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08/20/2010: "NSCN (I-M) appeals Nagas to fast & pray on Aug 23 OneIndia News"

NSCN (I-M) appeals Nagas to fast & pray on Aug 23 OneIndia News

Dimapur, Aug 18: In view of the “Indo-Naga” peace talk, which will be held towards the end of this month, the head chaplain, Naga Army has appealed all Nagas and the Churches in “Nagalim” to fast and pray on Aug 23.
The notification issued through the MIP/GPRN fervently urged everyone to pray for God’s presence to be with the NSCN (I-M) representatives led by its general secretary, Th. Muivah to discourse right decision in their talk.

This may be mentioned that more than 60 rounds of peace talks have been held with the government of India but no drastic change has occurred till now for the development of the Naga tribes.

‘Unity is the only Naga political solution’ morungexpress
Dimapur, August 18 (MExN): Retd. Gen. T.M. Keyho has stated that unity is the only Naga political solution. In a message presented at the Naga National Council (NNC) General Meeting at Kuthur Village, Tuensang Nagaland on August 18, 2010, the former General lamented that Nagas are confused because they have forsaken the “Genuine Political Truth” and gone astray from the true path. “Today we reduced our political struggle to fighting among ourselves due to our differences rooted in distrust and rivalry. Therefore our strategy and the only armament that will work now to save ourselves and the nation is admitting our mistakes honestly instead of blaming others so that Nagas will be able to come together again and truly trust each other and find final and acceptable political solution for our people”, he stated .
Stating that many people including the present Naga National Workers do not know the exact meaning of Nagaland, the former Naga General informed that this nomenclature was officially coined by the Naga National Council (NNC) which means- “all the Naga inhabited areas along with their traditional lands which were treated as if transferred to others by the alien forces without the consent of the Naga people”.
“These entire lands been given by God is the original Nagaland. This should not be confused with the Indian made puppet state of “Nagaland” within Indian Union. This so called Indian made state of “Nagaland” is only one-third or one-fourth of the size of the original “Nagaland”. It is not proper for us to use “Nagalim” or “Greater Nagaland” because we do not have any agenda to encroach any others land”, he stated.
Pointing out that there are three different politics in Nagaland today, Gen Keyho mentioned the first one as “Naga National Politics which stands for defending our sovereignty and integrity”, the second one is the “Indian State Politics with dubious and dirty elections and the third one is “factionalism and fratricidal politics”. “If you cannot differentiate these things, how are you going to lead the Nation?” he stated.

GPRN/NSCN & Ao Senden restore mutual trust (NPN):
DIMAPUR In a significant development, the GPRN/NSCN and Ao Senden have decided to restore mutual trust and confidence and thawing the “frozen relationship” between the two sides after a gap of several years.
According to the MIP of the GPRN/NSCN, the “frozen relationship” finally melted and gave way to warm and cordial interaction between the two sides at Circuit House Mokokchung on August 19.
Leaders of the GPRN/NSCN and the Senden, in a joint statement, disclosed that the deliberation took place in a frank and cordial manner and took a meaningful step towards restoring the trust and confidence between them after a gap of several years.
The joint statement also acknowledged the “great contribution” of the legendary Ao patriots and also the common man since the beginning of the Naga political struggle.
Both concurred that the horizon of reconciliation process was not only limited to Naga political groups but encompassed Naga tribes, communities and organizations. The signatories described the goodwill visit of the GPRN/NSCN representatives to Ao region as being in line with the Naga reconciliation process which was deeply respected by both the sides. The signatories included- Ao Senden president, Lendinokdang and general secretary A. Nungsang Jamir, NPAC convener Azheto Chophy, MIP kilonser Meren Nokpu and kilonser for PR & NGOs Wangtin Naga.
Meanwhile, a separate statement the MIP GPRN/NSCN described the consensual visit as important as it was time for Nagas to seek each other, reconcile and heal old wounds. The MIP also said that the GPRN/NSCN, NNC/FGN or any group reaching out to reconcile with fellow Naga tribes to bury past misunderstandings was a noble gesture. It said that the goodwill visit to Ao region reflected maturity and statesmanship of GPRN/NSCN and Ao leadership of the day. The GPRN said that the development has contributed to the momentum for peace and reconciliation among the Nagas.
Before departing from Mokokchung, the GPRN/NSCN delegation numbering more than 50 led by Convener, National Political Advisory Council (NPAC) Azheto Chophy visited Longkhum village where the mortal remains of former NNC president late Imkongmeren and general secretary, NSCN late Dally Mungro were buried. Rich floral tributes and prayers were offered to the departed leaders.
Reacting to the statement of the NSCN (I-M) which appeared in the local papers on August 17, wherein it had described the GPRN/NSCN and FGN of “aggressively advancing for territoriall expansion everywhere”, the GPRN/NSCN termed it as “extremely unfortunate” . It said judging by the NSCN(I-M)’s “frantic” press release, the rival appeared to be living and confronting similar situation as in Afghanistan or Iraq rather than in Nagaland where Naga reconciliation process under the aegis of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) was taking place.
The MIP said it was “inconceivable for a political organization, a signatory of the Covenant of Reconciliation”, to dig up World War II phrases such as, “aggressively advancing for territorial expansion everywhere” or labeling Naga political groups as “aggressors and intruders”. It said “reconciliation and unity among the Nagas will not materialize if one group sits on the imaginary throne and bark orders at others.”
It said that when the door to Muivah’s home state was “slammed right in his face” at Mao gate, the bubble burst and even the VVIP ticket in his hand did not help forcing him to pass his time driving around Nagaland crediting and discrediting past Naga leaders according to places he visited. “Even at his weakest hour with hundreds of unanswered questions, Nagas opened their doors to Th. Muivah because the spirit of Peace and Reconciliation is honored in Nagaland,” the MIP added.

NSCN (I-M) denies links with HuJI outfit (NPN):
DIMAPUR Rejecting Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s allegation that NSCN (I-M) has been maintaining links with extremist groups such as HuJI and other criminal elements, the NSCN (I-M) Thursday said his statement was “malicious and shocking to all the Nagas beyond imagination.” “The NSCN has no relation at all with HuJI or any terrorist organization at any point of time,” NSCN (I-M) steering committee convenor Qhevihe Chishi Swu and kilo kilonser Kediitsu Tsuzuh said in a joint press statement. The signatories further asked the chief minister to substantiate his “wild allegations” against the NSCN (I-M) of having “clandestine relation” with HuJI. “It is politically unthinkable that Mr. Rio will take such a sadistic pleasure to criticize and damage the reputation and credibility of NSCN,” the NSCN (I-M) joint council of steering committee and cabinet said. The NSCN (I-M) also cautioned that it would not allow anyone in any position to go scot free when he deliberately chose to go “headlong to defile the political image of NSCN.” Further, denying that it has any relation with HuJI or any terrorist organization at any point of time, the NSCN (I-M) said “Wild allegation leveled against NSCN for having contact with Azad alias Robin has no iota of truth.” In fact, it alleged that Azad was a close associate of rival faction, who had even gone to the extent of launching joint operation with the “Khehoi Campers against NSCN.” Also, alleging that his relation with Assam Rifles and Intelligence Agencies was a matter of “established fact”, the NSCN (I-M) recalled Azad was killed by Indian security forces in Imphal “for the reason best known to all.” (Full text on page-4)

A People Called India Raitu Haralu Morungexpress
•-I'm a Naga. I live in a sub-urban area in Nagaland, where majority of the population are tribal who speak various languages. On my trips out of home I saw people wearing all kinds of attire- from sadhus wearing nothing at all, to the locals who went topless, to women in burqas. Most of the guests in our home speak Tenyidie, Nagamese or English. We are Christians and the tribals are either Christians or Animists who worshiped trees, animals or the spirits of their forefathers. People around me have all kinds of food habits. Some eat only vegetables, some eat anything including rats and monitor lizards. Our small community in Dimapur celebrate festivals of all religions with equal gusto.
This is my small introduction to the enormous diversity of this wonderful land. Even as an infant I was listening to people of different colours and facial features, speaking four languages, of four religions, dressing in different ways, and eating a variety of food. These must have been the lessons that I learnt. Anyone looking like a Human was a Human, irrespective of skin colour or features; humans worshiped all sorts of gods, wore all sorts of clothing, ate all kinds of food, and spoke all kinds of languages.
As I grew up, I saw the rest of India. I learnt that Indians believe in far more gods than the four that I was introduced to as a child. I learnt that each state has three or four different regions. People in each of these regions speak different languages or dialects and may not even understand the other dialects in their own state. Each region eat a different kind of food, wear different clothing, is culturally very different, and looks very different geographically. Today, nobody can convince me that I am superior to someone else because of my religion, skin colour or language. The diversity that I experienced, accepted and enjoyed as a child is not unique to me. Every Indian experiences this - only the details differ.
I believe that this is what makes us the most tolerant country in the world. I enjoy our diversity so much that I cannot even think of living in one of those countries where everything is homogeneous -- everybody looks the same, eats the same food, believes in the same religion.
Yes, the diversity occasionally makes us kill each other, usually over different religions or sub-religions. This is tragic and should never happen, but look at it this way: Sunnis, Buddhists, Roman Catholics, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Baptist Christians, Shi'as, Jews, Hindus and a whole lot of other groups live together in India. In Britain and Yemen two sects of the same religion were killing each other for decades. In Indonesia and Nigeria, people from two religions have been killing each other. The US and South Africa have seen huge problems over two skin colours. In Canada it's over two languages. As an Indian, I laugh at these silly reasons for their conflicts -- two religions, two colours, two languages. I feel like saying "Hey guys, try a Jain, Gujarati-speaking, pyjama-kurta-wearing herbivore co-existing with a Baptist Christian, Zeliang-speaking, shawl wearing carnivore". Where would we be if we had been as intolerant as them? I believe that the religious intolerance that we are seeing now is confined to a small percentage of us, and that in the long run we have the sense to not take our differences too seriously, to acknowledge that the whole lot of us is a wonderful amalgam of different races, religions and cultures.
I can never be a global citizen. Contrary to the advice that any stock broker would give, I've invested all my emotional stocks in this company called India, because I'm sure that the value of these stocks can only go up. Not because of the amount of steel, armaments or textiles we can produce, but because we know how to live together. I'm proud to be apart of this incredible nation. We are Indians, unity in diversity is our strength.
Tsukti Longkumer, an inspirational entrepreneur of Nagaland ANI
Tsukti Longkumer, an upcoming hotelier from Nagaland, is an inspiration for the youth in the region, as he has shown them the way to be self-reliant.
At the young age of 18, Longkumer started a catering business in Mokokchung town. And, today at 32 he is a successful entrepreneur.
He owns an eight-room lodge called 'Whispering Winds' situated at the highest point of the town.
"Before I started the catering business, people used to collect chairs, and utensils from their neighbourers to organize the functions. Then I decided to start catering business to provide service to the people and earn some money for myself," said Tsukti Longkumer. He was recently awarded the "2010 Outstanding Entrepreneur" by the Nagaland government.
His achievements are a source inspiration for other youngsters in Mokukchung, the third most important urban hub in Nagaland.
He says that the youngsters here should not always look towards getting the government jobs. "They can do business, whatever small business it may be, and live a respectable and self-sustaining life," said Longkumer.
The youth are aware of the damage caused by militancy and are keen to bring economic prosperity to the state through their efforts.
The local people here feel that the region holds huge potential for tourism and peace and normalcy in the region can draw tourists, generate jobs and give a boost to local business. By Peter Chachei(ANI)