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08/06/2010: "Centre, Left unite to slam NSCN-IM - Outfit criticised for Manipur blockade OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT"

Centre, Left unite to slam NSCN-IM
- Outfit criticised for Manipur blockade
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, Aug. 5: The government and the Opposition parties today criticised the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) for provoking an economic blockade once again on the national highway to Manipur.
The issue was discussed in the Rajya Sabha today during zero hour. NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has provoked the economic blockade by the United Naga Council, a home ministry source said.
The Naga organisations, spearheaded by the UNC, are demanding dissolution of the six autonomous district councils, elections to which were held in the five hill districts recently. They also want the government to withdraw Section 144 CrPC, IRB personnel and police commandos from the Naga areas. Almost the entire Opposition, including the Left parties and the BJP, today stood by Manipur.
“On the one hand, Government of India is holding talks with NSCN; on the other, certain overground front organisations of the same group are using coercion to get their point of view across,” CPM MP Brinda Karat said during the special mention. “There are no oxygen cylinders in hospitals in Manipur. The going tax imposed by the UNC is Rs 30,000 for a truck of medical supplies and Rs 11,000 for a truck of cement,” she said.
Karat demanded that Chidambaram, who was being “soft” on the issue, should ensure that supplies are immediately restored to Manipur. People in Manipur are paying prices 10 times higher than that of Delhi, said Karat.
An earlier blockade continued for over two months as Naga NGOs demanded that Muivah be allowed to visit his native village of Somdal in Manipur.
The Manipur government, on the other hand, has come out with more than a hundred cases filed against Muivah to argue that the rebel leader can be arrested.
Considering that peace talks are in progress with Muivah — he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chidambaram and held parleys only a week ago — the Centre has appeared a little circumspect in cracking down hard on him.
“I do believe that the hill people of Manipur have some very genuine concerns which have to be properly addressed and a political resolution has to be found. (But) Sir, what is this?” asked Karat, addressing Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari.
The Left leader said the problems of the hill people should be resolved “within a united Manipur” clearly indicating there was no political consensus on Muivah’s demand for an integrated Naga homeland.
A source said 470 trucks laden with supplies were travelling through National Highway 53 that reaches Manipur via Assam.

http://telegraphindia.com/1100806/jsp/frontpage/story_12778514.jsp

Manipur Govt move to break impasse
Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, Aug 5 – Manipur’s Secular Progressive Front Government has decided to send a ministerial team to meet the striking Naga leaders and hold talk to settle the ongoing impasse and end the blockade.
Chief Minister O Ibobi chaired a Cabinet meeting last evening which decided to send the ministerial team – comprising Information minister TN Haokip, Government Spokesman and Sports Minister N Biren and Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii – to hold talks with leaders of United Naga Council (UNC) Manipur and All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur and settled the ongoing impasse.
The ministerial team is planning to visit Senapati district headquarter for the meeting on August 7, sources here said.
However, UNC, which had resumed the economic blockade on Manipur on Wednesday for 20 days despite the Central and State governments’ appeal to call it off in public interest, is not ready to welcome the ministerial team.
“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,” stated UNC in a press release today. “We, therefore, will not welcome the GoM and their representatives into Naga areas”.
UNC had earlier refused to attend State Chief Minister’s round table meeting on August 3 on the autonomous district council issue on the ground that their demands were not met. The demand included institution of a judicial inquiry into the May 6 firing at Mao Gate on the Manipur-Nagaland border, killing two Naga students, demilitarisation of Naga areas, removal of ‘wanted’ tags on Naga leaders and dissolution of the autonomous district councils. They are also demanding an alternative administrative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur.
Meanwhile, after escorting 48 empty trucks to ferry back fuel, 86 more trucks were escorted to their destination on the second day of the blockade today. Today, 67 trucks, including seven oil tankers, were escorted into the State (via NH 39), Senapati SP Nishit Ujjwal said when contacted. There are also reports of more trucks arriving via NH 53.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=aug0610/oth05

The Sangai Express
Local News August 6, 2010
Safe passage of vehicles on NH-39 with deployment of Central forces now...
So what was Delhi doing earlier when State faced similar woes : UCM

By Our Staff Reporter

IMPHAL, Aug 5: Safe arrival of goods laden trucks through National Highway 39 despite reimposition of economic blockade by UNC since yesterday, as a result of deployment of Central security forces along the route, has shown that protection along the National Highways can indeed be ensured if the Central Government is sincere enough, United Committee Manipur (UCM) has categorically stated. However, the intention and the stand of the Government of India is doubtful as it has come only after a team of Central leaders including leader of the Opposition in the Parliament came to visit Manipur to take stock of the situation and interacted with various CSOs, UCM said in a statement.
UCM further observed that the change in the position of the Government of India may have also been prompted by the apprehension of an impending mass civil unrest. Moreover, there is no assurance on how long the security personnel would be deployed along the National Highways. Pointing out that what the UCM and the people of Manipur have always wan-ted and have been demanding all these years is to allow free services along the National Highways without any interference from any quarters, UCM wondered what could be the hidden agenda of the Government behind the stoic silence maintained by the authorities of the Cease Fire Monitoring Cell at Dimapur to illegal tax collection, extortion, torture, harassment, human rights violation, molestation and rape as well as killing of innocent people including drivers committed by NSCN (IM) along the Highways down the years. If the Government of India gives up its discriminatory attitude and regard all people as its citizens, why should there have been any public movement, UCM questioned, adding that the Manipuri people would not tolerate the authorities from closing their eyes to the crimes being committed in broad daylight.

Alleging that the Government of India had extended open invitation to general secretary Th Muivah to enter the territory of Manipur on the pretext of allowing him to visit his native place despite knowing that ceasefire agreement is not applicable in Manipur, thereby leading to social upheaval, UCM maintained that the economic blockade being imposed by UNC for 20 days since August 4 is nothing by an extension of failed attempt. The Mao gate incident in which State forces opened fire was because of the stand taken by the Government of Manipur to prevent Muivah from entering. Boycott of ADC election and the subsequent arrest warrant issued along with announcement of rewards for the arrest of UNC and ANSAM leaders were all related to the attempted visit of Muivah, UCM asserted, adding that all these issues are the creation of the Central Government. On the other hand, Government of Manipur should give strong order to its forces so all the police stations take up stringent security measures under their respective jurisdiction. If the police stations, like Mao PS, Senapati PS, Kangpokpi SP, Sapermeina PS, Sekmai PS and Imphal West PS control their respective area, no place would be left for the miscreants to carry out their activities. Unfortunately, the security personnel have been in collusion with these miscreants and its an open secret, UCM alleged.

The same is true about the National Highway 53. Instead of supporting transporters who have decided not to take on National Highway-39 through Nagaland, State police have been taking money from the drivers, UCM said.
The groups enforcing the economic blockade should also ensure that the interest of the people is not compromised in pursuance of their demand. The suffering of the people from the 68-day long economic blockade is yet to be overcome. So reimposition of economic blockade for another 20 days could be nothing but anti-people movement, UCM added.
http://thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local%20news-06.html

NH 53 bandh

JIRIBAM, Aug 5: The 48 hours chakka bandh called by the ZSUM on NH 53 has paralysed vehicular movement along the with no vehicle plying on it, reports our correspondent. However, there is no report of any untoward incident till the time of filing this report. The ZSUM has been demanding withdra-wal of PWD from NH 53.
http://thesangaiexpress.com/

the sangaiexpress
Editorial
Politics of eco-blockade

Once again Manipur is in the grip of yet another economic blockade and we may well ask, so what is new about this ? Well for one, unlike the recent 68 days or the 52 days economic blockade in 2005, this time round, it is the United Naga Council which has imposed the economic blockade and not the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur as was the case in the earlier two instances, though practically this amounts to the same thing. This much is evident and yes, the economic blockade is not indefinite but for only 20 days, though God knows, which course it will take in the days to come. These points are vividly clear to all the people, we presume and so are the demands being pursued by the UNC and the reasons for resuming the suspended economic blockade. A solution is sight seems to be a pipe dream at the moment, for the UNC and ANSAM, had already turned down the offer of the State Government to participate in a round table conference held on August 3. The Kuki Inpi, Manipur and the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur also failed to turn up for the meeting, though the Kuki body has not given any reason for declining the invitation from the Government. Apart from this and in the latest development, if we may say so, the UNC has refused to meet or have any contact with the three Ministers who were nominated and asked to do the needful to reach out to the Naga bodies and break the ice. The three Ministers were named during the course of the Cabinet meeting held on August 4 and their brief was clear. Try to convince the leaders of the UNC, ANSAM and other social organisations concerned to at least discuss things with the Government. However, it is easier said than done, and for now the stalemate remains. The hard or rigid stand adopted by the UNC and affiliated organisations centre around four points which they had submitted to the Centre for effective implementation with the rider that they be fulfilled or carried out within a set deadline, which in this case was July 31, the ultimatum being served on July 27. For those with a short memory span or who failed to clearly note it down in their mind, the four points include, instituting a Judicial probe into the Mao Gate, May 6 incident in which two students were killed in police firing and more than a hundred ‘peaceful’ protestors were injured, imme- diate withdrawal of the imposed restrictions under section 144 CrPC and ‘demilitarisation’ of all Naga inhabited areas by removing or shifting out all the State forces namely the IRB men and police personnel as well as the withdrawal of the wanted tags attached on the presidents of UNC and ANSAM as well as the cash reward announced for any information or tip offs that may lead to the arrest of the said two Naga leaders. On the face, the demands put up by the UNC definitely appear rational and within the purview of democracy. But these points become increasingly interesting in the backdrop of the Declaration to sever all ties with the Government of Manipur during the Naga Peoples' Convention held on July 1 at Senapati district.

It is this July 1 Declaration which has served as the backbone of the present demands put up by the UNC to the Centre and this is where all the interesting points lie. In a democracy, the rights of the people are paramount but this also comes with the rider that the rights or freedom of a people ends when the rights of another person begins. In other words, rights cannot be interpreted as absolute, in the sense that there are no conditions at all. It is under the provisions of the rights bestowed by the Constitution of India that the July 1 Declaration of the Naga Peoples' Convention was adopted, but the interesting point is whether the rights enshrined in the Constitution can be interpreted in such a way that a declaration by a group of people or a community should over ride the interests of others and more importantly, will such a declaration stand the test when faced with the spirit of the Constitution of India? To any outsider, who do not have an inkling of the complex ethnic composition, their interests as well as the politics of playing to the gallery by whipping out the ethnic card, all the issues confronting Manipur may seem insurmountable or may be even hilarious. Here is a small State, with about 22 thousand square kilometres in area and with a population of only about 25 lakhs or so, yet it has been the theatre of all the absurdities, the heart burns, the hatred and animosity as well as distrust, that come along with ethnic or communal polarisation. In a way, this may prove to be more dangerous and more harmful to the society than the caste politics which was perfected as an art by people like Lalu Prasad Yadav or the politics of regionalism or regional chauvinism as seen in certain States, such as Tamil Nadu. The July 1 declaration of the Naga Peoples' Convention to sever all ties with the Government of Manipur will definitely sound encouraging or even “enlightening” to some of the radicals on the Lim side, but the reality tells a different story. Playing to the gallery to earn some brownie points and charting out a well planned political strategy are two entirely different things and continuing with the populist measures, which can have only short term effect, will be to the loss of the people, they claim to represent. The shadow of the Lim issue on the demands raised by the UNC as well as the July 1 Declaration cannot be missed even to the politically naive individual. It also needs to be stressed that the wanted tags on the leaders of UNC and ANSAM came after directives from the Court of law and the right place to challenge this should be the Court and not on the lifeline of the State, which is NH-39. Taking all these factors together, the politics of economic blockade seems redundant and self defeating in this modern age. Ask Israel, if you don’t believe us.
http://thesangaiexpress.com/Others/Editorial-03.html

Hueiyenlanpao
Editorial
Reconciliatory Approach
2010-08-06
thMinisterial team to meet Naga agitation leaders
Nobody in Manipur, at this point, can predict how long the confrontation between the United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and all other partner Naga organisations together on one side and the Government of Manipur on the other would last. But it’s true that all confrontations eventually have to come to an end with conclusions acceptable to all parties concerned. In order to achieve the conclusions which are acceptable to the confronting parties, either of or both or all the parties concerned need to take a few steps back from the earlier stands. If it’s a confrontation between two parties, one or the other or both the parties must make certain compromises to come to a conclusion. Without someone making some compromises, it’s difficult to end the confrontation. The question is who’d make the compromise first? Sometimes, some people may feel that it’s a sign of weakness to retract from one’s declared stand, which is not true in all cases. It would be in the larger interest of the entire people of the state or country concerned if one of the confronting/conflicting parties has to make the first step of drawing back a little from its earlier stand. That can never be a sign of weakness or surrender, rather it would be a gesture of better sense, larger heart, more far-sightedness, more concern for the people and also a mark of good statemanship and leadership.

In the present context of Manipur, it certainly is a good sign of concern for the general public of the state that the Cabinet has decided to adopt a reconciliatory approach toward the leaders of UNC and ANSAM, who appear determined to confront the state government. The Government first convened a Round Table meeting on August 3 to thrash out the issues relating to the Autonomous District Councils, of which elections were the basis of the Naga bodies to start a series of compaign against the government of Manipur including the record economic blockade. The government extended invitations to the leaders of UNC, ANSAM, other Naga and Kuki bodies. But the UNC even refused to accept the invitation, not to say of attending the meeting. Not surprisingly, none of the Naga and Kuki bodies attended the Round Table meeting. The reasons for the absence of the representatives of both Naga and Kuki civil organisations would obviously have been different. The Naga representatives did not attend because they are in confrontation with the government, and some of them are proclaimed offenders in the eyes of law and police are looking for them. The UNC and ANSAM leaders feared that the meeting was a ploy of the government to arrest them. But, for the Kuki bodies, there’s no such fear of arrest and they have no problems in sitting together with the government. Though they want more powers to the ADCs, they willingly participated in the elections and elected their representatives to the ADCs in Kuki areas.Then the problem could have been nothing else but the heartbreaking memory of the bloody history of 1991-93. The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) is still demanding justice for the nearly 1,000 Kukis massacred, thousands of Kukis displaced and hundreds of villages burnt down by the NSCN-IM.

After the first gesture of the state government for reconciliation failed to receive a positive response, now the State Cabinet has assigned a group of three Ministers to go to Senapati and meet the leaders of UNC, ANSAM and other Naga bodies on August 7 to try to find a way for a peaceful and amicable solution to the present dispute through negotiation. It’s an encouraging step of the state government, as a guardian of the people, to try to bring an end to the confrontation. Once a way for negotiation can be found and set into motion, a way for a peaceful conclusion is expected to follow. Issues of “wanted” tag and rewards and all that could be sorted out gradually. But as we said earlier in this column, certain compromises are required to be taken by both sides to come to a conclusion. Obstinacy wouldn’t do any good to anyone. The state government’s initiative for reconciliation, which deserves praise, mustn’t be seen as a sign of inability to face the challenges.
http://hueiyenlanpao.com/news.php?newsid=2050

UNC snubs Manipur govt
Newmai News Network | Imphal | August 5
Even as the state 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 the 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.

The UNC then stated that the Nagas in the present state of Manipur, having established their position based upon the ‘unmistakable fact’ that it is impossible to protect their right to life, land, time-honored institutions, customary practice and values under the administration of the dominant and communal Government of Manipur (GoM), and that their history with it, has clearly confirmed the harsh reality that the government of Manipur has never recognized and respected the identity and dignity of the Naga people.

As such the Naga Peoples’ Convention (NPC), the highest decision making platform of the Nagas in Manipur, held on July 1, 2010, declared the severance of all political ties with the government of Manipur and to seek the intervention of the government of India for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur State. “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.
http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/52870.html

Zeliangrongs resolve for unity; ZPO & ZSU abolished
morungexpress
Dimapur, August 5 (MExN): The Zeliangrong community today met in Peren on August 5 and did away with a number of organizations, including the Zeliangrong Students’ Union, “for the unity, peace and prosperity of the Zeliangrongs in general.”

The meeting declared that the Zeliang People’s Organization and Zeliang Students’ Union as ‘self claimed and professed as apex body’ and are “unmandated, unacceptable and unauthorized body found to be creating law and order problem, confusing the general public taking the cause of the people at their own volition.” ‘Therefore, the organizations are declared null and void, and henceforth banned by the general people,’ a statement from the Zeliangrong Baudi stated today.

“The general public of Zeliangrong people after serious consideration on the continual and repeated violation of people’s ethical principle causing law and order situation in the society adversely created by the so-called Zeliang People’s Organization and Zeliang Students’ Union, hereby took this decision to avert the detrimental environment in the interest of the Zeliangrong people in Peren district in particular and the whole Zeliangrong and Nagas in general,” stated the Zeliangrong Baudi today. A statement of the resolution signed by the president and general secretary of the hoho stated.

“This statement of the Zeliangrong general public do hereby declare the following decision – established on this day, the 5th August 2010, at Peren town in presence of the Zeliangrong Baudi (N) by the will and decision of the general Zeliangrong public represented by Zeme Council, Liangmai Council, Rongmei Council, village Chairmen Union Peren District, G.B Association, Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Youth Organizations, and members of Zeliang People’s Organization present”, it further confirmed. The affirmations are mentioned hereunder for public comprehension: The statement said that that the three council presidents of the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei of Peren district, village chairmen union, GB Association and student unions have “made its clear statement before the house of its recognition, support and cooperation to the only apex body of the Zeliangrong people, the Zeliangrong Baudi (N).”
The meeting “reaffirmed and acknowledged the people-mandated organization” the Baudi of “its authority, and its long standing reputation as the only apex body of the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei people in the state of Nagaland since the inception of Zeliangrong Tribal Council much prior to the creation of Nagaland statehood till date.”
The meeting also resolved to “restrict and restrain the revival of the banned ZLPO, declaring that in any manner or whatsoever shall no section of group or individual initiate to revive the said organizations which shall be held and accounted responsible and individualized.” The declaration which was signed in the presence of the apex Zeliangrong Baudi (N), was appended by representatives from all villages in Peren district, the three sub-councils, Village Chairmen Union Peren District, G.B Association Peren District, Students and Youth Organizations.
http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/52863.html

ADB News Release

30 July 2010
Asian Chief Justices, Judges Propose Network to Promote Environment Justice
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Asian judges proposed creation of an Asian Judges Network on the Environment to improve the quality of court rulings on environment and natural resource cases in the region at a seminar held at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Around 120 senior judges, environment ministry officials and civil society participants attended the “Asian Judges Symposium on Environmental Decision-Making, the Rule of Law, and Environmental Justice” on 28-29 July to discuss ways to ensure effective environmental adjudication and dispute resolution, access to justice, and promote the rule of law. Participants shared their experiences in evolving environmental jurisprudence, as well as handling environment cases, including the challenges and needs that arise in doing their work. They discussed how best to achieve effective environmental enforcement, including working through judges networks convened by the Chief Justices in the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Association for South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. “We need judges to champion and lead the rest of the legal profession toward credible rule of law systems, compliance and enforcements that have integrity and promote environmental sustainability,” ADB Vice-President Bindu Lohani said at the two-day symposium.

Mr. Lohani stressed that environment and climate change issues are key in reducing poverty, and that the symposium would initiate a continuing conversation among the region’s judges and environmental officials. The symposium was attended by Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona and Indonesia’s Chief Justice Harifin Tumpa, along with senior judges and officials from Bangladesh, Brazil, the People’s Republic of China, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States. “As judges and lawyers, we have a significant role to play in the protection of the environment … Judges can make a contribution not only to the present generation, but also to future generations,” Chief Justice Corona said at the conference. “I saw that closer intent and cooperation is necessary to have judges of ASEAN countries jointly develop a “green bench”,” said Indonesia’s Chief Justice Tumpa, adding that the Indonesian Supreme Court is ready to host a meeting of chief justices and environmental judges of ASEAN countries next year.

Bakary Kante, Director of Division of Environmental Law and Conventions of UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said: “UNEP is committed to continue strengthening the capacity of judges as well as the whole judiciary. To achieve this, UNEP will work closely with ADB and other relevant partners for environmental justice and sustainability.” ADB has been assisting some Asian countries create a roadmap to strengthen the capacity of judges to consistently apply environmental and natural resources law and regulation. The symposium was led by ADB and convened in partnership with UNEP, the Access Initiative of the World Resources Institute, the Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network, and the Philippines Supreme Court.
Source: http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2010/13293-asian-environment-justice/

Defacto Nagalim: A country of the purest form of democracy in the world
Moa Aso
The nomenclature “Nagalim” is being used in the write up simply to mean and refer all the Naga inhabited areas in India and Myanmar. It appears Nagas are one of the unrepresented democratic nations in the world. Basically Nagas are lovers of justice, Peace, freedom and pure democracy. Today, USA stands as the strongest democratic country in the world while India is obviously considered as the largest democratic country. Naga democracy can be said to be the purest form of democracy in the world. Because Naga democracy itself is an inclusive democracy in a s much as it embarks the culture of consensus in deferent levels of decision making in Naga governance and other undertakings. Secondly, it is derived from the conscientious will of the individuals without the dictate of any authority. It is a historical reality that Naga society was deeply rooted with socialist type of democracy. Despite republican democracy being institutionalised in the contemporary state levels, a blend of republican democracy & monarchical democracy are also prevalent in the grassroot levels of Naga society. This article, however, is not intented to critically analyse the concept of democracy as such, it only attempts to reassess the status of the pure democracy of the Nagas in the present context.

Nagas as a classless society was the very important structural basis of the socialist type of Naga democracy. Meaning, Naga democracy is a democracy based on the conscientious will of the individuals formed consensually without the dictate of the authority in the helm. The authority only approves and executes the decision of the people. There are, interalia, two basic elements of democracy; consensus factor and majority factor. Consensus factor in the democratic processes of the ancient Naga society was the hallmark of pure Naga democracy. Angami tribe has the best example for this. It may be noted that decisions on various important agendas were adopted consensually across clan or party line. Exercise of such regular consensus could be found in Naga society purely derived from the dictate of their own will and conscience and not by undue influence. The advent of Christianity and education in the 18th century had developed Naga democracy in varied dimensional perspectives. There is no autocratic administration to most of the Naga villages some of which are still governed by hereditary structure of Kingship. It is the peoples’ will that prevails. Accordingly, sovereignty lies with the people. The village king or chief is only a titular head. The “majority factor” though is emerging as a vital instrument of democracy in modern society, Nagas are deeply rooted with their consensus culture which in fact is the basic structure of their democracy. Because, it is their culture to uprightly stand their ground together on a given subject and/ or agenda which they perceive to be true and best for them. Nothing can shake them. Intensive dialogue, deliberation, debate and conveyance amongst themselves was the traditional practice to understand and realise the factual truth of the subject or issue and come to a consensus. This “consensus factor” is, however, facing complicacy in the modern election system of representatives. Nevertheless, it still is very imminent in their decision making processes. In Naga democracy factors that contribute to the decision making processes is quite fundamental for subjective consideration. Because, for the Nagas, it is not merely the decision that is important but the wisdom, the virtue, the quality and correctness of the decision that is more important as far as governance of the people and their future is concerned. This is the essence of pure democracy in Naga society. For instance, if Nagas believe that a pen is a pen, it cannot be said to be a pencil simply because the majority says so. A pure democratic decision can be had only when the entire House consensually arrive a logical conclusion to the effect that it is in fact a pen and not a pencil. Therefore, working of the Naga democracy being derived from the conscientious will of the people; prudent consultation, critical analysis of fact s and circumstances, dissemination & conveyance of ideas and required material information is an essential pre-decisional responsibility to necessarily enlighten the members collectively so as to bring consensual decision correctly on certain critical agendas or issues. If consensus, however in rare cases, cannot be forged due to extreme differences between few members, there arise the necessity of the role of majority factor in making the decision base on its value, quality and correctness. Mere majority decision without this character is not a pure democracy as per Naga laws on democracy and governance.

This Naga position was historically supported by Edwin Verrier one of the British Indian Administrators when he says, “Every Naga follows the dictate of his own will, a form of the purest democracy which it is very difficult indeed to conceive as existing even for a day; yet that it does exist here is an undeniable fact”. It could be drawn from this important historical statement that Naga democracy was a democracy of good conscience with inclusive tendency. Every democratic decision be it legislative, administrative or judicial was taken by the dictate of their own free will and concience. The element of money, mite, power and fear did not influence their decisions. There was no totalitarianism in Naga system of governance. The will of the people prevails in the decision making processes and other democratic measures. Ancient Nagas were recognised as honest, upright, sincere, hardwor king, compassionate and brave people. This is one good reason why the outside world could trust the Nagas despite their material backwardness. However, it is equally disheartening to note that the pure Naga democracy is rapidly falling away. Instead of having transformed it into a higher level of purity, its value and credibility is demeaning. The influence of money, mite and power are slowly domineering the decision making processes at deferent levels of Naga Society. The influence of alien rule is another reason for the present crisis. However, Nagas’ pure democracy has not been destroyed altogether. Nagas cannot become easy victims of the grumbling world. The decline of social ethos, individual ethics, moral values and more so the absence of spiritualism in Christianity are randomly seen in western world. Tendency towards extreme materialism, extreme individualism and extreme complacency are the causes of their downfall. King Solomon, the wisest king ever once said that everything extreme is bad and is in fact meaningless and in vain. Let pure Naga democracy be a new role model of democracy for the world in bringing a dynamic and viable standard in international polity and governance. Many experts observe that the present state of Nagaland is one of the fastest growing and developing states amongst the NE states. Pure Naga democracy may be one important contributing factor for the good governance that enhance such rapid growth under DAN leadership.
On the other side of the Naga story, NNC under the leadership of late AZ Phizo, known as the father of Naga nation gave his everything for the Naga nation. Under his leadership Nagas as per their laws declared independence from the British on 14th August, 1947 (one day ahead of Indian independence). The subsequent invasion of Nagalim by decolonized India was resisted unitedly by the Nagas and a Naga plebiscite to reaffirm their independence was made in the year 1951 wherein the citizens of Nagalim wholly and consensually opted for independent Nagalim. This historical truth founded by Pure Naga democracy under the leadership of uncle AZ Phizo and others still remains unresolved as India fails to have a world class leader who can vigorously pursue and contribute world peace as well as tangible and lasting peace to her country and her neighbours. After AZ Phizo Nagas are fortunate to have found a new hope for their national salvation under the new and dynamic leadership of Ishak Chishi Swu, Th. Muivah and SS Khaplang under a new Naga National political institution - NSCN. The condemnation of Shillong Accord of 1975 led to the formation of NSCN. Significantly, under the banner of NSCN, Naga national movement appears to have gained de-facto international recognition when Nagalim became a member of UNPO in the year 1993. The charismatic and dynamic leadership of Ishak Chishi Swu, Th. Muivah and late Khodao Yanthan and many young Naga leaders have extensively internationalised the case of Naga freedom struggle around the world. The ongoing Indo-Nagalim political negotiation has reached 13 years. NSCN has further clearly demonstrated and explained th e protracted Naga case to India and the international community far and wide. Nearly 50 talks outside India have proved that Indo-Nagalim conflict is an international one. More than 60 political talks with more than 5 Indian Prime Ministers in a short span of 13 years seems to have achieved more than what it could not have done in the past 80 years of struggle prior to ceasefire. It has significantly transformed NSCN from guerrilla technique based fighting organisation into a vibrant Naga national political entity. The greatest challenge for Indo-Nagalim in the 21st Century is resolving the conflict and building a new and peaceful relationship between the two entities. For the Nagas, application of the purest form of democracy has become a necessity in resolving the Naga national issue. Meaning, the need of the hour is forging a Naga national consensus to find out an acceptable Naga national political standard as a basis for settlement. Reconciliation and unity movement spearheaded by FNR under the able leadership of Dr. Wati Aier is most meaningful and laudable at this crucial junction of the Naga nation that has miserably experienced losses, pain and sufferings within and without the Naga society in the past 80 years. Hatred and enmity amongst Naga brothers in this last part of the national struggle should not at any cost continue to haunt and forfeit the logical end of our freedom struggle. Making true reconciliation and Unity among the Nagas and forging a stronger Naga national political consensus appears to be the most holy call to all citizens of Nagalim for hammering out a political settlement with India and then with Myanmar. In fact, that will show our maturity and wisdom gained out of our long journey of freedom struggle. Naga transformation was Christ-centric. This Christ centred holistic transformation of t he Naga society in the later part of 18th century must necessarily be reckoned with as a basic historical relevance for our advancement in the 21st century with justice, peace, freedom and prosperity. Moving ahead with this renewed relevance of the fundamental aspect of our history should unite the Nagas to a greater height. It appears, Nagas are the only struggling people who have not yet conventionally joined the Union of India. Taking this basic truth into consideration, GoI has long declared NSCN as a lawful political entity. GOI has also recognised the unique history, polity and situation of the Nagas. 1964 Naga peace talk did not bear fruit due to the rigid stand of both the parties. While Nagas stood for complete Independence from India, India strongly opposed to such complete severance of relations hip between the two. The direct impact of the fall out of the peace process is that today India has become an industry of insurgencies. To avoid the repetition of the historical failure in the pursuit of peace, the ongoing Indo-Nagalim talk should create a win-win mechanism for early settlement of political conflict between the two. For this purpose, de-facto Naga nationhood may be recognised by India. Consequently some of the central subjects of Nagalim could be allowed to be lawfully acquired by India and /or share sovereignty on subjects of common importance and security. This could be the key to establish a new and lawful Indo-Nagalim relationship.
It may be noted that had the 1964 Naga peace talk succeeded, India by now could have been a prosperous country and a powerful global peace maker. Unfortunately, after Mahatma Gandhi, India could not produce a world class leader who sincerely loves justice, peace, freedom and humanity for others in as much as he loves for himself and his country. Gandhiji made a touching historical commitment to the Nagas when he said that if the Nagas think they are not Indians, the matter ends there. He respects Nagas’ right and freedom to decide their own destiny. He further said if Indians attack the Nagas, he will be the first to die in defence of the rights and freedom of the Nagas. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, I believed, will be inspired by the spirit and wisdom of Gandhiji, the father of the nation, to fulfill this solemn historical commitment made to the peace loving Naga nation. In fact Gandhiji’s commitment to the Nagas still stands to be the solemn-most national responsibility of India in honour of the father of the Indian nation... This can only enable to establish a new lawful Indo-Nagalim relations. The story of Naga struggle for a self-ruled Nagalim in the past 80 years can neither be now undone nor distorted by anyone. Remember, India may not be a blessed nation until and unless the national commitment of the father of the nation made to Nagas is fulfilled. Nagalim must equally explore all possible ways and means to improve a harmonious and peaceful relationship with her neighbours, be it the Assamese, Meitei etc. This is possible for the Nagas who has an inclusive democracy. Make Nagalim a country of the purest form of Democracy in the world where all mankind can live together peacefully.
http://easternmirrornagaland.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26637:defacto-nagalim-a-country-of-the-purest-form-of-democracy-in-the-world&catid=65:columnist&Itemid=61
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Manipur Land Reform Act and ADC Election, 2010

The Government of India placed Manipur under the Fifth Schedule on the basis of the A.V. Thakkar Subcommittee’s report. The Government of Manipur passed two acts: the Manipur Land Reform and Land Revenue Act (MLR and LRA), 1960 and the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, (MHADCA) 1971. The MLR and LRA is meant for all the districts of Manipur. The District Councils started functioning from 1973 till 1989; and since then it has been kept in abeyance for the demand for extension of the Sixth Schedule provision in the hill areas of Manipur till May-June, 2010.

The Manipur State Legislative Assembly passed the Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs Rights) Act on 14 June, 1967 which authorized the state government to acquire the rights, titles and interests of the chiefs in the hill areas of Manipur. According to the Act, the chiefs were to be compensated on the basis of the following criteria: (1) the area of land under chiefs; (2) total number of households within each chiefdom; and, (3) compensation in installment or lump sum.

The Manipur Land Reform and Land Revenue Act (MLR &LRA),1960 which is amended from time to time is extended to (1) 89 villages of Churachandpur district in 1962, vide notification no.142/12/60, dated 22-2-1962; (2) 14 villages in Sadar Hills of Senapati district, vide notification no. 138/4/64, dated 25-2-1965; (3) 14 villages in Khoupum valley of Tamenglong district, vide notification no. 3/12/83, dated 14-11-1987.

The Government of Manipur enacted the Manipur State Hill Peoples (Administration) Regulation Act, (MSHPAR),1947 which divided the whole hill territory into circles. In each village of tax-paying 20 households or above, there was a village authority consisting of chiefs and elders. Above the village authority, there was circle authority comprising one circle officer appointed by the government and a council of 5 members elected by the village authorities falling within the circle.

To encourage people’s participation in the local administration, the Manipur (Village Authority in Hill Areas) Act was passed in 1956 which introduced for the first time election of members to the village authority on the basis of adult franchise by repealing the earlier MSHPAR Act, 1947. When Manipur attained statehood in 1972, the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1972 was passed by the state government.

"The Manipur Assembly passed the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (Third Amendment) Act, 2008 only after the HAC consented to it following a six-month study of the provisions. "If the tribal population of Manipur did not like the bill, no tribal MLA would have had to courage to clear it in the HAC. The clearance by the HAC shows the Act has the support of the tribal people of Manipur," --Biren
Posted by Free Expression from Angomcha Chingkhei Meitei at Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Labels: Politico
http://acmeitei.blogspot.com/2010/05/land-reform.html

A Formula for More Land and Resource Grabbing: Dangers of the Green India Mission
Forest Movements' Joint Statement

As national platforms of forest dwellers' movements and struggle organisations, we strongly oppose the “Green India Mission” recently announced by the Ministry of Environment and as part of the National Action Plan for Climate Change. This Mission, in its current form, will lead to increased land grabbing, violation of people's rights, environmental destruction, and loss of common lands and livelihoods based on them, without in any way genuinely responding to the burning problem of climate change.

India's forests and forest lands are the homelands of millions of people, the adivasis and other forest dwellers. Huge areas of land officially classified as “forest” are in fact being lived in, cultivated or otherwise used and depended upon by forest dwellers. Despite the Forest Rights Act of 2006, however, their community rights to common forests, lands etc. are still being trampled upon and ignored.

The Forest Department's main “green” activity is tree plantations. Such “afforestation” programmes often take place on cultivated lands (including shifting cultivation fallows), village commons, community pasture lands etc. that actually belong to people; they also destroy biodiversity rich natural open forests and grasslands, reducing people's access to forest produce and animal fodder. In October 2008, the Standing Committee on Environment and Forests sharply criticised such programs1, saying “afforestation ... deprives forest dwellers and adivasis of some or all of their lands and impacts their livelihoods and basic needs – for which they are neither informed, nor consulted, nor compensated.”

This is what the Green India Mission seeks to promote, despite lip service to the contrary. The true impact of any policy is shaped not by its rhetoric but by its institutional structure:

Despite much talk of gram sabha and village based management, all the Mission's bodies above the village – the Division and State Forest Development Agencies etc. - are controlled by the Forest Department (Paragraph E). How is the gram sabha to manage anything if funds, policies and coordination are controlled by the Forest Department?
Within the village, the non-statutory Joint Forest Management Committee is slipped in as a “sub committee of the gram sabha”, when it is, once again, controlled by the Forest Department and not accountable to the village. There is even talk of twisting the Forest Rights Act – which explicitly provides for gram sabha control over forests – to legitimise JFM Committees and vest them with legal status (Paragraph 5.4.1.(b)). Thus, the undermining of local control begins in the policy text itself. Instead of replacing Joint Forest Management, the document is promoting it.
So-called “community agents” are to be hired and trained, but once again we find that they are to be under the Forest Department, and the document even says they can be used to “augment Forest Department staff” (i.e. presumably serve as departmental contract labour). This appears to be a further extension of Forest Department control over village decision making, thereby undermining the decision making authority of the gram sabha.
The Forest Department has neither the expertise nor the skill to implement “restoration of ecosystems and habitat diversity,” nor is there space for such expertise. Within the document itself, the old Department line shows through: forest restoration is almost equated with plantations (Para 5.2.2) and grassland restoration with grazing reduction (5.2.3). The document totally ignores indigenous and local knowledge about ecosystems and eco-restoration.
The only really measurable targets given are for plantations and some schemes such as stove distribution. As funding is largely target driven in the government system, this indicates where the money will go. The draft talks of 20 million hectares being afforested, but this is effectively impossible, as such a huge area of land will have myriad existing uses and rights. The draft also refers to 44,000 crores being spent. Such enormous targets, with such an institutional structure, will only result in more land grabbing and corruption.

What will this actually lead to? We can expect the following consequences:

Industrial monocultures as a result of plantation programs – while expressing the point that monocultures are “more vulnerable”, the draft document nowhere rules them out, and they would be the natural result of this process. These would be harmful to the environment and dangerous for people's rights and livelihoods (lip service on these issues notwithstanding). A commoditisation of forests, converting people's homelands and livelihood resources, without even consulting them, into tradable commodities through the system of carbon trading. This will likely involve private companies as well, triggering even more land grabbing. The carbon storage figures that are given are clearly aimed at establishing a basis for such a system. In reality, such figures are usually hogwash. Forests do not consist of just standing trees – trees grow, fires and other disasters take place, people and wildlife consume non-timber forest produce, etc. Forests are constantly changing. An obsession with carbon storage and incentives in the form of trading will lead companies and the government to shut off forests from all use by people, on the one hand, and on the other will encourage fictional carbon storage figures. Conversion of areas such as pastures, grazing areas, shifting cultivation fallows, and other common lands into plantations for the purpose of meeting targets and earning profits through carbon trading.

The true threats to the climate and India's environment arise from resource grabbing, unequal resource use and expropriation by corporates and elites. These are not being addressed at all, and instead such sham programs – whose benefits are grossly exaggerated and almost impossible to actually calculate – are being proposed as an eyewash. The Green India Mission is likely only to result in conflict, resistance, impoverishment and displacement, while itself causing environmental damage.

Any such Mission has to begin with a democratic framework that, in particular, disempowers the Forest Department and creates the space for genuine people's empowerment. This document does the opposite. Hence, we oppose this program and call instead for the Environment Ministry and the Central government to respect people's rights, indigenous knowledge and democratic control over forest and land resources, which will do far more to tackle climate change than such dangerous programs.
Campaign for Survival and Dignity
National Forum of Forest Peoples and Forest Workers
1194th report of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, on the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill 2008.