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01/09/2010: "NSCN-K not to hold talks Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network"

NSCN-K not to hold talks Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, January 07 2010: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) led by SS Khaplang has said that it will never hold talks with the Government of India unless all the Naga underground factions come under one roof.

The NSCN-K also said that no faction can represent the Nagas while negotiating with the GOI.

The NSCN-K leaders said this on the sideline of the routine meeting of the outfit and the Government's Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) in Dimapur yesterday.

On the other hand, CFMG chairman Lieutenant General Mandhata Singh has said that given the prevailing peaceful atmosphere the solution to the Naga political issue is no more a distant thing.

The CFMG chief was pointing at the relative peace in Naga areas where factional clashes have been minimum for the last few months after the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has begun its initiative.

Mandhata Singh then discouraged underground factions on the collections of 'taxes' so that the general public will face less hardship.
AZSU against Kuki militants designated camp Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 07 2010: The All Zeliangrong Students Union (AZSU), Assam, Manipur and Nagaland urged upon the Manipur government to reconsider to the reported proposal to set up designated camp of SoO for Kuki militants at Zoujangtiang/Zoujangtek under Khoupum police station of Nungba sub-division of Tamenglong district.

The union strongly fell that Kuki militants and Naga nationalists group should be set up peace centres at their respective dominated areas to avoid undesirable conflict and consequences.

The reported proposal will create complicacy and inconveniencies for all concern, the statement signed by Joshua Dangmei, general secretary, AZSU stated today.
Nagaland is experiencing an atmosphere of peace’ DIPR
Mokokchung, January 8 (DIPR): Nagaland Minister for Forests, Environment, Ecology & Wild Life, M.C. Konyak has embarked on a tour of Mon and Longleng districts from 4th January 2010 attending a number of public meetings and functions. On January 5, the Minister attended sports meet at Wakching village as the chief guest and on 6th, he attended the 24th Longching Area Students Conference-cum-Sports meet at Angchangyang.
Addressing the meeting at Angchangyang M.C. Konyak gave a clarion call to student community to play a proactive role in ushering in all round development in the area. He felt that students have a big role to play to transform ‘our society’ even though their ultimate aim is to pursue academic knowledge. He also dwelt on fostering peace in the state saying peace is a pre-requisite to undertake uninterrupted developmental activities in the state. The Minister also shared his happiness that Nagaland is experiencing an atmosphere of peace and tranquility particularly from the middle of 2009 and the atmosphere of peace in the land enabled people of Nagaland to celebrate violent-free Christmas and New Year through out the State.
On 7th M.C. Konyak proceeded to Noksen village under Longleng district to attend a public meeting after a night halt at Mokokchung with a host of officers from the department. At Noksen village the public meeting will also be attended by C.M. Chang, MP, Lok Sabha and H. Chuba Chang, MLA. On January 9, M.C. Konyak will have a meeting with departmental officials at Shengphan in Mon District and he will return to Kohima on January 10.

A trip to Kohima Travel,Kohima Anoop Verma
You would not expect to find the name of a place like Kohima in the itinerary of most normal tourists. Only someone infected by the wanderlust dares to stray off the beaten path. I thought that a few days spent in the vibrant natural beauty of this hilly city would serve as a good way of exorcising the mind of the ennui-ridden humdrum realities of Delhi's concrete jungle. Even though Kohima is the capital of Nagaland, it doesn't have an airport of its own. May be the terrain is too hilly for an airport. The only airport is in Dimapur, from where Kohima is 3-4 hours away by road. I took a flight to Kolkata, from where my connecting flight to Dimapur took-off in three hours. It was around 12 in the noon that we landed in Dimapur and as soon as I emerged out of the plane, a light breeze carrying the scent of far-flung mountains fanned me with butterfly wings. Outside the airport, there were long lines of jeeps. I hired one of them for Kohima. Soon, I was perched on the backseat of the jeep, enjoying the beauty of Nagaland. There was something intensely gratifying in travelling down the road, meandering through an unending series of mountain ranges, draped with greenery. Most fascinating was the sight of the myriad waterfalls conjuring milky hues as they poured down mountainsides, into baying mouths of the deep valleys. There is an abundance of green terrace farms, which seem to be a part of the natural landscape rather than being manmade. Much of the journey had the jeep racing down narrow roads with the high mountain on one side and a deep gorge on the other side. But the traffic on the road felt pretty decent, no one overtook, unless a vehicle was going very slowly. Boastingly, the jeep's driver told me, "Overtaking is not part of Naga culture. We prefer to wait for our turn." As we came closer to Kohima, the elevation kept getting higher. I also noticed that the mountains had become dotted with all types of exotic wild flowers. A type of an orchid seemed to be growing in great abundance and I learned from the driver that its name was Blue Venda. There were marigolds in deep maroon and shocking orange, chrysanthemums in white, magenta, yellow and maroon. Kohima, the capital of Nagaland situated at a height of 1,444 meters above sea-level, turned out to be a quiet hilly town crisscrossed with broad streets and lined by bright flamboyant trees. Soon, the jeep was parked in front of the grand entrance of Hotel Japfu, a government-owned hotel located in the heart of Kohima. It took three hours for me to reach the hotel from the airport. A Naga with genial manners escorted me to my room on the second floor. The open windows presented me with a glorious view of the Kohima village, replete with rows after rows of simplistic dwellings, topped by sloping roofs and their doors and windows opening into wide verandas. I was happy to find that the restaurant at Hotel Japfu was all set to give my taste buds a treat. From typical northeastern delights to authentic Chinese and continental cuisine, everything was listed in the menu. I did think of getting adventurous by ordering some local dish, but eventually I decided against it and went for the normal continental fare. It was about 5 pm when I walked out of the hotel and the sun had started settling behind one of the high mountain that adorns the city's skyline. But it was still bright enough for me to see clearly. The few traditional Nagas that I met during my short walk in the streets around the hotel seemed quite old-fashioned in their colourful tribal outfits. I managed to strike a conversation with a traditional Naga whom I met at a teashop. His name was Khekiho. From him, I learned about the importance that a shawl plays in the Naga way of life. Speaking in English that had a slightly northeastern accent, Khekiho told me, "A shawl has to be different for every tribe, as well as for different categories of people within each tribe. A warrior's shawl or the shawl of a man who has preformed a 'Feast of Merit' is different from that of an ordinary villager." I also learned from him that till few decades ago, it could have been possible to identify by simply looking at the shawl of the wearer, the tribe he belonged to, or even the group of villages he came from, as well as his status, whether he was a rich man or a commoner, and the number of gennas he had performed. But nowadays, with market forces having impacted the Naga way of life, unconventionally patterned shawls have become fairly common. Nagas of one tribe no longer hesitate in wearing another tribe's shawl. This made me curious about the tribe to which Khekiho belonged. Without any hesitation, he said, "I belong to the Angami tribe." His shawl had brilliant red and yellow bands. Next day, the circle of my peregrination widened. I reached Kohima's busy market area. The market is not far from the hotel where I was staying. While I was here, what I really wanted to know was about the dietary habits of the locals. A faint hearted person would surely have started running helter-skelter at the sight of the goodies on display at the grocery store. There was a basket full of snails, and then another basket full of caterpillars, light pink in colour, which caught my eye. There were frogs being sold. I also saw people buying some kind of red meat, only to be confirmed later that it was dog’s. From the market I managed to hitch a tempo ride to the Aradurah hill, where the renowned Catholic Cathedral is situated. This cathedral, made with a blend of indigenous and modern styles, can be viewed from any angle in Kohima. The famous War Memorial that commemorates the memories of the officers and men who sacrificed their lives during the World War II was next on my itinerary. The coming day found me at Barra Basti (Big Village). According to local legend, this is the place where Kohima actually began. Blessed with a bewitching array of ceremonial gates that are common to all the tribes of Nagaland, this village is a sight to behold. The roofs of many huts are embellished with large wooden horns, which are there to bring luck. I also found all kinds of stone erections here and there and in front of houses. That, I later learned, were the memorials to commemorate the grand feasts offered by ancestors. After a four-day stay at Kohima, it was time for me to head back to New Delhi. A jeep ferried me to Dimapur, from where I boarded my flight.

Dzukou inferno finally contained morungexpress
Dimapur, January 9 (MExN): After four days of raging inferno in Dzukou Valley, which destroyed almost 15 square kilometers of greenery, the fire was finally dowsed Saturday around 1pm. SDO (civil) of Zubza, Akunu, informed that volunteers numbering more than 400 were able to contain the fire at a firebreak area near a stream separating “Knonoma Dzukou” and southern “Angami Dzukou.” The fire was sparked off by a group of campers from Catholic Youth Association of Sechu Zubza on January 4. The arduous operation was undertaken by volunteers from Knonoma village and other surrounding villages, with the help of personnel from the Home Guards and Fire department.
The chairman of the Khonoma Village Council told The Morung Express that volunteers walked nearly six hours to put out the fire which was earlier advancing towards southern Dzukou. Fortunately, the inferno was contained at the three kilometer stretch of river. However, it is reported that sparks from amber may still cause more fire, although villagers are hoping the weather will be in their favor.
Conservator of Forest, Panger Jamir said the Forest department will assess the damage caused on the valley. This exercise may take some time. Jamir said the department will immediately deploy ground staff for the work. The Khonoma Village Council chairman also said that the fire has caused total destruction of flora and animal habitat. He regretted that such an incident took place – which again is not the first time – and urged campers to be more careful in future. The chairman also thanked the volunteers from various villages, the Home Guards, Fire department personnel, the Assam Rifles and the Forest department for their efforts in containing the fire which for once almost raged out of control.
Earlier, the Jotsoma Village Council had informed that the fire had reached “Jotsoma Dzükou” and subsequently the village had pressed volunteers into action to stop the fire from causing further damage.

More killed in Delhi by Bluelines than by insurgency in NE Zee News-PTI

New Delhi: Contrary to popular belief, militancy situation in Manipur is not "very bad" and the casualty figure due to unrest in the Northeast was less than the number of people dying here, the Assam Rifles chief said today.

"Situation in Nagaland is peaceful. Manipur is the only place... where the situation I won't say is very bad. If you look at the statistics, you will find that more people die under the Blueline buses in Delhi than by insurgency in the Northeast," Assam Rifles chief Lt Gen Karan Singh Yadava told reporters here.


Yadava was commenting on the insurgency situation in the two states where Assam Rifles is deployed. Manipur is considered as one of most restive states in the Northeast.

To a question if the recovery of Chinese weapons indicated that Beijing was fuelling insurgency in the North-eastern states, he said, "That Chinese weapons have been caught possibly means that unauthorised Chinese (arms) dealers are commercially a little more active. I would not recommend it to be connected to levels of insurgency."

He added that the weapons had Chinese markings on them but China always deny that the weapons belong to them.

NSCN (I-M) releases AR jawans, (NPN):
DIMAPUR NSCN (I-M) has released the five 33 AR jawans including a Captain identified as one S. Momo along with their weapons whom it took into its custody on January 8 for forcibly entering the area of its designated camp at Ihoshe Battalion headquarter, near Pfutsero.
An MIP statement said the five personnel were released on January 8 midnight at around 12:30 am with civil societies and district administration as witnesses after the Assam Rifles admitted their mistakes. Six arms including five AKs and a Carbine along with ammunition were also returned. Official source from IGAR (N) also confirmed the release of the AR personnel and also the service weapons following negotiations between Chakesang Public Organization, various other civic bodies, ADC Phutsero and Chairman CFMG.
“The five personnel were compelled to undergo serious interrogation at the hands of the Naga Army, and they were not kept in Naga Army’s custody for more than what is required” the statement said. The NSCN (I-M) asserted it was only defending its political right that has been “intruded and suppressed” when the jawans were taken into its custody.
Stating that its endurance for more than 11 years after the ceasefire was signed on August 1, 1997 demonstrated its faith on political solution and not military solution, the NSCN (I-M) reminded the Indian armed forces of the obligations that were attached to preserve the sanctity of the ceasefire.
It said one such violation by the Indian Armed forces came into “special focus” when a group of AR personnel intruded into the prohibited zone within the range of 1 km of Ihoshe Battalion camp without getting prior approval from the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell.
The NSCN (I-M) justified its action saying that the Naga Army was left with no option but to exercise the military command of duty to defend its territorial rights as demarcated by the Indo-Naga ceasefire and “overpowered” the intruding AR jawans. Referring to the AR’s version that they were on patrolling duty, the NSCN (I-M) questioned, “why at the gate of the designated camp?”
Stating that an official of the rank of Captain should know the rules that governed the ceasefire for the past 11 years, the NSCN (I-M) said there was “more about Capt. S. Momo than what meet the eyes”. The NSCN (I-M) also alleged that the notorious movement of Capt. S. Momo in Chakhesang area was nothing new but that he had been a source of “social irritants” for quite some time and described his unauthorized intrusion as “just another repetition”. (With inputs from Correspondent)

50% of ULFA's lower cadre is from Bangladesh: Assam Rifles DG
TNN
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NEW DELHI: Even as India gets ready to welcome Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, the Assam Rifles on Friday said around 50% of the `lower cadre' of
banned militant outfit Ulfa was from Bangladesh.

"Ulfa was raised in Assam on the slogan of `Assam for Assamese'. But it's no longer what it was. My personal perception is that 50% of the lower cadre of Ulfa is from across the border,'' said Assam Rifles director-general Lt-General K S Yadava on Friday, speaking in the run-up to the 175th anniversary of the oldest paramilitary force in India.

Holding that Ulfa had "degenerated'' into a mere extortionist organisation, the senior Army officer praised the efforts being made by Bangladesh to put pressure on the insurgent outfit, which also led to the recent arrest of its chairman Arabindo Rajkhowa.

"It's a great morale booster for our forces and a dampener for those seeking safe havens (in Bangladesh),'' said Lt-Gen Yadava, adding that the `hardcore cadre' of Ulfa was now down to just about 200 or so.

Maintaining that the internal security situation in the North-East was not as bad as it seemed, the Assam Rifles DG said more people died due to BlueLine buses in Delhi than insurgency in the North-East. "The situation in Nagaland is peaceful...Manipur is the only place (where the situation is not too good),'' he said.

The officer stressed it would be wrong to conclude that China was fuelling the insurgency in the North-East just because a large number of weapons with Chinese markings had been seized in the region. "It just means that unauthorised arms dealers who deal in weapons with Chinese markings are more active,'' he said.

Outlining the expansion plans of his force, Lt-Gen Yadava said government sanction to raise another 26 battalions -- Assam Rifles currently has 46 battalions, with 65,000 personnel -- was in the final stages now.

The new battalions will be deployed along the Indo-Myanmar border to keep a strict vigil and check infiltration. "Along with the battalions will come infrastructure like roads, helipads etc,'' he said, adding that there were regular interactions between the Indian and Myanmarese forces for better coordination and information-sharing.

NE a market itself waiting to be discovered: DoNER Minister Nagaland page

5th NE Business Summit begins in Kolkata
Dimapur, January 8: Union Minister of Mines and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), BK Handique Friday told business leaders from India and abroad that the North Eastern Region (NER) with it rich natural and human resources is a market itself waiting to be discovered.
"Nearly 4 crores of people of the NER viewed concurrently as 'consumers' of various goods and services can drive its on economic growth. It can be done - if only the various public & private stakeholders put together appropriate policy framework, financial mechanism and entrepreneurial abilities," the Minister said while inaugurating the 2-day 5th North East Business Summit in Kolkata today.
The DoNER Minister however regretted that business houses as well as the NE states have collectively failed to convert the natural advantages and the public investment into an economic opportunity primarily because of the perception of NER as being ridden with insurgency, militancy and terrorism, which is reiterated is completely at variance with ground realities.
Pointing out that what is required is the appreciation of a true and more nuanced picture of the vast swathes in NER of total peace and tranquility, impeccable law and order, and iron-clad security, the Minister told NE state governments that unless this is fully imbibed, the region will not succeed in attracting the requisite investment in all sectors of the NER economy.
Handique also asserted the need to have greater understanding in the planning, locating, or implementation of schemes in NER in order to ensure that they become precursors to economic development.
The Minister informed that in the last 10 years, there has been a sustained effort on the part of the Centre to invest in the physical infrastructure of the region, particularly in expanding the road, rail, air, power and telecommunications connectivity. He said that within the first 3 years of 11th Plan over Rs 82000 crore, equivalent to about 18 billion US Dollars, has already been spent in the region by the Central Government. However, during the same period, the private investment has been almost negligible. He also informed that investment by the Central Government in the North Eastern Region during the 10th Plan was about Rs 80000 crore.
"Let me also mention that the economy of this region post liberalisation of early 1990's has grown manifold, which is very often forgotten in comparing the North East States with rest of India. In fact, the statistics reveal that the GSDP growth rates of Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura are actually above the national growth rate," he said.
The Minster informed that efforts are on to increase the air connectivity to the region from rest of the country and more particularly within the region.
"I assure you, my friends, as a person coming from this region, the people will not be found wanting in their ability to learn & dedicate themselves to become co-builders of a new era of peace and prosperity," the Minister added.
The two-day business summit has been jointly organized by the Indian Chambers of Commerce in association with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. It will focus on Building International Partnerships, Enhancing Infrastructure in the North East, Tourism: Horizons of Heaven, Agriculture: Spices, Floriculture and Aqua Culture, Healthcare, IT & Skill Development and Developing Investment Hubs. A Chief Ministers' Conclave will also be held to discuss the 'Perspective and Strategies for the Development of North Eastern Region'. (Page News Service)

Arrested duo spill beans - Four Manipur outfits involved in migrant killings, say cops OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph
Imphal, Jan. 9: Police today claimed to have made a breakthrough in the serial killings of migrants in Manipur valley, with the arrest of two cadres of the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak).
Additional superintendent of police (operations), Imphal West, A.K. Jhaljit Singh, told reporters that one of the arrested cadres had disclosed during interrogation that the killings were carried out by the Peoples Liberation Army, United National Liberation Front, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup and Prepak.
The rebel also said that the outfits’ motive for the killings was to “destabilise” the Okram Ibobi Singh government.
Unidentified gunmen have killed 30 migrants in the valley since February 28 last year.
The police official said the two cadres also revealed that they were involved in the grenade attack on the Thangmeiband residence of former chief minister Radhabinod Koijam on January 6.
They were also involved in the grenade attack on a computer shop, besides extortion.
The additional SP said a joint team of police commandos and Assam Rifles had launched an operation based on a tip-off about a person involved in the migrant attacks coming to the city from Imphal West en route to Guwahati.
“During the operation, the joint team arrested a self-styled sergeant major of Prepak, Moirangthem Monao alias Parimacha, 26, from Tongbram Leikai in Imphal West at 8am today. He was planning to catch an autorickshaw to the city on his way to Guwahati,” Jhaljit Singh said.
Following questioning, another Prepak cadre, identified as Laikhuram Munal Singh, alias Sanathoi, 24, was arrested from his house at Langjing Achouba Maning Leikai in Imphal West. A 9-mm pistol and some ammunition were recovered.
The additional SP said Monao was involved in the killing of a migrant barber identified as Suresh Thakur in Imphal West on February 28. He was also involved in killing another migrant, identified as Rajkumar Choudhury, a cane juice seller, at Kwakeithel of Imphal West on March 1.
The latest attack on migrants took place on January 6 at Singjamei in Imphal East. The migrant from Bengal, Shyamal Arya, was killed in front of the tea stall where he worked
Junta stocking up on weapons for rainy day: observer Mungpi Mizzima

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Burmese military junta’s decision to purchase armament from Russia may have been triggered by their fear of budget constraints under the new government to be elected in 2010, an analyst said.

Win Min, a Burmese analyst based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, said the junta’s decision to purchase MiG 29 Fulcrum D fighter jets from Russia at a time when they should be busy preparing for next year’s elections, could be driven by its fear of budget constraints under the new government that will largely restrict them in their wild pursuit of weapons.

On Wednesday, Russia’s business daily Vedomosti told Mizzima, that Russia has signed a contract to deliver 20 MiG-29 K/KUB and about 8 to 10 Mi-35 attack helicopters, worth a total of US$ 640 million. The delivery will commence in 2010.

The arms purchase news comes days after the Nobel Peace Winning Economist Joseph Stiglitz’s visit to the military-ruled country, where he had advised the military government to reduce their spending on the military but to invest on education as the Burmese economy needs education to revive.

Stiglitz also advised the junta to use revenue, from the sale of natural resources including oil and natural gas, for opening a new era for the country, but warned that if they are not used wisely “valuable opportunities would be squandered.”

But Win Min said he believes the junta is acting on its worry that “it may not be able to buy this way after the 2010 elections under the new government’s budget constraints.”

The junta is also expanding the government-owned enterprises including the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings and the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) to ensure that the military has its own budget, which cannot be controlled by parliament, even after a new government is formed after the 2010 elections, Win Min added.

The UMEH is run by the Defence Ministry’s Directorate of Procurement and is engaged in almost all joint ventures. The MEC funnels revenue from private enterprise into defence spending while the UMEH provides opportunities for secondary incomes for military personnel and their families.

Win Min said, “generally all armed forces want new weapons like all kids want toys,” but it is sad to see that the Burmese military junta, despite expert advice given by Prof Stiglitz to reduce defence spending and to increase investments on education and health, is only concerned about its insatiable needs of purchasing new toys.

Protesting against the weapons transfer contract, nearly a dozen Burmese pro-democracy activists in New Delhi, India held a rally on Thursday afternoon in front of the Russian embassy.

“Burma has no enemy and there is no need to purchase weapons. And these weapons will only be used to intimidate and suppress the Burmese people,” Salong, a member of the Shwe Gas Movement, told Mizzima.

Shouting slogans – “We want peace, not MiG-29’ “Hey Russia we want peace” – the activists said, the Burmese junta, instead of spending on development projects, is spending revenue earned from the sale of oil and natural gas to purchase armaments.

According to the Vedomosti, the Burmese junta had also purchased 12 MiG-29 K/KUB fighter jets in 2001. Burma had also imported US$ 2 billion worth of weapons since 1989, mainly from China.

Burma’s military rulers, which has ruled the country for the past two decades, is known to spend less than 3 per cent of its GDP per annum for health and education while the military spending is about 40 per cent.

Another reason for the junta purchasing the fighter jets, Win Min said could be the junta’s wish to strengthen its air force on the borders generally and on the Chinese and Bangladesh in particular.

“The military might want to improve its air force on the borders generally, but especially on the China and Bangladesh borders, since they want to threaten the ceasefire [armed] groups, especially Wa [United Wa State Army] to agree to their proposal of transforming into the border guard force,” Win Min said.

He added that the purchase of MiG-29 Fulcrum D could also be “to have better bargaining power with Bangladesh on their disputed maritime areas, which has natural gas.”
Northeast business summit to begin Friday in Kolkata Indo-Asian News Services
January 6, 2010: Agartala, A two-day business summit on north-east India will begin in Kolkata on Friday to attract investment to the region, Tripura Industry and Commerce Minister Jitendra Choudhury said here today.
The ministry of development of north-eastern region (DoNER) and the Indian Chamber of Commerce are jointly organising the summit, where investors from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia are expected to participate.
"Investors and businessmen from different parts of India and abroad want to harness the region's untapped resources," Choudhury told reporters.
"Mineral and forest resources still remain untouched in north-east India. Tourism, healthcare, handloom and handicraft, agriculture, horticulture and food processing are also potential investment sectors," he added.
The region is adjacent to China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh, which Choudhury said was "an advantage for attracting foreign investment".
At least seven central ministers including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, DoNER Minister B.K. Handique, Food Processing Minister Subodh Kant Sahay and Commerce Minister Anand Sharma are expected to attend the summit.
This will be the fifth business summit to promote the region's industrial prospect. Earlier, such meets had been held in Mumbai, New Delhi, Guwahati and Thailand.
"The central and state governments are providing several incentives, subsidies and tax holidays for ventures in the north-eastern region," Choudhury said.
The central government's incentive package scheme, first implemented in December 1997, was re-introduced as the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy in April 2007.