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08/27/2009: "NSCN-IM slams Centre's remark on Naga problem Times of India"

NSCN-IM slams Centre's remark on Naga problem Times of India

KOHIMA: National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) has slammed the Union home ministry for claiming that it has accepted the Centre's move to resolve the Naga crisis within the framework of Constitution. "NSCN (I-M), at no point of time, accepted the importance of Constitution to form the basis of Naga solution,'' the outfit clarified in a statement.

Union home secretary GK Pillai had recently indicated that the Naga outfit had come to an understanding with the Centre to solve the vexed Naga political issue.

Terming Pillai's statement `malicious' and intended to confuse the public, an NSCN(I-M) statement said, "No autonomy of any kind was discussed and understanding reached. Pillai's contention does not correlate to anything in the talks held between Centre and NSCN in the past 12 years.'' It added that `it undermined talks on the political issue agreed upon at the prime-ministerial level.'

Taking strong exception to the `wavering stand of the Centre', NSCN (I-M) said it rues the "uneventful years gone by'' and the "unbecoming statement of the Union home secretary that miserably failed to carry weight of political correctness.''

The statement added, "Unfortunately, the NSCN's experience with the Centre reflects only insincerity, lack of political will and seriousness.'' It further said Nagalim (Greater Nagaland) belongs to Nagas.
The outfit said talks between New Delhi and NSCN signify two entities for the Nagas.
Welcome move on Nagaland The New Indian Express
The Centre’s decision to address the Nagaland problem with a positive offer of greater financial powers and autonomy in the sphere of socio-cultural practice is a welcome move, especially because it seems to embody a real spirit of federalism. The Nagaland issue has been under negotiation for over a decade with a ceasefire having miraculously held for a long time without any serious threat of breakdown. But the problem is complex, not least because the ultimate demand of the various Naga groups, of which the most important is the NSCN (IM), is a greater Nagaland that impinges on the rights of other groups, especially the Manipuris — the creation of a greater Nagaland would seriously truncate Manipur. In any negotiations, therefore, balance is very important. For now, the government is contemplating amending Article 371A of the Constitution, which already provides Nagaland with a substantial measure of autonomy in the areas of customary law, administration of civil and criminal justice, and religious and social practice, to enlarge its scope. Amended, it is envisaged, the article will provide a greater measure of financial powers so the state can get a greater share of the value of its natural resources. The proposal is not in a concrete stage yet but if and when it materialises it should provide the basis of a settlement that will meet Naga demands without putting other interests out of joint. It will, of course, be up to the NSCN (IM) and other groups to respond in the spirit the proposal embodies.
The larger point, however, is that the Centre should respond to all similar negotiations and demands in the same spirit —that is the spirit of real federalism. This applies to statehood demands, special demands by states for greater control over natural resources falling within their territorial jurisdiction and any other demand. If an approach is made from this frame of reference, much greater headway can perhaps be made in the greatly and for long troubled regions of Assam and Tripura and other areas in the northeast to accommodate the desires of autonomy of smaller fractions of people. Among ‘other’ demands, it is difficult to see why the long-standing wish of the Manipuris for the retraction of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act cannot be more seriously entertained, especially given the evidence of gross misuse that has been streaming in of late.
STATEMENT ON THE POSITION OF CURRENT INDO-NAGA PEACE PROCESSS
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 therefore, not the business of the Home Secretary to speak on the Naga Political issue in such unguarded manner. Complicated and sensitive as the Naga issue is, this is politically immodest as well. 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 creates 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 governs 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, Director of The international Peace Council for States People and Minorities (Kreddha) 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.
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. 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
INDIAN STATE TERRORISM Col. Levi Zimik
PRO/ Naga Army


Wednesday, August 26, 2009: Students of International Relations and Peace Studies must be aware of the controversy surrounding the etymological development of the term ‘Terrorism’. The core issue is not of the ambiguity of its literal meaning but the obsessive political implications and prejudices it entails. To a frequently ask question – “Who are terrorists?” an honest answer would be the general definition from the dictionary, i.e. “persons/groups that use violent actions to achieve certain goals, etc”. However, after 9/11, people tend to identify terrorists with the Muslims and the Islamic organizations and their allies. In India too, when Hindus attack the Muslims or Christians, it is a law and order problem but when Muslims attack the Hindus, it is a terrorist attack.
A pertinent question arises: Who are to be considered as terrorists? The more striking question is: Who has the infallible authority to sanction terrorist tag? The State? UNO? No! Ironically, the prejudices surrounding the term ‘terrorists’ are mostly constructed connotations, ascribed and imposed upon the less powerful and often overstated by the more powerful to gain political mileage. Notwithstanding the legitimacy one may supposedly possess, branding another organization a ‘terrorist’ can never solve the problem between them.
No one is above the law but all laws are made by man. Now, if the lawmakers, with politically motivated objectives make a law in such a way that it suppresses the general will of the people and contrarily deprives them of their inherent rights, the law itself needs to be scrapped. For example, empowering the Indian Army with unlimited power immune from legal actions through the AFSPA blatantly comes short of civilized law applicable in a democratic society. Now if the law enforcers terrorize the common people in the name of this draconian law, they are equally at fault along with the so called lawbreakers. For, violence cannot justify violence. On the other hand, no law can deny the use of violence as a last resort in self defense, be it the case of an individual or a state. When the Nagas took up arms in the mid-fifties to fight against the mighty Indian forces, it was not an option but a necessity to salvage freedom from the aggressors. When all means of non-violent representations failed and all hopes of peaceful settlement were shattered by the double standard dealing of the Naga issue by the Indian leadership, Naga leaders were forced to go underground. Against all norms, India quickly responded by unleashing a reign of terror in the erstwhile peaceful Naga country. When Naga freedom fighters inflicted casualties upon the Indian soldiers, they retaliated by indiscriminate firing, burning down of villages, grouping, torture , rape and killing of innocent village folks. Oinam incident was condemned by all international communities. Yet, it was not the first of its kind; never the last. Nagas have been subjected to myriad of such inhuman treatment in the cruel hands of the Indian army, most of which went unheard to the outside world. Since then Nagas have been living in constant fear and trauma. Thousands have been ruthlessly slaughtered. And Nagas are not alone. Behind the facade of fighting insurgency, the whole North East has been terrorized by India and her agents. The present scenario in Manipur is a clear manifestation of state sponsored terrorism. The security agents, in collusion with hoodlums are responsible for creating panicky situations in Manipur where harassment, fake encounters, bandhs, dharnas etc. are abound. People no longer wonder how the militants managed to explode bombs in the marketplaces amidst air tight security. The assassination of University Professor, the recent murder of a pregnant woman and a youth in fake encounter, bomb explosion near a hospital, etc. all these unhealthy incidents are the handiworks of the Indian agents in the stolen name of some proscribed militant groups. Through reliable intelligence sources it has been established that the notorious Manipur Police commandos have clandestine link with militants in carrying out these extortion threats. The solution does not lie in apprehending and punishing the perpetrators alone, for they themselves are already victims of some filthy games sponsored by higher orders. Mr. Ramanada alias Oken an ex KCP member is one of such pawns used by the commandos for quite a long time. When their dirty alliance was exposed, they planned to do away with him. Therefore, Oken slipped out from their hands and escaped towards the hills. There, he was given refuge by the Assam Rifles under the mentorship of Maj. Rana of the 23 AR. This explains the incident of bomb explosion in Ukhrul that took place soon after the patrol party of the Assam Rifles withdrew from the spot. Presently, Mr. Oken is under the care of Maj. Shekhar, 21 AR. This piece of classified information is stated here in public interest to be warned of the wolves in sheep skin prowling next door.
In all fairness, Government of India ought to tender official apology to the people of the North east for the acts of terrorism perpetrated by her security agents. Interestingly, she is changing her strategy especially with regard to Indo-Naga issue: from forceful suppression to gradual assimilation, from direct confrontation to systematic strangulation. Whatsoever, we reiterate our stand that India remains our abominable enemy so long as she keeps trying to downplay with Naga Nationalism. In a bid to cover up her ugly image, the armed forces are employing suedo-good Samaritan services to woo the common people. We are not jealous of the civic activities being carried out by the Assam Rifles. On the contrary, we are aware of the string that comes with the boon. Nagas are not that dumb to swallow the bait. Indian agents may have succeeded in indoctrinating some Nagas with false propaganda, but they can never bury the truth. Like the cunning devil, they started tempting: Can Nagas really survive themselves as a nation? Why sovereignty when we already have Nagaland at hand? What is freedom at all if we are to be impoverished? So and so. Craftily, India injected these doubts and initiated hate campaign, creating dissensions across the sections of Naga society, both overground and underground. Now, she is using one group to condemn the other. The desperate attempt by some individuals/groups to discredit the NSCN as a terrorist organization is indeed a sorry state of affairs for the Nagas. Where are we heading to? Wake up before it is too late. We will be the most pitiable people if we cannot overcome this proxy war deviously waged by India. Before we point finger to one another, let us ponder a while and try to identify who our real enemy is. Dear countrymen, intellectuals or ordinary, it is time we join hands and rise against the enemy in one accord. For the Naga Army, in agreement with the national principles of the NSCN, we are carrying the mantle of defending our land and the people at all cost. However, let this be known by all and sundry that we do not believe in terrorism.
Col. Levi Zimik PRO/ Naga Army

Pillai's statement misleading : NSCN-IM Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, August 25 2009: Strongly refuting to the statement of Union Home secretary GK Pillai that both the NSCN-IM and the government of India have come to an understanding for an autonomy under the Constitution of India, the Naga outfit has said that the statement of the former is misleading and libelous.

In a statement issued to Newmai News Network tonight in Dimapur, the NSCN-IM has said that the statement of Union Home Secretary G.K.Pillai made in Imphal on the IndoNaga peace talks is so compelling that Naga outfit felt constrained to issue counterstatement to clear such misleading statement.

The NSCN-IM statement issued throught the outfit's Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) said that nothing of what GK Pillai said correlates to anything that was discussed during the last 12 years between Government of India and the outfit.

The NSCN-IM terms the statement of the Union Home secretary as a serious dilution of the factual position of the Indo-Naga peace process.

"Moreover, such statement to emanate from Union 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 IndoNaga 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," explained the NSCN-IM.

The outfit then stated that at no point of time NSCN-IM accepted the importance of the Indian constitution to form the basis for the Naga solution. The outfit also said that no autonomy of any kind was also discussed and understanding reached. It added that GK Pillai cannot take such 'malicious pleasure' in feeding the press that will only create confusion to the public.

Such illconceived statement stands to be treated as nothing but libelous, further added the NSCN-IM statement.

"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," explained the NSCN-IM. The outfit then lamented that much to the indignation of the Naga people the Government 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, the statement of the NSCN-IM reveals. The statement discloses that NSCN-IM has tabled two proposals to the Government of India on substantive issues.

"However, till date there is no response from the Government 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," the statement fumes.

"Taking strong exception to the alleged wavering stand of the Government of India it is pertinent for NSCN-IM to rue the un-eventful years gone-by 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," concluded the statement of the NSCN-IM.