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07/14/2010: "Nagas undertake 72-hour-long shutdown in Manipur ANI, Sify news"

Nagas undertake 72-hour-long shutdown in Manipur ANI, Sify news

The All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) and the United Naga Council (UNC) have given a call for a 72-hour-long shutdown here in protest over alleged suppression of their rights by the Manipur Government.
Consequent to the shutdown call, people crowded markets to buy essential needs.
Bimola Devi, a professor at Manipur University, expressed her displeasure over the shutdown call given by the Nagas.
"It is very unfortunate, and, I think, people of Manipur, not only the valley people, but all the people in the hill areas of Manipur, are going to suffer like anything when essential commodities are not available," said Devi.
However, the Nagas said essential emergency services like hospitals, electricity, fire-service, water supply, postal and telecom would be exempted from the blockade.
A good number of locals, including intellectuals, blamed the state administration for the present impasse.
"But for quite long time the state government was not in the picture but only in recently why they are coming to the picture. So, therefore, I think, I don't see any degree of transparency in the working of the government," said Prof. N Joykumar Singh of Manipur University.
The Nagas residing in the districts of Manipur that skirt the Nagaland state are demanding for the Sixth Schedule in the hills districts.
In the month of April, the Nagas launched an economic blockade that paralyzed life for 68 days in demand for against the Manipur government's decision to hold district council elections under the existing provisions of the District Council Act, 2008 and ignoring the demands of the tribal people.
Above all, the Nagas are angry over a Manipur Government directive banning the entry of Thuingaleng Muivah, General Secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) from visiting his native village in Senapati district. (ANI)

NE rebels eye China help Rahul Karmakar, Hindustan Times
The United Liberation Front of Asom and five other northeast outfits have stepped up activities to draft a cadre of 30,000, supposedly a precondition for getting aid from China to fight the Indian state. Senior leaders of these six organisations — four from Manipur, one from Nagaland and ULFA — met in Bangladesh in the first week of July to further this course of
“One way to get Chinese support and fight the enemy (India) towards achieving sovereignty is to form our United Front,” said a leader of the Manipur-based People’s Liberation Army.
The Bangladesh meeting came at a time when two suspected Chinese spies were arrested in Nagaland. Assam Rifles troopers caught them when they were on their way to Myanmar from a camp of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) on the Nagaland-Manipur border.
Their identities have not been revealed. “The two have been handed over to the Nagaland police,” said Assam Rifles spokesperson Lt Col A.K. Chaudhari.
Led by SS Khaplang, a Burmese Naga, this wing of the NSCN attended the meeting despite being on ceasefire mode. The minutes of the meeting, with HT, say the other Manipur-based bodies backed the PLA idea on one condition — the independence of Manipur.
The other three Manipur organisations are United National Liberation Front, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup and People’s Revolutionary Army of Kangleipak.
UNLF Chairman R.K. Meghen backed the guerrilla bloc on the independence of a Manipur that will include the Kabaw Valley in adjoining Myanmar.
“The bulk of the Burmese people on the border support our struggle for independence and will join the Meitei confederacy for prosperity,” he said.
The Meiteis are the dominant community of Manipur, concentrated in the Imphal valley.
An independent Manipur, the leaders believed, would lead to self-rule for the Nagas, the Ahoms (Assam’s erstwhile ruling dynasty), and so on.
“Most of these outfits are depleted and with a cadre strength of 1,000-3,500. The meeting underscores their desperation, but we are taking note of this move,” an army officer said.
Jamir in Manipur, holds meeting with Ibobi; political parties Correspondent Imphal, (NPN):

Former Maharashtra Governor Dr. S.C. Jamir of Nagaland arrived Imphal by a special aircraft Saturday and later held separate closed door meetings with prominent political leaders of the state including chief minister, O Ibobi Singh and opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam.
Senayangba Chubatoshi Jamir, who also served as chief minister of Nagaland since 1982, arrived Imphal airport at 8 am from Dimapur for a two-day visit.
His visit comes close on the heels of the refusal of the Manipur vehicles owners to ply the Imphal-Dimapur section of the NH-39 till compensation of vehicles damaged or burnt down in Nagaland was not made and also assurance of that road would free of extortion menace in Nagaland.
Soon after arrival at the Raj Bhavan, Dr. Jamir held closed door meetings with the chief minister, former chief ministers and state Congress leaders. However, details of the meetings could not be obtained.
He also held a one-hour meeting with chief minister O. Ibobi Singh, after holding separate meetings with opposition leader and former chief minister Radhabinod Koijam of NCP and sitting MP of Raijya Sabha and former chief minister Rishang Keishing.
After the meetings with the current chief minister and former chief ministers, Jamir also held meetings with state Congress president, Gaikhangam, party leaders, former MLA A.S. Arthur, Victor Keishing, son of Rishang Keishing who is also general secretary of state youth Congress.
None of those who held meetings with the veteran Congress leader from Nagaland were willing to divulge anything. Even government officials and Raj Bhavan sources remained tight lipped.
Observers here believe that Jamir had been sent by New Delhi to assess the situation in Manipur particularly after the souring of relationship between the two states in the aftermath of the ban on the entry of NSCN (I-M) leader Th. Muivah by the Ibobi government. The relationship worsened when eight Manipur vehicles were torched in Nagaland following the ban imposed on all Manipur vehicles on NH 39 by the Naga Students Federation.
After more than sixty days of road blockades on the NH 39 and 53 were lifted by NSF and ANSAM, the Transporters and Drivers’ Council, an apex body of the drivers refused to ply on the NH 39 unless the Nagaland government and the Centre paid compensation for trucks damaged or burned in Nagaland by blockade enforcers and making the road extortion free.
A highly placed source in Kohima claimed that Nagaland state was unaware of the demands of the TDC since both the drivers and Manipur state had not apprised Kohima about the demands.
The Central security forces, CRPF and ITBPF personnel deployed within the Nagaland section of the NH-39 have been withdrawn since Manipur vehicles continue to boycott the road.
However despite the boycott several Manipur-bound truckers take the route despite warnings on illegal taxes and all kinds of taxes imposed by underground factions and other unions.
Meanwhile, intelligence sources disclosed that hill-based underground factions will soon launch extortion on NH 53.

Keep open mind for peace: Jamir OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph
Kohima, July 13: Former Nagaland chief minister S.C. Jamir visited Manipur last week to broker peace with Nagaland and discuss the proposed visit of NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah to Somdal in Ukhrul district. He met Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, former chief ministers, Congress leaders and other prominent politicians.
“Jamir and K. Therie (former power minister in Jamir’s Congress ministry) met Manipur leaders as well as central leaders. The Centre wants Jamir’s opinions and role,” a source close to Jamir told The Telegraph.
The former chief minister, however, said his visit to Imphal on July 9 and 10 was to meet the leaders of Manipur to garner collective support to resolve the issues with an “open mind”.
Therie, however, did not comment about the meeting with the Manipur leaders.
Congress sources in Nagaland said Jamir and Therie had tried to convince the Manipur government and political leaders to facilitate Muivah’s visit to his ancestral village in Ukhrul.
But the NSCN (I-M) alleged that Jamir was working against the wishes and aspirations of the Naga people.
Muivah, who is currently touring Nagaland on a “peace mission”, slammed the former chief minister for his statement that the Naga political problem should be solved by the Nagas of Nagaland. He also castigated the rival NSCN (K) for speaking in Jamir’s tone.
The former chief minister had escaped attacks on his life by the NSCN (I-M) at least four times.
Congress sources in Kohima said Jamir might come back to the state politics to salvage the disintegrating Congress party.


Press Release
12th July 2010

Reflecting the overwhelming spirit that has taken hold of the Zeliangrong people on the peace and reconciliation mission initiated by Hon’ble Ato Kilonser Th.Muivah a grand reception was accorded at Peren town.Significantly, every Zeliangrong village starting from Medziphema to Peren town were waiting on the road with the welcome banner.School children in uniform with flags in their hands lined up the roads as the entourage crossed one village after another.Ato Kilonser was so impressed at the manner of arrangement that look dignified in more than one way.He commended that Peren is our last stop under the ongoing reconciliation mission but it has turned out to be the best in every respect. ‘It is inspiring to witness such beautiful reception and a huge turn out of the public’ he said.

Touching on the topic he said that we cannot remain like this. We have to understand each other. If the Nagas failed this time we would be a lost people without hope.We must step forward to correct ourselves,leaving aside individual’s interest, he added. He also said that God knows what is best for the Nagas but if the Nagas cannot realize this there lies the problem and there is danger. God gave eternal salvation to the Nagas and has solved our problem but if we are not serious of this there is problem.

He enlighten the Zeliangrong people that God gave the Nagas its land,history and right. And not the Indian or Chinese or the people who gave the Nagas the land and history. This is the most precious thing he added. With this he drive home the point that the foundation of the Naga nation is laid down by God.
Showing his respect to what Jadonang was for the Zeliangrong people he said that Jadonang knew that the British people are not the master of the Nagas,but master of themselves. He goes on to explain that Nagas are not created to be under the British or India’s control.And the way Jadonang think is correct though he may not know God.

Recollecting those days he said that once upon a time Nagas were not a united force.There was constant fighting among the villages. Today we have the spirit and the feeling to fight for our right. And this is our strength. He explained that Naga.s future will be in danger if this is not realized.Jadonang and Phizo are gone but if we know our rights we can be the strongest nation.And there will be no tomorrow or today for the Nagas.

He keeps reminding that it was the right decision taken by the NNC at the right time that save the Naga nation. He thank God for giving such wisdom to the NNC leaders. He said that after the British left India the Mizo people,Khasis,Garos,Meiteis,Assamese,Hyderabad and Jammu and Kashmir was never able to take the right decision and today they are all under Indian union. But the Nagas took the right decision to stay separate from India as an independent nation. NNC must have received inspiration from Jadonang.

He narrated how the Nagas stood their ground for more than 60 years notwithstanding the fact that Nehru helplessly tried to finish the Nagas by military force but failed miserably. And he brought the point how India ultimately gave up use of military means to solve Naga problem,to initiate signing ceasefire with NSCN to kick off the peace process.
If Nagas do the will of God He will always be there for us he said.

Bringing back the glorious days of NNC he said that NNC took two historical decision-to be their own master and to make Nagaland for Christ,and explain that this decision has guided the Nagas throughout.
The unfortunate story of Shillong Accord and how NSCN came into being to save the Naga nation was perspectively explained.The biggest achievement of Indo-Naga peace process which comes in the form of India giving recognition to unique history and situation of the Ngas in the the year 2002,July 11 at Amsterdam was shared to the Zeliangrong people,and he explain further that the people must know the peace process started and how and where it is going.

On reconciliation he said it should be brought about accepting that it is the will of God for the Nagas to forgive each other,and for political solution it should be based on Naga’s historical facts recognized by India. He added that the interest of Phizo or NNC or Khaplang or Isak-Muivah should matters in this crucial decision.

But he make it a point to say that in the name of peace and reconciliation Nagas should not be misled.There should be no confusion

He fervently appealed to the Zeliangrong people to understand the step taken by NSCN and promise that NSCN will never betray the people.

Issued by
MIP/GPRN