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03/25/2010: "Don't impose Constitution on us' India Blooms News Service"

Don't impose Constitution on us' India Blooms News Service
Camp Hebron (Nagaland), Mar 22 (IBNS): Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah on Sunday asserted that the Nagas will not tolerate the ‘imposition of Indian Constitution’ as a solution to the vexed Naga issue.
“This time, they (Indian government) seem to be more serious in finding a solution. But we have told them very clearly; don’t try to impose the Indian Constitution on us. The Nagas will never accept that,” Muivah said.

He was addressing the NSCN (IM)’s 30th ‘republic day’ function at the outfit’s truce-time headquarters here, about 80 km from Nagaland capital Kohima.

Muivah said that he had brought to prime minister Manmohan Singh’s attention statements made on behalf of the government on solutions within the Constitution framework.

He said the prime minister had asked him to forget those and said, “Past is past, we have to look to the future, the prime minister told us.”

“I have already told Chidambaram that you don’t respect the rights of the Nagas, and this is creating problems. Chidambaram also told me he was serious. I have faith in his commitment. But I still don’t know whether they will betray us,” Muivah said.

NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu, whose speech was read out in absentia by self styled Lt Gen (retd) V S Atem, convener, Steering Committee, said: “In spite of all the disturbances from different angles, our commitment to continue with the negotiation for a honourable settlement through peaceful means remains unchanged.”

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed on Jan 31, 1980 by Isak Chisi Swu, Thuingaleng Muivah and S S Khaplang opposing the ‘Shillong Accord’ signed by the then NNC (Naga National Council) with the Indian government.

Later, differences surfaced within the outfit over the issue of commencing a dialogue process with the Indian Government and on April 30, 1988, the NSCN split into two factions, namely the NSCN-K led by S S Khaplang, and the NSCN-IM, led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal.

The outfit aims to establish a ‘Greater Nagaland’ (‘Nagalim’ or the People’s Republic of Nagaland) based on Mao Tse Tung’s ideology. Its manifesto is based on the principle of Socialism for economic development and a spiritual outlook – ‘Nagaland for Christ’.

The NSCN-IM primarily consists of Tangkhul Nagas who are in a majority in parts of Nagaland and the hills of Manipur. Its influence inside Manipur is restricted to the four districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong.

The outfit has also established its presence in Wokha, Phek, Zunebhoto, Kohima, parts of Mokokchung and Tuensang districts of Nagaland. It has also been able to extend its influence to the Naga-inhabited areas of North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam and some parts of Arunanchal Pradesh.
DAN’s priority on Naga issue Correspondent, (NPN)
KOHIMA Nagaland governor, Nikhil Kumar Tuesday reiterated the state government’s determination to find a just and honourable settlement to the long drawn Naga political problem.
In his maiden address to the sixth session of the Eleventh Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the governor said that utmost priority has been accorded to the Naga political issue and that the government has been playing the role of constructive facilitator in the ongoing political dialogue between the government of India and the NSCN. He appreciated the people of Nagaland for extending their support and cooperation to the government in its endeavour to usher in an era of peace and development in the state.
In order to monitor implementation of the ceasefire ground rules, a standard operating procedure has been put in place by the government of India, through which the security forces and the state administration could work hand in hand to achieve the objective with minimal use of force, he said. The Governor appreciated the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, the civil societies, the churches and various NGOs for their contributions to the peace process.
The governor also highlighted the state government’s key thrust areas of developmental policies and performances.
He said that the government had taken up bamboo plantation on a huge scale to supply raw materials to the Nagaland Pulp and Paper Mill at Tuli. Nikhil also said that the Shingphan Reserve Forest was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 2009 under Section 26 ‘A’ of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. He urged the people of Nagaland to extend their patronage to the cause of protecting and preserving wildlife at the Rangapahar Zoological Park.
Citing that employment opportunity for youth was the utmost priority of the government, the governor said that various opportunities were created through capacity building and skill development. Since 2003-04 till date, a total of 14319 people have been sponsored under CM’s Corpus Fund, 8048 for capacity building programme and 6271 for establishing self-employment ventures, the governor added.
Focusing on the declaration of the year 2010-11 as the ‘Year of Entrepreneurs’, the governor said that a recent survey carried out by the department of evaluation in 2006 had found that people from outside the state were able to earn about Rs. 450 crore during the year in small trades in the districts of Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung alone. He said this spoke volumes of the opportunities that lay at the doorsteps.
Governor during his address which lasted for around 38 minutes, also apprised the members of the house that the government would establish NIT at Dimapur and the Nagaland Flying Training Institute, also in Dimapur for commercial pilot training.
He also said that Nagaland was the first in the north east to set up Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health Clinic in Dimapur.
The motion of thanks to the governor’s address was moved by MLA, Neiba Kronu and seconded by MLA, Kipili Sangtam. NLA speaker, Kiyanilie Peseyie announced that the discussion would take place on March 25 and 27. The session would resume on March 25 (Thursday), after a recess on March 24 (Wednesday).
Govt’s priorities
Government to give due priority to creating public awareness on issues such as climate change, need for accurate census, warnings against domestic violence and child labour, disaster management etc.
During the coming year, construction of 39 housing units mainly in the rural areas for doctors and nurses through Special Plan Assistance (SPA) would be taken up.
Government to take up a comprehensive Health management Information System (HMIS) and implement a pilot project for mobile-data transmission in six sub-centre under Jalukie block of Peren district.
Government to set up Government to Citizen Interface Stations (G2CIS) in all district headquarters to enable citizens to access official website, download official information and register complaint, grievances and queries on e-modop.
Archive cell is being set up in the directorate of information and public relations to record and preserve important documents and publications of the Government for posterity.
In the agri and allied sector, the department of Agriculture is working to bring additional area under Rabi crops and provide high yielding seeds to the farmers to offset the Kharif crop loss in view of the drought-like situation during monsoon 2009.
Horticulture department to tie up with an Israeli Company in setting up Hi-tech Green House Nurseries and Pack Houses.
Construction of Co-operative Training Centre at Medziphema in progress.
Government endeavouring to turn the state into a major destination in the itinerary of tourists on a regular basis.
Government has taken up aggressive media campaigns to showcase the state by telecasting important destinations through advertisement spotlights on Nagaland.
More candidates from Rural Tourist Villages to be sent for basic course in hospitality and tourism to help them run their tourist villages in a professional manner.
Some of the current projects in the urban sector included providing dwelling units for the Urban Poor in Kohima and Dimapur, construction of a multi-purpose Hall at Kohima, a Car Parking-cum-shopping Complex in Mokokchung and a City Shopping Mall-cum Car Parking Complex at Dimapur and improvement of six arterial roads in Kohima town.
During the coming year, construction of multi-level vehicle parking in Kohima and a new bypass road from NH-61 to BSF Camps via New Secretariat to reduce the traffic congestion would come up.

‘Nagaland Govt committed to honourable solution’
A Correspondent
KOHIMA, March 23 – Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar has reiterated in unequivocal terms the State Government’s determination to find a just and honourable settlement to the long drawn Naga political problem.
Addressing the Nagaland Assembly on Tuesday, the Governor said the government has been playing the role of a constructive facilitator in the ongoing political dialogue between the Government of India and the NSCN.
Realising the importance of peaceful and conflict free environment, the government has accorded utmost priority to fulfill the developmental aspirations of the people of the State, Kumar stated.
He said various efforts taken by the government with the help of civil societies, churches and NGOs have yielded positive results in the form of reduction in the level of hostilities among the underground factions.
The State Level Strategy Group and District Level Co-ordination Committees have also been constituted to strengthen the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and to defuse situations, which are likely to jeopardise public tranquility and peace, the Governor said. He appreciated the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, civil societies, churches and NGOs for their contribution to the peace process.
Year of Entrepreneurs: Stating that the State Government has declared the year 2010-11 as the ‘Year of Entrepreneurs’, the Governor said although the youth have been able to make their mark in the job market outside the State, there are equally challenging opportunities at home.