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02/27/2011: "‘Act with sincerity on Naga talks’ morungexpres"

‘Act with sincerity on Naga talks’ morungexpress

Dimapur, February 26 (MExN): The Government of India should demonstrate its sincerity ‘into action’, an organization, ‘Naga International Support Center’ (NISC) said in a statement today. The NISC made a number of demands that it implied would be demonstration of India’s sincerity.
The NISC stated in an article today: “Government of India through Prime Minister if you want to be sincere in practice then put your words into action: talk peace sans the idea of loosing face and release all political Naga prisoners, this includes Anthony Shimray; withdraw all troops; recognize the right to self determination of the Nagas, the right you have signed of the UNO covenant.”
The NISC said that the Prime Minister of India recently met with the Naga delegation in Delhi to “talk eye to eye on the progress of the peace talks between India and Nagaland.” The crucial points discussed were “sincerity, expediting the talks to reach an honorable solution” in the wake of the arrest and detaining of Anthony Shimray, “head of foreign affairs.” Since 1997, the NISC stated, when the ceasefire was signed as a prerequisite for peace talks, the Government of India and the Naga People together have...
...“weathered 14 years and a formidable number of rounds of talks.” The Prime Minister of India had said that the Government of India is sincere in pursuing an honorable solution for this age old conflict ‘which spans no less than six decades,’ the NISC note stated. “This of course is a laudable answer of the revered Prime Minister and sincerity indeed is the crucial ointment for the peace machinery to run smoothly and steadily.”
However “stimulating words is one thing, yet translating them into action is quite another,” the NISC explained. “So, although NISC does not question the will of the Government of India to be sincere to make the peace talks meaningful, NISC puts question marks on what the Government of India actually does. Fourteen years of talks have not led to anything tangible but to stalling for time; something which the Government of India hopes or even expects that Nagas will eventually subside and their determination will to resist to dominance fizzles out.”
The press release has questioned, “Is it so that the Government of India is unaware of the fact that it is waging war against the people of Nagaland?”
Querying if the “prime policy of the Government of India is to drive the Nagas into Chinese arms,” the NISC wondered of “India is playing its delaying tactics so divisions among the Nagas are widened and reconciliation cannot take place?”

Indo-Naga talks at risk: NISC Nagaland page
Dimapur, February 26: In a surprising development and contrary to all reports, the Naga International Support Center (NISC), a human rights organization, has claimed that the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks is in jeopardy over the issue of the arrest and detaining of Anthony Shimray, head of Foreign Affairs of NSCN (IM).
A press release issued by Frans Welman, NISC, claimed that the NSCN (IM) is negotiating with India under duress as its head of foreign affairs, Anthny Shimray continues to remain in custody.
According to the NISC, the crucial points discussed in the recent meeting of NSCN (IM) collective leadership with Prime Minister of India at New Delhi included "sincerity, expediting the talks to reach an honorable solution in the wake of the arrest and detaining of Anthony Shimray, head of Foreign Affairs."
"Also the chairman of the NSCN handed the PM a copy of the letter on Anthony Shimray."
Lauding the PM's sincerity to solve the Indo-Naga issue, the NISC was however apprehensive of India's sincerity by stating that "stimulating words is one thing, yet translating them into action is quite another."
"Nagas as one or partially divided, want to live as a free people. They want to determine their own future, they want to govern themselves. Though this is something which quite known to the Government of India it does not honor this strong desire of the Naga People but instead put Nagas in a prison, the prison of military confinement," it added. (Page News Service)
Indo-Naga talks at risk: NISC
We never supported peace talk: Tikhak Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, (NPN): GPRN/NSCN spokesperson, P. Tikhak has said that any agreement that might be arrived at between the NSCN (I-M) and the government of India would “always be limited” to the problems between those two entities involved and not Nagas as a whole.
He also said that the Covenant of Reconciliation was signed at the highest level for peace and unity among the Nagas and “obviously not to pave the way for the deadlocked, so called peace process.” Tikhak said reconciliation and the “so called peace process” were totally two different issues and cautioned the NSCN (I-M) against diluting them. “We never supported the peace talk nor will we ever support it,” he said.
Citing several instances of killing in Phek, Wokha, Dimapur and Tirap by the NSCN (I-M) violating the Covenant of Reconciliation, GPRN/NSCN spokesperson, P. Tikhak said that the NSCN (I-M) must discipline themselves first, to fit in the reconciliation process rather than pointing fingers.
He hit out at the NSCN (I-M) for involving in such offensive activities when reconciliation was moving towards the right direction. “Is this not a violation of the Covenant of Reconciliation?” Tikhak questioned.
The GPRN/NSCN spokesperson said the Forum for Naga Reconciliation was a competent body mandated by Naga people to ask why heavily armed “Muivah’s gang” led by ‘Brig.’ Absolom Tangkhul alias Rockwang, came inside GPRN/NSCN base area in Eastern Nagaland. Tikhak questioned if such act was not with an intention to propagate terrorist activities. Stating that the Naga army was compelled to defend itself against forceful intrusion, Tikhak informed that in the aftermath of the clash four days ago, several dead bodies of NSCN (I-M) were recovered along with arms and ammunition from the jungle. “Their precious lives on earth were cut short because their leaders continue to demand precious Naga blood. Proper burial was given to all of them,” the GPRN/NSCN spokesperson said.
Tikhak said it was not worthwhile to stretch on the interaction on reconciliation if the people approached were a confused lot and not prepared to reconcile in true spirit. He questioned the utility of holding reconciliation meetings if the resolutions adopted could not be abided.
He told the Nagas to understand that it would be the “deliberate creation” of NSCN (I-M) if the situation in Eastern Nagaland escalated any further. Tikhak reminded of the agreed resolution which clearly spelt that Naga political groups would not pursue territorial expansion. “Do Mr. Muivah remember 18th September 2010 Summit at Dimapur? What is happening in eastern Nagaland is a unilateral abrogation of the Covenant of Reconciliation by NSCN (I-M),” he said.
The GPRN/NSCN spokesperson said that the NSCN (I-M) armed to the teeth and venturing into the base area of the GPRN/NSCN confirmed that reconciliation was a closed chapter for them (NSCN-IM).
He said reconciliation must come from the heart and be pure and clean. He also said reconciliation among different parties cannot happen by holding guns in hand or by considering himself or herself superior than the other.
Tikhak recalled the killing of hundreds of unarmed Naga civilian by Muivah in Lainong and Khiamnungan areas of Eastern Nagaland for no fault of theirs. “It is only and only because of his (Muivah) ego and his wrong decision at a wrong time which led to so much of death and destruction to the Nagas,” Tikhak added.

Bang, bang! Angamis are celebrating harvest fest - Gunfire echoes through streets of Kohima to mark beginning of seven-day Sekrenyi show OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph


Angami men with guns during the celebration at Kohima on Friday. Telegraph picture
Kohima, Gunfire echoed through the streets of Kohima today, marking the beginning of the Angami harvest festival — Sekrenyi.
The festival, which started today at a public ground in the heart of the town, marked the beginning of the harvest season of the Angamis. Thousands of Angamis in traditional attire congregated at the ground to celebrate the festival, organised by the Angami Public Organisations and supported by the state government.
Sources said Nagaland government had contributed Rs 15 lakh for the celebrations.
The significance of the celebrations this year was a call for the conservation of nature, taking serious note of the current destruction of forests and wildlife in Nagaland.
The Nagaland minister for forest, wildlife and ecology, M.C. Konyak, who was the chief guest in the celebration, called for the preservation of flora and fauna, and lauded the efforts of various Angami organisations towards preserving forests and wildlife. “I must appreciate our Angami brothers and sisters who have taken up the noble task of preserving nature,” the minister said.
He underscored the need for all Naga tribes to work for preservation of flora and fauna in the state and assured all possible help to the people and organisations in their fight against destruction of flora and fauna in Nagaland.
Konyak also called for preservation of the rich culture and tradition of the Nagas, which have, over the ages, faded into the background, and added that without it the identity of the Naga people would fade away.
He also appealed for peace and unity among Naga people and urged the Angamis to lead other Naga tribes in forging unity among the tribes.
The minister also lauded the efforts of the chief minister Neiphiu Rio in ushering in peace in Nagaland.
Chatuo Paphino, president of the Southern Angami Goanbura Association, invoked Sekrenyi blessings for the Angamis, while adviser to Angami Public Organisations, Mhiesizokho Zinyu, chaired the programme.
An exhibition of indigenous games and cultural traditions also marked the celebrations, which was followed by a community feast.
Chief minister Neiphiu Rio, his cabinet colleagues, parliamentary secretaries, MLAs and top government officials also attended the celebration.
Dozens of foreign and domestic tourists were also seen celebrating with the Angamis.
The festival would be followed by a series of rituals and ceremonies, stretched over a week.
The first day begins with all men going to the village well to take a bath. The well is then cleaned and guarded till the men take baths again next morning. Women are not allowed to touch the water.
From the fourth day of the festival, a three-day session of singing and feasting begins, followed by hunting on the seventh day.
All agricultural activities are avoided during the celebrations and people return to the fields only after the festivities end.
The Thekra Hie is the best part of the festival, where the young people of the village sit together and sing traditional songs throughout the day. Jugs of rice beer and plates of meat are placed before the participants.
On the seventh day, the young men go for hunting. The most important ceremony is on the eighth day, when the bridge-pulling or gate-pulling is performed, and inter-village visits are exchanged.
Until the close of the festival, no one goes to the fields and all the field work cease during this season of feasting and songs.
The young unmarried girls with closely shaven heads sit down with the bronzed youth and sing tunes of past ages, recreating past where no care touched the human soul.