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12/07/2011: "PM’s Imphal statement a U-turn: NSCN/GPRN Says it may adversely affect Indo-Naga talks NTIMES"

PM’s Imphal statement a U-turn: NSCN/GPRN Says it may adversely affect Indo-Naga talks NTIMES

DIMAPUR, (EMN): The Joint Council meeting of the Steering Committee Executive Members and the Cabinet of the NSCN/GPRN have taken strong exception to the statement

of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Dec 3 at Imphal where he committed to the ‘untenable status quo of the so-called territorial integrity of Manipur and other North Eastern states’.
This was informed in a press communiqué issued by the NSCN/GPRN Kilo Kilonser Rh Raising and co-convenor, Steering Committee Q. Tuccu, which further said the statement is serious cause for concern as it may adversely affect the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process.
Stating that the entire Nagas are shocked, it said the PM’s statement is being viewed as a U-turn to the commitment of seeking the Indo-Naga solution outside the box and to walk the extra mile to seek an honourable political solution in the shortest possible time. “His statement contradicts the ‘recognition of the unique history and situation of the Nagas’ by the Government of India,” it said, adding that, historically speaking, Nagas have their distinct culture and territory under the administrative jurisdictions of the respective Chiefs/Kings of the Villages from time immemorial and that Nagas were not a part of the Manipur Durbar (Assembly). It further pointed out that under the colonial policies of British India and India, the land of the Nagas were divided into many pieces and placed in different administrative units in total suppression of the inherent rights of the Nagas.
In protest against such diabolic divide and rule policy, Nagas have been resisting in many forms till date and they will do that till the end, it asserted.
The NSCN/GPRN, moreover, reminded that at the invitation of the Government of India to resolve the 7 (seven) decades old conflict between the Indians and the Nagas, the two entities have been talking across the table for the last 14 (fourteen) years seeking solution through political means. It said Nagas are patient and deeply committed to solving the decades-old problem through negotiation based on mutual respect and recognition of our inherent historical rights and we will always be faithful to this commitment. However, it maintained that the statement of the Prime Minister of India is a serious cause for concern as it may adversely affect the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process. EMN

Manipur NPF reiterates for ‘logical solution’ NTIMES

Imphal,The Manipur unit of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) reiterates “fullest commitment” to the Prime Minister in strengthening and expediting the ongoing political dialogue between the ‘NSCN-IM and the Government of India’ and paving way to arriving at a ‘logical conclusion.’

According to a note from the unit, integration of all Naga contiguous areas “under one political roof” to live together as one people is the “birthright” of the Nagas all over and has been their demand for the past more than 60 years. The NPF unit submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister during his visit to Manipur on December 3. The political party expressed unhappiness ‘over many hurdles created one after another by neighbors’ more so by the valley-based civil organizations in Imphal ‘on road map to peace.’

There is stiff opposition when it comes to the ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and NSCN-IM, the NPF unit complained. Blaming the present Secular Progressive front (SPF) government of Manipur, the unit said the “majority community-dominated Cabinet” of the State government had conducted elections to the Autonomous District Council (ADC) in the hill districts in 2011 by handpicking some candidates. It was rejected and declared that the ADC office cannot function in the four Naga districts.

The NPF party also mentioned that various memorandum of understanding signed between the government of Manipur and the Nagas represented by the Naga Students’ Federation, United Naga Council and All Naga Students’ Association at various times in the past concerning the creation of Sadar Hills district. The present Manipur Cabinet decided to go ahead with its formation without taking into consideration the confidence of the main stakeholders, the party said.

Further, the unit said, the talk of “Supra-state body” being offered to the Nagas by the Government of India, which appeared in certain section of the media, “has instantly led to hue and cry from all quarters in the Imphal valley against the proposal, a thing yet to be either authenticated or confirmed or accepted.”

In the memorandum, it also criticized the Manipur government on stating that out of the total SPA funds allocated to the state, 28 per cent is allotted to the hill districts while 72 per cent is allocated to the valley. 39 per cent is earmarked for the Hill districts and 61 per cent is set aside for the valley, the NPF claimed. The state government ‘seems to ignore need-based development,’ the NPF unit added. NNN/MExN
Vetolu Dawhuo crowned Miss Nagaland 2011 Emilo Khuvung Morung
Kohima | December 6: Stunning and innocent looking Vetolü Dawhuo from Phek district has been crowned Miss Nagaland 2011 at the prestigious Miss Nagaland Beauty pageant organised by Beauty & Aesthetics Society of Nagaland in coinciding with the Hornbill festival, here this evening at the State Academy Hall. Winning the coveted title amidst thunderous applause from a capacity crowd and fans, she pocketed a cash prize of Rs 50,000 along with complimentary gift hampers. Imnuksungla Jamir and Wankam Konyak were adjusted as first and second runner up respectively who were also awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 20,000 and a gift hamper.


Responding to a query “In a modern society, mostly husband and wife are daily bread earners thereby who matters the most in earning, husband or wife and why?”, Vetolü responded saying that both the husband and wife shares the same responsibility thereby whoever earns more does not matter for her. 20 years old Dawhuo, stands 161.4 cms and weighs 47 kgs. Her hobbies include designing and social service. Wishing to be a designer, she voted her ‘mother’ as her greatest influence. Dawhuo will now be the brand ambassador for Saakshar Bharat (Adult Education) in Nagaland.


Miss Nagaland 2011, Vetolü Dawhuo flanked by first and second runner up, Imnuksungla Jamir and Wankam Konyak during the Miss Nagaland beauty pageant held at Kohima.
The show comprised of three rounds - modern ethnic wear, designer and formal round. In the modern ethnic wear round, the contestants showcased the beautiful, vibrant and colourful Naga attires of different tribes. In the designer wear round, the contestants sashayed down the stage in outfits designed by Rhosou Rhi and friends. In the formal round, the contestants wore gowns designed by their own respective designers.
The fifteen contestants were then whittled-down to five—Kimiyetoli Tsüqü, Imnuksungla Jamir, Alis Jamir, Wankam Konyak and Vetolü Dawhuo for the final category question and answer. Ayn Longkumer, designer, showcased her designs for the fashion sequence. Among the many artistes who performed at the show included Tsapila Anar, Kokliba (Naga Orpheus Hunt 2011 finalists), a dance sequence by the Elementz, and a special performance by Abby Rose Nakro (USA).

SUB TITLES WINNERS

Miss Perfect ‘10’- Nyembo Konyak
Mary Kay Miss Beautiful Skin- Noibenkupling P. Nyam
Miss Congeniality - Noibenkupling P. Nyam
Miss photogenic- Kejenkala T. Longchar
Eastern Mirror Reader’s Choice Award- Sentirenla Ozk

Nagaland Press & Social Media morungexpress

Recently an editorial in this column mentioned about media as an instrument of public accountability and how those in the media must be first accountable itself. The press in Nagaland has performed exceedingly well as far as its role of Information Education Communication (IEC) goes. But we have fared poorly when it comes to speaking out the truth. It’s true that the media has become too much identified with the system. We are failing in our role as a free press…to get to the bottom of the story…to point out wrongs…to make our government accountable for their acts of omission…We cannot continue to be a soft media only republishing press statements from those in power or the countless public relation exercise of this and that union, group, political parties etc. So coming back to the role of the media, we must carry the “voice of protest” and be the medium to spotlight social evils, policy failures or the wrongs in our system. How can we be more effective as media practitioners? One area we need to improve upon is in our reporting. Are we merely satisfied to take dictation from others…don’t we as journalists’ have a mind of our own…in fact the best way for the media to be an instrument for public accountability is to probe and ask—if needed even tough uncomfortable—questions to those in authority…and we should not be afraid to report the truth.
Also the media here is not making the best use of the Right to Information Act (RTI). In the RTI Act there are endless possibilities for the media to demand accountability from those holding public office. We don’t seem to have the inclination or the time to do serious reporting. Here we need to bring to the fore the new phenomenon of what we call the social media. In fact the uprising in the Arab world and the fall of regimes in Egypt, Libya etc. this has been attributed to what is being dubbed as the ‘Facebook Revolution’. We need to ponder over what the role of the mainstream media has been in all this recent events taking place around the world. Some may disagree with this column but you know what…this whole new awakening taking place through social media is partly as a result of the mainstream media’s failure. Remember? we were supposed to be the ‘voice of protest’, to carry the voice of the people, to act as the watchdog against injustice, to be the voice for the voiceless. It would seem that the mainstream media has been co-opted into the system that perpetuates the status-quo. The people coming out into the streets, the new found expression of protests in the social media is the frustration against the present state of affairs including the failure of the fourth estate.
And because we are failing to play our part, the media is facing a crisis of legitimacy. The sense we get is that people are starting to lose faith in us. The local media must be awake to this reality. All will agree that a strong and vibrant media is an asset for society, for politics and for democracy. There is an equal danger in allowing too much space for people’s power. Freedom of protest or expression should not be used as a license. We don’t want complete disorder and anarchy. And that is why the media must reoccupy its place and give the space to promote dialogue and reason while at the same time being an instrument for accountability, correction and peaceful change.

Assam’s new force to stop other states from encroaching Rediff.com
Guwahati, December 6 (Rediff.com): Though late, Assam has decided to roll up its sleeves and take measures to protect its borders from rising encroachment by the neighbouring states. The Border Area Development Department has given thrust on the setting up a Border Protection Force, which will exclusively guard the inter-state borders of Assam.
Highly-placed official sources told rediff.com that the BPF would be set up to protect Assam’s inter-state borders from continuous encroachment by the neighbouring states and the issue had been brought to the notice of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
The proposed BPF will man Assam’s inter-state borders, prevent skirmishes along the borders and deal with the encroachers.
According to recent official figures, a combined area of 85,446.42 hectares of Assam was encroached upon by Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram. The break-up: Nagaland-66, 151 hectares, Arunachal Pradesh-11, 519.76 hectares, Meghalaya-5,789.66 hectares and Mizoram-1,986 hectares. Of the 5,927 hectares area in the Geleki reserve forest in Upper Assam’s Sivasagar district, around 4,000 hectares were encroached upon by Nagaland, official figures stated.
Border Area Development Department sources said that the encroachment problem in the border areas of Assam, which is more serious along the Nagaland border, is mostly encouraged by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim.
“Most of these Naga encroachers are very aggressive and it is sure that these people have the backing of the Naga insurgent groups. This is a serious matter,” official sources said. Well-trained members would be recruited in the proposed BPF, official sources said. “Through this new security unit, we can also give employment to a large number of unemployed youth in the state,” sources added.
To develop the inter-state border areas in Assam, the Border Area Development Department has placed Rs 1000 crore supplementary demand to the state government, which would be mainly for development of roads, culverts, electricity supply, border outposts, schools and others in the inter-state border areas.
“Border encroachment problem is severe in Assam due to lack of development measures initiated by Dispur along its inter-State border,” official sources added.
Rescuing Tribal India: The Nagaland Model – Analysis IPCS By Firdaus Ahmed
An army brigade has been deployed for its jungle warfare training to Chhattisgarh for the second round. Reportedly it is located closer to the forested area than the brigade that had trained there earlier. With another such deployment, troops would edge closer to the Maoist ‘liberated zone’ as by then there would be enough troops familiar with the terrain and the challenge. The decision to give a free rein to them to ‘liberate’ the tribals held ‘hostage’ by Maoists in the forests can be easily taken.
From the preliminary moves underway it is apparent that the option is open, subject to the army’s readiness. Though the army is not in favour since its engagement in Kashmir continues, leaving no troops to spare. The army deployment for training purposes is an internal variant of ‘coercive diplomacy’ – it is to goad the Maoists on to the table.
India
In the interim the window for talks is closing. The Maoists interlocutor, Azad, was shot last year. The new state government in Kolkata has resumed operations successfully in claiming the Maoist leader, Kishenji, after a short ceasefire. Fresh thinking on breaking the status quo is called for. Operations to open up ‘no go’ areas do not seem imminent. The paramilitary is doing a reasonable job of keeping the areas needed for extraction of minerals open, but at a non-trivial cost in lives. The companies accessing difficult areas are arriving at an arrangement with the Maoists. Maoists have been contained in their hold outs. The only ones suffering are the already marginalized tribal communities within and in the adjacent region.
In the meanwhile, the government has extended its tried and tested policy of dole to the region, empowering its administrators already burdened with the usual development load with another 25 crore Rupees per district. This may well end up with contractors, who will pay out some to the Maoists as protection money. Glacial operations are set to be indefinitely extended. This is good enough for security managers perhaps; but not so for tribal communities. They have been squeezed between Maoists and the state supported SPOs. The Supreme Court judgment on the SPOs has been undercut by the Chhattisgarh state enacting a law institutionalizing their employment.
Then, can the tribal communities be saved? The military option, in case mere military posturing fails, has precedent. The clearing of the Lakhipather reserve forests off the ULFA in late 1990 and Operation Sarp Vinash in Surankot in Poonch district are examples, which involved the army setting up a firm base and then moving in. In both cases the quarry had fled by the time the army closed the cordon. For Maoists to flee into neighbouring areas within time in case of military operations is possible. This will leave the resident village communities open to the attention of the SPOs, Koya Commondos etc, inevitably part of the vanguard of the operation. In case the Moaists are indeed trapped, with the military learning lessons from earlier operations, their plight will be worse. Pre-empting operations would also benefit the state and the military since jungle operations are known to consume troops and time, witness the operations of the IPKF in late eighties.
An idea is to apply the ‘Nagaland model’ to conflict resolution in Central India. In Nagaland the ceasefire is into its fourteenth year, even as talks continue. Loosely applied regulations enable the armed groups to coexist with the security forces. A parallel government of the no-longer-underground is in place that ‘taxes’ people. The good part is that the two sides are not shooting at each other. The resulting peace has proved addictive and chances of reversion to internal conflict are receding. The talks have been buoyed lately by ideas such as a ‘non-territorial’ or ‘supra state’ solution to the major holdup, Nagalim.
Maoists stand to make gains in legitimacy, visibility and power. This may tempt them down the democratic route. This is worth conceding for the state in exchange for protecting Indian citizens: their life and liberties and restoring a dignified life to the people. The state’s policies will get better implemented, with areas opened for development. The major gain, as in Nagaland, would be in backtracking being precluded by either side. It would make them lose out strategically in terms of losing support among the people, who would prefer that peace acquire roots. Peace would then be self-sustaining.
Over the past three years, there has been a lot of ‘talk about talks’. The problems of this strategy are that with a dwindling leadership, the insurgent groups break up. While easier to tackle, bringing the violence to end becomes problematic. The stated intent of the Home Minister needs translation into action. The Nagaland model exists. The promise of development will be easier to deliver. The elimination of the top Maoist leader, Kishenji, provides an opportunity for acting from a position of strength. Seizing it would certainly spare India’s tribal communities becoming a site for yet another unending counter-insurgency.
Firdaus Ahmed
Freelancer
email: firdyahmed@yahoo.com
About the author:
IPCS
IPCS (Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies) conducts independent research on conventional and non-conventional security issues in the region and shares its findings with policy makers and the public. It provides a forum for discussion with the strategic community on strategic issues and strives to explore alternatives. Moreover, it works towards building capacity among young scholars for greater refinement of their analyses of South Asian security.
Fashion industry making waves in Nagaland ANI
Kohima, Dec 6 (ANI): The youth in Nagaland have always kept abreast with the latest fashion trends and the last few years have witnessed this trend consciousness transform into a serious and popular career option.
Recently, the Nagaland Government launched the Nagaland Designers Association to provide designers with a platform to promote traditional weaves and to generate employment for local artisans.
"There are so many talented youth in Nagaland. The launch of the Nagaland Designers Association has provided a good opportunity for models as well designers. I think this is very good that this will surely make their (model, designers) dreams come true," said Nesie Meruno, a Naga model.
Seventeen designers showcased their collections at the event, whose main theme was "Going Glocal-Emanating the indigenous".
There were four rounds of ramp shows in which models showcased casuals, formals, and dresses made from sericulture and other products.undreds of visitors thronged the venue to encourage the young designers and models.
The association urged the government to provide them the much needed support.
"There is a small platform for us to showcase our talent. Many of us are not privileged enough to go outside and show our skills to other people because of many constraints like money and others. So many designers are struggling to make it to the national level or make them recognized," said Kavili Kiba, Vice President, Nagaland Designers Association.
Nagaland today has many talented youth in the fashion arena.
Some eminent designers and models from the state include Atsu Sekhose and Alemla Jamir who have made a mark at the national level. (ANI)