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10/19/2011: "Ongoing peace process is the best option for Nagas Zeenews"

Ongoing peace process is the best option for Nagas Zeenews

Kohima: The ongoing Naga peace process is the best option available to end the protracted political conflict in the state, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said.

"Nagas Wednesday realised that the present opportunity should be used best to meet their aspirations," Rio said, delivering a talk on 'Governance and Conflict: the Naga context' at Queen's University, Belfast yesterday.

Highlighting the history of the Naga political movement since the British raj, he said following the ceasefire, peace process and reconciliation among the warring Naga groups, the state witnessed a positive change.

He said since governance in conflict areas demanded special approaches, the state government adopted involvement and empowerment of village communities through village development board and policy of communitisation.

"The Nagas placed great faith in the Government of India for a political resolution of the protracted conflict that would not only strengthen the foundations of Indian democracy but also enhance India's image as the world's largest democracy," the chief minister said in his speech, which was released to the press here by the CMO.

Recalling India's diverse cultural heritage spanning thousands of years, Rio invited the international community to visit the country, especially Nagaland - the 'Land of Festivals.'
Earlier, Rio was introduced to the audience by Lord D Rana, member of the House of Lords to an audience that included politicians from North Ireland, academicians, university students, businessmen and media persons.
North-east India a goldmine for international trade PTI

Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Paban Singh Ghatowar today described the area as a goldmine of opportunities for international trade. "The various trade engagements and agreements like India-ASEAN, FTA and BIMSTEC will definitely play a major role in attracting investment from the neighbouring countries to the north-eastern region in the long run," Ghatowar said, adding that it could develop as an international trade hub. He said the North East Vision 2020 emphasises on connectivity and infrastructural development and the Centre has taken the initiative to develop the National Highways, major district roads and state highways by adding over 3000 kms to the existing network. "As tea and oil would remain the mainstay of the economy of the north-east, the focus of an integrated growth of the region has to remain on ago-based sector and small scale industries," Ghatowar added. –PTI
Rio first Naga CM to speak at international forum TNN
DIMAPUR: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday became the first CM of the state to speak at an event organized by an international university in the UK.
Speaking on "governance and Conflict - the Naga Context", Rio highlighted the Naga political movement from its roots to present-day ceasefire. Rio gave a detailed explanation of the political journey of the Nagas since the arrival of the British in Naga areas and mentioned some of the major landmarks like the special provisions for the Nagas under the Eastern Bengal Regulation Act, 1873, formation of the Naga Club in 1917, the submission of the memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929, the 1951 plebiscite, the introduction of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the formation of Statehood and the 16 Points Agreement, the ceasefire of 1964 and 1975, the Shillong Accord, the present ceasefire and ongoing political dialogue. Rio dwelled on the Naga demand for integration of all Naga-continuous areas and also on the condition and status of the Nagas living in Myanmar. Rio stated that the Nagaland assembly had passed four unanimous resolutions supporting the demand for Naga integration.
He said, "The present mood of the Naga people indicates an overwhelming desire for peace and development. There is a growing realization amongst the Nagas that the ongoing peace process and the political dialogues are the best options available to the Naga people today, and that we need to make the best use of this opportunity rather than cry hoarse over the lost opportunities."
He added that his government is committed to the peace process and that it has declared its readiness to make way for any new political dispensation that may emerge from the ongoing political dialogue. Highlighting the problems of governance under an environment of conflict, he said he survived a bid on his life in 1995. However, he stated that with the ceasefire in place, positive progress is being achieved, as warring groups are beginning to sit down together, with an aim of reconciling with each other.
The chief minister stated that conflict situations demand special approaches to achieve good governance and that the government had adopted "involvement and empowerment" of village communities through VDBs and the policy of communitization.
The lecture was attended by politicians, academicians, scholars, university students, and representatives of business community. Addressing a packed auditorium of the university' state of the art library, Rio thanked the University for inviting him to Queens to deliver the lecture. In the interactive session, the audience raised questions ranging from the legacy of the Second World War's Battle of Kohima, India's Look East Policy, the regime of Protected Area Permit and the impact of the Naga situation in Myanmar, among other issues.
25,000 rebels, armed & deadly Nagaland Post (Agencies)
| New Delhi Manipur perhaps has as many militant groups as ethnic communities. An exact count is unavailable with the government because new ones mushroom or existing ones splinter nearly every month.

An "estimated" 35 militant groups operate in the state that has a long history of militancy. Inspired by the Naga insurgency, some Meitei youths under the leadership of the legendary Hijam Irabot, a communist leader, formed the Manipur Red Guard in the early 1950s, but this failed to gather mass support, TNN reports said.

The first potent outfit was the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) formed by some followers of Irabot in 1964. Its primary aim is to restore the pre-British supremacy of the Meiteis as a reaction to Naga insurgency.

Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the Kuki National Army (KNA) were formed to demand a separate Kuki district and to protect Kukis from the Naga onslaught.

The Nagas in the hills have the two factions-- National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), one led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah and the other by Khaplang. And then there are the Kom Rem People's Convention, Zomi Revolutionary Volunteers, Hmar People's Convention and many small outfits.

According to Times News reports, put together there are about 25,000 armed rebels in Manipur and extortion remains their mainstay. Most of them possess sophisticated weapons obtained mainly from China and Southeast Asia.

But insurgency-related violence has fallen: last year, 134 people (103 insurgents, seven securitymen, 24 civilians) lost their lives against 416 (321 militants, 77 civilians, 18 securitymen ) in 2009. Public support to the rebels has also declined.
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio highlights Naga political movement at Queens in UK.
He dwelled on the Naga demand for integration of all Naga contiguous areas and also on the condition and status of the Nagas living in Myanmar.

He said that the present mood of the Naga people indicates an overwhelming desire for peace and development. There is a growing realisation amongst the Nagas, both over-ground and underground, that the ongoing peace process and the political dialogues are the best options available to the Naga people today, and that we need to make the best use of this opportunity rather than cry hoarse over the lost opportunities.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today became the first Chief Minister from Nagaland to deliver a lecture at an international university in the United Kingdom.

According to a communiqué received from press secretary to CM Abu Metha, Rio spoke on the subject ‘Governance and Conflict: The Naga Context’ and highlighted the Naga political movement from its roots to the present day ceasefire. He gave a detailed explanation of the political journey of the Nagas from the arrival of the British in Naga country mentioning some of the major landmarks like the special provisions for the Nagas under the Eastern Bengal Regulation Act, 1873, formation of the Naga Club in 1917, the submission of the memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929, the 1951 plebiscite, the introduction of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the formation of Statehood and the 16 Points Agreement, the ceasefire of 1964 and 1975, the Shillong Accord, and the present ceasefire and ongoing political dialogue.
Rio dwelled on the Naga demand for integration of all Naga contiguous areas and also on the condition and status of the Nagas living in Myanmar. He further stated that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly has passed four unanimous resolutions supporting the demand for Naga integration.
“The present mood of the Naga people indicates an overwhelming desire for peace and development. There is a growing realisation amongst the Nagas, both over-ground and underground, that the ongoing peace process and the political dialogues are the best options available to the Naga people today, and that we need to make the best use of this opportunity rather than cry hoarse over the lost opportunities,” the CM said.

He added that his government is committed to the peace process and that it has declared its readiness to make way for any new political dispensation that may emerge from the on-going political dialogue.
Highlighting the problems of governance under an environment of conflict, he informed that even his own life survived an assassination attempt in 1995. However, he stated that with the ceasefire in place, positive progress is being achieved as warring groups are beginning to sit down together, with the aim of reconciling with each other. On this, he highlighted that the leader of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) Rev Wati Aier was recently awarded the Denton & Janice Lotz Human Rights Award by the World Baptist Alliance. Apart from recognition of our efforts in reconciliation, this award also indicated that the international community is closely observing the peace process in Nagaland, Rio said.

The Chief Minister stated that conflict situations demand special approaches to achieve good governance and that the government had adopted ‘involvement and empowerment’ of the village communities through VDBs and the policy of communitisation. He mentioned the years of youth empowerment, farmers, entrepreneurship, capacity building, etc, as some special initiatives specially targeted at the youth and that special policies in sports and music were yielding positive results. He mentioned some of the effective slogans raised by the government including, “don’t eat the seeds, but eat the fruits”, “peace for development and development for peace”, had gone down well with the youth.

The lecture was attended by politicians, academicians, scholars, university students, representatives of the business community and media persons amongst others. Addressing a packed auditorium of the University’s state-of-the-art library, Rio thanked the University for inviting him to deliver the lecture. Rio was introduced to the audience by Lord D. Rana, a member of the House of Lords in London.
After the lecture, an interactive session was held where several members of the audience put forth queries to the Chief Minister ranging from the legacy of the Second World War’s Battle of Kohima, India’s Look East Policy, the regime of Protected Area Permit and the impact of the Naga situation in Myanmar, amongst other issues.

Rio was accompanied by Power Minister Doshehe Y Sema, Agriculture Minister Dr Chumben Murry and Abu Metha, the CM’s press secretary. A team of civil society leaders led by the President of the Naga Hoho Keviletuo was also present in the audience as they were participating in a seminar on conflict resolution in the same university.