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06/29/2010: "Muivah accorded warm welcome in Mokokchung morungexpress"

Muivah accorded warm welcome in Mokokchung
morungexpress

NSCN/GPRN general secretary Th. Muivah seen here addressing the public in the town hall of Mokokchung, Monday.

Mokokchung, June 28 (MExN): NSCN/GPRN General Secretary Th Muivah today arrived in Mokokchung today from Wokha on his mission on the theme “strengthening the peace process”. The apex Ao organization, Ao Senden, organized a civic reception in the town hall of Mokokchung. The reception was attended by nearly two thousand village leaders from the six Ao ranges, town ward members, concerned citizens’ forum, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang and many others.

Muivah arrived at 11:30 and was accorded a warm welcome by the Ao people. The Ao Senden’s president Lendinoktang while welcoming the “ato kilonser” Th Muivah, stated that the Ao have already given their mandate during the consultative meeting held at Camp Hebron in 2004. He said that the mandate was given by the Ao people to uphold the Naga political issue, to negotiate with the Government of India at the highest level without preconditions and in a third country.

Talking about reconciliation, Lendinoktang said that ‘reconciliation needs not be an enforced one; it has to come from within’. “The Nagas have been struggling too long without finding a final settlement. We sincerely hope and pray that an honorable and acceptable settlement is arrived at the earliest possible without further delay this is our longing and desire.” Terming the visit of Muivah in the “Ao country” as historic, the Ao Senden president further said that the Ao community will continue to extend fullest support to the peace process and pray for the good health of the NSCN general secretary.

Speaking at the civic reception Muivah gave a two and half-hour speech dwelling on different topics from the times of the NNC, the peace process, and the role of the Ao people in the Naga political movement, the 16-Point Agreement, and integration of Naga homeland and solution of the Naga political problem. Speaking specifically about reconciliation, Muivah narrated how the NSCN/GPRN ‘first initiated’ the reconciliation process through its chairman Isak Chishi Swu ‘after three days of fasting and prayer’ at Hebron in the year 2007. He said that reconciliation have to be based on ‘Jehova’s will” and that forgiveness have to be there; but he said that reconciliation should also be based on the ‘historical facts of Naga history’. Saying that the people need to be very serious about reconciliation, Muivah said that if there are some people who are trying to take advantage of the reconciliation process; then “we are very sorry”.

In this regard, he urged the Ao people to understand the ‘reality of the situation’ and play an active role. “The role you have to play is very important and decisive,” said Muivah, “Let us take the correct decision so that our nation will be saved.” Asking the people to take reconciliation process very seriously, Muivah said that if reconciliation is mishandled, it will be beyond repair. He asked the Ao people to teach and guide others, and to play their role.
“Please play your role, don’t be silent...collect historical facts...that is your role. I think you have a big historical significance now,” said Muivah. Steering committee member of the organization Q Tuccu also spoke at the programme. Muivah and his entourage will be staying in Mokokchung village during their stay in Mokokchung. The Ao Senden expressed deep gratitude to Mokokchung villagers for taking the responsibility of hosting the visiting NSCN leaders. During his stay at Mokokchung village, Muivah is expected to meet a cross section of the Ao society.
http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/50955.html

GPRN/NSCN on Muivah’s journey
morungexpress
Dimapur, June 28 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN has said that the “so-called peace and reconciliation mission” undertaken by Th. Muivah in Nagaland is a “short story of concoction, contradiction, massive face-saving campaign, violating the covenant of common hope”. “It began with barrage high and mighty words, whipping up mass hysteria on both side of the Nagaland-Manipur border, creating deeper rift between Manipur government and Nagas of Manipur state. In the end, as sad as it appeared, even with the Z plus security provided by the GOI and a large number of heavily armed IM cadres, he was forced to lick his bruised ego at Viswema village unable to enter his home state of Manipur”, stated a note issued by Meren Nokpu, MIP ‘kilonser’ and Ao region supervisor of the GPRN/NSCN.

The note stated that “suddenly at Angami soil, the thirty five years of anti-Phizo/NNC tirades gave way to romanticizing A. Z Phizo and a host of Naga leaders who, till the morning of Mao gate incident were utterly cursed and ridiculed as traitors for their role in the infamous Shillong Accord of 1975 and aftermath”. The MIP said that the man who boasted in the media more than a month ago — “…no power on earth can stop me from visiting my birth place” — was still loitering around in Nagaland.

The lesson is simple: “If you don’t respect others, no one will respect you.” The GPRN/NSCN claimed that the “rescheduled itinerary forced Th. Muivah to urgently sent feelers to Angamis, Chakhesangs, Sumis, Rengmas, Lothas, Aos etc. to kindly allow him to visit their lands”. The press note from the MIP Kilonser went on to state that a number of tribes, village authorities and intellectuals expressed their reservations and unwillingness to welcome him “because the tears of the parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends of those mercilessly killed by IM in the name of the nation had not dried, thus adding further insult to the wounded pride”. Stating that the crimes committed in the past can be forgiven but not forgotten, the GPRN/NSCN pointed out that the “opposition of his visit is never to forcibly stop him but to make the position of Naga tribes very lucid to him”. On a number of occasions the position of guests and hosts are clearly defined in the media outlets, it stated.

The GPRN/NSCN Ao Region has made its position very clear on the proposed visit of Th. Muivah to Ao country. “Taking undue advantage of the present reconciliation process and sowing seeds of disunity is against the very principle of reconciliation”, the MIP Kilonser stated. Accordingly it was pointed out that if ever there was a mandate of the Ao Nagas to any group; it is purely to uphold the sovereign rights of the Naga people. “Ao people, at no point of time, mandated Th. Muivah to pursue integration issue ahead of political solution. The thirty two point charter of demand submitted to the GOI is but a manipulation of the people’s trust. It is for the Ao people, who are considered as one of the advanced tribes with responsible intelligentsia at the helm, to question what the thirty two point charter of demand is”, the press note stated.
http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/50954.html

Th.Muivah in Mokokchung, cautions against mishandling of ongoing reconciliation process
Correspondent MOKOKCHUNG/KOHIMA, JUN 28 (NPN):

NSCN (I-M) leader Th.Muivah has cautioned that if the ongoing reconciliation process collapsed due to mishandling, it would be rendered irreparable. Addressing a public reception held at Mokokchung town hall Monday, he however, affirmed the NSCN (I-M)’s commitment to the process of reconciliation among Naga groups. Muivah asserted that he has undertaken the goodwill visit to places in Nagaland to give tempo to the current reconciliation process. He urged the people of Mokokchung to decide on the reconciliation process as Aos being the advanced tribe and pioneers of Christianity and also politics.

Referring to the contributions made by the Aos to the Naga nation, Muivah said Aos had contributed to a great significance to the Nagas by giving the right political education. He said there was a time when Aos did their best and asked if they realized the importance of their contribution to the Naga people. Q. Tuccu, co-convenor of the Steering Committee, the highest policy making body of the NSCN (I-M) said reconciliation was in the hands of Naga people and not with the Government of India. He accused N. Kitovi Zhimomi, general secretary of GPRN/NSCN and Kughalu Mulatonu, envoy to the collective leadership of GPRN/NSCN of nexus with the government of India to weaken the Naga political issue. It may be mentioned that the Forum for Naga Reconciliation has also requested the NSCN (I-M) to keep in abeyance the “goodwill” visits of Muivah for the time being. However, NSCN (I-M) sources said they would go ahead with the “goodwill mission” across the state.

Earlier, welcoming the NSCN(I-M) ato kilonser, Ao Senden president Lendinokdang, stated that the Ao community has “given the mandate” to the collective leadership of the NSCN(I-M) under Isak Chishi Swu and Th.Muivah at the Naga Political Consultative meet at Hebron in 2004.He said the mandate was “to lead the Nagas in the right direction” and for two reasons such as - upholding the Naga national principle and negotiating the political issue with the government of India at the highest level without preconditions and in any third country. Lendinokdang said the welcome to Th.Muivah was to strengthen the peace process so as to pave the way towards the Naga journey of common hope through reconciliation.

On arrival at Mokokchung, Muivah and his entourage were accorded warm welcome by the people of Mokokchung at Sewak gate. and later accorded public reception at the town hall. During his stay in Mokokchung, the NSCN (I-M) leader would visit some of the important and historical villages in Mokokchung, according to sources.
http://nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMjc4MDU%3d-I34SUIpdlps%3d

Fluid NE Region
morungexpress
The situation in the Northeast region has improved relatively as compared to what it was about five years ago. The Naga groups are in ceasefire with the Government of India and most of the outfits in Assam have also joined the dialogue process. It is reported that even the ULFA which has so far refused the offer of talks will shortly begin a formal political process with New Delhi. Among the other States in the region Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim are quieter. Therefore with situation improving in Assam and Nagaland, the State of Manipur remains the only concern. With regard to Delhi’s approach in handling the region, no doubt it has improved a great deal. There is better understanding of the ground realities and also communication with the people has definitely improved over the years. To the credit of the GoI, it has now realized that problems in the region have to be resolved through dialogue and not just through its slogan of ‘peace and development’ (carrot) and armed forces (stick). This is therefore a good sign of Delhi’s growing maturity. And the dialogue route must be undertaken with all seriousness towards its stated objective. This includes listening to people’s aspiration and working out mutually acceptable solutions. Sometimes people in the region doubt the sincerity of the establishment in Delhi. Let’s hope that the level of trust continue to improve between the Centre and the people of the NE States.
A note of caution; dialogue must not be used as a ploy to keep the region in uncertainty. Given the complex situation in the region and the sensitivity in relation to ethnic identity and land rights, the GoI must realize its own responsibility to ensure that things are handled with great care. Hopefully Delhi is by now aware of the fact that each problem in the region has its own uniqueness. In the past, the thinking was to approach the problem in a uniform manner. Such a mindset continues to this day. Even the national media has a singular projection of the NE region that of a ‘disturbed area’. However, the context of a particular problem, the issues involved or the historical timeline are different and in no way the same for each case. This does not mean that common problem does not exist. For one, the manner in which boundary of States have been marked on the map is something that requires urgent attention. Almost all the Northeastern States adjoining Assam have disputes with the latter. This shows that boundaries were marked without the consent of the people and that it was done arbitrarily. The point is that Delhi will have to seriously consider the prospect of correcting the glitches if its slogan of peace and development is to have any bearing for the Northeast region.
While the Government of India’s several initiatives to hold talks with different groups in the region is welcomed, it is time to put a close to the long drawn Indo-Naga issue. The good news is that the political establishment in Delhi appears to be sincere and willing. It is important for the political leadership to take control of the peace process rather than leaving everything to whims and fancies of the security and military establishment. For too long, the Naga talks have been viewed from the narrow prism of security although the assurance of solving the problem through political means has been there. It has been the strength of the political system in India to have civilian control over the security and military systems unlike in Pakistan. Using this time tested democratic tradition; it is time for the political leadership in the country to take hold of the process which has been endlessly going on for over ten years. At the same time, the Naga political groups will also have to take a decision on whether it wants an early settlement or the uncertainty to and flux to continue.
http://www.morungexpress.com/editorial/50428.html
Militants Diktat - Newspapers Fail to Hit Stands in Manipur
By Sinlung / On: 12:59 AM/
Imphal, Jun 28: Newspapers in Manipur failed to hit the stands today as the All Manipur Working Journalists Union decided not to bring out the publications in the wake of pressures by militant outfits, official reports said. One militant organization, Kangleipak Communist Party - Military Council (KCP-MC) which was split into two factions had threatened media houses and journalists if their diktat was not obeyed. While one faction said their statement should be published the other said media houses would be attacked if the statement was published, the reports said.

In the course of the tussle between the two factions, the AMWJU decided not to publish the papers. A spokesman of the AMWJU appealed to the militant outfits not to put pressure on newspapers regarding the issue of publishing statements and leave the decision on to the editors.
http://www.sinlung.com/2010/06/militants-diktat-newspapers-fail-to-hit.html

Response to Muivah’s statement on Rengmas
Post-mortem
Article published on 6/28/2010 12:26:34 AM IST
I, as a concerned Rengma citizen belonging to the sixteen (16) major tribes of Nagaland am deeply perturbed and flabbergasted by reading your message to the Rengmas which appeared in a local daily on 27th June ` 2010, specially where you said, “You may not be a major tribe amongst the Nagas….”.Allow me to reply and clarify to you once and for all, that the Rengma tribe was never a “Little’ nor ‘may not be a major tribe…” as stated by you. During my 45 years existence on this Planet Earth in the state called Nagaland born and brought up in Kohima district, We the major tribes has lived peacefully and harmoniously with each other and also with other minor tribes of Nagaland and there was no confusion in the minds of the people that we are a major and advanced tribe of Nagaland though we may be less in population. You must be aware that there are still a large numbers of Rengmas in Assam the remnants of where there was once the great Rengma Hills recognized by the British and is still very much visible in the original British Map and Records.

This write-up is not intended for offending you or your parties in any manners nor opposes your move for reconciliation, as we are also all eager for peace and harmony in our land. The history of the Rengmas and their contributions towards the Naga political struggle is well known and well recorded. Therefore, any wrong notion on the Rengma Naga not as a major tribe of Nagaland is necessitated to be cleared. And I sincerely feel that in your move for reconciliation, any down-sizing or up-sizing of the tribes of Nagaland or its history will not help in bringing about the peaceful solution as the history is very clear and inerasable and truth always prevails no matter what.
In strong support to your move for reconciliation and peace, let me sum up with the impressive lines of the Co- convener Steering Committee NSCN (IM) Q. Tuccu in his speech at Tseminyu where he so appropriately said, “… we are not here to say we are right or we are wrong as the people know better”.

Kegwal Rengma, Kohima town.
http://nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMjc3Njk%3d-w0gp5mbyd%2bM%3d

On DONER Minister’s statement
T.L. ANGAMI

•- This refer to the statement made by Minister DONER namely Binoy Krishna Handique appearing in the dailies. It is known whether he is making statement on behalf of the UPA Government or on his own behalf. Nevertheless, it is to be construed that the unilateral statement is clearly against lawful restoration of Naga tribal areas illegally transferred out of the then Naga Hills District by the then British colonial rulers to the subservient districts of Assam merely on the excuse of administrative convenience but actually to suit their selfish interest to enable exploitation of these areas without having to negotiate with the Naga landlords.
Initially, the Government of India and its representatives in recognition of injustices meted out to the Nagas had wisely included in the package deal known a 9th Points Agreement in 1947 which was reaffirmed in the 16th Points Agreement of 1960 and gave statehood to Nagaland. Therefore, to insinuate with intend to contradict against such agreement at this stage does not arise at all. It is noted with regret that such statements are regularly emanating from people who were not even born at that the above agreements are signed. Therefore, better counsel should prevail instead of making provocative statement especially when peace-talk is in progress.

(T.L. ANGAMI)
Founder of Nagaland GB Federation
Camp-Razhüphe Dimapur
Shillong Accord brought divisions amongst Nagas, says Muivah
Our Correspondent | EMN

WOKHA/TSEMINYU, JUN 26: NSCN-IM ato kilonser Th. Muivah, while expressing that Nagas had declared to be a sovereign and independent nation, said the signing of the Shillong Accord had brought about divisions amongst the Naga national workers as it was an agreement to sell the Naga nation and the rights of the Naga people by accepting the Indian Constitution. Addressing a mammoth gathering at the Wokha Local Ground, his fifth ‘peace mission’ destination today, and also yesterday at Tseminyu Town Hall en-route to Wokha, Muivah again voiced appreciation of Naga leaders like AZ Phizo, Imkongmeren, Khudao Yanthan, Kakhalu Sukhai, and Whenha stating that they had taken the right decision at the right time to save the Naga people. However, he said the signing of Shillong Accord brought division and fighting among the Nagas.

“We condemned the Shillong Accord, decided not to accept it and wrote three letters to AZ Phizo to condemn it, but he never did,” he said, adding that even the public meeting in Khiamniungan area during that time had condemned the Accord which was done during the NNC/Federal time. He also reiterated that the non-accordist group did not condemn Phizo but reaffirmed support and retained his president-ship. He recalled that Nagas had decided not to go with Delhi but remain a sovereign nation and no one can be above the nation. Muivah also regretted that the Shillong Accordists are yet to condemn it while also recalling the way they were treated by the accordists. Therefore, the NSCN-IM supremo challenged the Nagas in general to think properly and stand firmly on the decision to remain a free nation. Maintaining that the ongoing peace talks are being held at the highest level, i.e. the Prime Minister’s level, based on the Naga history and political situation, he asserted that imposition of the Indian constitution will not be possible.

He also expressed that at this point, despite the differences, Nagas should come together and reconcile. “It is high time Nagas come together not under Khaplang or Muivah’s leadership but on the documentary evidence of India recognising the unique history and situation of Nagas,” he stated, expressing that ‘reconciliation is the right thing, both politically and spiritually’. Reiterating that NSCN will not betray the aspirations of the Naga people, he said “if we cannot take the right decision now Nagas will perish and time has come to decide for the salvation of Nagas by coming together and understanding each other”.

He further stated that it is for the present generation Nagas to understand the Naga history and stand up for it.
Meanwhile, recalling his interaction with Khudao Yanthan in Europe, he revealed that that the late leader had regretted and condemned the Shillong Accord as it was selling out the rights of Naga people. “Yanthan understood us and thus joined the NSCN,” he said, adding that had he (Yanthan) been here, he would have been the better person to tell about the past.

Ao Senden directive
Our Correspondent | EMN

Mokokchung, Jun 26: The Ao Senden Federal Assembly has informed all the putu menden of Ao villages, ex-national workers and the general public to attend the reception as well as the public meeting to be organised during NSCN-IM general Th Muivah’s visit to Mokokchung on June 28. The reception and public meeting will be held at Mokokchung town hall from 11.30. The Ao Senden in a release has conveyed this after a meeting held yesterday to discuss certain issues including the visit of Muivah to Mokokchung. It has also directed all the vehicles going to different villages to halt till the public meeting is over.
http://easternmirrornagaland.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25277:shillong-accord-brought-divisions-amongst-nagas-says-muivah&catid=61:top-news


My dear Pu Rev Dr .T. Lunkim,

I have gone through several of your write ups in different dailies. I appreciate your enthusiasm and love for your people and the state of Manipur. I would like to congratulate you on your ceaseless work since the unfortunate Kuki-Naga and Paitei-Kuki clashes and your mission for resolution of conflict, travelling around the world under the banner of KUMHUR and raising relief funds for the effected Kuki brethren. God bless you and your mission.

I also recall the unfortunate episode in which many people from different walks of life came forward in forming NGOs for raising relief funds from many donors in Europe and elsewhere in the wake of the painful Kuki-Naga clashes in 1992 and Kuki-Paite in 1997. However, it has been established and confirmed that real victims had not received relief or help, either in materials or monetarily. This is the painful story in any conflict situations, where the victims are victimised further. The question still remains to be answered as to who profited and who benefited from the unfortunate Kuki-Naga and Kuki-Paite clashes. The victim families of the clashes will be the best witness to answer such question.

While appreciating your knowledge and perspective of the history of Manipur tribals, I seek with respect, your wisdom to understand certain part of your statement which I am sure will be enlightening to everyone concerned. As much as I respect my Paite peoples’ history, culture and social customs, I too, have utmost respect for the Kukis or the Nagas. Each one has their own uniqueness, be it in the political and social or in the traditional and the customary aspect.

I would not like to be a party to the debate that is taking place in the media between Ms. Nandita and your good self on the historical and political background of the present mess in Manipur. But it would be my bounden duty to demand a clarification for putting the record straight so that things are understood in proper perspective and not at the expense of my community. In your letter seeking clarifications from Ms. Nandita Haksar you have mentioned the district wise land holding of Nagas and Kukis wherein against Churachandpur district, it is indicated as 100% Kuki and the total Kuki population is indicated as 4,23,227. This statistics may have been mentioned inadvertently. However, the existence of Paites, Hmars, Mizos, Vaiphais and Zous have either been derecognised or the same has been intentionally concealed.

As much as the Nagas have expressed through different forms of agitation over the alleged remarks of majority Meitei community that there is no Nagas in Manipur, your statement itself misrepresent and distorts the fact of the existence of other communities, mine included. Further, encompassing other communities in your paper war with the Nagas is most unacceptable, more so when it is by someone of your stature and accomplishment. This must be treated as a very serious crime. No matter how small or big a community may be, there must be due respect for one another. Whatsoever may be the reason for the bad blood between Nagas and the Kuki, as professed by you, we are not part of it. We continue to have brotherly relation with any tribal as we are all victims in one way or the other. I feel that the role we had all played during unfortunate Kuki-Paite clash have not been healed as yet and therefore, rather than giving healing touches, one should not at this juncture, politicise on a community’s unique identity for their own short term advantage in an argument. Therefore, I beseech your wisdom to set right the wrong projections in your statement at the earliest before it leads to further polarisation on tribal lines.

Lastly I call upon every people to think beyond our own selves when we try to put in our views lest we encroach on the sensibility and goodwill of other people or community. A rational attitude is essential for solving any contentious issue. Addressing the hurt of the victims with justice is the way to resolve conflicts. But to indulge in personal gratification at the expense of the victims is abominable. It is, I repeat most unexpected from a man who is ordained to serve God as instrument of peace and reconciliations. If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.


Ms. Gelniang.
Defence Colony, New Delhi.
gelniang@rediffmail.com