[Previous entry: "Swu push to reconciliation OUR BUREAU The telegraph"] [Next entry: "Red carpet welcome for Swu, Muivah at Delhi The Sangai Express"]
01/23/2011: "Top Naga leaders in Delhi IBN PTI"
Top Naga leaders in Delhi IBN PTI
New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) Two top Naga rebel leaders today hinted at some progress in the ongoing talks on the vexed Naga issue, saying they acknowledged Government's "positive" attitude in finding a lasting solution. NSCN(IM) chairman Isak Chisi Swu said the rebel leadership was in the country at the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for peace dialogue and hoped that the Centre would keep its promise that any agreement with the outfit would reflect the "unique history" of the Nagas. "We are committed to an honourable, just and lasting solution," Swu said addressing a function here organized to welcome his visit. Swu arrived in New Delhi yesterday after a gap of more than a year and also accepted Indian passport for the first time. So far, he was reportedly carrying the passport of a neighbouring nation. The Naga leader said he welcomed the Indian government�s positive attitude towards the ongoing talks between the group and the interlocutor R S Pandey. "I thank the Government of India for this initiative and hope that they would not miss the opportunity,� he said adding "we acknowledge the positive attitude and effort of the government for creating such a conducive atmosphere". Admitting that there were differences among Nagas, he said reconciliation among them was the need of the hour. Addressing the gathering, NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah too said the discussions held so far were "positive" and hoped the Centre would do the needful by recognising the Naga identity and in bringing a lasting solution to the six decade-old insurgency problem in Nagaland. The Naga group has been holding parleys with interlocutor Pandey to iron out differences on several vexed issues including integration of Naga-inhabited areas. In the last meeting, the NSCN-IM has proposed a federal relationship with the Indian Union with additional financial and legislative powers while the Central government offered financial package for socio-cultural development of Naga people. A ceasefire was agreed on with NSCN-IM in August, 1997.In May, 1998, the union government had appointed Swaraj Kaushal as the first negotiator. He continued in his post till July 1999. After him, former Home Secretary K Padmanabhaiah took charge as the Centre's pointsman and continued till last year. Pandey, a former Petroleum secretary and a 1972 batch Nagaland cadre IAS officer was appointed as a new interlocutor on February 11, 2010.
Naga rebel leader accepts Indian passport NDTV Correspondent
New Delhi: The leader of separatist National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), Isak Chishi Swu arrived in Delhi from Bangkok, and for the first time on an Indian passport.
He was felicitated by the Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), where he thanked the Indian Government. He is expected to go to Nagaland for an important meeting later.
Earlier he had a Bangladeshi passport.
Sources said the Centre had inked certain restrictions in Swu's Indian passport, to which the outfit was objecting.
Interlocutor for the Naga talks, R.S. Pandey, will hold parleys with the militant leaders. Talks between Naga leaders and Indian are at an advanced stage.
Swu finally lands in Delhi Nagaland page
A Correspondent
New Delhi, Jan.22: Isak Chishi Swu, the chairman of the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) faction arrived in the national capital late Friday night.
Accompanying him were his daughter and several others which included his support staff and family members of NSCN foreign secretary Anthony Shimray who has been jailed by Indian authorities.
The group was welcomed by kilonsers (ministers) and several NSCN (IM) cadres who waited for Swu at the Indira Gandhi international airport. As soon as he arrived, he was whisked away in a car to an intelligence bureau safe house located on the posh Lodhi road here where general secretary Thuingalang Muivah also lives.
Muivah with his family and Swu now with his family live under the same roof at the sprawling bungalow.
On arrival at the residence, Naga students and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) members waited for him till the wee hours of the morning. The young people have organized a reception for Swu on Sunday evening where both the rebel leaders would meet their supporters.
The background of ENPO separate state demand Nagaland page
Many have shared their opinion about the issue of ENPO through daily publication. In this connection of critical issue, while deeply studied about the background history of ENPO, I also would like to share my opinion with few facts that why the ENPO is willing to go back to their original stand as follows:-
1. That before the Britishers came to Naga country, there was no nomenclature in the like of NEFA or NHTA etc but the people who are living in the present area of ENPO were known as free Nagas.
2. That after British regime came down to Naga Country and also attained the Christianity religion within the Naga inhabited area through American, the Naga head hunting system was almost controlled and the majority Nagas have been accepted the Christianity religion. After that only the Nagas understand that we are family through Christ and then after only communication among the Nagas have slowly started and then Nagas have become oneness.
3. That after well communicated among the different section of Nagas, the Nagas also open their eyes and saw themselves that we are also not less than a Country as others in the world and then started their demand of Independent through 1951 plebiscite based on 9 points memorandum of 1929 submitted to the British-Indian Government by the Naga Club which nomenclature had been later changed as NNC.
4. That through the demand of Naga Independent, the people who are living in the present ENPO area joint the rest of Nagas and named the Naga inhabited area of Nagas as "Nagaland" in place of NHTA.
5. That due to the Nagas has become oneness the nomenclature of Nagaland has become very popular in the eye of the world.
6. That the people of the NEFA came with their full hope on the Nagas who ae living in Naga Hill areas and joint the Nagas and equally sacrifieces a lot for the Naga Nation in order to achieve the Naga common goal for the past more than 6 decades.
7. That however, the people of Nagaland called ourselves as Christian, but we have lost our oneness as before and divided ourselves in to many factions though it be over ground or underground thereby killing among the Nagas and the possibilities of getting Independent was completely jeopardize and at present there in no hope to find unity among the Nagas.
8. That taking regards to the present ENPO issue, the only Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Nagaland CM Chang who hailed from ENPO area have miserably failed to address his peoples demands instead maintaining unreceptive to himself which have shown his immaturity leadership to the people of the Nagaland as well as within the country though the present NPF lead DAN Government have really taken care and extended all possible maximum development within ENPO as undeveloped area.
With the above mentioned background historical fact, the Naga people who are living in ENPO area at present have totally lost their faith on the rest of the other Naga. And for which they have started their demand for a separate state and to go back to their original stand for their peaceful living is not deniable by anyone.
T.L Angami
Hq. Razhüphe, Nagaland
Swu, Muivah in Delhi New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI/NPN):
Isak Chishi Swu (2nd from L), Th. Muivah (2nd from R) along with their wives in New Delhi, Sunday.
Two top Naga rebel leaders Sunday hinted at some progress in the ongoing talks on the vexed Naga issue, saying they acknowledged Government’s “positive” attitude in finding a lasting solution. NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu said the rebel leadership was in the country at the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for peace dialogue and hoped that the Centre would keep its promise that any agreement with the outfit would reflect the “unique history” of the Nagas. “We are committed to an honourable, just and lasting solution,” Swu said addressing a function here organized to welcome his visit.
Swu arrived in New Delhi Saturday after a gap of more than a year and also accepted Indian passport for the first time. So far, he was reportedly carrying the passport of a neighbouring nation. The Naga leader said he welcomed the Indian government’s positive attitude towards the ongoing talks between the group and the interlocutor R S Pandey. “I thank the Government of India for this initiative and hope that they would not miss the opportunity,” he said adding “we acknowledge the positive attitude and effort of the government for creating such a conducive atmosphere”.
Admitting that there were differences among Nagas, he said reconciliation among them was the need of the hour. Addressing the gathering, NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th. Muivah too said the discussions held so far were “positive” and hoped the Centre would do the needful by recognising the Naga identity and in bringing a lasting solution to the six decade-old insurgency problem in Nagaland. The Naga group has been holding parleys with interlocutor Pandey to iron out differences on several vexed issues including integration of Naga-inhabited areas. In the last meeting, the NSCN (I-M) has proposed a federal relationship with the Indian Union with additional financial and legislative powers while the Central government offered financial package for socio-cultural development of Naga people.
NPN adds: Isak Chishi Swu, was given a grand reception on Sunday. A statement issued by the programme committee said that the joy of receiving him has renewed our hope again and urged for an honourable solution at the earliest.
The committee also pointed three important issues by congratulating both the parties for surviving the longest ceasefire ever: 1. That, the Indo-Naga conflict is political in nature political steps is required to solve the same 2. That, a ceasefire is necessary to create conducive atmosphere for a political dialogue 3. That, dialogue is the only way to end violence and bloodshed and pave way to peace.
Nagaland forests face destruction Y Merina Chishi
Cut timber inside a forest reserve in Meluri. (Morung Photo)
Meluri | January 23 : Towards the south-eastern part of Nagaland, a big problem looms. A problem least thought about by most people; nonetheless, is a grave one. Meluri, a subdivision under Phek district, is one of the remotest places in Nagaland. The land inhabited predominantly by the Pochury tribe extends uptill the border of Myanmar. This region’s forests are home to an abundance of flora and fauna, unmatched by any other part of Nagaland. The people here consider the forests a community heritage.
But nature’s bounty is slowly being reduced to patches of bare land. Deforestation has become the biggest threat to the people of this region.
Random deforestation in this region started in the eighties, when the Forest (Conservation) Act was already in force. According to local sources, Nepalese woodcutters came from different parts of the state, and beyond, in search for work. Most of them settled as professional woodcutters. Initially, these woodcutters worked for locals who used the forests’ wood for personal use. They eventually graduate to working for rich timber businessmen in Dimapur.
Over the years, many timber smugglers joined the business and the forests’ of Meluri became the ultimate target. Deforestation accelerated. Wood like Pine, Redwood and Bonsun were in great demand in the domestic and international markets, so they were cut down rapidly. Many other rare species of trees measuring more than 100feet tall and 5 meters circumference were randomly felled. The locals, unaware that deforestation could someday become a threat to them, gave easy access to these smugglers. Today, the forest has lost nearly 80% of its seasoned trees; some of them hundreds of years old. Pine forest, the region’s asset is almost completely wiped out.
Deforestation may have come with economic benefits for locals, but despite that, the negatives greatly outweigh the positives. Even today, with less than 20% of seasoned trees left in the forest, deforestation continues unabated. With little options for locals to earn money, they also indulge in the trade. As for the woodcutters, as long as there is work, they will continue. Generations of Nepalese woodcutters have worked in these forests.
The locals here hardly get any benefit from the wood they sell to rich timber barons, but the trade must go on for them. While the timber barons have become millionaires, the locals remain largely ignorant about the drain of their wealth. There is also still very little awareness on conservation here; owing to which the region is slowly losing its green covers.
The ultimate result of deforestation has been a major decrease in biodiversity. Deforestation has slowly destroyed natural habitats for animals in this region. Many animals found in the forest have disappeared. One Pochury hunter said earlier a variety of animals and birds like elephants, chimpanzees and peacocks could be spotted in the forest. They are no longer visible. Several water sources have also dried up, he said.
Deforestation is being discussed among many people but there is very little solution being offered. The region, which could have well become a hotspot for nature lovers, is slowly becoming a reflection of the rest of Nagaland, a state that has lost nearly 70% of its forest cover.
(The figures given are based on rough estimates made by locals of the region)
