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11/24/2011: "Nagaland in the dark over “Supra-state” status Nagaland Post"

Nagaland in the dark over “Supra-state” status Nagaland Post

KOHIMA Despite much hue and cry in the neighbouring states over the news report on the reported proposal for ‘Supra-state’ status to Nagaland, chief minister Neiphiu Rio Wednesday expressed his ignorance on any such move.

“As far as I am concerned, I have no knowledge about any such proposal”, Rio said while answering to media persons on the sideline of the NPF 6th General Convention held at the IG Stadium, Kohima Saturday.

Government of India has not informed the state on any such proposal, however, as far as the ongoing talks between the GoI and NSCN (I-M) to resolve the vexed Indo-Naga political issue is concerned, the state government was aware that talks were going on in the right direction, Rio added.

It may be mentioned that following the news report recently about the GoI’s proposal to grant Nagaland ‘Supra-state status’ which would empower the Nagas living in different state to traditionally and emotionally integrate, the neighbouring states particularly Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh had reacted strongly to the news report opposing any such move by the GoI.

However, in Nagaland many felt that the proposal was nothing new as the same was in existence in the Naga society long before - such as the Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation and Naga Mothers’ Association which were apex Naga organisations covering the entire Naga populace living in four different states in India; Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Supra State Body for Nagas—No takers? morungexpress
According to the recently launched The Seven Sisters Post newspaper, the negotiations between the Indian Government and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim are now in its final stages. The Seven Sisters Post newspaper has claimed that it has access to all the details of a solution. The final settlement envisages a “special federal relationship” between India and Nagaland and creation of a “Supra-state body” for the Nagas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to be given as this year's Christmas gift to “preserve, protect and promote their cultural, social and customary practices”, according to a report published by The Seven Sisters Post. Further, the offer to create a pan-Naga ‘Supra State Body’, instead of the “Greater Nagalim” demanded by the NSCN, has been touted by Indian negotiators as the “Second best option for the Naga people”, the report said. Following the wide media coverage given to this particular news item, there has been a volley of protest coming in from Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Not surprisingly it is the politicians who are making the most noise. While media report suggests that the Union Home Ministry people are denying the offer of a ‘Supra State Body’, yet there has so far been no explicit statement in black and white issued by Delhi. Those involved in the negotiation process have also neither affirmed nor denied the report. So it becomes quite obvious that there is some merit in the revelation made by The Seven Sisters Post.
Time for Nagas to work on common strategy, approach
Strangely the Nagas are not saying anything and have remained so quiet even though others around us are making their protest known. Isn’t it high time for the Nagas to also make known their stand and take a position? Over the years especially since the ceasefire, Naga civil society, political parties (both the NPF and NPCC) and the public have been making regular mention on the need to expedite the Indo-Naga peace process and the appeal for early resolution through peaceful dialogue. So if we really want an early solution why is it that we are keeping so quiet? It is another matter that those at the negotiating table have remained very discreet when it comes to the specifics of the proposals or counter-proposals. And yes they may have their own compulsion to keep things under wraps away from public scrutiny. However, if both the Government of India and the Naga negotiators are indeed affirming (as stated in previous joint statements) that the dialogue has entered a crucial and end stage, then why are they on the defensive when certain proposals are being put in the public domain. Does it also mean that they disown something as creative as a ‘Supra State Body’? What will happen to the credibility of the more than fifteen years of peace process if everything is brushed under the carpet. For both Delhi and the NSCN it makes sense to start a process of serious consultation with the concerned peoples and even governments of the region.
Coming to the Naga people’s response, our silence is not going to solve the Indo-Naga problem. Further we seem to be completely clueless on how to go about things. There is neither strategy nor a common approach. Maybe the Joint Legislature Forum of the Nagaland Assembly under the initiative of the Speaker, Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition should help in formulating some kind of approach so that the voice of the Nagas can also be heard on whatever proposals are being discussed for a settlement. The Common Naga Platform, which had been suggested in the past, could be reinvented as the time for such a platform is at hand. As for the proposed ‘Supra-State Body’ (whether this is true or false), if this is indeed the ‘second best option’ for the Naga people as being pushed forward by Indian negotiators, the question is why our neighbors should be so unsympathetic. It is not fair to oppose everything that is being offered to the Nagas through the dialogue process. It is high time that as good neigbours for posterity we should be helpful and be accommodative to each other’s needs and aspiration. For Nagas too, this is the time to reconnect with our neigbours, rebuild the broken relationships and reach out to them so that we may be able to make them understand through dialogue and persuasion. All this will have to be done through better strategy and common approach among the Nagas.

Zeliangrong Baudi mandated apex Zeliangrong body: AZSU (AMN)
Dimapur, Maintaining that Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) was a mandated apex body of the Zeliangrong people living in three states and elsewhere, the All Zeliangrong Students’ Union of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (AZSU-AMN) Wednesday said ZB alone represented Zeliangrong people in every platform of the Nagas society.

According to AZSU-AMN president Pamei Tingenlung, a convention of the three states was held July 30, 2010 at Peren, Nagaland as per decision of the Zeliangrong people.

He said prior to the convention, a joint consultative meeting of ZLR interim body with national workers and frontal organization was held June 18, 2010 at Siguilong village, Tamenglong, Manipur. In that meeting, Pamei said a resolution was passed wherein it was decided that general convention 2010 would held on July 30, 2010 at Peren town Nagaland. The decision to hold Zeliangrong general convention to decide/constitute the apex Zeliangrong body of the three states was jointly initiated in consultation with responsible “nation workers” and Zeliangrong leaders including NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K) and NNC, said Pamei.

Accordingly, he said the general convention was held at Peren town. The convention, he said was attended by Zeliangrong public, leaders, representative of various frontal organizations and “national workers,” adding that after hearing different views and opinions the house “unanimously agreed to constitute the Zeliangrong apex body under the nomenclature ‘Zeliangrong Baudi.’”

From that time onward, Pamei said Zeliangrong Baudi has been recognized as the “sole apex body of Zeliangrong people”. Also, he said that Naga Hoho, United Naga Council etc., in reciprocation, have “officially recognized Zeliangrong Baudi as the apex body of the Zeliangrong tribe.”

In the light of the above, Pamei said there was “no an iota for confusion as to who is the apex body of Zeliangrong community.”
AZSU-AMN president said the union was “perturbed” to note that some organization in the Zeliangrong community has been questioning time and again the apex body of Zeliangrong community. “This organization presumes that those who are questioning the validity of the apex Zeliangrong body should be the vested interest groups and blackship of the society,” said Pamei.

AZSU (AMN) president also said it was “very unfortunate” that Thuankubui Pamei president of the “so called Rongmei Council (AMN)” in his press statement denied the existence of the apex body of Zeliangrong. Rongmei council president had said Zeliangrong apex body was split into two i.e., Zelilangrong Union and Zelilangrong Baudi.

Pointing out that Thuankubui had also come out in support of CAO Zeilad block of Zeliangrong region, T. A. Rongmei, the AZSU-AMN president also questioned “why so called Rongmei Council or Thuankubui Pamei act as vanguard of CAO Zeilad Block Zeliangrong Region and why he is defending him?”

AZSU-AMN said let the GPRN authorities come out and defend its official in case clarification was needed in public interest.
Dima Hasao concern over Naga Supra State Times News Network
SILCHAR, (Times News Network): Dimasa organizations in Assam's Dima Hasao district have expressed concern over the demand for a supra state body by the NSCN (IM). Jadike Naiso Hosom (JNH), the apex body of Dimasas, said on Tuesday, “We have come to understand that Nagas have been offered a supra state body in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. If the demand is fulfilled, parts of Dima Hasao district of Assam will also be included in the supra state body. It will only create new problems in the area and will cause a threat to people belonging to Dimasa and other non-Naga communities living here. It will have serious implications on mutual co-existence of different communities in the region," said a statement signed by JNH publicity secretary Dhoneswar Batari.
JNH urged the government not to succumb to the demand of the NSCN (IM). The Dimasa apex body also called upon the people of Assam to keep vigil along all the areas bordering Nagaland so that neither the Centre nor Nagas can indulge in any misadventure.
"Assam should not give away an inch of its land to the proposed supra state body. People of the state as well as the government must take care of it," the JNH said. Sources said Nagas are the second largest community in Dima Hasao district after Dimasas. NSCN (IM) has been spreading a propaganda that the Centre has given them the assurance of forming a supra state body, an arrangement for cultural integrity of the Nagas living in this region, to come as a Christmas gift to Nagas.
All Dimasa Students Union (ADSU), a powerful body in Dima Hasao, has strongly reacted to the supra state body issue as well. ADSU said Dimasas should oppose the idea for the sake of the existence of the community in the region.
The students' body said Dima Hasao is already going through ethnic conflicts and there is a complicated law and order situation in the region. Therefore any decision on supra state body for Nagas will lead to a sharp and widespread public agitation. "No one is consulted about the arrangement except the NSCN (IM). The government should bring out a white paper on the issue before going for any arrangement," the ADSU said.

GPRN/NSCN bans donations, demands; warns violators morungexpress
DIMAPUR, (MExN): As the festive season sets in, there are reports that a number of anti-social elements, using the name of GPRN/NSCN officials, are seeking Christmas/New Year donations from shopkeepers and business houses. Threats, intimidations and harassments caused to business community each year during festive season by anti-socials must be controlled, stated a press note issued by the MIP.
The general public is notified that GPRN/NSCN has not authorised any ministry, department, official either in the civil or military to seek donation or demand from any shop or office anywhere. “All donations and demands are strictly banned”, it stated. If there is any demand or donation notes claiming to be from GPRN/NSCN civil or military officers, business houses may immediately contact Kilo Secretary at 9862520186 or Crime Control Cell (CCC) secretary at 9612840169. GPRN/NSCN cautions all officials both in the civil and military set up against violating the ahza.
It is also informed that Crime Control Cell (CCC), GPRN/NSCN has received numerous reports of anti-social elements taking refuge in lodging hotels and indulging in criminal and immoral activities, degrading the social fabric of the Nagas. As such the CCC, GPRN/NSCN informed all hotel managers/proprietors to strictly insist on identity cards and addresses from the customers as is common in all cities. Any report of criminal/immoral indulgence shall invite surprise raids, it has cautioned. Hotel managers/proprietors shall be held accountable in the event of failure to produce required details of the customers, it stated.

Naga entrepreneur reaches out for development of Myanmar Nagas Eastern Mirror
DIMAPUR, (EMN): The ceremony of cash donation for Zeyapadaytha Foundation by Shwe Naung Yan Co. Ltd. and Chabou & Co. Ltd. (Dimapur, India) was held on the morning of November 19 at the meeting hall of Win Unity Hotel in Monywa,
Sagaing Region. According to a press note, the ceremony was attended by U Tha Aye, Chief Minister of Sagaing Region, and the cabinet ministers of the region, the chairman of Zeyapadaytha Foundation Dr Maung Htoo and his members, responsible persons from Shwe Naung Yan Co Ltd and Chabou & Co Ltd Dimapur, region level departmental officials and the Hluttaw representatives from Naga Self Administered Zone.
After the cash donation, Chief Minister U Tha Aye, U Wan Yu, Managing Director of Shwe Naung Yan Co Ltd and Kechangulie, Thepfuneituo, Dr. John Murry, Rentemo Murry, Managing Directors of Chabou & Co. Ltd Dimapur and U Hla Tun (Hkamti), U Shi Thee (Layshee), U Sa Mu (Lahe) and Zin Wan (Namyon), the Hluttaw representatives from Naga Self Administered Zone held discussion on economic purposes. The Sagaing Region Chief Minister, U Tha Aye, has instructed and encouraged them to trade peas, rice and finished wood products.
In the meeting on November 20, Hluttaw representatives from Naga Self Administered Zone and responsible persons from Shwe Naung Yan Co Ltd and Chabou & Co Ltd (Dimapur, India) discussed on the subjects of business, poverty alleviation, development and microfinance. U Hla Tun and U Shi Thee, the Hluttaw representatives, urged the team from Chabou & Co Ltd (Dimapur, India) to do business in agriculture, animal husbandry and poverty alleviation in Naga Self Administered Zone.
The Managing Director of Shwe Naung Yan Co. Ltd. explained about the business of medicine and medical products and others with Chabou & Co. Ltd. He also suggested to those Indian Pharmaceutical companies and businessmen who would like to do business with Shwe Naung Yan Co Ltd to do it through Chabou & Co Ltd.
The meeting concluded after urging other businessmen and companies to cooperate and contact Chabou & Co. Ltd (Dimapur, India) for the development of Naga region.

Hardcore criminal, tax collectors nabbed Eastern Mirror

DIMAPUR, An absconding hardcore criminal belonging to the NSCN-IM outfit was arrested by Dimapur Police and an IRB patrolling party on November 23 from Super Market area. He has been identified as one Nitoyi Achumi, 40, s/o Hevito Achumi of Phisami village, Khipire and designated as ‘ss’ Razou Peyu.
PRO Dimapur Police informed in a press release that the accused is wanted in several criminal cases, including the looting of Rs 1, 95, 000 and snatching of two mobile phones at gunpoint from TK Gas agency at Purana Bazaar on November 8.
He is also wanted in connection with the snatching of one Yahama motorcycle at gunpoint on November 7 and looting cash after waylaying victims at Midland colony near PWD Junction Dimapur.
The accused is also suspected to be involved in some kidnapping cases in Dimapur as well as snatching and theft of vehicles at gunpoint in and around Dimapur. He has been remanded to custody and investigation is ongoing.

Four NSCN-IM ‘henchmen’ arrested
Dimapur Police on Thursday arrested four criminals who are reported to be henchmen of the NSCN-IM given the task of collecting monthly taxes from all the gumti (pan) shops in Dimapur and Kohima. They have been identified as Khumtsa Achumi, 29, Abdul Hassim alias Hasssim, 34, Billal Uddin, 27, and Aqlak Uddin.
Upon interrogation, it was learnt that Hasssim was authorised by the NSCN-IM to collect monthly tax of Rs 500/- per Tukri/basket of betel leaves from all gumti shops located in Dimapur and Kohima. The tax collected, which amounted to around 5 lakhs per month, was then handed over to one Jacob Poumai, ‘ss’ Additional Secretary of Chaplee, NSCN/GPRN.
Acting upon the information divulged by the accused, the police raided a house located at Murgipatti, allegedly used as its office for the illegal activities and recovered one .32 pistol with magazine and three live rounds along with cash amounting to Rs 31, 208/-.
Three tax receipt books of 100 leaves each, 50 nos of tax information slips, 2 copies of information slips of GPRN issued by Lt Gen (Rtd) HS Ramsan, Keya Kilonser GPRN, list of Gumti shop owners of Dimapur and Kohima were also recovered.
Police also seized 2 mobile phones and one car (A-Star) bearing R/No NL07-C-2373 from their possession.
A case has been registered in this connection and all accused have been forwarded to court for remand. Further investigation in the process, Police informed.

New ULFA chief’s identity baffles police R Dutta Choudhury
GUWAHATI, Nov 24 – Though the hard-line faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) declared a new 16-member central committee yesterday, the identity of the new acting chairman Dr Abhijit Barman has baffled everyone as no one is sure about the identity of the person.
Highly placed police sources told The Assam Tribune that the police or security agencies do not have any record about presence of such a person in the ULFA. The police has been keeping records of the leaders of the ULFA since the time of formation of the outfit and there is no record of a person named Dr Abhijit Barman, sources admitted. There has been no intelligence input about such a person joining the ULFA in recent times, which raised doubts about the existence of such a person, sources admitted.
Police said that after the new list was announced by the hard-line faction of the ULFA, efforts were made to ascertain whether any person by the name of Dr Abhijit Barman existed in the ULFA and no surrendered militant or members of the pro-talk group of the ULFA including those who recently joined the faction were not aware of presence of such a person.
Similarly, the police has no record on Dr Pranmoy Asom, who has been made the assistant foreign secretary by the hard-line faction of the ULFA. However, the police has records on the rest 14 of the 16-member committee.
Sources pointed out that only two of the original central committee members of the ULFA were included in the new committee. They are commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, who has been given the additional responsibility of acting vice-chairman of the outfit, and Jiban Moran, who has been made the assistant general secretary.
Commenting on the strength of the hard-line faction of the ULFA, police sources said that most of those included in the 16-member committee were not prominent leaders of the outfit and there is a possibility that given a chance, most of them would join the pro-talk faction. “If Paresh Baruah sends members of the new committee to Assam, most of them will not go back to Myanmar,” police asserted.
Sources pointed out that in recent times, the hard-line faction of the ULFA , apart from issuing media releases, has not been able to do much and police has definite proof of Paresh Baruah requesting leaders of other militant groups of the region to help the ULFA to carry out operations. The hard-line faction also got in touch with a number of surrendered militants seeking their help, but it is unlikely that surrendered militants would take the risk of helping the ULFA.
Police said that Paresh Baruah himself started calling up people including prominent businessmen of Guwahati city seeking money. “It is unusual for commander-in-chief of a militant group to call up people directly asking for money and his action proved that the outfit is in desperate need of funds,” sources added.
Ulfa steps up ‘revival’ activities Barua names new panel OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Guwahati, Nov. 23: The Paresh Barua-led group of Ulfa today named a 16-member central committee, as it had announced earlier, but left all positions occupied by pro-talks leaders free except that of the deputy commander-in-chief.
Barua made himself the acting vice-chairman and remained the military chief, while promoting himself to the rank of “major general” from “colonel”.
Reacting swiftly to the move, the pro-talks group of the outfit led by Arabinda Rajkhowa described the move as unconstitutional, as it went against the outfit’s basic tenets.
The new committee also has an acting chairman — Abhijit Barman, a name unknown to the Rajkhowa group, with some saying it was probably just a name.
An email statement issued by the Barua-led group’s spokesperson, Arunodoi Dohotia, said its mobile military headquarters had unanimously approved the names of the 16-member central committee and appealed to people of the state for their “continued cooperation, blessings and inspiration”.
The new names of the committee include acting chairman Abhijit Barman, acting vice-chairman and military chief “major general” Paresh Barua, assistant general secretary and acting finance secretary “lieutenant colonel” Jiban Moran, deputy military chief “major” Drishti Rajkhowa and “major” Bijoy Chinese, assistant finance secretary “major” Michal Dekaphukan and “captain” Partho Gogoi, assistant organising secretaries “captain” Montu Saikia, “captain” Nayan Medhi, “lieutenant” Selim and “lieutenant” Azhar Ali, assistant cultural secretaries “lieutenant” Samiran Bhuyan, “lieutenant” Sagar Topno and “lieutenant” Jyotimoy Bharali, assistant information and publicity secretary “lieutenant” Arunodoi Dohotia and assistant foreign secretary Pranomoy Asom.
The group, which had earlier said doors were open for chairman Rajkhowa and other senior leaders and that it would welcome them if they decided to return, did not no-minate a permanent committee, barring the post of deputy military chief in which Dris-hti Rajkhowa and Partho Go-goi have been nominated in pl-ace of Raju Baruah, who, too, is with the pro-talks group.
The Paresh Barua group is against talks with the government without discussions on the subject of sovereignty.
The spokesperson of Rajkhowa group, Mrinal Hazarika, told The Telegraph that the new committee announced by Barua was not acceptable according to the constitution of Ulfa. “He (Barua) cannot nominate a new committee without approval by Ulfa’s general council and nor can he effect any changes in the ranks of the organisation. He created a rank of ‘major general’ and promoted himself, though there is no such rank in Ulfa,” Hazarika said.
On being asked why a permanent committee had not been named, Hazarika said, “Maybe Barua is waiting for Anup Chetia’s return, since he himself cannot nominate a permanent committee. Chetia’s stand will determine the balance of power in the outfit. But we can only say that Chetia is in favour of talks.”
According to a senior leader of the Rajkhowa group, Barua was forced to constitute a committee because without that, he would have found it difficult to liase with any other group or agency. “They will want to know about the organisational structure before getting into any deal, so he had to form a committee,” he said. Stating that Abhijit Barman and Pranomoy Asom were, in all probability, fake names, he said, “We would otherwise have known them because these are senior posts and given to senior leaders.”
Hazarika, however, said the announcement of new central committee would have no impact on the ongoing peace process with New Delhi. “In case of NSCN, NDFB and some other groups, we have seen that there are factions outside the purview of talks process. So we do not believe that the new development will have any impact on the talks process,” he said.
Centre sounds security alert WASIM RAHMAN The Telegraph
Jorhat, The Centre has warned Dispur of possible subversive acts by Ulfa’s Paresh Barua group between November 27 this year and January 26 next year after intercepting two phone calls made by the outfit’s commander-in-chief to cadres based in the state.
The home ministry, in a letter (No. 1102/122/2009-NER-IV) dated November 14 has asked the state government to review the security scenario to prevent possible acts of violence by the Barua-led group.
The letter said intelligence agencies had intercepted two calls made by Barua to two leaders of his faction based in the state on October 30. The calls, made around 8.30am (IST) were traced to Ruili in China.
Barua directed the two leaders to step up acts of sabotage in the near future to commemorate the outfit’s “black day” on November 27 — the date on which the army had launched Operation Bajrang against the outfit in 1990, after the Centre cut short Prafulla Mahanta’s first term as chief minister and imposed President’s rule in the state.
The letter said the Ulfa commander had asked the cadres to unleash largescale subversive activities from November 27 this year to January 26, 2012.
The ministry of home affairs also said according to the latest field inputs, the faction had in recent times launched an extortion drive in various parts of the state by targeting the business community.
After receiving the letter from the ministry, the Assam home department directed all the districts to review security measures to thwart possible attempts by the rebels to carry out subversive acts.
A senior police official said security was being reviewed on a daily basis and was being beefed up at all important installations.
He said as a result of the stepped-up counter-insurgency operations in Upper Assam, explosives had been recovered from Sivasagar and Tinsukia districts and a few linkmen of Ulfa were also arrested during the past week.
Bottle grenades and pipe bombs were also recovered by the security forces based on revelations by the arrested linkmen.
He said necessary instructions had been given to oil companies and other important government departments and agencies to step up security measures to prevent any kind of rebel attacks on their campuses or assets.
All police stations were on high alert and had been asked to be in touch with oil company officials if there were any oil assets under their jurisdiction, the official said.
Businessmen had been asked not to venture out of town into remote areas at night along the inter-state (Assam and Nagaland) border, the official said.
On Monday, two militants of the Barua-led group were killed near railway tracks in Sivasagar district when the explosive device they were allegedly planning to plant on the tracks went off.
Absu hopes for genuine accord OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kokrajhar, Nov. 23: The All Bodo Students Union today hoped that the United People’s Democratic Solidarity accord, scheduled to be signed in Delhi on Friday, would accommodate the aspirations of the Karbis and not turn out to be a mere piece of paper as in the case of the two Bodo accords.
In a release, Absu president Promode Boro hoped the UPDS agreement would resolve the problems of the Karbis, meet their genuine aspirations and legitimate rights, bring peace and development in the region and cleanse it of illegal arms and violence.
The students’ union appealed to the government not to engage in a futile exercise that would merely create regional tension. It urged the government to be “careful” and “not create multifarious problems while addressing one longstanding problem of the region”.
It hoped that along with the Karbis, the government would address the grievances of all the indigenous tribes such as identity, language, culture, socio-economic, educational and political. “All the communities should get right and justice under the Constitution. There should be no half-hearted solution to any problem as the government has been doing since the past 64 years. The government should not resort to double standards and politics while resolving sensitive issues,” Boro said.
The Absu appealed to the Centre not to ignore the rights of the indigenous Bodo people living in Karbi Anglong district, who, it claimed, were still deprived of fundamental, socio-economic, educational and political rights. It said several accords had been signed in the past but had not got translated into reality even after decades. Citing an example, Boro said Clause 8 of the Bodo Accord, signed on February 10, 2003 between the Centre, the Assam government and the Bodo Liberation Tigers, had resolved to grant ST Hills status to the Bodos living in the hills districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills (Now Dima Hasao) but this had not been done even after eight years.
“Absu demands ST Hills status for the Bodos living in the district through the accord to be signed as both the Union and state governments have agreed to resolve the issue. The promise must be translated into reality on humanitarian grounds so that Bodos living in the district can live with dignity and preserve their identity, language and culture,” Boro added.
On a positive note, the release said, “The Absu and Bodo community welcome the development and are optimistic that the agreement will accommodate the maximum hopes and aspirations of the indigenous Karbi people, who have been struggling for their political rights for decades, and resolve their problems.”
UNLF sticks to its stand OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today reaffirmed its “commitment” to carry on the struggle for “change and liberation”, the annual statement issued by the central committee of the group said here today on the eve of the group’s 47th foundation day. The militant group announced its decision despite the arrests of its leader Sana Yaima alias R.K. Meghen, and some senior leaders who are now lodged in Guwahati jail. Sana Yaima, during his routine appearance in the National Investigation Agency’s court has repeatedly reaffirmed his party’s decision to continue with the struggle. The UNLF has been proposing a plebiscite under UN supervision to resolve the conflict in Manipur in a democratic way.
Sana Yaima, 65, had earlier this year told The Telegraph in an interview that “it is plebiscite or nothing. Let them convict me and award me death sentence. I will not change my mind.”
The UNLF’s central committee admitted that the trust of people on armed groups was “diminishing” because these groups had failed to espouse armed struggle and counter the policy of driving a wedge between the groups and the masses. It also said use of violence and brute force by the organisations on the people also alienated the masses.
It said the formation of a coordination committee of seven armed groups in July this year was to win people’s trust. On the Look East policy, the statement said it provided both opportunities and threats for numerically smaller communities. The group said Manipur could exploit the opportunities only if it had a good production base.
It called for setting up of enterprises in the small and medium industries. It expressed concern over the influx of outsiders. Meghen, who took over as UNLF chairman in 1998, claimed last month that his arrest would not affect the outfit. “The UNLF is run by a collective leadership and not by any individual. We have democratic organisation with a set goal,” he had said.
Kuki human rights body appeals to UNC to lift counter economic blockade Written by Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL November 23: The Kuki Movement for Human Rights has requested the United Naga Council to consider the sufferings of the public and to lift the economic blockade with immediate effect.
A press statement by the chairman of the body T Lunkim has stated, “The session of Christmas should be free from any kind of disorderliness in the family, village and the state for the preparation of the joyous celebration of the birth day of Lord Jesus Christ”.
It has further mentioned that for whatever reasons whether disintegration of state territory, Southern Nagaland, alternative arrangement and countering the Sadar Hills District, the matter can be settled through negotiations for bringing peace and social harmony.
It has further added that all should remember that in the hill areas in particular, the Kukis and Nagas have been living together as neighbours since time immemorial. When the British wanted to colonize the land, the tribals including the Kuki Inpi fought back and saved the ancestral lands. Further, there are no watertight areas which one particular tribe should claim as its own land, it added.
“We own the land together in peace. Any misunderstanding of this ownership right by individual’s with vested interest would rather endanger the undisturbed ownership, and therefore communal interest has to be given up forthwith”, it said.
“Whatever the future holds, you are respectfully requested to lift the economic blockade for the sake of the Christmas season so that we may all celebrate by singing Joy to the world the Lord has come”, it said.
Mon party to decide whether it will re-register in December Kun Chan

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Burmese Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) says it will wait until after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Burma in December to decide whether it will re-register as a political party.

MNDF General-Secretary Dr. Min Soe Lin. Photo: Kaowao Officials said they wanted to see if more political changes and the release of political prisoners would take place.

“We will have doubts until it [the government] releases all the political prisoners. So, we will wait until after Hilary Clinton’s visit,” said MNDF General-Secretary Dr. Min Soe Lin.

“Khun Tun Oo and Sai Nyunt Lwin [ethnic leaders] have not been released from prisons. We cannot ignore that. We need to give attention not only to the [government’s] offensive actions against the Mon people, but also its offensive actions against others. We cooperate with them as a member of the United Nationalities League for Democracy [UNLD] andthe United Nationalities Alliance [UNA],” Dr. Min Soe Lin said.

On Sunday, more than 100 MNDF members attended a ceremony to reform the party held in Mawlamyine. In the meeting, the party will make a decision on December 22, when the party’s central committee will meet. The MNDF has not made any comment on the NLD decision to re-register as a political party.

“The day after the NLD made its decision to re-register as a political party, President Thein Sein said there are no prisoners of conscience in Burma. That means he fails to recognize politicians,” Dr. Min Soe Lin said. During its recent meeting, the party discussed combining with the All Mon Region Democracy Party in order to create a single Mon political party. Moreover, the MNDF reorganized its leadership and added more central committee members. It replaced elderly party chairman Nai Tun Thein, 95, with Nai Ngwe Thein, 89. Nai Tun Thein was named an honorable patron of the MNDF.

According to the MNDF organization structure, there are 45 central committee members including 21 central executive committee members. At the ceremony, the MNDF added seven leaders including five retired leaders of the New Mon State Party to the vacant seven positions on the MNDF central executive committee.

The MNDF was formed on October 11, 1988. Nineteen MNDF candidates contested in the 1990 general elections and five won seats. The former junta refused to recognize the 1990 elections results. In 1991, a number of MNDF leaders were arrested and the former junta dissolved the party on March 19 [Mon State Day], 1992. The MNDF is a member of the Committee Representing People's Parliament, the UNLD and the UNA.