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12/17/2009: "Nagas to get political solution as New Year gift: Imkong Our Correspondent EMN"

Nagas to get political solution as New Year gift: Imkong Our Correspondent | EMN
KOHIMA, DEC 17: Home Minister, Imkong L. Imchen while extending Christmas and New Year greetings to the people of the State, sounded optimistic about the Naga political issue, which he said would come to a logical conclusion as a New Year gift to the Naga people.
Interacting with a section of media at his official chamber in State Secretariat today, the Home Minister said “while everybody is exchanging Christmas and New Year gifts, we are equally optimistic that our main Naga Political issue should also come to a logical conclusion as a New Year gift to the Naga people.”
Maintaining that “since last year the people of Nagaland have been experiencing Christmas times as enjoyably as the days before 1990s”, he said that the people have a feeling that they are much nearer to God as they celebrate Jesus’ birthday. “I hope that with the dawn of the New Year so many things will be unfolding for the Naga people especially when the Government of India is sincerely determined to bring and offer meaningful and honorable solution to the Naga Political issue for which Naga people cannot afford to ignore but understand its meaningful dynamics,” he said.
He wished that such kind of atmosphere be continued in our land for the years to come, adding that “this peaceful atmosphere was made possible because of the good wisdom displayed by all sections of the people both individual and organization alongside with continued prayers and appeals.”
He also appreciated the leadership of the Naga underground groups for exhibiting their statesmanship while conducting ‘crisis resolution’ thereby bringing not only total cessation of hostility between each other, but also appreciating each others view points. “The Naga people are hopeful that with such atmosphere of good will and trust the Naga National workers will be able to bring about a final resolution of the political issue with the Government of India at the earliest,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the ‘dynamic and skillful’ leadership of Neiphiu Rio as Chief Minister of the State, fully demonstrated by bringing all sections of the people together in his efforts to find an amicable solution to the vexed Naga issue, which was never an easy task for any ordinary person.
“His broad shoulder could accommodate various diverse opinions and channelise them into a meaningful unity of the Nagas across Party lines,” Imchen said adding that he (Rio) definitely deserves a very joyful Christmas with full of good tidings for the good things that he has done.
The Home Minister also conveyed wishes of Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year to the people of Nagaland.
Naga groups affirm unity, shared future morungexpress


Cadres of various Naga “political” groups hoist the ‘reconciliation flag’ on top of Dimapur’s City Tower. The cadres painted the City Tower during a social work-advent Christmas program organised by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation in Dimapur, on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. Cadres from the NNC/FGN, GPRN/NSCN and NSCN/GPRN took part in the advent Christmas program to bring peace and reconciliation among the various Naga groups. Preparations for the birth of Holy Christ are in full swing in Nagaland. (Photo/Caisii Mao)

Dimapur | December 16 : The “Journey of Common Hope” initiated by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) for reconciliation among various Naga political groups seems to have reached a point of no turning back as three Naga political groups made a solemn reaffirmation of their commitment towards Naga unity and a shared Naga future.
The kilo kilonsers of the three groups - NNC/FGN, GPRN/NSCN and NSCN/GPRN - in their respective Christmas greetings on the occasion of the advent Christmas programme organized by FNR here at Town Baptist Church on Wednesday under the theme “Celebrating Christ”, stressed on reconciliation as the common hope for the Nagas.
FGN kilo kilonser Zaleo in his Christmas greetings said the festive season is also a time for Nagas to do some self-introspection as Nagas have strayed away from the course which their forefathers have set out in such a holistic manner, pledging their land and people to Christ under the banner “Nagaland for Christ.”
“Yet under this banner let us see how we live in the name of nationalism. Is it in conformity with the principle of sovereignty that we butchered each other for the past 29 years brining agony to ourselves? He asked and added that as national workers, it is their foremost duty to observe and honour Christian principles and to be in conformity with the pledge “Nagaland for Christ.” Conveying gratitude to FNR for arranging the pre-Christmas celebration, the FGN kilonser sincerely wished that Nagas succeed and prosper through the Reconciliation process.
‘NSCN/GPRN’ kilo kilonser Keditsu Tsuzuh in his greetings message, which was read out by MIP kilonser Vikiye Sumi, called upon Nagas to lay aside differences and look forward to the future.
“Let us than thank God for His unfailing love to us. Let us forgive one another and praise God in one chorus and let this gathering be the beginning of our Naga family journey to our destiny in one accord and one voice. Let us lay aside our differences and look forward to what our Lord has prepared for our nation,” Tsuzuh said in his message.
He further thanked the FNR convenor and members for their “tireless service for the cause of our nation.”
GPRN/NSCN kilo kilonser Azheto Chophy in his message said it is only through the “common hope” that Naga people can experience real peace and harmony, while also paving the way for a political solution between Nagas and Government of India.
“The great sense of urgency towards unity and reconciliation among the Naga political groups is a natural progression towards our desired political destination. GPRN/NSCN’s commitment and resolve to unite all Naga brothers is a lofty yet attainable mission and a firm pledge,” the kilo kilonser said.
While congratulating FNR for continually insisting on upholding core human values and Christian principles in Nagaland as opposed to killing and bloodshed, Azheto also thanked other Naga frontal organizations for being the sources of strength in seeking unity and commonness in the Naga struggle.
NBCC general secretary, Rev. Dr. Anjo Keikung, in his advent message conveyed his pleasure in addressing the joint congregation and said how good it is for God’s people to live and worship together.
Reminding the congregation of how Jesus, the son of God, had come to the world to redeem mankind, Rev Keikung said Nagas as Christians must have the “commitment and clarity in a very living and personal way.”
FNR convenor Rev. Dr. Wati Aier in his closing note said Nagas are no longer bound by anxieties and hopelessness, but that they are in an advent world. “For the Nagas it is a moment of active waiting - filled with joyous anticipation. This is so, because, Nagas have made a treaty with God and with each other. In this treaty, we have broken down fences built between Nagas, of anger, hate and contempt. In the Advent community, there is no more East and West, yellow and brown, A and B. We are all one in Christ.”
Rev. Wati also said that to be in the advent community “does not mean for you and I to be sitting next to someone with whom I am in agreement, but next to one for whom I am not in agreement. On such fronts can today find the creative reality of love.” He further said that when one respects the image of God in his opponent, then there originates the “true Naga-hood in Christ.”
Highlights of the programme included gift exchange among cadres of the three groups, “advent medley” presented by students of Oriental Theological Seminary, music and jokes by cadres of GPRN/NSCN, “Kuknalim” a song by OTS students dedicated to the Journey of Common Hope and prayer of dedication. President Dimapur Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship Loli Kape read out as passage from the Bible and offered invocation prayer.
FNR member Rev. Pughoto Aye chaired the programme. A grand feast followed the service.
Representatives from churches and civil society such as the NBCC, Nagaland Christian Forum, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, DNSU, ENPO, United Naga Council and Naga Women Union Dimapur, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Naga Students Federation and many concerned Naga citizens also attended the celebration.

United in resolve, purpose

Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 16
In a rare display of putting the bitter past ‘behind’ and looking forward to a shared common destiny, cadres from three Naga ‘political’ groups today joined hands to decorate the Clock Tower – the main landmark of Dimapur town. Around 40 cadres including a handful of females drawn from the NNC/FGN, GPRN/NSCN and NSCN/GPRN converged at Clock Tower junction at 8am, following a briefing at Town Baptist Church.
Sporting camouflage and white t-shirts with the words “Reconciliation” inscribed on them, the cadres didn’t wield guns this time but brushes and paint cans, to set an example of “turning swords into ploughshares.” The agile cadres scaled the upper reaches of the tower and hoisted the white “Reconciliation flag” on the pinnacle of the tower.
FNR member Rev Pughoto Aye offered prayers before the social work commenced.
Armed not with guns, but with brushes and silver paints in hand, the cadres started painting the tower and its base. There was visible sense of bonding and camaraderie developing among cadres of the three groups as the work progressed, punctuated by laughter at regular intervals as some of the more humorous cadres shared jokes and laughter. FNR members led by their convenor Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, students of OTS and leaders of the three groups aided and supervised the social work.

Sonia envoy meets MLAs OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Dec.15: Union minister of state for parliamentary affairs and AICC general secretary V. Narayanasamy, today met all the 19 Nagaland Congress legislators in the wake of a demand for a change in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leadership.
He also met leaders of Nagaland PCC and chiefs of frontal wings of the party.
AICC president Sonia Gandhi had to depute Narayanasamy to take stock of the situation with the crisis in the party deepening.
Except for the three prominent Congress leaders — Nagaland PCC president K.V. Pusa, former chief minister K.L. Chishi and former leader of the Opposition and a contender for the president of Nagaland PCC I. Imkong — the rest wanted a change in the leadership.
The 13 Congress legislators have projected former roads and bridges minister Tokheho Yepthomi as their next leader.
Leader of the CLP Chingwang Konyak said he was ready to step down if the members had lost confidence in him, but at the same time cautioned of future consequences if the current crisis continued till the next election.
He said the foremost objective of the Congress should be to win the next election and not fight for the leadership at this juncture.
Whoever takes over the leadership of the CLP it would be a Herculean task to topple the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government because of the anti-defection law, he added.
“Our MLAs are restless and want to come to power. Who does not want to be in power, but the anti-defection law has become so strong,” the leader said.
Konyak has already told Sonia Gandhi and Narayanasamy to take decision as he was neither a contender for the leadership of Nagaland PCC nor a leader of the CLP but it was the decision of the AICC to let him take over the CLP leadership.
“It is not K.L. Chishi, Imkong or K.V. Pusa but the others who wanted to change the CLP leader,” he added.
On the other hand, Chishi has been lobbying all these months for the CLP leadership, though he could not muster support from the legislators.
Congress sources said the 13 MLAs do not want the leadership of the former chief minister.
Sources said though dissidents have claimed that 13 MLAs were on their side for the change of leadership, Congress MLA from Ghaspani, Hewoto Awomi, was unlikely to be in the bandwagon.
Tokheho Yepthomi could not be contacted for his comment on the current politicking in the party.
The Congress which won 23 seats in the 2008 Assambly election was reduced to 19 after four MLAs resigned and joined the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the main alliance of the DAN government.
The four former Congress legislators had cited leadership crisis in the party astheir main reason for defecting to the NPF, but the Congress refuted their claim.
The Congress has never admitted disunity in the party.
But the current crisis is most likely to have far-reaching effect on the prospects of the party in the fragile eastern part of the state.
Konyak does not want to comment anything on this, but political observers believe that dislodging the leadership of CLP (Konyak) would not go well with the Congress in the near future as Konyak has considerable support in these areas.
Valley’s Secrets World Sikh News
It tears our hearts asunder to note that a movement led by completely devoted fighters of the Sikh community did not come close to a situation to which those fighting for Kashmir have taken theirs. Behind India's claims that it has been successful in getting the militant organizations to come to a negotiating table in Kashmir, hidden beneath its glee that New Delhi has managed to somehow clinch a deal with the fighting Naga rebels is a hard reality that the world knows only too well, no matter how much the Indian media cooperates with the establishment to hide.
New Delhi has got its nose nastily bloodied and had little other option but to accept demands of Kashmiris and Nagas which it so casually rejected out of hand only a few years ago. The brave people of Kashmir and Nagaland have brought India to its knees.
Look at Kashmir.
Three young men with a tragic and powerful common bond — they lost their fathers to terrorists on exactly the same day 12 years apart (May 12), targeted for trying to talk to New Delhi. Meet Hurriyat’s new generation leaders Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Sajjad and Bilal Lone and of course that often lonely voice who knows how much a gun weighs and what state persecution and prosecution can do, JKLF chief Yasin Mallik.
These are the men leading the secret talks which are no more secret.
The sincerity that has been displayed by these Kashmiri leaders has ensured that even the secret talks were undertaken after making an announcement that "secret talks will be happening." That is the kind of transparency that often was lacking in Punjab. Even after India's Home Minister P. Chidambaram was made to admit in Parliament what his government took great pains to deny for months — that he was in ‘quiet talks’ with separatist Kashmiri leaders, there was a quite acceptance in the Valley.
The street is watching, and if the deal is skewed, it will rise. Chidambaram has done the right thing by announcing withdrawal of several paramilitary battalions from the valley, pushing Jammu-Kashmir police into the frontlines of state security and promising some other measures, but Kashmir needs a much more decisive healing touch.
Just like the north-east, Kashmir too must insist on completely scrapping the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). We understand that it will be difficult to find a consensus among Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Leader of the opposition Mehbooba Mufti, the various Hurriyat factions, the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Pakistan interlocutors and New Delhi but it should be clear to all that there is no sole representative of the Kashmiri people. In fact, that is a mistake that armed movements often make, and then pay heavily for.
The ongoing talks may not be an opportunity for final resolution but they are a chance to change the course of history from here onwards. New Delhi refuses to acknowledge that Pakistan has made a contribution to the ongoing talks that will be criminal not to acknowledge. The ceasefire along the Line of Control announced in November 2003 has largely held for six years and it is because of this that other initiatives have followed.
The Srinagar-Muzzafarabad bus, the Manmohan Singh-Musharraf talks (2004-2007), the return of the Army to barracks in Srinagar, Baramullah, Kupwara and Anantnag, the transfer of control to paramilitary forces, the strengthening of the J&K police force, and work on cross-LOC linkages- transport, trade, tourism all are a result of Pakistan's commitment to the ceasefire.
New Delhi is acting too small by refusing to acknowledge and is acting as a rogue by continuously demonizing its neighbor.
As for those talking, it is for the Hurriyat’s factions and Kashmiri people to decide how much they want to descend from their declared objective of achieving Azaadi, the rallying cry for the Kashmiris. Those involved in secret talks must understand that the silence or absence of defiance by the war weary Kashmiri should not be treated as a change in the sentiment.
Stop crackdown: Indian insurgents Assam
New Delhi, Dec 11 (bdnews24.com) – The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has appealed to Awami League government to stop its ongoing crackdown against the insurgent organisations of northeastern India.

"A party like the Awami League, which fought for Bangladesh's freedom, should try and understand our passion for independence.

"We are fighting against Indian colonialism much the same way they fought against colonialism of Pakistan," the ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Barua said in a statement e-mailed to bdnews24.com.

Four other insurgent outfits of the troubled region--the outlawed Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)--have also echoed the ULFA.

"We know that the spirit of freedom has always prevailed, even against the strongest power on earth.

"And we believe that in the spirit of freedom the people of Bangladesh will have sympathy and support for our liberation struggle transcending their government's contrary policies," they said in the joint statement with ULFA.

The ULFA has been pursuing an armed struggle since 1979 with the professed objective of liberating the hydrocarbon-rich northeastern Indian state of Assam from what they term as New Delhi's 'colonial rule'. Thousands have died during its insurgent campaign.

Barua heads the armed wing of the outlawed organisation. The NDFB too is fighting for an independent homeland for two million Bodos, who live in parts of western Assam and are among the early settlers of the state.

The MPLF is a conglomeration of three secessionist rebel organisations of another northeastern Indian state Manipur.

The NLFT and ATTF are also fighting against the Indian government with the objective of liberating Tripura from colonial rule of India.

"The people of northeast India wholeheartedly supported the Bangladesh liberation war, so why should Bangladesh not support our struggle," Barua said in the communiqué from an undisclosed location.

The ULFA military chief's appeal to the AL government came a week after New Delhi announced the arrest of the outfit's chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa by the Border Security Force (BSF) near the India-Bangladesh border at Dawki in northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya.

Raju Barua, the deputy commander-in-chief of ULFA's armed wing, was also arrested along with Rajkhowa on Dec 4 last

Sources in the Indian government's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), however, had said that Rajkhowa had been picked up from somewhere in Bangladesh and was unofficially handed over to the BSF.

Dhaka has categorically denied that Rajkhowa was detained in Bangladesh.

But Rajkhowa, himself, indicated that he had been arrested in Bangladesh. "Bangladesh has betrayed us (ULFA)," he had told journalists when produced in a court in Guwahati, the capital of Assam, on Dec 5.

The five insurgent outfits in their joint statement said that the "arrest and hand-over" of Rajkhowa and other leaders of ULFA by the Bangladesh government had deeply hurt the sentiments of the peoples Assam, Manipur and Tripura, who had contributed in no small way to the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971.

"It may be recalled that our region served the much needed rear base of the Bangladesh liberation war. The peoples of Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura provided generous shelters to hundreds of thousands of freedom fighters of Bangladesh.

"And now our Region provides shelter for livelihood to hundreds of thousands of migrant Bangladeshis," the proscribed organisations stated.

"It is, therefore, only natural that the peoples of our region now engaged in liberation struggles feel betrayed in their hour of need by this act of the Bangladesh government."

The ULFA military chief Barua also strenuously denied Indian media reports that his organisation was aplnning to launch attacks in Bangladesh to avenge the handover of Rajkhowa and other leaders.

"We are not waging war against any other country, we are only fighting India, but we appeal to Dhaka not to fall prey to Indian colonialism," he said.

India and Bangladesh have not yet inked any bilateral extradition treaty. Delhi has also long been conveying to Dhaka its concern over Indian insurgents and terrorists having bases in Bangladesh.

But some sources have suggested that Dhaka has recently accepted Delhi's proposal for a tacit understanding to track down and catch the fugitives of India illegally taking shelter in Bangladesh.

Last month two ULFA leaders – its 'finance secretary' Chitrabon Hazarika and 'foreign secretary' Shashadhar Choudhury – were arrested by the BSF near the Indo-Bangla border in Tripura.

The ULFA alleged at the time too that Hazarika and Choudhury had in fact been picked up by some unidentified men from a residential area in Dhaka and later handed over to the BSF.

After the detention of the ULFA chairman and others, its military wing chief Barua is the only top leader of the outfit who is still absconding. Indian intelligence officials believe that Barua too was based in Dhaka, at least till recently.

In March 2008, two men Mohammed Hafijur Rehman and Din Mohammed, both prime accused in the Chittagong arms haul case, had confessed in the court that the 10 truck-loads of weapons and ammunition that was seized in 2004 had in fact been meant for the ULFA.

Rehman also revealed that Barua, himself, had supervised the arms-smuggling operation.

It is not clear now if Barua is still in Bangladesh or has fled to any other neighbouring country in the wake of the crackdown by Dhaka on Indian insurgents and terrorists.

Amid speculation of a peace-process between the government of India and ULFA, Barua said if India was a people's democracy, it should allow the "voice of the people of Assam to be heard."

"Negotiations must be free and unfettered. Or else, India should hold a referendum or a plebiscite and let the people of Assam express themselves freely. If they say they want to be part of India, so be it.

"We will accept the people's verdict but the conduct of the plebiscite should be free and fair and nobody should try to influence it," said Barua.
Nine-day remand for Ulfa leaders A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Security personnel keep vigil in front of the Central Jail in Guwahati on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Dec. 17: The once-bitten-twice shy police today turned the Central Jail here into a “camp court” for two Ulfa leaders and another militant after the fiasco at the CJM’s court on December 5 when a section of the people gathered there raised pro-outfit slogans.
The court of chief judicial magistrate Robin Phukan remanded Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Barua and Rajkhowa’s bodyguard Raja Bora, in nine days’ police custody in connection with three fresh cases slapped on them. Their 12-day remand ended today.
The three blast-related cases were registered at Paltan Bazar, Bharalumukh and Bhangagarh police stations in the city.
The police had sought 14 days’ remand for each of the three cases.The “camp court”, said to be a first in Assam, was formed today following a request by Assam chief secretary P.C. Sharma to Gauhati High Court that a special court be set up to produce the Ulfa leaders in the “greater interest of the public”.
The High Court Administration Committee acceded to the request of the chief secretary. Tight security arrangements were made at the entrance to the Central Jail with at least two officers of the rank of superintendent of police monitoring the situation. Policemen in plainclothes were also deployed near the entrance of the jail following the December 5 goof-up.
The two SPs shook hands after the “success” of the two-and-a-half hourlong session of the “camp court”, as there were no pro-Ulfa slogans this time.
A convoy of seven vehicles carrying the two Ulfa leaders and Raja Bora entered the jail around 2.30pm.
The two dark-tinted maroon-coloured Boleros in the convoy were believed to have carried Rajkhowa and Barua; there was hardly an opportunity for the waiting media personnel to get a glimpse of the duo.
The “camp court” allowed the family members of the two leaders — Ajay Rajkonwar, brother of Rajkhowa, their sister Chandrama Rajkumari, Jiten Kalita, brother of Raju Barua and Sarat Kalita, brother-in-law of Barua — to interact for a few minutes.
“He asked about our mother and our village. He also said he has been allowed to stay with his family,” Chandrama told reporters outside the jail.
Rajkonwar said his brother told him there had been no progress in the matter of talks between Ulfa and the government.
Gorlosa remand
Jewel Gorlosa, the arrested DHD (J) chief, was remanded in the custody of Nagaon jail by a court here on Thursday.
ULFA got money from political parties
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 17 – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) received “benefits” from political parties mostly in forms of money, particularly during every subsequent elections. This revelation came during questioning of the arrested leaders of the ULFA, highly placed security sources said.

Sources told The Assam Tribune that the ULFA leaders, including the chairman of the outfit Arabinda Rajkhowa, did not divulge the name of any political leader who paid money to the outfit.

Sources said that the ULFA was involved in selling arms and ammunition to different militant groups of the region including ATTF, NLFT, KLNLF etc as over the years,the outfit managed to establish very good contacts with the clandestine arms dealers of South East Asian countries, while, the outfit also received Programmable Time Device (PTD) Switches from Pakistan. The outfit still has a good stock of PTD switches and the potential to trigger off explosions. However, seizures of a large number of weapons of the ULFA in 2004 and 2007 in Bangladesh severely affectedthe outfit, sorces added.

Security sources pointed out that over the years, the pattern of violence by the militants belonging to the ULFA changed considerably and the outfit is now involved more in triggering off explosives rather than using weapons to engage security forces in gun battle. The availability of unused weapons enabled the ULFA to offload weapons to other militant groups of the region as was done by the NSCN(I-M) in the past.

Sources said that the relation between ULFA and the NSCN (I-M) was never very cordial because of various reasons and one of the main

reasons is the demand of the Naga militant outfit for creation of Greater Nagalim , which includes areas of seven districts of Assam. The close ties between the ULFA and NSCN (K) is the other major reason for the differences between the ULFA and NSCN (I-M). Though both the outfits refrained from attacking each other, the relations were never very comfortable and the fact was admitted by the arrestedleaders of the ULFA.

Though the ULFA leaders were forced to keep mum on the problem of infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals to Assam as they were taking shelter in that country, the top leaders including Rajkhowa were not supportive of infiltration. Interestingly, it is a established fact that the ULFA leaders had close contacts in Bangladesh in political and official levels, they are yet to disclose the names of their contacts during questioning.