[Previous entry: "Govt’s attitude towards eastern Nagas Methna Konyak Morung"] [Next entry: "NSCN wants swift solution NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph"]

02/16/2011: "Narasimha Rao ignored other Naga rebel factions: NSCN-IM Rahul Karmakar , Hindustan Times"

Narasimha Rao ignored other Naga rebel factions: NSCN-IM Rahul Karmakar , Hindustan Times

Former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao had refused to recognize other Naga rebel outfits toward facilitating truce with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah). Rao also said the other groups were under India’s control, a senior NSCN-IM leader claimed at the 20th anniversary of Unrepresented Nations People Organization (UNPO) at The Hague on February 10-11.
The former PM had on 12 June 1995 met NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary in Paris to propose a political dialogue to resolve the Naga crisis. The duo asked Rao if his government would be talking to the NSCN-Khaplang group and the Naga National Council.
“We would not stand in the way, but we’ll not be a party to it,” said NSCN-IM leader V.S. Atem quoting Swu-Muivah. “Rao replied: ‘Why should I talk with them? The issue is not with them. The issue is with you. The people are with you, and so if we talk with you, we believe solution can be worked out. I will not talk with others. I know who they are. They are in my hands.’”
That, Atem said, set the ball of the peace process rolling. India and NSCN-IM arrived at a basic agreement on 17 November 1996 on unconditional talks at the prime minister’s level and outside India. The ceasefire subsequently became effective from 1 August 1997.
“It is now more than 13 years since we began negotiating with the government of India. Solution could be worked out only on the basis of historical facts and political rights of the Nagas,” Atem said at the UNPO convention. He reminded New Delhi of its commitment on an “out-of-the-box solution” to the Naga issue since the NSCN-IM “has rejected any solution within the Indian constitution”.
Indian military chiefs, the NSCN-IM leader said, have admitted to the futility of a military solution to the “Indo-Naga conflict”.
Ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim and all the Naga people, I would like to thank the UNPO for all the troubles it has taken for us. Our Collective Leadership, Mr.Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman and Mr. Th Muivah, General Secretary of the NSCN, was very much willing to come to participate in this UNPO 20th Anniversary Celebration, but because of tight schedule at home, they are unable to attend this meeting. However, they are sending their highest regards to all the former and present UNPO Officials and their best wishes for the success of this Celebration.
I would like to brief you on the Indo-Naga peace process in the following way:
Indian Army Generals, including Chief of the Army Staff, having realized the futility of seeking solution through military might, declared that military solution was impossible as the Indo-Naga conflict is a political issue.
At the invitation of P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister of India, our Collective Leadership met with him in Paris on June 12, 1995. During the meeting, the Prime Minister proposed political dialogue to resolve our political problems. In response, our Collective Leadership said to him. “Okay, Mr. Prime Minister, why don’t you talk with Khaplang group and NNC? We will not stand in the way, but we will not be a party to it.”The PM replied: “Why should I talk with them? The issue is not with them. The issue is with you. The people are with you, and so if we talk with you, we believe solution can be worked out. I will not talk with others. I know who they are. They are in my hands. Then our Collective Leadership said to him. “It seems there are two Prime Ministers in India.”He replied: “I know who is who; I will not allow ansyone to stand in the way. I will deal with the issue by myself”. So our Collective Leadership accepted his proposal to initiate the peace process.
The Indian negotiators and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) arrived at a basic agreement on November 17, 1996 – unconditional talks, talks at the highest level which is at the Prime Ministerial level and talks outside India.
On July 25, 1997, the President of the Republic of Nagalim announced in the UNPO Secretariat, the Hague that the Ceasefire between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim will be effective from August 1, 1997.
It was also agreed that the ceasefire agreement is between the government of India and the NSCN as two entities without territorial limits (joint statement on June 14, 2001).
In its 3rd Naga consultation Meeting, from May 6 – 10, 2002, 73 Naga delegates representing Naga Hoho, the Churches and mass-based civil society organizations solemnly declared that they fully support the ongoing political negotiation between the Government of India and the NSCN.
In its 4th Naga people’s consultation to strengthen the Indo-Naga political talks, from Jan. 20-21, 2005, Naga people and their civil society organizations covering across the length and breadth of Naga Homeland reaffirmed declared their fullest support for an honorable and acceptable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue on the basis of the uniqueness of Naga history and situation.
Government of India has agreed and recognized officially the unique history and situation of the Nagas. Congress–led coalition government has officially given its commitment: “There must be solution through peaceful means. And that solution must be honorable and acceptable to both”.
As the NSCN has rejected any approach from the Indian constitutional perspective, the P.M of India gave the commitment: “We have to work out the solution from outside the box”.
It is now more than 13 years since we have been negotiating with the Government of India. Solution could be worked out basing only on the historical facts and political rights of the Nagas.
If both the parties could go by the commitment of the Indian Prime Minister, solution may not be far off though it has taken a long time. The greatest question now lies in how far Indian leadership could be sincere in their commitment.
The Naga people are still committed to peaceful solution if that could be honorable.
Thank You
The Hague Gen. (Rtd). V.S. Atem
February 11, 2011
UNPO briefed on Naga issue morungexpress
Dimapur, February 15 (MExN): A leader of the NSCN (IM) today said the “greatest question” to the Indo-Naga political issue is “in how far Indian leadership could be sincere in their commitment.” “Lt. Gen (retd)” VS Atem of the NSCN (IM) stated in his speech at the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations (UNPO) in The Hague, February 10-11, “that The Naga people are still committed to peaceful solution if that could be honorable.”
In his speech, Atem broached notable events of the Indo-Naga peace process. At the invitation of the then Prime Minister of India PV Narasimha Rao, the group’s leadership met with the Indian leader in Paris on June 12, 1995. Rao proposed a political dialogue to resolve the “political problems.” In response, Atem stated, “our collective leadership said to him ‘Okay, Mr. Prime Minister, why don’t you talk with Khaplang group and NNC? We will not stand in the way, but we will not be a party to it’”.
Atem claimed that the “PM replied: ‘Why should I talk with them? The issue is not with them. The issue is with you. The people are with you, and so if we talk with you, we believe solution can be worked out. I will not talk with others. I know who they are. They are in my hands.’”
Then, Atem stated, “our collective leadership said to him: ‘It seems there are two Prime Ministers in India.’ He replied: ‘I know who is who; I will not allow ansyone to stand in the way. I will deal with the issue by myself’. So the group’s leadership accepted his proposal to initiate the peace process, Atem added.
Among other details Atem mentioned in his speech was the ceasefire between the Government of India and the ‘National Socialist Council of Nagalim’ effective from August 1, 1997; the 3rd Naga consultation meeting from May 6 to 10 in 2002 and the 4th ‘Naga people’s consultation’ from January 20 to the 21st, 2005.
“Government of India has agreed and recognized officially the unique history and situation of the Nagas. Congress–led coalition government has officially given its commitment: ‘There must be solution through peaceful means; and that solution must be honorable and acceptable to both’,” Atem stated.
“It is now more than 13 years since we have been negotiating with the Government of India. Solution could be worked out basing only on the historical facts and political rights of the Nagas. If both the parties could go by the commitment of the Indian Prime Minister, solution may not be far off though it has taken a long time. The greatest question now lies in how far Indian leadership could be sincere in their commitment.” He added that the Naga people are ‘still committed to peaceful solution if that could be honorable.’
Indian Army now realises futility of military might : NSCN-IM
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, February 15 2011: The NSCN-IM while participating at the 20th anniversary of Unrepresented Nations People Organisation (UNPO) at The Hague in the Netherlands has said that the Indian Army Generals, including Chief of the Army Staff, having realized the futility of seeking solution through military might, declared that military solution was impossible as the Indo-Naga conflict is a political issue.

The Naga outfit also informed the gathering at The Hague event that former Prime Minister of India late P.V Narasimha Rao was requested by the NSCN-IM leaders to meet "Khaplang group" and the NNC leaders but the Indian leader refused.

Representing the NSCN-IM, V.S Atem of the NSCN-IM participated at the UNPO Anniversary at The Hague held on February 10 and 11 .

Delivering his speech at the UNPO event, V.S Atem said, "I would like to brief you on the Indo-Naga peace process in the following way: Indian Army Generals, including Chief of the Army Staff, having realized the futility of seeking solution through military might, declared that military solution was impossible as the Indo-Naga conflict is a political issue.

" The speech of V.S Atem was made available to Newmai News Network by the NSCN-IM tonight.

According to V.S.Atem, at the invitation of P.V.Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister of India, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and its chairman Isak Chisi Swu met the Indian leader in Paris on June 12, 1995.During the meeting, the Prime Minister proposed political dialogue to resolve our political problems, he said.

"In response, our Collective Leadership said to him—Okay, Mr.Prime Minister, why don't you talk with Khaplang group and NNC? We will not stand in the way, but we will not be a party to it," Atem mentions in his speech at the UNPO programme.

According to him, P.V Narasimha Rao replied, "Why should I talk with them? The issue is not with them.

The issue is with you.

The people are with you, and so if we talk with you, we believe solution can be worked out.

I will not talk with others.

I know who they are.

They are in my hands.

Then the NSCN-IM leaders told him, "It seems there are two Prime Ministers in India." According to V.S Atem, Rao replied saying, "I know who is who; I will not allow ansyone to stand in the way.

I will deal with the issue by myself".

So our Collective Leadership accepted his proposal to initiate the peace process" .

V.S Atem then said that the Indian negotiators and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) arrived at a basic agreement on November 17, 1996 – unconditional talks, talks at the highest level which is at the Prime Ministerial level and talks outside India.

On July 25, 1997, the President of the Republic of Nagalim announced in the UNPO Secretariat, the Hague that the Ceasefire between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim will be effective from August 1, 1997 .

It was also agreed that the ceasefire agreement is between the government of India and the NSCN as two entities without territorial limits (joint statement on June 14, 2001), the NSCN-IM leader told the gathering.

Atem also said that in its 3rd Naga consultation Meeting, from May 6 – 10, 2002, 73 Naga delegates representing Naga Hoho, the Churches and mass-based civil society organizations solemnly declared that they fully support the ongoing political negotiation between the Govt of India and the NSCN-IM.

"In its 4th Naga people's consultation to strengthen the Indo-Naga political talks, from January 20-21, 2005, Naga people and their civil society organizations covering across the length and breadth of Naga Homeland reaffirmed declared their fullest support for an honorable and acceptable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue on the basis of the uniqueness of Naga history and situation.

Govt of India has agreed and recognized officially the unique history and situation of the Nagas.

Congress–led coalition Govt has officially given its commitment: There must be solution through peaceful means.

And that solution must be honorable and acceptable to both", V.S Atem said.

As the NSCN has rejected any approach from the Indian constitutional perspective, the Prime Minister of India gave the commitment: "We have to work out the solution from outside the box" .

It is now more than 13 years since we have been negotiating with the Government of India.

Solution could be worked out basing only on the historical facts and political rights of the Nagas, the NSCN-IM leader said at The Hague event.

"If both the parties could go by the commitment of the Indian Prime Minister, solution may not be far off though it has taken a long time.

The greatest question now lies in how far Indian leadership could be sincere in their commitment.

The Naga people are still committed to peaceful solution if that could be honorable," V.S Atem concludes his speech.
God’s Plan For Nagas Cannot Be Deferred: N Kitovi Zhimomi
The GPRN/NSCN organized a formal reception honoring the fifty erstwhile Naga National Workers People’s Support Group (NNWPSG) at Designated Camp Khehoi. Expressing great happiness and conveying revolutionary salute to every single national worker gathered at the function, N Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser, who exhorted the gathering, also consisting of representatives from NNC and FGN, pointed out that it was never the smartness or the extraordinary ability of each individual that enabled the Naga national workers to come together in such a manner considering the many testing times in the past. It was Jehova’s grace alone that protected the Naga patriots during the difficult times. Humans are powerless against the coming and going of winter or summer seasons, likewise Nagas cannot postpone or hasten God’s plan. Nagas have tasted bitter years. It is time to find peace within ourselves and find solution to the problems between the Nagas and their neighbors. Nagas need not search for peace in foreign lands because peace could be had here right in our beloved Nagaland. Ato Kilonser also called on the National workers present that the since the NNWPSG now cease to exist, it was time for every patriot to work for the glory of the Nagas. He cautioned the gathering that even Christ, the Son of God was condemned and crucified on the cross and therefore satan in the form of humans will create many hurdles to sabotage the Nagas’ quest for peace. Differences among the Nagas did not and will not originate from Heaven but it is created from the preconceived minds and the actions of the wise leaders and it is the duty of every Naga patriot to guard himself/herself against people who sow seeds of disunity. The road ahead may be difficult but with God nothing is impossible.
L.D John, the Convener of the erstwhile NNWPSG, expressed great happiness at the coming together of different Naga groups. He said that coming together of different groups will only strengthen Naga unity and it was the will of God that Nagas should unite. He Praised God and declared that since coming out of IM three years earlier, NNWPSG did not fire a single bullet and none of his men was ever injured. NNWPSG always believed that Nagas should march ahead in true nationalistic spirit and GPRN/NSCN was always at hand to encourage and promote National spirit. He also felt that Khehoi camp is never a factional camp but a starting point for the Naga patriots to march ahead. Nagas must establish and strengthen Naga unity from this very place. He referred to Psalm 127 and pointed out that Nagas can defend their right only if God interceded. He opined that coming together was good but following God’s purpose was most essential. He also cautioned that today it is not fools who are destroying the Naga Nation but it the men with wisdom who are tearing the Nagas apart. In such an hour it is upto the National workers to work under the guidance of the Lord.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Vitoi Aye, Secretary. National Political Advisory Council (NPAC), Hevukhu Yeptho, Speaker Tatar Hoho, Hothrong Yimchunger, Kilo Kilonser.
MIP, GPRN/NSCN
In response to the publication issued by Col. Levi Zimik , PRO of the IM, dated 10th Feb., in the local dailies which mentioned NNWPSG commander Joining their group at Senapati, this is for information to the Naga people that Major Z.D Akho, the military Commander of the erstwhile NNWPSG was among the 50 Naga patriots who proudly attended the welcome ceremony organized by GPRN/NSCN at Council camp Khehoi. The publication by Col. Levi Zimik is an immature statement bereft of truth. It is a violation of a military code of conduct. Inventing and inserting lines supposedly spoken by the NNWPSG commander is dubious, unbecoming of a high ranking military officer. Indeed the statement is indicative of the unethical propaganda machinery that thrives on distortion of facts.
MIP, GPRN/NSCN
GPRN/NSCN on “financial policy” morungexpress
Dimapur, February 15 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN today issued a note to “all shop owners, offices and commercial establishments in Nagaland” that the faction’s “chaplee ministry” is yet to “announce” what it called a “financial policy” for “the current year” and “therefore has not assigned” any individual or group to “commence annual taxation” for the “year 2011-2012.” A note from the group’s “chaplee secretary” stated that all “taxation” is to be ‘finalized’ by the “chaplee ministry” in consultation with the “ministry of forest and natural resources.” The note was appended by “chaplee secretary” Inaka Tsuqu. “Shopkeepers, offices and business houses” are “appealed” not to “entertain individuals who are not endorsed by the chaplee ministry.” For details, one can contact the number 9856848558, the note added.

Nagas sow ‘seeds of change’ OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Ukhrul, Feb. 15: The Nagas today celebrated the seed sowing festival by sowing the grains of change towards achieving the aspiration of living together as one under one roof.
Lui-Ngai-Ni, the biggest festival of the Nagas in Manipur, is celebrated on this day every year since 1987, to mark the start of sowing seeds with a prayer for blessings for a golden harvest in the coming season.
The festival, celebrated at the Tangkhul Naga Long ground at Ukhrul town and organised by the United Naga Council (UNC), is a cocktail of unity, culture and politics. The theme of this year’s festival, that drew the largest ever crowd ever, is Seeds of Change.
This year’s festival also brought the leaders of the Nagas and the Kukis, two communities that had a feud in the early nineties, together for the first time.
Leaders of the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki community, led by its president Thangkhosei Haokip, attended the festival, marking coming together of the two major ethnic communities.
Sixteen Naga tribes, both from Manipur and Nagaland, took part in the cultural extravaganza. One Kuki group and one Chakhesang group from Nagaland also performed colourful dance items.
Naga singer Yaingkongthei Luithui sang the theme song, Let’s make seeds of change grow, which was an amazing experience for those present at the festival.
“Let’s sow seeds of understanding and let the festival mark the sowing seeds of unity among the Nagas. The Nagas have been suffering for long and should live together peacefully with prosperity and happiness,” Kevileto Kiewhou, president of the Naga Hoho, said.
Reacting to the demand by the Naga community in Manipur for an alternative administrative arrangement for them and the demand for a separate state in Nagaland by Eastern Naga Peoples Organisation, the Hoho president said these demands should not disturb the ongoing peace process and any demand should not close the door for Naga integration.
“Let the seeds of love, peace and harmony that we have blessed and sown in this festival bring forth a better world. As we all go back home, let us sow the seeds of change to the people for a better tomorrow,” United Naga Council president Samson Remei said.