[Previous entry: "Free political prisoners: Hoho - Naga apex body wants Shimray released OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"] [Next entry: "Top NSCN (K) militant killed in Nagaland From ANI"]

03/18/2011: "NSCN ‘shells’ Khaplang bases - Heavy fighting reported from villages in Myanmar OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"

NSCN ‘shells’ Khaplang bases - Heavy fighting reported from villages in Myanmar OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Kohima, March 17: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) continued to batter bases of the Khaplang group of the Government of People’s Republic of Nagaland/National Socialist Council of Nagaland (GPRN/NSCN) in Myanmar.
Reports reaching here said many people had been killed in the clashes between the NSCN (I-M) and the GPRN/NSCN, earlier known as NSCN (K), in Myanmar.
According to GPRN/NSCN sources, NSCN (I-M) fighters equipped with heavy guns battered their bases in Myanmar, claiming the lives of several innocent civilians.
On Tuesday, after exchange of heavy fire between the two groups, NSCN (I-M) fighters shelled Hashik-Noknu village with motors and rockets killing several villagers. Over 90 houses were reduced to ashes because of shelling. Villagers have fled for fear of further shelling, sources said.
Hundreds of NSCN (I-M) cadres in Myanmar were fighting the combined forces of GPRN/NSCN and militants from the Northeast who are holed up there.
The NSCN (I-M) claimed it was attacked by a combined force of Khaplang cadres and other outfits of the Northeast, with bases in Myanmar. It had to retaliate against the attack.
GPRN/NSCN leader Vitoshe Sumi said clashes took place after the rival group entered their territory. “They had entered our territory,” he told The Telegraph.
He, however, expressed optimism that clashes in Myanmar would not jeopardise the ongoing reconciliation process among the Naga factions. “Clashes in Myanmar should not sabotage the Naga reconciliation process,” he said.
Sumi said the fallout of the reconciliation process would cost the people of Nagaland dearly.
Asked whether Khaplang would come to Nagaland for the reconciliation meeting as demanded by the Naga people and the NSCN (I-M), Sumi said it would be difficult in the current situation. The rival group was on the offensive and security forces had been deployed along the Indo-Myanmar border because of the volatile situation. “We also have to discuss Khaplang’s safe passage with the Indian government,” he said. The GPRN/NSCN also said the rival group was taking advantage of the reconciliation process to re-enter Myanmar.
On Tuesday, the NSCN (I-M) overran the camp of the GPRN/NSCN near the Indo-Myanmar border in Phek district. It said it had every right to move around in “Nagalim” (Naga-inhabited areas). If Khaplang could shelter “anti-Naga outfits” in Myanmar, there was nothing wrong if the NSCN (I-M) entered Myanmar, it added.
The NSCN (I-M) accused Khaplang of sheltering anti-Naga outfits for financial benefits. Nagas in Myanmar had been subjected to torture beyond human dignity by rebel groups of the Northeast. The outfit said Khaplang had been collecting crores of rupees from Northeast militant groups in exchange for setting up bases in Myanmar.
When contacted, NSCN (I-M) leaders refused to comment on their visit to Myanmar but sources said hundreds of cadres were on their way to the China border to collect a shipment of arms and ammunition.
NSCN-K accuses IM of bloodshed Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 17 2011: NSCN/GPRN has accused NSCN-IM of firing a mortar shell and killing many civilians including women and children.

In a statement, spokesperson, president's office of NSCN/GPRN P Tikhak said that after a brief gun battle at Hashik-Noknu village in eastern Nagaland yesterday, armed cadres of NSCN-IM led by Isak and Muivah mercilessly fired a mortar shell on the villagers killing many civilians including women and children.

Of the total 120-130 houses in the village, nearly 80-90 houses have been completely gutted and reduced to ashes.

Even the granaries were not spared, Tikhak said, adding that 'it is unfortunate that the eastern Nagaland which was peaceful still recently is now boiling every minute with mortar shells, grenade launchers and bullets' .

Tikhak further said that the people are so shocked that they just cannot think what to do and what not to and their normal life has been brought to a halt and paralysed completely.

People are undergoing acute trauma with all hell breaking loose on them.

It is sad that after a gap of 23 years, Eastern Nagaland is witnessing such a highly volatile situation and there should be no doubt that IM has made use of the Reconciliation process to re-enter Eastern Nagaland, Tikhak alleged, adding that Isak and Muivah, whose hands are strained with the blood of innocent Nagas will definitely have to pay the price for the crimes they have committed.
FGN asks Naga groups to push for reconciliation Times of India
DIMAPUR: The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) on Wednesday appealed to all Naga national groups and patriots to take up the cause of reconciliation in the spirit of forgiveness, while encouraging the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to be resolute in its approach and wise in its dealings.

The kedallo' (president) of FGN and co-convenor of the joint working group, Zhopra Vero, said the ongoing Naga reconciliation process should be built upon the historical and political rights of the Naga people and free them from a past riddled with internal strife and disunity.

"Reconciliation is the best possible way for the Naga nation to understand and work for our aspirations," he said. Stating that it is the responsibility of every sincere and earnest Naga national group to see that this process bears fruits, Vero said, "If the reconciliation fails, the future of the Nagas will be doomed, because there will be bloodshed and further division."

In this great historical undertaking, each Naga national group must realize it is dependent on the other, he added. Affirming its pledge to the Naga reconciliation process and upholding its commitment to the Covenant of Reconciliation, the FGN said there is no other way to ensure the historical and political rights but through national reconciliation. "To prove our sincerity, the Federal Government of Nagaland apologises to the Naga people for all our mistakes and humbly seeks forgiveness from the people," Vero said.

The FGN also expressed concern over the violence breakout in eastern Nagaland and in Pochury Region, which it said has negated the spirit of the Covenant of Reconciliation and caused mistrust and suspicion.

It also requested the FNR to convene without delay the top leaders of the GPRN/NSCN, NSCN/GPRN and NNC/FGN. "This meeting must decide once and for all to end all violence among Naga brothers and take the reconciliation process to its final stage," the FGN said and appealed to all Nagas not to tire of supporting and praying for the success of the reconciliation process.
Made in Nagaland Elota Khape Morung
•-The ‘Myki’ range of products under the initiative of the Department of Women Development is truly world class. I saw the products, viz. Popped Rice, Dried Pineapple, and dried wild apple (I guess there are more items in the product line) at a super market the other day, and I was thoroughly impressed. The items in the product line will appeal to all age groups and all sorts of taste buds even outside of Nagaland, and the pricing is just right but best of all, the packaging is ‘truly international’.
I also bought another product of Nagaland, which is a part of my daily diet now, after learning about its benefits in the package – Lemon Grass Tea which is developed and marketed by Nagaland Bio-resources Mission (NBRM). This one also really impressed me by way of taste, packaging and price. The packaging is both informative and attractive.
And going through the information on NBRM on the internet, I learnt that you have come up with a book on “Plant resources of Nagaland”. I would be really grateful if any reader/or if anyone from the department is reading this, knows where I purchase get a copy. (My email address is mentioned below)
Even though we are still in the ‘bad roads –traffic jams -ST/BT reservations – women ‘un’-empowerment – tribalism’ stage of development, I, as a concerned citizen (though I must admit that I don’t do much except to observe and criticize), am happy that there are some departments which are manned by dedicated and professional and innovative people. And I am sure we’ll have more of developments soon.

Elota Khape
elotakhape@gmail.com