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05/27/2010: "APPEAL FROM THE NAGA PEOPLES MOVEMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS"

Thursday, May 27, 2010,

APPEAL FROM THE NAGA PEOPLES MOVEMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
26 May 2010

The human rights of Nagas in Manipur is at stake. The crackdown on peace marchers in Mao Gate on 6th May 2010 where two young students were shot dead at point blank range and more than 100, mostly women, injured is another example of the Meetei dominated Government of Manipur’s (GOM) blatant disregard for the democratic voices of the Naga people.
This assault on the human rights of Nagas is actively supported by the majority Meetei society of Manipur. This has turned the situation into one with the potential to turn into communal violence.
At the center of the conflict is the Nagas desire to welcome home one of their leaders, Mr. Th. Muivah General Secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) who will be visiting Somdal, his village, after four decades. The Meetei dominated GOM, supported by its civil societies are opposed to this visit claiming that it threatens the “territorial integrity” of Manipur. The GOM has taken a Cabinet decision to this extent. Mr. Muivah will be visiting only Naga areas and his visit is expected to contribute positively to the peace process in the violence ridden northeast India.
The GOM has deployed massive security forces in Naga areas to implement its decision; the carnage at Mao Gate on 6th May 2010 is an outcome of the use of military force to suppress the democratic aspirations of the Nagas.
At stake is the 13 years old peace process between the Government of India and the Nagas. At stake are also the rights of the Nagas to determine their own future and their yearning for peace after decades of bloodshed and violence.
It is our conviction and commitment to peace, justice, and freedom that the Naga peoples is sending out this appeal once again for your intervention which will certainly have a positive impact on the present situation.
We appeal to all to:
1. Call for the immediate revocation of the decision of the Government of Manipur;
2. Call for the withdrawal of all Manipur security forces from Naga areas;
3. Call for respect and recognition of the rights of the Nagas to determine their future, most particularly, to recognize the rights of Nagas to live together as one people under a single administrative unit;
4. Call for the immediate intervention of the appropriate authorities to stop the forcible detention of Nagas in the valley, and using them as hostage;


5. Call for the immediate intervention of appropriate authorities to ensure and guarantee an amiable environment for the safe return of all the villagers of Mao Gate and its surroundings to their homes;
6. Call for the speedy honourable and peaceful resolution of the Indo-Naga peace process.
We further appeal to all to come and personally assess the situation, not just within Imphal Valley but also in the Naga areas of Manipur.
Please write to the President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Patil, the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmahon Singh, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. P. Chidambaram whose addresses are provide below.
We are enclosing some background materials for your ready reference.
Kindly copy your letters to the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights at the following email addresses: npmhr_south@yahoo.co.in, npmhr2@gmail.com and npmhrlink@gmail.com.
We look forward to your response. Many thanks for your action.

Sincerely,
Phamhring Sengul,
for NPMHR
Insults on Naga people by Manipur Ministers: United Naga Council morungexpress
Dimapur, (MExN): The United Naga Council has stated that on the morning of May 27, 2010 Mr. Irabot Singh, Minister FCS, Govt. of Manipur along with 22 vehicles came to Noney ostensibly on a peace mission but clearly to reinforce his position as a hero for the clearance of NH 53. He was welcomed with a social boycott, informed a press note from the UNC Publicity Wing.
While the 6th May 2010 brutal repression on the Naga people resulted in the death of 2 students and injuring more than hundred people, the UNC pointed out that the Govt. of Manipur has been pretending that nothing is amiss and their only concern is to open up the NH 53 to bring in supplies to Imphal valley, the land of plenty. “Citizens have been killed, injured, their properties looted and destroyed and sentiments hurt, but the hero of Manipur is on peace mission to Noney for a morsel of rice. Is this not communal? The injustice done to a section of society is not addressed but the attention of the state is focused only on how to get supplies to Imphal valley alone”, the UNC stated.
“Let this be the last insult on the Naga people who had declared to sever ties with the state Govt. of Manipur and should any untoward incident take place in Noney or any other areas as a result of such insensitivity on the Naga people, it will be the sole responsibility of Mr. Irabot Singh and the Manipur State Govt”, the UNC stated.
Further, the UNC pointed out that Mr. K. Ranjit while addressing the Thanga Block Youth Congress as chief guest on May 25, 2010 stated that the responsibility of the Mao Gate killing on May 6 should be fixed on Mr. Muivah and also that the participants of the protest rally of the day were forced by certain NGOs. But according to the UNC, on the morning of May 6, Naga students and women folk came out to protest against the brutal assault of Mr. Ashihrii Puni on the evening of 5th of May 2010 by the Manipur state armed forces, who in response trained their guns on unarmed civilians and shot dead two students in cold blood and wounded hundred of women.
“Now Mr. K. Ranjit holds Mr. Th Muivah responsible for the violent action of the Manipur state security forces. He has gone further to insult the Naga people saying that the protestors were forced by some NGOs. Is it a crime to protest against the brutality of Manipur State armed forces? Do Nagas have no right to raise their voices against state violence on innocent civilians? Do they need to be forced to demand that the voices should be heard and dignity of life respected?”
The UNC added that the Naga people strongly condemned what it termed as “the torrents of provocative and communal actions and statements of the Ministers of the O. Ibobi led Manipur state Govt. which have been blatantly exhibited in public and in the media”.

Manipur, Nagaland PCCs to work together for diffusing crisis caused by blockade[IST]
Imphal, May 27: The Manipur and Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) have agreed to work together to facilitate a dialogue between civil society groups, including the Church, of the two States as part of their bid to defuse the crisis arising out of the economic blockade. The leaders have agreed to send a joint party delegation to the national capital to seek Central Government's intervention in the crisis. But no certain timeframe could be worked out to sending the team to New Delhi. Led by party president I. Imkong Ao, a six-member delegation of the Nagaland PCC arrived in Imphal on Wednesday afternoon from Kohima to hold discussions on the prevailing situation in both the States with Manipur. Earlier, welcoming the Nagaland delegation, Manipur PCC president Gaikhangam said the visit was a "good opening".

The Manipur PCC chief said the committees in both the states would work for people-to-people contact to work out an amicable solution to the ongoing blockade along two prime supply routes as well as the ban on Manipur vehicles in Nagaland.

Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has reportedly agreed and also assured the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee that he would strengthen and activate the Church organizations and civil societies to defuse the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

"We've decided and agreed upon that Church and civil societies should be strengthened and activated to defuse the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Manipur," Nagaland Post quoted NPCC president I. Imkong as saying in press conference at the Congress Bhavan in Kohima on Wednesday.

The Nagaland PCC delegation returned to Kohima in the afternoon after meeting chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh at the chief minister's office and Manipur PCC president Gaikhangam at Congress Bhavan here.The blockade was intensified after NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah's bid to visit Manipur was foiled by the Ibobi Singh government. (ANI)
No end in sight for Assam’s boundary woes Samudra Gupta Kashyap Indian Express
The recent trouble at Lampi (Langpih, according to Meghalaya) leading to the death of two persons when the police opened fire, has once again brought to the fore Assam’s never-ending disputes over its boundaries with the neighbouring states, more particularly Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
Lampi, about 50 km from Guwahati, has been in the news for the past couple of years with both Assam and Meghalaya laying claim on it — an issue that has only made the relationship between the two states more difficult over the inter-state borders. Two years ago, when Lampi had first shot into prominence, Meghalaya rushed to the Centre accusing Assam of illegal occupation of its territory.
Assam has a total boundary of 2885.3 km, of which 163 km and 265 km are international boundaries, the rest being inter-state. While it does not have much problem with Tripura, West Bengal and Bhutan, the remaining portions have been a major headache, including about 500 hectares of its territory that has been under illegal occupation of Bangladesh.
While Assam’s inter-state boundary problems date back to 1963 when the Centre created Nagaland out of the then Naga Hills district, controversies with Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram was triggered off by the Northeastern Areas Reorganisation Act, 1971.
In 1972, two hill districts — United Khasi & Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills — together became Meghalaya, while the erstwhile Lushai Hills district was upgraded to a Union territory (later, a state in 1986). The former North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), administered by the Governor of Assam, on the other hand, was made a Union territory and renamed Arunachal Pradesh.

Mizo bodies appeal for normalcy in Nagaland-Manipur (NPN):
DIMAPUR Various civil societies and political parties of Mizoram have expressed concern over the ongoing "misunderstanding" between the neighbouring states - Manipur and Nagaland. According to a joint press statement issued by representatives of Mizo organisations, the ongoing situation between two communities was assessed at a meeting of various civil societies and political parties of Mizoram at Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) office May 27.
While pleading for early solution to end the hardships being faced by the people and for "re-establishment of normalcy" between the two states, the house also resolved to offer their services, if required, towards the restoration of normal life among the people of Manipur and Nagaland.
The signatories of the joint statement included MZP general secretary, H. Lalremsiama; Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) secretary, F. Lalramliani; Mizo National Front (MNF) secretary, P.C. Laltlansanga; Zoram Nationalist Party Youth (ZNPY) president, P.C. Vanlalruata; Mizo Peoples Conference (MPC) secretary, Zongensanga Sailo; and Bhartya Janata Party (BJP) Mizoram state secretary, F.C. Zese.
PRESS RELEASE Dated Tahamzam, May 27, 2010
Insults on the Naga people by the Manipur Ministers

On the morning of May 27, 2010 Mr. Irabot Singh, Minister FCS, Govt. of Manipur along with 22 vehicles came to Noney ostensibly on a peace mission but clearly to reinforce his position as a hero for the clearance of NH 53. He was welcomed with a social boycott.

While the 6th May 2010 brutal repression on the Naga people resulted in the death of 2 students and injuring of more than hundred people of which the many, in critical conditions are still being treated in hospitals, the Govt. of Manipur has been pretending that nothing is amiss and their only concern is to open up the NH 53 to bring in supplies to Imphal valley, the land of plenty. Citizens have been killed, injured, their properties looted and destroyed and sentiments hurt, but the hero of Manipur is on peace mission to Noney for a morsel of rice. Is this not communal? The injustice done to a section of society is not addressed but the attention of the state is focused only on how to get supplies to Imphal valley alone.

Let this be the last insult on the Naga people who had declared to sever ties with the state Govt. of Manipur and should any untoward incident take place in Noney or any other areas as a result of such insensitivity on the Naga people, it will be the sole responsibility of Mr. Irabot Singh and the Manipur State Govt.

Further, Mr. K. Ranjit while addressing the Thanga Block Youth Congress as chief guest on May 25, 2010 stated that the responsibility of the Mao Gate killing on May 6 should be fixed on Mr. Muivah and also that the participants of the protest rally of the day were forced by certain NGOs. On the morning of May 6, Naga students and women folk came out to protest against the brutal assault of Mr. Ashihrii Puni on the evening of 5th of May 2010 by the Manipur state armed forces, who in response trained their guns on unarmed civilians and shot dead two students in cold blood and wounded hundred of women.

Now Mr. K. Ranjit holds Mr. Th Muivah responsible for the violent action of the Manipur state security forces. He has gone further to insult the Naga people saying that the protestors were forced by some NGOs. Is it a crime to protest against the brutality of Manipur State armed forces? Do Nagas have no right to raise their voices against state violence on innocent civilians? Do they need to be forced to demand that the voices should be heard and dignity of life respected?

Having highlighted the above two instances, the Naga people strongly condemns the torrents of provocative and communal actions and statements of the Ministers of the O. Ibobi led Manipur state Govt. which have been blatantly exhibited in public and in the media.

Publicity Wing United Naga Council

Six Nagaland MLAs to drive down to Imphal and meet CM The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 25: Six MLAs from Nagaland will visit Imphal and meet the chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh tomorrow, according to highly placed Manipur police sources.
The six MLAs, including the Opposition leader of Nagaland, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, NPCC(I) president, and son of former chief minister of the state, S.C.Jamir, will start from Kohima in a motorcade at 8am, and reach Mao Gate at 9am, the sources said.

From Mao Gate, they will be escorted by Manipur Police along with their own Nagaland Police escorts to Imphal, where they will head straight for the chief minister’s office for an appointment at 11am, the sources added. The mission of the Nagaland MLAs is be to try and defuse the tense situation in the state in the wake of the ADC elections and consequent highway blockade by Naga civil society bodies, they said.
Heal The Divisions IST
There is no sign of an end to the 45-day-long economic blockade that's crippled life in Manipur. Prices of essential goods have soared and fuel and medicines are in short supply in this landlocked state. As days go by, ethnic divisions are hardening, which doesn't augur well for Manipur's future. If the political class is unable to break the logjam, the Centre and civil society must take the lead in resolving the issue. At the heart of the dispute is the strained relationship between Meiteis, a politically powerful ethnic group settled in the Imphal valley, and the Naga tribes that inhabit Manipur's hill districts. The situation worsened after NSCN (IM) leader Thuingaleng Muivah was permitted by the Centre to visit his home village in Manipur, but Imphal refused entry. Manipur's antipathy to Muivah stems from the NSCN's demand for merging Naga villages in Manipur with Nagaland.

This region has a history of violent ethnic clashes. So, provocative remarks that further communal divisions must be avoided. Naga leaders need to realise that redrawing of state boundaries is neither possible nor desirable. Instead, communities must learn to coexist and share social and economic spaces. The north-eastern region is home to numerous tribes and communities. Their histories and destinies overlap. Rather than espouse exclusive tribal identities, they need to celebrate multiple identities whether tribal, linguistic or regional, which will help to build vibrant societies and economies in the region. A lesson from the ongoing economic blockade is the urgent need to improve connectivity. More and better highways must be built across these states to end their political and economic isolation.

AMUCO decries anti-people politics The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, May 26: The All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) has decried the acts of NSCN-IM and Naga Hoho for propagating anti-people politics in the North East and appealed to all to stop the blame game in view of maintaining peace and tranquility.

A statement of AMUCO mentioned that the NSCN-IM and Naga Hoho, which were formed for the cause of the deprived and suppressed people of the North East, have come down to such a low level that their politics have become anti-people. They should review their political strategies in view of the welfare of the people of North East, it demanded.
The imposition of indefinite economic blockade along the two national highways is gross violation of the rights of the people of Manipur and hence the Naga people’s movement should not be anti-people, it said.

Further, it recalled that Cuba made tremendous progress despite of the economic blockade imposed by the USA right from the year 1965 till today. The people of North East have the same ideologies as that of the Cubans and so the NSCN-IM and Naga Hoho should not forget the strength of the unity of the people of North East, it stated.

The statement also mentioned that the creation of Greater Nagaland has been foiled even by the Kohima plebiscite held on May 16, 1951 during the period of Phizo. The Manipuri Nagas as well as a large number of people from Tuiansang did not cast votes in the plebiscite, it said.

It is clearly evident from these past experiences that the Nagas of Manipur as well as those of the Nagaland do not support the creation of Greater Nagaland, which has been the demand for the NSCN-IM for the last few decades, the statement added.

The NSCN-IM and other Naga bodies should never try to disintegrate the territorial integrity of the North East and they should immediately stop all violent activities in the North East, it asserted.

The statement further questioned the Naga Hoho if they have ever had compassion for the innocent Naga people who are being harassed and killed by NSCN-IM when they oppose Muivah’s ideologies. It also asked the Hoho if it supported the killing of SDO Kishan and his two sub-ordinate staffs by the cadres of NSCN-IM.

The statement also decried the unjust behaviour of the Indian government which simply acts as a mere spectator of the extreme sufferings faced by the people of the state in the aftermath of indefinite blockade imposed on the two national highways.

It also drew the attention of the state government to work for the real welfare of the people rather than trying to gain political popularity from the present crisis, and asserted that the organization is committed to the welfare of all the communities of the state.

Assam Manipuris join cause with Manipur Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 26 2010: Twelve organizations of Assam, spearheaded by the All Assam Manipuri Student Union (AAMSU), Karbi Along District Council (KADC) had submitted a ten (10) points Memorandum to prime Minister of India through Sub-Divisional Office (Civil), KADC, Govt.
of Assam.

The Memorandum is hereby enclosed for your kind perusal and with a request to publish the important points in your esteem daily for information of general public.
The representatives of all 12 organizations had organized a public meeting at Community Hall located at Amarjan village after a peaceful and democratic rally / procession.




Manipuris hold meeting at Bokajan in Assam



The procession started from Amarjan village and submitted the above cited memorandum to Sub Divisional Office, (Civil), Bokajan Sub-Division and came back to the Aramjan again via Bokajam Town.

The rally and the meeting were attended by 10,000 people from various groups and tribes like Karbis, Assam tea tribes, Bengali, Nepali, Dimasa, Kuki and Kacharis who came from Karbi Along Districts.

In the meeting various issues related to the blockade of the of National High Way No.39 (1st) in Manipur by the United Naga Council and (2nd) in Nagaland by Naga Students' Federation were discussed.

All representatives agreed and to cooperate with each other to start to a counter economic blockade of the all essential goods going to Nagaland, if these two organizations do not stop the blockade immediately.

The meeting warned these to Naga organizations to stop the blockades immediately and had given 100 Hrs time ultimatum to think and to rethink on the consequences of the proposed blockage.

To take up this gigantic work a Joint Action Committee shall be formed soon which shall be represented by all communities and organizations and well wishers.

All speakers dis-agree with the concept of Greater Nagaland / Nagalim of Mr.Th.Muiva, General Secretary, NSCN (IM).

All suggested Mr.Th.Muiva to stick to his question sovereignty of present Nagaland only and not to disturbed land of the others.

Besides the above 12 organizations, representatives of Kuki Student Organization.

Karbi Along District was presented by it's President viz.

Mr..THangsing, and Kuki Community leader Mr.Saithang Kuki.

Both spoke on the impossible dream of NSCN (IM)'s for a Greater Nagaland.

Mr.Laichand Englen, President of the Karbi Student Association (KSA) also spoke in the meeting and he informed that Mr.Stalyn Inti of the organization had come under the pressure of the Naga Student's Federation (NSF) and forced him to say that he ( Mr..SInti) supported the NSF on Naga issue.

This unfortunate thing was published in local papers of Nagaland recently.

Mr.Laichand Englen regretted on the wrong approach of NSF and cautioned NSF not to make pressure and force other tribes to go on their side.

He said it was an unfortunate part of the NSF which is a frontal organization of NSCN (IM).

All agreed to adopt the principle of peaceful coexistence like before and not to take the land of others.
Naga Integration – The Soul of the Naga Nation

Naga Integration – I think this oft quoted phrase has not been well understood by many (including us – the Nagas).
To me Naga Integration is the very soul of the Naga Nation, wherein different Naga tribes irrespective of their varied customs, cultures, dialects and geographical location feel as one, live as one and dream as one. Any Naga must feel free to move, reside, study or work on any part of the Naga soil without any hindrance or persecution. Without the soul a body is dead. In the same way without this oneness we refer to as Integration, the whole Naga nation is as good as dead.
Any individual or group who has really understood the true meaning of Integration will be above partisan politics, schism, selfish motives, parochialism or anything that goes against the interest of the Nagas as a Nation.
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.” Prov. 11:3
Yours faithfully,
Pastor CM Joy New Eden Prayer Centre Tahamjam.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act
Articles 371 – C of the Constitution of India read with “The Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972” by the President of India empowered the Hill Area Committee (HAC) with immense authority and great responsibility for efficient administration of the tribal areas of Manipur. But the State Government of Manipur under the autocratic and dominant force of the non-tribals coupled with the ignorance and complacency of the elected representative of the tribals, deprived us from enacting and enforcing such laws and rules which will truly engrain, uphold and strengthen democratic process at the grass-root level in the hills. Some of the glaring example of deprivation and dangers of order of 1972 and Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1972 are briefly discussed below.
DEPRIVATION
Para 4, 5 and 6 of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972 empowered the HAC (i) Legislation of Laws (ii) Planning and implementation of development programmes (iii) executive function in so far matters related with the hill areas of Manipur. All these power and function are to be enforced through the respective district councils.
The HAC is also to allocate fund to the District Councils from the Annual Budget of the State Plan in so the Hill areas are concern.
Transfer and posting of all executive heads are to be enforced by the HAC in so far they are related to the Hill areas.
Hospitals, Primary Health Centres, High Schools and colleges, roads other than National High Ways are to be Subject matter of the HAC and to be enforced through the District Councils. Till now these powers and function have not been affected.
DANGER
The Manipur (Hill Area) District Council Act (Third Amendment) 2008, section 29 (i) clause XIII empowers District Council to occupy and sell/allot land from villages. It can also set apart certain areas of Village land for purposes the Council thinks fit. This section contradicts with the Manipur State Hill People (Administration) Regulation, 1947 and the Manipur (Village Authority in Hill Areas) Act, 1956.
Section 29 (1) clause (XIV) of the Act also empower District Councils to manage forest can be declared as National Park or Protected Forest or Reserve forest by a District Council without much a do with a village authority.
Section 29 (2) (a) empower District Councils to recommend to the State Government for appointment or succession of Chief/Headman/Chairman without the knowledge or approval of the concern village.
Section 29 (2) (b) authorities District Council to issue orders by its own volition in matters relating to inheritance of property, marriage and divorce and control or regulation of customs and tradition.
The Deputy Commissioner is empowered by 46 (3) of the Act to suspend any resolution of the District Council if he/she thinks it improper or contravenes rules.
Section 47 of the Act empowers the Deputy Commission to recommend suspension of the District Council if he/she thinks the Council has violated rules. The District Councils are still kept at the whims and mercy of Deputy Commissioners inspite of the fact that the District Councils are constituted by elected representatives of the people.
DEMEANING ACT
The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 was drafted by Shri DG Bhave retired Chief Secretary of Manipur in 1971 and enacted by Parliament in 1972. The Act was drafted not keeping in mind the socio-political and economic reality of the hill people at that time. The Parliament also did not dwell on the hollowness of the hill and hence passed without looking into the efficacy of the bill. The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (Third Amendment) Act 2008 also did not take any step to empower the functioning of the District Councils. An increase of more subject matters in section 29 (1) of the Act does not cause any different as the Power and Function under section 29 of the Act remain the same. The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Rule 1972 is yet to be amended. As per the rule of 1972 a Council is empowered to execute scheme worth below Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand) only. Such obsolete Act and Rules are still being enforced even after nearly 40 years of their enforcement as if the hill people of Manipur have not change at all.
The hill people need an Act for the efficient functioning of District Council which will truly empower with (I) legislation in so far matters related with the livelihood and customs of the tribals (II) Planning for development, policy and programmes, and (III) executive in so far matters related with enforcement and local security.
Holding of District Council election in excitement and haste without knowing the spirit and contents of the Act and the Rules will only invigorate further the dangerous elements of exploitation against the tribals. This Act is literally an act of invasion on the polity, economy customs and tradition of the hill people of Manipur. Once election is held under this Act, we will be victims of economic and political exploitation and stagnation for another generation to come.
Courtesy: UNC