[Previous entry: "Delhi-IM peace talk already dead: 'K' Newmai News Network"] [Next entry: "I feel betrayed by the Indian government, says Muivah on Manipur visit- Editorials: Northeast Subir Gosh"]

09/01/2010: "Time To Call A Spade A Spade kangla-online S. Kunjabiharis"

Time To Call A Spade A Spade kangla-online S. Kunjabiharis

The breaking news:- The news of the United Naga Council (unc) of manipur,a conglomerate of several naga civil societies spearheading the naga integration compaign, extending the earlier 20-day economic blockade (eb) on manipur, announced on 23 august, by another 25 days, necessitates a serious soul searching as to the legitimacy of such acts. This 20-days eb announced on august 4,which could be called 2nd phase of eb during 2010, being next to the earlier, 68-days eb (April11 to June 18, 2010),was to end on august 24.that would have given a sigh of relief to the people of manipur, nagas included. Reasons are aplenty. For one, the 1st phase of eb called on April 11 lasted for a whooping 68 days-two solid months and 18 days (surpassing the historic eb for 52 days June 20-April 11 2005), when the 2 live-lines of manipur nh 39 and nh 53 were ceased by the patriots of naga-cause.the sufferings in terms of, not only non availability of essential commodities, but also the unduly sky-rocketed prices of whatever is available, resulted to untold suffering of the public. Added to the acute shortage of, say, cooking gas, petroleum products etc, the inability of the administration to streamline the system, further deteriorated the situation. The common man quietly took all these to their stride, quietly and submissively in the absence of any alternative. The miseries include, closure of educational institutions, owing to nonavailability of school transport. Can any civilize nation think of such a situation where children are denied school for over two months? Petrol sells in the black market for rs100/- a litre, for 5 litrs of p-oil from the outlet, they have to be in line overnight; cooking gas of standard weight of 16 kg at rs 1250/- sparingly, this brand weighing only 10 to 11 kg.majority shifted to the traditional practice of cooking on wood or charcoal fuel, electric stove and the like. Even this day, the 1ast week of august, cooking gas is still a luxury. The position would now only worsen unless some drastic remedial measures are put into position.
Their grievances:- on the face of this lingering chaos, when the state is limping back to near-normalcy, after the 68-day ordeal, the declaration of further extending the eb by another 25 days, for whatever reasons they could generate, has added salt to the injury and deserve summary condemnation. The reasons propounded by the unc, are:-
i) institution of judicial enquiry into the may 6 firing at mao-gate on the manipur-nagaland border, killing 2 naga students;
ii) demilitarization of naga areas;
iii) removal of the ‘wanted’ tags and fixing rewards on naga leaders and,
iv) dissolution of the autonomous district council, election of which was held recently.
The principal driving force latent in this rather heinous step, could be the declaration of the union home minister, p.Chidambaram, recently in the parliament, on the 19th.he said, “every state in india is plurastic. we can’t wish away this fact. nagas are there in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh. It will be inconceivable that we break up the states”. This message which is different from other words or assurances of the indian prime ministers,both in content and ramification, starting from the one on 12 June,1995 in paris, in a scheduled meeting with the nscn,when the former pm, late mr.pv.narashimha rao declared, “i believe in political solution…..we should be patient enough and tolerant in tackling the problem”. The statement of the mha, must have hit hard the conscience of the nscn, provoking the unc, a pet organization of the nscn, to take the extreme step. As usual, behind the hidden agenda of nagalim, they have to find alibis. And here they are.
Are they serious and sincere:-are the unc serious enough to settle the 4 demands clamped on the goi as well as the gom? The prime minister,in his independence day speech, stressed the need for open dialogue referring to the disputes in the ne region.he stated, “i would like to convey to all political parties and groups of the north east that disputes in the name states or tribe can only harm all of us.discussion and dialogue are the only options to resolve complex issues”.the unc and their other civil (or is it uncivil) organizations had been refraining from face-to-face dialogue to resolve the blockade with representatives of the gom and more recently, with central team headed by additional secretary to the goi where the gom is represented by the chief secretary. The chief secretary issued a press note only on the 9th August, when the 2nd phase of eb was 5 days old, “the state and the central team expressed regret that the opportunity for a free dialogue was not made use of by the unc.”On the 7th, a Manipur ministerial team along with central and state officials reached Ukhrul the holy district of the nagas (being the birth- district of Th.Muivah), to sort out the blockade issue. The unc, however, thought it more diplomatic to avoid a dialogue and thus lost opportunities for a mutually agreeable decision. Earlier the unc served an ultimatum to the pm on July 27,in which the unc declared their decision to sever all political ties with the gom and therefore sought intervention of the goi for alternative arrangement. They even demanded that all manipur security personnel should not enter naga inhabited areas. Let us look at their demand of removing ‘wanted tag’ on 2 or 3 leaders of unc for spearheading the blockade. Some samaritan filed a pil in the hon’ble high court, which ordered the arrest of the leaders, which job is next to impossible, considering the complicity in the tribal society. The dgp had to appear before the hon’ble high court, assured to comply with the orders. Unable to physically cause the arrest, had to issue the ‘wanted tag’. Nothing unusual, much within the regulations. Now how to go about to rescind this order, only to appease a civil organization?
What system is in order:-the question of greater nagaland or nagalim apart, (may be, with parts of Arunachal Pradesh, assam and Manipur), till such time when such a political decision is taken and implemented, the nagas be it in ukhrul,or senapati,or anywhere in the state of manipur, continue to be natives of manipur and have to be governed by the gom and therefore, the state forces should have access to every pocket of the nagas.on the contrary, the unc declared in a press note on august 4, “since nagas have severed political ties………we, therefore, will not welcome the gom and their representatives into naga areas.” That was the logic (or otherwise), for them not to turn up for the meeting with the ministerial team on august 7 in senapati, their stronghold.strange! They had put forth certain demands to the central/state government, resumed the dreaded blockades, holding 25 lakh odd population of the state at ransom, the government sent their representatives for sorting out the issues, and, lo, they refuse to turn up on some pretext or the other. Recall how the two representatives of unc talked on cnn-in interview, on the eve of calling off the blockade on June 18, how adamant they sounded, how tuff they showed up. The 2nd phase of eb for 20 days was also announced just after 5 days of submitting an ultimatum to the pm. I repeat, just 5 days to act for the pm of a country on issues mostly concerning state government of manipur. The blockade further extended by another 25 days! For not listening to them within the stipulated time of five days.
What prescription is called for:- and now, for whatever be their grievances with the gom or goi, on issues concerning governance, cutting off the only life line of people for any length of time, that too repeatedly, almost whimsically and at will, resorting to criminal activities like beating up of drivers, torching, and occasionally pushing goods truck down the ravines, deserve severest condemnation. While the acts of vandalisms could be the envy of hooligans, the inhumane stranglehold deserves the severest action. Enough is enough. Any let up would be too little, too late. Like most things in india, more so I. N this corner of the north east, unless strict counter measures are taken, with an iron hand, such things would take a form of regularity rather than a casualty. The goi should, without further delay, deploy central forces supplemented with manipur forces, to man at least the nh 39, in Manipur portion, a stretch of around 80 km, if not nh 53, (even keeping on hold the project for rs 360 cr.for the nh 53).the people of the state have suffered too much, too long. No organization should be allowed to play with the life of people for so long and so whimsically, for whatever scores they have to settle with the government. It’s high time to call a spade a spade.
FNR implores, says reconciliation only option morungexpress
Dimapur, September 1 (MExN): An obviously displeased Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) today send out a clear message especially to the NSCN/GPRN and the GPRN/NSCN imploring on the two groups to “terminate the idolatry of words against one another with immediate effect!” The FNR pointed out that it was “saddened and pained to see our own people carrying on a diatribe in local dailies with the idolatry of words”. “We also call upon all to reflect on the Covenant of Reconciliation and the subsequent commitments to refrain from publication of any offensive articles in local dailies”, stated a press note from the FNR. “Let us allow the Spirit of reconciliation to continue to prevail amongst us, this is our only option”.
In a serious urgent message, the FNR made it clear that Naga people cannot remain callous and complacent. “When the Naga people and the Christian community around the world has set aside September 12, 2010, as a Special Day of Prayer for the consummation of Naga Reconciliation; and the recently concluded Baptist World Alliance Congress, Hawaii, acknowledging and welcoming the efforts of the Naga people towards “full reconciliation” affirmed and accepted by 87 nations; Naga people cannot remain callous and complacent”, stated the FNR.
Shame brought to Assam Rifles‏ NPMHR slams desecrating act of 9 AR morungexpress
Dimapur, July 25 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights has viewed what it termed as the “sinister and desecrating act of the Commanding Officer of the 9 AR, one Colonel Rohit Khare, wherein the historical monument of the people of Mangmetong was destroyed with sheer brute force, with utter contempt of the Village and its people”. The celebration of the people of Mangmentong in honor of the braves that hailed from the village by erecting a Monument is but a traditional Naga way of expressing landmarks in their history, stated a press note issued by N Venuh, Secretary General NPMHR.
Alleging that the Commanding Officer alongwith his cadres had attempted to stifle the history of a people, the NPMHR stated that they acted as “disruptive agents with the intent to sabotage the ongoing Indo-Naga Political negotiations and also to sow seeds of between the people of India and the Nagas”. According to the NPMHR Col. Rohit had stated that “the ceasefire between the people of Mangmetong and the Assam Rifles is broken”. The NPMHR questioned as to whether the Assam Rifles had signed any ceasefire agreement with the Mangmetong Village as per the statement of Col. Rohit.
While appreciating the fact that the Government of India has, through its Prime Minister, recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas, the NPMHR questioned whether the Assam Rifles wanted to trivialize the acknowledgement of the truth by the Honourable Prime Minister of India.
The NPMHR also questioned the Government of India as to why it was allowing its military/ paramilitary forces to provoke the people with whom it is purportedly having a peace process. “As any peace-loving people of this world, we have every right to question the intent of the Government of India and its agencies. Much as we abhor violence, we also condemn the subjugation of peoples rights by force and under the cowardly patronage of repressive state legislations”, the NPMHR stated.

Naga Reconciliation: Special Prayers on September 12 morungexpress
Dimapur, August 31 (MExN): All Baptist churches in Nagaland are appealed to hold special prayers on Sunday, September 12, for the ongoing process of reconciliation in Nagaland as well as for the efforts of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council issued a letter of appeal addressed to all secretaries of church today. “As you are aware, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation has been spearheading initiatives for reconciliation amongst the different Naga political groups for some time now. We are happy that there were encouraging responses from the groups during the several summits held over the past few years,” the NBCC stated. The Baptist church said the future of the Naga people is at stake because of the situation they have created. “The FNR is currently working to bring the highest level leaders together at the earliest. In this connection a request has come from the FNR requesting NBCC to organize a prayer in all the Baptist churches in Nagaland on Sunday, September 12, 2010.” The very least one could do is to pray that God would help “us reconcile again and build the broken walls of our society.” All churches are appealed to set aside a time for special prayers remembering the initiative of the FNR.

NC Hills scam Funds siphoned off to foreign countries R Dutta Choudhury Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 1 – A substantial portion of funds allotted to North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council for the development of the hill district was siphoned off to foreign countries through hawala rackets, thus depriving the common people of the backward district of the fruits of development.
Highly-placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that the Enforcement Directorate has been investigating the case of money laundering in NC Hills Autonomous Council and during preliminary investigation, it was found that funds allotted to the Council were sent to Kolkata through hawala racket, where it was converted into dollars to be sent to Nepal. The commander in chief of the DHD (J), Niranjan Hojai used to stay in Nepal and after converting the money into dollars in Kolkata, the same was sent to Nepal for making payments for arms procurements.
Sources said that the person mainly involved in hawala transfer of funds from Guwahati has been identified but the National Investigation Agency (NIA) made him the witness in its case relating to siphoning off of funds to the coffers of militant groups.
Official sources said that the officials of the Directorate of Enforcement so far questioned nine of the 13 accused, 12 of whom are in judicial custody. But they could not question DHD (J) chief Jewel Garlosa, Niranjan Hojai and two other members of the militant group as they went on a hunger strike in protest against their arrest and had to be shifted to hospital. Sources said that the officials of Enforcement Directorate would try to question them as soon as possible regarding money laundering.
Sources, however, said that there would be a hitch in questioning Jewel Garlosa. The Court has granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate only to question the accused in the central jail, Guwahati. But Garlosa has been kept in a special jail in the headquarter of the Special Branch of the Assam Police and the Directorate does not have the court permission to question the militant leader there. The Directorate has written to the Additional Director General of Police, Special Branch asking as to when Garlosa could be shifted to the Central jail for questioning and the reply of the police is awaited.
Sources said that there were instances of payments of the council made in Guwahati itself in name of suppliers and in some cases substantial amounts were released to firms in advance. In one case, a firm was provided an advance of Rs 60 lakh and it is suspected that the money paid in such way went to the coffers of the militants.
The Enforcement Directorate is also trying to prepare a detailed list of all the accused in the case so that it can move the court for attachment and even confiscation of the properties acquired with the proceeds of crime. However, preparing the same would take some time as accused would not divulge the same easily. Sources said that according to allegations, Niranjan Hojai invested money in hotel business in Nepal and he even has investments in travel agency in that country and it is also alleged that he might have investments in Singapore. But the Enforcement Directorate is yet to get any conclusive proof of the same.
Sources said that RH Khan, the prime accused of the case, was a CDPO of the Social Welfare Department, but he was allowed to officiate in a much higher post of Deputy Director and he was even given financial powers. The Enforcement Directorate is trying to make an assessment of the list of his properties and even the properties acquired in names of others would be listed. His brother has been summoned for questioning as Khan reportedly bought a luxury car worth more than Rs 20 lakh in his name.
Religious twist to ethnic issue OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
New Delhi, Aug. 31: The BJP today gave a sectarian twist to the Naga-Meitei equation with Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay pitting “Nagaland for Christ” against “our Vaishnavite brothers” in Manipur.
The BJP MP, a former editor of Panchajanya, the RSS mouthpiece, raised the issue of the economic blockade by Naga organisations on National Highways 39 and 53 and the resultant rise in prices in Manipur valley.
The issue has been raised at the forum earlier, too, but Vijay’s line of thought seemed particularly divisive, a fact that only adds to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s worries. Only last week, at a conference of directors-general of police, Singh had expressed concern over the increasing identity-based assertiveness in the region with particular emphasis on the Naga-Meitei relationship.
The tribals in the hills of Manipur are mostly Christians while the predominant Meitei population in the valley is Hindu. The relationship may have been facing challenges but it is mostly on the political issue of land and is rarely seen in the light of religious divide.
“The United Council of Nagaland (he perhaps meant the United Naga Council) has the support of NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and their slogan is the sectarian ‘Nagaland for Christ’. Due to this our Vaishnav brothers in Manipur are living in the shadow of fear,” Vijay said.
A Manipur minister from the Meitei community said the Nagas used to be alienated primarily because of the practice of untouchability during the days of monarchy. Neither in Nagaland nor in the Naga-dominated hills of Manipur were they differentiated on the basis of religion.
Nagaland for peace meet OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Aug. 31: Nagaland home minister Imkong L. Imchen has requested the Union home ministry to arrange a meeting of the ceasefire monitoring group with both the factions of the NSCN to defuse the tension in the state.
Unease has prevailed in the state since the combined forces of the Assam Rifles and 164 Territorial Army attacked the designated camp of the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) at Namsa in Mon district on August 26, killing a “major” and arresting five cadres. The situation aggravated when NSCN (I-M) gunned down a cadre of Khaplang faction at Mekokla in Wokha district and the rival faction vowed to retaliate.
Imchen said no one should be allowed to jeopardise the Centre’s efforts to hammer out a solution to the Naga political problem. “The Centre is very sincere about restoring peace in Nagaland and no one should try to sabotage it,” he told The Telegraph.
Since the chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group, Lt. Gen (retd) Mandhata Singh, was on leave, the ministry of home affairs should convene separate meetings with both the factions of the NSCN and all signatories to a ceasefire should adhere to the ground rules, Imchen added.
On whether the state government had cautioned Assam Rifles for its highhandedness, Imchen said it had expressed its reservation over the attack. He added that he did not subscribe to the statements by Assam Rifles officials that the NSCN (I-M) had fired on security forces first.
The state government’s political affairs committee has also condemned the Assam Rifles’ action. PAC chairman T.M. Lotha said everyone was aware of the ongoing talks between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) and every Naga was praying for an early solution to the problem. He asked the security forces not to resort to any action that could derail the peace process.
The Naga Hoho also accused the 6 Assam Rifles of unruliness, highhandedness and violation of ceasefire ground rules at Namsa. “Whatever the justification and reasons given by the Assam Rifles, there is no rationalisation over the killing of Naga army,” a Hoho statement said.
It urged the Centre to issue a proper roadmap to the security forces stationed in Nagaland to maintain a peaceful atmosphere for a permanent solution to the Naga political problem.
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council also appealed to all parties for utmost restraint so that the peace process was not sabotaged.

UNC takes ‘Alternative Arrangement’ slogan to Ukhrul denizens Addie Chiphang Sangai Express
Ukhrul, Sep 1 : Close on the heels of the recent resolution to sever all ties with the Government of Manipur, the United Naga Council (UNC) organised a day-long awareness cam-paign on ‘Alternative Arrangement’ here at Town hall today with the main objective to sensitise the public on how to be self-reliant.
Hosted by Tangkhul Naga Long, the campaign was participated by representatives of ANSAM, UNC, Naga Hoho and different frontal organisations of the district in the jam packed hall.
The main resource persons who spoke on the occasion were—Convener of Committee on Alternative Arrangement, Dhori, UNC vice president Somi-mayar, General secretary of ANSAM Reisangpem Shaiza, Adani Choro, Chingya Luithui and representatives of Naga Wo- men’s Union Manipur.
The resource persons spoke on issues relating to the present situation and circumstances leading to the final commitment to set up a committee on alternative arrangement to highlight their case against the Manipur Government before the world. One of the resource persons in the side line of the programme said, the voice of the Naga people which has been raised loud and clear is that we the people are dead opposed to the ADC election imposed on the hill people without any amendment to secure the rights of the Tribal people over their land.
The right to self governance which has been enshrined in the Indian Constitution was totally erased by denying the rights of the tribals through the 3rd amendment of the District Council Act of 2008, he rued.
The CAA maintained that it will uphold the Tahamzan declaration to sever all ties with the Manipur State Government and all the dominant organisations and individuals who collude with the State Government until the history and situation of the Nagas are acknowledged and accorded with due respect. Making its stand clear, the committee said, the present drive of the Nagas is a people’s movement and will continue till their aspirations are achieved, adding that they have nothing to do with the communal dominant Govt of Manipur as they have severed political ties with it and for which reason they have embarked upon securing an alternative arrangement. The programme, moderated by Naga Hoho former vice president Somipam Lungleng was followed by a discussion hour later in the evening.

Fresh look at Ukhrul poll controversy From John K Kaping Kangla online
UKHRUL, Aug 31: A high level team from the Central government led by the Secretary of the Election Commissioner of India SK. Rudla along with the Manipur State Joint Chief Election Officer (CEO) and Bono, Asst. CEO in presence of the Ukhrul Sud-Divisional Officer Manghte Lalte Kom with his Subordinate Officials and the Ukhrul police personnel including the OC yesterday opened the locked strong room where the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are kept in Ukhrul police station.
The EVMs numbering 141 Control Units and Ballot Units have been kept under lock and key since after the State Assembly Election in 2007 following a controversy and complaint case bending in the High Court against some of the political parties.
The visiting inquiry team along with some political representatives, SDO. Ukhrul and Ukhrul police had opened the strong room and seen the stored EVMs which are locked and sealed by two locks, the keys of which is in the custody of Ukhrul DC and the other with the Treasurer Officer, Ukhrul. The strong room is combined in storing the chest of money boxes on one corner and the EVMs and the representatives observed the EVMs stored as satisfactory to oversee the seal and locks as untouched, said the official source.
The inquiry team however remarked that the existing strong room in the Ukhrul Police Station is admissibly not in the condition of good infrastructure for keeping the confidential things, the presence of tight Ukhrul police security keeping vigil round the clock and the tight lock adequately keeps safety.
The officials also said that as soon as the the Ukhrul secretariat office building which is under construction is over, all the confidential things would be kept in the safer place, the officials told the media persons present in the spot. The team also asserted that the latest report of investigation would be highlighted to the Central Authority and as per the directives, the process of the case would proceed.