Nagalim.NL News

Home » Archives » August 2010 » GPRN-FGN merger service Staff Reporter VIHOKHU (NPN): Zee News

[Previous entry: "Nagas should have the right to decide their future: Muivah Bombay News.Net (ANI)"] [Next entry: "Centre, Left unite to slam NSCN-IM - Outfit criticised for Manipur blockade OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT"]

08/05/2010: "GPRN-FGN merger service Staff Reporter VIHOKHU (NPN): Zee News"




GPRN-FGN merger service Staff Reporter VIHOKHU (NPN): Zee News

A Thanksgiving Service to give thanks to God, marked the culmination of July 15 unity between the GPRN/NSCN and the FGN at Monyakshu village where several thousand people witnessed the occasion at Vihokhu village (Niuland) Thursday.
Giving all glory and honour to God for the unification, Co-convener Co-ordination Committee, Zhopra Vero(FGN) expressed gratitude to all groups and individuals who had openly supported the unconditional unity.
Zhopra, in his speech, stated that the prayers of people led to the declaration of the Covenant of Reconciliation and eventual unity when Nagas were passing through a dark phase of violence and bloodshed In this regard, he also thanked the Shisha Hoho and Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) for their prayers and tireless efforts for peace and reconciliation adding without which, unity would not have been possible.
Zhopra said that time has come for the Nagas to reconcile, bury all differences and unite without any pre-conditions.
He revealed that even before eventual unity, both the GPRN/NSCN and FGN had some understanding following the 1995 agreement signed at Yongkhao village in Konyak region wherein they resolved to unite and jointly defend the nation.
The MoU was then signed on January 12, 2008 to uphold unification of all Nagas, by ending hostilities and fratricidal killings so as to enable democratic participation and interaction among the Nagas to come under one platform.
Zhopra several attempts made in the past to resolve the Naga political issue, were at best “only piecemeal solutions” that could neither be meaningful nor lasting.
“Therefore, firmly believing that there should be first unity among the Nagas accommodating the desires and aspirations of our people in order to bring a lasting and honourable solution to the Naga political issue, the NNC/FGN and the GPRN/NSCN … in upholding and implementing the commitment of the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation,’ we pledged to unconditionally unite,” Zhopra said.
“The Monyakshu Conclave declaration is not an end but it is a beginning. We have united not for our personal cause, not for our political groups’ vested interest but for the Naga cause,” he added.
In his speech, Co-convener of the Co-ordination Committee, Kughalu Mulatonu (GPRN/NSCN described the unification of the GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN as “one definition of the Naga unity”. He called upon all sections of Naga society and the people who withstood more than six decades for freedom of the Naga country, to spread the message of their unconditional unity to the unreached. “This is not a propaganda; it is a political event, a precious terminology of Naga politics,” he said.
Mulatonu gave credit to the unsparing efforts of the FNR, Quakers, North Atlanta Baptist Peace Fellowship, Churches in Australia, Netherlands, Denmark and others for the unconditional unity and the thanksgiving programme.
Reiterating the call of the Co-ordination Committee to other groups for unconditional unity, Mulatonu said the GPRN/NSCN and FGN have the policy of “Communion, political unison and strategy to solve and hence, there will be no space of leaving anyone outside the walls of unconditional unification.”
“We shall sail together on the same waters but in a different ship, embark on a same mission but on different tracks, work together but utilize separate tools. We will have the same vision but demonstrate thousand dreams, we will fight together but on different battlefields, we will have the same victory but wear distinct crowns and this is our national struggle,” Mulatonu said.
He said the GPRN and FGN has not proposed the “Goliath-like gathering” to make choices or perpetuate a “forced opinion” but to offer the people an assurance that their dream for a peaceful and united Nagaland had begun and that it would be fulfilled.
Earlier, Co-ordination Committee member, Zaleo in his welcome address lauded the efforts of the FNR and other civil societies for being a unifying factor.
Speaking in place of FNR convenor Rev.Dr Wati Aier, who could not turn up, Rev. Dr. V. K. Nuh expressed happiness that the Naga family have come together once more and thanked Almighty for the reconciliation. He recalled the numerous meetings in Chiangmai, Thailand and Nagaland and said the Naga political leaders took great courage to come together and talk reconciliation.
He also said that the steps taken by the two political groups to come together in the spirit of reconciliation was not easy, yet it was possible only because of the willingness of the political groups in order to fulfill the dreams of the Nagas.
Naga Hoho publicity secretary C. Daipo congratulated the GPRN and FGN for reconciling with each other and expressed the Hoho’s position that it stood for reconciliation. “We need real reconciliation inclusive of all Naga people and Naga areas,” he said.
NSF president Mutsikhoyo Yhobu appealed all Nagas to come together and bring healing to the Naga society. He said reconciliation and unity should be inclusive and not exclusive.
Naga Mother Association (NMA) president Abeiu Meru, in her short speech called upon the Nagas not to shed anymore blood and said reconciliation was a must if the Nagas wanted to achieve the dream. She said the Naga mothers, children and family have suffered enough and further appealed to all political groups to reconcile. She expressed the hope that real peace would dawn among the Naga people soon
Representatives of the Nagaland Tribal Joint Co-ordination Committee, Naga National Workers People’s Support Group, Sumi Hoho, ENPO also spoke on the occasion.
Fr Solomon Vizo, Good Shepherd Seminary, Thakhekhu village, Dimapur said the invocation while NBCC peace affairs director, Rev Kari Longchar conducted the thanksgiving prayer, Co-ordination Committee member Alezo Venuh proposed the vote of thanks and Kuki Baptist Association executive secretary said the benediction.
Special numbers were presented by Patkai Choral PCC, Chancel Choir Mokokchung Baptist Church and Scripture Force of the GPRN.
Those who attended the programme included kilonsers, tatars, ranks and files of the Naga army of both the GPRN and FGN, former national workers, senior citizens, ex-parliamentarians, village headmen, elders, village council chairmen, secretaries, pastors, youth leaders, women leaders and the public.
‘We have united for Naga cause’ morungexpress

(Left to Right) Kughalu Mulatonu, Co-convener, Co-ordination Committee, GPRN, Zhopra Vero, Co-convener, Co-ordination Committee, FGN and senior GPRN/NSCN leader Azheto Chopy bow their heads in prayer during the GPRN and FGN Thanks Giving Service held at Vihokhu Village today. The GPRN and FGN have unconditionally united in principle during the Monyakhsu conclave on 15th July 2010. (Morung Photo)

Dimapur | August 5: Another new chapter has been written in the history of the long-drawn Naga political struggle as the GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN today made public the “unconditional unity” signed between the two groups at the Monyakshu conclave on July 15 last.
“When Nagas were passing through a dark phase of our history where senseless killing and bloodshed prevailed among the various political groups, God answered the prayers of our people by bringing about the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ and then the unconditional unity between the NNC/FGN and GPRN/NSCN,” said NNC/FGN vice president Zhopra Vero at a thanksgiving service for the “unconditional unity” held here at Vihokhu village.
Quoting from the book of Ecclesiastes “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under Heaven…” Zhopra who is also co-convenor of the coordination committee of GPRN and FGN, said he believed that the time has now come for Nagas to reconcile, bury all differences and unite without any pre-conditions, as done by the two groups. He said in the past several attempts were made to solve the Naga political issue but that they became at best only piecemeal solutions, which could neither be meaningful or lasting, partially because the Naga political groups were not united and did not proceed with a consensus based on the aspirations of the people and, partially because the Government of India was also not true and sincere.
The FGN President said that believing firmly that there should be first unity among the Nagas accommodating the desires and aspirations of the Naga people in order to bring a lasting and honourable solution to the Naga political issue, the NNC/FGN and GPRN/NSCN on July 15 at Monyakshu village, Konyak region, agreed to unconditionally unite in upholding and implementing the commitment of the “Covenant of Reconciliation.” He also said that the Monyakshu conclave resolved to evolve a common platform with equal participation of Naga people to expedite final settlement of the Naga political issue. “The Monyakshu conclave declaration is not an end but a beginning. We have united not for our personal cause, nor for political Groups’ vested interest but for Naga cause,” Zhopra added.
Envoy to collective leadership, GPRN/NSCN, and co-convenor of co-ordination committee (GPRN and FGN) Kughalu Mulatonu in his address termed the unconditional unity as “one definition of the Naga unity” and called upon all sections of Nagas to spread the message of “our unconditional unity.”
“This is not a political propaganda; it is a political event, a precise terminology of Naga politics,” he said. The GPRN envoy said the unity was due to the “unsparing sacrifices of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, the Quakers, North Atlanta Baptist Peace fellowships, and churches in Australia, Netherlands, Denmark and others.
“Reiterating our unconditional unification, the co-ordination committee met and resolved on July 18, 2010, to give a joint statement on July 19 giving a clarion to all the other groups. We have a policy of ‘communion, political unison and strategy to solve’ and hence there will be no space of leaving anyone outside the walls of unconditional unification,” he informed. He also urged the churches, civil societies and NGOs to play comprehensive ‘pressure role’ so that “our school of politics, social and religion do not collide by lack of communication and improper institutionalization. “We shall sail together on the same waters but in a different ship... we will have the same vision but demonstrate thousand dreams, we will fight together but on different battle fields… There is a pinnacle higher than this, we can share the same victory and one crown – which is sovereignty of the Nagas. I believe, a new level of political momentum has been achieved among the Nagas and with our movement engulfing the massive strength of people, we will take this triumphant journey to its zenith,” he said.
Representatives of civil society including Naga Hoho, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Students’ Federation; Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Sumi Hoho and Nagaland Tribal Joint Co-ordination Committee also conveyed solidarity to the Naga reconciliation and unity process.
Naga Civil Society Groups who spoke during the thanksgiving service to mark the unconditional unity between the GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN appreciated the step taken to strengthen unity and reconciliation among the Nagas. While stressing on the need for Reconciliation among the Nagas, several speakers pointed out that Naga Reconciliation must be inclusive of all Naga groups.
The Naga Hoho representative pointed out that Naga Reconciliation should be inclusive of all Naga groups and Naga areas. The president of the Naga Mothers Association affirmed that they opposed all forms of violence under the theme “Shed no more blood.” While extending their support for Naga Reconciliation, the civil society groups added that reconciliation should include all Naga political groups. NSF president said there should be inclusive reconciliation and not exclusive reconciliation. The Naga National Workers People Support Group expressed their support to Naga Reconciliation and stated that they wanted an end to bloodshed among the Naga brethrens.
ENPO advisor lamented on the divisions among the Nagas and pointed out that unity and reconciliation among Nagas is paramount. He added that Reconciliation must include all groups. The ENPO advisor pointed out that the Naga public must be truthful to each other and that they should speak the truth without fear. He pointed out that the killing among the Nagas is a shame before the world. He therefore said that the Naga public must tell the Naga political groups the need to unite and reconcile among Nagas.
Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) member Rev VK Nuh who spoke the solidarity message affirmed the commitment of FNR to Naga reconciliation based on the ‘covenant of reconciliation’ and urged that talks at the highest level of the three signatories to the Covenant of Reconciliation to be held at the earliest. The Sumi Hoho representative welcomed the unconditional unity of the two groups. On the division among the Nagas the Sumi Hoho questioned as to how long “we can live in a state of suspicion and confusion. Chancel Choir of Mokokchung, Patkai Christian College Choral and Scripture Force of GPRN/NSCN also sang on the occasion.

Manipur-Nagaland highway remains open: Chidambaram Zee News
New Delhi: As insurgents of United Naga Council threatened to block the key Manipur-Nagaland road link, Centre today informed Parliament that national highway between the two states is open with trucks plying on it.

"Talks are going on, as we speak, both in Nagaland and Manipur, and I hope that the blockade in NH-39 will not be there and trucks will continue to ply," Home Minister P Chidamabaram told the Rajya Sabha.

He said enough security forces have been positioned and strict instructions given that the trucks of the Food Corporation of India carrying foodgrains and of the oil companies carrying fuel would be plied on the highway.

"Actually, they have been plying until yesterday, they are plying today and we will ensure that these trucks use NH-39," he said during Question Hour.

He said the government was also prepared to provide security for convoys of private truckers who have complained about extortions.

Chidambaram said security has also been provided to trucks on NH-53 which remains open.

A crippling 68-day economic blockade of the Imphal-Dimapur -Guwahati highway (NH 39) and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar highway (NH 53), called by the All-Naga Students Association, Manipur, had ended on June 18. Due to the blockade, prices of almost all essential commodities are still ruling high in the troubled North-Eastern states.

The Home Minister said Manipur Chief Minister called a meeting with all groups representing the hill districts but the UNC did not attend it.
No room for talks, says UNC (Newmai News Network)
IMPHAL, AUG 5: Even as the government of Manipur is all set to depute a ministerial team to meet agitating United Naga Council (UNC) leaders in Senapati on August 6, the latter has said today that since they have severed ties with the former, there is no room for such talks.
On August 4, a state cabinet meeting had decided that a ministerial team would be sent to Senapati to meet the Naga leaders and negotiate on issues they have been agitating over. However, on Thursday, the UNC said that they are demanding from the Central government to intervene at this juncture.
“It is learnt through the media that an inter-ministerial team of the government of Manipur will be deputed to Senapati headquarters to discuss the Autonomous District Council (ADC) matter with the UNC in the office of the deputy commissioner of Senapati. It has therefore become necessary to once again make our position very clear that the UNC cannot meet and discuss with the government of Manipur on ADC issue as the Naga people has declared that the recently conducted ADC elections as ‘null and void”, said the UNC today.
“Since the Nagas have severed political ties with the government of Manipur, the intervention of the Government of India for an alternative arrangement is sought by the Nagas of Manipur. Therefore, we will not welcome the GoM and their representatives into Naga areas,” the UNC said.
NDFB scours Nepal for land - Outfit plans to set up base in new country PULLOCK DUTTA Assam Tribune


The arrested NDFB cadre in Tezpur on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Aug. 4: The anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) is touring Nepal to set up base there and carry forward its armed movement for a sovereign Bodoland, just months after setting up its general headquarters in Myanmar.
According to documents available with The Telegraph, the outfit’s general meeting last month had decided on the move.
A six-member group of the outfit under the leadership of “Lt” G. Onthao visited Nepal recently for a survey to set up the new hideout.
The general meeting held in Bangladesh and chaired by the vice-president of the outfit, G. Rifikhang, also decided to recruit more youths to “fight with more power and vigour” and carry out attacks on government properties and security forces.
Confirming the development, a police source said it was the recent crackdown in Bangladesh, where several leaders of the Northeast militant groups, including the chairman of NDFB, Ranjan Daimary, were netted, that forced the outfit to look for new pastures.
“The outfit has already set up its general headquarters in Myanmar some time ago with the help of Manipur-based insurgent outfit, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL),” a senior police official said.
George Basumatary, a key accused in the October 30 serial blasts in the state, is currently looking after the general headquarters at Myanmar with about 40 cadres.
The police last night recovered a letter written by Rifikhang and addressed to George from a woman cadre of the NDFB who was apprehended from Tezpur town along with three other women.
The group, led by Usha Ramsiary, alias Udang, alias Puja, was on its way to Dimapur to procure arms and ammunition for the outfit when police apprehended them from Tezpur bus station.
Nearly Rs 12 lakh in cash was also recovered from them along with the documents.
The police said Usha, 18, had joined the outfit three years back and had returned from Bangladesh only recently.
She hails from Silapathar in Dhemaji district and is close to the top leaders of the NDFB.
“The group was supposed to hand over the documents and the cash to a source in Dimapur and were supposed to return with arms and explosives,” a police official said.
The four-member group — the other three being Aruna Basumatary, Mina Basumatary and Urmila Daimari — were remanded in seven days’ police custody by a Tezpur court today.
The police official said that Usha had led a similar group of women to Dimapur recently and had managed to sneak in a consignment of arms and explosives.
A woman cadre, the police officer said, can carry at least six small arms and 5kg of explosives hidden under the dokhna and jwngra — a Bodo woman’s traditional attire.
A police source said the cash recovered from Usha could be a part of the money the NDFB had received for the release of V.S. Bardekar, an IFS official.
The general meeting of the outfit has also stressed on the need to intensify the group’s fund collection drive and appointed “Capt.” N. Danswrang as the finance secretary.
Bodos send letters in lakhs to PM OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Promode Boro (second from right) writes the letter at Rajmela field in Kokrajhar on Wednesday. Telegraph picture
Kokrajhar, Aug. 4: Lakhs of people today sent letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from different parts of Assam, demanding a state for the Bodos.
Participating in the agitation, organised by the influential All Bodo Students Union (Absu) as part of its movement to revive the statehood demand, students, activists and citizens sent postcards and inland letters to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Thousands of people led by Absu president Promode Boro and secretary Jiron Basumatary gathered at Rajmela field near the district post office here and posted the letters. Over three lakh letters are expected to reach the PMO.
“The Bodoland state will avoid excessive hegemony of the Assam government on the indigenous Bodo community and protect its land, identity, language and culture,” Boro said and added that the demand was backed by “strong logic, justification, physical feasibility and economic viability.”
The proposed Bodoland, Boro said, would extend along the Indo-Bhutan and Assam-Arunachal border from Sankosh (Kokrajhar district) in the west to Sadiya (Dibrugarh) in the east. It would include the four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri and parts of Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup (rural), Darrang, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Dibrugarh. Altogether, it would cover 25,000 square km, he added.
The Absu leader said the identity, land, language, culture and constitutional rights of the Bodos were not protected and criticised Dispur for neglecting their grievances.
The union is also demanding the creation of a Bodo regiment in the army, a central university, an IIT, an IIM, a medical college and a tribal research institute.



News: Main Page
News: Archives
Nagalim: Home

Powered By Greymatter