07/10/2010: "Muivah arrives in Kohima (NPN)"

Muivah arrives Kohima
KOHIMA, JUL 8 (NPN):
After more than a month’s tour to several places in Nagaland, the NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th. Muivah arrived Kohima today afternoon, sources said. According to reliable sources, Th. Muivah would be staying here at The Heritage, Old DC Bungalow before he leaves for Peren July 10. Sources also said that Muivah would hold a consultative meeting with Angami public organisation and village elders Friday at Zonal Council Hall. NSCN (I-M) general secretary, during the past thirty days has toured several places including Pfutsero, Pughoboto, Tseminyu, Wokha, Mokokchung, Tuensang etc. After his visit to Peren, sources said Muivah is scheduled to visit Longleng and Mon.
http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMjgyNzg%3d-XM5ls0ci6Nw%3d

NSF bandh Jul 10
DIMAPUR, JUL 8 (NPN):
Against the failure of the government to comply with its charter of demand and lapses of more than four months in brining a conclusion to the NPSC answer script swapping scam investigation, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has unanimously decided to carry out Kohima bandh July 10 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. by closing down business and commercial establishment.
http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMTQ4MDk%3d-5heOU%2fEqQwU%3d

6 Naga MLAs to stay away from session

Newmai News Network
Imphal, Jul 8: Out of the seven Independent MLAs who had submitted their resignations on May 6, six MLAs, all hailing from Naga community, pledged today that they would never participate in the ongoing Manipur legislative Assembly which kickstarted on Wednesday. The six MLAs are Dr Khasim Ruivah of Chingai Assembly Constituency in Ukhrul district, Awangbow Newmei of Tamei Assembly Constituency in Tamenglong district, Morung Makunga of Tengnoupal Assembly Constituency of Chandel district, K Raina of Tadubi Assembly Constituency in Senapati district, M Thorii of Mao Assembly Constituency, also in Senapati district and Danny Shaiza of Ukhrul Assembly Constituency. Initially there were seven Naga MLAs in the group but Wungnaoshang Keishing of Phungyar Assembly Constituency, Ukhrul district has started attending the ongoing Manipur legislative Assembly.
The six Independent MLAs disclosed today that on Wednesday they had dispatched a missive to the Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly pressing him to accept the resignations of the MLAs. The six Naga MLAs said that they have fulfilled all the official procedures and rules on matters related to the resignation of any MLA and questioned that there is no reason why the Speaker should not accept their resignations.

“We will continue to press to accept our resignations to the Speaker,” affirmed the six Naga MLAs. It is pertinent to note that these seven Naga MLAs had submitted their resignations in protest against the Mao-Gate firing which killed two Naga students on May 6 in the wake of the proposed NSCN-IM leader Thuingaleng Muivah’s visit and the Govt's decision to ban his visit.
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local%20news-02.html

ADC formation

IMPHAL, Jul 7: Following claims over formation of District Councils in respect of Churachandpur, Senapa-ti and Tamenglong, the Hill Department would be issuing an order tomorrow for giving go ahead signal, according to an official source. So far there has been no claim for the formation of District Councils in Sadar Hills, Ukhrul and Chandel, the source added.
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News%20archieves(English)/July-2010/Local%20news-08.html

ANSAM calls Chakka bandh

IMPHAL, Jul 8: In protest against all the alleged undemocratic and suppressive acts of the Govt of Ma-nipur, All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has called a 72-hour Chakka bandh in all Naga areas with effect from 6 pm of July 12. Announcing this in a statement, the student body said that the Chakka bandh is being imposed in pursuance of the joint decision taken with United Naga Council on July 7 at Ta- hamzam. In a statement issued by its publicity wing, the student body has also urged the Naga people and general public to extend their solidarity by restraining themselves from travelling in any kind of vehicles during the bandh. However, emergency and other essential services like medical, electricity, fire service, water supply, postal and telecom services would be exempted from the purview of the bandh, the statement said, adding that any untoward incidence arising out of violation of the proposed restriction will be at one’s own risk.
Highlighting its grievances in its statement, the student body pointed out that tribal in Manipur have consistently demanded the extension of the provisions of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India to the hill areas of Manipur since 1990. After agreeing to accede to the demand, the Government of Manipur, however, maliciously stonewalled the process by inserting a rider that the 6th Schedule would be extended after ‘local adjust- ments and amendments’. Instead of sincerely pursuing their commitment, after 20 long years the communal Manipur State Government came out with the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (3rd Amendment) Act 2008, doctored and stripped off of all the provisions that go into self governance and the rights of the hill people over their land and resources and removing the primacy of the traditional institutions of the tribal.

It further observed that the voice of the Naga people which has been raised loud and clear was that the ADC election should not be imposed till such time the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amend- ment) Act, 2008 was amen-ded to secure the rights of the tribal people over their lands and the pre-eminence of tribal institutions which provides for democratic polity within their societies, and their right to self governance enshrined in the Indian constitution. This illegal manner in which the amendment was rushed through and the manner in which the ADC elections under the ‘unwanted 2008 Act’ was imposed in the face of strong protests contravene the rights of the tribal people. Left with no option, the Naga people under the leadership of United Naga Council were compelled to declare ADC election ‘Null and Void’ and further forewarned that under no circumstance the ADC shall be allowed to function in Naga areas. However, the Government of Manipur recently went ahead with their adamant attitude by administering oath to the infamous ADC candidates. The ANSAM demands all the unmandated members of ADC for immediate abdication from the office of the so called Autonomous District Council, the statement said. The Naga people have been persistently demonstrating democratic forms of agitation to register their grievances thereby to secure their rights to existence over their own land. However, instead of addressing the pertinent issues at hand, the Government of Manipur responded by choosing to issue arrest warrants against leaders of Naga civil societies with ‘wanted tag’ on the 7th June, 2010. Such act of criminalizing our leaders in whom we keep our hope and trust clearly speaks of the hegemonic agenda of the Government.

Furthermore, the statement noted that ANSAM had made its position clear that any attempt to militarize the Naga People’s areas, which threaten the right to existence and dignity of life, will not be tolerated. Yet, the State Government of Manipur continues to treat some of Naga areas as unsecured zone which otherwise are peaceful places. The intrusion of the security forces is by itself the cause of law and order situation in the otherwise peaceful Naga areas and that the protection of life and property of its citizen should be a priority, is farthest from the considerations of the communal Govt of Manipur.
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local%20news-08.html

ANSAM calls 72-hr bundh from July 12
Written by Mizoram Express Nation Jul 8, 2010 12 views
Imphal: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has called for a 72-hour chaka bundh from July 12 in all Naga inhabited areas of the state in protest against the “undemocratic and suppressive acts of the state Government of Manipur”. ANSAM is demanding the repeal of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (3rd Amendment) Act 2008 which it claimed is “doctored and stripped off of all the provisions that go into self governance and the rights of the hill people over their land and resources and removing the primacy of the traditional institutions of the tribal”. The students said that the Naga people under the leadership of United Naga Council were compelled to declare ADC election “null and void”. It has asked all the “unmandated members of ADC” to immediateley resign from office of the so called Autonomous District Council. Manipur government recently had organised a big function for the swearing ceremony of the MDCs who were mostly Congressmen declared winners from uncontested seats.
However, ANSAM said, emergency and essential services viz, medical, electricity, fire-service, water supply, postal & telecom services will be exempted from the purview of the bundh. “Any untoward incidence arising out of violation of the proposed restriction will be at one’s own risk,” it warned.
http://mizoramexpress.com/index.php/2010/07/ansam-calls-72-hr-bundh-from-july-12/

ANSAM calls bandh to demand 6th Schedule
IMPHAL, July 8: All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has today announced that the students body is calling a 72 hours 'Chakka bandh' an equivalent of economic blockade with effect from 6pm of July 12 in all the Naga inhabited areas of Manipur. Announcing this in a statement, the ANSAM said the agitation is against Manipur government’s alleged suppression of the rights of the tribal people. It said the decision to call the Chakka bandh was arrived during a joint meeting with the UNC held at Senapati on July 7. The Chakka bandh will however exempted for emergency and essential services like medical, electricity, fire-service, water supply, postal and telecom services. Any untoward incidence arising out of violation of the proposed restriction will be at one’s own risk," ANSAM cautions.
The ANSAM statement said tribal people have been demanding the extension of the provisions of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India to the hill areas of Manipur since 1990. After agreeing to accede to the demand, Manipur government however, maliciously stonewalled the process by inserting a rider that the 6th Schedule would be extended after local adjustments and amendments, the ANSAM statement said. "Instead of sincerely pursuing their commitment, after 20 long years the Manipur State Government came out with the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (3rd Amendment) Act 2008, doctored and stripped off of all the provisions that go into self governance and the rights of the hill people over their land and resources and removing the primacy of the traditional institutions of the tribals", it added.
The Naga students' body also said that the voice of the Naga people which has been raised loud and clear was that the Autonomous District Council elections should not be 'imposed' till such time the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amendment) Act, 2008 was amended to secure the rights of the tribal people over their lands and the pre-eminence of tribal institutions which provides for democratic polity within their societies, and their right to self governance enshrined in the Indian constitution. "This illegal manner in which the amendment was rushed through and the manner in which the ADC elections under the “unwanted 2008 Act” was imposed in the face of strong protests contravene the rights of the tribal people. Left with no option, the Naga people under the leadership of United Naga Council were compelled to declare ADC election 'null and void' and further forewarned that under no circumstance the ADC shall be allowed to function in Naga areas.
However, the Government of Manipur recently went ahead with their adamant attitude by administering oath to the infamous ADC candidates. The ANSAM demands all the unmandated members of ADC for immediate abdication from the office of the so called Autonomous District Council," the Naga students' asked. ANSAM then said that the Naga people have been persistently demonstrating democratic forms of agitation to register their grievances thereby to secure their rights to existence over their own land. "However, instead of addressing the pertinent issues at hand, the Government of Manipur responded by choosing to issue arrest warrants against leaders of Naga civil societies with “wanted tag” on June 7, 2010. Such act of criminalizing our leaders in whom we keep our hope and trust clearly speaks of the hegemonic agenda of the communal state Government," it alleged. The Naga students' body further said that it had made its position clear that any attempt to militarize the Naga people’s areas, 'which threaten the right to existence and dignity of life', will not be tolerated. "Yet, the state Government of Manipur continues to treat some of Naga areas as unsecured zone which otherwise are peaceful places. The intrusion of the security forces is by itself the cause of law and order situation in the otherwise peaceful Naga areas and that the protection of life and property of its citizen should be a priority, is farthest from the considerations of the communal Government of Manipur," ANSAM accused.
http://ifp.co.in/shownews.php?newsid=10851

Sushma Swaraj in town for a spot report
By Our Staff Reporter

IMPHAL, Jul 8: A team of BJP National leaders led by Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj arrived here today on a two-day visit to take a first hand account of the situation prevailing in the State.
Other members of the Central BJP team include Deputy leader in Rajya Sa-bha SS Ahluwalia, Rajya Sabha MP Chandan Mitra, National secretary Tapir Gao and zonal organising secretary, North East States P Chandrasekhar Rao.
Soon after their arrival at Imphal Airport, the Central BJP team called on Governor Gurbachan Jagat to discuss the situation in Mani- pur. Later in the evening, the visiting team also interacted with representatives of political parties and civil organisations over the same issue at the Nityaipat Chuthek of the State BJP Unit here. After meeting the Governor, a reception function in honour of the visiting Central team was hosted by the State BJP unit at GM Hall. Addressing the BJP Manipur Pradesh workers at the occasion, Sushma Swaraj observed that the solution to the territorial conflict between Nagaland and Manipur should be brought about through political consensus. No part of the land belonging to one State can be given away or take over by another State. On the prevailing situation in Manipur, she noted that public in Manipur have suffered a lot but the UPA Government at the Centre has not given any attention. Home Minister Chidam-baram has time for visiting Pakistan but for visiting Manipur.

Observing that BJP has no MP from Manipur, she assured that as a principal Opposition party in the Parliament, BJP would be taking up issue of Manipur so that a solution could be brought about soon. Zonal organising secretary P Chandrashekhar Rao said that Chief Minister O Ibobi-led SPF Government has failed to act responsibly towards ameliorate suffering of the people. Alleging that the State Government has become a den of corruption, Chandra-sekhar asserted that the State and its police, the judiciary and the bureaucrats have not live up to the expectation of the people and the administration has gone awry. There is no sign that the fund that have been provided by the Centre have been utilised properly here. Out of Rs 25 crores that had been provided for cleaning Loktak lake, only Rs I crore had been utilised. Yet the utilisation certificate signed by the Chief Minister has been submitted with the proposal for providing Rs 225 crores more. Surprisingly, there is no name of the agency in the project for Rs 225 crores, Chandrasekhar said.

MP Chandan Mitra pointed out that imposition of economic blockade along the National Highways for 70 days is something unheard of in other parts of India. Deputy leader of Rajya Sabha SS Ahluwalia observed that many well-known personalities have been produced from Manipur. But the Government has always tried to subdue them. He further said that there is the issue of Greater Nagaland within Nagaland but not in Manipur. Nor is there any issue of Greater Manipur in Manipur. The Government should pay serious attention to such issues.
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local%20news-04.html

O Joy stages walk-out over resignation stalemate
By Our staff Reporter

Fire brand O Joy lits up House

IMPHAL, Jul 8: Dis-agreeing with the conten- tion of the Assembly Spea-ker Dr S Budhichandra on the resignation of seven Naga independent MLAs, Opposition MLA O Joy Singh of the MPP today staged a walk-out from the House, adding punch to the proceedings. Prior to walking out, members of the House witnessed a heated exchange of words between the Speaker and MPP legislator with the latter expressing disgust that even after nearly four months of the Naga MLAs handing over their resignation papers to Dr Budhichandra, there is still no confirmation of whether their resignations have been accepted or not. In his ‘point of order’ presentation held after conclusion of the question hour, O Joy recounted that people of Manipur endured a critical phase recently when the Govt of Manipur defied the Centre’s approval to allow NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Mui-vah to visit manipur.

In the backdrop of the impasse, the Naga MLAs showing solidarity to the cause of the rebel leader, declared their intention to step down as MLAs through the media and subsequently tendered their resignation papers.
Despite this the Speaker is yet to initiate procedural obligations, accused the fiery Opposition MLA while quoting that under provision of the Rule of Procedural conduct of Busi- ness of an Assembly, the matter should have been disposed in case decision to resign is voluntarily taken. Alleging ambiguity on the part of the Speaker, Joy pointed out that in case the resignation papers of the said seven Naga Indpen-dent MLAs have been accepted, relevant steps need to be adopted by apprising the matter to the Election Commission of India so that the vacant seats, if any, could be filled up without inordinate delay. Insisting that the Spea-ker declare decision on the issue, the MPP Legislature Wing Leader also fumed that he has no desire to share the same roof with individuals (MLAs) whose sole objective is to disseminate Manipur.
In his response, Dr Bu-dhichandra maintained that submission of resignation papers of the seven MLAs were received through post and fax messages in April this year and were not in compliance with relevant norms.
Further conveying that explanation of the seven MLAs on the issue was not satisfactory and as such a definite decision had been elusive so far, the Speaker assured that within a short period a final decision will be taken.
However the explanation did not satisfy O Joy who asked the Speaker to ensure presence of the seven MLAs allegedly attempting to divide the land and people of Manipur before walking out of the Assembly followed by a chaotic scene inside the Assembly.
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local%20news-01.html
Valley versus Hill
Dolly Kikon
A week before two Naga boys – Chakho and Loshou – were killed by the paramilitary Manipur Police Commandos at Mao Gate, on the Manipur-Nagaland border; a week before 4000 people from Senapati District in Manipur were displaced from their homes to languish in makeshift camps, hospitals and homes of relatives around Nagaland; a week before Thuingaleng Muivah, the longtime Naga militant leader, attempted to visit his home village of Somdal, in Manipur; a week before 6 May 2010, when those two deaths started the recent flood of bottled-up sentiment in the Northeast – the signs of the Ibobi Singh-led Manipur government setting itself against a section of its own people were there for all to see.

Since 12 April, the All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur (ANSAM), along with a few other groups, had imposed an economic blockade on Manipur, in support of their demands regarding the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections in the hill areas of Manipur (see accompanying article, ‘Peoples under siege’). But from 5 pm on 2 May, after the Imphal government banned Muivah from entering the state, the government imposed Section 144, legislation prohibiting all gatherings in the hill districts of Manipur (where Manipur’s Naga population is concentrated), and deployed extra security forces. It then went on to block the Mao Gate road – National Highway 39, the first point of entry from Nagaland into Manipur, prohibiting all vehicles from Nagaland and beyond from entering Manipur. Backed by armoured cars, advanced weaponry and bulletproof armour, paramilitary troops set up bunkers surrounding the Mao Gate area, rolled in boulders and locked down the road completely. In the event, Muivah stayed out.

Manipur is already conflict-riddled. But thanks to Ibobi Singh’s government, today Manipur stands closer to being called a communal state, where a Hindu government rules the valley and the ‘uncivilised’ people inhabit the many hill tracts. When on 20 May, in the midst of the recent surge in unrest, the Congress party MP from Manipur, Thokchom Meinya, appeared on a nationally broadcast news show during prime time to declare that Manipur is a Hindu state, it was another reminder of how his Chief Minister, Ibobi Singh, has invented himself as the Narendra Modi of the Northeast. While Hindutva ideology has defined Modi’s politics, Ibobi Singh has managed to blend in permutations of ethnic politics, religion and colonial stereotypes of hill versus valley (where the latter is considered the obvious seat of power) to govern present-day Manipur. The consequences have been disastrous, and they will likely get worse.
Manipur is one of the most multi-ethnic states in India, and it requires a confident government to talk to all ethnic groups amidst longstanding demands, varying topography, armed groups or religious beliefs. The state is a miniature of India at large, with numerous identities and as many if not more demands. Unfortunately, the stories of persecution and discrimination too remain the same, centring on allegations of anti-hill racism and discrimination by the ethnic Meitei, the dominant valley inhabitants. The basic grievance revolves around how the Imphal Valley and the Meitei community have dominated the politics and history of the state for decades, if not centuries. On the one hand, the hill people allege that Meitei officials dominate the state’s governance structure, and point out how state development funds rarely reach the hill districts. The minimum a state is expected to provide, they argue, is roads, hospitals, schools and a proper allotment of state funds; but that even this does not happen. On the other hand, the Meitei say that it would be unfair to dub the government’s action the will of the valley’s communities at large – its inhabitants, too, have been victims of state oppression, including under the Ibobi Singh government, they say.

Beyond the valley

It is important to understand the political and historical process of state formation in Manipur, how the seven Meitei clans were subjugated through war and conquest, and eventually converted to Vaishnavism, established as the state religion during the early 18th century. Historians and political commentators in the Imphal Valley are critical of how the state’s history has centred on the Kangla Fort, the traditional seat of Meitei sovereigns, thereby reinforcing a stereotyped ‘valley centric’ approach. Any history with a kingdom generates nostalgia, but nostalgia that glorifies a hegemonic structure is dangerous because it reinforces a history in which one group dominates over the rest. Suppression by force is of course the easiest method for governments in violent places such as Manipur, but it starts a disastrous progression of legitimacy through force. The crisis in Manipur today is not one of poor governance and ethnic politics. Rather, it is the refusal of those who represent the state of Manipur to let go of a hegemonic politics that uses a militarised establishment and keeps power, culture and history trapped in the valley floor. The fact is that the issue of Manipur’s ‘territorial integrity’ is to be found in the hands of both the valley and hill people. Both groups will ultimately have to decide whether this territorial integrity is actually the most pressing demand, when any vision of a shared history and politics of the people who inhabit the valley and hills has, eventually, disintegrated.
The economic blockade that started on 12 April brought immediate concerns to the fore for both people from the hill and valley: food, fuel, medicines. But it also reminded all involved of a sharp sense of divide, where the people of the hills have little if anything to do with the valley’s authored history – and, therefore, governance. Neither do the valley people occupy themselves with the hill people in their daily routines, other than to include the hill areas under the critical rubric of Manipur’s territorial integrity. There is a longstanding demand for Nagalim – a greater Naga homeland including Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and even Burma – but this demand for a Greater Nagaland had nothing to do with the present crisis. The economic blockade addressed the crisis of governance resulting from the announcement of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections in the hill districts of Manipur. The Imphal government’s refusal to talk to groups who have called the economic blockade, and instead to request the Guwahati High Court to order arrest warrants on leaders who called the blockade, reflects how dialogue between people and government, or even people to people, has become an impossible aspiration in Manipur today. Each group chokes on its aspirations amidst this polarised reality, between being free from or integrated into Manipur. The Imphal government, meanwhile, has made its priorities very clear: elections in the ADC and power are more important for it than food, medicine and fuel for the ordinary citizens – or perhaps Ibobi Singh is nursing the vain hope that the suffering caused by the blockade will make the people see his government as a saviour.

Naga dimension

When the Manipur government blocked National Highway 39 on 1 May, it put a stop to yet another opportunity to engage with Muivah and kick-start a dialogue about the aspirations of the people – both those who inhabit the hill and those who live in the valley. The Mao Gate violence five days later, and the economic blockade in general, now promises to etch a sad line in the sand, creating a social divide for the foreseeable future. One could argue that the central government was at fault in the first place, for having originally extended permission to Muivah to visit his home village. Some would also certainly question Muivah’s motives behind trying to make that visit in the first place, after a break of some four decades.

Neither of these questions, however, detracts from the fact that, during the aftermath of Muivah’s attempt, New Delhi has yet again mishandled a critical political issue in the Northeast. Its vacillation and inability to intervene decisively has now succeeded in re-setting the Northeast on fire, even though New Delhi officials have conveniently shifted the blame onto the ‘divisive’ people of Manipur to deal with the fallout. A functioning central government that keeps track of issues of the Northwest would have questioned why an elected state government is unable – rather, unrepentant and unwilling – to talk with a group of students and peacefully address their demands. For Manipur to be democratic, it is essential to admit that its fate is intertwined with that of the Naga peace process, and more now than ever before. The state has one of the largest Naga communities outside Nagaland, and many of the landmark cases against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, and the larger violation of human rights by the state, were from the hills of Manipur. The struggle for justice by the Naga of Manipur has often emerged as a longing for a Naga homeland, where all Naga can live under a common administration. Irrespective of being divided along lines of administrative jurisdiction, beliefs or political ideologies, all Naga people have come together to support the peace process that started in 1997. The Imphal government cannot do justice to the entirety of the people of Manipur if it decides to remain oblivious to this simple fact. From peace campaigns such as the Journey of Conscience of the late 1990s, which travelled all over India and the Northeast, today the Naga have initiated a reconciliation campaign, called A Journey of Common Hope. Different formulations and permutations have been proffered regarding concepts of homeland, territoriality, self-determination and sovereignty – a conversation that now has a life of its own. Naturally, the Naga community and the government, both at the Centre and in the states of the Northeast, do not agree on all issues. But shutting down a highway, blockading people from each other, even if they are destined to meet in a heated argument, and terrorising one section in a brutal attempt to force submission – this is not the democracy one expects of an elected government of a state of the Northeast of India.

Dolly Kikon is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Anthropology at Stanford University, California.
Source: HimalMag
http://www.morungexpress.com/analysis/51272.html

Wungnaoshang not conspicuously absent in House
Newmai News Network

Imphal, Jul 7: Except for Wungnaoshang Kei-shing, no Naga MLAs who had resigned in the wake of Mao-Gate firing incident, turned up for the Manipur Assembly Bud-get Session which star- ted today. The Naga MLAs had earlier come under pressure from UNC and ANSAM to resign over the ADC election stand off. Wungnaoshang Kei-shing, the MLA from Phungyar Assembly Constituency attended the opening day of the Manipur Budget session for a brief period.

Seven Independent MLAs which include Dr Khasim Ruivah, Morung Mokunga, Danny Shai-za, Awangbow Newmei, Thorii, K Raina and Wungnaoshang Kei-shing submitted their resignations on May 6 in protest against the firing of the State security forces at Mao Gate in the Manipur-Nagaland border that had killed two Naga students. The State security forces resorted to firing in the heat of protest by the Nagas at Mao Gate demanding that NSCN-IM leader Thuingaleng Muivah be allowed to visit his native village Somdal in Ukhrul district. Meanwhile, till date the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly is yet to accept the resignations of the seven Naga MLAs. Sitting arrangements for the already 'resigned' MLAs were made by the official of the Assembly secretariat.
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News%20archieves(English)/July-2010/Local%20news-08.html

Budget session for 2010-2011 fiscal kickstarts
CM presents Budget estimate of Rs 5965 cr
By our Staff Reporter

IMPHAL, Jul 7: Presenting the full budget of the State Government on the opening day of the Monsoon se-ssion today, Chief Minister O ibobi Singh, who also holds the Finance portfolio, has expressed that with the revision of pay and pen- sions based on the 6th Central Pay Commission, the pressure on non-plan expenditure is likely to increase during the current year and beyond. While the Budget estimate of Rs 5965.24 crores for the 2010-2011 fiscal was placed before members of the House, which is an increase of 13 percent compared to revised estimates of the previous bud- getary allocation, the CM pointed out that recommendation of the Central Pay Commission would mean unavoidable need for creation and filling up of a large number of posts and vacant posts respectively in key departments like police, health and education and district councils. Out of the total budget estimates of Rs 5368.27 crores for the 2010-2011 fiscal, he said the revenue receipts are estimated as Rs 5368.63 with the capital receipts put at Rs 596.97 crores.

It is said that under the 13th Finance Commission, the total transfer of fund of the State will be Rs 13567.50 crores for the period 2010-2015, also an increase of 97 percent as compared to provision under the 12th Finance Commission. The chief minister further informed the House that the Panchayati Raj institution, Municipalities and Autonomous District Councils will immensely benefit from the 13th Finance Commission reco- mmendations with Rs 315.90 crores allocation for these local bodies. He highlighted that Rs 51 crores meant for infrastructure development of ADCs will have to be earmarked from the 2011-12 fiscal. While conceding that management of finances of a fiscally weak State like Manipur is a challenging task as bulk of the State expenses is dependent on funds doled out by the Central Government, the CM also pointed out that the total revenue expenditure has been estimated at Rs 4049.79 crores while capital expenditure is pegged at Rs 1896.21 crores which means a fiscal deficit estimate of Rs 282 crores. He also explained that a full Budget is being presented this session as the Plan Size for 2010-2011 and the quantum of non-plan allocations for same fiscal, under the 13th Finance Co-mmission award has been made available to the State Government. Highlighting past achie-vements and elaborating future priorities, challenges and concerns of the SPF Government, Ibobi nevertheless asserted that no effort would be spared to address these challenges and concerns.

Further claiming that overall growth momentum since the past 5-6 years continues to be sustained, he pointed out that Gross State Domestic Product at pre-sent prices increased from Rs 5847.89 crores in 2007-08 to Rs 6343.73 crores in 2008-08 to an estimated Rs 6902.60 crores in 2009-2010. The Finance Minister in-charge also informed members of the House that with growing reluctance of the Central Government to meet non-plan gap through additional transfers and shortfall in the State’s resources being inevitable, the SPF Government is left with no other option but to make all out effort to utilise (scarce) available resources carefully so as to mobilise additional tax and non-tax revenues on ‘our own’.

Referring to provisions and fiscal adjustment of the 13th Finance Commission for the period 2010-2015, he statement that Manipur has to maintain revenue surplus and at the same time reduce fiscal deficit and outstanding total debt to 3 percent of 54.3 percent of the GSDP respectively by 2014-15. Amendment of Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Management Rules as per the charted roadmap is necessary for availing the spe- cific grants and benefits of loan write-off facility under the 13th Finance Commission award, said the Chief Minister. With regard to resources of the State, he listed collections from VAT, power receipts and miscellaneous general services as potential sources out of which the CM expected that State’s share in Central taxes and duties would be increased by over 58 percent that the revised estimated figure of 2009-2010 fiscal. Ibobi also proposed an expenditure estimates for the current fiscal of Rs 5946 crores out of which Rs 3027.06 crores has been classified as non-plan expenditure, Rs 2600 crores under State plan and Rs 318.94 crores under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Central Plan Schemes and NEC Schemes. He, however, conveyed that provisions of CSS, CPS and NEC schemes are subject to changes as per actual releases during the ongoing financial year. While enlisting completion of Khuga, Thoubal and Dolaithabi projects as top priority of the Government, he made equal stress on infrastructure development of health, education, water supply, sports and culture among other sectors where maximum attention would be given. He also assured that adequate financial provisions would be earmarked for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and Schedules Castes as well as OBCs and minorities. Members of the State Assembly also observed two minutes silence in honour of Bhairon Singh Sekhawat the former vice-President of India who passed away during the intervening period of the house.
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News%20archieves(English)/July-2010/Local%20news-08.html

Resignation Uncertainty
Imphal Free Press
It is confounding that the Manipur Legislative Assembly should be placed in a situation where it is not known for sure what its exact strength is. In the wake of the agitation to have the ADC election decision of the Manipur government aborted, and also in protest against the government’s decision not to allow the NSCN(IM) general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, to enter Manipur to visit his home village Somdal in Ukhrul district, seven Independent Naga MLAs had tendered their resignation, first by fax from New Delhi on May 6, and then later in person in Imphal. The Assembly Speaker, Sapam Budhichandra Singh, said nothing in public on the matter and simply allowed curiosity to thin down and finally fade away. The natural presumption was, the resignations had been accepted, and in six months, there would be by-elections to fill the vacancies as per the mandatory provisions of the Indian Constitution. Exactly two months and a day later, when the full Budget Session of the Assembly was convened, to everybody’s surprise, the seating arrangements made in the Assembly included seats for the “resigned” Independent Naga MLAs. This could not have been done without a green signal from the Speaker, and the Speaker too could not have given the green signal if he himself also did not have a green signal from the “resigned” MLAs that their resignation papers would be (or perhaps has been) withdrawn. Indeed, although six of the MLAs have not been spotted inside the hall during the first two days of the current session of the Assembly, there was one who indeed presented himself on both the days. It is uncertain if the other six MLAs signed the attendance register although they did not enter the Assembly hall, for the register or its content were not revealed to reporters who tried to probe the matter, with Assembly officials telling them it is in the custody of the Speaker.
What exactly is going on? Does not the Speaker of the Assembly owe an explanation to the House as well as to the public on this matter? It is also surprising that while press reporters are curious, the legislators, both on the Ruling as well as on the Opposition benches, don’t seem to be, for no urgent appeal or queries on the matter has been raised on the floor of the Assembly, even after two days of sitting. The matter is far from trivial. Even as laymen, we can imagine situations of Constitutional crisis resulting out of the deliberately allowed uncertainty. If tomorrow for instance, there were to be a voting on any important issue, what exactly would the number the Speaker consider as the simple majority of the House? Would it be calculated with the seven “resigned” MLAs or without them? If it is a crucial matter, and opinion closely divided, the figure arrived at as the simple majority can make or undo government policies or even the government itself, as it were. So why is this state of uncertainty allowed to persist? We hope at least by the third day of the sitting of the House, the question would be raised and a definite answer on the status of the seven “resigned” Naga MLAs clarified beyond any further doubt.
The uncertainty is going to cause another constitutional crisis if it is allowed to linger on any further. The Indian Constitution makes it mandatory for a vacancy in the Assembly (or Parliament) not to be allowed for more than six months. This means that if the resignations are final and official, it would already be time for preparation for by-elections to the vacated seats. Now that it has already been a little over two months since the resignation papers were submitted, there would be only four months left for the mandatory by-election exercises, leaving little time for prospective candidates to prepare. If delayed any further, there may not even be time enough for completing official election formalities before the elections become due, leading to a definite Constitutional crisis. Leaving the Constitutional crisis aside, the other important question is, why are the people being taken so much for granted? This deliberate uncertainty is almost as good as a blatant lie to the public. Whichever way the decision is, be it a case of the seven seats becoming vacant, or there having been a rapprochement and the resignation papers either withdrawn or by mutual consent rejected, the Speaker and indeed the government should publicly clarify without any further delay.
http://ifp.co.in/editorials.php

Nagalim.NL News

07/10/2010: "Muivah arrives in Kohima (NPN)"