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05/12/2012: "Centre to include all three NSCN groups for talks to bring final settlement Naga Journal Post"

Centre to include all three NSCN groups for talks to bring final settlement Naga Journal Post

Naga Leaders while signing the Naga Concordant: File Photo
Government of India in a move to bring about “final settlement” to the protracted Naga political issue, said it was ready to engage all three Naga underground groups— NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K) and GPRN/NSCN for peace talks.
Confirming this, joint secretary (North East) Ministry of Home Affairs, Shambu Singh told vision communications that “eventually all three factions of the NSCN would be invited for peace talks before any final settlement is reached.”
Keeping this in view the government of India, in principle has also agreed to hold dialogues with the GPRN/NSCN faction which was keen to find out a settlement within the boundary of Nagaland. Peace process has already been initiated and an official announcement for starting formal peace talks is expected soon, the report said.
GPRN/NSCN general secretary Kitovi N Zhimomi in this regard met home ministry officials in Delhi last week to put forward GPRN/NSCN’s demand. The report further stated that Kitovi met the joint secretary (North East), MHA Shambu Singh and explained to him GPRN/NSCN’s possible charter of demands.
The ground work has begun to finalize the charter of demands, the report added.
NSCN (K)-Government of India cease-fire which expired on April 28 was extended after much deliberation and apprehension on May 3.
However, government of India, keeping in mind the NSCN (K)-Myanmar government peace truce, extended the cease-fire agreement with a rider that the NSCN (K) would not extend any help to anti-Indian insurgent outfits (Myanmar based).
Centre is also understood to have pressed the outfit for withdrawal of support to Assam and Manipur-based insurgent groups in Myanmar. India has always maintained that NSCN (K) has several “army camps” in north Myanmar where the NE rebels are given shelter.
However, keeping aside all these, government of India is likely to invite the NSCN (K) also at a later stage for a “complete exercise” before any kind of settlement is inked.
With regard to NSCN (I-M)-Centre peace talks going on for the past 14 years, the talks apparently mellowed down due to the contentious issue of incorporating all Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, as demanded by NSCN (I-M).
Centre has reportedly made known to the NSCN (I-M) that there would be no fresh redrawing of the existing boundary of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. On other issues, however, both sides have reached a meeting point.
Earlier, highly placed official sources said that the progress of talks with the NSCN (I-M) slowed down yet again because of the failure of the government to formulate a clear cut policy on what it can offer, and no immediate solution is in sight. Sources said that Centre had assured the states concerned– Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur that there was no question of formation of a “supra-state” as reported.
The controversial “supra-state”, as claimed in section of the media created much hype however, talking to Nagaland Post a senior MHA official unequivocally refuted saying there was nothing called “supra-state” and wondered how the so called term (supra-state) cropped up.
National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah, Centre discuss ceasefire violations Times of India
DIMAPUR: The issue of ceasefire violations by both the security forces and the underground outfits was the main agenda of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group's meeting between the representatives of NSCN (IM) and the Centre on Friday.
The meeting sought to clear differences in the "interpretation of ground rules," a source said. CFMG chairman Maj-Gen (Rtd) N George said the meeting was a routine affair and it discussed issues relating to differences in the interpretation of CFGR. He said the meeting was scheduled and had nothing to do with the reported stand-off between 32 Assam Rifles and NSCN (IM) at Kejanglwa village in Peren district recently.
The CFMG chairman said Friday's meeting dwelt on the ground rules provisions relating to patrolling by NSCN (IM) cadres, which, he said, is "misinterpretation" of ground rules by the Naga outfit. He was hopeful that differences over interpretation of the ground rules would be sorted out to avoid future recurrences of situations similar to that of Kejanglwa.
He also sought a clarification from the Union ministry of home affairs on correct interpretation of ground rules and expressed hope that the MHA would respond in a few days.
According to the agreed Ceasefire Ground Rules finalized between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) on January 13, 2001, there would be no parading (either in groups or individuals) of NSCN cadres in uniform or with arms. The NSCN (IM) delegation was led by officiating convener Vikiye Sumi who could not be contacted for comments.
Illegal arms unit busted in Nagaland capital PTI
Kohima: The Assam Rifles have busted an illegal arms manufacturing unit at a house here and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition.

The arms and ammunition were manufactured and stored at a house in Razhu Point locality in the heart of the town for some underground organisations, an Assam Rifles release said here today.
During the raid carried out by personnel from 16 AR, Four 9mm pistols, six double barrel guns, 24 single barrel guns, nine .22 rifles, 11 air guns, along with some partially made pistols, empty magazines, assorted ammunition and a vehicle were seized during a raid on Thursday, the release said. The owner of the house and the seized items were handed over to Kohima police.

Ambassadors from EU countries visiting Nagaland PTI IBN NEWS
Kohima, May 12 (PTI) Seven ambassadors from European nations are arriving here tomorrow on a three-day visit to Nagaland to explore investment opportunities in the state. The ambassadors of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Germany, Poland and Slovakia — and members from European Union will visit Nagaland as a single team. The diplomats would be enlightened on investment potential in tourism, agri and allied sectors, mineral and power, IT and education in Nagaland in the backdrop of Centre’s renewed thrust on India’s Look East policy and Nagaland’s close proximity to ASEAN countries, home department officials said. They would meet the governor, the chief minister, ministers, business chambers and entrepreneurs, besides representatives of civil societies and academics. They were also likely to visit some important places in and around Kohima.
'NSCN(I-M) training Maoists in Nagaland' Times of India
GUWAHATI: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday sounded an alert saying that Maoists are trying to spread their wings in the state and accused the NSCN (IM) of training Red cadres in Nagaland.
"The Maoists have established close links with almost all outfits of the region, including NSCN (IM), Ulfa, & PLA. In fact, the NSCN (IM) is training Maoist cadres outside the state. NSCN (IM) is in ceasefire in Nagaland so it is easier for them to train Reds in Nagaland. They are trying to set up training camps for Maoists inside the state now," said Gogoi.
The chief minister said the killing of the four Maoist leaders at Sadiya on Wednesday in an encounter with police has established that the Maoists are finally here in the state. "We have been saying for long that Maoists have entered the northeastern region. It is now out in the open that they are here and the Centre also agrees now," added the chief minister.
Gogoi said the Maoist leadership in the state has been identified. "The main leader is Aditya Borah, who was arrested, and Siddhartha Burhagohain, who was killed in Wednesday's encounter," said Gogoi. He added that the Maoists have different lines of leadership. The chief minister, however, refused to divulge the cadre strength of the Reds in the state. However, security sources has put the estimated figure between 70 and 80.
The Maoists are now largely concentrating on the upper Assam districts of Tinuskia, Sivasagar and Golaghat, all of which share the inter-state borders with Nagaland. Gogoi said, "They are trying to spread out and very soon we might find them in lower Assam districts as well. What we are seeing is that the Maoists are filling the vacuum left behind by Ulfa after the majority of the leaders of the outfit joined the peace process. We have also seen that many youths, who were once attached to Ulfa, have become Maoists."
He added that he has been saying for long about the Maoists-Ulfa nexus. "There is no doubt about it now after Paresh Baruah himself has given his moral support to the Maoists, which is more than enough to establish the nexus," said Gogoi.
Special package for Tirap, Changlang: Chidambaram Times of India
ITANAGAR: Union home minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said a special package for troubled Tirap and Changlang districts is the offing for modernization of the police force to tackle insurgency in the districts bordering Myanmar and Nagaland.
"The home ministry has already sanctioned establishment of more police stations and recruitment of police. Besides, CRPF personnel have been inducted to counter insurgency," Chidambaram told a press conference here this afternoon after attending a review meeting on the security situation of the state.
He said the state government has already started the process of recruiting 1,526 police personnel for both the districts and training would start from July 2. "Out of the total sanctioned strength, 400 will be promoted from the existing forces, while the rest will be recruited. The state government is undertaking the recruitment process in a phased manner," he added.
When his attention was drawn on the reported turf war between both the factions of the NSCN in these districts, the home minister made it clear that the ceasefire agreement with the NSCN does not extends to Arunachal and the state government would take action against the cadres of both the factions.
"They are fighting among themselves. But if people suffer due to their infighting, our forces will take firm action," he added.
Why are we singled out, ask students from North East
Syeda Farida The Hindu

University campuses across the city have a sizeable number of students from North East and an equally impressive number of employees from the region. File photo: Nagara Gopal
It is not the physical abuse but the verbal humiliation that is rife, say many about the discrimination they face
“Why are we singled out? Is it because we look different?” asks Sonam, a student from Nagaland, much like her counterparts from the other North-Eastern States. Women are on the receiving end, agrees Bipin, a student from Manipur at the University of Hyderabad, and a participant of the event organised at UoH as part of a nation-wide campaign for ‘Justice for Richard Loitam'.
“We believed he was killed. There are cases of racial discrimination. I went through harassment in Delhi University. Colleges are relatively safe in Hyderabad but you cannot say the same about other cities like Bangalore and Delhi,” he says.
Campuses in the various universities across the city have a sizeable number of students from the North-East and an equally impressive number of employees from the region who have been working with IT, ITeS, MNC firms and Central Government offices here.
There are about 500 members registered with each of the various region-based communities that support families hailing from Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Assam. The associations often meet on weekends.
“New students coming into the city get enrolled with us. We keep a track of their welfare. We also brief them on local culture,” says a member of the Hyderabad Mizo Association. Similarly, the Hyderabad Manipuri Society (HYMS) brings together students in the city under its cover.
Workplaces do offer conducive atmosphere here, which is one of the main reasons why most stay back despite issues they face in public places. But finding accommodation tops the list of worries in the twin cities.
“People refuse to give us apartments on rent. You have food restrictions as well. There is a misconception that people from the North-East are into drug and alcohol abuse, which is not true,” says a student from Dimapur. An electrical engineer from Assam working in the city agrees, “I was travelling in a bus when the lady conductor started talking derogatorily. And then she and the driver went on to talk ill about my State which was unacceptable.”
It is not the physical abuse but the verbal humiliation that is rife, says Vivian Lepcha from Darjeeling, associated with the F&B industry in the city. “People come up to us and ask us if we can speak English or whether we hail from Japan, Burma or China.” He, however, notices fewer issues of discrimination now when compared to more than a decade ago when he came to the city. “Name calling used to be rampant then,” he recollects.
“Change in the perception about North-East won't happen overnight. One has to bring about awareness about the region. My classmates did not even know the name of the seven North-Eastern States, leave alone their capitals,” says Sonam.
The need of the hour then is to bridge the divide. “Including history of these States in the text books will go a long way to bring about awareness about the place, people and culture. The choir group from Shillong and Indian Idol winner from Tawang have shown that people there have talent too. Please don't treat them as second-class citizens in other States,” says Bipin.
Govt to ensure security of students from North East: Chidambaram PTI The Hindu

The Hindu People seen take part in a candle light vigil seeking justice to Meghalaya student Dana Silva M. Sangma, who was found dead at her Gurgaon hostel, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma
Rejecting the contention that students from North East are subjected to discrimination and racial profiling, Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said the Government will take every step to ensure their security and asked States to do the same.
“The Government of India will take every step to ensure their security and I am confident that all State governments will discharge their constitutional responsibilities to ensure the safety and security of all people residing within that State,” Mr. Chidambaram said in Rajya Sabha.
He was responding to a calling attention notice by Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley in wake of the deaths of two students from North East in Gurgaon and Bangalore.
Replying to it, Mr. Chidambaram said the State governments were primarily responsible for the prevention of crimes arising out of discrimination, adding, the Centre accorded “highest importance to development of North Eastern region as well as prevention of atrocities against Schedule Tribe and will not countenance discrimination in any form.”
Referring to the recent death of Dana Sangma in Gurgaon, NCR and of Richard Loitum in Bangalore besides allegations of racial profiling against Tibetans during the recent BRICS summit, he said these have caused disquiet and agitation among the community, especially students from the region.
He said the police are investigating the deaths of both Sangma and Loitam after registering cases and conducting post mortems.
Stressing that students from the region have right to security and peace and they are “free to travel and reside in any part of the country,” Mr. Chidambaram said it was not correct that the students from the North Eastern states in Delhi were more vulnerable to discrimination.
“In 2010, eight cases of offences against women from the North Eastern state were registered and, in 2011, seven such cases were reported. All cases were investigated and further proceedings are underway,” he said.
Tibetans protest
Admitting that during BRICS summit on March 29, the Delhi Police did detain some Tibetans and their supporters as there was an apprehension that the Tibetan groups would disrupt the summit, Mr. Chidambaram stressed that the police have “categorically stated that there was no racial profiling.”
“During the checking process some Indians, including a few from the North-Eastern States were also detained for a short while and let off as soon as their identities were confirmed,” he said.
He said while the exact number students from North East was not available a number of them resided in metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Pune to take advantage of the vast opportunities available in other parts of the country and “it is their right to do so.”
Elaborating the steps to address the problems faced by students from North East, Mr. Chidambaram said DCP-level officers have designated as nodal officers to specifically address their problems.
“Besides, a North East Connect Cell, headed by a joint secretary-level officer has been formed...to serve as a coordination point with resident commissioners of eight North Eastern States,” he added.
Bangalore incident fuels anger in northeast Iboyaima Laithangbam
Post mortem has made it clear it is homicide, says Richard's mother. The reported bludgeoning to death of a Manipuri boy in Bangalore has aggravated a simmering discontent and the sense of discrimination among northeast students studying in other States.
The charge of police inaction in Richard Loitam's case has triggered protests in all big cities, and police and public leaders are worried that this incident may be exploited by some elements to intensify the campaign against migrant workers in this region.
Prompted by the growing clamour for justice, Manipur Home Minister G. Gaihangam has written to his Karnataka counterpart, urging action. But there has been no response.
On Sunday, a sit-in and candlelight vigil were held in many cities, including Imphal.
Vidyapati Loitam, mother of the 19-year-old student of the Acharya's NRV School of Architecture, said the post mortem report had made clear that it was a case of homicide. “We demand justice,” she said, addressing those who had assembled to mourn her son. Students from all northeastern States have joined the protests in many cities.
The police worry over reprisal campaigns being mounted in Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya to weed out foreigners and outsiders. While there is a demand in Manipur for reintroduction of the Inner Line Permit System to screen such persons, Meghalaya has opened cells in all districts to detect them. Several organisations in Nagaland have expressed concern at the presence of foreigners and outsiders in some towns.
In Manipur, several migrant workers have been shot dead in the past 20 years. Some militant groups have asked house owners not to let out rooms to these labourers. The police have advised them not to go out of the city limits.
Three Manipuris were molested and mugged in Delhi on the night of April 27. Modhu Chandra, spokesperson of the North East Support Centre and Helpline, in a statement, said a Tangkhul tribal girl was returning home from her office at Gurgaon, when two persons molested her. On hearing her screams, some tribal boys rushed to her rescue. But local residents beat them up, saying they had raised a false alarm. The police refused to register a case, alleges Mr. Chandra.
The same night a Tangkhul tribal boy, Joshua Muivah, was robbed of his cash and all valuables and beaten up while returning home from office.
The Vasant Vihar police have registered a case. Another Manipuri boy was also mugged and his cash and valuables were snatched. In this instance also, no arrest was made.