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11/18/2011: "NSCN status sparks row in northeast Economic Times"
NSCN status sparks row in northeast Economic Times
GUWAHATI: Governments of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have urged New Delhi to clarify plans to offer a 'supra-state body' to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland ( NSCN Isak-Muivah faction) to enable Nagas outside Nagaland to preserve their identity.
Reports in the local media about plans by the central government to grant Nagaland a special federal status by creating a 'supra-state mechanism' for the Nagas to preserve, protect and promote their cultural, social and customary practices has led to angry reactions in the three states.
"The question of allowing governing Nagas settled in Manipur simply does not arise. We don't know about any such plans by the central government," Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said.
Similar views were echoed by the governments in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the two other states that have Naga tribals residing for decades.
The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire in August 1997. They have held more than 50 rounds of peace talks to end one of South Asia's longest-running insurgencies.
The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, had proposed 'a special federal arrangement' which enables the Nagas to govern themselves.
The NSCN-IM wants a special federal relationship with India, with a separate Naga Constitution, and would like the Naga guerrillas to jointly guard the international borders alongside Indian security forces.
The NSCN-IM has been struggling for nearly six decades to have a 'Greater Nagaland' by getting parts of three neighbouring states sliced off to unite 1.2 million Nagas. The demand is strongly opposed by the states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Conceding their demands would be a tough proposition as any move to merge Naga-inhabited areas in the northeast or grant special status allowing Nagas settled outside Nagaland to be governed by a separate administrative structure could lead to a rebellion in the neighbouring states.
"There is no question of allowing people residing in our state to be governed by a separate council or structure. There can be no compromise on this," Assam government spokesperson and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The NSCN-IM is on a sticky wicket, Having climbed down from its demand for an independent Naga state outside the Indian union, the rebel leadership now harps on a Greater Nagaland and a special federal relationship.
"It seems the central government is now trying to re-phrase the concept of Greater Nagaland and talking of something called the 'supra-state' mechanism to please the NSCN. Under no circumstances will the people of Arunachal accept such a proposal," said a senior state minister who didn't want to be named.
Media reports said New Delhi was contemplating granting a special federal status to the NSCN-IM on the eve of Christmas - in an attempt to seal an accord with the rebel leadership.
"If a state government, in whose territory the Nagas live, loses control and a neighbouring state government interferes and governs their lives, it would surely lead to chaos and disorder," said Sarma.
State not to allow inclusion of its territory in NagalimTimes of India
GUWAHATI: The state government will oppose any move by the Centre to give Nagas in Assam the right to infringe upon the state's territory in any manner. There are reports of the Centre working with the NSCN (IM) on an accord with a provision to give Nagaland a special status under which Naga councils would be set up in Naga-dominated areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Though the state government is yet to receive any formal communication from the MHA on this issue, a senior state government official said, "The state government will not agree to any move by the Centre to allow Nagaland to make any kind of infringement on Assam territory."
However, government spokesman and health and education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "There are no Naga-inhabited areas in Assam and any such move by the Centre will not affect the state."
State home secretary G D Tripathy told TOI, "We have not received any communication from the home ministry on the formation of Naga councils in Assam territory. We have also checked with the home ministry and it has denied any such move."
A source close to chief minister Tarun Gogoi said he is likely to meet home minister P Chidambaram on November 26 on the Naga issue. Gogoi had earlier opposed the territorial integration demanded by the NSCN (IM) and extension of the ceasefire to Naga-inhabited areas in the state.
The Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts of the state bordering Nagaland on the east have a substantial Naga population and the NSCN(IM) has been demanding the carving out of a greater 'Nagalim' by joining with Nagaland these Naga-inhabited areas of Assam as well similar areas in Arunachal Pradesh on Nagland's north and Manipur on its south.
The All Assam Students' Union also raised its voice against the reported move by the MHA to give Nagaland control over parts of the state. The students' body's general secretary, Tapan Kumar Gogoi, demanded both the Centre and state governments clarify their stands and issue whitepapers on the issue. Manipur, too, has a sizeable Naga population and has been opposing tooth and nail the integration of Naga-inhabited areas in the state with Nagaland. The NSCN (IM) and the Centre signed a ceasefire agreement on August 1, 1997 and dialogue started in 1998.
Nagaland donates Rs. 1 million towards flood victims of Thailand Our Correspondent Morungexpress
Minister Azo handover amount to Tharadol.
Nagaland donated a total amount of Rs. one million towards the flood affected people of Thailand. The amount was generated through a platform of “Solidarity Concert for Thailand” organized by Friends of Thailand and Nagaland Baptist Church Council with the support of Government of Nagaland.
The concert was staged here last evening at The Heritage in aid of flood-affected people of Thailand. Minister for health and family welfare Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu handed over the amount to Tharadol Thongruang, Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi. The minister later contributed Rs. 50,000.
Referring to cordial relationship between the people of Thailand and Nagaland, the minister said, “They are always with us. They are always there to promote and help us,”
He said the tragedy flood has left many people displaced and jobless. About 2-3 million people were displaced, he said adding the concert has been organized to show solidarity to the victims of the flood tragedy. The minister lauded the organizer sand termed the show as a good gesture towards humanity.
Azo also thanked all the well wishers and the performers for coming forward to show solidarity to the people of Thailand.
Tharadol appreciated the friends from Nagaland for showing their solidarity with the flood affected people of Thailand. On relationship between Nagaland and Thailand, he said the two share similarity in term of food and habit. He said although Nagaland is not big in size, their heart s are bigger than Thailand. “We understand the feeling and kindness of the people,” he said.
He assured to assist the people of Nagaland if they require any help from the people of Thailand.
Stating that Nagaland has done something good to the people of Thailand, he hoped that the relationship will continue.
Additional chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir said that Thailand is the most visited country by Nagas, adding that the first choice of Nagas for visiting other countries is Thailand. Jamir also stated that church in Nagaland is very close with the churches in Thailand. He said that the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) selected the country as the meeting point of Nagas earlier, and from there a major peace was brought to Nagaland. He said Korea and Thailand are two countries that come to Nagaland with sincerity to invest and partner. He was hopeful that the state can prosper through Thailand when economic interface between India and Thailand goes well in keeping with Look East Policy.
The show witnessed enthralling musical items from NBCC Choir, Neise Meruno and the Zowe Madrigal, Khyochano TCK Ngully, Naro Pienyu, Elizabeth Chang and Alobo Naga and band. NBCC general secretary Rev. Dr. L. Anjo Keikung invoked God blessing. Theja Meru hosted the show.
Rahul Gandhi visit greatly disappointed Nagas’: NPF morungexpress
Dimapur, November 16 (MExN): Breaking its silence on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Nagaland, the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) has said that “Gandhi’s visit has greatly disappointed the Nagas.” A statement issued by NPF President Dr. Shurhozelie, stated that his party has all respect for a leader like Rahul Gandhi; however, it observed that his visit was devoid of any vision statement for an economically backward and insurgent affected state like Nagaland, or for that matter for the youths.
The NPF chief stated that the Congress leaders of Nagaland in their hero-worshipping of high command and in their culture of sycophancy, has once again belittled the Nagas. He said that Nagas are not beggars; have never begged from time immemorial and that Nagas are only asking from the Centre their legitimate rights. “The NPF led DAN government is only speaking for the right of Nagas and echoing the voice of Nagas,” he stated. He also added that just because the Congress leaders of Nagaland are serving the high command and are desperate, they should not demean the Nagas.
The NPF President further stated that “Rahul Gandhi has been misguided by the Congress leaders during his visit to Nagaland.” Asserting that because the NPF party is not against anybody or any party does not mean that it will not voice the feeling of the Naga people. It also reminded the Congress that NPF is “in friendly terms with the UPA and perhaps the Congress in Nagaland needs to be reminded that the NPF led DAN is extending support to the UPA government in Delhi.”
