[Previous entry: "SOME FACTS OF ANTHONY’S ARREST"] [Next entry: "Additional security for Manipur re-poll IANS"]

02/03/2012: "Fear stifles Naga voices from expressing opinion on political conflict PTI First Post India"

Fear stifles Naga voices from expressing opinion on political conflict PTI First Post India

Former Nagaland chief minister SC Jamir has illustrated how fear was preventing the Naga people in expressing their opinions on the Naga political conflict and how they they could no longer raise their voice against tyranny and persecution.
Jamir, the only living signatory to the 16-point Agreements of 1960 leading to the formation of Nagaland as the 16th state of the Indian union, in his latest booklet has lamented that apparent suppression of free speech, popular thoughts and participation of the people by the armed groups had made the political movement intractable.
“Today, Nagas have been broken into pieces morally because of gun culture and became visionless,” the Congress leader lamented and said the Nagas deserved a better future.

Today, Nagas have been broken into pieces morally because of gun culture and became visionless. Reuters
The booklet noted that an unambiguous, united and single Naga political agenda had been ‘hijacked’ by innumerable groups, factions and parties, which were often indistinguishable from each other.
The booklet ‘A Realistic Perspective on Unification-Peace-Reconciliation-Efforts’ was distributed during a function organized by Nagaland Law Students’ Federation at Dimapur yesterday where Jamir was the chief guest.
This had created confusion and disorder not only for the Naga people, but also for the Indian leadership, Jamir maintained.
“So far, in Nagaland, the common people have not manifested their preference or mandate in favor of any political party, group or faction, whether overground or underground,” the booklet noted.
“In the absence of mass appeal and general public support, the Naga political movement has become totally lifeless and listless and everyone is merely paying an ostentatious lip service to the Naga cause.”
The octogenarian leader rued that the Naga people reeling under decades of oppression, violence, brutality and threats, were shattered physically, mentally and emotionally because of the regime of threats, intimidation, violence, killings and extortion.
Jamir, who also served as governor of Goa and Maharastra, maintained that political groups and factions, both overground and underground, had abjectly failed to scrutinize the role, relevance and rationale of the concept of ‘sovereignty and separate homeland’ in relation to modern times and its challenges.
He said that unity among the Nagas should be the first and foremost agenda to evolve a common framework where a definitive, pragmatic, amicable and a progressive action plan could be charted out for resolving the festering Naga political problem.
Narrating a few personal experiences, Jamir said corruption had also eaten into society, and called upon the young people to confront these challeges to bring about a change in Naga society.
Rio lays NE road map to Yangon, Delhi at International summitThe Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, January 31, 2012: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has advocated that the Governments of India and Myanmar need to have a people oriented approach to address the issues that are impacting the people of the North East India region by understanding the ground realities. Addressing the International Conference on Myanmar at Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi jointly organised by Jamia Millia Islamia University and Tampadipa Institute, Yangon today, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the North Eastern region of India comprises seven States, which includes 1664 kilometres of international boundary between India and Myanmar.

These seven States include ethnic and indigenous population most of who are tribals, having rich cultural heritage. Four States from the North-Eastern India share international boundaries with Myanmar, namely Arunachal Pradesh Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, and this region is connected to mainland India by a small chicken neck which is just 2pc of the total length of the surrounding boundary, he added. The remaining 98 pc is surrounded by international boundaries, with China in the north, Myanmar in the east and Bangladesh in the west, Rio also said. "Geographically, the region lies nestled between the world's two most populous countries, one of which is the largest democracy, India and the other being the most powerful communist Nation, China. Four States from the North-Eastern India share international boundaries with Myanmar

Keeping all these aspects in mind, the Governments of India and Myanmar need to have a people oriented approach to address the issues that are impacting the people of the region by understanding the ground realities," the Nagaland Chief Minister said.

Neiphiu Rio further said, the Government of India has lifted the Protected Area Permit from the NE, with positive impact, as witnessed by the increase in foreign tourists to Nagaland during the last two "Hornbill Festivals", also known as the "Festival of Festivals" held annually from 1-7th December.

At the moment, the Government of India and Myanmar follows an open border policy.

I feel that this position should not be disturbed, as it is working well, Rio stated.

"This open border policy is especially important for Nagaland, because many Naga villages sit right on the international boundary.

This happened due to the fact that Indo-Myanmar border was drawn on the basis of water-shed, and since Nagas by tradition built their villages on the hill-tops, many Naga villages were cut into two halves by the international boundary," the Nagaland chief minister said.

"The daily movement of the Naga villages across the border for their daily jhuming and other activities is a necessity.

Although the Ministry of Home Affairs have been advocating introduction of border passes, I am strongly of the opinion that issuing of passes by Government officials would be cumbersome and impracticable.

The people living in these areas have taken the international boundaries in their stride, but there has been practically no migration across the border because of the Naga's land holding system.

Hence, we should not disturb the present peaceful situation and create new problem where it does not exist," Rio further stated.

Mentioning about the Naga population spread over in India and Myanmar, Neiphiu Rio said the Indo-Myanmar region along the international boundary between India and Myanmar is populated by an ethnic and indigenous population that has been living in these territories since time immemorial.

The Naga population on both sides of the border share a common heritage, culture, traditions, history and religion.

One million of Naga population are placed in Myanmar while four millions of the Naga population are within the Indian Union, and are further divided into four states of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, he stated while adding, "The Naga population has gone through a period of strive and struggle for more than six decades.

The Nagas are happy that in August 2010, the Government of Myanmar has finally accorded political recognition to the Nagas in the form of the "Naga Autonomous Self Administered Zone", and the Nagas participated enthusiastically in the Myanmar national elections in November, 2010".

NSCN (I-M) observes ‘Raising Day’ Nagaland Post
NSCN (I-M) Januray 31 celebrated its “32nd Raising Day” at Hebron designated camp with chairman Isak Chishi Swu unfurling “Naga national flag.”

In a statement, the MIP said Swu reminded the members that “it was on this day that National Socialist Council of Nagalim was formed at Nokpa (Eastern Nagalim) after the failure of NNC to rise up to the occasion to save the nation by signing the infamous Shillong Accord.”
He said there was “terrible crisis” after the Shillong Accord but “God came to their rescue and shows them the way to form NSCN to spearhead the Naga struggle.”

During the subsequent period, Swu said NSCN was able to win support in the home front as well as in the international level.
“The UNPO gave recognition and membership to NSCN in 1993 and other international contacts was also established,” the NSCN (I-M) chairman said and fervently appealed to his members not to forget God and “put our relationship with God a priority as this is the only way to save the nation.”

NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th.Muivah, who also spoke at the function, reminded the members that it was on this day that correct decision was taken at the right time.

He pointed out that when the British left India the Nagas, under NNC took two decisions –– Naga to be their own master and Nagaland shall be “Nagaland for Christ”.

“With this the foundation of Nagalim was laid,” said Muivah. He however expressed his pain that the “foundation’ was getting “weak” because of the sins of the members.

He underlined the need to make things right with God because “our salvation is in the hands of God only”.

Statement of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) against the National Investigation Agency (NIA) allegation of ‘Terrorist’ A Z Jami, Killonser, MIP
We strongly refute the Government of India’s (GOI) National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s wild allegation using the term ‘terrorist’ against National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN). This is a calculated act to sabotage the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks that is entering 15 years now. It must be viewed as a serious breach of trust and lack of sincerity on the part of the GOI. It has come as a great shock to the NSCN in particular and the Nagas in general.
Compelled by historical circumstances, the NSCN had carried forward the resistance against Indian aggression. NSCN was founded on the Naga national decision based on the universal human rights principle of the right to self-determination. Ours is a resistance movement. It is absolutely wrong to allege that Nagas are waging war against the Indian state as we still advocate political approach towards resolving the conflict with India and that is also the voice and conscience of the Naga people.
NSCN is not a terrorist organization at all. It has never adopted any kind of terrorist means to achieve their desired goals. It is a fact admitted even by Indian authorities including Mr. Murkot Ramuny, the then Indian Security Commissioner who stated that , “Nagas do not kill innocent civilians”. Another top police officer DGP Mr. Chaman Lal who stated that in Nagaland it is insurgency and not terrorism said: “And we have to distinguish between the two. We are here not to end insurgency. Nagaland’s is a political problem and it has to be solved politically.” Nagas have not attempted to kill any innocent Indian civilians even if more than 250,000 innocent Nagas have been killed or butchered by the Indian state allegedly on fabricated grounds. NSCN is an internationally recognized political organization of the Nagas. It was not included in the list of terrorist organizations published by the Government of India in the year 2000. The GOI had embarked upon political talks with us recognizing us as a political entity.
NIA cannot distort that history and undo the well meant political stand taken by various political leaders of India on one hand and the NSCN on the other who have been tirelessly giving efforts to bring honorable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue. Based on mutual respect and recognition of right and deep commitment a cease-fire agreement was reached between GOI headed by Mr. Narasimha Rao, the then PM of India and NSCN represented by its collective leadership Messrs. Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah in Paris, France in 12 June, 1995 on the mutually agreed three terms – talks at the Prime Ministerial level, talks without condition and in outside India (which means third countries). Subsequently, the cease-fire agreement was formally declared in the Indian Parliament by Mr. I K Gujral the then PM of India on 25th July 1997 where the house responded with thunderous applause. All the succeeding Prime Ministers had also enthusiastically endorsed the stance taken by PV Narasimha Rao, Prime Minister Deve Gowda said: “We believe in peaceful means. We must seek peaceful political solutions.” A B Vajpayee also assured : “I believe in peaceful political solutions. Use of arms and violence is ruled out.” The present Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has also given his deep commitment to solve the Indo-Naga political issue and he went even to the extent of stating that he would go extra mile and seek solution outside the box.
The GOI has acted to show its seriousness and commitment in the talks by lifting all warrant of arrest issued against members of NSCN to pave the way for their free movement during peace process. In this regard it is pertinent to state that as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by NSCN Chief Negotiator General Secretary Th. Muivah and Representative of the Government of India K Padmanabhaiah on 18th Nov. 2002, Milan, Italy the ban on NSCN under the Indian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was lifted. Therefore, it is ethically, legally and politically wrong for the NIA to level baseless allegations against NSCN as ‘terrorist’ organization.
Be it informed that NSCN is a member of UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organisation) a parallel organization to UNPO. It is stated that the UNPO Covenant specifically disqualifies anyone who uses terrorism as an instrument of policy from its membership. NSCN is also a signatory of the Geneva Call “Deed of Commitment” wherein NSCN gave the commitment to non use of uncontrolled anti-personnel mines. It is also an associate member of the London-based PNSD (Parliamentarians for National Self-determination). The Collective leadership of the NSCN has also attended UN meeting on human rights a number of times.
NSCN has never forgotten the deep concern extended in the form of letter by the three former Prime Ministers (Mr. Chandra Sekhar, Mr. V.P Singh and Mr. HD Deve Gowda) to the government of India and Thai government in July 29, 2000 to intervene for securing the release of NSCN General Secretary Th. Muivah from Thai jail in order to save the Indo-Naga peace process that was placed at the point of breaking down. Besides them, a very good number of various civil societies, many prominent Indian intellectuals and human rights activists made similar appeals to the two governments. Significantly, the world knows that General Secretary Th. Muivah, the Chief negotiator of the NSCN for the current peace dialogue between India and the Nagas has been relentlessly pursuing for political solution through peaceful means.
After 15 years of political dialogue it would be unwise on the part of both government of India and NSCN to hurled false allegations at each other. Our people strongly feel that both the parties should not put road blocks to the peace process. NSCN is committed to seek solution through peaceful means. And therefore, no act of restraint will come too great for the NSCN and no price would be too big for the Nagas to pay if its helps bring solution. But NSCN can never accept the term ‘terrorist’ used against it. It is noteworthy to mention that the strength of the Naga political movement is derived from historical and political rights of the Nagas and guided by the vision of liberation from all kinds of bondages and never by ‘terrorism’ as alleged.
15 years of political negotiation is a long period by any standard. More than 80 rounds of political negotiation with the GOI since we are committed to seek political solution through peaceful means and we still have the courage and strength to endure the long wait to bring peace in the region and set a model of conflict reconciliation to the international communities. All along, patience has been the hallmark of the Nagas. But NSCN is totally surprised when all of a sudden the ‘terrorist’ tag has been placed on NSCN. The GOI had recognized the “Unique history and situation of the Nagas” in order to seek a realistic solution through peaceful means. Therefore, we seriously question the GOI whether the move of the NIA is directly or indirectly supported by her in order to revert the situation towards its containment policy or is it again its last desperate attempt to befool the international community against the Nagas.
It would be a great blunder if the GOI allows its Agencies including NIA to ruin whatever has been accomplished so far between the two entities in this past 15 years of peaceful political negotiation. We caution the GOI that the world’s attention may be drawn towards its insincerity and the unchecked activities it is giving to her Agencies like NIA in the name of countering the so called “Terrorism”. Our sincere counsel to the GOI is that such strategy on its part will eventually be self-defeating and a futile attempt to fool the international communities.
NSCN reacts against the NIA terming it as 'Terrorist' Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 02, 2012: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) in press statement through its MIP strongly refuted the Government of India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) wild allegation using the term 'Terrorist' against National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN).

'This is a calculated act to sabotage the ongoing Indo- Naga political talks that is entering 15 years now.

It must be viewed as a serious breach of trust and lack of sincerity on the part of GOI.

It has come as a great shock to the NSCN in particular and the Nagas in general', the statement said.

In the lengthy statement signed by Az.

Jami Killonser, MIP said, compelled by historical circumstances, the NSCN had carried forward the resistance against Indian aggression; NSCN was founded on the Naga national decision based on the universal human rights principle of the right to self- determination.

NSCN is a resistance movement.

It is absolutely wrong to allege that Nagas was waging war against the Indian state as we still advocate political approach towards resolving the conflict with India and that is also the voice and conscience of the Naga people.

NIA cannot distort that history and undo the well meant political stand taken by various political leaders of India on the one hand and the NSCN on the other who have been tirelessly working to bring about an honorable solution to the Indo- Naga political issue.

Based on mutual respect and recognition of the rights and deep commitment a cease fire agreement was reached between GOI headed by Narasimha Rao, the then PM of India and NSCN represented by its collective leadership Messrs Isak Chishi Swu and Th.Muiva in Paris, French in 12 June, 1995 on the mutually agreed three terms- talks at the Prime Ministerial level, talks without condition and in outside India (which means third countries).

The GOI had acted to show its seriousness and commitment in the talks by lifting all warrant of arrest issued against members of NSCN to pave the way for their free movement during peace process.

In this regard it is pertinent to state that as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by NSCN Chief Negotiator General Secretary Th.Muivah and Representative of the Government if India K.Padmanabhaiah on 18th November 2002, Millan, Italy the ban on NSCN under the India Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was lifted.

Therefore, it is esthetically, legally and politically wrong for the NIA to level baseless allegations against NSCN as 'terrorist' organization.

Be it informed that NSCN is a member of UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and People's Organization) a parallel organization to UNO.

It is stated that the UNPO Covenant specifically disqualifies anyone who uses terrorism as an instrument of policy from its membership.

NSCN is also signatory of the Geneva Call "Deed of Commitment" where in NSCN gave the commitment to non use of uncontrolled anti- personnel mines.

It is also an associate member of London- based PNSD (Parliamentarians for National Self Determination).

The collective leadership of the NSCN has also attended UN meeting on human rights a number of times.

It would be a great blunder if the GOI allows its Agencies including NIA to ruin whatever has been accomplished so far between the two entities in this past 15 years of peaceful political negotiation.

We caution the GOI that the world's attention may be drawn towards its insincerity and the unchecked activities it is giving to her Agencies like the NIA in the name of countering the so called "Terrorist".

Our sincere counsel to the GOI is that such strategy on its part will eventually be self-defeating and a futile attempt to fool the international communities.
What if an international trade route is build across Nagaland? Kaka D. Iralu Morungexpress
For many centuries in recorded history, Nagaland remained an unknown country until the British stumbled into our Shangri-La in 1832. Prior to the entry of the British, our existence as a fierce nation of warriors was known and recorded by our immediate neighbors like the Ahoms and the Meteis. But with the exception of these two neighbor kingdoms and their Royal records, we remained an unknown people to the rest of the world for millenniums. Tugged away amidst gigantic mountains and feared by all its neighbors for its fierce headhunting practices, we Nagas quietly developed one of the purest forms of democracy in world history. This democracy was in turn guided by a unique legal system from within a land where land ownership was equally shared by every citizen. And as we quietly developed all these unique features of our national identity, the world let us alone because no international trade routes like the old ‘Silk route” ever traversed our lands. Also as we metamorphosed into a nation, we were not influenced by any religious books or dogmas because no religious invasions had ever intruded into our lands. Our forefathers, simply guided by their consciences, developed a very unique political, legal and land ownership system that is unprecedented in human history and had also withstood the tests of time. And in these aspects, we Nagas have many unique things to offer to the rest of the world. Besides these precious treasures of our national polity, the mineral wealth underneath our feet and the bio-diverse agriculture, horticulture, herbal and floral wealth above our ground, remains largely untapped and un- commercialized to date. With this tremendous wealth, we will be able to build a politically and economically strong independent Nagaland in the near future.
But what will happen if tomorrow, our land with all its treasures becomes a trade route connecting South Asia with South-East Asia? What will happen, if tomorrow, our land becomes a high way of trade and commerce between other nations who have never conquered us in history? As historical facts stands, we too are an ancient nation. But coming to modern history, we had defied our neighbor kingdoms like the Manipuris, the Kacharis, the Ahoms and the Tripuris for over seven centuries (13th century to the end of the 19th century- i.e. Entry of the Ahoms in 1228 to the end of the Ahom kingdom in the 19th century. Side by side with this Ahom-Naga wars, we also simultaneously kept on fighting with the other Princely neighbor Kingdoms with whom we had been fighting from ancient times to defend our lands) Then we next defied the mighty British empire from 1832 to1947, conceding only 30% of our territories to their administration. Then still next, we have been defying India and Burma from 1947 to date. Now if today, we are an independent nation, we can allow or disallow our sovereign lands to be used as a trade route for neighbor nations. But tragically, despite of over eight centuries (13th -21st) of heroic resistance, under the present political circumstances- if an international trade route is to be build across our lands- all that foreign nationals will need for traversing our lands with their economic goods would be an Inner Line permit issued by either the Government of India or Burma. In this proposed international trade route, both India and Burma will make tremendous economic gains from the highway. But what will Nagas gain from such an Indian and Burmese economic enterprise?
Well, perhaps we will get the benefits of owning some Restaurants, Hotels, Dhabas and even some Motels along the international highway. I mean to say “Hotel Malik benefits.” In these hotels and motels, many young Naga boys and girls might also find employment- serving as waiters and waitresses. God forbid, but there is also all the possibility of a booming flesh trade and drug trade and arms trade that can come up with all its harmful social evils that will surely and adversely effect the present Naga youth. Now, in a world that has become a global village, an international trade route across our lands may bring some temporary economic benefits to us. But at this particular political juncture, where we are still under invasion from India and Burma and therefore, cannot act according to our own sovereign national will, would such a highway bring more evil than good for our younger generations? And what of our a fore mentioned political, cultural and national wealth? Would they too not come under serious threat of disintegration and assimilation with the polity and cultures of other nations?
As far as I am concerned, I want our land to be a free and independent country where other nations will come with respect to our country and interact with us towards building mutually beneficial political and economic enterprises. The dream here is one of becoming a world cultural, religious and intellectual center where other nations can be blessed by our heritage. Therefore, the battle for our freedom and sovereignty is of far more importance than building an international trade highway that will open the doors of our nation for other nations to trample our lands for the greater economic benefits of India and Burma.