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09/16/2010: "Declining insurgency fosters development in rural areas of Nagaland Sify news"

Declining insurgency fosters development in rural areas of Nagaland Sify news

With decline in insurgency, infrastructural development is taking place once again in Nagaland, especially in its rural areas.
The change can be witnessed, particularly in villages where government-sponsored schemes are being implemented.
Nagaland's Seithekema village is one such example. Located 20 kilometres from Dimapur on the National Highway-39, it exists as a hamlet.
Established in 1979, it is located along the Valley of Parkai Mountain Range and inhabited by Angami tribals.
The people here are reaping dividends of peace, as today various Centreal government sponsored schemes like Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme, Old age pension and Below Poverty Line Scheme have reached the village.
Work for construction of link roads was started here recently from funds provided through the Village Development Board.
Rokoneivi, Village Council Chairman of the Seithekema Village, says: "The Government provides us funds through village Development Board. Road construction, irrigation facilities and other developmental projects are taking place in the village."
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for villagers here. Livestock rearing and poultry farming under a Self Help Group (SHG) provide an additional source of income.
Neinu, a member of Mevi Krotho Self Help Group in Seithekema Village, says: Some of us rear pigs, hens etc. We use the income we earn from the self-help group to meet our family expenses.
The village has access to education and health services as well.
The government primary school under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) or, education for all scheme, provides free textbooks and mid-day meal to students.
For higher education, the students go to Dimapur, the main commercial hub and one of the three municipalities in the Nagaland with the other two being Kohima and Mokokchung.
The village has a medical sub-centre that not only caters to the needs of the local residents here but also others from neighboring villages.
Medochuno, in-charge of the Medical Sub-Centre in Seithekema Village, says: "Our health sub-center has no building and we use an old village community building. We look after health needs of people of seven nearby villages."
"With the implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme, we constructed a boundary wall and have extended the schoolrooms, and improved toilet and water facilities," said Eichongunuo, village teacher in-charge.
Today, with a scope for consistent development due to peace and a better livelihood and improved infrastructure, the general life here has undergone transformation.
Villagers feel that things would become better. By Peter Chachei(ANI)

Muivah arriving at Dimapur on Sep 16 The Sangai Express / NNN
Dimapur, September 14, 2010: Amid the factional pandemonium among the Naga underground organisations in Nagaland currently, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah is landing at Dimapur on Thursday from New Delhi.

Sources said that Thuingaleng Muivah will concentrate on the Naga reconciliation during his stay in Dimapur before he goes back to New Delhi for another round of talks with the Government of India.
The presence of Thuingaleng Muivah in Nagaland at this juncture is crucial as the factional tension among the Naga underground groups is prevailing in Nagaland at the moment.

Mention may be made that heeding to the call of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) churches in Nagaland had organised prayers programmes on September 12 in their own respective location to prevail peace and unity among the Nagas particularly the Naga underground groups.

The recent killings involving the NSCN-IM, NSCN-K and the security forces in separate incidents had aggravated the already charged situation.

Media war among the Naga underground organisations is continuing giving a serious threat to the movement spear-headed by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to bring peace in Naga areas.
“Eastern” districts demand separate state The Telegraph
Kohima, September 13 (The Telegraph): The people of four underdeveloped districts in Nagaland have demanded a separate state.
In what could have wider political ramifications, former general secretary of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization and currently president of the Chang Hoho, Lemba Chang, told this correspondent on September 12 that gauging the mood of the inhabitants of Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire and Mon districts, the organization had recently passed a resolution during its executive meeting at Tuensang, demanding separate statehood.
Chang Hoho is an apex body of the Chang tribe. The organizations and hohos from the four districts had severed ties with all mainstream Naga organizations a couple of years back. Chang said the idea of a separate state for the four underdeveloped districts inhabited by Chang, Konyak, Sangtam, Khiamniungan, Yimchungru and Phom communities, was mooted in 2007.
He said the decision to demand a separate state was aimed to facilitate economic development in the four districts, ruing that the Nagaland government had failed to develop the four districts up to the people’s expectations. He, however, said this process would not affect or contradict the larger Naga political issue which is still pending with the Centre.
“Without contradicting the Naga political issue, we want to go our own way for speedy development of our area,” Chang said. He said the people of eastern Nagaland were not walking away from the key Naga political issues. “We are not diverting from the Naga political issue,” he said and “therefore this should not impede the Naga political issue”. He said the statehood demand had been pending for a long time.
Chang said the four districts were lagging behind the mainstream on the development front and that was why the people wanted a separate state for speedy development to catch up with the rest of the Naga people. “We have passed a resolution in principle to demand a separate state,” Chang said adding that the Hohos of the four districts had been entrusted with convincing the people by organizing a signature campaign.
He was particularly unhappy with the reservation policy of the state government. He said 33 per cent job reservation for the four districts was being shared with other backward indigenous communities in Nagaland. After negotiation with the people of four districts, the government has allotted 25 per cent job reservation for them and 8 per cent for the backward indigenous communities of other districts.
He said the Nagaland government had denied many opportunities to the people of four districts. “The Nagaland government does not give full satisfaction to the people of eastern Nagaland,” he claimed.
13 protestors injured in firing by Nagaland police PTI IBN
Guwahati, Sep 15 (PTI) At least 13 people were injured, some of them seriously, in firing and assault by Nagaland police in upper Assam's Golaghat district today. Golaghat police said about 1500 protestors belonging to All Assam Students Union (AASU), various local and women's organisations staged a blockade on NH 39 to protest against the lack of security on the highway, which connects the two states and is often the scene of crime by miscreants on the Nagaland side. As the protestors were agitating a convoy of five cars belonging to Nagaland police was passing by and when they were stopped, resorted to firing and assault, the police said. A team of senior police officials from Golaghat have rushed to the spot and the injured were admitted to Golaghat civil hospital for treatment, the police added.
Speculation on Jamir return - Nagaland PCC president election tomorrow OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Sept. 15: Former Nagaland chief minister and Maharashtra Governor S.C. Jamir could make a comeback to the state politics, alleged his brother Sungit Jamir’s opponents ahead of the crucial Nagaland PCC presidential election on Friday.
Sungit Jamir has filed nominations against the current president I. Imkong for the post of Nagaland PCC president.
S.C. Jamir’s son, C. Apok Jamir, has also filed nomination as a standby candidate.
But Congress insiders did no rule out S.C. Jamir’s return to the state politics seeing the current trend in the party in Nagaland.
A senior Congress leader blamed S.C. Jamir for the current crisis in the party, saying he was trying to come back to the state politics notwithstanding opposition from several party leaders.
“This is the reason why he has set up his brother for the post of president of Nagaland PCC,” the Congress insider told The Telegraph.
But Imkong did not want to comment on the speculation regarding S.C. Jamir’s return to the state politics. Sungit Jamir, however, refuted the claim that his brother was trying to come back to the state politics. “I hope not,” he told The Telegraph.
He said he could not say much about his brother’s future course of action. On the prospect of his winning the election, Imkong said, “I have already formed my team.” Since he has been chosen by the party high command he has a high prospect of winning the election, he added.
Imkong said his opponent had support of 13 MLAs while he had the support of eight MLAs, including former chief minister K.L. Chishi.
Leader of the Opposition, Tokheho Yepthomi is in favour of Sungit Jamir.
But the incumbent president claimed that 13 MLAs had earlier signed a paper for the replacement of Nagaland PCC president, which was rejected by the party high command. Sungit Jamir said there was no such proposal that Imkong was the party high command’s favourite. “There was no such proposal.”
He said he had a good number of MLAs with him and had ample chance of winning the election for the post of the president of Nagaland PCC.
Nagaland ‘loses’ border war 25 years later morungexpress

(Left) Merapani, on the Assam side, is today a bustling centre of trade and development, with reinforced infrastructure and urban facilities. (Right) Merapani, on the Nagaland side, remains a testimony of utter neglect, forgotten and unchanged for 25 years. (All photo courtesy: WC Humtsoe)
Dimapur, September 14 (MExN): Many from the younger Naga generation do not know that in 1985 a fierce interstate war was fought between Assam and Nagaland at the border town of Merapani over the long-standing border dispute between the two states. While Nagaland police and civil forces clearly routed the Assam police, nonetheless many lives from both sides were lost.
After the brief war, a peace deal was struck between the two state governments. Life goes on, but in the 25th year after the bloody skirmishes, it is clear who has won that brief war. On the Assam side of Merapani, seeming development, prosperity and growth of local economy are palpable. A budding business hub, normal trade continues everyday as usual; well-established infrastructure and college and schools, a hospital, other government departmental peripheries and even a full-fledged police station.
On the Nagaland side of Merapani, the ruins of the Nagaland Government Veterinary check-post destroyed during the war, 25 years ago, still lie unattended; roads leading beyond and behind the bush have been cut across by the command post of the “neutral force”, the Central Reserve Police Force, under the control of Assam government;
The organization of the Assam government peripherals is efficient: “… a semi literate constable is even authorized to summon you at whims at the check gate because for him who cares, he may be just doing his duty innocently not aware that he is infringing on others fundamental rights too,” stated citizen WC Humtsoe today. Humtsoe reflected the aftermath of the Assam-Nagaland border skirmishes, in an article today.
WC Humtsoe reflects: “Who will deliver justice to the people vindicated by circumstances… the Supreme Court of India? The historical and traditional facts? The state governments? The border people of the two states themselves? The great Merapani tamasha round-2 again? Or the Neutral forces deployed at the DAB? (But will it be logical for any force to be neutral when they are under the control of one party of the two warring sides?).” “It is for the people in authority to decide for their subjects and a history of legacy to record their wisdom,” the citizen ponders.

NSCN CONDOLES
The NSCN/GPRN expressed its heartfelt grief and sense of lost over the untimely demise of the comrade Mr.SOLHON, Leacy, Chakesang region, son of Late Mr. DIKHA of KHEZAKEMO Village, on 14th Sept. 2010 due to chronic illness.
He was born in 1972 March, and enrolled in the National service in the year 1999 on 17th February. Since then, he has been serving for the sacred cause of the Nation with his utmost capacity.
The GPRN will always remember his efforts and sacrifices contributed for the cause. Further, GPRN mourned and conveyed its condolence to the bereaved members of his family and prayed for the departed soul of the patriot to rest in eternal peace.

Issued by: GPRN MIP

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
September 15, 2010

The United Naga Council, the Naga Women’s Union and the All Naga Students’ Association (M) appreciate the initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation leading to the signing of the “Covenant of Reconciliation” by the three political groups, namely, the NSCN/GPRN, the GPRN/NSCN and the FGN/NNC and also the formation of the Joint Working Group by the three political groups is in the right direction for Reconciliation on the basis of historical and political right of the Nagas. We express our appreciation to all the three different political parties from the bottom of our heart.

We also extend our support and solidarity to the initiative of the FNR for the highest level talk of the political groups and the agreement thereby through the leader’s meet.

We once again welcome and support and expect that all political groups to come forward for the sake of peace in our land and wish for a successful and fruitful meeting.


Sd/- Sd/- Sd/-
(SAMSON REMEI) (ADANI DAVID) (GRACE SHATSANG)
President President President
United Naga Council All Naga Students’ Assn. (M) Naga Women’s Union (M)

Nagaland to host international bamboo event IBN PTI
Kohima, Sept 15 (PTI) Preparations are underway for the first ever World Bamboo Day celebration here with Vice President Hamid Ansari attending the event as the chief guest on September 18. The three-day event will be held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, 12 km south of here with 500 delegates from 11 countries joining the international event, jointly organized by Nagaland government, Union government and World Bamboo Organization. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio told newsmen that prior to the Bamboo Day celebration, a two-day international seminar on bamboo and an investors� meet would be held on September 16 and 17. All the north-eastern states besides others, were expected to take part in the craft bazaar being organized at the Heritage village. Rio said although the state did not have adequate infrastructure and technology to hold such an international event, still Nagaland felt proud that the state government�s serious efforts to promote the bamboo sector had been recognized. Nagaland's claim to hosting such an event lay in the abundance and variety of bamboo found in the state and the intrinsic role of bamboo in the daily lives and culture of the Naga people, he said. Rio said the request to host the first World Bamboo Day came after the World Bamboo Organization was impressed by a power-point presentation of the Nagaland Bamboo Mission at the 8th World Bamboo Congress held in Bangkok last year. Additional Chief Secretary and Director of Nagaland Bamboo Mission Alemtemshi Jamir said it was an honour for Nagaland to host the first World Bamboo Day event. The Vice President will also visit Tuensang on September 19 during his stay in Nagaland.
Gogoi Orders Inquiry Into Firing by Nagaland Police Outlook
Guwahati Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has ordered an inquiry into the firing and assault by Nagaland police in upper Assam's Golaghat district on Wednesday in which over 20 people were injured, some of them seriously.

He has also asked the district administration to immediately file a report on the incident, official sources said.

Meanwhile, All Assam Students Union (AASU) today staged a sit-in in front of the district deputy commissioner's office protesting against the incident and demanding action against the erring Nagaland police personnel.

About 1500 protesters belonging to AASU, various local organisations and women units had yesterday staged a road blockade on NH 39 to protest against lack of security in the Assam-Nagaland border areas.

As the protesters were agitating a convoy of five cars belonging to Nagaland police arrived at the spot and opened fire and assaulted them when they were stopped.

In the firing and assault 22 persons were injured and admitted to Golaghat civil hospital while two of them were referred to the Assam Medical College Hospital, Dibrugarh, the sources said.