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01/17/2010: "Ego clash leads to deadlock in Naga peace talks R Dutta Choudhury"

Ego clash leads to deadlock in Naga peace talks R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI,– Peace talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) have been deadlocked mainly because of ego clash between the Government and the leaders of the outfit, while, formal talks with the NSCN(K) are yet to start as the outfit is not yet ready to start the process. Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that the peace process came into a deadlock after the Centre’s decision to remove former Union Home Secretary K Padmanabhaiah from the position of interlocutor for talks with the NSCN (I-M) and what is interesting is that the talks were not deadlocked over any issue but because of ego clash.

Sources revealed that after the removal of the interlocutor, it was decided that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would directly hold talks withthe outfit and a formal letter was sent to the NSCN (I-M) general secretary T Muivah requesting him to come to India for talks. But the NSCN (I-M) leaders refused to come and asserted that a formal letter inviting them for talks must come from the Prime Minister’s Office. Now the ego clash betweenthe Government and the NSCN (I-M) is holding up the process of talks and no one knows as to when the process will resume.

However, on the positive side, the differences between the Government and the NSCN have come down over the years and now Muivah, who is in Amsterdam, is using an Indian passport. Sources said that so far, the issue of sovereignty of Nagaland has not been discussed and the issue was not raised in the last charter of demands placed beforethe Government by the militant outfit.

On the other hand, the Government is concerned about the recent reports of visits of NSCN (I-M) leaders to China as the reasons for the visit are not yet known. Sources said that according to intelligence inputs, the NSCN (I-M) chairman Issac Swu and another senior leader ofthe outfit, Anthony Shimrey visited China last year and the Government would raise the issue strongly in the next round of meeting with the outfit.

Meanwhile, formal talks with the NSCN (K) are yet to start despite the fact that the outfit signed a ceasefire pact with the Government several years back. Sources said that the differences between both the factions of the NSCN are yet to be resolved and both sides are still not willing to talk withthe Government at the same time. The NSCN (K) told the Government of India that they would start the process of talks only when the “process of talks with the NSCN (I-M) breaks down”, which proved that the NSCN(K) is waiting for the peace talks with the other faction to fail.

Sources said that the Government of India is also concerned about reports of violation of ground rules of the ceasefire agreement by the NSCN (K) and the matter would be raised in the next round of talks on extension of term of the ceasefire agreement. Sources said that the NSCN (K) is still allowing members of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to use its bases, particularly in Myanmar, which is not acceptable tothe Government of India

CM visits Ukhrul, Senapati on inauguration spree Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 16 2010: In a tightly packed schedule the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today covered Senapati and Ukhrul district areas to inaugurate Government establishments besides lashing out at the striking JAC of employees on his return from the inauguration spree.

During inauguration programme of the SDO and SDPO offices at Jessami in Ukhrul district the Chief Minister also assured various welfare schemes specifically for the interior village, bordering Nagaland.

the function was attended by a huge crowd and high ranking dignitaries of the State Government.

O Ibobi announced that a 33/11 KV power station would be set up with a cost of Rs 2 crores before onset of rainy season in the village.

A High Tension (HT) electric line would be brought from Namrei village, 55 km from Jessami, for the said purpose, the CM added.

It may be mentioned that homes of Jessami village are currently electrified with the power connected from Nagaland side.

Maintaining that inauguration of SDO and SDPO offices were to check border disputes with the neighbouring State Nagaland, O Ibobi directed the district administration to submit a report by Monday or Tuesday on the requirements of the newly set-up offices.

Calling on the villagers not to think that they are afar from the State capital, he also assured the villagers that Jessami High School would be upgraded to a higher secondary level and Primary Health Sub-Centre (PHSC) to Primary Health Centre (PHC).

The Chief Minister also promised that the State Government would consider setting up branch of a suitable bank in the village and giving preference to local candidates in the appointment of ADC primary teachers.

O Ibobi landed at the interior village of Ukhrul district by helicopter after visiting Lakhamai village in Senapati district and Namrei village.

Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii, MPCC President Gaikhangam and local MLA Khasim Ruivah accompanied the Chief Minister.

Ukhrul DC Ashokumar, SP Suresh and other high ranking officials were also present in the function.


CM inaugurating the 33/11 KV sub-station at Namrei, Ukhrul



Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated a 33/11 KV power station at Lakhamai in Purul sub-division of Senapati district.

The power station has been constructed by the Power Department of the State with funding from Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR).

After alighting from the helicopter and inauguration of the power station, the CM was given a ride on Chuso Thaiyu, a traditional carriage made of wood till the site of the function.

Later addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister assured that henceforth the power situation in Lakhamai and its surrounding villages would experience improvement and regularity now that power sub-station has been inaugurated.

Considering importance of the project, necessary measures for construction of the power station began way back in 1996.Today, the project has become a reality, the Chief Minister expressed happiness.

The Chief Minister further informed the gathering that the total estimated cost of the project is Rs 9.50 crores.

This include Rs 2.60 cores from the Ministry of DoNER and an additional fund of Rs 6 crores from the side of the State Government.

He also assured that the existing Junior High School at Lakhamai would be upgraded to High School level, an inspection cum guest house would be constructed, the existing PHE would be upgraded along with posting the required doctors and the roads connecting Purul and Lakhamai would be extended upto Waichichu village.

Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing presided over the function which was also attended by Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii and MPCC president Gaikhangam as guests of honour.

Deputy Commissioner of Senapati District Nidhi Kesharwani, IGP M Karnajit, SP Senapati, Chief Engineer of Power Department, other engineers of the Department, District level officers and public leaders were also present at the occasion.

It may be recalled here that the foundation stone of the power station which was inaugurated today had been laid by the Chief Minister himself on May 11, 2005.The foundation stone laying function had been presided over by Gaikhangam, who was the Power Minister.

Meanwhile, talking to mediapersons in his conference hall after returning from his visit to Lakhamai in Senapati district and Namrei and Jessami in Ukhrul district, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh announced that schools and medical centres in remote hill areas would be upgraded to ensure the benefit of proper education and medical care to the people.

Informing about his visit, Chief Minister said that inauguration of 33/11 KV substations at Lakhamai and Namrei, upgradation of SDC circle Jessami into SDO/BDO level as well as Jessami police station along with appointment of SDPO have been greatly appreciated by the people of that area.

They have also put forward some demands to the Government and the same would be looked into, the Chief Minister assured.

People of Jessami have demanded proper facilities for medical treatment and higher education, the Chief Minister informed, adding that these demands are justifiable.

He acknowledged that proper facilities for medical care and education are still missing not just in Jessami but also in other remote areas of the State.

So, the Govt would be taking up steps to upgrade the existing medical centres and educational institutions.

Is Nagaland Shining? morungexpress
Nagaland like the rest of the Northeast Region has tremendous scope for economic development. More than 50 years of State hood and the reality on the ground however do not give us the confidence to project Nagaland as a developed State. Many times we hear our politicians complaining about meager funds being given by the Centre i.e. the Government of India. In fact the truth is that we get enough or even more to actually build our State—schools, roads, hospitals etc. But it is embarrassing to actually learn that we still lack even the basic infrastructure. A startling revelation recently published in the local media pointed to everything that was wrong in Nagaland. According to a report, some villages in Mokokchung District still do not have roads of their own and in fact they have to travel from Assam. Similar picture of neglect has been time and again highlighted in the local media such as the pitiable condition of the government hospital in Kiphire or the condition of primary education in places like Peren where most of the schools are run with single teacher. We can list out many more cases which clearly shows disconnect between the State and the ordinary people especially in places beyond Kohima and Dimapur. The level of development in Nagaland clearly does not measure itself to the money pouring in for the same and it is this statistic that needs to be changed.
It is in this context, of the state that Nagaland is in, that we need to measure our progress with the rest of the Northeast States. Many a time we argue that our State is an exception—being small with resource constraints etc. Agreed it will not be fair to compare ourselves to say a Punjab, Gujarat or a Kerela. However we should be able to test where we stand in relation to the other seven-sister NE States. It is embarrassing to note that Nagaland is a senior when it comes to the years of Statehood we have enjoyed. Younger States like Sikkim, Meghalaya or even Mizoram are all moving ahead of Nagaland on almost all fronts. It is worth recalling that during the Agri Expo 2006 held at Dimapur, Nagaland many prospective investors showed greater interest for States like Sikkim and Meghalaya besides Assam.
The answer that many people want is this: Where is the Development? It is clear that there are enough funds available to drive development in Nagaland and the backward regions thereof. And it is not that development funds are available only now—they have been flowing in since Statehood and even after more than fifty years nothing has changed much in terms of economic progress and development. And if the decades of fund allocations had been used in a judicious manner our small State should have reached a higher level of economic growth that is at par with some of the more developed States in the country. But all of us know that this is not the case. We should hang our heads in shame. As the old year leaves us behind, we need to look to the New Year with more sincerity and learn from our failures. Otherwise the future well being of our State and its people will remain a mere illusion.