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12/18/2009: "HM hopes for early solution of Naga pol problem Nagaland Page"
HM hopes for early solution of Naga pol problem Nagaland Page
Nagaland Home Minister, Imkong L Imchen today said that prevailing peace in the state has been 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 stated that the leadership of the Naga Underground groups has exhibited their statesmanship while conducting crisis resolution thereby bringing not only total cessation of hostility between each other, but also understanding each others view points with appreciation.
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 added.
Lauding the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for bringing all sections of the people together in his efforts to find an amicable solution to the vexed Naga issue, Imkong stated that Rio's broad shoulder could accommodate various diverse opinions and channelize them into a meaningful unity of the Nagas across party lines.
The Home Minister also hoped that with the dawn of the Happy New Year many things would unfold 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 or but understand its meaningful dynamics.
"While everybody is exchanging Christmas and Happy New Year gifts, we care equally optimistic that our main Naga Political issue should also come to a logical conclusion as a New Year gift to the Naga people," he said and he and his family conveyed to the people of Nagaland a Merry Christmas and a joyous Happy New Year. (Page News Service)
Nagaland: A land of beauty smeared morungexpress
A tourist takes a photograph with Khiamniungan Naga men during the recently-held Hornbill Festival at Kisama. (Sorei Mahong Photo)
Dimapur | December 17 : Nagaland is a land of serene beauty, a state with diverse cultures where love finds a meaning in the heart-warming hospitability of the people. But Nagaland is sketched with an image of a trouble and violence with its history of political struggle and conflict. Decades of alienation accompanied by the “backward” tag, many people still imagine Nagas as head-hunters.
This in many ways has hampered the progress of the Naga society and has served the purpose of putting Nagaland in the spotlight – if only for the wrong reasons. The Media has always taken the lead in disseminating information about what the rest of the world needs to know about the Nagas. But sadly, the Media – both local and national – have hardly been sympathetic and it is proving difficult, though not impossible, to repair the damage caused.
Nagaland is seen as a potential tourist destination and with the willingness from the government the state can become a hotspot. The government is now in the quest for improving the state’s GDP through tourism. The rich flora and fauna attributes the state becoming a major tourist destination in the India, and the state government has already taken up major projects to enhance the tourism sector.
The Hornbill festival for instance, is becoming a major attraction not only for domestic but foreign visitors as well. The government’s move to identify and develop tourist villages across the state is also a step forward. But all this has really not done much to wipe out the fear psychosis amongst the different outside peoples who want to visit the state, but live under the impression that Nagaland is not a save haven.
“It begins at the source,” a senior government officer in the Tourism department says, referring to the Indian embassies in foreign countries. According to the officer, most tourists are met with the same question: “Why do you want to go to Nagaland? There are lots other places to see in India.” Obviously the embassies are either ill-informed about Nagaland or prejudiced, the officer says. A Naga artist who travels to foreign countries for performances also says that the Indian embassies are ill-informed. Considering many of those working at the embassies have probably not visited Nagaland, they only visualize what is portrayed in the Media, the artist says. Violence, naked people, man-eaters is just what most mainland Indians think of Nagas, the government officer adds. “The enthusiasm to visit a place they so happily imagine as beautiful is shattered due to ignorance,” he says, and many people change their destination for ignorance sake.
For all the years that Media has sketched the image of a trouble-torn state, the government is now sending out a more welcoming picture. It has been vigorously campaigning in the country and abroad to promote tourism. The North East Zone Culture Centre in its own way is showcasing the rich art and culture of the state through various platforms. “Even the leadership of both the NSCN factions welcomes any person who wants to visit the state. There is no threat whatsoever from them and that must be made known to all,” the Tourism officer says. He asserts the Media must stop the practice of depicting the state with violence, armed struggle and underdevelopment; then only can the fear psychosis leave the minds of people, he adds.
An Opinion on Hornbill Festival Kevi Meru Morungexpress
•-Is it true that the Hornbill is almost extinct in Nagaland? Do not lose heart, for Nagas can take a tour to Arunachal (please cut the word ‘Pradesh’ --- for me) and watch the elegant bird there. Lately on the Northeast channel I saw a documentary where the Hornbill abundantly adorn a forest in Arunachal.
Hornbill Festival without Hornbill. Reminds me of the recent Republican Tea Party without drinking tea in the US (a protest against Obama’s economic stimulus package) --- symbolic of the Boston Tea Party when Americans revolted against colonial England and dumped British tea on Boston sea harbor. Americans also eat ‘hot dog’ which is neither hot nor dog.
I’m still not impressed with our roads, but that’s another story and I have said something about it earlier in July. If I can have my way, I’d convert the tiny lake at BOC into a horse shoe shape walkway toward the present sheds. Then over the dry portion toward traffic point erect a surface to road level and turn it into a parking lot. A paid parking lot controlled by Area Town Committee or whoever has claim to the land. This would add a little beauty and breathing space for traffic. During events at the Academy Hall, the parking lot can be reserved by organizers.
Now for some observations during Hornbill Festival. Thanks. I took a week off from work and came to Nagaland to see it, but ended up spending more time visiting friends and enjoyed many pleasant surprises. Kohima is changing for the better on many fronts (I got lost in Dimapur too --- the train station is cleaner, but can do better). Though not keen on speaking Nagamese, I have been compelled to use it while asking for directions. True to claim, I hardly saw drunkards at Kisama, except when returning to Kohima at night. Four young ladies were tipsy with wine and speaking (Nagamese) more than was necessary. I was in the front seat and to my dismay the young driver decided to impress the ladies. He was speeding and overtaking like crazy and even dialed his cell phone for a pointless chat with a friend.
At Kisama’s inner gate, the marked vehicles were allowed to proceed through, while all others had to park and pay Rs. 5 entrance fee. Fine. But one thing I had second thought on was lack of bus service for all visitors without vehicles. I felt it might have dissuaded some from coming to the occasions. One had get on a taxi and cough Rs. 40 to and Rs. 40 from Kisama. That’s Rs. 80 just to show up. Not much, but considering the general apathy of the local public it cannot be considered an incentive to flock to Kisama. Next year please advertise and provide a beautifully decorated bus service from BOC to Kisama hourly. To my surprise I even heard a little groan from certain Christians when they discovered I was attending the Hornbill Festival. Please don’t get super-spiritual and learn to enjoy some moments when occasions call for it.
Thanks to KCCI (Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries) for the well-monitored evening outings for families. Blocking the whole stretch of road and letting folks enjoy strolls, fellowship and choice foods was a great idea. Before I wrap up, I cannot resist adding another tip for our roads. For a start, from City Church to BOC (and beyond) please top the roads from end to end (and please smoothen the road in front of War Cemetary ASAP). For drain, make it a wide “V” with gentle incline, so vehicles can even utilise the drain for parking in emergencies. For hill stations where road widening is a problem, in most places a square drain would be a waste of space --- I have seen wheels getting stuck in such places.
A very Merry Christmas!
Kevi Meru
Paresh Baruah is in China: SSB chief From our Correspondent Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Dec 17: Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Director General MV Krishna Rao today said ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah has shifted his base to China from Myanmar.
Rao, while addressing SSB’s annual press conference here, said: “ULFA c-in-c Paresh Baruah and some of his colleagues have moved into China’s Yunnan province with the help of his contacts which may be from the People’s Liberation Army.” He also said the chairman of the anti-talk faction of the NDFB, Ranjan Daimary, is believed to be out of Burma.
Replying to a question, Rao said: “Vigilance along the Bhutan border is very tight. We don’t think any ULFA cadres or cadres of other outfits are moving around there.”
Since 2001, the SSB has arrested 6,118 people, including 15 NDFB and 18 illegal infiltrators. The SSB is spread out along Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders across the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Ethnic leaders welcomed NLD leadership reformation Myint Maung Mizzima
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Ethnic political leaders in Burma on Thursday welcomed leaders of the National League for Democracy party’s consideration reforming party leadership.
NLD Chairman Aung Shwe, Secretary U Lwin, central executive committee member Lun Tin and detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday, during a rare meeting arranged by the government, discussed on reforming party leadership as many of the CEC are ageing and a few ailing.
“Aung Shwe, Lun Tin and U Lwin all agreed to Daw Suu’s suggestion of reforming party leadership, which is a good sign and we welcome it. The party needs younger generation as we do not know how long our struggle will continue,” Thakhin Chan Tun, a veteran politician in Rangoon, told Mizzima.
Aye Thar Aung, secretary of the Committee for Representing People’s Parliament’ (CRPP), a group formed with members of parliament elected in 1990 elections, said, “We welcome the meeting between the NLD CEC members. We know that the CEC will be expanded with new members. It is a good sign as a first step.”
Similarly, Cin Sian Thang, chairman of the Zomi National Congress (ZNC), said, “NLD is the biggest and strongest party in Burma. Many have said aging and inactive leaders should retire. It is good to see Daw Suu paying her respects to the three elderly leaders and they agreeing to her proposal. I think it is not only for the party, it’s also good for our country.”
The Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate on Wednesday was granted her request to allow her to pay respect to three of the NLD’s aging leaders Seinlea Kan Thar state guest house. The NLD leaders met for about an hour, where detained party general secretary proposed of reforming party CEC. Reportedly, all the three aging leaders agreed to her proposal.
For the past nearly two decades, the 1990 election winning party the NLD is served by the 92 year-old chairman U Aung Shwe, 88 year-old CEC member U Lun Tin and 85 year-old secretary U Lwin.
“Those ageing leaders and in frail health should retire, as they cannot carry their duties effectively. Active and capable persons should be inducted in the leadership and the elderly leaders should advise the new leaders,” Thakin Chan Tun suggested.
“The leadership should be expanded by inducting capable and smart youths replacing frail and inactive aging leaders. This is routine in any party. We hope, in this way, the party will become dynamic and can work effectively for democracy and Burma,” Aye Thar Aung said.
The three party leaders Aung Shwe, U Lwin, and Lun Tin are currently joined in the CEC by General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, Vice-Chairman Tin Oo, who is also currently under house arrest, members Win Tin, Than Tun, Thakin Soe Myint, Hla Pe, Nyunt Wei and U Khin Maung Swe.
(Edited by Ye Yint Aung)
Moreh turning into sex workers' paradise Indo Burma news The Sangai Expess
December 14, 2009: Imphal, Close affinity of the border towns of Moreh on the Indian side and Tamu of Myanmar as well as easy accessibility into Moreh from the other side is creating headache to health officials as number of sex workers pouring into Moreh town has been showing signs of gradual increase.
While most of these sex workers are informed to be from the Myanmar side, Moreh being the largest commercial town on the Indian side of the international border is also a place where maximum numbers of single males stay overnight.
The danger, according to informed sources, is not in the influx of sex workers but the fact that many of them are habitual drug users who indulge in the immoral act to earn money for satisfy their drug thrust.
Apprehension of periodical crackdown by the military junta on the Myanmar side compared to friendlier environment in administrative sense, are the other factors why the sex workers prefer Moreh to sustain the flesh trade, the sources opined.
In the course of a study on the trans-border sex workers, it came to light that majority of the women involved in the flesh trade pass through the international border (Gate No.2) posing as domestic helpers such as cooks and dish/cloth washers and once inside Moreh hotel owners/runners take charge.
At an average, a sex worker charges between Rs 150 to 500 with the rate going up to nearly Rs 2000 if the engagement involves staying overnight.
NGO sources also accounted about 30 sex workers entering Moreh on a daily basis with each of them providing service to about 3/4 customers in a single day.
In a significant disclosure, the sources insisted that the sex workers are paying monthly tax of Rs 500 to the Myanmar Army whereas Indian security personnel on the Moreh side are said to form substantial number of customer-base for these sex workers.
Notwithstanding sense of insecurity on the Myanmar soil by the customers, the military authorities reportedly approve flesh trade activities at three brothels within Tamu with eight other brothels home-based.
On the otherhand, information has also been received that among the sex workers there are also many who are from various community of Manipur and their flesh trade crosses the border upto Tamu at the least.
As per record maintained by an NGO run with fundings of MACS, Moreh is home to about 260-270 registered sex workers of whom many are young girls.
Out of these number, 160/170 are said to be Myanmarese.
The NGO on its part is involved in promotional campaigns on use of condoms by the sex workers, checking of HIV prevalence and counselling services.
