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02/19/2011: "NSCN wants swift solution NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph"

NSCN wants swift solution NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph

New Delhi, Feb. 17: Top leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this evening and urged him to expedite the 14-year-old peace process.
The outfit’s chairman, Isak Chishi Swu, and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah along with interlocutor for Naga talks R.S. Pandey spoke to the Prime Minister for over 40 minutes.
Apparently, it was octogenarian Swu who first raised the point of a stretched peace process and the need to speed up.
The Prime Minister said he, too, wished an “expeditious process” in order to reach an honourable and mutually acceptable solution.
NSCN sources said the Prime Minister has assured them that the Centre was trying to come to a “speedy settlement”.
Today, both sides are understood to have pointed out that enough years have been spent talking and it was time to finally “decide” on “what is acceptable”.
Officials refused to comment whether that meant a “make-or-break” stage had been reached.
“The meeting was very, very positive,” Pandey told The Telegraph.
Swu arrived in India on January 21 from Bangkok along with a family member on Indian passports.
Till now, the leaders have been mostly abroad, sometimes hiding in Bangladesh, at other times in countries like the Philippines or in Europe.
This is the second meeting with militant groups from the Northeast that the Prime Minister has held within a span of a week.
A four-member Ulfa delegation also called on Singh this week.
However, the government remains worried about the increasing interest of China in the region in view of unresolved insurgencies.
While the Naga insurgency has spanned six decades, Ulfa has been active for over three decades and its commander-in-chief Paresh Barua is known to have got cosy with elements in China.
The peace process with the NSCN (I-M), which started on August 1, 1997, has till now not yielded anything concrete.
Militancy, has, over the years assumed different shades and continues to haunt both the people and the militants themselves as factions refuse to reconcile.
Praying for Wiki leaks in Nagaland Ambrose.J. Chakre Morung
A controversial issue which we are all familiar with is the publishing of the secret documents of the world by a reputed former hacker who gained fame and attention at the expense of the top countries of the world. These acts of revelation infuriated the concerned leaders of the world because it exposed all their acts of secrecy, strategy and their plans for the future. The strategy which Juliane Assange employed in making this act of betrayal a success is still a debated issue because of its controversial nature.
Though these acts may not be in the best interest of everyone, it still has to be acknowledged because it is a history in itself. The wars that the world fought are all recorded in the history of the world. However, the reports of the war actually differs from the reality. In the past, dark secrets of many nations were revealed to the world through the media, and the outcome of it has benefited many victims and destroyed the reputation of the guilty. Many well known nations of the world had been guilty of rapes, massacre, and brutality. We are all familiar with the controversies of the past, and it is also encouraging to see that the media is working hard to undo the injustice of the past. The religions of the world cries for peace, unity and reconciliation, but we who knows the truth knows that peace on earth can only become a reality when sin becomes a prisoner of hell.
When thousands of the secret documents of the world were released, the media of the world made a fortune out of it. According the analysis and the statistics that we made on it, we can conclude that the power of the media was further strengthened by this secretive and influential website. The contents of it were not only informative but it also threatened the security of the concerned nations. However the unique thing about this organization is that they labored hard to make this dream a reality.
We know not the exact intention of this genius, but one thing we all acknowledge is that he did something which no one ever did before. A very prominent senior journalist commented that Juliane Assange was indeed a man of understanding who believed in his own ideologies and strategies. And the secret of his success was that he aligned himself with people who could be helpful to him. The manner in which he gained access to the secret documents of the world is still a secret and it will likely remain a secret, less he reveals it to the world.
This act of deception caught the world by surprise and it also did justice to the woes of some few victims. The truths regarding the contents of the files is that, it also revealed the atrocities committed on the prisoners of war by the armed forces. The impact of the revelation has bought about the need for transparency in every government. Inspite of knowing that many world governments are corrupted, we often fail to understand the issues that are related to it. Until and unless we gain access to the offices where corruption strives, we will never be able to comprehend the true natured of corruption. The rise of wiki leaks is indeed an eye opener for all the politicians and law makers who favors justice and transparency in the works of their government. It is indeed a new form of revolution against the sinful leaders of the world. It will only continue to gain ground as the lovers of truths increases. The need for transparency and integrity is being felt by every concerned citizens of our nation. The best way to avoid the onslaught of wiki leaks is to pray for an end to corruption. The danger that confronts us is not the whistle blower alone but we need to be more fearful of God’s wrath. This is the beginning chapter of the end times and the events related to it will continue to be fulfilled till the coming of Christ. The Church of Christ is with you. Follow God.

Ambrose.J. Chakre, Founder President
Ambrose Foundation in Christ Ministries
Kohima Nagaland

Northeast NGOs oppose Protected Area Permit withdrawal (IANS)

Aizawl, Feb 17 Many NGOs from the northeastern states have strongly opposed the central government's decision to do away with the Protected Area Permit (PAP), a mandatory official authorisation for foreigners to visit the region.
The central government had excluded Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland from the PAP regime for a period of one year from Jan 1.
However, the regulation is in place for Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China.
A joint meeting of six NGOs and local organisations, including the Young Mizo Association (YMA), held in Aizawl on Thursday decided to oppose the central government's decision and submit a memorandum to the union home ministry demanding that the PAP be restored.
'To encourage foreign tourists and foreign nationals, the centre had lifted the PAP from three northeastern states to allow foreigners to enter these states without any restrictions for a period of one year. It would consequentially affect the multi-cultural, diverse religion and multi-ethnic society dominated region,' YMA spokesman Zodingliana told reporters.
The Mizoram NGOs have observed that the union home ministry should have sought the consent of the people of the region before lifting the PAP. 'The centre took this decision after meeting just two organisations representing the neighbouring state of Manipur.'
'We fear that the lifting of PAP would have a detrimental affect on the social security of the ethnic people of these states, specially those dominated by the tribals,' Zodingliana said.
The NGOs also fear that the lifting of PAP would further jeopardise the Inner Line Permit (ILP) that safeguards the indigenous people from assimilation since the British rule. The ILP is required for any Indian to enter some of the northeastern states, including Mizoram and Nagaland.
The NGOs also want amendment of some guidelines on the PAP, regarding strict restrictions on the movement of foreign missionaries in northeast India. Over 5.3 million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur, and there are some Christians in the other northeastern states.
On an average, 50,000 foreign tourists visit the eight north-eastern states every year.
Be vigilant on Sino-Indian border, Antony tells troops (IANS)
Rangapahar (Nagaland), Feb 18) Concerned over China's military modernisation and infrastructure build-up along the border, Defence Minister A.K. Antony Friday asked the army to be vigilant and keep a watchful eye on even the smallest developments in and around India's neighbourhood.
Addressing officers and troops at the 3 Corps headquarters here, he also conceded that corruption had dented the image of the army and asked it to ensure that its 'sense of pride and dignity' is 'maintained at all times'.
Antony, who arrived here Friday on a two-day visit to review the security scenario in the region, said that though maintaining peace and tranquility along the border was crucial, the armed forces had to ensure operational preparedness of the highest level.
Antony also urged the military personnel to establish a healthy relationship with the local populace, to win their hearts and minds and to project the army in a positive light.
Conceding that some recent instances of corruption in high places in the army had harmed to its credibility and image, the defence minister described honesty and loyalty as the basic traits of a soldier.
He urged army personnel to ensure that the sense of pride and dignity of the force was maintained at all times.
'I want to emphasise one issue to each one of you. A soldier is the pride of the nation. Honesty and loyalty are the basic traits of a soldier. Some recent instances of corruption in high places in the army have brought some harm to its credibility and image,' he said.
'All of you must perform duties with sincerity and ensure that the sense of pride and dignity of the army is maintained at all times. We will take very strict action whenever any case of corruption comes up or is brought to our notice,' he added.
At an interaction with the soldiers, Antony agreed to a suggestion from them that they be given new boots after every 12 months instead of the existing 26 months.
Antony instructed the defence ministry officials to implement the suggestion immediately.
The soldiers also requested Antony for a chartered air service to Delhi.
The army chief, Gen V.K. Singh, Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Eastern Army commander Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh and 3 Corps commander Lt. Gen. N.K. Singh were present on the occasion.
Earlier, on arrival at the 3 Corps headquarters, Antony reviewed the security situation along the border and the progress made in infrastructure development in the region with senior army and ministry officials.

‘Scams hurt forces’ image’ Defence Minister A K Antony, corruption in high places, Lt Gen Bikram Singh
Defence Minister A K Antony has said recent cases of corruption involving senior officers has hurt the image of the armed forces and has vowed that strict action would be taken by the government to punish the guilty.
Speaking to troops at the 3 Corps HQ at Ranga Pahar in Nagaland, Antony said that honesty and loyalty are the basic traits of a soldier.
“Some recent instances of corruption in high places in the Army have brought some harm to its credibility and image. All of you must perform duties with sincerity and ensure that the sense of pride and dignity of the Army is maintained at all times,” the minister said.
“We will take very strict action whenever any case of corruption comes, or is brought to our notice,” he added. He was speaking in the presence of the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen VK Singh, Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Bikram Singh besides other senior officers.
The minister is on a two-day visit to the Northeast, where he is meeting jawans and gathering suggestions for improving their living conditions. One of the points that he ha s agreed to was raised by a number of troops who asked for the issuing of a new pair of boots every 12 months instead of the current provision of 26 months. Soldiers have also requested him for chartered air service to Delhi so that they can proceed on leave easily.
Corruption in high places in Army has dented its credibility: Antony Indian Express
DIMAPUR: Describing honesty and loyalty as the basic traits of a soldier, Defence Minister AK Antony has accepted that some recent instances of corruption in high places in the Army have brought harm to its credibility and image.

Concerned over the rapid growth of Chinese infrastructure in the region, Antony arrived here on Friday on a two-day visit to the North-East to review the security situation and the progress of infrastructure development.

Addressing the officers and jawans at a Sainik Sammelan at the 3 Corps HQ at Ranga Pahar in Nagaland, he urged the Army personnel to ensure that the sense of pride and dignity of the Army is maintained at all times.

"I want to emphasise one issue for each one of you. A soldier is the pride of the nation. Honesty and loyalty are the basic traits of a soldier. Some recent instances of corruption in high places in the Army have brought some harm to its credibility and image," he said.

"All of you must perform duties with sincerity and ensure that the sense of pride and dignity of the Army is maintained at all times. We will take very strict action whenever any case of corruption comes, or is brought to our notice," Antony added.

The Defence Minister also asked the Army to be ever vigilant and keep a watchful eye on the smallest developments in and around India's neighbourhood.

He said though maintaining peace and tranquility along the border is crucial, "we have to ensure that our operational preparedness is of the highest level."

The Chief of the Army Staff, General VK Singh, Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Bikram Singh and the GOC 3 Corps Lt Gen NK Singh were present on the occasion.

Antony also asked the military personnel to establish a healthy relationship with the local populace, win the hearts and minds and to project the Army in a positive light.

He agreed with the suggestion given by a number of Jawans for the issue of a pair of boots every 12 months instead of the issue of the same under current provision of 26 months, and asked the officials to bring about this change.