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04/17/2012: "NSCN-IM to New Delhi: Don't play mischief The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network"

NSCN-IM to New Delhi: Don't play mischief The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, Amid series of raids and arrests in the houses of senior NSCN-IM officials carried out by the security forces in 'Nagalim', the Naga outfit today tells the government of India that if it (New Delhi) wants to call off the cease-fire, it must politely tell the NSCN-IM in an unambiguous voice instead of playing hypocrisies.

Senior kilonser (minister) of the NSCN-IM in-charge of the outfit's ministry of information and publicity AZ Jami in a statement made available to Newmai News Network said, "The main purpose of the cease-fire between the Government of India and the National Socialist council of Nagalim (NSCN) is to facilitate for a purposeful political dialogue between the two entities to bring an amicable settlement of the decades long conflict between India and the Nagas".

This statement of the NSCN-IM leader came amid series of raids and arrests on the former by the security forces for the alleged violation of cease fire ground rules.

The latest incident had been the arrest of 13 cadres of the NSCN-IM by the Assam Rifles in Dimapur after a raid in a house three days ago. There have been numerous such raids and arrests on the NSCN-IM for the alleged cease fire ground rules violation.

Reacting to all these incidents, senior NSCN-IM leader AZ Jami said the much provocative actions of the Indian Army and para-military forces and vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in Nagalim is a serious concern for the NSCN as well as the Naga populace.

"If the government of India wants to call off the cease-fire, it must politely tell the NSCN in an unambiguous voice instead of playing hypocrisies. If the government of India wants to maintain cease-fire, it must respect the hard earned cease-fire. Much harm has already been done to the NSCN under the shadow of the cease-fire.We want the government of India and its machinery to respect the cease-fire whole heartedly" .

AZ Jami said the NSCN's serious concern is towards a sincere and meaningful political dialogue rather than interpretations of the cease-fire ground rules.

"If an amicable political settlement is arrived at, then it is the fulfillment of the cease-fire ground rules. But if the political dialogue breaks down what is the use of the cease-fire ground rules? So let us not focus much on the cease-fire ground rules but rather focus on the political talks" he added.

The NSCN-IM leader then stated that when it considers the present escalated operations of the Indian Army and para military forces in the form of unabated checking and frisking and also house raids throughout "Nagalim", they are very much skeptical whether cease-fire actually exists between the government of India and the NSCN.

He added that the NSCN-IM also doubts the sincerity of the Indian Government.

"If we want to talk about the terms of the ceasefire here, then the preamble or preface of the cease-fire ground rules agreed upon on the 12th December, 1997 runs thus, "The cease-fire with a view to ensuring continuance of an effective cease-fire to pave way for a peaceful and meaningful political dialogue", it stated.

AZ Jami said the preamble of the revised cease-fire ground rules finalised in January, 2001 states, "with a view to make the cease-fire more effective and to create a proper and conducive atmosphere for a peaceful and meaningful political dialogue" .

From all these statements the cease-fire was and is focused on political dialogue and settlement. But the way the Indian army and paramilitary forces are acting at present is quite contradictory and provocative, Jami said.

"The first clause of the ground rules runs thus, 'there would be no offensive operations like ambush, raid and attack leading to death/injury/damage or loss of property against the NSCN by the Indian army, paramilitary forces and the police'. But the wonder is what the Indian army and paramilitary forces are doing at present. Attacks, raids and making arrests against the NSCN cadres are daily occurrence. Therefore, the NSCN urges the Indian government machinery not to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in Nagalim and give due respect to the existing ceasefire, and maintain code of conduct of ceasefire," the senior NSCN-IM leader asserted.
Peace appeal to Naga groups on NBCC anniversary TNN
Kohima: Angami Public Organization (APO) has appealed to Naga political organizations and underground groups not to disturb the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) platinum jubilee celebrations, scheduled to be held from April 19 to 22 on the theme of "One New Humanity in Christ" here.
APO President K Neingunyu Sekhose said during the celebration, all "warring Naga political groups" should reconcile and come together to "cohesively" work towards "Naga political aspiration". The APO said all citizens of Nagaland, Christians or non-Christians, should support and co-operate during such occasions.
"It is evident that the NBCC and the Naga church leaders are doing their best and all it takes to make this occasion the grandest of success is the participation of Christians from all over Nagaland, besides having enlightened personalities and church leaders from around the globe," the APO release said.
The APO said it would cooperate with district administration and various government departments in maintaining civic amenities. The four-day conference is expected to see participation of a large number of delegates, including several from abroad.
NBCC president, Keviyiekielie Linyu, said preservation of identity of the Nagas, ushering in education in Naga society and the role played towards establishment of peace between India and the Naga underground groups were the three major achievements of the church.
Talking about the advent of Christianity in Nagaland and the subsequent formation of the NBCC on April 5, 1937, Linyu said since its inception, six general secretaries and 27 presidents have served the council. There are now 20 full-fledged associations and four associate member associations affiliated to the NBCC with 1,553 churches and over 5 lakh baptised members.
The platinum jubilee celebrations will begin with the inauguration of the Convention Centre by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on April 19. An 85-member Platinum Choir will present the theme song on the opening evening service, written by Ajeen Longchari and composed by Khyochano TCK Ngully.
NBCC general secretary Anjo Keikung said invitations have been sent out to partner countries of Thailand, Denmark, Japan and the United States of America, who would be sending delegates for the celebration, along with various states in India and Baptist associations of the Northeast.
Rio wants early settlement of Naga issue for development Seven Sisters Post | UNI | Kohima (Apr 17):
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday emphasized the need of early settlement of Naga political issue so that development can take place at a faster pace.

Inaugurating the Naga Solidarity Park at the Capital Complex here Rio reminded the people that the political issue had been creating many problems which had claimed thousands of precious lives and brought sufferings to thousands of Nagas.

He said it was the Britishers who first gave identity to the Nagas by introducing laws to protect and preserve their unique identity by introducing the Inner Line Permit.
Northeast states want tighter border vigil By IANS,
Agartala : Highlighting crimes such as smuggling of weapons, narcotics and fake Indian currency notes (FICN), the northeast states have pressed the central government to tighten vigil along international borders.
The issue was taken up at the chief ministers' conference on internal security in New Delhi Monday with Mizoram's Lal Thanhawla, Tripura's Manik Sarkar and Manipur's O. Ibobi Singh saying that the long unfenced India-Myanmar and India-Bangladesh borders and mountainous terrain are the main routes of various border crimes.
While Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh share a 1,640-km unfenced border with Myanmar.
The India-Bangladesh border is patrolled by the Border Security Force (BSF) while the India-Myanmar boundaries are being guarded by the Assam Rifles.
The dense forests and mountainous terrain add to the factors making the borders porous and vulnerable.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said Monday that his state, sharing "porous" international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, remains prone to a host of illegal activities like smuggling of weapons, narcotics and FICN.
"Mizoram shares 722-km long porous international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar and free movement regime is allowed along the 404-km Indo-Myanmar border. The Indo-Myanmar unfenced border is characterised by hostile terrain covered with dense canopy. Hence, Assam Rifles alone cannot effectively monitor the Indo-Myanmar border," he said.
This, he said, has direct bearing on the internal security of not just Mizoram but also "for the whole northeastern region as Indian insurgent outfits use it as a conduit for arms smuggling and for crossing over to neighbouring countries for seeking shelter or training".
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said fencing was incomplete in about 176 km of the 856-km India-Bangladesh border in his state. "It is necessary to complete fencing in the remaining part as the militants are using these unfenced borders to get access their camps in Bangladesh."
"The northeast India extremist outfits are mainly operating from across the border in Bangladesh. Details of locations of their camps and activities in Bangladesh have been shared. The issue should be taken up with Dhaka," he said.
Sarkar demanded the setting up of more border outposts along the border.
Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh also asked for accelerating border fencing works.
"The 400-km long unfenced Indo-Myanmar border with Manipur is a cause of concern for the state's internal security as numerous crimes are taking place along this porous border," he said.
The state governments in the region are also worried about the fake currency racket and raised the issue in New Delhi. Fake currency notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 denomination are in circulation in the region. Nationalised banks and various other financial institutions in northeast India have taken a series of measures, including installation of fake note detection machines.
Manipur: Post-Assembly Elections 2012 Shristi Pukhrem
Elections to Manipur’s 10th Legislative Assembly were conducted, in January-February 2012. The Indian National Congress [INC] swept the polls and sealed an absolute majority (42 seats out of 60) in the House. The outcome was applauded by the regional and national media as a hat-trick, performed by Mr Okram Ibobi Singh, the Chief Minister.
In fact, the results in Manipur came as a surprise, given that the law and order situation was precarious and was marked with uncertainty, frequent bomb-blasts and fierce encounters, necessitating the deployment of additional companies of paramilitary forces. In the wake of the precarious security scenario in Manipur and erratic functioning of the government, the media had, earlier, on a few occasions, described Manipur as a failed state under the same ruling party (INC). To make matters more difficult for the Ibobi Singh government, and his party, various underground militants groups unified against the INC by forming what is known as the Coordination-Committee (Cor-Com) –– an amalgam of seven valley-based militant groups. The elections were marked by numerous bomb-attacks targeting INC candidates and workers. The elections were, thus, conducted under the shadow of a high degree of violence perpetrated by the militant groups. In spite of this, the people of Manipur bravely exercised their franchise and voted the INC to power.
In the backdrop of the recent developments, it might be useful to consider what the elections in Manipur implied. First, regardless of the increased deployment of security forces during the elections, and thereafter, the security scenario in Manipur was volatile (and continues to remain so). For instance, several poll-related violent incidents were reported both in the Valley and Hill districts, including booth capturing at Mao Fudung village and Tadubi in Senapati district; dismantlement of electronic voting machines at Saluk and Unapat polling stations in Chandel and Ukhrul districts; and the death of seven people, including three polling officials, two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, a girl and a suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Isak Muivah [NSCN (IM)] member in a crossfire at 41/40 Tampi polling station, under Chakpikarong Police Station limits, Chandel district.
Second, the 80 per cent voter turnout clearly mirrored the faith of the masses in democratic governance and the hope for improvement, even though the state was taken hostage by the militant groups that imposed economic blockade on National Highway No. 2 (erstwhile NH-39) for almost 100 days.
Third, it persuades one to suggest that the militants have lost their influence over the masses, which ought to have, otherwise, been under their direct influence, either because of ideological brainwashing or mortal threats. This became very clear when the people elected INC candidates despite numerous threats issued by the Cor-com warning the people not to support/ vote for the Congress candidates.
Fourth, the election also led to the emergence of a new political entity, which is suspected by the Valley people as inimical to the state’s interests. The Naga People’s Front (NPF) won four seats in the Naga dominated areas of the state. The NPF is seen by the Valley people as thriving chiefly because it espouses the Nagas’ demand for Nagalim. It is generally perceived as a potential challenge to the territorial integrity of the state as the proposed Nagalim includes four districts of Manipur, viz. Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel.
The continuing precarious security environment in Manipur has taken a toll on the economy of, and development in, Manipur. The finances of Manipur, like the other states of the North East region, are catered for through 90 per cent grant and 10 per cent loan from the Central Government. Even as the state is faced with an acute financial crunch, there has been a lack of industrial development and entrepreneurship. Only a few infrastructure projects are being undertaken, but these have, thus far, met with limited success. Besides, poverty in the state has increased in the last few years. According to the 2011 Census figures, the state has a population of 12.5 lakh below the poverty line (BPL); the population of Manipur is 27.21 lakh. Thus, poverty in Manipur is the highest in the northeast region with 45.93 per cent people falling under the BPL category.
Even as the overall situation in Manipur presents a rather depressing picture, the people have not given up hope. They earnestly aspire that the Central and State governments would resolve various issues that have been plaguing the state. Of course, there are some doubts in the minds of the people, which nudge them to wonder if there would be a drastic change in the state of affairs, all the more because the same political party has strode to power for a third consecutive term.
But, it is with the hope of a better future that the people voted the INC back to power. The Ibobi dispensation would do well to understand that the people have reiterated their faith in democracy and have cold shouldered the militants, if not politely shown them the door. Consequently, it is the responsibility of the INC government to take advantage of the situation and not let down the people of Manipur. It has to rise up to the occasion and fulfil their aspirations. It cannot afford to squander the opportunity afforded to it by the people.