[Previous entry: "Respect Indigenous people’ morungexpress"] [Next entry: "Manipur not to allow Naga leader Muivah's visit Indo-Asian News Service"]

04/25/2010: "Political confusion looming as Naga talks expediting By Oken Jeet Sandham"

Political confusion looming as Naga talks expediting By Oken Jeet Sandham

The upcoming talks between Center’s interlocutor RS Pandey and NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah at nation’s capital will not be that “feverish”.
The euphoria of the Center-NSCN (IM) talks is fast shrinking without fresh ideas coming up. Although the outfit’s so-called 31-Point Proposal submitted to the Government of India is not yet officially made public, the Naga people are aware of many contents in it.
However, Convener of the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell of the outfit, Maj Gen Phungthing Shimrang on Friday, while talking to media, disclosed some of the contents of the “Proposal.” He said a separate constitution, federal leadership, separate flag, army, exclusive access to mineral resources of the land were among others of the “Proposal.”
But the envoy of the collective leadership of the NSCN (K), Kughalu Mulatonu, claimed to have had a copy of the NSCN (IM)’s “Proposal” to India.
He, however, made it interesting revelation, which would rather have far-reaching consequences as the crucial Center-NSCN (IM) talk progresses.
According to him, Muivah had submitted a 32-Point Proposal to Government of India in 2003. The first 29 points were computer prints while the last three points were handwritten.
He further disclosed that the first of the three additional points indicated the Nagas in Myanmar would not be included in the ongoing talks while the next point was proposal for an International airport in Nagaland and the last one for a railway line from Dimapur to Tizit (Tizit is in Nagaland’s Mon district).
If the first of the three additional handwritten points is true, it will give a serious jolt to State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Because he was generally seen by the general publics as propped up by NSCN (IM) and at the same time, he has been seen as a messiah for the wellbeing of the Naga brethren living in Myanmar. He had even met Myanmar Ambassador to India and planning to visit Yangon to exhibit his concern for their brethren living in Myanmar. Many political pundits take it as political, though sensitive.
Although the constitution of the Joint Parliamentary Working Group (JPWG) comprising of all members of 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly is remarkable, they are yet to come out with what type of role they would play in this crucial juncture, except resolving to strengthen the peace process by expending support to political negotiations; welcoming the renewed initiative of the Government of India in resuming talks at the highest level as well as appointing appropriate person as Interlocutor; urging the negotiating parties, as usual, to listen to the voice of the people and expedite the talks taking all factions into confidence in order to bring a negotiated settlement which is honorable and acceptable to the people; appreciating the selfless sacrifices of national workers, while urging all sections to refrain from fratricidal killings to work towards a common understanding and forge unity to bring about a common Naga voice; and mentioning they would continue working towards forging unity, understanding, oneness among Nagas and to carry the voice of the negotiating parties of the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue.
If one looks at the above points made by JPWC, it looks like a statement made by any Naga civil society. It appears that there is a confusion among the legislators as the Center-NSCN (IM) is expediting their negotiated talks.
Former Nagaland Chief Minister Dr SC Jamir’s remark on the current political confusion could be a pointer as he clearly stated that Nagas were standing on the shadowy borderland of “political confusion.” He said the Naga people were caught in between yester-year politics and the contemporary politics.
Dr Jamir pointed out that while the Government of India had made it amply clear that “sovereignty and integration is not possible,” the parliamentarians have to analyze the contents of these two statements made by the Center. This veteran Naga politician, who was one of the signatories of the famous 16-Point Agreement of 1960, asserted that the Naga people had to be political realistic, broad minded, so that they could help find an honorable settlement. “Whether an honorable settlement will be better governance or bed of thorns…it will entirely depend on the political wisdom of the Naga people,” he said.
And it will be a political chaos, if the Center suddenly turns its table to the Naga parliamentarians for their opinion before inking any political agreement with the parties concerned. As of now, the present Naga parliamentarians in Nagaland cannot spell out their clear-cut agenda.
- Asian Tribune -
Wangtin meets Muivah; asserts “common good” morungexpress
Dimapur, April 22 (MExN): Y. Wangtin Naga, Kilonser, GPRN/NSCN met the General Secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Th. Muivah in an effort to take forward the process of reconciliation. According to sources, the meeting which lasted for about 20-25 minutes was held on April 10 at Hebron. Wangtin in a statement issued to the local media on April 21 also confirmed of his meeting the NSCN General Secretary. “I feel myself most privileged person to have met Th. Muivah, the General Secretary, NSCN-IM on 10th April 2010 at Hebron. I was very happy to have the message of ‘best regards’ for him for Chairman SS Khaplang and Gen.Kholi (C-in-C), GPRN/NSCN, which I have already passed. I really appreciate our leader for welcoming me into his HQ”, Wangtin had stated in his statement.
The Kilonser also informed that similar message of goodwill has been received from top leaders of GPRN/NSCN (SS Khaplang, N. Kitovi and Gen. Kholi) and through this statement, their message is passed on to the NSCN/GPRN leaders, particularly to Issac Swu and Th. Muivah. “We all must honor and respect the covenant of reconciliation signed by Issac Swu, SS Khaplang and Brig. (Rtd) Shingnya”, Wangtin stated while also adding that “during their lifetime, they must meet and reconcile with one another which will make the Nagas one family”.
The GPRN/NSCN Kilonser also pointed out that reconciliation to him was “surrendering of sum total of one’s authority and power for common good and not that one group surrender before the other”. “Our great leaders must not expect other leaders to bow down before him (them). Everyone must have equal responsibility in ushering peace and coming together.
No one can justify his own group to be the right one or mandated one, same as no Jewish could come forward to stone the Samaria woman on the charges of adultery in the face of Jesus Christ who only instructed them to stone first by one who never committer a sin”.
NSCN (IM) indulging in ‘false propaganda’: Kuki Inpi morungexpress
Dimapur, April 22 (MExN): Responding to what it described as the “false propaganda” of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim and its General Secretary Th. Muivah, the Kuki Inpi today alleged that Muivah was indulging in ‘false propaganda’ to further his political interests at the cost of the hundreds of Kukis that he had killed. “As such, it is for the benefit of all and sundry that the Kuki Inpi should lay bare the sinister design of Muivah’s efforts to hide his crime of war against humanity in the murder of over 900 Kukis including women and children during the last decade”, stated a press note issued by the Kuki Inpi.
On the reported affirmation of support to the NSCN (IM), the note clarified that as far as the Kuki people are concerned there is nothing such as ‘Kuki Tribal Union’ representing any Kuki tribe. “This KTU is a farce and a concoction of the NSCN-IM to make itself seen in good light in the eyes the international community. The NSCN-IM had carried out aggressions against the Kuki people for many years, so there is no question of a Kuki tribe supporting the NSCN-IM ever”, it stated. The Kuki Inpi also stated that it had investigated all about the KTU and found beyond any doubt that it is an agency comprising of two or three persons under the payroll of the NSCN-IM.

Rio should resign – Cong morungexpress
Dimapur, April 23 (MExN): A refrain that has not been heard for some time came up today: The Congress has demanded that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio resign for failing to keep the mandate of accountability over a number of issues that presently are plaguing the NPF-DAN ministry. The resignation of Power Minister Doshehe is also sought while a reference was made by the Congress to “the then” Minister of Education over the current scam in the Education department.
The Nagaland Congress also said that the Nagaland government has funds to implement the 6th Revised Pay scale but, as usual, not the Political will to do so.
Ridiculing as “absurd” Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s criticism of the state employees, the Opposition claimed that had the Congress been in power, the 6th RoP would have been implemented “in toto long time back as it did with 5th RoP”.
Congress Legislature Party leader Tokheho Yepthomi today said the chief minister’s “outburst that 60% of the state’s funds are absorbed by the 6% state employees is absurd and irrational”. “The government has fund to implement the 6th RoP and pay the retirement benefits because it continued to appoint new employees. It just doesn’t have the political will to implement it,” the CLP said.
Yepthomi claimed that had the Congress been in power, the party “could have implemented the 6th RoP in toto long time back as it did with 5th RoP”. Calling the statement of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as “uncalled for” and “highly irresponsible” the Congress leader said Rio is “obviously nervous” now.
“With myriad of problems haunting the NPF-led DAN government the chief minister is obviously nervous and his arrogance clearly displayed his dictatorial style of functioning. Through his irresponsible statement he had made no secret of his aversion towards the government employees,” Yepthomi said. The CLP held opinion that as the head of the state Rio is expected to “show sensitivity and respond to the genuine demands of the employees diplomatically.” Defending the state’s government employees, the Congress leader said they have not done anything unconstitutional by staging democratic forms of protest.
“Therefore, castigating them to resign and leave their jobs was definitely an off-board statement unbecoming of the head of the State. In fact, it is he who should resign owning moral responsibility of being unable to award the 6th RoP to the employees as demanded by them,” Yepthomi explained.
“Has he forgotten that these 94% people are dependents of the 6% employees?” Tokheho queried.

Scams, education and Power
The Congress also said the chief minister “has finally admitted” that the NPF-led DAN government under his leadership is compromising the future of the children as evidenced by the “bogus teachers” scam. His appeal to the people to co-operate with the SVC shows his helplessness and “trick to shift the buck of blame,” Yepthomi remarked.
“The NPF-led DAN government cannot wash off its hands by simply making a scapegoat of the suspended Director Shri. Nipusilie Angami. He had merely acted on the order of the then Minister for Education. The chief minister should clearly come out with explanation on the matter,” the Congress said
Also, the Congress noted the statement of the Association of Power Engineers Nagaland (APEN) fully holding the government’s apathy responsible for the sorry state of power supply in Nagaland, especially in Dimapur. “(It) was another slap on the cheek of DAN government. “The Minister for Power Shri. Doshehe has no moral right to continue when the finger of blame clearly pointed at him,” the Congress said.
The opposition also illustrated its claim that that the NPF-led DAN government had failed miserably on all fronts: The huge deficit gap shows that it had taken a ‘bite more than what it could swallow’.
“It has put the state into beyond-recoverable debt-trap. It has lost the confidence of the people, particularly its own employees. It should own moral responsibility for all the mess and step down before being forced out by the 94% of the population he erroneously believed would support him,” the Congress added.

Don’t politicize RoP issue: Rio

Dimapur, April 23 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today sent out feelers for ‘talks’ to agitating state government employees over the contentious 6th central revised pay scale. Setting a reconciliatory tone, the chief minister said the issue ought not be politicized.
Neiphiu Rio chaired the District Planning & Development Board meeting of Peren on April 23 where he said that the agitating employees must be willing to sit across the table and barter dialogue. A statement containing the proceedings of the meeting was received here today from the district administration of Peren.
The chief minister said that any government servant having any grievance must be willing to come forward ‘to talk.’ Rio urged all in concern not to politicize ‘anything’ but work together for the good of the people. He has strongly advised against ‘playing politics’ or ‘sabotaging the government.’
He clarified the stand of the government that while in other states government employees number less than 1% of the population, Nagaland has 6% of her population in the government services. He said the State Exchequer spends 60% on salary and pension alone leaving only 40% of the funds for the remaining 94% population. If the “privileged class” – the government servants – are unwilling to serve the public, they may resign from their jobss, he said. ‘Such continued sabotage’ of the government may invite the wrath of the public against them, he added.
However, while also stating that any government servant having any grievances must be willing to come forward to talk, the chief Minister urged all concerned not to politicize the issue. On the ROP, the chief minister clarified that it was a matter of privilege that employees are to be given central pay scales because in Nagaland employees are not taxed like their counterparts in other states and the work load is comparative less.
Neiphiu Rio said that although ROP comes after every 10 years, DA is being given after every 6 months to counter the price-rise. Justifying the government’s stand to affect the ROP from April 1, 2010, Rio said the previous ROPs were affected in the year1990 and in 2000. For this, the state has decided to affect the latest in 2010, he explained.
Neiphiu Rio referred to the CANSSEA’s going to court against this decision of the government ‘…and they now understand the position of the state and has kept silent’.
The chief minister also expressed regrets that now another body which is unregistered has launched protests from April 22. Strongly objecting to such actions, Rio said nobody should ‘sabotage the government or should play politics.’ “For any grievances anybody can approach the court. Government servants must serve the government”, he added.
On other matters, the chief minister lamented the loss of ‘work culture’ among the people. He lamented the ‘culture of dependency’ and said all the people have become ‘Generals without soldiers’.
‘No one seem to want to work’, he rued and cited the examples of civilized and developed countries where the people themselves does all the work without depending on others.
The chief minister also dwelt at length on the importance of collecting correct data for the forthcoming population census. He said there should be only one entry for each individual. An ‘honest’ census will be advantageous for Nagaland state, he said.

My People: Perception of the Past Tuisem Ngakang
My people, the Nagas, have a continuing high regard for the past, and throughout our life we are taught by example and observation that it is through the knowledge gained over time that our people have managed to survive. We Naga are taught that all things stem from and continue to be tied to the past, and that it must continue to be respected and preserved. In our land, it is necessary to hand down from generation to generation the knowledge and the skills to ensure survival.
It is no longer news to state that the customs, beliefs, values and opinions of the Nagas society have been handed down from their ancestors to posterity by word of mouth or by practice since the earliest times, until the advent of British colonization and its stress on literacy and the written word barely 150 years or so, changed the trend. Before this so-called ‘civilizing’ contact the Nagas had lived his life and had maintained his tradition in his own way. He had made things and had acquired property; he had believed, loved, hated, fought, wandered and wondered, and had learned many things by his own experimental existence. His dreams, fears and his hopes had existed since the most primitive days when his life began.
From birth, through stories and legends about survival, endurance and respect for nature and all mankind, children are taught. Toys and playthings are fashioned for them, including tools and traditional dress so that they may learn early about the roles they will assume. Girls were provided with packing parkas and carry their dolls on their back as they will carry their children in the future, and they are taught the traditional styles and methods for sewing and designing clothing. Boys are dealt with from an early age as budding warriors, and are introduced to traditional games, group play and exercises to learn alertness, improvisation and endurance.
Children quickly come to understand in my culture that time-honored skills and attitudes can never be relegated solely to the past; that they ensure a way of life and survival in the present and for the future. A great amount of time was spent by children in listening to the elders as they recount tales of their past, and in hearing through individual songs called haolaa. These songs usually speak of events that occurred in the past and detailed their reaction to them. Their ties to the past have essentially been passed down verbally through legends, anecdotes and songs.
I am part of something that time has not erased. As a Naga I have learned first-hand that the knowledge handed down by my people on survival in our land is not to be disregarded, and failure to practice and uphold this wisdom can only result in tragedy or disharmony to an individual or a group. We, as Naga, have a strong sense of self-of who we are, and why we are as we are.
Through our legends we Nagas speak of our close ties with the spiritual world, and of our reverence for and understanding of wildlife. Stories handed down through time depict our interrelationship with the animal world, and tell of animals and humans exchange roles, acquiring supernatural powers and teaching and providing for one another. Our artwork also reflects these relationships, and has rituals that show respect for and acceptance of this oneness and harmony, which are displayed in our carvings and shawls.
All these, and more, are an eloquent testimony of the way of life of a people-they represent the spirit, attitude, wisdom and life-style which the Nagas had lived, had believed and had passed on from generation to generation for many centuries. They are the product of his experience rooted at a particular time in the life of the society. This built-up wealth of Nagas oral tradition has lived is living and will live in the folklore of the people. It is enshrined in the memories and hearts of the people. These tradition-bearers have kept alive the totality of our society, the unique system of our beliefs, the pristine virtues of our humanity and the rich cultural heritage found in the folk tales, myths, legends, proverbs, superstitions, songs and recitations of our ancestors which have come down from the remote past of our history.
When the Westerners came to our land, many of our Nagas values and practices were not understood by Westerners- people whose civilizations were different from our own. The tendency was to laugh at those things which looked surprising from the standpoint of those who made themselves judges. These were labeled primitive and uncivilized, because they did not conform to ‘civilized’ standards.
Early White missionaries, who considered the folk-lore as rustic and primitive, without dept or sophistication, missed the point completely. Although there may be some common-sense beliefs and superstitions in the uncivilized communities, it must be noted that these have existed side-by side with some of the most profound philosophies as well as some of the deepest truth of humanity.
Our older people told us that we are the earliest inhabitant of this land. We are also aware of the tales and stories associated with the earliest contact with non-Nagas-in the form of wanderers, traders, missionaries, geographers, administers. Our older people speak of their parents meeting the earliest visitors and sharing our food and shelter with them. Although the time span that we refer to is general, the information handed down is very specific and detailed.
There are many sites in our place, which tells the heroic deeds of our forefathers and speak about our past, but it has limited historical interest to the Nagas, as they have simply accepted their existence as part of their life. However our attitude should change as outsiders are intruding in, the new awareness of these sites should be extended as the key to preserving the past. As the population grows, our people should become increasingly concerned about the threat to the environment.
We are told that, recently some archeological work has done in our land. It is good that we are digging out our past, but it is also necessary for the Nagas to share their understanding and knowledge of the past. More time and attention will have to pay to the strong concerns we have regarding the remover of artifacts to distant museum locations, where we question whether we shall ever get an opportunity to view them again and utilize them to educate our own children. To know that we belong to us, we need to make actively doing our part to preserve our environment, wildlife, historical sites while they are still relatively intact. We should learn, how valuable and experience caring these to me and to my children. Spending our time in taking care of these invaluable resources is identical to look at our own way of life.
Standing here in my own land - with friendly birds and lovely animals- I am aware, as they may be that their ancestors probably watched mine in the same manner as in this same place hundreds of years ago. Here at this land, nothing has changed through time. I-Naga- and the land and the animals are still here. This is my past, and this has become a special place. Even though I am young, I too am the past as much as I am the future!

*The writer is a research scholar from Delhi; he is working on Cultural Transition of the Nagas. He is the president of Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation Initiative (Delhi based NGO) Comment or feedback may be send to the writer: tuisem.ngakang@gmail.com

War declared against “war on people” The Imphal Free Press by Seram Rojesh

NEW DELHI, April 24: In a public meeting organised by the Forum Against War on People at the Gandhi Peace Foundation on 24th April 2010, various organisations and individuals unequivocally demanded an immediate and unconditional stop to Operation Green Hunt and the plunder of people’s resources.

Prof. Randhir Singh, prominent political thinker and former Head of the Department of Political Science in University of Delhi, noted that “the present government has armed itself with all kinds of armed forces in its war against people. In many parts of the country the behaviour of the Indian state can only be described as a terrorist state.

Much has been made of the recent killing of 76 CRPF personnel in Dantewada. But what were they doing in that place? Is it not to repress the people and take away their land and resources to make way for the big corporations? People’s democratic verdict has been repeatedly flouted by the ruling classes.

So the people need extra-parliamentary sanctions to pursue the democratic aspirations of the people. Without extra-parliamentary sanction to defend, the people will not be able to fight for democracy.

What is happening in this country is part of a much larger story unfolding. Whether it is Congress or BJP, they are part of furthering the neo-liberal capitalist path of development. In contrast, the people’s alternative path of development has to be pursued and struggled for.”

Badshah Mandi from Jangalmahal (Lalgarh) in his speech stated that “Police is resorting to indiscriminate firing, torture, imprisonment and killing of the people of Lalgarh. Rape and torture is being used, people’s health centers built by the PCPA have been occupied by the paramilitary forces, the medicines have been taken away. Lalgarh has created an alternative to the governments run by the CPM, UPA or NDA, since the development policy of these governments is nothing but the policy of genocide. The sufferings of the adivasi people are the result of these government’s policies. The people of this country are suffering from state violence for more than last 60 years. The question of violence should not be reduced to armed struggle alone; the question is much deeper. The struggle is not between the Maoists and the paramilitary forces, but between the people and the Indian govt., between the ‘development’ polices of the government and people’s alternative development.” Aparna of the CPIML (New Democracy), gave more instances of atrocities on the people’s struggles all over the country in the name of fighting Naxalism/Maoism. People fighting for even their constitutionally mandated rights in Kosambi and Ghoorpur in Uttar Pradesh, Kalinganagar, Narayanpatna, Jagat Singhpur and Niyamgiri in Orissa are facing the brunt of this war on people. When people raise their voices against government’s pro-corporate policies, the government led by the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram sends armed forces to crush them.

The meeting also raised its opposition to the wars waged by the Indian state on the people of Kashmir and the North East. Malem of Committee for the Protection of Democracy, Manipur (CPDM) said, “We have been raising our voice against the Indian state’s war on people for a long time. The people’s struggle for freedom in Kashmir, Manipur, Nagalim, Asom and other places against the state is going on for many decades.

The military offensive waged by the Indian state must be immediately stopped.” Prof. Jagmohan the nephew of Shaheed Bhagat Singh pointed out that this war of the people against the anti-people policies against the anti-people character of the Indian government has reached Delhi through Kashmir, North East and the rest of the country as people have risen in revolt.

The disparities between the rich and the poor have become so intense and sharp that the genuine anger of the people cannot be held back for long.

Varvara Rao, the revolutionary poet reminded the audience of the violation of its constitutional obligations by the government. He said that the Naxalites have always showed keenness from 1987 till today to sit for talks with the government to address people’s basic issues like land, irrigation, education and health. But the government’s policies have failed to address the problems faced by the oppressed sections of the society. In comparison, the Naxalites/Maoists have established a pro-people alternative model of development.

Arundhati Roy asked, is the government ready for talks? The government is claiming that it is ready for talks, only the Naxalites are not interested. However the reality is that the government badly needs war, not peace.

The money generated by the mining industry can buy off the government, the political parties, thejudiciary, everything. This war is waged by Mr. Chidambaram on behalf of them. Who are the Maoists? They are the malnourished, hungry and poverty-stricken adivasis going through an acute struggle for survival. The government is using two guns to repress the people: ‘development’ and the media. The government is confident that similar to Telangana, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur or Kashmir, it will be able to crush the ongoing movements of the adivasis as well.