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08/15/2009: "Bombings, torture continue, say Tangkhul orgs A Staff Reporter EMN"

Bombings, torture continue, say Tangkhul orgs
A Staff Reporter | EMN

DIMAPUR, AUG 15: Thousands of women and children led by Tangkhul mass based organisations today broke through the barb-wired barricades of the 23 Assam Rifles check gate at Shangsak in Ukhrul district of Manipur after hours of confrontation with the personnel and proceeded towards the villages where 2 NSCN-IM cadres were allegedly tortured and killed following an ambush by the AR on August 12.
According to reports reaching here, womenfolk had earlier jumped onto all available vehicles in Ukhrul town after learning that the Assam Rifles were still bombing the area and torturing innocent public of Koda and surrounding villages where the incident took place.
However, they were reportedly stopped at the 23 AR gate at Shangsak, about 20 km from the district headquarters and told to proceed on foot. After hours of heated arguments, they were allowed through on vehicles at around 4: 40 pm.
Reports said 3 bodies of the NSCN-IM cadres have been retrieved from the jungles of the ‘ambush site’ while 5 other cadres are still missing. Informed sources said the missing cadres are in the hands of the Assam Rifles who are still operating in the area, adding that the ‘fate of the apprehended cadres are in doubt’.
AR authorities allegedly barred leaders of Tangkhul frontal organisations headed by the Tangkhul Naga Long on August 12 at Shangsak AR gate. They also did not allow United Naga Council (UNC) team to cross the gate for consecutive two days.
It may noted here that over 20, 000 people marched to the residence of the Ukhrul DC Ashok Kumar on Friday and submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India demanding clarification on whether there is a ceasefire in Naga areas outside Nagaland. It has also asked for an immediate halt of the current operations being carried out in the area, to immediately withdraw Assam Rifles from Ukhrul district and to guarantee the safety and well being of the population of the area.
Meanwhile, the frontal organisations in a statement Saturday said the situation in Phungyar Block is yet to improve as villagers in the area are still being restricted and subjected to combing operations by the Assam Rifles.
The AR have also reportedly seized the mobile phones of most villagers in the area, and the only source of information presently is from a few villagers who managed to hide their phones.
The organisations have, moreover, alleged that the AR have prevented anyone from going in to provide treatment to the wounded in total contravention of accepted international convention.
Even as the huge crowd of largely women pushed through to the affected villages, in Ukhrul town over 2000 people reportedly gathered at the Tangkhul Naga Long compound awaiting news and praying for the peaceful resolution of the situation
Reports reaching here late in the evening said the womenfolk had rescued most of the NSCN-IM cadres ‘who were missing’. Most of the women have also reportedly stayed back in the area to keep track of the developments.
Nagas will not accept any solution under duress: Isak Swu Nagapage

Dimapur, August 14: President of GPRN/NSCN, Isak Chishi Swu today made it clear that Naga people will not accept any solution under duress but will accept only negotiated settlement that is mutually honorable to both the parties.
In his 63rd Independence Day message, Swu said that Nagas will not accept three things: "imposition of others laws, suppression of our right and division of our territory." He also stated that Nagas have suffered enough and sacrificed more than 3 lakh lives.
He reminded the people that Nagas have been fighting more than 6 decades of their legitimate rights. "We are not fighting for compromising our Naga political right under the Constitution of India nor the Constitution of Myanmar," he stated adding, "We have been resisting the invading forces."
The Yaruiwo's message was read out by Home Kilonser Keditsü Tsuzuh at 63rd Independence Day celebrations at Hebron Camp today.
Swu further stated that the destruction brought about by invasion on Nagalim is incalculable. The fabric of Naga political and social life has been shattered into several pieces, he stated adding Myanmar-occupied Nagalim is sub-divided into several pieces merging with other states while India-occupied Nagalim is also further shattered into several states and districts merging with other states of India.
He called upon the international communities to condemn aggression, suppression and oppression and help the Nagas to resolve their political conflict within the justice system of the world.
Swu told the Nagas that their journey to the destined land cannot be reversed in exchange of temporary peace and temporary hardship must not be allowed to stand in the way of freedom. "We must march on to reach the destined land where all the Naga people will live together in peace and prosperity without fear," he added.
Condemning the horrifying crime of rape committed in Nagalim, Isak Swu affirmed that NSCN shall not tolerate the increasing rate of crime against women and shall explore means to safeguard the honour of women.
He commended the role of church leaders and civil societies who have been tirelessly working for brinigng reconciliation among the warring Naga groups through the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and called upon all the Nagas to extend support to bring frution to the efforts of FNR.
On this day, Isak Swu also remembered the bravery and far-sightedness of his men, women and leaders who had fought a good fight against the British Empire and laid a historic milestone for the future generations. He also saluted the sons and daughters of the soil who have performed the most selfless act by sacrificing their priceless lives for defending the sovereignty of Nagalim.
He further expressed gratitude to the national workers for their steadfast loyalty to the Collective Leadership even under most difficult circumstances.
(Page News Service)

Rio, Opp. to move Delhi OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Neiphiu Rio
Kohima,: Nagaland ministers and Opposition Congress leaders will meet top central leaders to urge them to expedite the Naga peace process which has not shown any sign of progress even after 12 years.
The state cabinet, led by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, will leave for New Delhi on Monday where they will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P. Chidambaram and request them to be more flexible on the peace process in the greater interest of the Naga people.
“We are going to Delhi for the Naga peace process,” Rio said here today.
He said the Naga peace process, which has hit a roadblock, must not be allowed to collapse at this juncture.
The state cabinet will first meet Chidambaram on Tuesday, which will be followed by a meeting with the Prime Minister. Rio, for the first time, disclosed that the Naga peace process between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) had reached a dead end.
He, however, said his government would continue to play the role of an active facilitator. The chief minister also suggested an “interim” arrangement between the two negotiating parties while trying to hammer out an “honourable and acceptable” solution to the Naga issue. However, the Opposition Congress has criticised such an arrangement.
The Congress leaders, who recently met Singh and UPA chairman Sonia Gandhi and apprised them of the need to expedite the Naga peace process, will meet the central leaders again. CLP leader Chingwang Konyak and PCC president K.V. Pusa, who left for New Delhi today, will lead the Congress delegation.
Pusa today urged the Centre to invite all Naga militant groups for negotiation as he felt that hammering out a solution with only one group would not resolve the issue.
“The Centre must invite all the factions for a dialogue,” Pusa told The Telegraph.
He said the 12-year-old Naga peace process should not break down and efforts must be made to expedite the talks between the Centre and the NSCN-IM.
Union minister of state for planning and parliamentary affairs and AICC general secretary V. Narayanaswami, who was in the state recently, categorically stated that no solution was possible outside the ambit of the Constitution.
However, he added that a solution was possible if both the Centre and the NSCN adhere to the “terms and conditions” agreed upon prior to the 1997 ceasefire declaration.
The NSCN, on the other hand, today said that it viewed any attempt to seek a solution within the parameters of the Constitution as a deliberate betrayal.
Press Release
15 August 2009

For residents of Ukhrul District, Manipur, the 63rd Independence Day of India was a grim reminder of the atrocities and rights violations committed by the Assam Rifles against innocent civilians. For them, the day started with the funeral service of two of their brethrens, Mr. Salmon Hungyo and Mr. A. S. Phanitphang, both cadres of NSCN (IM) killed by the Assam Rifles. Their funeral service was attended by public leaders, heads of different organizations, and the public at large.
On 12 August 2009, the Assam Rifles ambushed a group of NSCN (IM) cadres. It is not known how Mr. A. S. Phanitphang was killed, however, Mr. Salmon Hungyo has telltale signs of torture and injuries all over his body.
The situation in Phungyar Block is yet to improve as villagers in the area are still being restricted and subjected to combing operations by the Assam Rifles. The Assam Rifles have also reportedly seized the mobile phones of most villagers in the area, and the only source of information presently is from a few villagers who managed to hide their mobile phones. They have reported that combing operations have again taken place and the Assam Rifles have restricted the movements of villagers.
Reports have come in that there are casualties within the NSCN (IM). However, the Assam Rifles have not allowed anyone to go in and provide treatment to the wounded in total contravention of accepted international convention. This is particularly significant, given that the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India had signed a ceasefire in 1997, and are negotiating politically to bring an end to the protracted Indo-Naga problem.
The sincerity of the Government of India is quite doubtful given the fact that it is giving protection to a number of anti-social elements and gangs in the following places within Ukhrul District—Lamlai & Chadong villages: United National Liberation Front and Kangleipak Communist Party; Litan village: Kuki National Army and Kuki Revolutionary Army (UKPF); Chassad: Kuki National Army; Leinganching Litan Post: Volunteers for Innocent People of Nagalim and United Naga People Council; New Canaan Post: Kangleipak Communist Party; Nongdam: Kuki National Army, People Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak; Lairam Phungka: United National Liberation Front, Kanglei Yawol Kana Lup, People Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak; Molnom (Sinakeithei): Kuki National Army; Kwantabi (Thawai): Kuki National Army.
It is pertinent to mention that civil societies have been repeatedly prevented for the last three days by the Assam Rifles to go to the villages affected by the military operations. This refusal from the Assam Rifles has made it impossible for civil society leaders to verify the condition and situation of civilians in the area. However, reports have come in from villagers that some of them were detained and harassed by the Assam Rifles.
The Tangkhul public submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India on 14 August 2009 through the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul demanding the immediate withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Ukhrul district, and to clarify once and for all whether there is a ceasefire in Naga areas outside Nagaland state.
To protect the rights of civilians in the area and protest against the infringement and violation of the rights, more than 3000 women proceeded towards the affected villages leaving their homes, children, and other responsibilities. At the time of writing this note (4. 40 PM), it is reported that the Assam Rifles at Shangshak Post. However, showing sheer grit and determination, the women forced through the gate and barb-wired barricades and have proceeded towards the villages. Reports are now awaited from these women regarding the condition and situation of affected villages.
Meanwhile in Ukhrul town, more than 2000 people have gathered at the Tangkhul Naga Long compound to await news and also pray for the peaceful resolution of the situation.
The demands and wishes of the people are very clear—to immediately stop the operations being carried out in and around Shakok, Godah, Loushing, and Loushing Khunthak villages; to immediately withdraw the Assam Rifles from Ukhrul District, and to declare whether there is a ceasefire in Naga areas outside Nagaland.


Sd/- Sd/- Sd/-
Stephen Angkang A. S. Dinah Wungnaoshang A. Shimray
President, TNL President, TSL President, TKS


Sd/- Sd/- Sd/-
Zanyo Varam, Kaphungkan K. Shimray Alung Rungsung
President, TMNL President, TNWL Coordinator, NPMHR
Nagaland CM calls for inclusive growth
STAFF WRITER PTI
Kohima, Aug 15 (PTI) Braving inclement weather, people across Nagaland today celebrated the 63rd Independence Day with much enthusiasm as Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio reaffirmed his government's commitment towards achieving permanent peace and inclusive growth in the state.

While unfurling the national tri-colour at the civil secretariat ground here, Rio said: "Inclusive growth is the objective of government. I can assure you that the government will continue to work with full commitment and sincerity in meeting the people's expectations."

Rio called upon all sections of society to extend cooperation to the recently-formed 'Naga Common Platform' so that the Nagas could present a unified voice before the Centre for finding an acceptable solution to the decades-old Naga political conflict.