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10/01/2009: "A proposal for the conflict resolution of the Naga morungexpress"

A proposal for the conflict resolution of the Naga morungexpress

•-The mostly talked about reconciliation and unity of the Naga is in a confusion state. The real cause of the conflict is left untouched. Naga blamed the Britishers for their Divide and Rule Policy. Whereas, the Naga have adopted the convention of the erstwhile Naga Hills and Tuensang Area has divided Naga Territory into different Political and Administrative Divisions by accepting Indian Constitution under the so called 16 points agreement (1960). This sell out policy had brought about numbers of divisive forces that greatly damaged the liberation movement of the Nagas. The outcome of the creation of the Indian State of Nagaland (1963) had given birth to many evil design leaders in the Naga Society who have been playing their harps of groupism in the field of Naga National Politics, which has become the roaring sound of Lion searching for a prey. Thus, the mindset and attitude of tribalism and groupsim had further inflicted by the diseases of factionalism in the Naga Political Process. The ideology of factionalism is nothing but it is a struggle for power and leadership. This struggle should not be a weapon for destruction of the Nation. It can be solved by sharing responsibilities of building the Nation. Now a big question is arise whether Naga is a people? In which country they live. Provided, the Nagas are independent sovereign people, having their inherent territory what Indian and Myanmar can do to subdue the Nagas.
It is a great shame for the Nagas that there are 4 (four) governments in Naga Country- (i) Indian sponsored State of Nagaland (ii) NNC Federal Government (iii) NSCN/GPRN (IM) and (iv) NSCN/GPRN(K). Under which Govt. the Naga should remain as its subjects. Could these divisive forces be allowed to continue or timely check is needed? In this matter the said four governments may not be willing to agree with this proposal. They may take otherwise if the concept is not clearly understand. It is only a proposal for positive approach.
It is well known to the world that Nagas are independent sovereign people. Therefore, there should be only one and undisputed government. All factional governments should be dissolved to reconstitute a new and unique Govt. of the independent Naga State. In order to re-form a new Government as a sovereign state of the Nagas and in order to take up this issues a common people’ platform, representing all tribes, representatives duly elected/selected by the concerned tribes should be formed. The said platform shall elect/select of special committee to formulate all necessary plan to conduct a general and national Tata Hoho’s election as early as possible. With a view to carry out the action plan and policy for the said National Tatar Hoho election, all cadres of the factions should suspend their activities for the period of transition fixed by the common platform so as the pave the way for peaceful election.
It is a matter of consideration for all the underground political leaders inclusive of all factions that they might partake the election without taking the identity of their factions. The choice of the general public is the choice of the independent sovereign state. The election in question is a must because no Government could be formed without the mandate of the people. The Revolutionary Government, now known as the factional governments are means to overthrow the occupational forces of India and Myanmar but not to fight Nagas by Nagas. Therefore, notwithstanding any past mistakes committed by the underground factions as well as public leaders, Nagas should renew their stand unitedly to fight against all the intruding forces. Reconciliation could not be achieved by holding meeting abroad. It should be from within the Naga soil.
The time has come for the Nagas to speed up for the formation of a new National Government repelling all factional Government. Over and above the present Government of Indian sponsored State of Nagaland should step down because by entertaining statehood under the Constitution of India, talking for sovereign State of Naga is undesirable. As Nagas have proclaimed Nagaland for Christ, Naga need to seek for wisdom from Almighty God.
Provided the proposed election is carry out with mutual agreement and understanding by the general public as well as political factions and thus a new peoples’ government is re-formed. The services of all Civil and Army Forces of the underground would be accommodated by giving them acceptable adjustment of rank and files accordingly without any colour of the factions.
The Naga as a nation should declare general pardon to all concern in the name of sovereign God and subsequently the nation should declare it as a national amnesty in the whole of the Naga Country. And thereby the problem of reconciliation id directly or indirectly over. The only next step necessary to take up s to continue the peace talk with the Government of India and the Government of Myanmar for final solution of the long drawn Naga Liberation Issue under the collective leadership of Isak Swu and Th.Muivah as they have first initiated the peace talk, representing the Nagas.
This article is subscribed to for the general information and necessary consideration in the interest of the Nagas. The writer is ready to interact on any of the contents of this article if neede.
Naga rebels reject peace package The Hindu
GUWAHATI: The government’s efforts for formation of a Naga Common Platform, to find a political solution to the vexed insurgency problem, have run into trouble with all the three rebel groups — NSCN-IM, NSCN-K(GPRN) and NNC(FGN) — voicing their strong opposition to it.
In a joint statement issued to the local media, the groups have declared that they were strongly opposed to any form of conditional package offered to the Nagas by the Centre. The Naga Common Platform was not warranted at this juncture, they added.
Conveners of the joint working group for Naga reconciliation, VS Atem of the NSCN (I-M), Zhopra Vero of the NNC (FGN) and Wangtin Naga of NSCN-K (GPRN), in a joint declaration, stated their opposition to the issues was in line with the “Declaration of Commitment” signed by them during the recent reconciliation meet held at Chiangmai in Thailand. The three leaders during the meet affirmed to “work together in the spirit of love, non-violence, peace and respect to resolve outstanding issues.”
The Central government was contemplating to offer a conditional peace package to the state if the Naga rebels factions gave up their struggle. The package, which was still being worked, was to include financial largesse, greater devolution of powers to the state. However, the Centre had made it clear that any solution to the protracted Naga political issue would be within the Constitution of India. The NSCN (I-M) had earlier said such packages were “unacceptable” to it.
The Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government has been striving to bring all the underground groups together on a common platform to facilitate discussion on the issue.
Not only the rebel groups, but also some prominent citizens’ organisations in the state have declared their opposition to the idea of a common platform.
The reconciliation process is currently being taken care of by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). The FNR has been holding meetings both within and outside the state with the different Naga political groups and NGOs. However, the FNR has limited its role only to the reconciliation process and has shown no apparent interest in formation of a common platform to facilitate political dialogue with all the rebel groups.
Dimapur hosts Thai store A STAFF REPORTER The telegraph


A Smart Shop 108. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Sept. 29: Dimapur, the commercial capital of Nagaland, is all set to become the first port of call for Thai companies seeking to promote their brands in the Northeast.
Commercial counsellor of Royal Thai embassy Tharadol Thongruang will open the region’s first Thai outlet, Smart Shop 108, a convenience chain store with 5,000 fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), in Dimapur tomorrow.
The move comes half a decade after New Delhi launched its Look East policy to open up the bottlenecked region to South East Asian markets.
A Thai information centre will also be set up in Dimapur gradually to provide tourism, education and other related information.
Thongruang, who will reach Dimapur to inaugurate the outlet tomorrow, told The Telegraph over phone that it will open up a new market for Thai FMCG products.
“In terms of investment this outlet might not be a big one, but as a first Thai business venture in the region it has a potential of heralding new business opportunities between Thailand and the northeastern region of India,” the Thai envoy said.
He said Smart Shop 108, an associate of ICC groups of Thailand, was one of the leading convenience chain stores of that country. “Dimapur will be the seventh city in India to join this prestigious and popular chain,” he added.
In view of the popularity of Thai products in the region, the outlet will display and sell a wide range of Thai products making it the first official Thai outlet in the region.
It is the brainchild of a young woman entrepreneur from Nagaland, Hollika Sema, who had worked at the department of export promotion in Royal Thai government attached at the Thai embassy in New Delhi.
“During my association with the export promotion department of Thailand, I found that Thai products had a very good market potential in the region as Thai goods are very attractive and impressive,” she said, explaining her intention to launch the Thai chain in Dimapur.
Thongruang said the chain would soon open an outlet in Guwahati and then it would expand to other parts of the region.
“Our aim is to open a trade link with the Northeast and Thailand via Mandalay in Myanmar,” he said.
The India director of Smart Shop 108, Surajit Singh, said a wide collection of garments and accessories had been added to the outlet’s products’ list, in addition to its regular goods, to cater to the northeastern market.
NSCN (IM) observes ‘Agony Day’ morungexpress
Dimapur, September 28 (MExN): Speaking on the occasion of the 29th Agony Day, Qhevihe Chishi Swu, Convener Steering Committee NSCN has stated that Agony Day is not strictly for the martyrs of 27th September, 1980 only but it is “collectively meant as a day of homage to all those who have sacrificed in the course of our struggle for freedom”. It was also pointed out that thousands of innocent civilians were killed under adverse circumstances by India, Myanmar and their mercenaries either directly or through proxy wars. “In fact, it encompasses the entire recorded almost 300,000 (Three hundred thousands) Nagas killed as a result of resisting the force-occupation of Nagalim”.
Recalling the selfless services rendered for the nation, even at the cost of their lives, by the national heroes, the Convener paid his homage to those who died 29 years ago on this day, the 27th September, 1980. According to the Convener Steering Committee, the Operation Command Headquarters of the NSCN at Langnok village in Khiamniungan region was attacked by the joint-forces of Indian VGs (Village Guards) and the Shillong Accordists with the intension “to nib in the bud, the growing force of then the infant NSCN”. In all, 73 NSCN patriots died, with 34 on the spot and a good number injured, informed the Convener while adding that among the casualties included were Mr. Khasui Longvah, Chaplee Kilonser, Brig. Thungbo, the then Chief of the Army, Lt. Col. Ningwon (Newin), and General Staff Officer (GSO), Maj. Shongshan Koyak, Capt. Shangam and many others. “To this day, the loss is irreparable for the nation. Hence, this black day is observed every year as Agony Day”.
Acknowledging the sacrifices made for one’s country and friends, the Convener stated that they had done all that needs to be done for their dearest motherland. “Their bones lie scattered and their blood watered the woodlands. For the sake of their country they even sacrificed their graves too. Many patriots do not have grave, but Naga Nation will always remember them as National Heroes in the days to come”. While stating that the tasks have been left unfinished, the Convener called for a time of re-dedication and decision to “carry forward what we have chosen and assigned for” and “to complete the unfinished tasks, thousands of her sons and daughter are in line”. The Convener also paid tribute to all the family members of the martyrs for dedicating their dear ones for the nation assuring that their service to the nation will be treasured.
Fürer-Haimendorf Archive Digitisation Project at SOAS
Creating an online resource for the historical study of tribal cultures in South Asia and the Himalayas
The photographic archive of Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf (1909-1995) at SOAS is recognised as the world’s most comprehensive visual documentation of tribal cultures in South Asia and the Himalayas. The project will turn this hidden archive into an online resource accessible to people across the world. By preserving and presenting this unique record of tribal cultures during the middle decades of the twentieth century, SOAS hopes to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of endangered cultures and culture change.
The project, which began in October 2008 and will run for one year, is funded by JISC

Contact:
For enquiries about the project or to be added to the project's mailing list please email docenquiry@soas.ac.uk, telephone +44 (0)20 7898 4180, or contact Susannah Rayner at SOAS Library.