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02/13/2010: "Reshuffle in NSCN/GPRN Atem to head steering committee; Raising back as ‘kilo kilonser’ Morung Express"

Reshuffle in NSCN/GPRN Atem to head steering committee; Raising back as ‘kilo kilonser’ Morung Express
Dimapur (MExN):
The NSCN (IM) under directive of its ‘collective leadership’ has reconstituted its steering committee and rearranged the group’s council of kilonsers’ and tatar hoho. This change
was informed to be with effect from 9th February 2010 till further directives. This was informed through a press note issued by the group’s MIP today.
Some of the key changes include the return of RH. Raising as kilo kilonser (“home minister”) and the responsibility given to “lt gen. (retd)” VS Atem as the new convener of the steering committee, the highest policy-making body of the NSCN (IM). The tatar hoho (“parliament”) will see Qhevihe Chishi Swu as “speaker.” The other ‘portfolio’ of “chaplee affairs” (“finance”) has been given to Ashiho Pou as the kilonser in-charge. The “ministry” of information and publicity also sees the return of AZ Jami as the kilonser.
M. Kikon will be the kilonser in-charge of “ministry of mineral resources.” “Ministry of forest and environment” will be looked after by “maj. (retd.)” H Losii as kilonser. “Ministry of keya affairs” has been given to “lt.gen. (retd.)” HS Ramsan while Tokim Tikhir will be the kilonser of “ministry of war victims’ welfare affairs.”
The Ministry of Arts, Culture & Tourism will have Kraibo Chawang as Kilonser. Vekiye Awomi is the new Kilonser Ministry of Education. Ministry of Lota and Horticulture will be looked after by M. Veniizo Zholia while the Kilonser for the Ministry Of Health will be DR.N. Sonba.
Among the Steering Committee executive members include T.S. Thumba, Zarsie Nyuthe, Vaison Vemai, Q. Tuccu, A.K. Lungalang, Tongmeth Wangnao, Kedutsii Tsuziih, Lt. Col.(Retd.) Victor, T.T. Among and Yanger Pongener. The other members include Maj. Gen.(Retd.) R.v. Shangam, Grace Vashum, Z.D.Bon, D.T.Lincoln, R.L. Kinghen, Capt. (Retd.) W. Shimray, Maj. (Retd.) Johny T. Dilbung, K. Kaping, Imti Ramok Jamir, Kihoi Swu, V.Makritsu, Hukhavi Yetho and Ms. Salem. The Deputy Speaker will be A.W. Varch Khamrang. Kilonsers without Portfolio include K.P.Huray, Avuli Chishi Swu, Angnaikham Makunga and V. Horam.
‘Naga army’ on Reconciliation morungexpress
Dimapur, February 13 (MExN): The “Naga army” of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim has expressed serious concern over the situation at Kiphire, Mekokla, Tuli and Meluri pointing out that the current scenario in these places “is not in the best interest of reconciliation and certainly against the join statement of the Naga Peace Summit, Chiangmai”. “These areas have been carved out as corridor by certain groups and passageway given for anti-national elements. This double standard dealing has to go if Nagas truly desired to reconcile”, stated a press note issued by “col. Levi Zimik” ‘PRO’.
The group has asked the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and concerned organizations to look into the matter so that reconciliation can be pursued earnestly without hindrance from other quarters. “Any untoward incident in the future arising out of such twofold commitment shall entirely rest with the group or groups,” the note stated.
Stating that Naga’s quest for peace was heading in the right direction under the aegis of the FNR, the note pointed out that having gained the mandate of the people and various organizations, the FNR had indeed accomplished much and that the Chiangmai declarations and many such sessions back home have taken place without obstacles from any angle. “The progress is certainly laudable. Naga army truly remains committed to the ongoing process of reconciliation.”
However, the note from the NSCN (IM) stated that it would be pointless to only look up to the FNR and wait for reconciliation to come around. “The concerned parties and various organizations must sincerely ponder as to how they can participate and contribute to this effort. Without genuine input from the people and the parties involved, no solution can be forthcoming,” it stated. At the grass-root level, everyone must ensure to create a conducive atmosphere and strengthen the process so that the “leaders can get together at the right platform,” it added.

‘GOI should initiate peace talks with ULFA, NDFB’ morungexpress
Dimapur, February 13 (MExN): The Naga International Support Centre (NISC) has alleged the Government of India (GOI) for not initiating peace talks with ULFA and NDFB. In its website - www.nagalim.nl, it stated: “As the Government of India is a signatory to the covenant of the United Nation which enshrined this right, it is then the Government of India which should initiate these talks. It should not precondition but work together to come to an honorable solution.”
It also stated that the two said groups, who are already branded by GOI as leaders of anti-talk groups do not need imagination to predict their fate when caught. “Mocked by the Government of India as well as the State Government of Assam and elsewhere, these leaders are more than willing to talk peace but on the basis of self determination,” it said
It also said that though there is no concrete proof of “official or public policy” on how to deal with groups fighting for their rights to self determination but increasingly the local press reports on moves by Government forces to track down and arrest the leaders of the NDFB and ULFA.
The NISC has also accused the government of its policy in handling the issue stating that why the Government of India refrains from conducting peace talks but “instead resorts to violence against innocent people” which is beyond comprehension, because “when it states that Boros and peoples represented by ULFA are Indians it should protect them, not persecute and oppress them”.
Moreover, referring to the stand of ULFA and NDFB, it affirmed that considering the past with the sacrifices the peoples had to make, it is not likely the “ULFA or NDFB will oblige. They will not bow down to the Government of India, just like the Nagas will not bow down to any conditioning by India”. They seek an honorable solution to the long term conflict, initiated by India by invading their lands, and on the basis of mutual respect, not force.

NISC questions GOI’s motives:

• Does the Government of India merely brand ULFA and NDFB to discourage and frustrate their legitimate quest for self determination, to rid their people of land grabbing, persecution, oppression and even extermination?
• Does the Government of India try to convince the Indian People that ULFA and NDFB want war rather than peace?
• Does it have the policy of forcing to give up entirely them so they can live happily in the fold of India?

ULFA-Maoist meeting raises security concern R Dutta Choudhury Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Feb 13 – After spreading their wings to different parts of India, the Maoist rebel groups have started making serious efforts to establish their network in the North East region and reports of a recent meeting between Maoists and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is causing serious concern among the security forces.
Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that hardcore Maoist rebel leader Koteswar Rao, commonly known as Kishanji, recently met ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah and this has caused serious concern among thesecurity agencies as, if the Maoist rebel groups and the ULFA manage to come together, the security scenario in Assam and other parts of the region may deteriorate fast.
Sources said that Kishanji met Paresh Baruah under his organisational name Pradeep and according to intelligence reports, the meeting took place very recently after the arrest of ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa. Sources said that the Maoist leader meets differentrebel groups under different names to keep his identity a secret as far as possible. Kishanji, normally moves around in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh but he had visited Myanmar a few times. The Maoist leader recently had a close shave when he managed to escape in the nick of time after an operation in West Bengal and thesecurity forces managed to recover his laptop computer and other vital documents. Though it was not yet known where the meeting took place,security sources said that Myanmar could be the venue.
Security sources said that intelligence reports on the meeting between Kishanji and Paresh Baruah were confirmed when the Maoist leader himself admitted the fact in an interview with a mouthpiece of the Maoists. The Maoist leader reportedly told Paresh Baruah that the ULFA should refrain from targeting the Indian working classes and the suggestion perhaps was an indication that the Maoists were concerned about the attacks on Hindi, speaking people launched by the ULFA. The Maoist leader further suggested that the ULFA made a mistake by associating itself with countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar etc., as according to him, those countries are like “puppets of the Government of India.”
At one point of time, the ULFA had close ties with the Maoist rebel groups but in the early part of 1990s, the distance between the ULFA and the Maoists started increasing mainly because of ideological differences. But the recent meeting proved that both the sides are trying to strengthen ties yet again for mutual benefits. Though the assurances given by both sides at the meeting are not yet known,security sources believe that the Maoists can play a vital role in strengthening the ULFA in the grassroot level, while, on the other hand, the ULFA is still in a position to provide arms and ammunition to the Maoists.
Meanwhile, the security agencies have managed to uncover attempts by the rebel Maoist groups to establish links with other militant groups of the region and according to intelligence inputs, representatives of the NSCN (I-M) attended a meeting of the Maoist rebels in Chattisgarh a couple of months back and offered to provide training to their cadres to strengthen the arms wing of the Maoistgroups, while, the Maoists have also signed an agreement with a Manipur, based militant group.