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11/16/2009: "‘Naga culture a rich melting pot’ morungexpress"
‘Naga culture a rich melting pot’ morungexpress
Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar being feted by the Naga Council of Dimapur during the concluding session of the cultural festival held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the council, at Urban Haat, Dimapur on Friday. (Morung Photo/Sorei Mahong)
The governor was impressed by the gathering of assorted peoples and the cultural displays on the concluding day of the cultural festival in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Naga Council Dimapur. Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar said the event was an “excellent instance” of harmony, relationship and intermingling of communities.
“It is an excellent instance of intermingling of communities, of harmony and relationship, regardless of caste, creed or religion,” the governor said in his address as the chief guest of the closing ceremony here at Urban Haat Cultural Centre.
Kumar also said such cultural events held in “cosmopolitan” Dimapur – the commercial hub and the gateway to Nagaland – would not only promote harmonious relationships among various communities but also project a positive image of Nagaland to the outside world. This way, people from outside the state can come and savor for themselves the wonderful culture of Nagaland, Governor Kumar said.
The governor said the Naga Council should see to it that the festival is organized every year so that various tribes and communities can come together to display their culture, talent and the desire to be a composite of Nagaland. On this, the governor, who is also the chairman of North East Zonal Cultural Centre, assured full support from the NEZCC.
The governor further said he was impressed by the “attention to details” and the “meticulous planning” of the festival. He congratulated Naga Council for the success of the event. The council’s president Savi Liegise in his presidential address reiterated that the goal of the festival was to foster trust and harmony among all citizens of Dimapur and to create a sense of oneness.
Congress MLA representing Dimapur-I, KL Chishi, Rev. Pughoto Aye of Forum for Naga Reconciliation and a representative from the non-Naga community conveyed their greetings. A message from Lok Sabha MP CM Chang was also read out.
Highlights of the closing ceremony included performances by winning troupes of the folk dance and song competitions, prize distribution in various competitions, classical dance performances by Mrs. Ruchi Jain and music by Nise Meruno.
Member Secretary of Planning & Organizing Committee of the festival, TL Merry offered the vote of thanks. The event culminated with fireworks and a musical rendezvous by various artistes.
Anti-Naga Stance Of Nehru Family Vis-A-Vis Political Package P. Lakhao Morungexpress
•-The Naga children join the nation’s children to celebrate the November 14 children’s day every year, to commemorate the birth of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India. But, most ungratefully Nehru and his descendants, all powerful political leaders are anti-Nagas. Jawaharlal Nehru abrogated the 9 point Akbar Hydari Agreement between the Government of India (GOI) and the Naga National Council (NNC) of June 9, 1947 and declared to crash the Naga’s dream of self determination. The bush war that ensued cost tens of thousands Naga lives and thousands more suffered the brutalities of the Indian security forces.
When Nehru died, the mantle of power was passed on to ‘his daughter Indira Gandhi, who abolishes the Privy Purse to the former Indian princely rulers, and adopted other populace measures and she was at its heights. But, Indira utterly failed to resolve the Naga issue. In the step of Nehru, she thought Nagas can be forcibly subdued and adopted repressive measures guided by the Indian political intelligence agencies, the SB and other networks against the Nagas.
The ultimate outcome was the haphazard 1975 Shillong Accord signed by the Naga underground NNC leaders under duress. This dubious deceitfulness of Indira Gandhi had cost thousands of precious Naga lives in the hands of the Indian security agencies and among the Naga factional groups directly or indirectly till to this day.
Down the line, Indira Gandhi daughter-in-law Sonia Gandhi, the president of the ruling congress party and the power behind the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh had steadfastly harping that the territory of Manipur will not be disturbed in the last two consecutive Manipur Assembly election campaigns in the Imphal valley. In other words, the Naga hill regions of Manipur will not be amalgamated with. other Naga territories, which further, goes to say that the Naga territories of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states will not be merged to form a common Nagaland or Nagalim.
Sonia Gandhi’s radical views to maintain the integrity of Manipur has not been of political conviction or love of the Meiteis or hatred of the Nagas. But, simply to win. the two MPs seats to capture power in New Delhi and win majority of the 60 assembly seats to stall a congress party government in the tiny state of Manipur. This greed of power irrespective of the ground realities is what always has been for Nehru and his descendants.
Sonia Gandhi’s utterance against solving one issue (Naga issue) at the cost of a section of people unrest (Meiteis) is not encouraging, is most negative and is a political sin. Only people lacking political will and political wisdom repeat such fouls ideas. Naga issue is a human issue. The state has divided the Nagas and they have to explore ways and authoritatively call upon the states to be affected by the birth right of Naga integration. Failure to convince the opposing group will be nothing short of “failed politics” of the congress party in the unrest Nort East region.
Common Nagas blindly but, with fullest confidences follows the underground great leaders, A. Z. Phizo, Isak Chishi Swu, T. Muivah, S.S. Khaplang and others on the demand of sovereignty and other clauses to safe guard the rights of the present and future Nagas. But, what is integration is well understood by every Nagas. For the interest of the Meiteis, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states, Nagas interest have not to be sacrificed.
Any formulae to solve the Naga issue without Naga integration will be more worst then the 1975 Shillong Accord misadventure. To reverse the like 1975 Shillong Accord, the only option is, the cease fire have to go on or reverted to bush war or civil war may be ensued pursuing the Naga integration course. Naga integration have not to be compromised as without which, the solution will be a “piece meal” solution. For all the ills Sonia Gandhi will be responsible.
P. Lakhao, Convenor
Shepoumaramth Right Watchdog
Senapati District
Will of the people must be respected Lipichem Morungexpress
Yimchunger men performing a dance during the recently held Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization summit held at Kiphire.
Kiphire | November 14 : The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) yesterday held a summit in Kiphire in reaffirmation of their December 18, 2007 Tuensang summit resolution, with all the leaders of different political groups, civil society and tribal leaders.
On December 18, 2007 at Tuensang the ENPO had passed three resolutions: Nagas should unite without territorial demarcation; unity and peace should be there in the ENPO’s jurisdiction and that the will of the people should be respected. The Kiphire summit is a reaffirmation of the Tuensang summit where all the gathering both “over-ground” and the political groups unanimously agreed to adhere to the resolutions.
‘Lets forgive one another and move for peace’
Delivering the keynote address, the president of the ENPO Mongo Phom said, “Every tribe and its leaders talk of peace in Nagaland but so far no tribal could bring out aims and object to peace in Nagaland as the ENPO does.” He said “let’s forgive one another and move for peace in our land.”
ENPO general secretary Toshi Wungtung read out the resolution of the Tuensang summit. ‘It is for the solidarity of all Nagas we are doing this,’ he said adding that the objective of the summit is to be more sensitive to the need of the people.
Leader of “GPRN/NSCN” Wangtin Konyak also addressed the gathering. Comparing the struggle of Nagas to that of the Israelites’ he said ‘everyone should involve in Naga struggle which is very necessary so that our struggle will be fruitful.’ Leader from the NSCN (IM), TT Among shared his opinion to the gathering and said that in ‘Nagaland there is no faction,’ only minor differences amongst the various groups. ‘Take things positively and our work will be fruitful,’ he encouraged. He also cautioned the ENPO, ‘don’t confuse us, in the past at times we were confused by the organization.’
ENPO leaders said the government of India agrees to address social and cultural issues and this is encouraging. However the ‘demographic aspect’ of it, is an open chapter, the ENPO leaders said, with the government of India as “70% of our people are living in Burma and Arunachal Pradesh.” On the recent reported political package to the Nagas by the government of India, the ENPO leaders said ‘we do not know what the package is and it is just a proposal so it is very early to comment.’ Commenting on the cessation of hostilities initiated by the ENPO after its Tuensang summit, ENPO leaders said all Nagas are talking of peace but the ENPO’s initiative was successful. However, it was lamented that “no frontal Naga organization has appreciated the initiative of the ENPO and the reason may be best known to them.” The evening part of the summit was a cultural programme. Sangtam and Yimchunger community members performed cultural dances.
National symposium hold to harness potential of spices in northeast ICT By Peter Chachei by ANI
Dimapur (Nagaland), Nov.14 (ANI): India’s northeastern states hold immense potential for the large-scale cultivation of spices. To encourage its production, a national symposium on spices was organized in Dimapur recently.
The objective was to delve upon ways to harness the existing potential of spices in the northeast region through technology. Themed “Harnessing the potential of North Eastern States for spices through Production Technology Intervention”, the conference was organized by the Indian Society for Spices (ISS) and the Central Institute of Horticulture, Medziphema, Nagaland.
The symposium brought together research organizations, development agencies and farmers on a single platform to exchanges ideas and strategies for boosting the production of spices. Over 200 farmers, entrepreneurs, stake holders, scientists and academicians from across India attended the symposium.
“The Indian society serves as a formal platform to exchange ideas and do what we don’t find based on the inputs from the farmers and traders. We also find newer research been done through the research institute,” said Dr. Anandaraj, President, Indian Institute of Spices Research.
“Spices are very important crop in the north east especially in Nagaland like ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom. We’ve got a lot of export potential but due to scientific management we cannot tackle all these problems but here the spices society of India has given the opportunity to host this spices symposium which is the first time in the history of Nagaland,” said Dr N Benjong Aier, Mission Director, Horticulture, Nagaland Government.
The Spices Board of India has prepared a 350 crore programme for the northeast under which an additional 1,500 hectares of land would be brought under cardamom cultivation.
The program would focus on crop improvement; increase economic return by reducing market risks in terms of yield, integrated pest management and post-harvest technologies.
There is a growing demand for organic spices in the International market and northeast states can offer spices at competitive prices. (ANI)
Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/feature/national-symposium-hold-to-harness-potential-of-spices-in-northeast_100274834.html#ixzz0WzEYVHIy
ULFA facing major crisis R Dutta Choudhury Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 15 – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is facing a major crisis as majority of the central committee members of the outfit are now behind the bars and only four of the top brass of the outfit are at large, and they are out of India. Police sources told The Assam Tribune that among the central committee members of the outfit, chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa is reportedly in Bangladesh, while, the commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah is reportedly moving in three countries-China, Myanmar and Thailand. The deputy C-in-C Raju Baruah is also inBangladesh and he travels to Nepal from time to time, while, another central committee member Jiban Moran is in Myanmar.
Police pointed out that most of the central committee members of the ULFA are now behind the bars. Foreign Secretary Sasha Choudhury and Finance Secretary Chitraban Hazarika, who were picked up in Bangladesh recently, are in police custody, while, vice-chairman Pradeep Gogoi, Cultural Secretary Pranati Deka, Publicity Secretary Mithinga Daimary and Adviser Bhimkanta Buragohain are in jail going through trials. Onecentral committee member Robin Handique already breathed his last and three other senior members – Ashanta Baghphukan, Robin Neog and Benning Rabha were missing since the operation all clear launched by Bhutan Army to drive out the militants camping in that country.
On the functioning of the ULFA, police sources said that Paresh Baruah is the main
person running the outfit at present and during questioning by police, Sasha Choudhury and Chitraban Hazarika also corroborated the fact. Though the ULFA suffered another major setback after the A and C companies of the 28 battalion ofthe outfit declared unilateral cease-fire to express their desire to solve the problems through talks, the remaining cadres of the battalion are still active in some parts of upper Assam and are maintaining their bases in Myanmar.
Police sources revealed that according to information available, the ULFA has three main camps in Myanmar—the headquarter of the 28 battalion, Naga base, which is maintained along withmembers of the NSCN (K) and the Aarakan camp. Sources said that according to information available, apart from Jiban Moran, other prominent ULFAmembers including Bijoy Chinese alias Bijoy Das, Antu Chowdang, Haren Phukan and Sujit Mohan are in the Myanmar bases of the outfit. Chowdang, who is reportedly very close to Paresh Baruah, is believed to be the main man masterminding the operations of the outfit in upper Assam, sources added.
Sources said that efforts are on by the ULFA to revive the 27 battalion in the areas of Nagaon, parts of Karbi Anglong , Morigaon and Sonitpur. After his release on bail, the commander of the battalion, Pallab Saikia has taken over the reigns of the wing and he is trying to revivethe outfit along with other hardcore militants like Baccha Singh and Sagar Toppo, sources said.
The 109 battalion of the ULFA is mainly responsible for transhipment of arms and explosives from Bangladesh and is headed by Drishti Rajkhowa, who is running the operations from Bangladesh. Sources said that Rajkhowa is not staying in Dhaka but he is living near the Indo-Bangla border. The members of the outfit mostly use the international border in Garo Hills of Meghalaya and the riverrine border in Dhubri for smuggling in weapons fromBangladesh.
The 709 battalion, headed by dreaded militant Hira Sarania is active in lower Assam districts and there have been instances when members of the battalion even launched joint operations including kidnappings along with the members of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). According to intelligence inputs, despite deployment of SSB personnel along the international border with Bhutan, the militants of the 709 battalion managed to take advantage of the terrain along the international border to establish some transit camps in the neighbouring country and India has already taken up the issue with the Government of Bhutan, sources said.
Bangla PM to begin India visit on Dec 18 Assam Tribune
DHAKA, Nov 15 (PTI) – Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina will pay a three-day visit to India from December 18, during which the two countries are expected to ink three agreements, including one on combating terrorism and organised crime. Hasina, who will be in New Delhi on her first visit since assuming office this year, is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 19, state-run news agency BSS said quoting officials. It said she would directly fly to New Delhi on December 18 after attending the climate change summit in Copenhagen.
Foreign secretaries of the two sides met here yesterday to review bilateral issues ahead of the visit and “looked into progress on the understanding reached during Foreign Minister Dipu Moni’s visit to India in September last,” officials said.
Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Menon Rao told newsmen she had come here in the “context of preparations for a very significant visit of the Bangladesh premier” to India.
Later at a regular press briefing the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes said the priority issues his country would table at the summit would be sharing of water in common rivers, particularly Teesta, power import, connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan and other border issues.
Quayes said the two countries were expected to ink three agreements — on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters, transfer of sentenced persons and combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking.
Quayes said cooperation on dredging in major rivers, and upgradation of railway systems is also expected to come up for discussion.
He evaded a question on the issue of transit, being pursued by India for a long time, but said there should be “a space for negotiations”. He, however, hinted that New Delhi could seek transit to a third country through Bangladesh during the visit.
India has already offered Bangladesh the facility to use its territory to be connected to Nepal and Bhutan and agreed to provide railway transit for goods transportation between Bangladesh and Nepal.
He said dredging of the Ichhamati river, border issues, law and order, and security issues and Ashuganj as a port of call under the existing water transit protocol could be taken up by India.
Foreign Minister Moni had earlier said the two countries planned to sign several “landmark treaties” during Hasina’s forthcoming India visit as her own tour prepared the grounds for inking the deals.
During Moni’s visit, India agreed to facilitate transit facility for Bangladesh to Nepal and Bhutan, provide at least 100 MW power on priority basis, increase trade and communication facilities and resolve other outstanding issues.
The two sides also agreed to settle three major border related issues on enclaves, lands in adverse possession and un-demarcated border lines under a package.
LTTE not only armed, trained ULFA too: Former rebel Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Nov 15: On top of revelations that the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) bought arms from the Tamil Tigers, a former ULFA leader now says the Assamese separatist group also got military training from the Sri Lankan rebels.
Former ULFA spokesman Sunil Nath said that a small ULFA team from Assam went to Jaffna in Sri Lanka in the early 1990s when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled the northern peninsula.
“We got in touch with the LTTE through a Tamil Nadu politician.” Sunil Nath told IANS in a telephonic interview from Assam. “He (the politician) in turn contacted the LTTE.”
According to Sunil Nath, who has since quit the ULFA and is now a journalist, two Assamese guerrillas were picked to spend some time getting training from the LTTE. But the ULFA men returned to India within a week. According to another former ULFA militant who is now a businessman, they came back ahead of time “because the LTTE training was too tough for them”.
Sunil Nath said the ULFA delegation in Jaffna also met Mahattaya, then the number two in the LTTE. The Tigers executed Mahattaya in 1994 on charges of being an Indian spy. The LTTE, which the Sri Lankan military defeated in May this year ending one of the world’s longest running armed conflicts, has claimed repeatedly that it never interfered in India’s internal affairs. Indian officials have always contested the LTTE claim. The ULFA seeks to secede oil-rich Assam from India.
Sunil Nath said that when the ULFA men returned to India by sea, an LTTE guerrilla accompanied them and went on to travel to ULFA camps in Assam. “The LTTE guy was in his 20s,” he said. “I also met him. We had some discussions.” While Sunil Nath could not name the LTTE man who visited the ULFA camps, Indian official sources said the Tiger was later based in Karnataka under an assumed identity. However, he fell from the LTTE’s grace and hurriedly flew out to Europe, where he now lives.
Sunil Nath’s comments followed the discovery last month of an ULFA document stating the group paid Rs 2.3 million to the LTTE to buy weapons from them.
The document was one of several related to ULFA’s financial transactions that the Indian Army’s 19 Kumaon Regiment seized along with a large cache of weapons and explosives buried in a pit in a forest in Tinsukia district on October 19.
The discovery included 35 kg of RDX explosives, one AK-56 rifle, a grenade launcher, four pen pistols, a carbine machine gun, two 9 mm pistols, detonators and a huge quantity of ammunition and assorted weapons.
Besides training and selling weapons to the ULFA, Indian officials say the LTTE also trained young men from Tamil Nadu to become insurgents. All of them were, however, arrested in the crackdown on the Tigers following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991 by an LTTE suicide bomber. IANS
Huge quantity of NDFB explosives recovered From our Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Nov 15: A joint team of 19 Madrasa Regiment of the Army and Assam Police recovered a huge quantity of explosives and other materials of the Ranjan Daimary-led NDFB inside dense jungles in Chirang reserve forest at Laopani in Kokrajhar district today.
Acting on a specific information, the team of Army and police conducted a search operation in the reserve forest and found the explosives and other materials of NDFB at Laopani in the district along the Indo–Bhutan border. The materials included three Chinese grenades, three FM channel receivers, three HE-36 grenades, eight UGBL grenades, two pencil timers, one 12V battery, two IEDs, eight IED circuits, four IED time-device guns, six IED timers, 156 detonators, one hand grenade, 55 AK-47 ammunition, one pistol and three country-made pistols.
Security forces arrested two NDFB militants — Sudem Basumatary and Jaiklong Gwra Brahma — of the Bismuri area recently.
