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10/01/2011: "Elements of tribalism exist even in Churches: Imchen(NPN)"

Elements of tribalism exist even in Churches: Imchen(NPN)

KOHIMA Nagaland home minister Imkong L. Imchen Friday expressed deep concern over tribalism amongst the Naga society and stressed on the need to collectively ponder over the issue in a serious way.

“The evil of tribalism is within the Naga society, which required to be eradicated,” said Imchen and regretted that instead of eradicating the evil of tribalism “we are developing even deeper” which he said was a serious matter.

“What is worse is that this element of tribalism also exists even in the church,” he remarked. Imchen was addressing the 32nd fresher’ social 2011 of Kohima Law College Students’ Union (KLCSU) held at the State Academy Hall here.

Further, making a remark on the legal practitioners, Imchen said lawyers were today very successful politicians, ministers, MLAs. He said it is important even for legislators to have the basic knowledge of the laws, without which he said it would be difficult to function.

The home minister said there were many crime related problems in the Naga society today, adding the need of the hour was to firmly tackle the crimes as per the law of the land.

He also pointed out that state has peculiar situation as it has customary law system which worked tremendously in the Naga society. “Naga customary law has a wide perspective, which deals with civil and criminal cases including the murder,” he added.

Extortion, nemesis of Nagas: SI Jamir(NPN)
KOHIMAVoicing concern over rampant extortion which has become a day-to-day problem for the people of Nagaland affecting citizens of all sections, NPCC president S. I. Jamir has flayed the ruling government for not being able to initiate a concrete step towards curbing the menace.

S.I.Jamir in a statement Friday said the ruling DAN government was at its “wit’s end” in finding the ways to control extortion in the state despite arrests of extortionists made almost daily by law enforcement agencies or civil societies thereby propelling “multiple crimes” against the common man.

He said extortion in Nagaland has graduated into a well organized and lucrative industry for unscrupulous people ably supported and abated by elements within factional political groups.

Jamir said various forms of taxation levied by the groups were only fleecing the Naga people and causing harm to the economy as well as psychological scar in the minds of people. He said the state government lacked the will to fight crime.

His panacea to tackle extortion was through a united effort of all people and for the government to organize a series of “consultations, seminars, workshops and meetings with experts from the country and abroad on various dimensions of illicit economic activities vis-à-vis extortion”.

He went on to link price rise that affected every common citizen, on extortion on almost every item in the market. He felt that extortion menace in Nagaland has reached a stage in which, no sensible big business house worth its name would want to gamble its capital and resources for entrepreneurial ventures in the state.

He asserted that mounting activities on illicit economy in the hands of various groups and syndicates were leading to a rise in drug trafficking, human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitations, weapons trafficking, kidnappings and extortions activities day by day.
He also alleged that the cease-fire atmosphere has given advantage, space and free-time to the cadres to extort.

Pointing that since the state was more or less “systematically controlled” by organized factional groups and syndicates, Jamir claimed the presence of the state government has become “near obsolete and ineffective”.

Asserting that the people were being exploited by their “own brothers”, Jamir further urged upon all to stop the extortion trend lest it became too late and people be compelled to live in “the jungle where only the bullet will decide their lifestyle”.

NSCN/GPRN warn kidnappers of dire consequences morungexpress
DIMAPUR, (MExN): The National Socialist Council of Nagalim has stated that going by the recurrence of abductions in Dimapur it has become a matter of shame for the security agencies and also the public for not coming up in the manner expected by helping each other curb the menace. A press note from the MIP stated that the time has come to “go beyond lip service of condemnation against abduction” and that the “NGOs and civil society groups in the level of students, women, mothers, GBs etc should no longer sit in the fence”.
“They should come forth to see that these kidnappers are hunted down and given the severest punishment irrespective of any tribal or party affiliation. The judgement of the people has to come with a vengeance as the abduction and kidnapping for ransom has gone too far and the sooner an exemplary punishment is demonstrated the better for the society.
They should be liquidated at any cost”, the MIP note stated. It stated that in the “madness to make easy and fast money an innocent children’s psycho has been damaged and fear psychosis implanted deeply in their minds”. “Who can forgive such anti-social elements that have fooled the society far too often”. On its part, the NSCN/GPRN stated that they were “committed to do the urgency and shall be without mercy” while pointing out that no “public outcry to be entertained in the event of NSCN taking the severest action upon the culprits”.
The MIP note also suggested for public interest that the abductors or kidnappers should be made unbailable once caught and they should be made to “rot and suffer inside the four corners of the jail”.

Speculations on solution to Naga issue Correspondent (NPN)

KOHIMA In the wake of the culmination of the Highest Level Meeting of Naga leaders during the end of August, 2011 at Dimapur, where it was resolved to form a ‘Naga National Government’ and subsequent speculations that the latter would head an interim government; media reports speculated that 14-year negotiation to the Naga political problem was nearing solution by pointing to likelihood of granting of autonomous councils to ENPO areas in four districts of Nagaland and Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Nagas of the hill districts of Manipur are currently demanding “an alternative arrangement” outside Manipur.

When contacted, a senior politician was of the view that unless an agreement has been reached between the negotiating sides (GoI and the NSCN led by Isak and Muivah), it would be premature to comment on such an interim arrangement.

The ‘Naga Concordant’ on a ‘Naga National Government’, under the aegis of the FNR, had also led to intense speculations as reported in a national media recently.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has gone on record in expressing a desire that solution to the protracted Naga issue be achieved within the tenure of the current UPA government at the Centre.

Several accounts from reliable sources indicate that though much has been addressed, there were still some areas where the specifics were yet to be worked out.

State chief minister Neiphiu Rio like his predecessor S.C. Jamir, has consistently maintained, that when agreement is reached, he would not hesitate to pave way for any set up.
On the other hand, the NSCN (K) which has found itself outside the realm of the reconciliation/unity has criticized the manner in which the FNR conducted the process.

It may also be recalled that both the NNC/FGN and the GPRN/NSCN have pointed out that their support for the reconciliation process should not be “misinterpreted” as support for the ongoing peace process. They have said that unless the contents of the talks were made known, they can neither comment nor commit on it.

However, there is hope that solution is at hand but the question when? Is one that is being asked by most Nagas.
Agony day speech of Hon’ble Kilo Kilonser GPRN
We understand that all of us are born for a mission to accomplish, not to abort it. Like it or not, we have a war to fight, a song to sing and a life to give but, for a good cause. Those departed brothers and sisters have give their everything for the good cause. They die in the line of duty while defending our land, our culture, our history and our future.
King Herod was furious on hearing the news of the birth of Jesus, the long awaited prophesised King. It was because Herod felt threatened on the one hand and he wanted to cling to his position on the other. He therefore, passed a decree to wipe out all the male child from 2 years old and below without any compunction.
In another story we find Saul of old was anointed by the Lord to be the king of Israel but the crown of king was taken away from him on account of his disobedience to God and given it to David, a man after His own heart. Realizing that he had been rejected by the Lord, Saul was desperate and furious. So he attempted upon the life of David a number of time because he never wanted to step down from power. No one dispute that Naga National Council (NNC) was mandated by the people and recognized by many countries overtly or covertly. But it had fallen from the grace the day ‘The Shillong Accord’ was signed. Consequent upon betrayal of the Naga national trust, NNC had been derecognized.
Ours is a national survival politics. The Nagas have been looking for their national future and they know for sure that their future is not in the grave of the Shillong Accord. Therefore, they refused to be buried with NNC. NNC was there for the Nagas and not vice versa.
Thus, compelled by such circumstances, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) was formed and it was mandated by the national assembly. NSCN is a recognized entity and no one should doubt about it. Let everyone knows that it is the principle-based organization of the Nagas.
In 1974, while Alee command was on its way, the Holy Spirit revealed of the change of leadership referring Hebrew 7:12. We believe that revelation was fulfilled in 1980. NNC people were disturbed, jealous, desperate and furious on hearing the formation of NSCN. They were, therefore, determined to destroy NSCN by any means.
On 27th September 1980, the Shillong Accordist NNC, in their major offensive campaign attacked our Naga Army operation party camp at Langnok where about a hundred national workers were killed. It was a joint military operation of India, Burma and NNC people. A score of Naga Army personnel was also arrested and executed. It is an undeniable fact.
In another tragic event, Mr. S.S. Khaplang in connivance with the enemies staged an abortive coup attempt where about two hundred national workers were massacred on fabricated grounds. Many more others were killed. Indeed, enemies have come in our land from many prongs in many forms. This is, what is called neo-Indian colonialism policy.
History says and it will ever speak of it that more than 250 thousand Nagas were killed by Indian and Burmese occupation forces. Among those killed, some were tortured to death. Oinam incident is a case among others. Some were raped to death, some were burnt alive, some were starved to death. And some were butchered – Matikhrii incident as for an instance. And many more others were maimed and permanently crippled though ruthless torture.
We are gathering here today to pay our homage to those fallen heroes and heroines. Beloved departed brothers and sisters, you are still in our fond memory. We will always remember you day in day out, year in year out. It will be a great sin for us if we forget you. You are still part of this movement.
We do remember those revolutionary patriots who had suffered horrible torture before they met their death in the military custody of the enemies.
We do remember those fellow workers who got drown in the rivers while they were on their way to their respective missions.
We do remember those martyrs who died in the jungle and foreign countries with no one to bury their dead bodies, no one to sing and say a grace for them.
We do remember those victims of bombs and communal riots. Bombs and communalism have no head and heart.
We will never forget those war widows and orphans who have been bearing untold sufferings on account of their departed loved ones. We know they have given their best part to the nation.
We will ever adore and praise those heroes and heroines with songs and poems from generation to generation.
May the good Lord remember the blood of those martyrs!
May He answer the cry of those orphans and widows!
May He listen to the groaning of the Nagas and answer their unceasing prayers!
Kuknalim
Issued by:
Government of the People’s
Republic of Nagalim
Ministry of Information & Publicity

‘Myanmar will not cooperate with India in crossborder insurgencies’ TEHELKA
Bertil Lintner, a scholar on Indo-Burmese affairs, tells Ratnadip Choudhury why it is tough for Myanmar to crack down on Northeast insurgency groups. Edited excerpts from an interview.
You have seen the insurgencies of Southeast Asia from Ground Zero. In some areas they have joined the mainstream, in many places they continue with their struggles. How do you see the future?
It varies from country to country. In democratic countries, rebels and former rebels can join the mainstream and become politicians. But this is not possible in countries such as Myanmar. Hence, the civil war there is bound to continue. The only solution to the Myanmar problem is to adopt some kind of federalism rather than a centralised system, which the country follows. But that would also mean that the entire political system in Myanmar would need an overhaul, which is not easy.
The insurgent outfits of Northeast India have lost sanctuaries in Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Reports indicate that they are holed up in Myanmar. Do you see more disintegration in ethnic insurgency?
India wants to open a west-east corridor through Myanmar for two reasons. First, it wants to trade directly with Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia. Second, it would be in India’s interest to keep China at bay in Myanmar. But in order to do so, the Northeast needs to be pacified. This is why there was an expulsion of ULFA and UNLF leaders from Bangladesh - at India’s insistence - and the arrest of Anthony Shimray, the chief arms procurer of the NSCN(IM). Evidently the rebels are in a tight corner, which is why they are trying to survive by banding together into various fronts.
There are media reports of an operation by the Myanmar army against Northeastern insurgent groups from India camping in Myanmar. Does this mean that Myanmar will help India with a major crackdown?
That was a phantom operation. It never took place and it was no coincidence that the news about the alleged fighting was leaked just before the new Myanmar president, Thein Sein, was to make an official visit to India. It is like when US dignitaries visit Myanmar, the authorities always carry out a big drug bust before they arrive. It is not in the interest of the Myanmar authorities to work against rebels from the Indian side who have established a presence in Mayanmar’s Northwestern region. They see it as India’s problem. Myanmar government has too many problems of its own. I believe it is in the interest of Myanmar to have a buffer of instability with India.
Where do you think India has gone wrong with its policy when it comes to sub-continental neighbours, particularly Myanmar?
India’s policy is not wrong. Myanmar is not interested in cooperating with its neighbours when it comes to crossborder insurgencies. It fights insurgents on its own terms and doesn’t want to get into joint operations, which India wants with its neighbours.
Is there a chance that India will get Myanmar’s support?
It is not in Myanmar’s interest to launch military operations against Indian insurgents. As long as these rebels don’t bother the Myanmar army, the army won’t bother them.
In 1985, when you became the first foreign journalist to cross over from Nagaland to Myanmar, you saw two major insurgents, the Naga rebels and the ULFA, gearing up. After three decades, both are involved in peace processes at different levels. Does this guarantee a solution to the conflicts?
It depends how you define a solution. From the Indian point of view it would mean neutralising such groups by turning their leaders into politicians and businessmen. And, so far, that policy has been quite successful. But solving the underlying ethnic tensions between the Centre and the Northeast is a different ballgame.
You have been in touch with the Naga rebel leaders for a long time. The NSCN(IM) has been involved in peace parleys for four years. In ULFA, chair Arabinda Rajkhowa is leading the peace bandwagon while its army chief Paresh Baruah is waging war with a handful of cadres. Do these splits weaken the scope of dialogue?
These are exactly the developments that New Delhi wants.
India-China relations have been in trouble for some time as India says China is supplying arms to the Northeast insurgents. There are also reports that the rebels are being trained in frontier China. How big can this become?
The rebels from northeast buy weapons from the black market. But in reality, it is more grey than black. The informal weapon trade in China is run by former army officers and well-connected private dealers. The rebels have to pay for these weapons. The Chinese authorities allow this to happen as retaliation towards India allowing the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans to operate from their territory. Even though the Tibetans are not waging an armed struggle against the Chinese government, they are attracting attention and moral support from the international community, which has disturbed China. So they are letting Baruah and his comrades do what they want in China, which includes buying arms.
There are reports that the Indian rebel groups are regrouping in Myanmar, the Kachins are once again helping them with arms and Chinese help is being rendered. What is your opinion?
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is not helping the ULFA or any other insurgent group from India. They need weapons for their own struggle especially after their ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar government broke down earlier this year. They are in no position to share their weaponry with anybody else. The weapons from China that reach India’s Northeast are most probably trucked across Myanmar by the United Wa State Army, which is also a main supplier of narcotics to Manipur, Nagaland and beyond. Its ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar government enables it to transport whatever it wants across Myanmar.
An end to India's longest insurgency? Biswajyoti Das REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

photo shows a Naga rebel in the in northeastern Indian state of Nagaland.
GUWAHATI, India – An end may at last be in sight to India's longest running insurgency, which has killed tens of thousands, with talks between the government and tribal rebels in the troubled northeast inching closer towards a peace deal.
A myriad of violent insurgencies have beset India's northeastern region for decades, killing over 50,000 people since the country's independence in 1947.
But the oldest insurgency launched by Naga rebels over 60 years ago in the remote mountainous region of Nagaland may soon see an end after 14 years of protracted negotiations. The rebels have been demanding a separate homeland for the ethnic Naga people.
About 20,000 people have been killed in the conflict. A 1997 ceasefire truce has largely capped the violence, but inter-factional fighting has continued.
Leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) faction -- headed by T. Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu -- and federal authorities in New Delhi are now in the last stages of a final agreement.
Officials say a deal which includes giving increased powers to lawmakers in Nagaland, as well as creating autonomous councils for Nagas in their stronghold regions of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh could well be the solution.
Both officials and rebel leaders have said the deal could be signed sometime in November or December this year, but have refused to divulge more details. "There has been progress although some of the issues are yet to be sorted out. It would be difficult to give any dates,” said R.S. Pandey, interlocutor for the Naga talks told the Hindustan Times newspaper.
Nagaland has a history of tribal and ethnic rifts. All past peace initiatives have failed to resolve the age-old animosity between the various Naga tribes and many remain sceptical saying that without all factions involved, there can never truly be peace.
"Even if an accord is signed with the NSCN, a new group will definitely come up opposing the deal. History is witness to it in Nagaland," said a senior journalist in Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland
‘Tourism is the only industry in Nagaland’ Emilo Khuvung Morungexpress
Kohima | September 26: Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has been observing World Tourism Day on September 27 and likewise Nagaland State joins the world in observing the occasion under the theme “Tourism-Linking Cultures”, in Tuensang on Tuesday.
“Tourism is the only industry we see in the state, and to promote tourism in the state, people need to know what Tourism is all about, and the activities surrounding tourism, unless the people know and have knowledge tourism and its activities, it is difficult to really come up in a big way”, said Parliamentary secretary Tourism Law & Justice Yitachu as he prepares to leave for the big day.
State readies for World Tourism Day in Tuensang In an exclusively interview with The Morung Express at his official residence on Sunday, Yitachu said tourism activities has to be ‘picked’ to some extent and yet many people don’t know how to make a living out of tourism activities. ‘It’s a distant dream for them”, said Yitachu when queried over the selection of district for the event. . The Tourism department is roping in Nagaland Tourism Association which will also involve hotels.
To facilitate development, Yitachu said, the landowners need to “relax their ownership,” instead of ‘preserving their ownership’ so people can make a living out of the sector.
Trying to reach out to the needy in the state and across the boundaries those in dire need of education and sustenance, Yiachu said cultural tourism is ‘readymade’ and ‘readily available in the state.’ Besides, there are many eco-tourism activities that can take place, even ‘healing tourism.’
“Tourism is not confined to one agenda, it involves everything, and the problem is that people do not understand the value of accommodation, which is needed to be located in the centrally populated places where all kinds of activities are surrounded with interesting things.” Tourism activities have to be within the vicinity of ‘human habitation,’ he added.
He expressed hope that the occasion would give an opportunity to tourist guides and tour operators to project Tuensang as an attractive destination within the state or highlight the real life of Nagas, their living conditions and what kind of transformation has taken place over the years and so on.
Planning Commission team in Mon amidst demand for Statehood morungexpress


Member Planning Commission, B.K. Chaturvedi with the Chief Angh of Chi village during his visit to Mon on October 1. (DIPR Photo)

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 1 (MExN): Civil societies and head of departments/offices of Mon district held a meeting with B.K Chaturvedi, Member Planning Commission and Bhohmo Choudhury, Senior Advisor (SP-NE) Planning commission at DC conference Hall, Mon on 1st October 2011, informed an official news bulletin received here.
The visit of the Planning Commission members comes in the backdrop of the demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland State by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO). Not surprisingly civil society groups used the occasion to argue their case. Khoiwang Konyak President KU Mon submitted a representation on ‘state demand memorandum’ to the Planning Commission.
“As compared with the development of Mon district with other districts of Nagaland a lot of investment needs to be done to bring up the district” said Chaturvedi. Also talking about the memorandum submitted by the civil bodies he said that the requirements put forward by them are genuine and what needs to be done will be discussed further. Noticing the pitiable road connectivity of the district he said more resources need to be generated to bring development in the district.
Various issues were raised during the interaction session like need of a science stream, nursing school, better road connectivity, one central university, Model College and also the shortage of teachers in Mon District. Positive feedbacks were given on the questions raised by the visiting team.
Earlier Angau I. Thou D.C Mon chairing the programme said that the visit of the Planning Commission to the remotest area of Nagaland speaks volume of their love and concern towards the people and the district as whole. She also believed that such visits will speed up the development process in all spheres.
Chief Angh of Chi village in his short speech informed the Planning Commission that the demand for separate statehood for ENPO areas was the long awaited dream of his Lt. Father Wangkhao chief Angh of Chi village and this was also the wish of the people and the ENPO. “It is the movement of the people for the people” he added. While interacting with the chief Angh, G.Bs and village council of Chi village, B.K Chaturvedi, Member Planning Commission said road and water supply is crucial for any development and assured that such issues facing the village will be looked into.
Assuring the villagers that safe drinking water will be provided to all, as providing safe drinking water to all the villages is the policy of government of India. The Planning Commission team also visited Civil Hospital Mon and interacted with the staffs and visited the wards.
Welcome speech was delivered by Hoka Konyak member steering committee and invocation prayer by Rev J. Tenwang Konyak, District Chaplin. Vote of thanks was delivered by Zhothose Angami ADC Mon and speech on behalf of the public was delivered by Khoiwang Konyak president KU Mon.
Earlier in the day, the Member Planning Commission, B.K. Chaturvedi and Advisor (SP-NE) S.N. Brohmo Choudhury arrived Kohima. They were received by Chief Secretary, Nagaland Lalthara IAS, Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner Nagaland, Banuo Z. Jamir and a host of senior government officials at Assam Rifles Helipad, Kohima. The Commission Member and Advisor are on a two day visit to Nagaland.