09/21/2011: "NSCN/GPRN condemns ‘senseless’ Kohima firing morungexpress"

NSCN/GPRN condemns ‘senseless’ Kohima firing morungexpress

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 20 (MExN): The Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim in a press note issued by the MIP has condemned that shooting incident that took place at Kohima between the unidentified armed personnel and Assam Rifles and terming this as “not only regrettable but condemnatory in any sense of the term”. “This kind of bloody incident is not expected to happen when the ceasefire is in place. Moreover, such firing should not have taken place in public place where the innocent bye-standers falls easy targets”, stated a press note from the MIP.
The NSCN/GPRN stated that such “senseless armed persons who provoked counter-firing by the AR personnel resulting to the death of one person and injuring innocent college student, including two AR personnel should be condemned by all keeping in view the significance of the existing ceasefire and the progress seen in the reconciliation process among different warring groups and the Indo-Naga political talks as well”.
The MIP note stated that prevailing peace must be “valued and maintained at any cost given the fact that this is brought about by the sincere and tired less efforts of the Nagas under the banner of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and the honor being given to the ceasefire for nearly fifteen years”. “Whoever is conspiring to dampen this progressive atmosphere is against Naga political solution and they are no better than anti-Naga social elements who must face the wrath of the people”, the MIP stated.

Government of the People's Republic of Nagalim
Ministry of Information and Publicity

Press Release
21st Sept.2011

The fact that bomb blast took place again in Imphal on 14th Sept.indicates the increasing menace of social miscreants and the security department taken unaware.But what is most unfortunate is tendency of the state government to point towards National Socialist Council of Nagalim as the culprits.But given the antagonistic attitude of the state government againdt the Nagas this is not surprising.It is however a matter of pitifulness for government that NSCN should always be targeted without any concrete evidence.

It is also a matter of shame that some media papers are playing destructive role in magnifying the bomb issue of Royal Hotel by linking NSCN.This is quite unbecoming of such papers who sacrificed media ethics to go against NSCN.This is no journalism as demanded by the situation.It is the duty of the media to do its own investigation and prove anybody wrong.But simply to be carried away by the antagonistic propaganda emanating from the state government against NSCN is something that should not be repeated in future.The media should not help create confusion but help unearth the truth by acting in a more responsible manner It is better to win respect than to be looked at with suspect for coming short of people's expectation.

Issued by
MIP/GPRN
12 join GPRN/NSCN (NPN)

Twelve NSCN (K) members including G. Sema, Tatar and UT-I chairman joined the GPRN/NSCN. According to them, there was no communication between S.S Khaplang and those propagating his name at Mon and Suruhuto Camp, MIP GPRN/NSCN in a statement said.

Joining GPRN/NSCN was the only way for them to serve the Naga nation since depending on S.S Khaplang to bring political solution would be utterly foolish, MIP stated. MIP further said “bankruptcy of thoughts and ideas, lack of co-ordination even in Nagaland among irreconcilable individuals such as Kughalu Mulatonu, Wangtin Naga, Gen. Niki and Hokato Vusshe etc. have made each of these men suspicious of another.” It said G. Sema and others had joined the group on their own volition since serving under “disorganised and leaderless K group was simply a torturous existence”.

MIP said while the rest of the Nagas were deeply engrossed in the Naga reconciliation process, the disgruntled K group was inventing negative ideas to confuse Nagas. MIP said the only serious topic each day was taxation through whatever means and accused NSCN (K) of extortion, kidnapping and use of other violent methods on regular basis. The K group has no genuine feeling to consider Naga reconciliation and that Naga political issue was non-existent, MIP stated.

Give us space to grow as free people: ENPO Lipichem Morung

Joint Secretary ENPO Manlep Konyak addressing the gathering during the mass public rally of Eastern Naga People Organisation on demand of Frontier Nagaland at the police point Kiphire on September 20. (Morung Photo)

Kiphire | September 20 : Except offices under essential services and maintenance act, business establishment were all shut down at Kiphire to join the second phase of the mass public rally of Eastern Naga People Organisation (ENPO) on demand of Frontier Nagaland today at the police point Kiphire.
Addressing more than 4000 crowd, Joint Secretary ENPO Manlep Konyak said, we are gathering here today not against state government or group or faction or organisation but we are here to search for what is ours, our birth right and also added, state government has also acknowledged our problem and has recommended for autonomous, however, that will not solve the problem what we want is full-fledged state he added.
He also said, “State government recommended for autonomous council for the Eastern Naga is against the wishes of the Eastern people as it is far below the status of the Tuensang Regional Council and we ENPO firmly denounce and outrageously rejected it.”
Touching on history of the Eastern Nagas the Joint Secretary said, neither Burma nor India nor British ruled us we were free people what we want today is asking a room for us to grow as free people so that we develop ourselves’.
Quoting the scripture he also said, ‘if a son ask bread will his father give him a stone, and if he ask a fish will he give him a snake and expressed hope that the State and central government will extend help for ENPO cause so that the long cherished dream of the ENPO will be achieved.
Vice President ENSF Likhumse who also addressed the gathering said, ‘the demand for separate statehood is based on constitutional and historical right of the Eastern Nagas and added, the people of eastern Nagas were deprived, suppressed and denied for the last 50 years socially, economically, developmentally and educationally so the culmination of all this made the people of the Eastern Nagas to demand for separate statehood.
Citing example of employment status of the Eastern Nagas in the state the vice president said, only 5% of the ENPO people from 6 tribes are employed which is far below the employment of single tribe.
He also asked the gathering not to be carried away by the views and opinion that is being poured in from various angles to sabotage the public movement for separate statehood but to stand firm and united’.
Thsesong President Yimchunger Tribal Council, President AST, Hd Gb Kiphire and others who spoke on the rally echoed the same voice to demand for separate statehood and affirm fullest co-operation.
The gathering latter marched to the deputy commissioner’s office and hand over the public representation opposing Autonomous council by the state government.
Nagaland aiming to reach out to bigger markets through handloom sector ANI
Dimapur ,(ANI): The Government of Nagaland continues to host exhibitions to enable artisans and crafts persons to target a bigger market.
Recently, a handloom expo was held in Dimapur to promote the state's rural weavers.
The Development Commissioner of Handlooms, Dimapur and Union Ministry of Textiles jointly organized the handloom expo.
Over 40 stalls were set up that showcased different handicraft items.
Visitors, who thronged the venue to buy a variety of products, appreciated the work of the local artisans.
"We don't have our own shop. So whenever there is an expo it provides us a platform where we can sell our products and we feel very happy," said Hokali, a participant
Kavili, who makes handicraft items, clothes and artificial jewellery, said: "The handloom expo is very good for us. Even though our products are good but we don't know how to sell them in the open market. I am happy that the handloom expo has been organized because through it we can sell our products to a large number of customers."
Over two lakh families in the state depend on handloom and handicrafts for their livelihood. It is a significant contributor to the state's economy and the hand made products are sold both within and outside the country.
The state and central government realize the importance of the sector and have extended all possible help to the artisans and crafts persons in the region.
"It enables them to sell their products and at the same time they get to know more about the customer demands. When their products are sold they get to know what is the trend of the market and the ability of their products," said Hokiye Yeputhomi, Manager Director and Organizer.(ANI)

2nd ENPO rally for statehood

Correspondent, Mon/Tuensang/Kiphire/Longleng, Sep 20(NPN)
:
Published on 21 Sep. 2011 1:48 AM IST

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Expressing total solidarity and support with the demand of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation(ENPO) for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland state’, thousands of Konyaks, Changs, Sangtams, Phoms, Yimchungers and Khiamniungans from across the four districts-Mon, Tuensang,Longleng and Kiphire (including Seyochung)-held rallies on September 20 to send a message, that the resolution at the May 25,2007 at Tuensang for a separate state, was irrevocable.

In all the rallies, speakers expressed appreciation to the DAN government’s recommendation to the Centre for granting an ‘autonomous council’ to ENPO areas comprising of the four districts but reiterated that there would be no compromise on the issue of a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland state’.

MON: Several thousand people holding placards, some that read ‘Frontier Nagaland-Nothing More,Nothing Less’ and ‘No More Oppression and Suppression’ etc gathered at the local ground where vice president ENPO Chingmak Chang spoke.

He said the gap between eastern Nagas and the rest had widened even though eastern Nagaland areas were given special provision for ten(10)years after Nagaland became a state through merger of Naga Hills Tuensang Area with Naga Hills District.

Chingmak reasserted that ENPO demand for separate state was unanimously resolved on May 25,2007 at Tuensang and memorandum to the effect submitted to the state Governor on December 6,2010.The ENPO vice president also maintained that demand for a separate state was not against any political party nor groups nor individuals but a “democratic and fundamental demand for all round justice, progress and peace for Eastern Nagas.”

President of the Konyak Union (KU) Khoiwang Wangsha in his speech, warned that the KU will not cooperate with anyone- be it politician, bureaucrat or NGOs-if they opposed or attempt to take advantage of the demand for a separate state.

He spoke of the disparity in employment where out of a population of 1,20,000 only 2300 Konyaks were employed in the government service. He also expressed resentment that despite Eastern Nagaland areas lagging behind in many fields such as education, many teachers along with posts were transferred out of Eastern Nagaland to other districts. He also resented poor transport and communication which compelled people of ENPO region, to be solely dependent upon Assam. After the rally, a memorandum was submitted to DC Mon on the ENPO demand.

TUENSANG: Addressing a mammoth gathering at the local parade ground here,ENPO president Mangko Phom described the demand for statehood (‘Frontier Nagaland’) as “ a people’s demand” so as to provide opportunity to the future generation for a better and prosperous life.

He also reaffirmed ENPO’s resolve to strive forward with determination till the demand was achieved. ENPO general secretary Toshi Wungtung read out the vote of affirmation. He urged Eastern Nagas to unite and cooperate even as ENPO was pursuing the goal of statehood. He also said demand for ‘Frontier Nagaland’ was not against any political party or organization but as manifestation of the people’s desire for development.

LONGLENG: In Longleng, vice president ENPO Sashi Naga asserted that the second ENPO rally throughout Eastern Nagaland was a rejection of the recommendation for autonomous district and reaffirmation for a separate statehood. He asserted there would be no compromise with the demand for a separate state (‘Frontier Nagaland’). He said the demand was based on historical and fundamental rights of the people of the four districts. He said the four districts-Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire–were under Naga Hills Tuensang Area under NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh).

After the meeting, the rally marched to DC’s office where a memorandum was submitted to the ADC Longleng in presence of public.
Earlier president of Phom People’s Council welcomed all delegates and prominent public leaders of the district including ENSF office bearers.

KIPHIRE: Over four thousand people expressed full support and solidarity at the second ENPO rally held here in support of demand for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland state’. ENPO joint secretary Manlep reiterated that people of eastern Nagaland were only demanding their birthright which should not be misconstrued as being against the state government, or any group or organization.

He said the DAN government recommended Autonomous District Council(ADC) for ENPO areas was not only against the wishes of the eastern Nagas but that the ADC was below the status of the erstwhile Tuensang Regional Council(TRC). Manlep denounced and rejected outright the recommendation for ADC.

He said eastern Nagas were neither under Burma nor the British nor India but were free and that what ENPO is demanding was “room to develop ourselves freely”.
Vice President ENSF, Likhumse Sangtam, who also spoke, asserted that the demand for statehood was based on constitutional and historical rights of eastern Nagas, who were suppressed and deprived for the past fifty years socially, economically,developmentally and educationally.

He cited employment statistics to highlight that only 6% eastern Nagas from the six tribes were employed in the government.Further, he urged the gathering against being influenced by views that were opposed to the statehood demand but remain firm.

SEYOCHUNG: At Seyochung SDO headquarters,the second EPNO rally was attended by over 1000 people at the public ground.Seyochung Area Students Union(SASU) president Horiba Sangtam apprised the gathering on ENPO demand whiles speeches were also delivered by various public leaders including office bearers of SASU.

A Miracle Out of the Blues Khrietuonyü Noudi morungexpress

By the time a Naga student is in high school, he will be well acquainted with the facts that Nagaland became a full-fledged state of the Indian Union in 1963 and that Mr. P. Shilu Ao became the first Chief Minister of Nagaland. We are all aware of the facts that Nagaland became the 16th state of the Indian Union in 1963 and that, ever since then, elections have been held in our state to elect our representatives to the state legislative assembly of Nagaland.
These facts and events are now a part and parcel of our history and there is nothing wrong in knowing these things. In fact, our school going children need to be well aware of these important chapters in our history. However, in knowing and studying about these facts and events, we often tend to ignore, neglect and totally forget the extraordinary circumstances under which Nagaland became the 16th state of the Indian union. Along with the above mentioned facts and events, I sincerely believe that we need to be well aware and acquainted with the extraordinary circumstances under which our state was born. But sadly enough, our high school textbooks do not contain much information about the turmoil and plight experienced by the Nagas between the time India got its independence in 1947 and the birth of the state of Nagaland in 1963. The result being that our high school children often fail to realize the extraordinary and unique circumstances under which the state of Nagaland came into existence.
The state of Nagaland was created through the 16th Point Agreement signed between the Nehru government and the NPC (Naga People’s Convention). This 16th Point Agreement had been earlier drafted by some of the Naga leaders with the intention to find a compromise to the ongoing political turmoil in the Naga hills.
The Nagas had declared their independence on 14th August 1947 and they were all out and adamant in their aspirations not to be a part of the new independent India. It was this stand of the Nagas that compelled the Nehru government to deploy large numbers of paramilitary forces in the Naga hills as Nehru was not at all willing to acknowledge the genuine political aspirations of the Naga people. And the Indian army resorted to brutal use of violence to subjugate the Nagas leading to untold miseries and plight of the Nagas. Thousands and thousands of Nagas were about to perish, Naga women were no longer feeling safe and secure even in their own kitchens and courtyards and army outposts were being set up at the outskirts of almost all the Naga villages.
It was these difficult times that compelled some of the Naga leaders (calling themselves members of the Naga People’s Convention) to draft the 16th Point Agreement and present it to the Indian government for acceptance and necessary action thereof. The Indian government also had been looking for an opportunity to weaken the Naga national movement by resorting to the policy of divide and rule and this 16th Point Agreement drafted by the NPC provided the ample opportunity to the Nehru government to do so.
Moreover, the Naga separatist leader AZ Phizo had already reached London in June 1960 and therefore Nehru realized that an international organization or a powerful nation becoming involved or interested in the Indo-Naga conflict cannot be ruled out. Therefore, Nehru needed to be ready with a situation to project to the world that the Nagas had willingly agreed to be a part of the Indian union. Once again the 16th Point Agreement drafted by the NPC came to the rescue of the Nehru government to do so. Thus, Nagaland became the 16th full-fledged state of the Indian union.
Many people today feel and say that these leaders of the NPC saved the Naga nation and people by drafting and signing the 16th Point Agreement thereby bringing about the birth of the Indian state of Nagaland. These people feel that the NPC leaders did a commendable job by drafting and presenting this Agreement to the Indian government. However, I sincerely believe that if it were not for the prevailing situation in the Naga hills created by our demand for an independent and sovereign Nagaland, the Indian government would have never agreed to this agreement drafted by the NPC. Therefore, even if a person is grateful for the creation of this state of Nagaland in 1961, the real credit here should go to those Naga leaders and people who demanded and fought for the restoration of Naga independence and sovereignty and not to the NPC leaders. This is so because if it were not for the stand taken and the voice raised by leaders like Phizo, the Indian government led by Nehru would have never agreed to these points of agreement presented to them by the NPC. In other words, the Nehru government was not at all willing to let the Nagas live as an independent and sovereign nation. But any other political arrangement was to be acceptable to the Nehru government as long as the Nagas would be left within India’s armpit. And this was the situation that was manipulated and exploited to the utmost by the NPC leaders.
The fact that Nagaland became the 16th full-fledged state of the Indian Union in 1963 is something too good to be true. At that time, the Naga population is believed to be not more than 400,000 whereas the population of the other states of India in existence at that time ran into millions. Moreover, the question of comparing the new state of Nagaland to the other then existing states also certainly does not arise because, in terms of both of size and population, the newly created state of Nagaland was much smaller to even the districts of the other states in existence at that time.
I am also certain that when Nagaland was created as a full-fledged state of the Indian Union in the early 1960s, many Nagas would not have known and realized what this full fledged statehood status within the Indian union would mean and imply for them. I am also certain that many politically alert Indians living in mainland India must have wondered what their own government was trying to do up there in the Naga hills. This is so because the manner in which India came to occupy the Naga hills and subjugate the Nagas was a clear case of naked aggression and nothing else. The creation of Nagaland as the 16th state of the India union under these circumstances clearly establishes the fact that the case of the Nagas was very different and totally unique from any other situation India might have been facing at that time. It also establishes that fact that the Nehru government was well aware of the genuineness of the Naga national movement and that this 16th state of the Indian Union was certainly created not only to placate and appease the Nagas but also to divide them and to create the impression to the outside world that the Nagas had willingly conceded to be a part of India.
Especially for those people who are grateful for this statehood status which we enjoy within the Indian union, I would like to mention that the birth of Nagaland as the 16th state of the Indian union in 1963 has further divided our people and brought about many complications which should not have arisen in the first place. The area presently covered by the state boundary of Nagaland is only about 16,579 sq. km whereas we all have come to know that the real Nagaland should be much bigger than this. In fact it is said that the total area inhabited by the Nagas between the borders of India and Burma should be not less than 100,000 sq. km. If this is so, than the present area covered by our state is not even one-fifth of the total area inhabited by the Nagas in this region of South-East Asia.
So, whom shall we blame for this distortion of our land area and boundary? Of course, I certainly cannot rule out the involvement of the Nehru government in this. I think the Nehru government knowingly did this. And what about the NPC leaders who drafted the 16th Point Agreement and brought about the birth of our state? Did they say anything about the boundary of the new state that was about to be created or did they just leave the matter to the discretion of the Indian government? I sincerely feel that if the NPC leaders had at least taken the initiative to ensure that the new state of Nagaland cover all the lands of the Nagas, than we would not have been facing many of the problems which we are facing today. In fact, this failure on the part of the NPC leaders to ensure that the new state of Nagaland cover all the lands inhabited by the Nagas has far undone the benefits and developments that the creation of this state of Nagaland has brought for us. Considering the kind of situation faced by the Indian government with regard to the Naga issue at that time, I believe that the Nehru government might have even created a state of Nagaland covering all the lands of the Nagas if the NPC Leaders had dared to be very particular and careful enough with regard to the boundary of the Nagaland state that was about to be created.
Therefore, the full-fledged statehood status which we enjoy within the Indian union today might have brought about many benefits and developments for us and it was nothing short of a miracle that we became a full-fledged state within the Indian union as early as 1963. But let us also not forget that this has come at great price and sacrifice……

Promoting peace through discourse morungexpress Morungexpress
Geoffrey Yaden, Editor, Nagaland Post speaks at a programme commemorating the International Peace Day on Wednesday, September 21. (Morung Photo)

Dimapur, September 21 (MExN): ‘An inclusive approach to peace building in Nagaland,’ a seminar commemorating the International Peace Day was organised by Peace Channel in Dimapur today. The day also marked the Foundation Day of the Peace Channel movement in Nagaland. Attended by associate members of Peace Channel and well wishers, the consultative meeting dwelt on the modalities of forming the People’s Forum for Peace apart from shared views and expressions on peace building in Nagaland.
Sharing his views on peace, Geoffrey Yaden, Editor, Nagaland Post said peace is a word we often come across yet there is no peace. He opined that there can be no peace if there is no security as it disturbs the people. He said that in an undisciplined society there can be no peace, and the lessons of discipline must begin at home. In the Naga context, Yaden said there is no war so there is peace, yet somehow we do not feel the sense of peace. “Peace is not merely the absence of war,” he said, adding the Naga society is devoid of peace because it is focused dependent too much on the State to bring peace. “It is the duty of the State to take care of its citizens, yet we need to focus on building ourselves first,” he said.
International Peace Day 2011 observed
Reverend Father Chako, Parish Priest, Holy Cross Church also shared his views on peace in context to Nagaland. He said the prevailing conditions in the State definitely indicate the absence of peace. He pointed out that the conflict situation in the region itself has created a number of reasons for peace to be absent. He cited examples of women in conflict situation who are subject to hardships including the crimes committed against them. He said that the social setup itself is not conducive for the growth of peace in Nagaland. He also pointed out that the biggest threat of violence in future for Nagas is the culture of keeping servants and abusing them. Also the number of frustrated youths with unrealistic expectations will lead to bad social conditions. “We need to analyze the social setup and work out new methodologies,” he said.
Other members also expressed views on peace and peace in context to Naga society during the group interaction and deliberation. The meeting was chaired by Kishor Das, PRO Peace Channel and the welcome address was made by Father CP Anto, Director Peace Channel. Peace Channel is a youth peace movement aimed at transforming individuals as peace lovers, peace makers and peace promoters. It comes forward to create transformation beyond borders, caste, creed, class, religion or region.
Nagaland CM meets Myanmarese ambassador in New Delhi (PTI)
Kohima, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today met Myanmarese ambassador to India U Zin Yaw at Myanmar embassy in New Delhi to discuss the development activities in Naga inhabited areas of the neighbouring country.

Official sources here said Rio, accompanied by state planning minister T R Zeliang, discussed with the diplomat the issues relating to development activities and promotion of friendly relationship among the people who have been residing on either side of the international border.

The Chief Minister referred to the large number of Nagas living in Myanmar and apprised him of their problems and development needs.

He conveyed that the people of Nagaland were happy that Myanmar government had recognised the Nagas and given them representation in that country''s new political and democratic discourse.

The ambassador said he would be taking over as the chairman of the ambassadors of ASEAN countries to India and they plan to visit Nagaland towards the end of the year.

Rio said he would be looking forward to meet him and the other ASEAN representatives in Nagaland, sources said. PTI AP AMD

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09/21/2011: "NSCN/GPRN condemns ‘senseless’ Kohima firing morungexpress"