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10/28/2011: "Naga leader pushes for pact between I-M and government India Today"

Naga leader pushes for pact between I-M and government India Today

NSCN(I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu (left) and General Secy T. Muivah.
The Centre and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) should reach an in-principle agreement to resolve India's oldest insurgency before the assembly elections in Manipur in mid-2012, Naga Ho Ho president Keviletuo Kiewhuo has suggested.
Naga Ho Ho is the apex body of various Naga tribes.
Peace talks between the Union government and the biggest Naga insurgent group have been going on since the past 14 years, ever since the two sides entered into a ceasefire agreement in 1997. But innumerable rounds of negotiations between the two sides have not yielded any result.
"Fourteen years in any negotiations between a state and a rebel group is not a small period. Consensus in politics is never an easy task. But the two sides should take into consideration the views of the majority and arrive at a framework or an in-principle agreement that will form the basis of a future agreement to address all tricky issues," Kiewhuo said.
His views probably reflect that of a large section of the Nagas yearning for an end to the negotiations and a settlement.
The Naga Ho Ho has been pushing for an early settlement fearing obstacles in the coming months. The next assembly elections in Manipur will be held in mid-2012. This will be followed by elections in Nagaland in early 2013.
According to Kiewhuo, it will be difficult for the government to announce an agreement on the merger of Naga majority areas of Manipur with Nagaland, a key demand of the NSCN (I-M), once elections in Manipur are announced.
"Similarly, during the Nagaland elections, Nagas will be divided as some will support one political party while others will support another. This will adversely impact the peace process. And any mid-term elections in the Lok Sabha will further delay the process. Under such circumstances a framework agreement should be worked out that will fulfil demands like unification of Naga areas in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh with that of Nagaland," the Naga Ho Ho president said.
The Manipur government, civil societies and student organisations in the Manipur valley have been opposed to any bifurcation of the hill districts. The Centre, whether led by the BJP or the Congress, has not been able to convince Manipur in making any concessions. Asked if granting of hill council status to the Naga majority districts of Manipur could be an interim solution, Kiewhuo replied in the negative. He said such an arrangement would weaken the demand of the Nagas. Kiewhuo warned that vested interests in Nagaland could get active as the elections approached in order to sabotage the peace process.
India, Myanmar open up borders Economic Times IANS
AIZAWL: In a reciprocal gesture, Myanmar has decided to allow Indians living in border areas of four northeastern states to travel upto 16 km inside its territory without a passport or visa, a Mizoram government official said Monday. "The reciprocal arrangements for the visit of both Indians and Mynmarese were discussed in detail at a deputy commissioner-level meeting held at Falam in Myanmar's Chin state last week," a Mizoram home department official here told IANS.

India had already made a similar announcement earlier this year, allowing unrestricted entry of Myanmarese up to 16 km territory inside Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. "Besides residents of Mizoram, inhabitants of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh would be allowed to visit the other side of the Myanmar border," the official said. Citizens of both countries can stay on the other side of the border for a maximum period of one week. Mizoram's Champhai district Deputy Commissioner Vijaya Kumar Bidhuri led the Indian delegation at the meeting held Saturday.

Official of both countries have also agreed to work together in curbing trafficking of rare orchids, animal organs and skins, drugs and sandalwood. The tribal-dominated population on both sides of the border share common lifestyles and traditions. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram share a 1,640 km-long border with Myanmar, manned by the Assam Rifles on the Indian side. The dense forests make the border porous and vulnerable.
Blockades of Many Kinds Imphal Free Press By B.G. Verghese
The Manipur blockade has gone far beyond a demonstrative measure and must be ended. The ordinary people have suffered enough. The Kuki-Naga quarrel at the root of the agitation is esoteric for most and politically whipped up by ethnic chauvinists on both sides. The State government is caught in a bind while Centre appears to have been passive for far too long, hoping that the problem will go away by itself. A prolonged stalemate could erupt in anger.
The Kukis claim that they have been neglected by the administration and oppressed by the Nagas. They demand the partitioning of the Kangpoki sub-division of the Naga majority Senapati district to form a Kuki-dominated Sadr Hills district in which their development and cultural prospects will be brighter. The United Naga Council that straddles Manipur and Nagaland sees in this a dark plot further to divide the Naga homeland and frustrate the goal of a united Nagalim.
In order to force the issue in their favour, the Kukis have blockaded both the Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal and Silchar-Jiribam-Imphal national highways, only to find themselves trumped by the Nagas who control the upper sectors of both roads connecting Manipur with Assam and the Indian heartland. Trucks have been burnt and movements forcibly stopped victimising people on both sides but especially those living in the Imphal Valley and further south. Prices of fuel, daily necessities and medicines have sky-rocketed. The blockade has been on for nearly 90 days, leading to distress, helplessness and despair.
Whatever the State Government and the Centre have done has been of little avail. Some essential supplies have been air-lifted but this has been no more than a minor palliative. The issue, obviously tricky, is clearly political. It is time for the Centre to demand opening of both roads for movement of essential supplies within 48 hours, with talks to follow to resolve the issues in contention, failing which it must be prepared to use the military to open up both routes. Some will argue that such a move may spark violence. The answer is that violence is being and has been used for three months to strangulate an entire people. The status quo is unacceptable.
A whiff of firmness after a display of extraordinary patience (or inaction), coupled with mediatory and practical efforts to restore harmony, will pay dividends. If governance fails, everything fails and things could spiral out of hand. A parallel initiative would be to negotiate emergency supplies for Manipur from and through Myanmar and Bangladesh, via Chittagong. The current crisis underlines the urgency of improving connectivity to and from Manipur (and in and to the Northeast generally), especially by improving the Silchar-Jiribam-Imphal highway. This route will in any case have to be realigned to overcome submergence should the Tipaimukh hydroelectric project move forward as it should.
The long term answer would seem to lie in pushing forward with the Naga peace talks and commencing a similar dialogue with the Kukis and other groups in a bid to understand and allay their fears and misgivings as ethnic entities. In the interim, the Sadar Hills Kukis could be granted a non-territorial council with appropriate institutional arrangements to ensure their development and cultural advancement even as the Naga majority areas within Manipur are granted similar autonomy within a non-territorial Nagalim. This would safeguard their interests without dismembering Manipur, Arunachal or Assam on each of which the Naga underground have territorial claims that can only be made good by consent, which has thus far proven totally elusive, or by the kind of pragmatic settlement suggested here or any other better idea. The Church is a powerful and positive influence and should be brought into the dialogue more directly to arrive at a just and honourable settlement.
Delicate negotiations such as are in progress between the NSCN-IM leadership and the Centre cannot be forced. Yet, dilatoriness could also bring in train its own problems as the current situation is clearly far from ideal. The Naga underground virtually runs a parallel administration through parallel taxation (or extortion), though everybody winks at ground realities.
Talks with the Metei underground would also be in order as Meitei nationalists have their own historical grievances going back to the alleged manner in which Manipur’s merger was effected and the status accorded to this ancient kingdom and its cultural symbols. An agreed form of words to express regret for any inadvertent hurt o misunderstanding caused in the past is surely worth exploring as a path to reconciliation.
Talks with ULFA are on and there are many other ethnic groups that nurse real or imagined grievances. These should all be addressed and the message should go out that none will go unheard and no legitimate and reasonable accommodation will be denied. The past is behind us and its perceived wrongs can only be redeemed by building a better future together, within an Indian commonwealth of equal peoples.
Telengana has been on the boil too and here again the Centre must act swiftly to avert a dangerous breach in national cohesion. The problem is that the Congress has blown hot and cold on any further state formation and has once again addressed the problem only on calculations of short term electoral and political gain. Half a dozen demands for new states are on the anvil and more will be broached. On what criteria of economic viability, administrative convenience, natural resource optimisation, security and cultural factors should a determination be made? There is a case for many more, smaller states. How many may be too many? And if something is conceded would it opens a veritable Pandora’s Box as some fear?
These questions are best answered by a blue riband commission of men and women of wisdom and experience who have no axe to grind. Let them take stock and see what countervailing institutions or arrangements might be put in place like the old Zonal Councils (that have been all but wound up), river basin authorities, natural resource regions, transport corridors and geo-strategic or common security regions, special urban government mechanisms and more empowered panchayati raj bodies. The commission should be set up in consultation with all major parties and the States and its report submitted after the next general election.
Mamta Bannerjee’s offer of talks with Bengal’s Maoists and the Home Minister’s repeated clarification that the latter need not surrender their arms but only not use them or resort to other forms of violence, intimidation and regrouping while the dialogue is on should not be allowed to wither on the vine. Extension of the Fifth Schedule to states currently not covered by it and its honest implementation alongside the Supreme Court’s Samata judgement regarding development and corporate social responsibility point to the direction in which the country must travel to promote growth with equity and local participation.
www.bgverghese .com
Run A Tortoise Race! by G S Oinam Kangla On line
Negotiation is essentially a dialogue intended to resolve conflicting opinions and produce an agreement regarding the course of action. Peace and conflict resolution are inter woven with several aspects of study that include social, political, economic, cultural, technological and religious structures. The profile of those involved in conflict resolution essentially revolves around ensuring that all involved parties feel satisfied with the outcome. One needs to be fair, unbiased and respected by one others. He should be sensitive to the issue and in time with the stand of each side. Many people wrongly assume that you need to be a psychologist in peace making. As long as you understand people and situations, a degree in psychology is not mandatory. Good communication skills, the ability to help-express and understand what they want is also necessary. Being rational, cool headed and socially sensitive is important as is flexibility and willingness to work on ground in ant part of the world.
Very often it is observed that people try to avoid or run away from the pressing problems, instead of finding solution to them. The amount of time we wasted in searching the modes and methods of escaping from the problem is much more that what is required in finding solution. Accept it or not, all your problems have been generated by your own unorganized actions, lack of foresightedness in planning, dearth of practically and wrong assessment of your own strengths. The circumstance or God do not help a person who runs away from the problems instead of facing them boldly and wisely. If your inner-self says “I can overcome this problems, you have already won half the battle.” Men of superior order, even in time of danger, get the light of hope and with this improve their circumstances.
District up gradation/ creation is not a problem but the real problem is the mindset of the people—they feels something will be loosing. Therefore, convoluted arguments are coming up from different quarters. Unless the concept of Nagalim for greater Nagaland, Zalengam for kuki homeland, Kangleipak for valley people (now seem to be dead) and newly activated Zeliangrong integration, does not existence; there shall be no problem to convince the people. All concepts are coming up from the sense of insecurity. This insecurity is a question of great debate. Only the simple solution will be look at the United States of America (USA). Whether the nationalism theory will be deactivate first or clamp down on district up gradation/ creation are the questions to think about by the government. Government has to give a clarion call to change the mindset of people to contrive the situation or suggest the demand committee to converge them to run a tortoise race—slowly and steady win the race.
Perhaps, my suggestion may bitter sweet- sometimes strongly support on the demand; sometimes deadly attack and now, fixing for the solution. Who am I, anyway? Crabby clunky clap trap remarks are posted on my article—surprise to know the behaviour changes of individuals. However, this concomitant situation has to bring a conclusive cynosure to clear the clapped out. Economic blockade is a white elephant— it has no value to demand committee. Simple logic is that somebody in the demand committee is fear that once the economic blockade lifted their issue will be diverted and will politicalise their demand to end without any attainment. This issue of Sadar Hills is very useful to collect data and information especially for the government to find out an amicable solution of Manipur. Therefore, there is no question of issue diversion by anybody. Further government intension is very clear- defuse the tension first and secondly, open the economic blockade and third, give a solution. Also, government will not declared
Sadar hills district foolishly at the present escalating situation even the committee on administrative and police district boundary reports is finalized and favour on Sadar hills district up gradation. Further, government will have batter option to invite army to “Flag March” on the national highways as the election is near and more security arrangement will required. Only government can do to impress Sadar hills demand committee to lift the economic blockage is to appoint a special secretary to supervise Sadar hills/Jiriban as temporary arrangement until the committee report is finalized. Nagas has nothing to objection/ complain on this arrangement as it is purely related to improvement of working efficiency of ADC Kangpokpi / Jiribam. Unless the demand committee is anti SPF government in the coming election, they will have to come to the propose point of settlement for lifting economic blockade. Government will able to convince the demand committee that a positive step has been taken up. Please do something as a gift of “Kut festival” or advice you to consult a psychiatrist.
Once Osho said—man has to be faced from his stupid mind. For thousand of years politicians/ kings do not allow people to educate because that was dangerous. Now, they allow people to educated, but the education is such that it makes you less intelligent. Their children will send to America, Europe and world top institutions but they are discouraged to invite foreign teachers in the country to teach their people.
While taking a decision one shall not feel emotional but logically reasonable and no decision shall be taken under any pressure. To speak about one former USA President, “John (his secretary) I can’t make a decision. On the one side, it seems to be correct and on the other side, other party is also seem equally correct; I am in the middle. I have read whatever relevant documents and books but I can’t find the man who is known batter.” The similar word was spoken by Montek Singh Ahluwalia last year on annual plan budget. And this year, he is suggested Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects should be cover under RTI. There are two types of opinions for references 1) public opinions and 2) expert opinions. Public opinions are good for references subject to risk factor. Expert’s opinions are good for less risk factor but less popularity. Both demand committee and SPF government are in critical position, it requires both public support and expertisation because election is on card and issues are sensitive, volatile and sudden dead— government is asking to wait for committee reports.
One of the most distasteful human nature is waiting. Normally, however, we are waiting for change which means waiting for someone to bring in that change for somebody else to come and clean up the mess; for someone else to take the initiative ti take positive steps says Swami Brahmdev. Waiting is good but if you know how to wait. When you know how to wait you put time by your side; times come with you. Learn how to wait with patience and in silence. Generally, when we wait we do so full of nervous, energy and tension, we are out of balances. When we are waiting we have no patience in that waiting. Every seed wants to grow but it is only with patience that it becomes a big tree.
When we do not know how to live in present we are always waiting. It is a reflection of our lazy nature. The lazier you are, the more unconscious of yourself you are; and the more you live on the surface, in the outward appearance and with your surface nature and you tend to simply wait. This is inertia. In this inertia we always wait for something to change hoping that somebody will come and give us what we desire Swami Brahmadev concluded.
But you have no idea to change; you are waiting for change to happen. You just won’t be the change you want. We all want changes— peace, harmony and happiness but how many actually work toward achieving these goals?
Show me the money; you said it. You seem to be known everything but there are many people even they don’t know that they don’t know. Learn how to fishing—your life will be free forever and independent. Fish given to you by somebody will make you loyalist and bonded and finally, it will kill your skills and intelligence.
Our people are very aware about history, philosophy, culture and political science but they are neglected the most essence in day to day and our future pillars like economics, commerce, business management apart from science and technology. Once you know the road map of development model, all naive theory will be finished. Before you prepare for development model- study well what are the criteria required for economic development. One model already in hand is PURA scheme about Rs120 crore budgets under public private partnership which is already implemented in many states. Now, prepare a conceptual plan for your local district / subdivision for urbanization in your rural area. When you realized the importance and benefit of PPP and growth model—your remote rural district must already been upgraded into city. For which you have to make a consortium having turn over of Rs 50 crores and submit the project proposal to ministry of rural development. There is no more alternative arrangement than PPP model and village level election, the lowest form of decentralized government. However, information gaps make the Naga civil society cry for alternative arrangement.
Remembering Ghajal maestro late Jagjit Singh’s song “ Chand bhe dekho…… meri angkhong ne chunahei tujeko duneya dekhakar; kiska chahera. kiska chahera ab-mei dekho—Sadr hills ka chahera dekhakar (My eyes has chosen you after looking around the world—which face? Looking at the face of Sadar Hills….)
Obviously, Sadar hills are very beautiful. Kukis traditional system is favourable for fast track development and its urbanization trend. Traffic congestion of Imphal will be reduced after development of Sadar hills. State Assembly will be shifting to capitol project which is closure to Sadra hills and it will help to develop Sadar hills as an important location. Manipur has to plan more satellite city near and around Imphal.—very fast for the first phase.
Second song of Jagjit Singh which I want to put on this note” ye dolat bhe lelo; ye soharat bhe lelo; magar muje lotado bachapanka sathi; who kagaska kasti- bariska pani” (please take the wealth, please take the fame but please give me back the childhood friendship—plays of paper made ship in the water of raining..) I don’t know whether Nagas are listening Jagjit Singh’s Ghajal—his songs are all poem. Once Jagjit Singh said that only about 35% of his audience are attentive to song and the rest are coming for fashion to show her dress, ornament and to speak to friends “I went to listen Jagjit Singh’s concert, yesterday.” Finally, both Meitei, Nagas, Kukis, Paite, Pangal and others will sing together “ Dil khogaya khogaya kishike; ab rasta milgaya- khusike; rasta naya raba……. Teri or teri or—hei Raba!” (Someone’s heart has been looted –a new way of joy has been found; the way is new- fried! This is for you-Hi! Friend!)
Govt Push for Peace Talks with KNU, SSA-South By LAWI WENG

The SSA-South, photographed at its headquarters Loi Tai Leng in May 2011. (Photo: Sai Zom Hseng/ Irrawaddy)
Two of Burma's main ethnic rebel groups, the Shan State Army-South (SSA–South) and the Karen National Union (KNU), are preparing to hold separate peace negotiations with a government delegation in the near future, according to sources close to the rebels.
The talks will focus only on establishing Naypyidaw's plan for making peace and its sincerity to stand by any agreement, said the sources. The proposal comes at a time when government troops have launched a military offensive against Kachin rebels in northern and northeastern Burma. Before holding talks with the government delegation, the SSA-South will gather opinions from among Shan civilians and Buddhist monks, said a Shan rebel spokesman.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Thursday, Sai Hseng Murng, the deputy spokesman of the SSA–South, said, “With regard to ceasefire talks, we are going to take one more week to ask opinions and suggestions from our people. After that, we'll review the opinions before making a decision on forming a peace talk mission.”
Naypyidaw issued an announcement on Aug. 18 inviting all armed ethnic groups in Burma to enter into individual peace talks with the government. Sai Hseng Murng said that members of pro-government Shan militias approached the SSA-South last month carrying a proposal on behalf of the Burmese government advocating peace talks.
“I think the government were testing to see whether we would agree to talks,” said the SSA-South spokesman. “With the former government, we did not have a chance to negotiate. But we view this new government differently.”
The SSA-South and Burmese officials met for peace talks once before, in 2007, at the Thai-Burmese border. However, talks broke down and were never resumed.
The KNU, for its part, has been fighting the Burmese army almost continuously for more than 60 years. However, Karen sources said that they were confident talks with a government delegation will go ahead though no date has yet been fixed.
“If they are really serious, we wish to talk with them. If they want peace, we will pursue political dialogue,” said Zipporah Sein, the general secretary of the KNU.
However, KNU officials maintain that they prefer to hold talks in a neighboring country, assumed by observers to mean Thailand.
A source close to the KNU said that a Burmese government delegation tried to meet up with KNU officials last week in Myawaddy.
A government delegation has previously met once with KNU representatives and once with the rebel New Mon State Party, though both times talks concluded without an agreement.
Meanwhile, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) have deployed more troops into Wa-controlled areas on the Thai-Burmese border, according to a Shan Herald Agency for News report on Oct. 26.
The Wa rebels have sent more than 30 military trucks since Sunday into Hwe Aw, the UWSA 171st’s headquarters in Mongton township in southern Shan State.
The military maneuver follows 171st Military Region commander Wei Xwegang saying he had received a “reliable report” from Burmese army sources that the SSA-South had demanded areas on the Thai-Burmese border that are currently under the control of the UWSA to be transferred to the SSA-South in exchange for peace during a recent meeting with Burmese officials.
The Burmese government recently reached an agreement to uphold a two-decade-long ceasefire with the UWSA and its ally, the National Democratic Alliance Army, both of which are based in Shan State. The Irrawaddy senior reporter Saw Yan Naing also contributed to this article.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=22337