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01/26/2011: "Govt’s counter proposal to NSCN (I-M) Correspondent MENGUJUMA (KOHIMA), (NPN):"

Govt’s counter proposal to NSCN (I-M) Correspondent MENGUJUMA (KOHIMA), (NPN):

Government of India through the union home ministry has reportedly offered a 29-point counter proposal to the NSCN (I-M) which had earlier submitted a 32-point charter of demands. The government of India’s counter proposal included financial sops, facilities and accommodating the “Kilonsers” of the NSCN (I-M) as members of parliament and the “Tatars” as ministers in the state. This was revealed by “Kilonser” for Religious affairs, NSCN (I-M), Dr. P. Mor on the sidelines of the 45th Mengujuma village day celebration which he hosted on Monday. Dr. Mor, however, said that the proposal was never taken up for discussion by the NSCN (I-M) apex decision making body - the Tatar Hoho (Parliament) as it would be tantamount to climbing down on the ceasefire agreement between the NSCN (I-M) and government since the proposal was issued through the home ministry and not from the Prime Minister of India. Further, he revealed that the NSCN (I-M) had received invitation for talks twice from the union home ministry of India but rejected the same as both the parties had signed the ceasefire agreement on the condition that talks would be held at the highest level - Prime Ministerial level and in a third neutral country. Dr. Mor said the NSCN (I-M) was ready to accept the invitation if it was routed through the Prime Minister’s Office or through his consent. Since the invitations were “purely” from the union home ministry, the government of India is to be blamed in case of any deadlock in the peace process, he added. When asked to elaborate on the NSCN (I-M)’s earlier proposal for federal relationship with India, he cited the example of Canada and Austria which have federal relationship with United Kingdon where Queen Elizabeth was the head. He said the NNC had demanded for separate parliament, currency, foreign policy and armed forces but the NSCN (I-M) proposed for a joint currency, foreign policy and armed forces. He claimed that India had verbally agreed to the demand but the final agreement was yet to be worled out. On integration of the entire Naga inhabited areas under one administrative umbrella as demanded by the NSCN (I-M), Dr. Mor said there could be some hurdle but if India was strong as per its claims, there was provision in the Indian Constitution for re-organization of states in the country. Further, he also revealed that despite the ongoing impasse in the ongoing dialogue, the next round of talks could possibly take place sometime in the last week of February somewhere in Europe. He said some Naga leaders were campaigning at Delhi presently to convince the central leaders of the government of India. He said things were not likely to work out positively as long as talks were held in India. Reacting to a query on the recent raid carried out by the Indian Paramilitary Forces (Assam Rifles) at the house of its CAO Chakhesang region, he said the NSCN (I-M) did not blame the entire Indian Army but alleged that the Assam Rifles was a “little frustrated.”

Guv asks Nagas to rethink separate state PTI Deccan Chronicle Nikhil Kumar
Kohima: Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar today appealed to the tribes of border districts to reconsider their demand for a separate state and join hands with the government's endeavour for inclusive growth and development in the state.
"Sadly, the demand for a separate statehood has come at a time when the Naga political issue is delicately poised. Therefore, it is my fervent appeal to these leaders to reconsider their stand and join hands with the state government in its endeavour to bring fruits of all round development to the less developed areas of the state," Kumar said in his Republic Day speech.
Six tribes, inhabiting the border districts of Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng under the banner of Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) and other bodies had demanded creation of 'Frontier Nagaland' for socio-economic development of the region.
The governor also appealed to the people of the rest of the state to consider the grievances of the people of these districts in the right spirit and do all they can to improve the socio-economic conditions of those people even if it entails some sacrifices.
Stating that the Nagaland government had sincerely followed a policy of balanced regional development and affirmative action to bring the less developed areas at par with the rest of the state, he said the administration had worked to translate the policies into action.
However, he said, the government was aware that there were unmet aspirations among some people and there were gaps in development of some regions.
"The need of the hour is to stand united and not to allow fissiparous and divisive forces to come in the way of our journey towards peace and progress," Kumar said.
In the meanwhile, reports of peaceful celebration of Republic Day was received from various district headquarter towns with administrations stepping up vigils in the border areas with Assam, where ULFA and Karbi militants called for strikes during the day.
A Z Phizo and Our Free Nagas ZAPUVISIE LHOUSA Morungexpress
That the Nagas are a distinct nation is not new. The Naga Club had clearly stated the political stand of the Nagas to the Simon Commission 82 years ago. Basing in this stand, the Nagas have pursued their political struggle to this day. The Naga political struggle is not only three or four years decades old as asserted by some people, and no one should be misguided by such baseless claim.
The Naga National Council under the leadership of the then President A. Z. Phizo and Vice President Imkongmeren had integrated and united the Naga nation from the north, south, east and west. The Naga population is not large and its land also not plenty. For that reason, there is no possibility if making the Naga nation bigger or smaller. As such the issue of “Greater Nagaland” or even “Smaller Nagaland” does not arise, and no one should be hoodwinked by such absurd talk. All the land inhabited by the Nagas forms Nagaland and they are Nagaland.
Unlike the Indian society, the Naga society has no caste system and there is no untouchability among our people. No one is treated or mistreated on the basis of knowledge or wealth. All are equal before the Naga customary law. The Indian nation is as large as the sands on the sea shore. Its culture, traditions, religion, customary laws, and its food habits have nothing to do with the Naga way of life. Thus the Naga National Council had time and again asserted the distinct status and rights of the Nagas for fear that the Nagas might be overflowed by the Indian culture and politics to wilderness. All throughout the last century to this day, the Nagas stood as one people. They asserted to the colonial rulers, “Leave us alone.”
The footprints of the then President of NNC, A. Z. Phizo in the Free Nagaland region still remain fresh and clear. The accounts of the leaders who worked hand in hand with A. Z. Phizo are still fresh and vivid. The NNC had rendered great contributions for Naga unity under the leadership of Thongti Chang, Lakhum Yim, Thsamphu Yim, Hopongse Sangtam, Tsilise Sangtam, Andem Konyak and others too. Their contributions are recorded in the Naga history and they will remain for ever.
What must we do today? The responsibility of today’s generations is to hand over a good legacy to the future generation by taking care of yesterday’s generation’s contributions.

(ZAPUVISIE LHOUSA)
Member
Central Executive Council,
N. N. C Nagaland

Oil & Minerals of Nagaland Nagaland Page
During the time of NNO, the Government was so scared of the Nagas undergrounds to undertake investigations and explorations of Oils and mineral resources such as coal and limes etc. It was because the Nagas undergrounds were actively and openly propagating towards reservations and protections of these important minerals wealth in the state of Nagaland. The Government of Nagaland itself was having its reservations on the question of Oil and minerals resources of the state. But a new idea evolved with an eclipse of the initial surveys and investigations during 1975-76 under the initiative of former Chief Minister, late Vizol with the objective to make an estimate of the exact quantity of natural resources of the state.
Accordingly, a Committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Shri. Mhonshan Murry, Minister In-charge to discuss the pros and cons and to submit the recommendation of the Committee as to whether explorations should be carried out in the state of Nagaland or not. I was a Member of the same Committee and we had several rounds of meetings besides wide range of consultations and finally the Committee recommended to the State Government of Nagaland for issue of License so as to permit undertakings of Investigations and Explorations. This recommendations was given to the Government of India which further entrusted for Oil & Natural Gas Commission (ONGC), a purely Government of India undertaking, for undertaking necessary Surveys & Investigations in Nagaland.
Before the ONGC started exploratory works, the Government of Nagaland had signed an MoU with the ONGC following which Explorations License was given to the ONGC. In the same MoU, it has made a mention of three (3) system of Royalty payable by the ONGC, that is, the Government of Nagaland, as per norms of the Royalty, owed to the States in India. Another Clause which is a Special Provision under Article 371 (A) which clearly says the land its resources belongs to the people (Nagaland). On this basis another Clause was added such as (i) The Tribal Tax and (ii) The Land Owners' Tax. It is clearly given that more than Rs 33 crores have been drawn by the Government of Nagaland without giving the Tribal Tax and the Land Owners' Tax. The Government of Nagaland has to face the consequences one day or the other if this Royalty due to be paid to the Tribals and Land Owners is not cleared.
Due to certain lacuna and unfair practices meted out by the Government of Nagaland and the ONGC, the Naga undergrounds have issued an order stopping Oil exploration in the state of Nagaland. I do not know whether the underground Nagas have withdrawn the order relating to the stopping of Oil exploration in the State of Nagaland. It is nearly 10 years now the question was kept in abeyance and no discussion between the Government of Nagaland and underground organizations or the Government of Nagaland or the Government of India is reported for this matter. It was observed that there was continuous publications in the local news papers recently for the last 2 months making mention of the purported resuming of Oil exploration in Nagaland. The Cabinet Sub-Committee was formed to find out the modalities between the Landowners (excluding the tribals and the Government of Nagaland). This exercise is a good beginning to consult the sons of the soil and the people of the particular areas and localities.
But the Cabinet Sub-Committee is supposed to know the Constitutional provisions under Article 371 (A) which clearly says that the Land Owners are the owners of the minerals in their own respective lands and areas. If the Government of Nagaland wants to do anything they like they first have to fulfill the legal and constitutional provisions which has been enshrined in the Constitution of India. If any change has to be made by the Government, they must seek appropriate ways and make it free from all legal implications in the process and actions particularly under the provisions of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India. In order to do away with the motives and proposals of the Government, amendment of the Constitution have to be proceeded first and after the Assembly passes the Bill it has to go through the Governor of Nagaland followed by the approval of the President of India through the Parliament of Indian Union. It is the Constitution which the people of India believe as sacrosanct and any deviation in the Constitution of India will be inviting serious implications.
On the other hand MOU and Agreement was signed between the ONGC and Government of Nagaland so the Government of India or Government of Nagaland cannot allocate the work to any other Company or Agency without the revocation of the Agreement. This agreement is not legally binding but it has moral obligations to abide by this agreement unless and until it is revoked by the parties concerned. We cannot make everything confused and out of this confusion necessary developments should not be hampered for the growth and advancement of the people of Nagaland.
As per unofficial report, Nagaland has altogether 8 Blocks of Oil Belts which extends up to Rangoon in Burma. These 8 Blocks falls in the Tizit-Intangki Ranges and this Range comprising of the 8 Blocks were known as the Oil Belts even in the times of the British who had started investigations and explorations but due to the Second World War and followed by the Indian Independence the British Company had withdrawn. From the initial stage we should not commit a mistake so that the hope of the people do not go in vain.
T A Ngullie, Former Minister & Advisor to UNDSP