called 48-hour general strike in protest against the killing of Sanjit. Meanwhile agencies reported that shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in this curfew-bound capital of Manipur, with the state rocked by a wave of violent protests over an alleged fake encounter in which a surrendered militant was killed.
An indefinite curfew was clamped late on Tuesday after protests against the alleged fake encounter death of a 27-year-old former rebel turned violent.
"Curfew was imposed following several incidents of protesters trying to block roads, burn effigies of the chief minister, besides burning tyres on the streets," a senior police official said.
Police on Tuesday burst teargas shells and baton charged the protesters, besides firing in the air to disperse angry mobs. "The situation is under control, although tension still prevails. Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued against anyone found violating the curfew orders," the police official said. "We shall review the situation and see if we can relax curfew for a few hours to enable people to buy essentials," he added. Indefinite curfew remained in force in Manipur capital today with tight security measures in place as a leading Manipuri social organisation planned to take out a torch rally tonight in protest against the death of a youth in an alleged fake police encounter. Official sources said police personnel and commandos were deployed at various parts of the capital complex to prevent any untoward incident. Police have appealed to the citizens to remain indoors during the curfew imposed in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, which is in force since 10 pm last night, following widespread protest by public against the killing of Chungkham Sanjit (28) in an alleged police encounter on July 23 at Imphal market complex. Major social organisation Apunba Lup (AL), which had called a 48-hour general strike, concluded last midnight. The organisation would take out a torch rally tonight protesting the killing. In a statement, AL demanded immediate resignation of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and termination of services of the commandos involved in the July 23 incident. Leaders of Manipur People's Party (MPP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Manipur State Congress Party and CPI(M) separately called on Governor Gurbachan Jagat yesterday and urged him to intervene and stop killings of civilians in what they termed as "fake encounters". AL also demanded a judicial inquiry into the July 23 incident. The issue assumed serious proportions after a Delhi-based news magazine published 12 pictures of the incident and claimed that a pregnant woman was also killed by stray bullets and five others were injured. According to the pictures, an 'unarmed' Sanjit was taken by commandos near a pharmacy and shot dead. The AL threatened to to launch a series of agitations if "fake encounters" were not stopped immediately in the state. Official sources, however, maintained that the youth was killed in an encounter (PTI)

Govt set Dev. focus on interior areas Chizokho Vero Morung

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio speaking at the second development seminar for Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire district organised by the Government of Nagaland in collaboration with the ministries of Home and DONER, Government of India, in the ATI auditorium, Kohima on August 5, 2009. (Dipr)
Kohima | August 5 : The need to create better roads and communication facilities, health care, economic development, education and infrastructure for Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire district, has been stressed at the second development seminar of the four districts. The seminar, under the aegis of the state government in collaboration with the ministries of Home and DONER, Government of India, was held here today.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio sounded optimistic that with generous funding from the Government of India, the “backward” areas would soon be at par with the rest of the state and become as prosperous. Rio said that special emphasis must be given to these areas with special emphasis on roads, health and the education sector besides livelihood.
He said that since the first development seminar held for Mon and Tuensang in 2000, a number of developmental issues have arisen for consideration and calling for a second seminar to examine related issues cutting across various developmental departments. “Since the last seminar, the state government has made sincere attempts to effectively implement all the recommended projects and schemes with the assistance of various ministries of the Government for India. Barring a few, most of the recommended projects and schemes have been completed,” Neiphiu Rio said.
Considering the importance of having balanced development in all parts of the state, Rio said the department of Development of Underdeveloped Areas was created in 2003 particularly for Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Longleng districts with the objective of catering to their needs and improving their living conditions through development. These four districts comprise 1/3rd of the geographical area as well as population of the state.
Rio said that the mandate of the DUDA is not only to fill the critical gaps in the development programmes, but to also supervise implementation of the job reservation quota for the six tribes Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Chang, Yimchunger and Khiamniungan. He also stated that in deference to the demand of these six tribes for adequate representation in the government services at all levels, the government had made provisions for 25% job reservation for them.
DUDA also implements both underdeveloped areas programmes and border areas development programmes with special emphasis on roads, and other infrastructure, health, drinking water, agriculture and allied sectors. The department also organizes exposure trips for legislators and NGOs to both outside the state and abroad.
Over the state’s plan allocation, the department is also exploring all possibilities to upgrade colleges and higher secondary schools with basic infrastructure through assistance from the ministries of DONER and Home Affairs as these areas continue to lag significantly behind others, as reflected in the Human Development analysis, Neiphiu Rio said.
“The state government is fully aware of the urgent need for immediate attention and improvement of these districts, and is working continuously to address the deficiencies,” Rio said. He said that an area requiring urgent attention is the need to create various posts of teachers as most schools are without adequate teaching staff.
The district hospitals in the four districts as well as PHCs also require immediate upgrading with requisite infrastructure and manpower to improve healthcare and delivery system, the chief minister said. He said that sanitation, drinking water, roads and communication are areas that require to be attended to as well.
Also, stating that the region is richly endowed with natural resources, biodiversity and coal and hydel power potential, Rio said “these natural resources require to be scientifically explored and exploited for the economic development of not only the backward regions but also for the state and the nations as a whole.”
For this purpose, he said, the government has recently implemented the Nagaland Coal Policy and the Nagaland Coal Mining Rule 2006. The area is also rich in limestone deposits which are favorable for setting up of modern cement factories and the demand of these products is on the rise. More than 70 per cent of the population of the area depends on agriculture, especially jhum cultivation for their livelihood, Rio said. There is an urgent need to find ways and means of improving these traditional methods of cultivation and replace them with more scientific practices for higher productivity and opportunities, and also to identify market linkages for the benefit of the cultivators, the chief minister said.
“In this regard, the government is placing emphasis on a commercial oriented production programme, to be met through planned strategies of strengthening rural infrastructures, value addition, micro- credit facilities, developing human resources and empowerment of farmers etc.,” Rio said.
The Chief Minister further stressed on the need to have a fresh look at the development of women of these areas through their active participation for all round development, since they constitute a major section of the working force.
Referring to the upgrading and creation of new administrative centers in recent times in the state, Rio sought help from the government for infrastructure development.
He said Nagaland, after Assam, is the first state in North East to get statehood, but till today it does not have regional and national institutes. There are no engineering colleges, medical colleges or nursing colleges where outsiders can come and study in Nagaland, he said and stressed on the need to have a good road connectivity of the interior districts to the state capital Kohima and commercial hub Dimapur.
”We need foothill road from Tizit, Mon, connecting within the state Nagaland” he said adding that passing through Assam has been preventing some from even reaching Nagaland due to frequent bandhs in Assam. Foothill roads must be taken up on priority, he said and that a proposal for railway link to Tuli paper has been submitted to the Union Railway Minister.

Seminar shares prospect for “eastern” Nagaland

Our Correspondent Kohima | August 5
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has sought the support of all the citizens particularly civil organizations, NGOs and government officers to bring about permanent peace in Nagaland. ‘If we put our heads together we can find a solution towards this end, there will be a quantum jump in terms of development,’ he said.
He recalled resolution number-6 of the Naga consultative meet which says that the “Naga people recognize the sufferings of our fellow eastern Nagas in Burma/Myanmar, and will work towards their recognition with definite territory for all round development – social, political, economic and cultural.” Rio said that with this mandate, and with the consent of the Prime Minister and Home minister of India, he already had discussions with the Ambassador of the Myanmar government in New Delhi in taking up the plight of the “eastern” Nagas in Myanmar.
Also saying that the state has an international border of 231 kms with Myanmar, the chief minister said that to facilitate border trade with Myanmar, the government have identified four trade centers: Longwa, Pangsha, Mimi and Avangkhu in 2001-2002. It is only at Avangkhu where some semblance of activities for setting up of the trade centers had begun from 2004-2005 and that too at a very slow pace. There has however been no tangible progress in the remaining ITCs.
In the meantime, Rio thanked all the officers from the Government of India for sparing their time with a view to bring about positive development to the people of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Longleng. “We are glad to know that the Government of India shares our concerns, and look forward to your active support and participation in bringing about positive changes in the lives of the people in these four districts in the days to come,” Rio said.
Minister for School Education Nyeiwang Konyak was appreciative of the seminar, which, he said, was called to share the problems and come up with remedial steps for development of the “backward” region.
Lamenting that the four districts is still lacking behind in development, be it health, road or in employment opportunities, he urged the participants to make positive changes for “eastern Nagaland,” considering the fact that the world is advancing every second with the emergence of information technology.
He also acknowledged the Ministries of Home, DONER and state government for recognizing the plight of the backward regions and extending special package for development in order to meet the pressing requirements for development of the region.
DONER joint secretary Jayashree Mukherjee in her speech said that Vision 2020 of North East has been framed which aims to bring the NE at par with the rest of India. She called for putting collective effort to reap the desired goal. Apart from infrastructure development, she said there is a need to develop the skills, education and agricultural aspects of the backward region and for mass participation to help develop the backward areas.
Terming “agriculture as source of livelihood”, she asserted that attaining self-sufficient should be on priority list besides special focus on marketing avenues and organic product.
She also recalled Rs. 500 crore for NE as announced by Finance Minister in the last years’ budget, where Nagaland has been placed in the scheme for hostels, teachers welfare programme and science blocks. Besides, Tuensang district has been selected for livelihood project.
Stating that BSNL and Postal Department has number of schemes, she suggested to the Government of Nagaland to extend a little bit of assistance to these agencies, so that services could be delivered to the people.
DUDA advisor E.E. Pangteang said the first development seminar was in fact, a significant step towards development, as it was able to lay the ground works for development resulting to the inclusion in the development road map of the state.
“It is worth mentioning that even after five decades of statehood, the backward regions could not be well developed as expected and some of the villages are even yet to be accessible by road,” Panteang said.
Nevertheless, considering the backwardness of the region that needs special care for development, he said, the state government under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister has created the department of undeveloped areas in 2003 with the objective to take up the developmental programmes which could not be taken care by any other development departments.
“Despite all efforts by the state government as well as the special financial assistance extended by Govt of India, the region is still lacking behind not only in education but also economically. It is to be noted that without economic power, the backward region can not progress and deliver the desired level of quality education of the children,” Pangteang said adding that the main focus in the second development seminar is to emphasize more on the human resources and economic development in letter and spirit to bring tangible results to the region.
Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) president Y. Mangko Phom acknowledged “the sincere efforts” made by the Government of India and Government of Nagaland for the uplift of the people. ENPO also suggested some priority projects based on felt-needs in the areas, which included human resource development, health, surfaced roads and communication, agriculture and allied sectors, power and energy, youth resources, art and culture, eco-tourism, trades, commerce and industry.
The ENPO also submitted a representation and demand that the Government of India must establish and set up an independent central monitoring cell based at Tuensang HQ for constant supervision and monitoring of the proposed works in collaboration with the Government of Nagaland. It also requested and invited central departmental officials to visit the “eastern” parts of the state and to conduct future developmental seminars and interactions as well.
NSCN-IM on forest and wildlife Eastern mirror
DIMAPUR, AUG 6 (EMN): The ‘NSCN/GPRN’, through a notification issued by its Ministry of Forest, Environments and Minerals, has informed to all Naga general public and all concerned ‘within the length and breadth of Naga inhabited areas’ to protect and preserve forest and wildlife so as to maintain ecological balance and reduce the alarming threat of global warming and climate change in the region.
An MIP/GPRN release said, in this regard, ‘tree plantation and plants development in all community development projects’ is highly encouraging, adding that ‘random cutting and felling down of trees and plants is a crime against natural laws’. It also cautioned against any ‘unauthorised collection of taxes in the name of regions, brigades, battalions of Naga Army and public unions, boards, organisations, society etc’ and ‘to desist imposing of taxes against any kinds of forest products’.
It said ‘anyone found doing so will invite necessary actions as per law of the land’.
Bodo belt to get three youth training institutes OUR CORRESPONDENT Kokrajhar The Telegraph
Aug. 5: A large number of upcoming projects have prompted the Bodo administration to make arrangements to educate its wealth of unskilled youths at Industrial Training Institutes being set up in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Baksa. The first to come up will be the institute at Salakati in Kokrajhar It will be a public-private partnership project, with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) chipping in with funds.
The capital expenditure will be borne by NTPC, while the recurring costs will be provided by the Bodoland Territorial Council. NTPC is setting up a mega thermal power project with a capacity of 750MW at Salakati.



Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi at an ITI. File picture
. Since the project will require a steady flow of skilled manpower, it made sense to collaborate in the training institute, said an NTPC official.
“Initially, courses for fitters, electrician and welders will be introduced and training will soon begin from a temporary accommodation,” the official said.
Besides, there will be courses for vehicle mechanics, plumbers, and training on maintenance of electronic goods to make youths self-sufficient in their trade.
In neighbouring Chirang, the industrial training institute will come up at Kajalgaon under the Prime Minister’s Northeast package.
Civil work for the project has already begun.
“It is absolutely imperative for local youths to get trained in different skills as a lot of projects are coming up. Technical education has a lot of scope and a whole new world is opening up before them,” a BTC official said.
The estimated cost of the Chirang institute is Rs 2,55,73,521.
While the Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,27,86,700 for the construction of building, the state government has sanctioned Rs 54,76,700 so far, a BTC official said.
A few schemes have also been up under the Employment Generation Mission of the state government.
The third training institute will be built at Suklai in Baksa under a state plan.
Land for the institute has already been identified and work is likely to begin soon.
For the Baksa institute, the Centre has approved Rs 38,43,000 for civil construction, while Rs 25,24,00 has been approved for the Kokrajhar institute.
Rs 36,43000 has been approved for purchase of equipment and Rs 200,000 for consultation and other expenditure for the Kokrajhar institute.
Advani concerned, open to PR option By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 6 : After noting the reports submitted to him on Chungkham Sanjit’s killing by Manipur police commandos in an alleged fake encounter, Opposition leader LK Advani has assured to press the Centre to do the needful, including imposition of President's Rule in Manipur.
“Our State unit general secretary Th Shyamo has already placed the relevant materials including newspaper clippings to Advaniji. Besides this, I have also talked to him over the phone today,” said Manipur unit BJP president and former Speaker H Borobabu today afternoon.
“After he heard my account, Advaniji assured to urge the Centre to take necessary action including impo- sition of President's Rule in Manipur,” Borobabu, said.
“He (Advani) also assured to put the matter with all materials in Parliament tomorrow if time permits,” said the State unit BJP chief.
The State unit BJP leader also said that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh should have resigned from his post on moral at the time when the Tahelka pictures were exposed.
When the Mumbai terror attack was launched, the then Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil resigned on moral ground and the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdulah too took a similar step when he was accused in a sex scandal though his resignation was not accepted by the Governor, Borbabu said, acknowledging their stand.
CM Ibobi has totally failed to govern the State under the rule of law . Besides the emerging trend of fake encounters, with the public accusing him encouraging this, the Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio, has not been able to maintain financial discipline, charged Borobabu.
The public are totally fed up of his mis-governance and hence the need of the hour is to dismiss the Congress led SPF Government and impose President's Rule in Manipur, Borobabu further said.

Suspension orders of seven commandos issued, judicial enquiry order pending The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, Aug 6: Suspension orders of seven state police personnel posted at the Imphal city commando unit, who were involved in the recent killings at BT Road, have been issued by the concerned administrative officials late last night.

The official suspension order of four Manipur police commandos of the city police commando unit led by SI Koijam Punshiba Singh, constable Wahengbam Binoy, H/C Thokchom Herojit, H/C Oinam Kishore was issued by the senior SP Imphal West L Kailun, IPS, last night while the suspension orders of rifleman Md Imran of 5 IRB and two other riflemen of 8 MR identified as Thokchom Jugol and Ngangom Toyaima attached to the city commando unit was issued by the their commandant simultaneously. They were suspended under Rule 66 of the Assam police manual part-II.

On the other hand, following the suspension orders departmental inquiries have been initiated against the suspended personnel and it was also ordered that all suspended personnel are to be stationed at their respective police headquarters and battallion headquarters during their suspension period. They are barred from leaving their respective headquarters without prior permission of the SP or commandant, the official source added.

In the meantime, the chief minister despite an announcement made yesterday before the media on the constitution of a judicial inquiry into the BT road killings, the state government has been unable to issue an official order for the judicial enquiry.

An official report informed that the state government has already made an official intimation yesterday to the Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court for sparing a sitting judge of the Guwahati High Court to conduct the proposed judicial enquiry, but there was no official reply from the Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court, and as a result the matter has been put under consideration by the state government.

The source further mentioned that a high level meeting attended by the chief secretary DS Poonia, DGP Manipur Y Joykumar and advocate general Koteshore along with officials of the state law department was held today to discuss the matter.

Newspaper office attacked by armed men, no one hurt The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Aug 6: In a shocking incident armed miscreants attacked an evening local paper, Paojel, this evening.

The incident occurred around 7.15 pm amidst the ongoing curfew when four of the newspaper’s staff, including the editor, were inside the office. A bullet hit the glass door of the office but no casualty was reported due to the attack. Further, it was reported that a banging sound was heard by some of the nearby residents and during the time of the incident it was reported that a vehicle was seen hurrying away past the office which is located just near the Tiddim road.

On receiving the information, many police officials including the SSP Imphal West district and Thongju MLA, Bijoy Koijam, arrived at the scene and made enquiries. The media fraternity, including the executives of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) also arrived at the scene.

While briefing the mediapersons, the SSP Imphal West district, L Kailun, observed that the attack on the media firm was deplorable and the police was taking the incident very seriously. Further, according to him as per enquiries and observation made by him “the hole made through the glass apparently seems to be not that of a bullet or any fire arm, as the impact was too less, and the hole does not fit the projectile of a 9mm pistol.” However, it does not mean that he was ruling out that the hole made through the glass was that of a firearm, he said and asserted that the police will register a case and initiate an enquiry into the matter.

A group of journalists later proceeded towards the chief minister’s bungalow tonight and met the chief minister in connection with the incident. The team which met the chief minister was led by president of the AMWJU, Hemanta, and during the meeting the journalists drew the attention of the chief minister to the incident and asked for a proper enquiry into the matter.

The journalists also appealed for provision of necessary security in view of the continuous threats from various groups to the journalists fraternity. The team also urged proper advise to the security forces to deal properly with the state journalists while they were on duty, to which the chief minister gave his assurance.

As to why the media firm was attacked and who was behind the incident was yet to be ascertained. However, it was clear enough that the incident took place amidst the curfew and heavy security deployment. The Paojel press is located between two main active frisking points of Keishampat and Kwakeithel.

Veteran politician refutes state’s interpretation of federalism by Nem Davies Mizzima
New Delhi (Mizzima) – A veteran politician from Shan State, Shwe Ohn, who attended the historic Panglong Conference in 1947, has strongly protested against an article appearing in the ‘New Light of Myanmar’, which says federalism means instigating for disunity among the people.

Mizzima received a copy of his protest letter, sent to the editor of the paper.

“I have not yet received a response from them. This article is wrong. It’s not true. I want this article to get corrected,” Shwe Ohn told Mizzima.

In the article, entitled ‘With care and with conscience’, written under the pseudonym ‘Ko Thar Yar’ and appearing in the 26th July issue of the ‘New Light of Myanmar’, the federal principle is assessed as a means of sowing disunity among the people.

“They are trying to reincarnate federalism with the intention of disintegrating the state, and they are sowing dissension among the ethnic people. If we start with this federal principle [according to the paper], our country will disintegrate into tiny states, all of whom will certainly become prey to the tiger,” explained Shwe Ohn.

The article goes on to argue, “The precedence of other big sates contains obvious lessons and examples which cannot be denied by anyone. So we should take care of federalism, which has seeds that can disintegrate our union.”

U Shwe Ohn, however, said the article’s premise was impossible and that author Ko Thar Yar was ignorant about federal principles. He further suspects, though it could well be the author’s own opinion, that some external influence was behind the essay.

In his letter to editor he explained federalism in its historical background, stating, “It is very clear that union means the states are integrated and constituted on an equal basis. But in 1948, in the Union of Burma, there was no Burman State and thus it must be a bogus Union.”

He also sent copies of his letter to the daily ‘The Mirror’ as well as Rangoon-based weekly news journals.

In his letter he contends that all ethnic representatives who attended the Panglong Conference seriously discussed the formation of a Federal Union on the basis of equality in politics, self-determination and the right to secession, as they did not want a unitary system.

“The problems of a union cannot be resolved as long as the problems of ethnic people, who are almost 40 percent of the total population, are not solved,” stipulates Shwe Ohn.

In his 311-page, 17 chapter book entitled ‘Let’s build an unbreakable Union’, Shwe Ohn chronicled the migration of ethnic people now living in Burma, the emergence of the Pagan kingdom, the historic Panglong Agreement and finally his views on the constitutions of Burma.

While the work was widely distributed among political activists in 2008, he has not yet received permission from the Censor Board to publish his work inside Burma.

Similarly, the 86-year old veteran politician wrote and published ‘How about a Third Union?’ in 1993 in addition to presenting his ‘8-States Federal Union principle’ to the junta sponsored National Convention, for which he was greeted with a one-year prison sentence.

He has since established the ‘Federal Democracy Alliance’ party, based on democratic and federal principles, in early 2008 in order to contest the forthcoming 2010 general election.