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09/03/2011: "UNFC Forms Peace Group for Govt. Talks Irrawaddy By LAWI WENG"

UNFC Forms Peace Group for Govt. Talks Irrawaddy By LAWI WENG

Soldiers of the SSA-South take part in a military drill at their base near the Thai-Burmese border. (Photo: Reuters)
Leaders of an umbrella organization of ethnic parties, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), formed a peace talk group last week in preparation for future negotiations with the Burmese government.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, UNFC secretary Nai Hang Tha said, “There are eight representatives within the group which includes Mon, Shan, Karenni, Chin, Arakanese, Karen, Kachin and Pa-O people.
Nai Hang Tha explained that he will head the group with Colonel Lapai Hla, from the Kachin Independent Army (KIA), acting as deputy.
“We are prepared to talk about equal rights for ethnic people in the country. We will also talk about reforming the new constitution so that a genuine federal union will exist [in Burma],” he said.
“We will ask [the government] to stop their military offensives launched in ethnic areas and announce a nationwide ceasefire. If possible, we will ask them to have tripartite dialogue,” he added.
Leaders of the UNFC said that they want to hold peace talks with the government on the Burmese border or at a location within a neighboring country.
“It is best to talk within neighboring countries if those nations allow us to do so,” said Nai Hang Tha. Or we can talk at the border where there is security for us, like Kachin people have done in the past as they control their area.”
UNFC leaders decided to invite neutral persons who are well respected in the country—including pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi—to witness talks, and aim to sign an agreement on paper as evidence of their commitment.
The leaders do not want the government to offer peace talks on a group-by-group basis, as they do not believe this can solve problems in the country.
State-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported on Aug. 18 that the government offered an “olive branch” to the armed groups, encouraging them to contact their respective state or division authorities as a first step toward meeting with a union government delegation.
“The government should not divide groups to have peace talks individually because our country's problems are not down to only one group. They need to talk with the UNFC as we represent all the ethnic groups,” said Nai Hang Tha.
The UNFC was formed in February at a meeting in northern Thailand attended by a dozen ethnic groups. These included the Kachin Independence Organization, Karen National Union, Karenni National Progressive Party, Chin National Front, New Mon State Party, Shan State Progress Party, Pa-O National Liberation Organization, Palaung State Liberation Front, Arakan National Council, Lahu Democratic Union, Wa National Organization and Kachin National Organization.
NAGALIM FOR CHRIST
Council of Nagalim Churches

Greeting in Jesus most blessed name from CNC Office to all the denominations, Executive Secretaries /Directors, Pastors, Catechist, prayer Cells and all the believers in Nagalim.
I on behalf of the CNC Office I would like to thank all for your prayer support in the past. It is through your prayers that the talks are in progress on the right direction. In the past there might have been so many excesses in the work done by our national workers which might have displeased the public as well as individuals. I hereby tender my apologies and beg your pardon for our past mistakes.
Today the CNC would like to humbly request for your continual prayer support.
Let’s look back at the life of the Israelites in Ezekiel 37:15-28. Where God instructed Ezekiel to take one wooden stick and to write on it the words “The kingdom of Judah” and to take another stick and write on it the words, “The Kingdom of Israel”. He was told to hold the two sticks together so that they might look like one stick. In the hand of God the two kingdoms became one kingdom.
In the same way God wants the Naga people to be united around Him.
Therefore, the CNC humbly request you all to kindly pray and fast for our Naga Nation on this coming Sunday 4th September, 2011. The timing of the Council headquarters Hebron is 8:00 – 12:00 noon.
Prayer points:
Sins of the Nagas.
Naga Reconciliation and Unity.
1. Indian authorities.
2. Collective Leadership.
3. Naga public Leaders and Church Leaders.
4. Early political solution.
The Collective Leadership has directed that the Steering Committee Members, all the Council of Kilonsers, Tatars and Secretariat staff s should come to the Council Headquarter Church Hebron for fasting and prayer.
All brigades/battalions/Units or regional offices are requested to conduct fasting and prayer in their respective places.

P.S VAISON VEMAI
VIC Never be a party to sell out Nagaland
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W. Shapwon

The Eastern Naga people (Free Nagas) firmly stand to defend the sovereignty of Ngaland since Naga leader A.Z. Phizo awakens them to stand to safeguard the sovereignty of Nagaland. And at no time they deterred from the national stand even the Nagaland faced up and down situations. Even Th. Muivah and Isak Swu contemplated to talk with Indian Government on the basis of Suisa’s proposal, the Eastern Nagas never waved from their stand and consequently the two leaders were driven out from the Eastern Nagaland.
However these two leaders did not give up their intention to talk with the Indian Government in the interest of the so-called confederation with India (that is Suisa’s proposal) and have been trying to convince Western Naga people to support their talk. And lastly the renegade leaders gathered together at Niathu resorts near Dimapur, Nagaland from 20th to 25th August, 2011 and signed an agreement under the aegis of the so-called Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in order to strengthen and broaden the so-called peace process of Isak-Muivah; that is the talk on the basis of Suisa’s proposal. This is nothing but a conspiracy to sell out Nagaland. The word of our leader A.Z. Phizo is true and will be true forever; that is; “To give away Nagaland to please India is not the solution”.
The Eastern Naga people had rejected the wrong political motive of Isak and Muivah and will continue to do so in the interest of brighter future of Nagaland. We will uphold steadfastly the statement of the true sons and daughters of Nagaland dated 21st November 1975. Which reads as follow:
1. The sovereignty existence of Nagaland and sovereign right of the Naga people over their land are historically unquestionable facts and that the question of negotiation on India’s favour does not arise whatsoever. Therefore, whatever may the circumstances the people of Nagaland by no means be a party to any settlement that may entail the loss of their sovereign existence.
2. Therefore, any talk, or any negotiations tending to be ‘within Indian Union’ are unequivocally the works of hidden traitors, and traitors in no way represent the people.
3. No one in whatever name or capacity has the authority to settle the Indo-Naga conflict ‘within Indian Union’.
4. The Naga people love peace, but they cannot afford their land to be occupied by military force of the aggressors. And that how long the invading forces would be there, that long the Nagas are bound to fight.
5. Nagas have to resist any covert or overt act of subjugating them and annexing their land. Consistent imposition of any wrong world on them by the aggressors will be firmly resisted, for the Nagas have the right to own their own land.
6. Upholding the national stand and the declared policy of the FGN, we pledge a new to fight against invasion of any kind to the end.

W. Shapwon,
Joint Secy. NNC,
On behalf of the Eastern Naga people, Nagaland.
E PRESIDENT
COUNCIL OF NAGALIM CHURCHES

The hidden war at Assam Nagaland border – India against itself Times of Assam

By- Pranjit Sarmah| Date- August 31, 2011
During the last two weeks, when all newspapers chose to cover only the Anna Hazare movement, some ignored headlines placed at the corners of the front and middle pages were “More than 9 lakhs people in Assam affected by flood”, “A women with her two children drowned in flood in front of rescue workers at Dhemaji,”, “Assam Chief Minister declared to hand over disputed lands near border to Bangladesh”, “Naga insurgents are building bunkers around Assam-Nagaland border”, etc. Apart from these, other issues ignored during the period were the Mega Dam at Subansiri River and other hydroelectric projects, Brahmaputra river diversion project of China which might not only effect Assam and North-East but our neighboring country Bangladesh.
Each of these needs high attention, but there is one that has baffled the concept of a sovereign nation, – the ongoing conflicts at Merapani, Assam- Nagaland border. It has to be agreed that Merapani has been a long disputed territory since decades. In fact one could hardly forget the incident in June 1985, when over 100 people had died in firing between Assam and Nagaland police at this place. Across the decade, this place has been a hotbed of conflict .The recent developments suggest a more dangerous picture.
It is really astonishing as to how inside a sovereign country like India, NSCN rebels could build bunkers near the Assam-Nagaland border of Merapani, Golaghat District, – that too, with an intention to forcefully occupy lands of Assam, another state of India. It is obvious that this is being done under knowledge and consent of the Nagaland government and in front of the administration of Assam government.
• Few months ago a similar situation had arose in the border of two states which went into riot like situation with many houses of people being burnt. Negotiations between both Governments took place and it was agreed to bring back the peace. The government of Assam removed its battalion from the border, however the Nagaland government did not do so and instead is reported to have started working to convert it to one bigger battle ground by creating bunker in borders, bringing food and logistic by some secrete paths. Now people of that area are living under fear with lots of threat and few are leaving those villages. Businessmen from Assam are not even allowed to enter to those areas.
• Whether it is due to laziness and lack of willingness of the central government to solve the insurgency problem of North-East or the stubbornness of NSCN itself, the negotiation process between Central government and NSCN which started more than a decade ago has still failed to come to one definite conclusion. The demand of Greater Nagalim of NSCN includes parts of Assam and Manipur which is creating problem to both Manipur and Assam. The Naga revolutionists are collecting Taxes from employee, businessmen of Assam-Nagaland border area for many years now, all actively in front of administration. It is really strange that at one hand the centre has adopted draconian laws like AFSPA to tame militancy, while to the NSCN the same centre give a blind eye and remain silent on their growing menace threatening other states.
• It is doubtful if any negotiation by Assam state government will play a good role in solving this issue as it is observed that Nagaland state government is actually dominated and run by a parallel government of Naga revolutionists. In this situation the interference of central government is very necessary. About other solution it is doubtful how far Assam police will be successful against the NSCN to protect the lands of Assam as NSCN is one of the biggest rebel groups of north east with huge volume of guerilla trained commandos and sophisticated weapons. At the same time it is also doubtful if the GoI will deploy its army to combat NSCN with which it is in the process of negotiation and many observations depict that the GoI is in a compromising position with them.
• As NSCN is under process of negotiation and under ceasefire, it is really questionable under which constitutional term they are repeatedly creating disturbance not only in Assam alone, but in Manipur too. It is questionable how they are collecting taxes from government employee, businessmen and small tea planters. Will the central government be able to come to one acceptable negotiation with NSCN is a question mark on the peace process of whole of north east.
• The delay in the negotiation process is creating doubts in many armed groups of the region who are either looking for or already in ceasefire with government. The question raised is if the government has any willingness of good and HONEST negotiation or it is just a tactics to bring them into negotiation table and then to keep delaying the process later. It could never be a good sign if government does not take step against one organization NSCN under ceasefire that is repeatedly violating law and order situations, creating disturbance and that too in front of the administration. It will create many other problems and may lead to some typical situation in this region near future.
There is no doubt that North-East is changing, a wave of will for development, better education, peaceful life are occupying the space of insurgency. Many armed groups organizations are coming to the table of negotiation too, which is a positive sign. At this stage if the GoI shows genuine willingness and activeness in the negotiation table with these organizations, deal with their demand with honesty; the insurgency problem may see an end here. At the same time government should work from here to find out the core reasons which lead to the formation of different arm-revolutionary organization and take necessary step such that in future no one will take up arm here.
Where is a will there is a way – it is not difficult to fathom the reasons, it is none but negligence for development, central government’s failure to understand and study the region of many tribes and ethnic group, the culture and life style of its people which had led to the decades of unrest and militancy. To bring peace to this region there must be a different approach and procedure, which fits with the land and life, culture, social value and life style of people of north east. If government would have considered one research and study about this region, its people’s life style, culture, social value, history, what they want, why they are not happy, what are their differences from mainland India’s people etc and if the government would have considered some changes in the process to role this region, there would not have been the need to adopt any draconian law like AFPSA which only widened the problem far deeper.
Thus the process of negotiation should be faster, with honesty and with good wiliness from government side. It is necessary to realize that the deals made during negotiation with one arm-revolutionary group do not leave any reason to create formation of one other group,- it will only further destroy the peace of the region. At the same time, the negotiation process also must have the level of honesty needed from governments side such that the failure of negotiation with one group do not discourage few other groups which might be looking to join in the table soon.
What Do Talks With Terrorists Mean With Violence On And Arms Still Held? By Anil Bhat kangla on line
Shortly after media reports about China trying to unite North East terrorist groups and the entry of one in Assam to launch attacks around Republic Day, terrorists struck in Imphal.
On August 01, 2011, five persons including two girl students were killed and many were injured as a powerful bomb exploded at about 1.40 pm in front of a grocery shop and a barber`s shop, opposite Sangakpham Keithel (bazaar).
The two girls studying in Class III together at Chingmeirong Primary School were returning home when the bomb exploded, flinging their bodies, one of which was found inside the grocery store and the other’s in the barber shop, where the barber and his son were also killed. Another man’s body was found in front of the shop. The impact of the blast was so powerful that it ripped and charred human flesh, pulverised some vehicles and reduced the place to scattered debris.
While there are reports of this being a failed attempt by National Socialist Council of Nagaland/Nagalim-Issac – Muivah group (NSCN-IM) at targeting members of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) who are housed in a nearby guest house complex, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram are reported to have endorsed the same.
A press note from the state Home Department said, “Government of Manipur has received concrete and convincing evidence which establishes the direct involvement of NSCN-IM in the series of recent violent incidents which left several innocent civilians dead and many seriously injured in various parts.” According to the Home Department one Anthony, son of Bonkulung of Sadu Koireng killed in this blast was an active NSCN-IM cadre.
Apparently, the explosion occurred moments after some vehicles of ADC members went past the blast site. The government stated that these acts of terror are quite clearly designed to thwart the democratic process taken up be the government of Manipur to introduce democratic decentralization by successfully conducting elections to the six district councils which had remained dormant for over two decades.
It may be recalled that last year the, it was on the this issue that All Manipur Naga Students Union had caused a blockade of National Highway 39, Manipur’s main artery, which had extended to three months by Thuingaleng Muivah timing his visit his home town in Manipur after almost forty years.
Almost all the schools located in the valley districts of Manipur staged protest demonstrations and rallies decrying the Sangakpham bomb attack. On Tidim Road, thousands of school students took out a joint protest rally.
One group which has been most vocal is the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), which, while listing a number of violent incidents allegedly involving the NSCN -IM, including the recent bomb blast, accused both the Central and State Governments of being soft towards this rebel group. Contending that inaction against the NSCN (IM), inspite of its involvement in various incidents of violence clearly suggests indirect support of both the Governments to the NSCN-IM, AMUCO president KT Rahman demanded that effective measures be initiated to curb activities of the outfit in Manipur. Speaking to media he is reported to have stated that as the ongoing ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM does not cover Manipur, not only should the illegal activities of the NSCN (IM) need to be dealt with according to law but also all that its camps in the State should be shut-down.
He further stated that the ongoing peace parleys between the NSCN (IM) and Govt of India have been reduced to a mockery as the NSCN-IM is still involved in acts of terrorism, highway extortion, destruction of public properties and intimidation. Mentioning the Sangakpham blast, killing of a couple in Lungphu village of Phungyar sub-division (Ukhrul) and slaying of security personnel of Phungyar AC MLA’s escort party as recent cases involving the terrorist group, he blamed the Govt of Manipur by recounting a particular incident when weapons seized by State security forces near Pallel were returned to the outfit along with its apprehended cadres.
Rahman, while asserting that terrorist attacks in Mumbai and Manipur should be measured by the same yardstick and grimly noting failure of the Home Minister to visit Manipur and assess the overall situation following the Sangakpham blast, commented that that such an attitude demonstrated the Govt of India’s step-motherly treatment to the people of Manipur.
Chronicling a number of attacks by NSCN-IM since at least April this year, the Home Department said that the state government is seriously considering taking up the matter with the Central government to revoke the ceasefire with NSCN-IM due to these continuous and open acts of terrorism being committed by it.
While violence by the number of Meitei terrorist groups in Manipur has been reported much since the arrest of United National Liberation Front’s boss-man, RK Meghen, many of its cadres earlier in Bangladesh and now in Burma/Myanmar are being rallied together by Chinese intelligence, there is no saying how and when they will strike again.
In Assam, as the pro talk faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)’s seven-member team of seasoned hit-men led by its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa submitted the charter of demands prepared by the Sanmilito Jatiya Abhivartan (SJA) under the leadership of noted intellectual Dr Hiren Gohain, to Ministry of Home Affairs, their anti-talks colleague Paresh Baruah is all set to keep Assam on the boil yet again.
ULFA’s bid to strike came to light when the Assam Rifles apprehended hardcore ULFA leader Rwittick Hazarika in Sonitpur district bordering Arunachal Pradesh recently. He confessed before police that a group of harcore ULFA cadres have come down to Assam to strike at the instance of Paresh Baruah. Hazarika ‘second lieutenant’ in the ULFA’s 27 battalion, was arrest was a day after the Union Home Ministry’s advisory to Assam to step up security in view of the ULFA’s martyrs’ day on July 27.
The seven-member ULFA team met Home Minister P Chidambaram in the presence of Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Home Secretary R K Singh and other senior officials and the as reported in media quoting a source, “The meetings will give fresh impetus to the peace process in Assam as the charter of demands will be the basis of dialogue with the ULFA.”.
Although the contents of the charter have not been disclosed, as earlier reported, the SJA charter demands Constitutional amendments to give Assam, and thereby its people greater control over their own future by strengthening the State`s power to control the revenues generated, the natural resources, and the planning process and ensure a secure demographic situation as well as accelerated and balanced development. Gohain had earlier said, “If the government of India and the ULFA honour the Charter in letter and spirit and do not undersell it, we may look forward to untroubled peace, true development, and vigorous growth of democracy in the region.” SJA noted that the present calm does not at all mean the return of peace.
One aspect of the charter about ensuring a secure demographic situation, ironically stands greatly compromised, thanks to the ULFA, who during the stay of its top honchos in Bangladesh for almost two decades had actually aided and speeded up the illegal migration from Bangladesh, contradicting the very basis of its rise following the bloody Assam agitation of 1983.
This writer’s book Assam Terrorism and the Demographic Challenge (Knowledge World and Centre for Land Warfare Studies) elaborates on how ULFA became an effective tool of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence organisation’s set-up (based in Bangladesh during Kheleda Zia’s tenure), pursuing its aim of inducting and settling illegal Bangladeshi migrants in various parts of Assam; of raising new madrassas and controlling old ones; trying to convert ethnic Assamese Muslims to fundamentalism; creating communal tension; circulating fake Indian currency; trafficking arms and narcotics; sabotaging installations and generally spreading terror.
Talks with terrorists are fine but must meaningfully lead to permanent eradication of violence by the group and must be undertaken after securing all its weapons and ammunition. In both the cases of NSCN-IM and ULFA that has not been done. Besides, both these groups have factions / leaders / members already guilty of anti-Indian activities and more expected, that too now with China’s support in addition to Pakistan military’s. Both these groups are also involved in supplying arms to Naxal-Maoists. In the case of talks with ULFA, if Anup Chetia is going to be handed over by Bangladesh as part of Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government’s goodwill, then the Centre may consider waiting till Paresh Baruah is caught-he must be caught, interrogated and disarmed- and then hold talks purposefully.
Last but certainly not least, what about ULFA leaders/cadres guilty of heinous crimes against innocent people? If merely their ‘apologies’ are to be accepted and they overnight turn in good ‘mainstream’ citizens, then we might as well free all murderers in death-rows.