01/04/2011: "Peaceful NE situation highlight of 2010: PC Eastern Mirror"

Peaceful NE situation highlight of 2010: PC Eastern Mirror

NEW DELHI, JAN 4 (AGENCIES): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram presented the Report Card of the Ministry of Home Affairs for December 2010 here today and said the highlight of the year has been the dramatic change in the situation in the North East.
Stating that the decline in violence witnessed in 2009 continued in 2010, the Home Minister said twenty security personnel, 94 civilians and 247 militants lost their lives during the year. “While this is a matter of regret and concern, I may point out that this is the lowest level of violence witnessed in many years,” he said.
Barring Assam and Manipur, the other States have shown remarkable improvement and no civilian was killed in Nagaland and Mizoram nor were any security personnel killed in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram, Chidambaram said in his report. Further stating that most insurgent groups are in talks with the Government or are poised to commence talks, the Home Minister said, in 2011, he looked forward to agreements being reached with many of the groups and bringing them into the mainstream of politics and society.
His observations came two days after Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), was released on bail from Guwahati Central jail amid bright prospects of ULFA veering around to the process of peace dialogue with the government.
The Home Minister also said, on December 30, 2010, orders were issued to exclude the entire area of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland from the Protected Area regime under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958. “These instructions will be initially valid for a period of one year, subject to certain conditions, and have come into force with effect from January 1, 2011,” he stated.
On the SoO Agreements, he said it has been decided to extend it for a period of six months up to June 30, 2011, with the National Democratic Front of Boroland/Pro-talk (NDFB/PT) and the Dima Halam Daogah/Nunisa (DHD/N).
Left extremism a ‘grave’ concern
The Home Minister said the situation in the Left Wing extremism affected States continued to be a matter of ‘grave concern’ and during 2010 as many as 713 civilians were killed by the naxalites as against 591 in 2009. The security forces lost 285 personnel in 2010 as against 317 in 2009. “It will be apparent that the naxalites have not only spurned the offer of talks but have also escalated the conflict,” he said.
On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Chidambaram said the three-month period of agitation beginning June last year was “an unfortunate and deeply regrettable chapter.’’ However, he said that after the visit of the all-party parliamentary delegation and the appointment of three interlocutors, there has been a significant improvement in the law and order situation.
“In particular, the Interlocutors have been able to change the discourse and have been able to persuade a number of stakeholders to offer suggestions for a political solution,’’ he said.
On terrorism, he said the government continued to build capacity and successfully neutralised a number of terror modules. However, he said there were two blots on the record during the year – one in Pune on February 13, 2010 and the other in Varanasi on December 7, 2010.
“We live in a troubled world and a troubled neighbourhood that has witnessed numerous acts of terror last year,” Chidambaram said while pointing out that in 2010 there were at least 35 major acts of terror in a number of countries. “India is no more – but no less – vulnerable than any other country. Our security lies in maintaining constant vigil, augmenting intelligence gathering and taking pre-emptive action,” he stated.
Nagas urged to move towards common future morungexpress
Political awakening rescued Israel: NSCN/GPRN

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 2 (MExN): NSCN/GPRN has urged all Nagas to rise and move forward together toward a common future and seek liberation from all forms of bondages. “The Naga nation is in need of political people, political generations, political organisations and political state in order to land up to the higher plane,” proclaimed a new year message from the NSCN/GPRN.
“People and nations rise when they are political and they descend to downfall when their political spirit falls,” said Rh Raising, Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister), Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim. “The Israel people were in slavery more than 400 years until they became political,” Raising said in a new year’s message. “Their political exodus began when they were awakened and inspired by the spirit of ‘my people’,” Rh Raising, Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister), Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim said.
He noted that “Moses of old was nobody in history until he met the Lord at Mt. Sinai.” He became an extraordinary figure only when he equipped himself with ‘the Spirit of my Lord and my people’, said Raising. The same principle applies to the Nagas, he added.
“Politically speaking, we Nagas have been working for the politics to salvage our future. We have also been looking for the kind of solution of our national issue that ensures our future,” he queried.
Raising said if 2010 had not been a year of salvation, then Nagas have wasted labour, energy, time and money. He wondered if Nagas saw salvation and a future in the year 2011. “A day or a year without the hope of future is a lost day or year,” he said. He said a society moves forward when the mindset of the people are regenerated and revived through revolutionary spirit.
Striking a conciliatory cord in the backdrop of the reconciliation process, the senior Naga nationalist ended with hope of all Nagas moving toward a year of salvation by rising and moving forward “together for our common future and never look back”.
Muivah made news in Nagaland in 2010 Assam tribune

KOHIMA, Jan 2 – Consistent efforts towards consolidating peace and reconciliation process among Nagas by the State and civil societies marked the year as Nagaland witnessed a stalemate with Manipur over NSCN-IM leader T Muivah’s visit to his native village in the neighbouring State.
The year also witnessed some concrete measures taken by the Government to push forward development activities, generate employment and curb corruption.
Continuing its efforts towards peace and reconciliation, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) along with other civil society groups and churches tried to bring various Naga underground factions closer to have an unified voice, and got the support of the State Government and political parties.
The Forum successfully arranged the first ever face-to-face meeting of top leaders of two NSCN groups at Dimapur on September 18 giving a new hope to the ongoing process of Naga reconciliation.
However, by end of the year, what reflected in local media, were differences among the groups still prevailing and war of words blaming each other for lack of seriousness to peace and unity continued.
In the meantime, three groups – NSCN(K) and two groups of NNC/FGN came closer through a declaration in November, but NSCN(I-M) was critical of what it termed “a backdoor unity move”.
The people saw hope and optimism at the beginning of the year when the Centre appointed a new Interlocutor and resumed peace dialogues with NSCN(I-M) after almost a year.
Building on this renewed trust, the Centre okayed Muivah’s visit to his native village in Manipur in April but the Manipur Government denied permission arguing that the rebel leader’s proposed visit might lead to “communal tension” in the State.
An uneasy stalemate continued for over a month with both Manipur Government and NSCN-IM sticking to their positions. However, Muivah visited various parts of Nagaland in May-June to reach out to the people ahead of leaving for New Delhi to resume the peace dialogue. But there were no reports of any progress in the peace talks in the past three months.
On economic and development fronts, the Neiphiu Rio Government took certain important decisions during 2010 but Opposition Congress flayed the ruling alliance for its inaction on corruption in many departments and failure in checking crime in the State, particularly in Dimapur town.
Despite the resource crunch, the State Government fulfilled its promise to implement the 6th Pay Commission recommendations for its employees reconciling the State Plan size for fiscal 2010.
At the State Government’s request, the Centre allotted Rs 700 crore special grant to meet the additional salary burden but the State had to keep the annual plan size at last year’s level of Rs 1,500 crore.
The Government in April declared the year 2010-11 as “Year of Entrepreneurs” and made special budget provisions to implement this ambitious programme through training, capacity-building and financial incentives to potential entrepreneurs.
This was followed by unveiling of a vision statement for agriculture and allied sectors by which the Government envisaged to turn Nagaland into a surplus State in food production. Started in 2009 as an attempt to build an interface between the government departments and the rural people, the government held road shows throughout the year across the State.
The government appointed a special investigation team (SIT) and unearthed major irregularities in appointments of schoolteachers, and accordingly quashed many unauthorised appointments. The SIT unearthed that such irregular appointments drained out Rs 2 crore a month from the exchequer.
On the political front, divisions in Opposition Congress surfaced when the party failed to select a consensus candidate for party leadership in the State. In a bitterly-fought party election, SI Jamir was elected the new State Congress president defeating incumbent I Imkong.
The year ended with a happy note when the government successfully organised the annual Hornbill festival at Kisama with a large number of foreign tourists visiting Nagaland. But the core concern of peaceful settlement of the vexed Naga political conflict still eludes the Nagas. – PTI
Nagaland 2010—Reconciliation, Muivah visit and bogus teachers dominate PTI

School children hold Naga flags as they cheer the arrival of National Socialist Council of Nagalim General-Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, not seen, at Viswema village, about 25 kilometers (16 miles) south of Kohima, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland ont May 5, 2010. (AP File Photo)

KOHIMA, January 3 (PTI): Consistent efforts towards consolidating peace and reconciliation process among Nagas by the State and civil societies marked the year as Nagaland witnessed a stalemate with Manipur over NSCN-IM leader T Muivah’s visit to his native village in the neighbouring State.
The year also witnessed some concrete measures taken by the Government to push forward development activities, generate employment and curb corruption. Continuing its efforts towards peace and reconciliation, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) along with other civil society groups and churches tried to bring various Naga underground factions closer to have an unified voice, and got the support of the State Government and political parties.
The Forum successfully arranged the first ever face-to-face meeting of top leaders of two NSCN groups at Dimapur on September 18 giving a new hope to the ongoing process of Naga reconciliation. However, by end of the year, what reflected in local media, were differences among the groups still prevailing and war of words blaming each other for lack of seriousness to peace and unity continued.
In the meantime, three groups – NSCN (K) and two groups of NNC/FGN came closer through a declaration in November, but NSCN (I-M) was critical of what it termed “a backdoor unity move”. The people saw hope and optimism at the beginning of the year when the Centre appointed a new Interlocutor and resumed peace dialogues with NSCN (I-M) after almost a year.
Building on this renewed trust, the Centre okayed Muivah’s visit to his native village in Manipur in April but the Manipur Government denied permission arguing that the rebel leader’s proposed visit might lead to “communal tension” in the State. An uneasy stalemate continued for over a month with both Manipur Government and NSCN-IM sticking to their positions. However, Muivah visited various parts of Nagaland in May-June to reach out to the people ahead of leaving for New Delhi to resume the peace dialogue. But there were no reports of any progress in the peace talks in the past three months.
On economic and development fronts, the Neiphiu Rio Government took certain important decisions during 2010 but Opposition Congress flayed the ruling alliance for its inaction on corruption in many departments and failure in checking crime in the State, particularly in Dimapur town. Despite the resource crunch, the State Government fulfilled its promise to implement the 6th Pay Commission recommendations for its employees reconciling the State Plan size for fiscal 2010.
At the State Government’s request, the Centre allotted Rs 700 crore special grant to meet the additional salary burden but the State had to keep the annual plan size at last year’s level of Rs 1,500 crore. The Government in April declared the year 2010-11 as “Year of Entrepreneurs” and made special budget provisions to implement this ambitious programme through training, capacity-building and financial incentives to potential entrepreneurs.
This was followed by unveiling of a vision statement for agriculture and allied sectors by which the Government envisaged to turn Nagaland into a surplus State in food production. Started in 2009 as an attempt to build an interface between the government departments and the rural people, the government held road shows throughout the year across the State.
The government appointed a special investigation team (SIT) and unearthed major irregularities in appointments of schoolteachers, and accordingly quashed many unauthorised appointments. The SIT unearthed that such irregular appointments drained out Rs 2 crore a month from the exchequer.
On the political front, divisions in Opposition Congress surfaced when the party failed to select a consensus candidate for party leadership in the State. In a bitterly-fought party election, SI Jamir was elected the new State Congress president defeating incumbent I Imkong. The year ended with a happy note when the government successfully organised the annual Hornbill festival at Kisama with a large number of foreign tourists visiting Nagaland. But the core concern of peaceful settlement of the vexed Naga political conflict still eludes the Nagas.

Nagaland prepares for oil exploration Al Ngullie Morung Express News

The Cabinet Sub-Committee for Oil Exploration set up by the Government of Nagaland will undertake an official visit to Champang village, commencing from January 8. The visit of the high-powered committee is significant coming as it does against the backdrop of reports that the committee will soon complete its ongoing feasibility report on resuming oil explorations in Nagaland.
Parliamentary Secretary for Geology & Mining Yanthungo Patton disclosed tonight that the committee would be leaving for the Champang oil fields in Wokha district, adjacent to the border with Assam. “We are leaving for Champang,” Patton said but refused to disclose further details. He informed that all the Cabinet sub-committee’s members would be visiting Nagaland’s lone petroleum hub from January 8.
High level govt delegation to visit Champang oil fields
The committee is headed by Minister for Planning TR Zeliang as chairman and members include Congress Party Legislature leader Tokheho Yepthomi. The scheduled visit of the high-powered committee is already fueling speculations in the government circles that a “formula” to resuming oil production activities in the state has been arrived at already.
In fact, a senior official of the Geology & Mining department disclosed Tuesday that the Cabinet committee is also expected to schedule a meeting ‘very soon.’ Confirmation could not be had at the time of filing this news report. Nonetheless, the scheduled visit to the Champang oil fields indicates that the government may be once again in a flurry since Canadian engineering firm Canoro Resources Limited announced resuming oil production activities in Nagaland in June 2007.
According to a senior official of the department, speaking on condition of anonymity, he said the state government was very keen to resume oil production activities in the state and ‘modalities’ are being worked out. The department is providing all technical assistance but the “modalities” are the responsibility of the committee, the source said.
After the “modalities” are set, the report would be submitted to the Nagaland Cabinet for a decision that would decide whether the previously estimated $100 million oil production venture for Nagaland would resume.
According to the official, the government’s current point of ‘interest’ and activities related to oil and oil exploration is centered only on Champang. Surveys carried out in Dimapur earlier have estimated substantial oil reserves in the commercial city’s foothill swathes. However no approval has been given as yet and an ‘oil policy’ specific to Dimapur has yet to be made, the official said. For the stated reason all thrust are concentrated only on Champang, the source added.
In November 2010, the government had said that it was formulating a set of fresh ‘modalities’ to resume oil and natural gas production in the state and was envisaging floating global tenders. “Public” of the oil and gas-bearing lands of Champang village, have sunk their differences, Parliamentary Secretary Yanthungo Patton had stated on Thursday, November 18, 2010 reported in this daily. He had said that the “public” have decided to abide by whatever decision the state government takes on matters related to oil production.

Eastern Nagas gear up for agitation Nagaland Page
Kohima, January 4: The Nagas of eastern Nagaland and Manipur have decided to intensify their agitation for a separate state and a separate administrative unit respectively.
The Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (Enpo) said it would organise a series of rallies from Friday in the four backward districts of Kiphire, Longleng, Mon and Tuensang to press for a separate state. It had submitted a memorandum to the Union government in this regard in December.
The United Naga Council (UNC) of Manipur said it would resort to a series of harsher measures to press its demand for separate administrative unit for the Nagas of the state. “We will have to take up harsher measures to press the demand for a separate administrative unit for the Nagas,” the president of the UNC, Samson Remei, said.
Tongthan Khiam, the adviser to Enpo, said they had met Union home minister. P. Chidambaram. Khiam said the key reason for the demand for a separate state was discrimination against the backward indigenous Naga people.
He said they had been discriminated against for long in all aspects like development, job reservation and education, prompting them to ask for a separate state.
The organisation comprises Sangtam, Chang, Yimchungur, Konyak, Phom and Khiamniungan indigenous people having a population of 9 lakh. Over 60 per cent of Khiamniugans and about 30 per cent of Konyaks live in Myanmar and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
ENPO sources said the demand for a separate state would include Changlang and Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Of the 60 Assembly seats, there are 20 legislators from the four backward districts.
The UNC said it would resort to harsher measures like blockade of Manipur valley. Asked whether the council would resort to blockade again, Remei said they would have to resort to harsher alternative like blockades.
UNC sources said it had formed a separate committee to chalk out strategies to begin agitation soon.
Remei said, “We will never remain with the communal Manipur government,” that discriminates against the Nagas in all spheres.
He, however, said on the issue of a separate administrative unit for the Nagas of Manipur, the Union government had told the UNC that talks would continue. “The Centre said talks will continue,” he added.
The UNC is doubtful of the Centre’s sincerity in resolving the impasse in the near future as Chidambaram has ruled out altering the boundaries of Manipur.
“2011 will be a very hectic year for us as we are going to launch a series of agitations,” Remei said.
He also sought the support and cooperation of the Nagas of Nagaland. (TTNE)
Adinno Phizo’s New Year message Adinno Phizo Morungexpress
I send my warmest greetings and best wishes to our people in Nagaland for a happy New Year in 2011.
Thankfully, the people of Nagaland agree on one thing that nothing must jeopardise the sovereignty of Naga nation. By the grace of God, despite the prevailing external driven adverse situation, against all the odds in war and even in absence of fighting, to date our indomitable people defied enemy evil designs for territorial expansionism.
It is always useful to pause and reflect on an annual perspective before the coming year begin. Within the Naga society there are the usual differences on many issues in common with other societies. In not too far distant past, our forebears’ unspoken tradition of trust and respect in public affairs demand harmony and responsibility to honour one’s word given. However, any critical scrutiny of internal situation in recent past couldn’t have missed that instead of harmony, certain self-appointed sectarian groups under cover of fatuous pretensions barking mad at the pillars of Naga nation. They may be an irritant in national affairs but in the end what can non-state outfit(s) achieve?
My message to our people, especially, the new generation is nothing makes sense until you understand the past. Modern Nagaland seamlessly took over from our ancestor’s unbowed legacy. By virtue of our vibrant democratic tradition, representatives of heretofore far from a cohesive federation of independent Naga communities under the leadership of A Z Phizo reached an unprecedented decision to formally declare to the world that Nagaland will stay independent on14 August 1947. Equally significant, Naga consensus derived from informed choice. Every Naga know that following the historic voluntary plebiscite held on 16 May 1951, Naga people mandate had been immutably entrusted with the Naga National Council (NNC). Subsequently, NNC reached out and invited the then Free Nagas for an organic merger and the two side agreement was duly enshrined in the Yehzabo (Constitution) of Nagaland, thereupon, the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was established on 22 March 1956. Needless to say, attempt by some writers to airbrush NNC and FGN is a futile exercise.
No international conflict in living memory come any close to the unremitting Indian occupation army militarised tyranny in Nagaland since the shocking invasion in 1954. Our people will never forget every brave Naga patriots who sacrificed their lives in defending our freedom and almost every family lost someone very much loved. In stark contrast to other international conflict, India alone pursue neo-colonialism. But in a fast changing world, as India aspires to be among world top nations status, no foreigners can fail to notice the vast concentration of Indian occupation army stationed in Nagaland. How could the GoI justify trampling over the freedom of another nation?
The protracted conflict between Nagaland and India is a straightforward bilateral issue concerning the right or wrong of Indian naked aggression. Unlike the countless “political problem” within India, from ancient time, Nagaland was never an integral part of India. Sometimes our people wonder where are the Indian leaders who usually spring up in support of other people as well as nation just cause. While the Indian aggressors remain in Nagaland, the GoI is fully responsible under the Geneva Convention, for any act or omission, such as, the prevailing rampant Indian state sponsored terrorism and economic woes perpetrated against the people of Nagaland.
Notwithstanding Nagaland has no illusion about the challenges ahead to realise genuine peace and justice, nothing can deter NNC and FGN from upholding the Yehzabo and integrity of Nagaland. As much as we yearn for normalcy, it will happen only when India withdrew its army from Nagaland.
Together let us look forward for a happy New Year in 2011.
May God bless Nagaland. Urra Uvie

Adinno Phizo
President

Nagalim.NL News

01/04/2011: "Peaceful NE situation highlight of 2010: PC Eastern Mirror"