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08/25/2009: "STATEMENT ON THE POSITION OF CURRENT INDO-NAGA PEACE PROCESSS. NSCN Press release"

STATEMENT ON THE POSITION OF CURRENT INDO-NAGA PEACE PROCESSS. NSCN Press release

The statement of the Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai in Imphal on the Indo- Naga Peace Talks is so compelling that NSCN felt constrained to issue counter- statement to clear such misleading statement. Nothing of what Mr. Pillai said correlates to anything that was discussed during the last 12 years between Govt. of India and NSCN, and in this is a serious dilution of the factual position of the Indo-Naga peace process. Moreover, such statement to emanate from Home Secretary can only be taken as undermining the talks on Political issue that was agreed upon at Prime Minister Level and never at the Home Ministry level. It is however to be noted that since G.K. Pillai has not been involved in the Indo- Naga peace talk he should not be knowing much. But as the Naga political issue is complicated and sensitive, to speak in such unguarded manner is politically immodest. It is highly unethical on the part of Mr. Pillai to distort or misinterpret Indo-Naga peace process at his own whims. This will only cause consternation to the Nagas.
That at no point of time NSCN accepted the importance of the Indian constitution to form the basis for the Naga Solution. No autonomy of any kind was also discussed and understanding reached. Mr. Pillai cannot take such malicious pleasure in feeding the Press that will only create confusion to the public. Such ill- conceived statement stands to be treated as nothing but libelous.
For the Nagas, talks between the Government of India and the NSCN signify two entities. It is a talk between two people at the Prime Ministerial level. The talk is also without condition, which means outside the parameter of the Indian constitution, and talks in Third countries which implies the involvement of a third party that hosts and facilitates the talks.
The recognition of the unique history and situation of the Nagas by the Government of India means the Nagas are not part of the Union of India and the situation in Nagalim is political, not that of law and order under the Indian constitution.
Ceasefire area coverage without territorial limit as affirmed by the then Prime Minister of India Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee in Osaka,Japan stating that “wherever there is fighting, there is ceasefire. It covers everywhere” is a political standard to govern the Indo-Naga Ceasefire Ground Rules.
Much to the indignation of the Naga people the Govt. of India proved unscrupulous in more than one occasion when the Naga Political issue was entering a critical stage. In this context it may be pointed out that in one particular occasion Dr. Michael Van Walt Van Praag, Executive President of ‘KREDDHA’ (The International Peace Council for States People and Minorities) submitted proposal to the Indo-Naga talk teams for a probable solution. Both the parties agreed to study and work out a solution on that basis, but the Indian team backed out from its commitment the next time. Recently, the Indian representatives proposed an “Interim Arrangement” but again they went back upon their words in the next talks.
NSCN has tabled two proposals to the Govt. of India on substantive issues. However, till date there is no response from the Govt. of India. Time and again NSCN have stated that it does not view India or Burma as the enemies of the Nagas but as potential neighbours in all fields. Accordingly, it looks for a solution that recognizes the identity/rights of the Nagas and safeguards the security of India. However, it is strongly opposed to the merger of Nagalim into the mainstream of India. To the Nagas the history of Manipur is very clear. It is simply the creation of the colonial power that is remotely connected with the Nagas’ political aspiration. And since the inception of Manipur Nagas have been resisting till date. Meiteis are free to go for their own unity but they have no right to oppose Naga integration.
Taking strong exception to the wavering stand of the Govt. of India it is pertinent for NSCN to rue the un-eventful year’s gone bye and the unbecoming statement of Union Home Secretary Mr. G.K. Pillai that miserably failed to carry weight of political correctness. Unfortunately, NSCN’s experience with the Government of India reflects only insincerity, lack of political will and seriousness.
Whatever may be the case, Nagalim belongs to the Nagas. URRA UVIE!
Issued by: MIP/GPRN
Hebron: 25 August 2009
FIGHTING THE ENEMIES WITHIN ANCIENT WISDOM India needs to focus on its faultlines to prevent division within the states The Telegraph


A Chinese strategist, Zhan Lue, has reportedly propounded in a recent article the need for Beijing to break India up into 20-30 independent states with the help of friendly countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
Who is Zhan Lue? What are his credentials? Going by the English translation of the Chinese text, the mind of Lue seems to be guided by a nation in the midst of a long-term war with an adversary, which, if not cut to size now, is likely to pose a serious threat to the very existence of the nation in the near future. And, as the ‘enemy’ still appears to hold its own despite odds, a revised strategic planning is being thought of to end the hostilities once and for all. Lue’s ideas are in tune with those codified in the classic, The Art of War, by the sixth-century Chinese philosopher-general, Sun Tzu.
In consonance with the principles of Sun Tzu, Lue thinks warfare to be the “greatest affair of the state, the basis of life and death, the way to survival or extinction”. Understandably therefore, the “primary objective” of the state is to “subjugate other states”, without actually fighting, thereby realizing its ideal of complete victory. Hence the need to operate against India through friendly and “vassal-type states”. The aim is to achieve maximum result with minimum risk, limiting destruction as far as possible. Lue does not seem to propound direct warfare with India, but speaks of its dismemberment through the “Strategy, Indirect Approach” of Basil Liddell Hart, whose ideas too were greatly influenced by those of Sun Tzu.
The history of 20th-century South Asia is too well documented to be re-described. India has learnt to live with the threat of terrorism, turbulence and fundamentalism posed by the neighbouring countries. But the internal dynamics of the Indian polity should be recapitulated. Jane’s World Insurgency and Terrorism (2008) has identified at least 10 non-state actors constituting an important threat to the Indian State.
The Communist Party of India (Maoist) poses a challenge because of its “objective to overthrow the perceived repressive state governments through peasant-based guerrilla warfare”. The Gorkha National Liberation Front, operating in Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China, is a group of “national separatists” which began campaigning for a Gorkha state in 1977. Although Nepal has been scrupulous in “never” openly showing “any official support for militants attached to the GNLF”, there occurred several “diplomatic rows following incidents where Indian security forces pursued militants across the border into Nepal, where the latter are believed to have safe houses”.
Two formidable “national separatists”— the Isak-Muivah and the Khaplang factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland — “aim to establish an independent state, Greater Nagaland or Nagalim, consisting of Naga populated areas in India and Myanmar”.
The Sikh extremist movements may be dormant but are not dead yet. Their aim continues to be the establishment of “an independent Sikh state in the Punjab (including Pakistan Punjab) called Khalistan”. The objective of the United Liberation Front of Asom is “to liberate Assam through armed struggle... and to establish a sovereign independent Assam”.
The above discussion would give some idea about Sun Tzu’ strategy, Lue’s analysis, and the political situation within and without India. Lue has brought a sensitive subject into open by focusing on the faultlines, which might be exploited by outsiders in the future. Since to be “forewarned is to be forearmed”, one should thank Lue for his article.
ABHIJIT BHATTACHARYYA

To appease Nagas, autonomy on table Vishwa Mohan, TNN
NEW DELHI: In a bid to resolve the vexed Naga insurgency, the Centre has come up with a proposal to give some more financial powers to the state
along with additional control over socio-cultural issues.

The proposal was drawn up following apparent feelers that militant outfits — NSCN (IM) and NSCN (Khaplang) — would go with it. Though the final nod from the Naga outfits is still awaited, the government will soon put the proposal for consideration before the Cabinet. A senior home ministry official said, “The comprehensive proposal will be submitted before the NSCN (IM) after getting it vetted by the Cabinet. Instead of taking up the matter of Greater Nagaland and sovereignty (demands of Naga outfits), the proposal enlarges the scope of Article 371A of the Constitution.”

Under Article 371A, Nagaland already enjoys special status which ensures that “no Act of Parliament shall apply to Nagaland in relation to religious or social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to the Naga customary law and ownership and transfer of land and its resources”. “The new proposal, however, talks about amendment in the Constitution to ensure financial powers including greater rights over natural resources, one of the 30 demands submitted by NSCN(IM) during talks,” the ministry official said. He added that though the Nagas were keen on a separate constitution like J&K, the Centre was in favour of enlarging the scope of Article 371A.

Although there has not been any official word from the government on the proposal so far, a hint of it was dropped by home secretary G K Pillai who, without disclosing the contents of the proposal, told the media in Manipur on Sunday that it would provide a ground for friendly negotiation.

Asked whether the proposal would work or not, he said it would depend on how NSCN (IM) leadership received it. Pillai’s statement came when he was on a three-day visit to Manipur.

In response to questions, the home secretary also made it clear that the “territorial integrity of Manipur would not be disturbed under any circumstances”, a clear indication that the issue of Greater Nagaland will not find place in the proposal which talks about autonomy for Nagaland.
Peace, unity not at the cost of historical and political rights: FGN morungexpress
Dimapur, august 25 (MExN): The FGN today declared that peace and unity should not come at the price of selling out the historical and political rights of the Nagas and that the people should know sovereignty, freedom and liberty can by no means be compromised.
A press note received here today from FGN “kedalio” Zhopra Vero, which group not specified, responded to the reported statement in some local dailies recently that the Naga Consultative Meet (NCM) held in Kohima March 5-7 was attended by all sections of the Naga civil society, political parties, overseas Nagas and the underground groups. The note declared that the FGN did not attend the meet. It said that the FGN “did not see the necessity to attend the meet organized by the state government” as, the note alleged, the state government owes allegiance to the constitution of India and that the FGN had ‘apprehensions of hidden agenda to compromise the rights of the Nagas.’
In this regard, the FGN, while asserting that the 16th Point Agreement, 1960 signed between the Government of India and the Naga People Convention (NPC) sowed the ‘seeds of distrust and disunity and brought fratricidal killings among the Nagas,’ stated that the Nagas for the last decades have been shedding tears and blood “not for a state within India nor to have some concessions in the Constitution of India of India” but have been defending “our natural and historic right.”
Saying that “it is the unified desire to protect and shield what is ours that has given us the courage to go on despite deliberate, concerted attempts by the Government of India and her mercenaries to obliterate Naga nationalism”, the note however said that many Nagas have failed to understand this and “have fallen prey to the policies of India who after realizing that Naga nationalism cannot be wiped out through guns have chosen a more covert ways of obliterating our goal”.
“By propagating statements like “not losing sight of the realities of the day”, “changed global scenario”, “the might of India”, while talking about solution to the Naga political problem, they seek to confuse Nagas,” the FGN Kedalio, Zhopra Vero stated. However, the release stated that the “reality” is that the Nagas are a peace loving people and that the Nagas are not the initiator of the conflict with India or Myanmar. “We desire peace with all our neighbors whether mighty or weak and have been making every effort to settle out issues by peaceful means.”
Just because India or Burma is mighty or the world is changing, the Nagas cannot afford to compromise their rights or their land be occupied by sheer military force “of the aggressor”, it said and asserted that the Nagas would be forced to resist the invading forces so long as they are there. Besides, the FGN also stated that money in terms of thousands of crores are being poured in to “entice greedy Nagas” who in turn try to falsely educate the Naga mass that the Nagas will not survive without India’s financial assistance. In this connection, the release stated that “this question” can be openly answered by “the Father of our Nation” AZ Phizo who said and the release quoted: “Money, Finance and Economy viability: These are frightening words for the educated man who never realized that their illiterate - forefathers never worried these things. Only a clerk-minded personality worries because he cannot see one end ahead of his writing-hand.”
Clarifying on the terms like “underground”, “hostiles”, “insurgents”, “Rebels” etc by India and the FGN said that none of these terms apply to “us” as the problem between Nagaland with India and Burma is not a dispute, nor is it an issue as the Nagas are not demanding or claiming Independence from India and Myanmar, and that “these imperialist” forces have no legal claim over the Nagas.
“Our problem is against the invasion of our land by these imperialist forces and their contention is to obscure this basic fact. Nagaland is a sovereign Nation whose rights over our own land are historically unquestionable and is a universal fact and therefore the question of negotiation on India’s favour or to accept solution under the Constitution of India does not arise,” the release declared.
In this regard, the FGN declared that whatever the circumstances may be, Nagas must know that some things can be changed by things like sovereignty, freedom, and liberty can by no means be compromised. “These were the foundations of which led to the Declaration of Independence of 1947, and the Plebiscite of 1951 by our forefathers, for which tears were shed and thousands of lives were sacrificed here and in foreign lands,” the release declared.
The FGN, while acknowledging that every Naga is yearning for peace and that the Naga needs need to reconcile and unite and collectively march forward to their envisioned destiny, asserted that peace and unity should not come at the price of selling out “our historical and political rights” but rather it should be based on “these rights”.
Reminding the people have to beware that they do not betray the aspirations of the people and the pledge made by the people more than six decades back and the sacrifices that have made and hardships they have endured, the release stated that in Naga tradition and customary practices if the people betray and forget the pledge that binds them, then the curse of our ancestors will fall upon us and out future generations.