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08/02/2010: "State govt. vetoes ‘Naga Commission’ morungexpress"
State govt. vetoes ‘Naga Commission’ morungexpress
Dimapur, July 31 (MExN): The Government of Nagaland has squashed the “Naga commission”, a levy of a local organization in Dimapur, the Naga Council and has sought from the commissioner, Nagaland, a report on the “tax”. The Home department has sought details, including the nature of utilization of the “fund.” The state government also strongly made clear that the Naga Council is a non-governmental organization and so cannot claim to statutory exercises.
The government today took strong exception at the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur permitting collection of the “Naga commission” and has directed the district’s administrator to revoke the permission given to the Naga Council. A copy of the order from the Home department directed the DC to also maintain Status Quo till further order from the state.
The Home department wrote to the additional chief secretary and Commissioner, Nagaland on July 29 stating of a meeting by the Home Minister of Nagaland to discuss the collection of the “Naga commission.” The order appended by Principal Secretary for Home CJ Ponraj and forward to the DC of Dimapur through Additional Commissioner, K Nzimongo Ngullie, made clear that the deputy commissioner of Dimapur be immediately directed to maintain Status Quo and keeping in abeyance the order (issued by the DC) on July 21 till further orders.
The Commissioner, Nagaland, is also to submit a report immediately explaining the “background” of the practice of “Naga commission” in Dimapur by the Naga Council, of the permission given to the council, of the details of maintenance and utilization of the funds in the past and “other comments and suggestions on the matter for taking decision by the government.”
Meanwhile, notwithstanding the “commendable activities” of the Naga Council, the District Planning Board of Dimapur has in a separate press note reminded the council that it is a non-governmental organization and therefore cannot be “vested with the statutory power which tantamount to acts contrary to the purposes and principals of constitutional rights.” On the directive of the Home department, the board also directed the district administration to revoke the ‘permission’ given to the council on July 29.
“The commendable activities of the Naga Council are well-acknowledged by the Naga people and the government. However, the Naga Council is a non-governmental organization and therefore cannot be vested with the statutory power which tantamount to acts contrary to the purposes and principals of constitutional rights,” the board stated in a notice issued by MLA Azheto Zhimomi, chairman of the board.
The board said that “though the government does not have any objection with regard to the collection of membership fees and other fees amongst its members subject to the provisions of its own constitution,” the Naga Council being an NGO cannot levy taxes outside its ambit as the same is not tenable in law. The special provision of the Article 371 (A) does not give any statutory rights to any non-governmental organization in whatsoever manner, the board reminded.
“Therefore, the special status with reference to Article 371 (A) should not be confused or misconstrued. The state government has on several earlier occasions made its stand clear on the matter of extortion, illegal collection and taxation and has directed the implementing agencies to curb these illegal activities.”
The notice said the state government appreciates the role played by the Naga Council as well as the other non-governmental organizations in assisting the mandated state government while implementing various developmental projects and activities in the state. In this regard the government has been assisting recognized NGOs by way of giving financial as well as other grants.
However, the state government has taken strong exception to the recent issue of permitting collection of “Naga commission” within the jurisdiction of Dimapur district, the notice said. “Therefore, the district administration has been directed to revoke the permission given to the Naga Council Dimapur, as directed by the Home Department vide order NO.GAB-l/COM/266/10, dated Kohima, the 29th July 2010, and also any other organization to collect the Naga commission or any other illegal collections which is contrary to the interest of the Naga public,” the notice added.
Naga Council notifies
Dimapur, July 31 (MExN): The Naga Council has informed that on the invitation of the officiating DC of Dimapur a joint meeting was held on July 29 at the DC’s conference hall at 1 pm consisting of district administration, police, Naga Council, Dimapur Chamber Commerce, DMC, Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur and the DNSU. A press release from the council said that the meeting deliberated at length the “Naga commission.” After threadbare discussions the house amicably resolved that “Naga commission” shall continue with restricted items to be decided by the administration among which include all forest produce, livestock (cattle and fowl) etc.
NSCN/GPRN for highest level meeting to finalize ‘modalities’ morungexpress
Dimapur, July 31 (MExN): The National Socialist Council of Nagalim has reaffirmed its commitment to reconciliation of the Naga political groups and in this regard once again re-iterated its firm commitments to the Naga reconciliation based on, “the historical and political rights of the Nagas” and also do uphold its continued support to the FNR whose good office was formed out of the deep and long desire of the Naga people for reconciliation and unity. “We stand by the earlier collective decision to facilitate the highest authorities to finalize the detail modalities and the process after minute deliberation”, stated a press statement issued by Gen. Retd. V.S. Atem, Convenor Steering Committee.
Stating that in the month of June 2009, the three top leaders representing each political group, Chairman Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman S.S. Khaplang and Kedahge Brig. (Retd.) S. Singya had signed an agreement that, “covenant of reconciliation shall be based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas”, the press note further recalled that all the groups agreed on 22nd September 2009 Chiangmai meeting, “to facilitate the meeting of a summit at the highest level (the three top signatories) at the earliest”.
“But, much to the shock of all concerned, the so-called Monyakshu Conclave of 15th July 2010 is back-stabbing FNR and total negation of the spirit of Naga reconciliation as agreed upon in the successive Chiangmai meetings and also other initiatives back home”, the press note from the Steering Committee stated while adding that the NSCN/GPRN does not accept such “irresponsible acts of sabotage”.
The Steering Committee Convenor pointed out that with an objective to end fighting among the warring Naga political groups and to carry forward the rest of the journey in one accord, Amnesty was declared by Isak Chishi Swu, the Yaruiwo of Nagalim on 21st November 1997. Similarly, for the same reason, Amnesty was declared to the entire nation, irrespective of one’s past and present standing, by the Yaruiwo of Nagalim on 14th December 2004.
Likewise after undergoing 3 days of national fasting at the Council Headquarters, Hebron, on 13th January 2007, the Yaruiwo of Nagalim, Isak Chishi Swu, declared “Unity through Reconciliation” to reach out to other political groups, the press note recalled.
The statement from the Steering Committee also pointed out that the NSCN/GPRN had also given its commitment for full support when the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) was formed on 7th May 2008 by Divine Revelation through the Shisha Hoho Prayer Center and with full blessing of the Naga people. “The NSCN too gave its commitment for fullest support to it”, it reminded.
Press release.
Senapati (Tahamzam) dated: 1st July 2010.
The cat is out of the bag
The systematic crafted hidden agenda of the Dominant Community whether opposition or ruling in the communal Government of Manipur is exposed now for the first time. The perceived ignorant tribals were anticipating this motive long before. After 20 years they came in the name of autonomy as Manipur District Council Act. When the Tribal rejected, a handful of ignorant people in the name of councillors were nominated to push through their agenda of land grabbing. Now the actual colour of dominant community both in the colour of ruling and opposition have been exposed in the so called democratic assembly session represented by them 40 seat out of 53 member house assembly. This can be befittingly called as “The cat is now out of the bag”.
A private members resolution was jointly moved by the Opposition members in the so called Manipur Legislative Assembly for making suitable land legislations in the name of indigenous people when they are not even indigenous people. The resolution was jointly move by the Meitei MLAs and Ministers O.Joy Sing, Dr. NG.Bijoy, RK.Anand, Dr. I Ibohalbi , RB Koijam and participated and supported by ruling party MLA, I Hemochandra and MLA, N Mangi. Mr. O Joy Singh, leader of opposition was urging for the presentation of a comprehensive statement from the state government so as to allow the citizens (meitei) of Manipur to reside in any part of the state territory. What territory is he trying to refer, when land does not belong to meitei. All land in tribals area is owned by the people and concern tribe community. Kindly refer to High Court judgement Honourable O.Joy? there is no No government land in the hill areas. It is all private land. Well done! Nothing can be hidden the truth will come out no matter how high or sophisticated it may be.
The Dominant community administered government, instead of addressing the grievances of the oppressed tribals they continue to come out with systematic acts on the notion that majority have the power to do anything. Yet the some tribal so called people representative and social worker will blindly support to get their scheme and contract recommendations through. We will continue to research on all issues and in a few days we will be coming out in details for the people to judge.
Now the responsibility of tribal intellectuals, academicians, political leaders, youth, women, students and villages chide and chairman wisdom will be tested for the future generation “When tribal land is taken away then he is as good as death”
I know this article of the Naga youth front will not be published in Imphal valley paper but we will see a rejoinder to this article which was never published in their respective paper as was done earlier.
Dosopuwa
Publicity & Investigation wing Naga Youth
We Reconciled For The Nagas: GPRN & FGN
Unconditional Reconciliation and Unity agreed between GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN on 15th July 2010 at Monyakshu should not be construed as having taken away every single grain from the barn of Naga Reconciliation and Unity, leaving nothing for others to pick. It is to let every concerned Naga understand that the two political groups, on the very day of their coming together, issued a pledge and a joint declaration before God and the Nagas, which came out in all the local dailies on 16th July 2010. Every word in the pledge and the joint declaration was conceived under the Covenant of Reconciliation signed by top leaders of three Naga political groups, under the umbrella of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). The merger was necessitated as it was the only way forward to show that world that Nagas, despite their differences, could accept each other on equal terms to reach their common goal in oneness and unity.
A time has come for every Naga political group to extend a hand to the other but none should try to cut off the offered hand. Every concerned Naga has come to understand the reality of the situation. A journey of Common Hope must be followed in letter and spirit. Gen. (Retd) V.S Atem is aware that the last thirteen years of negotiation with the GOI has gone down the drain. A child born that year is now a teenager asking many questions about how his father and other relatives were killed. As a former Army Chief having ordered many drastic actions, reconciliation and merger of GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN or any other group could have been taken in a dignified manner. His apology to the Nagas earlier at Chiangmai, for any wrongdoing during his stay at the military was highly appreciated by the Nagas. This was the epitome of the spirit of reconciliation. ‘Monyakshu Conclave’ of 15th July 2010 was the ripening of the first fruit in a tree nurtured by Forum for Naga Reconciliation. Gen. (Retd) V.S Atem or any other Naga could share in it.
While respecting the opinion of Gen. (Retd) V.S Atem it is pertinent to note that the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in their Statement of Renewal point no. 7 clause V, issued on 24th June 2010, appealed to all political groups to maintain status quo and urged Mr. Th. Muivah to review and keep in abeyance the remaining part of his ‘Goodwill Mission’ to enable the FNR to initiate a reconciliation meeting at various levels of the political leadership. This appeal was carried by the media but unfortunately Mr. Th. Muivah continued on his journey in Nagaland ignoring the good advice of the FNR. Will the Nagas describe his present stay in New Delhi as strengthening Naga Reconciliation process?
It is left to the good judgment of the Nagas as to whether two political groups coming together and urging others to make peace and unity within the family would be called backstabbing.
Indeed, every foreigner who sets foot in Nagaland goes back with fond memories of Nagas having unique history and situation. Let it also be known to all who dwell on “Reconciliation based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas” that from the day of the submission of the Naga Memorandum to the British Statutory Commission on 10th January 1929, the Naga struggle is based on historical and political rights. The GPRN and FGN reconciled and merged on the same principle on 15th July 2010, and to propose the same spirit to other political groups to chart a common destiny. The historical and political rights of the Nagas did not spring up in 1980 or 1988.
Every Naga would understand that the amnesty declarations and proclamations by Chairman Isak Chishi in 1997, 2007, 2008 were given out to political groups but it never worked because it clearly set conditions underneath. In a history of a people where thousands have perished in internal strife and division, none can issue amnesty or pardon because all are equally responsible for the past mistakes and none can claim righteousness before the Creator and the Nagas.
The Covenant of Reconciliation was jointly signed by Chairman SS Khaplang, Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and His Excellency President Brig. (Retd) S Singnya. Naga history is richer for their commitment towards common endeavor and therefore it shall be held on steadfastly with greatest respect and commitment. If the Covenant of Reconciliation is to be abrogated, the three top leaders alone would do so. In the interest of Peace, Reconciliation and Unity of the Nagas, all subordinates of the three signatories in different groups should abide by FNR’s commitment and prayer. The Joint Committee of GPRN and FGN shall stay committed, in letter and spirit, to the covenant of Reconciliation until Nagas can truly say, “Yes, We are Reconciled”
MIP, GPRN
& Rali Wali, FGN.
