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01/06/2012: "Recently heavy Force Labour is going on at Somra Village"
Recently heavy Force Labour is going on at Somra Village
For creating this artificial “Naga Self-Administrative Zone” and recent Somra sub-township the government has confiscated hundreds of acres of land for Police, Army station, office purpose etc from civilians without compensation many family (at least 6 houses) has been forced to leave their sweet home and become homeless….
Soon after the end of Naga Traditional New Year Festival(15th Jan 2012), Top Burmese Military will be visiting Somra village and recognized Somra village as a sub-township which was postpone in 2009. In order to suit the military constitution creation of “Naga Self-Administrative Zone”
During the National Convention when the military’s new constitution was being drafted, it was clear that the military wanted to create a “Naga Self Administrative Zone”. The proposed “Naga Self Administrative Zone” will only include a small part of Sagaing Division - the mountainous region with the Townships of Layshi, Lahe and Nanyung.
This Naga Self Administrative Zone excludes the valley townships, namely Khanti, Homlin, Tamu, Kampat and Tanai (at present in the Kachin state). These Townships have been a part of the Naga Homeland from time immemorial. However, the Burmese military want the valley area of the South Sagaing Division as these areas have rich mineral deposits.
The Burmese Military Junta tried to hide their real intentions of keeping the valley townships by coming up with a policy that blatantly attempt to alienate the people from their land with conditions such as:
1. If more than 60% of the population in an area or in one township belongs to any
ethnic tribe (not only Nagas), the majority has the right to the township;
2. There have to be government employees such as army officers, educational officers,
doctors, engineers, etc, for any of the ethnic tribes to claim the rights of a township;
3. There has to be a Buddhist temple and monks in the township;
Sadly, the valley townships did not meet the first two criteria as many other ethnic groups, such as Shan, Burman and Kuki, have settled there and now outnumber the Nagas. Secondly, there are also no Naga educated or qualified enough to hold the position of army officers, educational officers, doctors, engineers etc. Thirdly, since the Shan and the Burman are Buddhist, there are many Buddhist temples and monks in these townships.
According to the military constitution, to be given such a status, the requirement is to have five townships. Since in the proposed “Naga Self Administrative Zone” there are only three townships, in order to suit the military constitution, Pangsau, a village of 290 households was given the status of sub-township in 2008 and in 2009 and Somra, a village of more than 300 households, was also given the status of sub-township. Very soon, these two sub-townships will be upgraded to the status of township, thus meeting the criteria of the military constitution.
These five townships will be the new “Naga Self Administrative Zone” of the Naga.
The Naga consented neither to the creation of statehood nor the exclusion of the two important
Only my/our voice is not ENOUNG my Dearest Naga Peoples:
For creating this artificial “Naga Self-Administrative Zone” and recent Somra sub-township the government has confiscated hundreds of acres of land for Police, Army station, office purpose etc from civilians without compensation many family (at least 6 houses) has been forced to leave their sweet home and become homeless….
Recently heavy Force Labour is going on at Somra Village......Picture: View of Somra village
WHAT IS MEAN BY DEMOCRACY BY THE BURMESE MILITARY JUNTA?
The final version to a referendum in May 2008 constitution was drafted by 1,088 delegates at the National Convention, and took fourteen year to complete. The delegates were entirely handpicked. The referendum was held with Order 5/96 hanging over it – this particular law imposed a twenty year prison sentence on anyone criticizing the National Convention. Everything was forbidden under this law. A free and fair referendum campaign was impossibl
Blending traditions in modern wear morungexpress
Models display products and representations of a unique intermingle of designs and prints during the launch of ‘Leejen – Colors of Nagaland’ in Dimapur, January 5. (Caisii Mao Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | Blending different cultures and creating a new one is an established application today – from food to music. Tushisenla Ao, a homemaker who got influenced by the ‘Ajrakh’ block printing style wanted to apply the same using Naga tribal motifs. Her first encounter with the printing style was during her husband Wapang Jamir’s, an IPS officer, posting in Kutch district of Gujarat.
“The inspiration for ‘Leejen’ came from a chance encounter with one of the finest practitioner of the art Sufiyan Ismail Khatri hailing from the village of Ajrakhpur, Kutch,” the brochure of Leejen states.
In a joint venture with another entrepreneur Toshi Jamir, Tushisenla launched “Leejen Colors of Nagaland” in a hope to add a boost to the fashion industry in Nagaland, create employment opportunities as well as revive Naga traditional dyeing art. On January 5, the founder and secretary of Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Natwar Thakar inaugurated a “Leejen - Colors of Nagaland” exhibition at Imliyanger Memorial Centre in Dimapur. The exhibition is scheduled till January 7, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The Combination of East and West India
While addressing the gathering, Natwar Thakar said Tushisenla’s creativity has brought two cultures together through block printing. “Two ends of India meeting in Dimapur. I’m sure this small thing though it may look insignificant now, is a major historical landmark for Nagaland and west of the country.” He also encouraged the proprietors of Leejen to focus more on reviving the Nagas’ traditional dyeing art. “…make this as an aspect besides the commercial aspect.” Also, he said, natural dyes have greater appeal as they are environmental-friendly.
Promotion
Tushisenla said she wants to promote the use of natural dye in Nagaland by using available raw materials. At present, she said, raw materials for natural dye used in Kutch are madder root, indigo, alizarin, turmeric (haldi), iron scraps and tamarind seed powder. She said block printing are done on cotton, wool, suede, canvas, decors etc.
Marketing and opportunities
Jamir revealed that Leejen has tied up with a London-based designer as block printing is very popular in European countries. Also, recently the Nagaland Handloom agency had approached them and enquired on bulk purchase of products.
Concerning employment opportunities, the duo said to be planning to employ Naga workers for which they would send them out for training. The price range for the products starts from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000. The products include ladies’ dress materials, traditional dresses, shawls, bed sheets, pillow covers, curtains, decorative wall hangings and table top covers.
Elaborating the style of screen and block printing, the duo said screen printing uses chemical dyes and is cheaper in price while block printing uses natural dyes and is costlier as it cannot be produced in bulk.
To satisfy Naga costumers with a wider range of choice, they have replicated Naga shawls and ‘meghalas’ (wraparounds) on various textures of cloths using screen printing. The duo also revealed that in future they will market men’s attires. Leejen will soon launch its first store in Vikeye Centre in Dimapur.
Nagayouth BurmaGeneral Than Shwe the King of Burma
Why don’t they do anything? If he is so bad, if his policy is so negative for the country, why do they keep him? Then you have a big silence. Nobody can answer. It is really strange.
Naga Hoho urges NSCN (K) to withdraw allegations Eastern Mirror
DIMAPUR, Voicing concern over the allegations levelled against the Sumi Hoho vice president Kitoho Rothoka, the Naga Hoho has urged upon the NSCN (K) authority to withdraw the allegations, and particularly the words ‘dire consequences’, in the interest of the common Naga people.
The Naga Hoho, in a statement issued by its president and general secretary Keviletuo Kiewhuo and P Chuba Ozukum, said it is perturbed to read the news item which appeared in the local dailies intimidating the life of Kitoho Rothoka, Vice President of Sumi Hoho, one of the constituent units of the Naga Hoho by NSCN (K). ‘It is univocally clear through statements issued by various Sumi organisations that whatever was done or uttered by Vice President of Sumi Hoho does not reflect the individual’s interest but the voice of the Sumis as a whole’, the statement said.
Also, while pondering over the threats and intimidations to civil society leaders by different political groups, the Naga Hoho once again drew the attention of the various groups to the 5th Naga Hoho Federal Assembly Resolution which reads: “Threat perception to various Naga leaders from different groups of Naga National workers without having an iota of common dignity and mutual respect has become daily phenomenon and thereby creating hatred among Naga families which are not at all acceptable to Naga Hoho. In this regard, the Naga Hoho shall raise against intimidation in order to protect and safeguard the life and property of common people. Over and above, it shall be the collective responsibility of every tribe Hoho in the event of any unwarranted provocation or threat meted out to any social workers that are tirelessly working for the Naga people as a whole”.
The Naga Hoho has, therefore, strongly urged the NSCN (K) authority to withdraw the allegations against the Vice President of Sumi Hoho, particularly the words ‘dire consequences’ in the interest of the common Naga people.
Clarifies on Niathu meeting
THE NAGA HOHO has clarified the agency news item which was carried in sections of the local press under the caption ‘NSCN (IM) may field candidates in Manipur polls’.
Naga Hoho general secretary P Chuba Ozukum said in a press note that the consultative meeting was convened by Naga Hoho at Niathu resort Dimapur on January 4 in which a few civil societies, NPF leaders and collective leaders and Kilonsers of NSCN-IM were invited. The meeting was convened to deliberate over the issues concerning Naga people, alternative arrangement for Nagas in Manipur and reconciliation and peace process, it said, adding that neither NPF MLAs nor VS Atem was present during the meeting as reported.
Further, it said it was ‘absolutely unjustified’ to claim that the meeting was held to chalk out the strategy for the elections in Manipur as the agenda is outside the perimeter of Naga Hoho.
The Naga Hoho urged upon the media fraternity not to publish any news item without authenticating the factual story in future in order to avoid commotion and tarnishing the image of the person or organisations concerned. EMN
Breakthrough: CNF Signed Ceasefire Deal with Govt. Chinland Guardian.com
Dr. Sui Khar (left) and Colonel Zaw Min Oo shook hands following the ceasefire agreement (Photo:CG)
06 January 2012: In an historic development, the Chin National Front (CNF) has signed a ceasefire agreement with the new Burmese government at the end of a two-day peace negotiation in Chin State capital Hakha.
A source present in the negotiation has confirmed to Chinland Guardian that leaders of both sides of the official delegations have entered their signatures on a document containing the official ceasefire agreement.
Dr. Sui Khar, leader of the CNF delegation signed the agreement on CNF’s behalf while Railway Minister Aung Min and Chin State Chief Minister Hung Ngai both signed the document on the government side. Two representatives from the Peace and Tranquillity Committee, a group of Christian religious leaders who facilitated the peace process also signed their names as witnesses.
Leaders of both parties shook hands after exchanging the official peace agreement documents.
The three-points deal include the opening up of three CNF liaison offices in Matupi, Thantlang and Tedim Towns, the recognition of Chin State’s northernmost and southern most townships of Tedim and Paletwa as the CNF operational base areas, and the agreement that a date for further discussion with the Union government be decided within two weeks of the day of the signing of the peace deal.
Meanwhile, a grand dinner is being organized this evening where both sides of the delegations will share an evening meal with cabinet members of the Chin State government, members of the Chin State parliament, invited elders and dignitaries from Hakha, Thantlang and Falam towns and chief civil servants from all State level departments.
The CNF delegation is due to depart Hakha tomorrow and is scheduled to stay overnight in Thantlang town before heading back to the Indian border.
Assamese and Naga meet to share culture morungexpress
Sivasagar, January 6 (MExN): The fourth edition of the Desang festival is being held from today at Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Kshetra in Desangmukh, a Mishing populated village about 12 km south west of Sivasagar town in Assam.
This festival has been organized by the District Administration of Sivasagar district in collaboration with the local people of Desangmukh which attempts to showcase the fusion of different ethnic groups and their culture, cuisines, dance and music powered by cultural troupes from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
“The purpose of organizing this festival is to improve cross border relations with the neighboring districts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland by way of cultural exchange. We have invited officials from Mon and Mokokchung District of Nagaland besides dignitaries from Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh in today’s inaugural ceremony, Jatindra Nath Lahkar, Deputy Commissioner of Sivasagar said. The highlights of the 3-day mega event would include cross border cultural exchange, various competitions and ethnic food stalls.
A team of artisans from Suyim Cultural Club Ungma Village in Mokokchung district brilliantly performed in today’s inaugural ceremony (‘Victory Dance’) besides Mon team which showcase the relations between Ahom King Godhadar who married Naga lady Dalimi from Tanhai village in Mon district. Ironically, the Tanhai village cultural team could depict the whole event through their song and dance. Besides cultural teams, Longkumer Self Help Group from Changtongya is also participating in the Fest. The Mokokchung team was led by Bendanglila, Border Magistrate and A. Atu Imsong while Ilika Zhimomi, EAC of Mon, led the other team.
Rakibul Hussain, Minister for Forest and Tourism of Assam state was the Chief Guest in today’s inaugural function while Sayed Ifthikar Hussain, Commissioner of Upper Assam Division was guest of honor. In his maiden speech, Rakibul Hussain praised the organizer for initiating such a grand occasion with a humble mission to create a platform to coordinate trans-border relations with neighbors through this kind of cultural extravaganza.
He lauded all the participants especially from the districts of Mon, Mokokchung from Nagaland and Tirap district from Arunachal Pradesh for partaking in this meet. He also mentioned about the positive initiation being carried forward by the Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland) for creating a solid platform to address the grievances of the people living in the border areas thus effectively managing trans-border conflicts.
In his short speech, BPCC (A-N) President B.P. Bora has welcomed all the dignitaries in today’s function and thanked the organizers for imbibing a positive and healthy initiative amongst the people which shall help understanding people from different caste, creed and religions which ultimately yield peace and tranquility in this region.
