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11/16/2011: "India: Non-Territorial Resolution To Naga Ethnic Conflict Analysis Written by: IDSA By Namrata Goswami"

India: Non-Territorial Resolution To Naga Ethnic Conflict Analysis Written by: IDSA By Namrata Goswami

The resolution of the Naga ethnic conflict could well be in sight. For the first time ever, after nearly 14 years of negotiations between the Union Government and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah—NSCN (IM), there appears to be a concrete proposal from the Union government to work out a non-territorial Naga council as a resolution mechanism. This structure, envisioned as a pan-Naga supra-state body, will enjoy legal authority over cultural, developmental and social rights of the Nagas living across several states in the Northeast. However, security matters pertaining to law and order will rest with the respective states where the Nagas live.

India
This is a significant development in the Naga peace process and, if it becomes a reality, will amount to a “Special Federal Relationship” between the Union government and the Naga inhabited areas. It will also recognize the distinct identity of the Nagas by guaranteeing them that their lifestyle will not be interfered with. The recognition of Nagas as being unique in their culture, history and tradition has been a recurring core demand of the Naga ethnic movement since 1918. As far back as 1929, in its memorandum to the Simon Commission, the Naga Club had written about the uniqueness of the Nagas and the need to preserve it. In June 1947, the Hydari Agreement signed between Sir Akbar Hydari, then Governor of Assam, and the Naga National Council (NNC) agreed to preserve the unique rights and customary laws of the Nagas. The Shillong Accord of 1975 between the Union Government and the NNC had also made an attempt to work out a mechanism to guarantee the Naga way of life. However, due to factionalism within the Naga armed movement, the Shillong Accord failed to deliver on this aspect.
The present “supra-state” or non-territorial unification proposition is indeed a meaningful way to overcome the anxieties of other ethnic communities with regard to the NSCN (IM)’s demand for territorial unification of Naga inhabited areas in the northeast. The idea of Nagalim—territorial unification of all Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh into a common politico-administrative unit—has been a highly emotive issue in Manipur and Assam. Take the instance of extension of the cease-fire between the Union government and the NSCN (IM) in 2001 to Manipur. In theory, a ceasefire automatically means the giving up of violence in favour of peaceful negotiations to a conflict. In this case, the extension of the Naga ceasefire to Manipur and Assam would have theoretically meant the end of violent resistance by the NSCN (IM) in these areas. However, a larger more ‘diabolic’ fear pervaded the minds of the population in the neighbouring states, especially in Manipur. Any extension of the ceasefire to Manipur, with its large Naga population, was perceived as a springboard for the Naga territorial unification process leading to the bifurcation of Manipur. When the Union government extended the Naga cease-fire to Manipur on June 14, 2001, violent protests erupted in Manipur, with the state assembly building being burnt down and 13 protestors being killed within a span of four days. Meitei, Kuki and Muslim civil society organizations in Manipur were united in a mass movement against the decision to extend the Naga ceasefire to the Naga-dominated hill districts of Manipur—Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong. As a result, New Delhi was forced to reconsider its decision. It revoked the ceasefire arrangements on July 27, 2001 and restored the status quo of a territorially restricted ceasefire with the NSCN (IM) in Nagaland.
Given this deep-seated resistance to further territorial demarcation in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and especially Manipur, the only viable solution for the Naga ethnic conflict is perhaps a non-territorial Naga council. As a participant in the Naga Peoples’ Consultative Meetings, the author had discussed the possibility of a non-territorial Naga unification body with the Naga Hoho (Apex Naga social council).The representatives of the Hoho were open to the idea so long as the Naga right to their unique way of life is preserved. Now that such a proposition is in the offing, it is best to seriously consider it. The best way forward to achieve this is for the Union government to work in consultation with the state governments of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur so that problem areas are identified on the path to a non-territorial Naga council. The NSCN (IM) on its part has to also realistically assess the resolution package and, in consultation with Naga society, work towards the peaceful resolution of a conflict it has actively participated in for so long.
Originally published by Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (www.idsa.in) at http://www.idsa.in/?q=idsacomments/AnonterritorialresolutiontotheNagaethnicconflict_ngoswami_151111 About the author: IDSA The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) is a non-partisan, autonomous body dedicated to objective research and policy relevant studies on all aspects of defence and security. Its mission is to promote national and international security through the generation and dissemination of knowledge on defence and security-related issues. IDSA has been consistently ranked over the last few years as one of the top think tanks in Asia.
Rebuilding Nagaland University morungexpress
Ever since its establishment more than a decade ago, Nagaland University (NU) is yet to achieve the potential with which it started—to be a role model university with a difference. Protests and controversies not education and learning, have been the hallmark of the NU. Instead of building the institution most of the time has been wasted in allegations, counter allegations and the demand for removal of not just one but three past Vice Chancellors. As such, NU has remained under a cloud, being grappled with teething problems since its inception in 1994. Merely to oust the VC or appoint another one may provide temporary relief but the deeper malaise within NU if it is not diagnosed and cured will rob the Nagas of quality in higher education. This will be the biggest challenge for the newly appointed Vice Chancellor Prof. Bolin Kumar Konwar. One can well sympathize with the new VC given that all has not been well with the NU. Unlike a routine takeover from his predecessor Prof K. Kannan, the newly appointed VC has had to first do a lot of non academic exercises given the prevailing tension and controversy within the NU setup. Prof Konwar has in the last two months or so met a cross section of people since assuming charge as the VC. This column appreciates the initiative he has taken to reach out to the Naga people—to introduce himself, share ideas and suggestions and seek guidance. In fact Prof Konwar has virtually moved out of the comfort of his Lumami office and travelled the distance to meet and interact with people and to get their goodwill and support. It has indeed been a humbling experience to meet the new VC whose simplicity, humility and openness to listen to others point of view is indeed a quality that will serve not just the VC but also the university and the people.
Prof Konwar is aware about the problems dogging the university and he has made the right start by quietly going about and listening to the grievances and also putting a healing touch to some of the past hurt. A few days ago as reported in the local dailies, the Post Graduate Students Union, Nagaland University (PGSU), Lumami apologized to the chief medical officer Nagaland University, medical fraternity and the Naga public in general for vandalizing the University Health center at Nagaland University Lumami during March-2011. Apparently the students responded positively to the new VC’s mediation to resolve the problem. These are all good signs for the NU. It is likewise suggested that all other genuine grievances, issues and concerns whether with the teachers, students, non-teaching staff, landowners etc. are looked into by the VC and a closure is put on these distractions so that the university can be free of the old problems and get on with the task of making NU into an institution and hub of learning and quality education.
Without the support and cooperation of everyone concerned including the State government and the Naga public, the new VC will not be able to fulfill his responsibility, no matter his academic qualification or human qualities. Prof Konwar who is an Ahom comes from a similar socio-cultural background like the majority of us here in Nagaland. In fact it is quite surprising that it is only now that the government of India could appoint someone from the region to head the NU. Indeed much time and opportunity has been lost and everyone must put their heads and hearts together in rebuilding NU. The task of the VC is only to coordinate and help in the day to day affairs of running the university. The real stakeholders are the people especially the students, teachers and the larger community. We need to support the new VC as he begins the task of rebuilding Nagaland University.
HC asks Nagaland pollution control board to probe oil spill TNN
GUWAHATI: A division bench of the Gauhati High court (GHC) on Monday for the first time instructed the Nagaland State Pollution Control Board (NSPCB) to constitute a committee within a month to ascertain the status of the environment and steps required in connection to oil spills from ONGC's oil rigs. The proposed committee has been asked to submit a report in court within two months of its formation.
Changpang and Tssori village in the Wokha district of Nagaland have been directly affected by the oil spills. The oil spills have spread 133 sq km into the district affecting another 102 villages indirectly. The high court order came in reaction to a PIL filed by Mmhonlumo Kikon, executive director of Dialogues on Indigenous Culture and Environment (DICE) in April.
"More than 1,000 villagers in the two villages have been adversely affected by the oil spill from ONGC's 21 oil rigs. It has damaged crops and poisoned water causing many villagers to lose their eyesight and suffer from other health hazards," said Kikon. Kikon mentioned that the locals have been complaining about the oil spills since 1997 but no action was taken. However, the court's recent order is a positive sign.
"ONGC offered to clean the oil spills if the state government gave it expedition rights in the area. ONGC had started expedition once but was put on halt by the Nagaland government after the locals complained of it," said Kikon. In the PIL, Kikon has also sought for Rs 1,000 crore compensation for the damage.
"We have consulted the counsels of the Bhopal gas tragedy case to fix the compensation amount as the court order permitted the proposed committee to take help of any of the concerned departments and experts too. The next consideration will be held on March 5 next year," said counsel Gunedhor Singh.
ONGC PIL: HC directs Nagaland govt to report morungexpress
Dimapur, The Guahati High Court has directed the Nagaland Pollution Control Board to ‘ascertain the status of environment’ and steps taken, in villages of Changpang and Tssori villages in Wokha district where crude oil spilling from rigs abandoned by the Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) allegedly continue to imperil the villagers and their agricultural lands. The Guahati High Court met November 14, in its first hearing since admitting the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and the government by a group of citizens, Mmhonlumo Kikon & Others.
The brief order of the court read: “We, accordingly, direct respondent no.6, the Nagaland State Pollution Control Board constitute a Committee to ascertain the status of environment and steps, if any, required to be taken in the matter. The committee may be constituted within one month from today and the report may be given to this court within two months thereafter. The parties would be at liberty to assist the committee and to suggest the expert who may be associated with the committee.”
Indian State’s Roads Become a Protest Tool

Manpreet Romana for The New York Times
Women took part in a blockade this summer with the Kuki tribal group, which is seeking the creation of a separate district in India's Manipur State. By LYDIA POLGREEN
IMPHAL, India — All summer, Homindon Singh Lisam’s phone rang off the hook. As a doctor and hospital administrator in India’s remote Manipur State, he is no stranger to triage. But this was different. Follow @nytimesworld for international breaking news and headlines.

The New York Times Two roads connect Manipur State to the rest of India.
The Kuki tribal group, seeking the creation of a separate administrative district in its area, had imposed a blockade in August, severing the only two roads that lead here, and with them Dr. Lisam’s access to crucial medical supplies. Oxygen canisters, vital for surgery, were already scarce. All nonemergency procedures were canceled indefinitely.
“Many patients come to me and beg to get their surgeries done,” Dr. Lisam said. “I tell them: ‘A hernia can wait.’ ”
It is an astonishing but true fact, and it is indicative of India’s peculiar challenges, that an entire state of the world’s most populous democracy, and a rising economic power, can still be held hostage by a small ethnic group demanding a relatively modest amount of local administrative control.
India’s remote northeast is attached to the rest of the country by a slender thread of territory that arcs over the northern border of Bangladesh. It lies at the crossroads of India, Myanmar, China and Nepal, and is an ethnic and religious crazy quilt, populated by a diverse mix of indigenous tribes. In addition to Muslims and Hindus, many of the tribes are Christian or practice smaller, traditional religions.
That makes for fractious politics all over, from the eastern end of West Bengal to the deepest reaches of Arunachal Pradesh, from Assam to Tripura. Some places have suffered through full-fledged insurgencies while others have remained simmering for decades on a lower boil. Violence has dropped sharply in Manipur, once one of the most insurgent-wracked states in the country. But the state remains fragile. “Manipur is like a mini India,” said Nongthomban Biren, a state government minister and spokesman, in an interview at his palatial home. “There are 36 tribes in such a small state. We have to be very careful. If something is happening, and it hurts someone’s sentiments, it is a big problem.”
Two main roads connect this state to the rest of India, leaving it vulnerable to blockade by whatever group has a gripe with the government.
Such protests have been a routine part of life here for four decades. This summer’s blockade lasted more than three months, costing the state tens of millions of dollars. Like other blockades through the years, this one stopped as abruptly as it had begun, when the state government said it would create a district for the Kukis. But there was already a competing partial blockade in place by an ethnic group opposed to the move.
All summer, gasoline was in short supply and rationing was in force. People lined up for hours, parking their cars in line at night and returning to wait again in the morning, to get a few liters of oil. In remote and isolated Manipur, blockades ensure that what little commercial life there is gets choked off.
Usually when Manipur is sealed from the outside, the perpetrators are ethnic Nagas who want to break large chunks of the state off to add to what they call Greater Nagaland, an enlarged version of the existing state of Nagaland.
This time, however, it is another tribal group that is blocking the roads. The Kukis are a hill tribe who complain that they are dominated by both the Nagas and the Hindu Meiteis of the Imphal Valley, who dominate political and economic life in Manipur.
In order to have greater control over the development of their community and a measure of self-governance, Kuki activists are demanding that the state government create a new district, which is a local administrative unit, in the southern half of the existing Southern Hills district. While this may seem like a modest proposal, Naga groups oppose it because they worry that a Kuki-dominated district could disrupt their plans for Greater Nagaland.
“The Nagas are against it,” Mr. Biren said, with more than a hint of weariness in his voice. “If the Nagas get angry, that affects the whole state.”
Chakhesang public leaders harp upon unity Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, Former finance minister K. Therie Monday lamented that the present Naga society has become a “fragmented society”, citing while Naga national workers were divided into several groups on one hand, ENPO was demanding separate statehood on the other.

He also said corruption was imbibed from the lowest to the highest levels in the state, adding, it was evident that some people were acquiring wealth from “unknown source of income”.

Therie was speaking at the annual general session of Chakhesang Hoho Kohima (CHK) held Monday at Jubilee Hall, CBCK Kohima.

Pointing out that moral leadership was needed to fight corruption, the former minister asserted that the social menace could be erased when religion preceded politics. He said there was mismanagement in various areas such as in electoral roll, VDB household roll, NREGA etc and called upon people to introspect as to whether they were being Christians in their work as they were in the church.

Therie also stated that election process in Nagaland was one of the biggest channels of corruption in the state. While alleging that many government officials and public leaders were responsible of proxy voting, he called upon the people to encourage the practice of “genuine vote- one man, one vote” and presiding poll officials to enforce fair conduct of elections.

Addressing the occasion as guest speaker, Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienu expressed sadness that out of over 9000 Chakhesangs residing in Kohima as per CHK census which he released earlier during the programme, only a handful turned up to attend the Hoho’s annual general session.

Earlier, while delivering greetings at the programme, Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) president Sovenyi had also called upon the community to unite and coordinate with one another in upholding their identity.

The gathering observed a minute of silence as a tribute to former CHK president late Lechütso Lasuh who passed away in March 2011.

Besides Chakhesang government employees, retirees, businessmen, church leaders etc, a host of prominent public leaders belonging to the community also attended the programme including parliamentary secretary for social welfare, child & women development Chotisüh Sazo, MLA & advisor art & culture Deo Nukhu, former minister N. Theyo, former MLA Wezülhi Krome, Rted. ADGP M.V. Chakhesang and Nagaland State Commission for Women chairperson Sano Vamuzo among others.

Ibobi reaffirms Manipur govt stand on territorial integrity Nagaland Post

IMPHAL, Manipur Congress chief Gaikhangam reacting to the news report “Centre offering creation of Supra-state body for the Nagas, as final settlement” published in the local dailies here, questioned the authenticity of the information.

Ibobi and Gaikhangam however, reaffirmed that any agreement that would compromise Manipur’s territorial integrity would not be acceptable at any cost.

Ibobi expressed confidence that Centre would not by-pass state governments of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh while taking such a “delicate” decision.

“Government has not been informed about Centre taking such a delicate decision,” he said and urged the need to cross examine the source of the report.

“Any outcome of the peace talks (between GoI and NSCN I-M), which tantamount to break Manipur’s territorial integrity will not be acceptable to my government. We will stand firm against it,” Ibobi affirmed.

Talking on the sidelines of a function held at Imphal Congress Bhavan to remember India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 122nd birth anniversary, Ibobi said that his government was always ready to fight any move tantamount to break the territorial integrity of the state.

Gaikhangam also reiterated the party’s commitment for the protection of territorial integrity of Manipur and appealed to the people to keep faith with his party.

The news report also drew flak from various organizations in Manipur where it was reported that some even called for emergency meetings in their respective offices to discuss the matter. Leaders of various civil organizations have also inquired about the reliability of the information while individuals were of the view that there could be fallout if such decision was made.

The excerpt of the report states that the negotiations between Centre and NSCN (I-M) is now in its final stages. The settlement envisages a “special federal relationship” between India and Nagaland and creation of a “Supra-state body” for the Nagas to “preserve, protect and promote their cultural, social and customary practices”.

The offer to create a pan-Naga ‘Supra State Body ‘ has been touted by Indian negotiators as the “second best option for the Naga people”.

So Delhi is offering to create the “Supra State Body”, to which the legal authority and decision-making power of the Naga populated areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be formally transferred

Manipur CM seeks centre's clarification on 'supra state body' Press Trust Of India
Imphal, Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh has sought clarification from the centre on media reports that the government is considering granting a 'supra state body' status to Nagas settled across the Northeast to enable them to preserve their culture, identity and customary laws under one body.
Official sources said that the chief minister wrote letters to the Prime Minister and the Union home minister after reports were published in a section of the local media that the centre was considering keeping all Nagas in Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam under a 'supra state body' before Christmas.
According to the media reports, the centre was weighing the option after having talks with the NSCN-IM which has been holding peace talks with the centre for more than a decade.
Singh, according to the sources, clearly laid down the state government's position on the issue that the state government should be consulted before taking any final decision and asserted that the territorial integrity of Manipur would not be compromised at all costs.
The letter demanded assurance from the centre that territorial integrity of the state be kept intact while negotiating with the NSCN-IM which has been demanding a greater Nagaland by integretating Naga-settled areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with the present Nagaland state.
Senior Manipur Opposition leader of the Manipur People's Party O Joy said any attempt to break up Manipur would bring very bad consequences.
Eighteen people had been killed in Manipur during mass uprising when a BJP-led government at the centre, holding peace talks with the NSCN-IM, had stated that a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN-IM would be extended 'without territorial limit' in June, 2001. The statement was later retracted.
Gauhati HC asks for ESR on ONGC's abandoned rigs in Nagaland (UNI)
In a significant order by the Gauhati High Court on oil spillage from ONGC’s abandoned rigs in Nagaland’s Wokha district for almost two decades now, the Nagaland State Pollution Control Board has been asked to ascertain the environmental status of the affected areas as a first move.

A division bench of Justices A K Gel and A N Koteswar Singh, in an order passed on a PIL yesterday, had directed the board to ‘constitute a committee to ascertain the status of environment and steps, if any, required to be taken in the matter’.

The committee had to be formed within a month of the order and the report submitted before the Court within two months thereafter, the court ruled.

Talking to reporters here today, one of the petitioners M Kikon said the PIL was filed earlier this year by him along with Johnny Lotha, both hailing from Wokha district of Nagaland which had been directly impacted by the oil spillage.

'The oil spillage has been going on for 17 years and ONGC did not bother to remedy it. We decided to file the PIL after all legal recourses within the state were taken,' he said.

Kikon said the ONGC, when asked to clean the spillage, said it would do so only if exploration rights were given.

'The state government has said it would clean up the spillage but no action on ground has been seen yet,' he added.

Quoting media reports in Nagaland, Kikon said the state government had revealed that it had short-listed five foreign companies to clean and explore further in the affected areas but details were hazy on how far the process had progressed.

He said the PIL, besides asking for the Court’s intervention in cleaning the spillage, had also sought monetary compensation of Rs 1000 crore for the environmental and health impacts.

The PIL listed 102 cases of people of the affected areas reporting stomach, liver, kidney and eye problems, among others.

Two villages, with a population of 1000 people, had been directly affected by the oil spillage with the spilled oil covering approximately 113 sq km directly.

The ONGC, the Nagaland government, the Nagaland State Pollution Control Board and the Oil Ministry and the Ministry of Environment and Forest at the Centre had been made respondents in the PIL.

Advocate of the petitioners, M G Singh said the respondents had not filed any reply in the Court yet and sought more time to submit their counters.
'The next date of hearing has been fixed on March 5 next year,' he added.

Singh said allegations of ONGC engaging in inclined drilling in disputed areas along the Assam-Nagaland border had also been mentioned in the PIL.
The ONGC had ended its operations in Nagaland’s Wokha district in 1994 after operating 21 wells in Changpang and Tssori villages since the beginning of 1980s. UNI
Junta wants KIO to come clean on BGF
Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng, Vice-chairman of KIO. An increasingly impatient Burmese military junta wants the Kachin armed group to come clean on the contentious Border Guard Force issue, where it wishes to see the Kachin Army being transformed into the Burmese Army controlled BGF, said sources close to Kachin leaders.

However, in opposition to the wishes of the junta brass in Naypyitaw the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has decided not to come up with a clear answer on the BGF issue, said KIO officers in Laiza Headquarters in Kachin State, near the China border. So, it seems the junta has begun to provoke the KIO and has detained at least eight soldiers of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) the armed-wing of the KIO near the Laiza Headquarters early this week.

The latest ambiguous decision on BGF was made in the crucial KIO central committee meeting held in Laiza from March 1 to 11, added the KIO officer in Laiza.

Col. James Lum Dau, Assistant Officer of KIO Foreign Relations, who came back to his Bangkok office from Laiza on March 15 told Kachin News Group, “The junta is very keen on KIA transforming to BGF but we insist on a political dialogue”.

During the meeting between KIO delegates and the junta’s Northern Regional Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win in Kachin State’s capital Myitkyina on March 12, the KIO’s proposal for a dialogue was sent to the Naypyitaw brass, KIO delegates said.

On the same day, the KIO’s proposal was also sent to Lt-Gen Ye Myint, chief of Military Affairs Security and Naypyitaw negotiator for all ethnic armed groups on transforming their armed-wings to the junta-proposed BGF, said KIO delegates.

The KIO’s proposal did not have a clear “Yes or No” on the BGF but it proposed that the issue be discussed after political dialogue is kick started between the two sides, added a KIO senior official in Laiza. The KIO’s proposal also said it would recognize the new government after the junta-led countrywide elections this year and it would also want a political dialogue with the newly elected government, said KIO officers in Laiza.

KIO officials in Laiza told KNG today, that the KIO’s vice-president No. 1 Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng, the leader of the KIO delegates has stayed back in Myitkyina since March 12 and he is awaiting Naypyitaw’s response over the latest KIO proposal.

The junta set February 28 as the deadline for the KIO to respond to the BGF, however the KIO has refused to come clean. KIO/KIA officers have criticized the junta over the detention of eight KIA soldiers, which seems to be a provocation by the ruling junta to create conditions for a military confrontation from the Kachin side--- not the junta’s side first.Source :http://www.kachinnews.com/News/Junta-wants-KIO-to-come-clean-on-BGF.html