05/25/2010: "Naga Hoho to uphold Rights morungexpress"

Naga Hoho to uphold Rights
morungexpress

Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): The Naga Hoho has appealed to all armed cadres to stay away from civilian-populated areas to deter any “unwanted situation” while calling against bail to the armed elements responsible for brutally assaulting Naga civil leaders on May 9 in Kohima. The Naga Hoho said threats from what the Hoho called “national workers” have become a daily phenomenon.

Armed cadres asked to stay away from civilian areas

The Naga Hoho today issued a statement highlighting appeals on several points of concern, as were discussed during its council meeting on May 22 in Kohima with tribal presidents and representatives. The Naga Hoho also reiterated protecting and upholding the Naga people’s right to live together as one people. The council meeting unanimously endorsed the Five Point declaration made on May 8, 2010 and said it will be the guiding principles “for future course of activities.” The house felt that there should be no room for misunderstanding over the declaration, a delayed note from the Hoho said today. Also with the Government of India the Naga Hoho said to “initiate” safe passage for displaced persons from Khuzama and Kisama “considering the volatile situation in to normalcy in Mao town.”
The meeting appealed to all the “political groups/national workers” not to allow their armed cadres to live in the civilian areas in order to avoid any “unwanted situation” and in the interest of “common wellbeing” to maintain peace. The Hoho reminded that the trend of threats and diktats is absolutely without any humane dignity or respect for humanity – rather, it is only creating more hatred in the Naga family.

The Naga Hoho reiterated its statement made in the organization’s 1st Federal Assembly: “Threat perception to various Naga leaders including tribe Hoho leaders, from different groups of Naga national workers without having an iota of human dignity and mutual respect has become daily phenomenon and thereby creating hatred among Naga families, which are not at all, acceptable to Naga Hoho. In this regard, the house after a serious deliberation resolved to rise against such intimidation in order to protect and safeguard the life and property of common people. Over and above, it shall be the collective responsibilities of every tribe Hoho in the event of any unwarranted provocation or threat meted out to any social worker that are tirelessly working for the Naga people as a whole” Extending appreciation to Nagaland police for nabbing ‘one of the miscreants’, the Naga organizations appealed to the competent authorities not to release the culprits under any circumstances. The Hoho has demanded thorough investigation to deliver justice to the people. The meeting also appealed to the law enforcing agencies to book the remaining miscreant at the earliest.
http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/49244.html
Karbi students express solidarity to Nagas
morungexpress
Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): Leaders of the Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) and Naga Students Federation (NSF) met at Hotel Nagi in Dimapur today where matter related to the current Nagaland-Manipur tensions was discussed. A press meet was later held. The president of KSA Stalyn Ingti said the KSA had come to discuss and show their solidarity and concern. “Manipur Government and civil society should immediately commence to sit with NSF” and that if they do not, “I think the problem will not be solved.”

A joint press statement also reiterated that “in the wake of the Manipur Government decision to restrict the movement of the Nagas including Naga Students’ Federation leaders to the southern part of Naga homeland, the NSF and Karbi Students’ Association during the joint meeting reached to an understanding to work hand in hand on all aspects, reaffirm the age-old relationship between Nagas and Karbis and to urge upon the neighboring communities to respect and appreciate each others’ rights.” NSF said it was very unfortunate that the Meitei people failed to understand the mind of the Nagas and that instead of realizing their faults they are misleading other neighbouring states.

“They (Meiteis’) should come and see how they have displaced our Naga people, killed Nagas.” So far, the Naga students have been very much patient, we didn’t react. But they are trying to provoke.” “We thought this was not an ethnic crisis, that the Manipur Government would understand and it is unfortunate” it added. The KSA also informed that the All Assam Manipuri Student Union (AAMSU), has organized a rally on May 26 but because NSF and KSA is a ‘friendly organization’ KSA decided not to attend.

Also, a note was handed over to the media personnel which was said to be circulated in trains. The note stated to be an appeal “issued by the Publicity Committee of All Assam Manipuri Students’ Union (AAMSU) Hojai-Nagaon Assam” which called for immediate lifting of economic blockade enforced on Manipur by NSF and Naga civil organizations. The note goes on to appeal to all in concern to immediately lift the ongoing blockade and open the life line in 24 hours. “…failing which we (AAMSU) would be forced to take up appropriate steps like counter economic blockade.”
http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/49242.html

Karbi students show support to NSF
A Staff Reporter | EMN
DIMAPUR, MAY 24: Even as impasse between the Manipur Government and the NSF shows no sign of getting resolved, the Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) today pledged solidarity
to the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) decrying the action of the Manipur commandoes and IRBs in restraining the Naga student leaders from entering into Naga areas across the Manipur border. The KSA led by its president Stalyn Ingti during a joint meeting with the NSF members today at Hotel Nagi in Dimapur urged the neighbouring communities to respect and appreciate each others rights. The Karbi student leader talking to the media appealed to Manipur civil societies and the government to immediately convene a sitting with the NSF and forge an outcome towards bringing a peaceful solution over the ongoing tension.

It may be recalled that the NSF had called for immediate restriction on movement of Manipur bound vehicles in Naga inhabited areas following the expiry of the 24 hour deadline given to the Manipur Government to revoke the 144 CrPC. The NSF also demanded unconditional apology from the Manipur Chief Minister for not allowing its leaders to enter inside Naga inhabited areas in Manipur. The bandh on Manipur vehicles continues to be enforced with the Manipur Govt failing to respond to the NSF’s demand. The KSA president also made an appeal to NSF to maintain peace and restrain its members from causing any form of disturbance to Manipuris residing in Nagaland.
Meanwhile, the KSA exhibiting its support to the NSF announced that it will not be a part of the proposed rally being organized by the All Assam Manipuri Students Union (AAMSU) slated to be held on May 26 at Sokanjan, Karbi Anglong.

NSF president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu talking to the media voiced displeasure over the sidelining of the main issues like killing of two Naga students and inflicting injuries on hundreds of Naga public, the numbers Nagas rendered homeless and suffering of the Nagas in Manipur, in the national and international media. Yhobu said the crux of the issue has been totally left out while a lot of misinformation and false facts have also been fed to the neighboring communities by Meitei organizations. He further reiterated that the NSF would continue to impose strictly the ban on Manipur bound vehicular movements until and unless the Manipur government fulfils its demands in toto.
The two apex student bodies meanwhile also reasserted to work hand in hand on all aspects to foster the age old relationship between the Nagas and Karbis.
http://easternmirrornagaland.com/

Chamdil bandh from midnight of May 24
morungexpress

Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): The Chandel Naga Civil Society Co-ordination Core Committee in its meeting held today at Chamdil reaffirmed the decision of the United Naga Council and the Naga people in rejecting the imposed Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Act, 3rd Amendment Act 2008 and enforcement of the ADC Election 2010.
The Committee in a press note sated that the meeting further decided to oppose the imposed election by the Manipur state Government by calling for a 48 hrs total Chamdil district bandh with effect from midnight of May 24, 2010.
The meeting also took a serious note on the “indifferent and stepmother treatment of the Manipur State Government for ignoring the aspiration and voice of the hill people by adopting a policy of imposition rather than building a contentious opinion”.
The CNCSCCC has appealed to all concerned voters and conscious citizens to adhere by the UNC decision and abstain from casting votes and participation in the imposed election Any person (s) violating/defying the peoples’ call shall solely bear his/her responsibility.

ZSUM calls bandh on NH-53 Police say, two arrested youths are volunteers of ANSAM
By Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 24: Even though Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur had claimed that one of the two youths rounded up by police commandos on May 20 last was its office bearer and called bandh on the NH-53, police said they were volunteers of the agitating All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM).

A team of Imphal west police commandos had arrested two youths Micah Kamei (31) son of Sabungam of Gaidimjang village of Khoupum sub-division of Tamenglong district and Meithuanlung Poul Gangmei (30) son of Mathiulung Gangmei of Makhan village near Tupul of Tamenglong district were rounded up by the police from Langol Tarung village under Lamphel police station at about 2 pm of May 20 last. With the expiry of the deadline served by the ZSUM to release the two youths, bandh has been called on the NH-53 with effect from May 25 to May 26. The union claimed that Micah as the public relation secretary of ZSUM while the other as his friend.
Police, in its case registered against the duo, said that they were volunteers of All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and involved in the burning down of government offices in the hill districts of the state in total contradict to a statement of the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM).
Micah is the publicity relation secretary of ZSUM while Meithuanlung is his friend, the statement signed by the state secretary of ZSUM Chungthuigai Kamei said the statement signed by Chunthuigai Kamei, state secretary, ZSUM dispatched today and announced the imposition of the bandh on the NH-53 in protest against the failure on the part of the state government to release them without any conditions. The union served the ultimatum to government on May 22 to release them within 24 hour. The lack of taking initiative by the government has compelled to impose the bandh, the statement added.
The Union also warned that series of agitations will be launched if the authority concern fails to release them without any condition. Medical, electricity, water supply will be exempted from the bandh. On the other hand according to FIR case registered with the Lamphel police said that the two volunteers of ANSAM behind the imposition of economic blockade on the national highways in the state. They were sent by senior members of the ANSAM in Imphal to seek co-operation of the Naga public of Imphal area to strengthen the ongoing economic blockade paralyzing the supply of essential commodities, the police case report said. State has been facing acute shortage of essential commodities particularly vehicle fuel and life saving drugs due to the prolong imposition of the economic blockade on the NH-39 and 53.
From their disclosure, police also established that they were also involved in burning down of government offices in the hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong. Besides they also threatened employees of government offices, teachers and students of the colleges not to attain offices, schools and colleges, the police report said. Over 30 government offices extending over four Naga dominated hill districts of Manipur since May 6, the day on which two Mao youths were killed in violence incident at Mao gate in a stand-off between protestors and security forces deployed for preventing NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah from entering the state.

Among other offices that razed to ground in the series of arson, a tribal development block office under Somdal police station of Ukhrul, the birthplace of the general secretary was one, according to police report.
Police have taken into remand the two volunteers detained under FIR case no. 49(5) 2010 under section 307/186/189/431/120-B/427 of IPC and 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act 1932 of Lamphel police station of Imphal west. Further investigation is on to the activities of the two volunteers on their involving in other activities related with ANSAM’s stir, the police source added.
http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/news.php?newsid=790

ANSAM rejects NLFM's appeal Supports Tml and Cdl bandh
By Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 24: The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has outrightly rejected the appeal of the Naga Leaders' Forum, Manipur (NLFM) to the Naga students to call off blockade. In a press release, Vice president of ANSAM, Sounii Khapa said that the NLFM's concern is crocodile's tear. He said, such a forum is nothing but a self-styled front flouted by some frustrated individuals. Though any individual may have the liberty to form any organization by way of exercising their democratic rights, the Naga people are bound by the traditional customary practices of upholding the village decision. The ANSAM vice president further said that the Naga frontal organizations upholding this principle after due consultation at the village and tribe level adopted a decision to reject the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amendment) Act 2008 in its present form and contents.
When the Government of Manipur fails to recognize and protect the rights of the tribal, the people's organization has no choice but to abide and uphold the people's decision to protect their inherent right to land and governance. It is a shame for few individuals who are actually a member of the Indian Political Party in the guise of Naga Leader's Forum crying foul against the village decision to justify and legitimize their position in the party, which amounts to selling the rights of the hill people. On the other hand, the Tangkhul Frontal Organisations (Against ADC Election 2010) has also rejected the NLFM's appeal for peace.
The TFO said that the Forum is without any root or authenticity and mandate. There is no such organization mandated by the Naga public in the past or present stage. Alleging that the economic blockade on National highway 53 and 39 is the repercussion to the government's failure to rectify the bill of ADC 2008 Act and restrictions imposed to the visiting NSF officials to oversee the situation of May 6 aftermath at Mao gate incident.
In a press release issued by President, TKS and Member Secretary of TFO, Wungnaoshang Shimray and president of TNL, Solomon Ningshen, the TFO finds unfortunate to have such "black-sheep" amid the co-Naga fellows at a time when Nagas' "just right" is deprived by the Meiteis. The TFO sternly warns any person or mechanism distorting the historical rights of the Nagas in the name of democratic process. The Nagas outrightly reject the ADC election and re-affirm to boycott the ADC election at any cost under the present form and content of ADC 2008 Act. Expressing strong resentment against the arrest of two student leaders of Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) namely Micah Kamei and Paul Maithoulung Gangmei from Tarung under Senapati District on May 20 by Manipur Police, the All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) termed the arrest as politically motivated to intimidate the two dedicated student leaders working in the fore front to protect the rights of the students particularly in remote district of Tamenglong and Zeliangrong villages in Manipur.
In a press release, the ANSAM vice president, Sounii Khapa said that the two student leaders should be released unconditionally as they are promoters of student's welfare. If their release is delayed, the ANSAM will be compelled to join hands with the ZSUM and other Naga Students Organizations to launch any democratic agitation.
ANSAM also extends support to the ZSUM's 48-hour lightning total bandh of NH 53 starting from midnight May 24.
The ANSAM further endorses and extends its support to the 48-hour Chandel district bandh called by the Chandel Naga Civil Society Coordination Core Committee in protest against the imposed ADC election 2010, the press release said.
http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/news.php?newsid=789

Naga Youth Front extends full support to 48 Hrs bandh

Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): The Naga Youth Front has extended its fullest support to the 48 hrs Chamdil bandh called by the Chandel Naga Civil Society Coordination Core Committee in protest against the imposition of ADC Election 2010 by the State Government of Manipur. “..despite of outright rejection of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971 and 3rd Amendment Act 2008 in its present form and content, instead of acknowledging the voice and aspiration of the people for whom the said Act is meant for, the imposition of such election is nothing but the naked truth of suppression and sinister design to further colonized the tribal people. Out right to land and resources, identity, culture has been threatened by the very act of imposition,” stated a press note. It also stated the Naga Youth Front is constraint to witness the continued suppression and reign of terror perpetuated on the innocent Nagas by the Terrorist Manipur State Government at Mao Gate and the arrest of two student leaders representing the Zeliangrong Student’s Union, Manipur on May 20, 2010 at Tarung. The NYF demands immediate unconditional release of the said student leaders. The NYF extend its fullest support to the 48 hrs NH 53 Bandh called by the ZSUM.
http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/49269.html
ANSAM, TFO respond to Naga Leaders’ Forum morungexpress
Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) in a rejoinder stated that with reference to the news item published on May 23 under the heading “Naga Forum Appeal for Peace” is nothing but Shedding a crocodile’s tear in the “pretext of the acute inconvenience due to economic blockade by the so called Naga Leaders’ Forum, is disgusting”.

It stated that such a forum is nothing but a self-styled front flouted by some frustrated individuals intending to mislead the people and gain cheap popularity and please their masters. Though any individual may have the liberty to form any organization by way of exercising their democratic right, the Naga people are bound by the traditional customary practices of upholding the village decision. “The Naga frontal organizations upholding this principle after due consultation at the village and tribe level adopted a decision to reject the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 3rd Amendment Act 2008 in its present form and contents,” it stated.

Moreover, the note also mentioned that when the Government of Manipur fail to recognize and protect the rights of the tribal, the people’s organization has no choice but to abide and uphold the people’s decision to protect their inherent right to land and governance. “It is a shame for few individuals who are actually a member of the Indian Political Party in the guise of Naga Leader’s Forum crying foul against the village decision to justify and legitimize their position in the party amounts to selling the rights of the hill people. At the cause of the hill people, few Naga individual acting as stooge of the Communal State Government of Manipur have admitted themselves to be an agent working against the interest of the hill people.”

Moreover, in a separate rejoinder note, the Tangkhul Frontal Organisations (Against ADC Election 2010) in its strongest term reiterated to the press statement published on May 24,2010 under the headline “Naga Leaders’ Forum appeal for peace”. The TFO termed the released as “self style Forum without any root or authenticity and un-mandated and clarifies that there is no such organization mandated by the Naga public in the past or present stage”. Alleging that the economic blockade at National highway 53 and 39 is the “reciprocatory or repercussion consequences of the government failure to rectify the bill of ADC 2008 Act and restrictions imposed to the visiting NSF officials to oversee the situation of May 6 aftermath at Mao gate where two Naga students were brutally gunned down and several others severely injured”. Thus any mayhem or troubles be responsible solely to the government of Manipur and no other organizations to blame.

The TFO also added that it is unfortunate to have black-sheeps “amidst in the co-Naga fellows who represent in their selfish ends at the time of Nagas mass exodus movement voicing uni-vocally the vulnerable and historical rights of the Nagas when it is deliberately distorted, suppressed and deprived the “just right” by the Meiteis”. Moreover, the TFO has sternly warned that any person or mechanism distorting the historical rights of the Nagas on behest of calling the Democratic process when the people of the Nagas out-rightly rejected the imposed or force ADC election and repeatedly re-affirmed to boycott the ADC election in any Naga soil at any cost under the present form and content of ADC 2008 Act.

ANSAM flays arrest of two student leaders

Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): The All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) has expressed strong resentment against the arrest of two student leaders of Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Manipur (ZSUM) - Micah Kamei and Paul Maithoulung Gangmei on fabricated allegation from Tarung under Senapati District on May 20 last by Manipur Police. The ANSAM has termed the arrest as politically motivated to intimidate and terrorize the two “dedicated student leaders” working in the fore front to protect the rights of the students particularly in remote district of Tamenglong and Zeliangrong villages in Manipur, stated a press note issued by its vice president. It also claimed that the Communal state forces of Manipur has been acting and indulging extremely in anti people activities in Mao Gate where thousand of Naga People are taking shelter as displaced persons in Khuzama and Kisama. “The state forces continuing their reign of terror has now made Micah Kamei, Information & Publicity Secretary, ZSUM and Paul Maithoulung Gangmei, member ZSUM a soft target on unfounded allegations.”

The ANSAM has questioned the Communal State Government of Manipur for confining under duress the two students’ leaders of ZSUM under Police Custody in Imphal denounced the atrocities and denial of their right to be free. It also added that the Government of Manipur needs to take necessary steps to release the two students’ leaders unconditionally as they are promoters of student’s welfare. On further delay of their unconditional release, the ANSAM will be compelled to join hands with the ZSUM and other Naga Students Organizations to launch any democratic agitation to protect our rights from injustice, suppression and oppression by the State Communal forces in the hill districts.
http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/49267.html

Protest rally at Tadubi By Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 24: Effigy of Chief Minister, O Ibobi was burnt down at Tadubi play ground in Senapati district by the protestors participating in a rally organised by Mao Council on Monday. Around 1000 people participated in the rally which kicked started from Tadubi Playground and marched upto Tadubi Oil Pump with the protest slogans registering government decision barring visit of NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah in the state. Reports received here said that the protest rally also strongly condemned the killing of two youths and injuring to several others in the May 6 Mao gate stand-off.
The effigy of the Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh was burnt down by the protestors at the concluding part of the rally by shouting anti-Ibobi and anti-government slogans. They also demanded immediate review of the government decision and allow Muivah to enter into the state, the report added. Police said the rally was dispersed later. Sit-in protests against government decision were also staged at Mao Bazar in Senapati district and at Gandhi Chawk in Ukhrul district today. The sit-in protest at Mao Bazar participated by around 150 womenfolk of the area was started at about 10 am and went on till 3 pm and organised by the Moa Mother Association, a report received here said. Around 200 womenfolk took part in the sit-in protest at Gandhi Chawk in Ukhrul district which was also started around 10 am and went on till 3 pm. Protestors are demanding revocation of the government decision regarding Muivah’s entry into the state and allow him to visit his birthplace, reports said.
http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/news.php?newsid=787

Call off blockade: Naga leaders appeal By Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 24, 2010: Manipur-based Naga leaders today asked the Naga students to call off the month-long indefinite economic blockade of two national highways 39 and 53 in Manipur to end suffering of common people.
In a joint statement, Naga Leaders Forum, Manipur, (NLFM) convenor A S Simreiyo and general secretary PA Thekho said common people were suffering a lot due to acute shortage of essential commodities and other items of daily need on account of a economic blockade since April 12. The prolonged economic blockade, launched by the All-Naga Students Association, Manipur, could result in starvation and even death, the statement said. They also disapproved of destruction of public or private property during the blockade. In the same vein, the statement also appealed to civil organisations to withdraw a counter-blockade by preventing transportation of essential items to the hill districts.
The Naga Leaders Forum, Manipur, (NLFM) statement said elections to the ADCs were a democratic process and it would be very unfair to boycott it. It said people should be given a chance to express their rights in the elections and appealed to all sections of the people to cooperate with the elections.
http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/news.php?newsid=793
Anti-blockade plea by Manipur Nagas
Imphal: Manipur-based Naga leaders on Monday appealed to students from the community to call off the month- long indefinite economic blockade of the state's two national highways to end the suffering of common people. In a joint statement, Naga Leaders Forum of Manipur (NLFM) convener AS Simreiyo and general secretary PA Thokho said common people were suffering due to acute shortage of essential commodities and other items. (PTI)
http://www.theshillongtimes.com/

Withdrawn By Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 24: Daniel Leivon Lamkang, an Independent candidate for teh ensuing ADC election, 1st phase to be conducted on May 26 in 10-Aihang Constituency, 41-A/C (ST), Chandel has decided not to contest the election due to unavoidable circumstances, according to a statement issued by the candidate himself today.
http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/news.php?newsid=786

Clash of ego among Ministers prolong oil crisis Govt proposes, Irabot disposes
By Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 24: The authority has failed to distribute the petroleum products, which were brought to Imphal under security escort during the last two days, to the people today due to an apparent clash of ego between Minister of Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution, Y Irabot on one side and the State Chief Minister O Ibobi and some Cabinet Ministers on the other. The contest of power between the two sides has resulted in prolonging the scarcity of petrol and diesel in the state. A high level special meeting was held with the Chief Minister, O Ibobi in the chair at 10 am today at the Chief Minister's Secretariat. Some Cabinet Ministers and top officials of the government attended the meeting which discussed how the petroleum products could be distributed to the consumers. Among those officials were Chief Secretary DS Poonia, DGP, Manipur, Y Joykumar, Commissioner, Agriculture, Commissioner, CA and F & PD, etc.
After long deliberation, the meeting decided to issue 36 kilo litres of diesel per day which will be distributed with the approval of the various transport societies, a Cabinet Minister who attended the meeting told this newspaper. He said, according to the decision of the Government, the trucks, gas bullet tankers and oil tankers will be allowed to get diesel and petrol from oil pumps through the Manipur Transporters/Drivers' Association. The passenger buses and other passenger vehicles with diesel engines plying between hills and valley would be given fuel through their respective associations. The farmers who need diesel oil and the school vans would also be given required fuel, the Minister said. As per the decisions of the meeting, the government directed Commissioner, Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution, P Vaiphei to issue necessary orders. Reliable sources said that when the officials concerned started working on translating the government's decisions taken at the meeting, it was already 4 pm.

As it is an official rule, the main responsibility for distribution of petroleum products lies with the Department of Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution. Therefore, the Commissioner of the Department has to submit the file to the Minister concerned, who is none other than Y Irabot, for signing it. The sources further said that when the Commissioner submitted the file to Minister Irabot, he sent it back to the Commissioner saying that it is not right to take decisions as regards his department without his consent. Minister Irabot is said to have asked the Commissioner to submit the file along with the earlier one which was related to the method of making petroleum products available to the consumers as had been worked out by his department. Thus, the two files including the one which was approved at the meeting in the presence of the Chief Minister were submitted to Minister Irabot.

The sources said that as the two files were submitted to the office of the Minister at 4 pm, officials could not confirm whether Minister Irabot has received the files or not. Minister Irabot was not present at today's meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. Sources said that, the notice of the meeting was given to the Minister in time. Besides, he was asked on phone to attend the meeting to discuss the modality of distribution of the fuels. However, a source close to Minister Irabot said that no information about the meeting was given to the Minister. A high level officer in the Department of CA and F&PD revealed to this newspaper that no order has been issued till late tonight regarding distribution of fuels. Therefore, he appealed to the people not to form long queues at the oil pumps. The order for distributing petrol and diesel at the oil pumps would be issued only after seeing the files released by Minister Irabot tomorrow. Even then it is not possible that issuing order and distribution of diesel and petrol would be done in the same day, the source said.
http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/news.php?newsid=798

Reactions to forum’s appeal

Tangkhul Naga frontal organisations (against ADC election 2010) and All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) have reacted to a news report “Naga leaders’ forum appeal for peace”, which reportedly appeared in Imphal-based daily. The forum’s statement reportedly said that prolonged blockade, launched by All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur, would soon lead to starvation of many families and even dead, due to lack of life saving drugs. The Naga leaders’ forum also reportedly said that elections to ADCs were a democratic process and that it would be very unfair to boycott it. In a press rejoinder, the Tangkhul frontal organisations (against ADC election 2010) termed the statement as “self style Forum without any root or authenticity and un-mandated.” The TNL president and TFO member secretary Solomon Ningshen and TKS president Wungnaoshang Shimray clarified that there was no such organization mandated by Naga public “in the past or present stage.” Alleging that economic blockade on NH-53 and NH-39 was consequences of Manipur government’s failure to rectify ADC 2008 Act and restrictions imposed to visiting NSF officials, the TFO said Manipur government should be solely responsible for any “mayhem or troubles”. Further, the organisation warned “any person or mechanism” of distorting historical rights of the Nagas on behest of calling “democratic process when the people of the Nagas out-rightly rejected the imposed or force ADC election and repeatedly re-affirmed to boycott the ADC election in any Naga soil…” Meanwhile, the ANSAM termed the statement as “disgusting”, and that it was nothing but “shedding a crocodile’s tear”. “…such a forum is nothing but a self-styled front flouted by some disgruntled and frustrated individuals intending to mislead the people and gain cheap popularity and please their masters,” ANSAM vice president Sounü Khapa said in a press release.
http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMjYzMjg%3d-C1HYLooTsoI%3d

Non-locals leaving Manipur in fear Our Correspondent | EMN

MAO GATE, MAY 24: Hundreds and thousands of non-locals have reportedly started moving out of Manipur following a threat from various Meitei organisations
and underground outfits asking them to leave Manipur by June 31, 2010. Interacting with media persons at Mao-Gate today, a non-local businessman, along with his family members, said they had fled from Imphal leaving their entire business and other activities fearing harm from the local people. He revealed that they were served with quit notice through Imphal based local media warning of dire consequence if they do not leave within the stipulated time frame. The non-locals are reaching up to Mao-Gate through any possible conveyance after which they are boarding taxis and any form of transportation to reach Dimapur for their onward destination.
http://easternmirrornagaland.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24022:non-locals-leaving-manipur-in-fear&catid=61:top-news

Blockade takes toll on hills too - Food prices shoot up, fuel stocks go dry in five Manipur districts OUR CORRESPONDENT

Imphal, May 24: The economic blockade imposed on two prime supply routes to Manipur since April 11 has taken its toll not only on the valley populace but also settlers in the five hill districts of the state as well.
The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) had imposed an indefinite blockade on the Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Jiribam highways against holding of elections to six autonomous district councils in the hill districts.
The association intensified the blockade after the Okram Ibobi Singh government foiled an attempt by NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah to enter Manipur.
Official sources told this correspondent over phone that there was no starvation death till today in the hills but the situation was “bad” despite some supplies trickling in from other routes. The situation worsened after the valley people launched a counter blockade by stopping movement of goods to the hill districts. “Of course, nobody has died of hunger in my district. But the situation is critical. However, some trucks have brought supplies from Peren district of neighbouring Nagaland a week back,” Sumant Singh, deputy commissioner of Tamenglong, a district primarily inhabited by people from the Naga community, said.
Reports said rice was sold at Rs 28 to Rs 30 kg per kg while fuel stocks have gone dry in Tamenglong. The district had received supply of essentials from Peren through the Peren-Tenning road, about 150km from the district headquarters, after women in Jiribam launched a counter blockade. “After the district had a crisis-like situation, some trucks brought the supply about a fortnight back through the road,” a source in the district headquarters, said.
The situation is more or less the same in Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel, all Naga community-dominated districts and Churachandpur, which has a mixed population. Sources, however, said some essential commodities were still available in the markets. “There is some stock of commodities in Ukhrul,” an official source said. “We do not have any other problem in Ukhrul, except for fuel and cooking gas. Cooking gas is being sold at Rs 800 per cylinder,” an Ukhrul resident said.
Sources said supplies to Ukhrul came through the Ukhrul-Jessami- Peren road, a part of National Highway 150. Similarly, supplies to Churachandpur came from Mizoram while Chandel has been getting commodities from neighbouring Myanmar through Moreh town. “Though prices have risen, the markets are somehow managing to sell commodities in Senapati,” superintendent of police, Senapati, Nishit Kumar Ujjwal, said. Prices of commodities have gone up by Rs 10 to Rs 15 in the five hill districts.
Effigy speared The Naga community in Mao today condemned Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh saying he was an “evil person” and held a traditional ritual to banish him by spearing his effigy at Tadubi ground in Senapati district after a rally in Tadubi town.
Nearly 2,000 people cursed Ibobi Singh and wished him dead, saying he brought sufferings and deaths to Mao.
The Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur, has called a 48-hour bandh along the Imphal-Jiribam highway from midnight tonight against the arrest of two of the union’s leaders from Tarung village in Senapati district on May 20. All Naga Students Association, Manipur extended full support to the highway bandh and Chandel district bandh. Eom.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100525/jsp/northeast/story_12483062.jsp

Mao union refutes DIMAPUR, MAY 24 (NPN):
Mao Union, Kohima refuting a news report “Displaced leave Kisama”, appeared in a local daily May 23, today termed it as “misleading”, stating that displaced persons from Mao areas were still taking refuge in Kisama. A press communiqué from Mao union, Kohima has also said that educational institutions and shops in Mao Gate areas still remained closed due to tense situation, aftermath May 6 incident. Further, the union stated that more security forces have been deployed in Mao gate areas, which, it said was aimed to “intensify terror tactics of Manipur government to suppress the aspirations of the Nagas.”

http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMjYzMjY%3d-0BueE0a6MFY%3d

morungexpress

The 10-Point “A Covenant of Common Hope” adopted by Naga participants during the latest Naga Peace Summit III at Chiang Mai, Thailand needs to be welcomed. Though not specific and lacking some clarity—yet the importance of the document as a guideline for ensuring peace and mutual understanding cannot be overlooked. And as rightly mentioned by the participants of the Naga Peace Summit III—representing Naga political groups, frontal Hohos, Churches and Civil Societies—this is in response to the general desire of the Naga people for peace and “there is no turning back”. With the summit in Chiang Mai drawing to a close, one is not surprised to hear the pessimism expressed when it comes to peace among the UG groups in particular and the Nagas in general. This tells a lot about the total frustration of people. And they cannot be blamed if they have lost faith in the good sense of our UG leaders. Leaders should take the high ground and consider what is good for the over all interest of the Naga people.

As far as the doubts expressed about such peace summits—while past negotiations (and there have been countless number of them) have failed to address the issues—no one will disagree that bringing the UGs in a common platform has not been an easy task. In fact it is a thankless job. Every one from the Naga Hoho, Church, civil societies have burned their fingers while dealing with this issue. It will be only fair to give time to the latest initiative undertaken by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. It is very easy to criticize. But we must show the courage of conviction and prayerfully support the cause of peace. And given the cynicism and hopelessness that has been expressed due to past failures of such peace initiatives, it is all the more a challenge for the Naga participants and the signatories to this 10-Point Covenant, to doubly ensure that the same is implemented both in letter and spirit. Noteworthy among them include the need to “exercise utmost restraint and shun all forms of confrontation and violence (Point 4) that may result in further divisions among the Nagas” and instead—as rightly mentioned—to “constructively work together (Point 4) in addressing differences and difficulties of the ground realities that stand in the way of Naga reconciliation”.

All concerned parties must take immediate steps to end violence and create the conditions for lasting peace. An unconditional ceasefire goes with the spirit of the agreed covenant and therefore the public will expect a positive decision on this front sooner than later. It is also suggested that one of the first things that needs to be done by the concerned national groups/UGs, tribal hohos and civil society organizations is to review on their policy or orders/Azhas that has been detrimental to peace. For instance the quit notice/s, banning of organizations, excommunication order/s, threats etc. must be immediately revoked. Further the information wing of the respective groups must stop all unnecessary acrimony through the media. All this should be seen as a natural corollary to the 10-Point Covenant. Making a public commitment “before God and fellow Nagas” is no ordinary undertaking and would require the highest degree of maturity, restraint and responsibility, which hopefully will be demonstrated in the days to come. In response to the 10-Point Covenant, one comment posted in the internet reminds of the Biblical verse that “Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, Exodus 20.7”. The onus now lies on the signatories and it is hoped that they will consider the 10-Point “A Covenant of Common Hope” as both sacrosanct and inviolable.

As for the Forum for Naga Reconciliation—due credit goes to them for taking up the role as peace mediators at a crucial and difficult period. Their unwavering commitment, diligent effort and positive energy to create real, lasting peace among the Nagas must be appreciated. At the same time their task is far from over and would require them to be engaged in the process to its logical conclusion. This will demand meaningful intervention—necessary monitoring/verification mechanism—and appraisal when it comes to implementing the peace roadmap. Without reciprocal compliance on the ground, the peace charter will remain a mere paper exercise, which will become a mockery and an embarrassment for Nagas. At the end, cooperation and collaboration is required so that people at long last come to enjoy the dividends of peace. This golden opportunity should not be missed.
(The above article is purely a personal analysis of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinion of this newspaper)
http://www.morungexpress.com/political_affairs/2242.html

Politics over dev.: Raising Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, May 24 (NPN):

NSCN (I-M) kilo kilonser (home minister) Rh. Raising asserted that for the NSCN(I-M), politics was a priority over development as the latter should follow the former. He said this while addressing a meeting on ‘interaction on peace and current situation’ held at the Chumukedima town hall Monday attended by representatives of the Naga Council,DNSU, GBs Association, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Chro Public Organisation, GBs and DBs Joint Forum including some public. In his one and half-hour speech, Raising also asserted that the NSCN (I-M) was neither a faction, nor a party but a “council of the Naga people.” Raising dubbed Manipur chief minister Ibobi as a puppet of the central government and Manipur as “an instrument of Indianisation.” Raising also blamed the Centre for the prevailing situation at Mao gate saying that the May 6 incident could have been avoided,if the Centre wanted to. While maintaining that there was no justification in preventing Muivah from visiting his village, Raising said Nagas were only asking for their land and not land belonging to Meiteis.

Straying into state politics, Raising attacked the Congress saying it was not for Naga politics but for Indian politics and that the Congress was good for India but not for Nagas. He said it was for these reasons, that the NSCN(I-M) did not trust the Congress party. He also opined that Nagas were yet to be liberated from ignorance, illiteracy and helplessness. Raising also spoke on the abundant minerals and human resources that remained to be exploited.
Expressing serious concern over the influx of foreigners, the NSCN (IM) kilo kilonser said it was a threat against assimilation of the identity of Naga people. He however said Muslims were rising because of their ‘jihad’ and added Nagas are also on the same level.

Raising went on to say “thousands of NSCNs are ready to die for you…..you are a very lucky people.” Other representatives from the NSCN (IM) who spoke at the programme included Education kilonser Vikiye, War & Victim kilonser Tokim and V Horam of Ministry of Internal Security (MIS). The moderators for the interaction were steering committee member Kihoi Swu and Secretary of MIS M Daniel Lotha. While short speeches were also delivered by the president of Naga Council, president DNSU, president GBs association, president Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, president Chro Public Organization (CPO) Chumukeidma and president GBs & DBs Joint Forum. Meanwhile, according to reports, similar meetings were held at several places in Nagaland, which were also convened by the NSCN (I-M). http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMjYzMzE%3d-psWbyPu2Y88%3d

Muivah– a homecoming too far By Yambem Laba
WHEN Thuingaleng Muivah left for the jungles to wage a bush war against India more than 40 years ago, never once did he think of returning home. Which is one reason why he was never caught. Instead, he trekked to China’s Yunan province and made the Kachinland and Somra tract in Myanmar his home, from where he directed his cadres in hit-and-run tactics. By 1980 he emerged as the flag-bearer of Naga insurgency following the ill-fated 1975 Shillong Accord.

In 1988, when the NSCN broke up, he almost lost his life. He ought to be thankful to the Meiteis for saving him for it was the United National Liberation Front that had warned him of the impending danger when the Pangmeis and Konyak cadres rose in revolt against Tangkhul domination. However, in the skirmishes that followed, he lost his trusted aide, Lt-Col Luitha Tangkhul, and a host of other Tangkhul followers. Around the same time, R Minshaming, then chairman of the Tangkhul region of the NSCN, was caught by the Assam Rifles. Muivah was soon on the run, with the Indian and Myanmarese armies, the Pangmeis and the Konyaks — followers of his rival SS Khaplang — and fellow Tangkhul followers of Zimik Ramyo in the guise of a clandestinely state-sponsored People’s Militia of Nagaland or Shillong after him.
However, Phoenix-like, he soon emerged, consolidated his position and spread his wings, with the NSCN(IM) being rechristened the “mother of all the new insurgent groups” by the Indian media, which saw a mushrooming growth all over the North-east. He also left the steaming jungles for the airconditioned comforts of Bangkok and the cool climes of Amsterdam. Then, when he succeeded in getting the NSCN (IM) membership of the Unrepresented Nations People’s Organisation headquartered in The Hague, he was able to internationalise the Naga cause in a much more concrete manner than did AZ Phizo.
Parleys resulting in the 1997 ceasefire between Indian troops and NSCN (IM) cadres had begun as early as 1994. That was when then Union minister for internal security, the late Rajesh Pilot, informed me that “we have established contacts with the NSCN(IM) leadership and informal talks are already on”. The announcement of the “Indo-Naga talks” soon started arousing the suspicion of Manipuris that the talks might end up in the balkanisation of Manipur. On 4 August 1997, more than 200,000 Manipuris took to the streets of Imphal reiterating that there can be no compromise on Manipur’s territorial integrity. Then, two weeks later, the NSCN (IM) succeeded in planting a story in The Statesman through its Shillong correspondent. The report appeared on 13 August — the day the British had, in 1891, hung Manipuri leaders — and emotions ran high. It spoke of the government of India having agreed to the Naga demand for the integration of Naga areas of Manipur with Nagaland. Things almost came to a boil and then chief minister Rishang Keishing had to do some fire-fighting before getting an assurance from the Centre to the contrary. The NSCN (IM) then contradicted the report, adding that Nagas and Meiteis were brothers.
Then in March 2001, Muivah made a fatal move when he directed cadres of a Kuki group that was then aligned with the NSCN(IM) to have Yambem Thamkishore, deputy commissioner of Chandel district, a Manipuri IAS officer and my cousin, abducted. I was asked by chief minister Ibobi Singh to proceed to Delhi and take the matter up with the Centre. I recall telling then Union minister for state for home ID Swami that a group that was engaged in talks with the Centre had abducted an IAS officer and, by that account, an employee of the government of India. He agreed that abduction was an act of terrorism and promised to get the ball rolling. Thamkishore was released on a day that coincided with Holi and Good Friday. But Manipuri sentiments were already aroused by then against the NSCN (IM).

Then came the Bangkok blast in the form of a declaration stating that the government of India had agreed to extend the ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) without territorial limits. On 18 June 2001, the whole of Imphal burned with no questions being asked, no quarters given. Eighteen people lost their lives in police firing and it was rumoured that the Governor had been whisked off by helicopter to refuge in Army headquarters. I recall telling the late Ashok Saikia, who was the trusted joint secretary to then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, when he had called up from Beach Candy Hospital in Mumbai where the PM was having a knee replacement surgery, “that the only thing that is left is for Manipur to declare itself independent”. The PM, in his address to the Press the next day, said that “there seems to have been some misunderstanding in Manipur”. The Centre then rolled back and the term “without territorial limits” was dropped.
Then came the 6 May 2010 incident when the Manipur chief minister had Muivah’s entry sealed at Mao Gate on the Manipur-Nagaland border. Holding an Indian passport, the NSCN (IM) supremo should have realised that the law of the land would not permit him to enter Manipur. For there still exists a warrant for his arrest and a reward of Rs 3 lakh. It is contained in the order issued by the State Home Department vide No.1/4(6)/S-H (Pt-1) and dated 4 April 1994. Altogether 71 persons, belonging both to the hills and the valley, are listed in it. And it includes UNLF chairman Sanayaima and Revolutionary People’s Front chairman Irengbam Chaorel. Under the law, the state government cannot give preferential treatment to Muivah in ignorance of the 70 others in the wanted list. He should also not forget the time when he was arrested at Bangkok airport by Thai authorities for trying to re-enter Thailand with a Korean passport.
In the autumn of his life, the patriach of Naga insurgency should now consider striking a deal with the government of India within the territorial confines of today’s Nagaland. He could call himself the Ato Kilonser in as much as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir is called the Wazir-e-Azam and All India Radio Srinagar is known as Radio Kashmir. Perhaps then he can make the much-awaited journey back to his beloved Somdal village where he was born and mingle with the people of Ukhrul as a respected leader and statesman. Perhaps he might then be welcomed in the valley as well. In any case it is a long way to the promised homeland for Shri Muivah.
http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/news.php?newsid=801

Manipur and Naga Politics; Dangers of sectarian ethno-nationalist politics By A Bimol Akoijam
“What next in Meitei Naga relationship?” posed a passionate and well-known Naga nationalist in a newspaper published in Nagaland in the aftermath of the unsavory Mao incident of 6 May 2010. It is difficult to recollect an occasion wherein the Naga nationalists have ever asked such a question in the course of their decades old struggle against the Indian State. But that a Naga nationalist has come to ask such a question is significant; for it points to the changing, if not changed, nature of the concern of the Naga nationalists.
Intriguing Transformation: From Indo-Naga to Manipuri-Naga Conflict. It seems fairly obvious that the concern amongst the Naga nationalists today is noticeably and overwhelmingly that of “Naga integration” rather than “sovereignty” that had primarily driven their movement of epic proportion for decades. Indeed, Sanjoy Hazarika has noted rather candidly, “it doesn’t matter now that he (Mr. Muivah) still talks of sovereignty — everyone knows that (it) is not on the Indian Government’s agenda and the Naga peace talks are no longer a bilateral issue but an internal problem of India” (Imphal Free Press, dated 9/5/2010).
Mr Hazarika may not be far from the truth; after all, from terming the 16 Point Agreement of 1960 that paved the way for the creation of Nagaland as a state of the Indian Union in 1963 as a “great betrayal” to the nationalist cause and calling the Government of that Indian state as a “puppet” regime, happy image of camaraderie between the Naga nationalist leaders and the incumbent Chief Minister of Nagaland flashes in media across Nagaland today; In fact, Mr Muivah, a leader of a Naga nationalist organization could today appreciate a former Chief Minister of Nagaland, Late Mr. Vizol, as a “popular Chief Minister” (Nagaland Post, dated 16/5/2010)! This might be good news for the Indian authorities who, as Mr. Hazarika points out, treat the Naga issue as “an internal problem of India”.
This change in the concern of the Naga nationalists and the seeming success of the authorities of the Indian State could have been taken as a promise of an end to the conflict in this part of the world. But unfortunately this new situation has also broaden the sphere of conflict in the region by transforming the “Indo-Naga” conflict into other (potential) conflicts, particularly a real “Manipuri-Naga” conflict.
Significantly, the change in the concerns of the Naga nationalists has also simultaneously brought about a corresponding transformation: from being a party to a hitherto existing (Indo-Naga) conflict, the Indian State has emerged as an arbitrator of a (Manipuri-Naga) conflict! That the Union Home Secretary travels to Manipur and Nagaland to mediate and resolve the ongoing impasse arising out of Mr. Muivah’s attempt to enter Manipur with his entourage is a clear proof of the changed reality.
It is these shifts that have implicated Manipur as the “other” (which has hitherto been the Indian State) against whom the Nagas today seem to primarily articulate and consolidate its “nationhood”. Therefore, far from Manipur poking its nose into the Naga affairs, it is this Naga politics that has dragged Manipur as a “bargaining item” into the murky waters of the secretive dealings between the “two entities”, the Government of India and the Nagas represented by the NSCN (I-M). And “what next in Meitei Naga relationship” is a poser that indicates the tone and tenor of this new dynamics of Naga politics. Ethnicized Manipur: A fish on the fishmonger’s slab?
Incidentally, the poser (“what next in Meitei Naga relationship”) reveals an effort to make Manipur into a “bargain-able” item by seeking to enthnicize and fragment the state. Thus, an incident involving the agencies and citizens of a state has been rendered in terms of “Meitei-Naga relationship”! This rendering not only denies the incident as something that involved a state and its citizens but also avoid framing the issue, if at all it had to be so, in terms of “Manipuris and Nagas” or “Nagaland and Manipur”. This is a deliberate attempt to reduce Manipur into an “ethnic” category; for, invoking “Meitei” while talking about Manipur suppresses the fact that the expressions “Manipur” and “Manipuris” encompass other communities who inhabit the state as its natives and constitute the Manipuri identity (e.g., the Manipuri Muslims).
Revealingly, this attempt to discursively produce an ethnicized identity for Manipur is also visible when various Naga groups talk of the people in the North East as “the Assamese, the Arunachalis, the Meities, the Nagas, and the Kukis etc”. While choosing the ethnicized expression for Manipur (the Meiteis), it retains the non-ethnicized expression for Assam and Arunachal (the Assamese, the Arunachalis).
Simultaneously, it also clubs a category representing a linguistically or otherwise homogeneous community like the Meiteis with those categories representing conglomerations of multi-lingual and heterogeneous communities like “the Nagas” and “the Kukis”. If “Manipuri” is a contested category, “Assamese” and “Nagas” too are contested categories. For instance, there are enough anthropological and political debates as to which “tribe” is or is not a “Naga tribe” in Manipur. Incidentally, the gentleman who poses the question on “Meitei Naga relation” wrote a book called “Nagaland and India: The Bloods and the Tears” and in its first edition included “Meitei Nagas” as one of the “Naga tribes” in the Indo-Burma region! (Interestingly, in its subsequent editions of the same book published after the 2001 “cease-fire” incident, that category has been dropped from the list of the “Naga tribes”!).
Modern (nationalist) identities are, as historians tell us, products of historically contingent (political) mobilizations. Similarly, the “desire to be together” is also a product of similar mobilizations; there is nothing naturally “given” about these modern identities and desires. Over the last two decades, identities have been mobilized in Manipur through systematic enthnicization and fragmentation of the state. The infamous “Kuki-Naga” clashes in the hills of Manipur, which had led to the loss of innocent lives, had also produced shifting allegiances amongst communities and sharpening of the “Naga” and the “Kuki” identities. Regrettably, with such an attempt at ethnicizing Manipur, most Naga nationalists seem to look at Manipur today as a fish on the fishmonger’s (read, the Indian State) slab, something that they can bargain with the authorities of the Indian State and take a piece of it! Asking “mighty India” to use its power (and invoke Article 3) to cut down Manipur into pieces and part a piece of the same to make up the aspired “Nagalim” speaks of such an outlook.
Ironically, the agenda to tear apart Manipur has also been pursued by invoking the Naga nationalist history as a rationale with a revealing contradiction. The people in the hills of Manipur took part in the Parliamentary Elections held in 1952 and 1957 and had elected Mr. Rishang Keishing (1952) and Mr. R. Suisa (1957) as MPs from Manipur. That both the claims — that the Nagas had totally boycotted the “Indian” Parliamentary Elections in 1952/1957 and the people who took part in the same elections are also Nagas — cannot be simultaneously true. And yet, certain communities in the hills of Manipur invoke the historical fact of the Nagas (that they had boycotted those elections following their convictions that they were/are not Indians,) as their own truth to justify their demand for integration with Nagaland! Incidentally, the involvement of the people in the hills of Manipur in those elections is one amongst many indicators that point to the history and experiences that they shared with their brethren in the valley.
http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/news.php?newsid=800
The Missing Links in Manipur: Politics of Denial and Rights S. Shimreiwung

Often the term ‘people of Manipur’ has been invoked by various organizations in Manipur to strengthen the political opinion and demands without giving a hint of what the usage of the term connotes. Who constitute the ‘people of Manipur’ can easily be defined and enunciated by going into the census reports and statistics; however, when such term is used in expressing political demands, it can have numerous ramifications and implications. Of course, the term has been employed with the intention to imply the unity and strength of ‘people’ in Manipur. However, it also would mean ‘homogeneity’ of numerous social groups and their monolithic political assertion. And, more often than not, the people who reside in Manipur have represented in diverse or contradictory political viewpoints, rather than a unified one. This calls for interrogating into the validity of such usage when the ‘people’ in question are divided in opinions and political aspirations.

As it has been argued time and again that people in Manipur, although belongs to different ethnic groups, have shared relationships and historical experiences, we also need to accept that there is growing chasm which is widening with the passage of time. And, the division has come on the basis of ethnic boundaries, which has been determined by politics of identity. That the Nagas and Kukis have different political aspirations needs no deliberations, it also goes for the Meitei political vision as well. Why there is growing political divergence among these ethnic groups could also be explained from past historical experience as well. Perhaps, the ‘past experience’ was not as harmonious or unified in the manner that we want to construe, that the ‘people’ in Manipur might have existed as different groups despite geographical proximity. Conflicts between the ethnic groups have arises not only on their diverse political aspiration, but also on the notion of ‘territory’. In modern political parlance, territory is central to the political rights and aspirations. And, for the indigenous people, land is their livelihood. The political divisions among the ethnic groups have deeply affected the relationships between the people at every level. However, the strained inter-ethnic relationships are not only the consequence of political aspirations, but also their hardened stand, to have one’s ethnic group’s way over the others. In these political dynamics, there is also the deliberate act of denial to accept that certain communities exist at all or that differences in political aspirations do not exist in Manipur. Unequivocal invocation of ‘people of Manipur’ also implies that some communities should remain silent or be made to be silent, denying them the right to speak for themselves. Denial of the right to have difference in opinion or to assert their ethnic identity is a classic case which depicts of political hegemony by the ruling class. The politics of denial is further dividing the fragmented relationships between different ethnic groups in Manipur, rather than silencing the dissent. And, in a democratic society the right to speak and differ is a fundamental right. Therefore, to bridge the political divide and chasm in inter-ethnic relationships, it should be accepted that there are varying political aspirations amongst the people in Manipur.

Apart from people to people relationships, which gets strained time and again, due to outbreak of tragic events, the relationship between civil societies have been far from congenial. Every major public organizations and civil societies in Manipur, which has huge authority within the community, are charting their own course of political actions, confronting each other on every issue. No matter how chauvinistic a civil organization may act, the fact remains that solutions to critical issues have be solved by the people who shared the same geographical locations or locality. And, no efforts have been made by any major organizations in Manipur to open channels for communication and sharing of opinions, whether their opinions are similar or contradictory. And, even the attempts to have ‘dialogue’ have also closed, with inexplicable reasons. On the other hand, the frontal organizations of every community are speaking through actions and propagandas, adding fuel to the fire. The interventions from ‘state’ would be temporal and limited, unless the people themselves reconcile to the political realities, the issues and problems will remain. To bring any solution and bridge the strained social relationships the civil societies must come together and act with reason rather than emotions.

In this anarchic social situation, the role of the state government needs to be more calculative and constructive. By taking a partisan approach, the State Government in Manipur has already distance itself from certain communities. The state government has taken decision which is affront to the will of the people and interest of certain ethnic groups. By doing this, the ruling government has clearly revealed itself which side it is taking in the political dynamics in Manipur. Although, the politicians at the helm of affairs may be ‘hero’ for certain ethnic groups, the others might see the person as a ‘villain’. With the losing relationship between the people or certain ethnic groups and the state, the ruling government has contributed its fair amount in creating volatile situation in Manipur. One really wonders how the government in Manipur will rebuild its position and confidence amongst all the communities as the damage has already been done. And, in the case of Mao incident the ruling government and its agencies have emerged as the main culprit, as the sleepy town has been transformed into a warzone. Even after the blatant violation of human rights and inhuman atrocities being meted out to innocent civilians in Mao gate, the state government is yet to take actions on those erring officers. It clearly appears that the focus of the state government is only on one side and not the livelihood and sufferings of certain ethnic groups, let alone their interest and welfare. If the state government continue to act and work for the interest of particular community, the situation in Manipur is unlikely to take a positive turn.
http://www.morungexpress.com/analysis/49276.html

Fuel shortage persists in Manipur Newmai News

IMPHAL, May 24 – Despite the claims of the Government of Manipur regarding the availability of petroleum products in the State due to the swelling of stock, most of the filling stations are yet to open for the general public. The stock of petroleum products were augmented in the State after the stranded oil tankers in Jiribam were escorted back to Imphal, coupled with petroleum products brought through the NH-150 apart from airlifting of fuel. Following the improvement of fuel supply, the State Government has announced allotment of 24 kilolitres daily for the transporters besides providing fuel through selected agents in Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati districts. Shortage of essential commodities including fuel in the State resulted following the indefinite blockade imposed by the All Naga Students’ Association with the support of Naga frontal organisations. The blockade was called against the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council elections under the 3rd Amendment Act, 2008.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=may2510/oth05

NNC Sumi Region on Th. Muivah Tokiho Zhimomi
Thuingaleng Muivah of Somdal Village, Tangkhul Region in 1935.He was enrolled as a member of the Naga National Council (NNC) in December 1964 and was entrusted as the General Secretary of NNC at Viswema Village in February, 1965. He worked in the NNC for about ten years. However he began to betray the Naga Nation and oppose NNC/FGN in 1976 and subsequently formed the so-called NSCN on 31st January, 1980 without the knowledge of the Naga people by publishing a Manifesto and Polarisation in the form of a small booklet with few pages. In which Isak and Muivah condemned the name of A.Z. Phizo 58 times and branded him as traitor and betrayer. Then the so-called NSCN led by Isak and Muivah began to kill the NNC/FGN workers and 450 Khiamniungan public including Pastor, Deacon, Women and Children in Khiamniungan Region, Nagaland.
Houses, Churches, granaries and all wealths and properties of the twelve villages were burnt down into ashes and their satanic activities in Khiamniungan Region continued up to 27th September, 1980 till their Headquarters at Langnyokniu village was overrun by the Naga Army.
The Myanmar International News(MIN), London base February, 1981 said, “During 1979 there was a split in the Naga National Council…. as Muivah and Isak were contacted and recruited by Mrs. Gandhi’s administration through the Research Analysis Wings(RAW)…” The evil doing was begun as such resulted about 3000 fellow Nagas been killed so far by NSCN led by Isak and Muivah in the pretext of Naga Sovereignty. 69 times of talk have been held so far without any outcome and now slipping down from Sovereignty to Greater Nagalim, from Greater Nagalim to Naga Integration, with 31 point charter of demand vis-à-vis 29 point counter proposal of India, from Naga Integration to Naga Reconciliation and from Naga Reconciliation to a visit to Somdal Village, Ukhrul, Manipur at present. Thus here comes the killer now at Viswema Village and begging to India and Manipur State to allow him to enter his village Somdal under the Z plus Indian Security protection.
Finally as there is no way to proceed further after branding 58 times against A.Z. Phizo as traitor or else, Muivah began to say such as: During the second Bangkok Consultation Meeting held from 7th -11th January, 2002, Muivah repeatedly said, “our great leader A.Z. Phizo” and also he gave thanks to God, to A.Z. Phizo and to NNC for laying the solid foundation stone of the Naga Nation. Muivah also in Newland said, “Phizo is the father of the Naga Nation. The foundation stone of our nation is not laid by Isak, Muivah and NSCN, but it is Phizo and NNC.”
Muivah while addressing the 31st Republic Day of NSCN at Camp, Hebron on 21st March, 2010 said, “we would stand on the foundation and decision of erstwhile Naga National Council(NNC) leaders namely A.Z. Phizo, founder of NNC, Kughato Sukhai, former Ato Kilonser of FGN, Imkongmeren Ao, T. Sakhrie and Khadao Yanthan”.
Muivah in his booklet “A Brief Account” published on 23rd November, 2005 said “Thanks to NNC and uncle Phizo for the solid political foundation laid down in their time, I repeat had there be no NNC and uncle Phizo taking the lead our Naga history would have been altogether a pity.” Muivah on 24th March, 2010 while meeting with KTU at camp, Hebron said “Accordingly, NNC recognized KTU as frontier organization NNC, we still respect the decision of our great leaders.”
When the Nagalim voice had an exclusive interview with Muivah in a Monthly News Bulletin, Oking April–May, 2010. Muivah said “Many nations perished in the past for lack of correct leadership to guide them through dangerous stages in their time. Thank God, Nagas have been blessed with correct leadership like A.Z. Phizo, Imkongmeren, T. Sakhrie, Khadao, Yanthan, Kughato Sukhai, and others… The plebiscite of 1951 and declaration of Naga Independence on 14th August, 1947 have made the political rights of the Nagas to self determination beyond dispute.”
Muivah also recently on 5th May, 2010 in a meeting at Viswema village lauded the Naga National Council (NNC) and he said “if there was no NNC or leader like late A.Z. Phizo, Nagas would have been a lost people.”
The dog used to return to his vomit, but human being with conscience is not so. However Muivah did so and ate his own vomit. The politics without genuine foundation is a political bastard. And the politics without principle is a political prostitute. Such person like Muivah created problems in our country and shed the blood of the Nagas and the neighbours.
The NNC and NSCN are quite different like Day and Night. The history, Yahzabo, National Flag and National Days of the NNC/FGN are quite different from socialist group. The man who steals the rights and properties of others is a red handed robber, liar and a terrorist. And the man who shed the blood of Nagas is a Judas Iscariot and the main agent of the Satan and enemy. Now the real thing to let the people of the world know is that whether Muivah is an NNC worker or an NSCN worker or a Terrorist worker.

Tokiho Zhimomi
President, Sumi Region Naga National Council

Ansam PRESS RELEASE
Dated Tahamzam, May 25, 2010

The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur express serious concern on the unabated atrocities committed by the Manipur state armed forces on Naga villages in Senapati District. The reign of terror perpetuated by the communal Manipur state Govt. since 6th May 2010 at Mao gate has resulted in loss of innocent lives, injuring several innocent Nagas, displacement of thousands of Naga people from their native homes. The inhumane action perpetrated by the Indian Reserved Battalions (I.R.B) and Police Commandos of Imphal West, Imphal East, and Bishnupur under the command of V. Zathang, IPS, IG (Law & Order III) and Kailun, IPS and their very presence in Naga areas must be put to end by withdrawing immediately before more innocent people are harmed.

It is shocking to note that, not satisfied with their thirst for bloodshed and physical assaults, the Communal State Security Forces of Manipur is systemically provoking the innocent Naga People traveling around the Mao Gate. On 24th May, 2010 the brute Communal State Security Forces of Manipur after assaulting the occupants traveling in a Bolero which belong to the Pastor, Phuba Baptist Church destroyed the vehicle name plate alleging that it is the Naga churches are supporting the NSCN to create problem in the state.

The ANSAM strongly denounce the unwarranted action of the Indian Reserved Battalions and the Police Commandos under the command of V. Zathang, IPS, IG (Law & Order III) and Kailun, IPS who are themselves a Christian and demands for the immediate withdrawal of all state forces from Naga areas.

Sd/-
(SOUNII KHAPA)
Vice president, ANSAM

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON 25TH MAY, 2010 IN MOKOKCHUNG TOWN HALL ALONG WITH AN OFFICIAL TEAM OF GPRN NSCN (I.M.) LED BY MR. Q. TUCCU, CO- CONVENER, STEERING COMMITTEE AND MAJOR GENERAL. PUNGTHING, CONVENOR, MONITORING CELL.
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A public meeting was called by the C.A.O. Ao Region, Mokokchung on 25th May 2010 where representatives from all the six ranges of Ao of villagers, leaders and public of the 18 Wards of Mokokchung town, Ao Senden, Concerned Senior Citizens Forum, Concerned Citizens Forum Mokokchung, AKM etc. participated in the deliberations.

The out come of the meetings are as follows recorded in form of recommendations/findings that may be taken up by concerned authorities: -

1. In reiterating the previous stand on Naga sovereignty and total Naga integration, the Aos will continuously extend support for its cause,
2. The Aos will continue to support in the on-going peace process and political dialogue in whatever they can according to situational demands,
3. The Ao community will be ever ready to extend full support for the cause of the Southern Nagas,
4. The meeting suggested the concerned authorities to make congenial environment to enable us to hold Naga independence and Republic Day celebration every year in the district,
5. The meeting strongly suggested that there is an urgent need to conduct political awareness seminars, dialogue from time to time in the entire Naga areas in general and Ao region in particular,
6. The meeting suggested to organize special fasting and prayer programs in Ao area for early Indo-Naga political settlement led by ABAM.

The above mentioned points have been accepted by the crowd by raising hands unanimously.

Sd/-
(B. Namo Advocate)
Moderator &Recorder
Member, CSCF Mkg.
25.05.10
OFFICE OF
THE TANGKHUL NAGA FRONTAL ORGANISATIONS
AGAINST ADC ELECTION 2010
Tangkhul Naga Long HQ. Oking-Ukhrul

DECLARATION
Ukhrul May 25th 2010
The Tangkhul Naga Frontal Organisations (Against ADC Election 2010) in its meeting with the Council of Tangkhul Headmen, Chairmen and Hanga (Village Council) held today at TNL Hall-Ukhrul, reaffirmed the decision of the United Naga Council and the Naga people in rejecting the imposed Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Act, 3rd Amendment Act 2008 and enforcement of the ADC Election 2010.
The meeting unanimously concluded with a firm decision to oppose the imposed election by the Manipur state Government by calling for a 72 hrs total Ukhrul District Bandh with effect from midnight of May 31, 2010. The meeting took a serious note on the indifferent and step-motherly treatment of the Manipur State Government for ignoring the aspiration and voice of the hill people by adopting a policy of imposition. The Tangkhul Frontal Organisations appeal to all concerned voters and citizens to adhere by the UNC decision and abstain from casting votes and participation in the imposed election. Any untoward incidents and eventualities arising due to non compliance of this mandatory proclamation would be the sole responsibility of the individual(s).
The meeting was represented by 250 Tangkhul Villages Headmen and Chairmen along with their Hanga (Village Council). The mammoth gathering that fills the TNL Conference Hall in unison reaffirmed the decision of the UNC and took a solemn oath to oppose the imposed ADC Election 2010.More than thousands people from all walks of life attended the meeting and strongly voice their support to the UNC Declaration and Decision.
Sd/
Solomon Ningshen President TNL
Convener

Nagalim.NL News

05/25/2010: "Naga Hoho to uphold Rights morungexpress"