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04/14/2010: "Further talks on Muivah itinerary OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"



Further talks on Muivah itinerary OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Kohima,: The general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), Thuingaleng Muivah, will have another round of talks with the Centre’s representatives in the last week of April before leaving India for an undisclosed destination.
NSCN (I-M) sources, however, said they had not yet fixed the date for talks though it would be held in New Delhi.
“We have not fixed the date for talks,” the information and publicity secretary of the Government of People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN), Jacob Shaiza, said.
He, however, said that before going abroad again, Muivah would have another round of talks with the Centre’s interlocutor, R.S. Pandey.
Shaiza said Muivah was now meeting representatives of various Naga organisations, tribal Hohos, civil society and the Church.
“Our leader is too busy meeting people these days,” the outfit’s spokesman said.
He said Muivah would be meeting more people for a few days before leaving for New Delhi along with the outfit’s brass.
The chief principal secretary of the GPRN, Samson Jojo, also said they had not yet fixed the date for talks, adding these would be held in the last week of this month. “We are yet to fix the date for talks,” he added.
The outfit’s sources, however, said before leaving for the next round of talks, Muivah was busy meeting the Naga leaders from all sections of society to reach a consensus on ways to carry forward the peace process. He is also briefing the Naga organisations on the status of the current peace process to dispel any misgivings.
“Naga organisations from all over Nagalim are queuing up to meet our ato kilonser (prime minister),” Shaiza said.
Pandey during his visit to the state had also said that talks would be held this month.
He met Nagas from a cross-section of society to know their views on the current peace process. The Naga organisations have asserted that the Nagas would not accept any conditional solution. The outfit said the “sovereignty” of Nagalim would not be compromised at any cost.
In east, a gunrunner’s gateway PRANAB BORA The Telegraph


Guwahati, April 11: If the guns used in the Dantewada massacre were not all snatched from local security forces, chances are that some of them came from the Northeast, ferried in oil tankers.
This slice of the country, with its poorly guarded borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar, is now gunrunners’ gateway to India, security agencies say.
The region’s assortment of active, “surrendered” or “ceasefire-bound” militants keep the clandestine trade flowing, with a little help from security personnel and private business. (See chart)
The recent interrogation statement of a middle-ranked National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militant, to which this newspaper has access, reveals how easily and how often the rebels cross the international border carrying munitions that may then change hands.
Another militant, from the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), whose interrogation report is with The Telegraph, speaks of how his group set up a Khasi rebel outfit in Meghalaya just to gain control over a gun-smuggling route by proxy.
Godadhor Hajong alias Bela Hajong, a “sgt major” of the NDFB’s anti-ceasefire group, told his questioners at Mahendraganj police station of Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district that he had crossed the Bangladesh border 50 times.
Some of his revelations:
In 2007, he had entered India through Nokchi in the Garo Hills with 16 AK rifles, 15 grenades and 2,000 rounds of ammunition;
The NDFB bought Chinese weapons from Myanmarese (Chin) smugglers at “wholesale rates” and sold them to other insurgent groups such as the Garo outfit Achik National Volunteer Council;
One Ronnie Bodo was poised to enter India from Bangladesh with three AKs, 12 grenades and 1,000 rounds of ammunition;
Some other NDFB cadres from Lalung in the Garo Hills planned to enter India with two Chinese rifles, three sniper rifles and 2,000 rounds of ammunition;
NDFB commander Sotbangsa Boro had handed over four Chinese grenades to the People’s Liberation Front of Meghalaya to be used at Tura Bazar where traders had refused to pay up.
These individual instances may seem to suggest just a trickle of arms entering the region, but defence sources insist that the racket is run like a well-oiled machine, perfected over many decades.
“Don’t think (that arms smuggling takes place through) Kashmir and the western frontier. Those areas are well guarded,” a highly placed defence source said in Guwahati.
“Whatever goes to the rest of India, including the Maoists, comes from areas such as Myanmar, China and Bangladesh and passes through the Northeast.”
Although Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi denies this, the defence establishment here says “over-ground Maoist activists” have already set up base in three Assam districts: Goalpara in the west and Dibrugarh and Tinsukia in the east.
“The Maoists may snatch some weapons from the security forces and single-barrelled and double-barrelled guns from other people, but please understand that all their sophisticated arms go from here,” an army officer said.
Since February 16 this year, the security forces have seized four AKs, two Dragonov sniper rifles, one M20 7.65mm pistol and ammunition in Guwahati alone, part of it from a Naga woman courier.
Teams of women are the most widely used couriers to bring arms to Guwahati. They are transferred outside the Northeast by some among the hundreds of private oil tankers leaving the region every day, the sources say. The weapons, hidden in the tank, are apparently not damaged by the oil.
Of all the militant groups, the NSCN(IM) worries the security establishment the most given its protracted “peace process” with the Centre during which it has enjoyed considerable leeway, even running a parallel government in parts of Nagaland.
The interrogation statement of NSCN(IM) cadre Nickson Khang from Ukhrul, Manipur, reveals that he had got into the outfit’s bad books but had been granted “forgiveness” after he carried out “one important mission”.
That mission was the launch of the Hynniewtrep Liberation Front, a process that started last September, to gain control over the Block I and Block II areas of Meghalaya near its eastern border with Assam.
What is so important about this nondescript area in a disputed region claimed by both Meghalaya and Assam?
“Control of that area would give the NSCN(IM) access to another arms route, this one through Ratacherra in Tripura,” a defence source said.
WITH INPUTS FROM PULLOCK DUTTA AND PANKAJ SARMA
Prospect of designing in the development of handicrafts Nagaland morungexpress
Design and marketing go hand in hand. Design has to be market oriented i.e. design has to be based on the demand of the market. Market is again driven by customers demand. Customers demand depend on a lot of factors e.g. prevailing trends, economics, climatic conditions, influence of T.V. magazines etc. in order to sell a design it is very important to identify the market.

Market is divided into three categories:
1. Whole Sale- mass production, sold in large quantities eg.Big companies, exports.
2. Retail- Sold in limited quantity to individual customers eg.Show rooms, Department Stores.
3. Exclusive Irems- Boutique, high end museum pieces eg. Naga Basket and Antique Naga jewellery
A designer’s job comes in once the market is identified. The work of the designer becomes clear and simplified. A designer has to have a sharp sense of observation of the prevailing trends and then adopt it to the demand of the market. A good design will have a great market potential. A bad design will never finds a market. Market is very competitive. New designs need to be introduced every season.PROSPECTS OF DESIGNING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OFHANDICRAFTS, NAGALAND.
Handicraft is a piece of art. The kind of customers who appreciate handicraft item are the educated, intellectual, artistic class, they will pay good money for handicraft items. The demand for handicraft items is tremendous in India alone. Also India is the biggest producer of handicraft items in the world. Traditional handicrafts of Nagaland have been practiced through the ages for our daily requirements. These handicrafts have to be modified with the changing times so that it can still be utilized as well as preserved. Nagas are generally very artistic and talented. These talents if properly guided and nurtured can produce world class piece of art. Handicrafts of Nagaland made of bamboo, wood; textiles etc. have got a lot of market demand in India as well as abroad. We have abundant natural resources and talented artisans to produce in bulk. What is the reason that we have not been able to cater to the market demand. There are to reasons:
1. Lack of good design: Our designs are traditional and limited to local consumption. Design intervention is lacking and the few designs that are introduced have no market potential out side the state due to lack of qualified designers.
2. Limited Production: Production is again limited due to age old technique of production which is slow and tedious process using local tools. Artisans can produce only few items due to financial constrains and old method of production. Due to limited production cost of production is very high. These are some of the factors that keep buyers away from us.
Market is not a problem as the demand for Naga Handicrafts is very high. If the right producer is available at the right price, marketing agencies are ready to buy from us. Also there are exhibitions through out the year all over India.

THE ROLE OF THE DESIGNER
The role of qualified designers who understand the market is a must for the survival of our handicrafts. There are a lot of design workshop schemes under the D.C (Handicrafts) Ministry of Textiles. The registered societies are entitled to this scheme. This scheme seems to be going to the wrong hand, who bring unqualified designers for these workshops for the sake of conducting workshops. It is very important to get qualified designers who understand the market to develop designs with good market potential. This is the only way for our Handicrafts, i.e. wood work, bamboo or textiles to get a market demand. The need of the hour is design intervention without which survival of our handicrafts is at stake. In this modern time age old design of our handicraft has to be modified to the needs of the market without which our products will not find a market anymore.
70% of Nagas live in rural areas where the main occupation is agriculture. All rural folks are artisans. How will the Govt employment to these large groups of people. Handicraft development is the only answer for sustainable development. I encourage all young entrepreneurs and artisans to use our God gifted talent for the development of our economy and the future generations to come. The world is moving back to eco-friendly hand made products, so our future is bright. Let us use the opportunities given to us and develop our handicrafts to world class standard and get the potential market before it is too late.
Speech given on one day workshop on marketing organized by DC (Handicrafts) Ministry of Textiles Govt.of India, in Kohima.
Kos Zhasa, Fashion &
Textile Designer
Music takes center stage in Nagaland as militant activities drop ANI
Dimapur, Apr 12 (ANI): Music forms an inseparable part of a Naga's life. The community just loves music
.

As peace takes root in the state, musicians and music lovers are optimistic about a better tomorrow.
There is no doubting the fact that Nagas are good musicians and can get a crowd giving.
Concerts, rock shows, music competitions and festivals are a regular feature in Nagaland.
Youth here are passionate about music and many opt for it as a profession. No surprise then that the music industry here is a vibrant one.
Moa Subong and Aren Subong of Dimapur have created an indigenous musical instrument called the Bamhum. The duo want to popularize this instrument across the country, and even abroad.
Nagas need a chance to showcase it at international level, opines musician Aren Subong.
"Nagas are talented. All you need is to be talented for success, we need to move out and go global and showcase our talent at the international level. The creation of a Naga Music Task Force is a positive sign for the music industry and the government has recognized it. So, we can now get loans and other facilities, and, I am sure one day, we will be popular," Subong said.
Rock bands like Divine Connection the Eximonous Group and Azi Tetseo have already made a name in Nagaland.
Nesie Merano, another professional musician, foresees a great future for Naga musicians.
"I think Nagas are blessed with the gift of musicians who had privilege to go abroad and study. Because even when I was staying in Delhi, the number of music graduates in Nagaland are more than that in Delhi or Bombay and I am glad that they are back to serve as an inspiration for others," Merano said.
With music studios being set up and the easy availability of high-end musical instruments, the music industry in Nagaland is the growth path.
A drop in militancy and the ongoing peace dialogue between the rebel Naga leadership and the Central Government has also given hope to the musicians.
"We have so much of talent in Nagaland hidden, music industry unless we have peace we cannot let it out. So I think it is a positive step and should come to a point where people realize that enough is enough," said Nevi, a local, about militancy and the talks.
People in the state believe things are getting clearer and look forward to a successful outcome of the talks.
"I strongly believe that things are getting transparent and people have opportunity to see and hear what is going on at the talks at any level. I have a strong faith that this time talks will be fruitful," said Tali Angh, a singer from Nagaland.
Musicians in India have found a nationwide platform with the advent of talent hunts on television.
Many artists from northeast like Debojit Saha from Silchar, Assam, who won Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 have already proved their ability.
And musicians from Nagaland are now looking for their moment in the sun. y Peter Chachei (ANI)
Who will bell the Naga political cat? Nagaland Post
When the ‘National Socialist Council of Nagaland’ Supremo Comrade Thuingaleng Muivah arrived in Delhi recently for meeting Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, the Naga students received great fighter in manner reminiscence of Jesus entry into Jerusalem 2010 years ago but nothing much is heard of the Prime Ministerial talk and in the writer’s humble opinion nothing approaching the great expectations of the Nagas would come out of it.
Nagas must be realistic and down to earth in their political acumen; for too long, too much, too often and too many Nagas have been in a surreal, unreal political world. Be it as it may, we are however very grateful to the Naga national workers irrespective of the undesirable factions. It is they who have brought us, rightly or wrongly thus far and today the Nagas have political claims they are proud to state than other states of the North East. Because of the Naga national workers Nagas are what they are today. Initially, and many still today, Naga national workers spent their lives in mud floor and jungle floor with stones for their pillow, at the risk of their lives without any expectation of personal gain. We salute such National Workers who gave theirs for our future.
But let us be realist and down to earth: the Home Minister of the NNC late Biseto Medom, kept record of the NNC Workers who survived ‘Clean’ up to the Shillong Accord. Of the great numbers of Naga national workers who joined the Naga National Movement many years ago, ultimately only 62 survived ‘Clean’ –not captured by Indian soldiers, not surrendered to Indian forces and not accepted government rehabilitations but returned to their village after the ceasefire and lived normal village life. Fellow Nagas, this is a fact and not a story: of the countless Naga patriots who volunteered for Naga national service ultimately only 62 survived ‘Clean’. It will be surprise some that in some tribes hardly a single survived ‘Clean’!
Formosa was once a UN member state but it was nudged it out and in stead the UN recognized the People’s Republic of China; Tibet was historically a sovereign State but Chinese Army overran it in 1957 and now it is very unlikely Tibet and Taiwan (Formosa) will regain their Independence in the coming foreseeable generations.
The Tamils of Sri Lanka under Phabhakaran, of Guinness Book standard Terrorist, bombed to smithereens two Prime Ministers, developed submarines, purchased European planes, former Soviet Union States bombs; bombed Sri Lanka’s Army Head Quarter and rejected any negotiated terms with Sri Lanka.
To save Jerusalem and its inhabitants, Prophet Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah: (Jer.38: 17 and 19) “This is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel says: ‘If you surrender to the Officers of the King of Babylon, your life will be saved and this City will not be burned down, you and your family will live”. King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah: “I am afraid of the Jews who have gone over to the Babylonians, for the Babylonians may hand me over to them and they will mistreat me”. King Zedekiah was afraid of his own people to save Jerusalem and its inhabitants; Prophet Jeremiah was accused of being a traitor. What a tragic situation it was!
In Nagaland, the Writer feels a similar situation seems to have descended upon our national camps. The national workers seem to have closed themselves in their own Fort, outsiders cannot enter their Camps nor can they move out of it. The defenders are also unable or are afraid of their own people to come out of their political Forts, The Naga national workers are afraid to say anything other than the rigid definition of Sovereignty. They cannot enlighten anything that would be as much benefit the Nagas as sovereignty is. They have run out of Ideas on sovereignty and they are afraid of their own people daubing them traitors if they say anything other than the book definition of sovereignty.
Thepfulhouvi Solo.

Time to give decisive inputs Oken Jeet sandham from Nagaland
For the first time in the history of Nagaland Assembly sessions, the Members particularly from Opposition Bench have not touched the Naga political issue in the recently concluded Session.
Normally the Naga political issue dominates the proceedings of the House blaming one another between the ruling and the opposition. But this time, since the Opposition has not raised any issue relating to the ongoing Naga peace process between the Government of India and the Naga underground leaders, the ruling side has not talked of.
Rather the Opposition appreciated the Home Minister this time for maintaining law and order and reducing the factional killings in the state.
In fact, the House instead should have chalked out a very concrete step where they can throw their ideas and thoughts on the ongoing peace process between the Government of India and the Naga underground leaders.
Because the process has reached a very crucial phase following the Government of India’s open declaration that the long drawn out Naga political issue would find solution in 12 to 24 months.
At the same time, the Government of India has also made it very clear that the final solution to the Naga political issue would only come about by holding talks to the entire Naga underground groups.
The above statements are very clear that things are coming to crucial stage. The civil societies, NGOs and the Government have been playing their role over the years and have been complaining against the delay of finding solution to the vexed Naga political issue.
They also echoed their worries on many occasions on the factional violence that claimed numerous innocent lives. The Nagas have been yearning for peace and unity amongst the various factions of the Naga underground organizations.
The normalcy returned in the state had been appreciated by many including Opposition Congress and the Government of India as well.
At the same time, NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah has heaped praises on the Indian leaders especially the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, saying they were serious this time to resolve the Naga issue.
We should not only talk of the Naga issue when there are in bad shape but we should also talks when they are in positive development. But the recent Nagaland Assembly Session has failed to discuss the matter as to how they could play their part at this critical juncture.
Some weeks back, the State Home Minister Imkong L Imchen expressed his appreciation to the leaderships of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram and also newly appointed interlocutor RS Pandey for their sincerity towards finding solution to the Naga political issue this time round.
Yet, he made it a very decisive but fundamental statement that is likely to be the last medicine for the entire Nagas while they enter into a final settlement of their longstanding problem. It is “Common Agenda” that is to be drawn up to be the basis for talks with New Delhi.
He or the Government cannot be a party to the talks but what he elucidated was the Naga intelligentsia should help provide inputs to the wisdom of the Naga national workers who are now talking with the Government of India to frame a “Common Agenda.”
This is very important and since the talks between the Government of India and the Naga underground leaders reached to a very decisive stage, it is now time for the Naga overgound leaders, civil society, NGOs and intelligentsia to come forward in helping the Naga underground leaders in framing the “Common Agenda.”
Unfortunately, when the Government of India has openly stated that solution would find in 12 to 24 months, nobody on the Floor of the House in the just concluded Session touched the point. I think it will not be too long to see a Special Assembly Session to discuss on this crucial issue as things are fast coming to close towards the Government of India’s deadline of finding solution.
- Asian Tribune -
Reduced militancy providing relief to North East people
From ANI

Guwahati / Kohima, Apr 11: People in the North East can have a sigh of relief as militancy appears to be on the way out. According to the Centre, the region has never been as peaceful as this since January 2009. As per the Union Home Ministry’s data for six northeastern states, excluding Mizoram, the last 15 months have witnessed lowest number of civilian and security force casualties since January 2000. In this, the Nagaland has witnessed dramatic change. In 2010, Nagaland did not witness a single militant related casualty. The death toll declined from 213, including 140 extremists in 2008 to 31 in 2009. Credit for this is attributed to the ceasefire agreement between National Socialist Council of Nagalad (NSCN -IM) and the Union Government. People have are of the opinion that militants should join the mainstream and renounce violence. “With peace and harmony coming back to Nagaland, a lot of development has taken place and when it was back 5-10 years and I urge all the right seeking people to come and join mainstream,” said Pezanguli, a local, NagalandWith the ceasefire agreement, developmental activities in Nagaland are in full swing. “The place was much more developed 10 years back, there were so many conflicts and because of that development was not done. There is not much killing so I should say the place is much developed,” said Pfoshuo Ariicho, a local, Nagaland.The situation is Assam and Tripura has also improved a lot.The ongoing efforts of the Centre to bring United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to the negotiating table and ensure the surrender of groups like the KLNLF and the DHD (J) has given hope to the people of the region. Now, there were 424 incidents of insurgency, which resulted in 174 deaths of civilians and security personnel in 2009. The forces eliminated 194 extremists, the highest since 2003. In Assam also there is a considerable reduction in militant incidents. “If I look back few years back, the security situation was really bad in the state. There were too many bomb blasts and in the morning when we used to see the newspaper, we get scared to go to office or anywhere but now things have changed and violent activities have come down,” said Pushpa Gogoi, a local, AssamLow militancy levels has given a great relief to locals. “It is a matter of great relief that there is a decline in level of insurgency and there has been a good amount of minimization insurgent activities in the last few months and we have to be grateful to the peace prevailing and thank government of India and peoples group working towards it,” said S Barua, JorhatAmong all northeastern states, Manipur continues to be worst affected. Militant groups active in the state are responsible for instability and violence. Blasts, extortion, hurling grenades in markets and at residences are a common strategy of militants to terrorize the people. However the people here want an end to bloodshed and have expressed their complete faith in the constitutional framework of the country. Most of militant groups are indulging in extortion. “Regarding militancy in Manipur, there is less insurgency but a kind of extortion is going on and on this point, there are so many gangs and groups are coming only for money,” said L Regald Singh, a student, Manipur“When we see the violent activities committed by the different sections of antisocial elements and militants, then we say extortion case, demand or kidnapping. I think the economic factor comes in between as militants are not guided by the ideology and the antisocial elements are committed into it mainly for money,” said Ksh Bimola Devi, Professor, Manipur UniversityNortheast has long been affected by militant activities and this has led to a delay in the development of the region. But it seems the situation is changing. And as peace and normalcy return, developmental work will certainly gain momentum.
Copyright Asian News International/DailyIndia.com


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