Nagalim.NL News

Saturday, January 31st

Siege fuels starvation fear Siroy stares at food ‘insecurity’; Ukhrul police to file current status KHELEN THOKCHOM The Telegraph



Siege fuels starvation fear Siroy stares at food ‘insecurity’; Ukhrul police to file current status KHELEN THOKCHOM The Telegraph

Siroy (Ukhrul), Jan. 30: As soldiers marched through the village road, their boots kicking up perfectly synchronised thuds on the gravel, Athui Mungleng stared blankly at his bare field and pondered on the future and food. Caught in the middle of a war of attrition between the Assam Rifles and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), villagers in Siroy are living a “borrowed” life, not knowing how to get their next meal.
“I have no idea how I will feed my family. I was forced to stop working in the field or even collect forest produce ever since the troops swamped my village 12 days ago. So far, our 11-member family is living on borrowed money and ration,” said 65-year-old Mungleng.
Mungleng is one of the 1,500-odd residents of Siroy who have suspended their daily lives and livelihoods ever since troops of Assam Rifles surrounded a village camp set up by the NSCN (I-M) on January 19. Since the Naga militants are not allowed to set up camps anywhere outside Nagaland according to ceasefire ground rules, the Assam Rifles laid siege to the den and asked the rebels to either surrender their weapons or move to a designated camp.
The rebels have refused to budge, despite the troops having cut off all supplies — food, water, electricity — to the camp, leading to the current impasse. But the ones to have been hit most by the standoff are the impoverished villagers.
“Villagers can earn at least Rs 100 a day by selling vegetables or forest products like firewood or charcoal. But all such transactions have stopped since January 19,” said Lois Shangh, a teacher at the village. Surrounded by gun-wielding troops, the villagers even put off their seed sowing festival, held between January 27 and 31 each year, to pray for a good harvest.
Zingthanla, a 55-year-old widow and sole breadwinner of a five-member family, has not been able to send her grandchildren to school since the siege began.
She has been among nearly 100 women keeping vigil in the past 12 days to prevent a gunfight between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (I-M). The troops, of course, have been asking villagers to get on with their lives. The commandant of 10 Sector Assam Rifles, Brig. P.S. Pandher, visited Siroy on Wednesday to assure the villagers that they were safe.
“But we understand the villagers’ worries after so many troops came down. There ought to be some tension and apprehension. But we are here for their safety. They can live their lives. We are here for them,” the commanding officer of 17 Assam Rifles Dharmesh Yadav said.
The assurances, however, have failed to convince the villagers. “The troops are all over the place. They are even occupying our compounds and violating our privacy. We are afraid to go out and work in the fields or jungles. What the troops are saying is simply not practicable,” Solomon, another villager, said.
Since this the sowing time for paddy, the siege is likely to affect the next harvest.
“Now we are facing food insecurity. We may face famine next year unless the troops leave the village immediately. Nobody understands our plight. The authorities should look into the problem,” said Rock Wulgnayon, convenor of the Siroy Non-Violence Committee.
Can’t stop militant forays, say police A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Policemen pay homage to their colleagues killed in the encounter at Sonari. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Jan. 30: A day after Ulfa militants gunned down two policemen in the Sonari police station area, the Sivasagar superintendent of police, Shyam Saikia, today expressed helplessness in preventing militant forays into the district from the adjoining Mon district of Nagaland.
Saikia said the district administration had taken up the issue of Ulfa militants finding shelter in the neighbouring state with its Mon counterpart but to no avail.
“They (the Ulfa militants) are taking shelter in Naga villages, which are dominated by the Khaplang faction of the NSCN and there is little we can do from here unless the Nagaland government takes action,” he said over telephone. Several rounds of discussions have been held with his counterpart in Mon district, he added.
Bansbaripathar Chetiachuk, where the two policemen — assistant sub-inspector Bhimkanta Upadhyay and constable Debojit Borgohain — were killed yesterday, is nearly 2km from the inter-state border. They were gunned down by a group of Ulfa militants who were fleeing from an encounter and came across the two policemen on a motorcycle.
The SP said there was no permanent Ulfa camp in Mon district of Nagaland but the militants use Naga villages as their shelter. “NSCN (K) militants have been providing logistical support like helping the Ulfa cadres find refuge in the villages in the district,” he said. The police in Mon district have also expressed helplessness since these villages have NSCN (K) cadres and conducting operation in those villages would only complicate matters. The NSCN (K) is currently in ceasefire with the government. Army sources said Ulfa militants easily cross over to Nagaland after carrying out subversive activities in Assam, especially in Sivasagar district. The group involved in yesterday’s incident did the same.
The pro-peace group of Ulfa today said yesterday’s incident in Sivasagar district could have been averted had the government shown interest in starting the peace dialogue with them. “We still have contacts with various leaders of the anti-talks faction of Ulfa, but they are not willing to join us because we have gone nowhere since we declared a truce in June for lack of interest of the government,” Jiten Dutta, leader of the pro-peace group, said.
Dutta said Rupantor Kakoti, a self-styled sergeant major of the 28 battalion, led the group involved in yesterday’s incident. “Kakoti and others could easily be convinced to join the peace process since these cadres worked with us. But how can we convince them when we ourselves are at a dead end?” he asked. The pro-peace group announced on January 1 that they had severed ties with the Ulfa leadership and would like to start the peace dialogue with the government on its own. The group, comprising cadres of the Alpha and the Charlie companies of the 28 battalion of Ulfa, declared a unilateral ceasefire in June last year. Dutta said the group would place a charter of demands to the government on February 1 and decide its further course of action after that. “We will wait for a few days for the government to respond,” he said.
New outfit in Nagaland? Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Kohima, January 30 2009: Has there been a new militant outfit floated in Nagaland ? This speculation was noted after the Dimapur police revovered a cash receipt book with a letter-pad of an outfit christened as United Tribal Defence Army (UTDA) in Dimapur.

In an incident today at around 1:30 pm, an extortionist identified as Lavanthung Patton was nabbed by Dimapur police for demanding money from different businessmen in Marwaripatti in Dimapur on Thursday night.

Cash amounting to Rs.2035 along with a letter pad and receipt book of United Tribal Defence Army (UTDA) was recovered possession of the accused.
Meanwhile, in a major achievement, Dimapur police has nabbed at least 21 persons for involvement in different crimes, including extortion and dacoity during the past one week within Dimapur district of Nagaland. Sources revealed that a total nine dacoits, all Muslims, 10 extortionists and two armed miscreants have been nabbed since January 24 to 30 .

In a case that occurred yesterday, police nabbed two armed biker identified as Itovi Sema and Hukavi Sema for looting an amount of Rs.30,000 from a sand dealers at Naharbari along the National highway-39.One 9 mm pistol with two live rounds have been recovered from their possession. In another incident, three miscreants indentified as Netovi, Vikuto and Inaho were nabbed yesterday for forcibly entering into a Manipuri Hotel near Hong Kong Market and snatching away a mobile handset and Rs.50 from a customer while also bashing up an IRB jawan lodged in the Hotel and demanding Rs.10,000 from him.

In yet another case of extortion, two Semas and two Nepalese identified as Tokuvi Zhimomi, Shihoto, Gopal Bahadur Kutwal and Erose Gurung were taken under remand on Tuesday for reportedly collecting illegal tax in the name of Dimapur Orphans Union.

Cash amounting to Rs.2100 have been recovered from their possession and the vehicle used by them for the illegal collection (Maruti Car -NL01/C1750) have also been seized.

Two armed miscreants identified as Vinihoto Yeptho and Kisito Awomi were arrested for reportedly snatching away an auto-rickshaw on the night from January 24 threatening the driver with a pistol.

A .32 pistol with 6 live rounds have been recovered from their possession while the auto-rickshaw has also been found.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that the East PS has managed to make a major break through in December 3, 2008 highway dacoity, wherein a Manipur bound bus carrying around 45 passengers were looted by a huge group of dacoits along the National highway-39 .

Sources said that the dacoits had looted around Rs.50,000 from the passengers while the victims reported the matter to Chumukedima check post.

Subsequently, the matter was referred to Dimapur East PS and the personnel yesterday managed to nab nine non-locals (Muslims) involved in the robbery.

Sources also revealed that at least 15 miscreants were involved in the robbery, while nine have been nabbed hunt for other accused dacoits are still on. All the cases have been reportedly registered under Dimapur East PS and investigations under process while the arrested persons forwarded to judicial remand.
Indian army operation to flush out rebels from Manipur village From ANI

Siroy Village (Manipur), Jan 30: Army has laid siege of Siroy village in Manipur to flush out rebels belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) or NSCN-IM amid accusations by the villagers that the operation has created fear psychosis.

The personnel of the Assam Rifles contingent have spread in and around the village since January 18, in order to evacuate the NSCN-IM rebels who are holed up there.

The rebels who belong to Nagaland are campaigning for autonomy for the region that includes Manipur.

According to ceasefire ground rules NSCN-IM cannot set camps anywhere outside the territory of Nagaland.

The army siege has created panic and fear amongst the villagers, many of whom have either left or are in the process of leaving the village, fearing a clash between the rebels and security forces. "Life has been affected at a very great extent, mainly the children. They cannot take their daily meals properly. They were shaking due to the sense of insecurity around the village," said Lois Shangh, a resident.

The army plans to continue to cordon the area till the rebels do not move out of Siroy or surrender. India's northeast is home to a complex web of tribal groups, many of whom have launched insurgencies accusing New Delhi of plundering resources and doing little to improve their lives. The NSCN-IM is pushing for self-rule in a "Greater Nagaland", which would include several parts of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh where Nagas live in large numbers.
Pray for Indo-Naga peace process: TR Zeliang (Page News Service)
TENING, JANUARY 30: The 3-days silver jubilee celebration of the Liangmai Baptist Araung (LBA) concluded on Friday with Minister for Planning and Coordination, Evaluation, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry and Parliamentary, TR Zeliang, who attended the last day of celebration as chief guest, calling for peace and harmony in the society.
The celebration, which began on January 27 under the theme 'Celebrate God's Faithfulness', was marked by colourful cultural and musical extravaganzas presented by several young talents, Choir and cultural troupes, besides, enriching the people with gospel of Christ by resource persons.
Addressing the mammoth gathering at Tening Town Local ground during the day long 'Jubilee concert', TR Zeliang called upon the Churches to render prayer support to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process, and help restore permanent peace in the Naga areas.
Asserting that violence is the main hurdle in taking the development forward, and that the Church plays a pivotal role in moulding life of the people, TR Zeliang said that Church should shoulder a responsibility of bringing peace and harmony in the society. When Church is divided society is divided and when churches are united people are also united, Zeliang said adding the churches should shun themselves from playing any divisive politics amongst themselves.
Zeliang also called for a hand in hand coordination between the politicians and Church leaders in resolving any conflict, adding that the two parties needs each cooperation. He said that church leaders must be able provide corrective advice to the politicians on any issues instead blaming the later for their failure.
"Violence of any kind must be stop. And I appeal to the church to pray and whole heartedly work for peace and harmony in the society", Zeliang said.
He said that these days people have started praising God through various ways, and one of the area Nagas can make used of it to glorify God is the rich and vibrant cultures. However, he cautioned that our cultures and traditions should be put to use only in line with the teaching of Christ.
The Minister, while calling upon the people to work hard and remove the backward tag, reiterated that for any one who is willing to toil and work there is no dearth of opportunity. Stating that the Government is willing assist and help the youths in finding job opportunity in various sectors, however, said that the youths of Nagaland must also be willing work and grapped the opportunity as and when it comes.
He also added that silver jubilee celebration is only a new beginning, urged Liangmai people to set a new vision for the future.
ICI Central Choir from Manipur, Miss Nampiliu and villages choirs and many others musical talents enthralled the gathering during the three days celebration. Rev. Allan Chan of SEED Ministries from Singapore and Rev G. Khing were the main speakers of the jubilee.
Country remembers Father of Nation Agencies
New Delhi : The country on Friday remembered the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his 61st death anniversary with a large number of people, including several top leaders, paying homage at his memorial and participating in various programmes dedicated to him. President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Congress President Sonia Gandhi paid floral tributes to the Mahatma at his memorial at Raj Ghat this morning. Sonia Gandhi was among the first to reach Raj Ghat, where she offered flowers at his memorial. An armed forces battalion lead by the three service chiefs also paid homage to Gandhi, who was assassinated on this day in 1948. A large number of schoolchildren also queued up at the memorial to pay their respects on Martyr’s Day. The day was marked by a number of programmes, including inter-faith prayer meetings, events related to the anti- leprosy day and devotional song recitals at various places. An inter-faith prayer meeting was held at Gandhi Smriti later in the afternoon. A two minute silence was also observed across the nation.
Ceasefire without territorial limits morungexpress
Dimapur : With the standoff tension in Shiroi village between the AR and NSCN (IM) cadres mounting, the Naga Hoho today shot off a letter to the Union Home Minister demanding that the current ceasefire be made to “cover the entire world”. Relatively, the Home Ministry is urged to intervene immediately in the standoff which entered its twelfth day today.
In its representation addressed to Union Home minister P Chidambaram, the Naga Hoho told the Centre that the first ceasefire with the NNC broke down ‘due to the insincerity on the part of the GoI’. “The notion of GoI would be wrong in the context of ceasefire coverage if it covers only the present state of Nagaland and therefore the Naga Hoho put forward stiff resistance that hereinafter, the ceasefire must cover the entire world in letter and spirit”. The Naga Hoho, in reference to the Centre’s ceasefire with the NNC, said the Naga people this time “are not at all keen to lose the ongoing hard-earned peace process”.
Naga Hoho writes to Union Home Minister
On the Shiroi situation, the apex Naga tribal organization informed the minister that the NSCN (IM) cadres at Shiroi had been camping in the village “since few years back with mutual understanding of GoI as well as Indian armed forces”. Yet, the hoho stated, on January 19 at around 2:30 AM, troopers of the 17th Assam Rifles cordoned off the Naga underground activists’ camp and cut off electricity and water supply “to the camp”.
The hoho expressed anxiety that the “starving Naga army” may “create havoc out of desperation”, which will derail the Indo-Naga peace process. Further, the minister was informed of the Assam Rifles’ erecting barbed electrified wires around the NSCN (IM) camp. This is “akin to act of barbarism and sheer violation of basic Human Rights” the hoho said.
The Naga Hoho recounted more of the Shiroi situation to Chidambaram: “…innocent villagers are unable to go to fields, schools and have even postponed the traditional seed-sowing festival which was supposed to be held on 27th January, owing to fear psychosis that are looming in the minds of the villagers with the presence of hundreds of armed forces. Shiroi’s children have also been shifted to other villages as a precautionary measure, the hoho said.
The Naga Hoho stated: “…we have seen with our own naked eyes that all the womenfolk both in Shiroi and Ukhrul are on a sit-in protest in the chilly weather and praying throughout the day for prevention (of) any untoward armed conflict between the NSCN and Assam Rifles”. The Naga Hoho also termed as ‘unfortunate’, that “the location is such that there is no other passage for NSCN (IM) to move out from their camp unless the Assam Rifles pave the way for them based on the principles of ongoing ceasefire between the two entities”. In appeal, the Naga Hoho requested Chidambaram to handle the delicate political situation with utmost care and “bring down the volatility in to normalcy without further impediments”.
‘Eastern Nagas are victims of Naga freedom movement’ morungexpress
Dimapur : With the vision of ‘Social upliftment through Christianity and education’, the Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA) successfully conducted its first educational tour and public mobilisation programme.
During the tour, the ENSA team met the Naga National leaders “of all groups”, the Naga Yuya leaders (the Naga apex body of Myanmar), and the Naga Baptist Convention of Myanmar, hoping to “maintain mutual understanding among all Nagas regardless of territorial demarcation”.
The ENSA team urged the Naga national leaders in particular to seriously consider the situation by realising that “Eastern Nagas are the victims of Naga freedom movement, as ENSA believes ‘to stand or fall’, Eastern Nagaland lies in Naga National Movement.”
A press release signed by the general secretary of ENSA, Y Khomong Khiamniungan, reported that the team attended the Naga Yuya celebration on January 15 at Lahe Town, Eastern Region Khiamniungan Students’ Union assembly session at Thingniungan Village and Thingniu Range Students’ Union at Chuke Village. “The team and the people of Eastern Nagaland had a significant winter in the history by sharing the same fate and suffering,” stated the ENSA general secretary.
Naga Yuya chairman (Aoukatha) Myahko expressed his happiness to ENSA team for openly discussed and shared the need of the younger generation, the release added. Stating that ‘though we live in the same land, we felt distance and strange for decades due to communication gap’, Myahko said that now it is through ENSA ‘in Naga Yuya we will live as one and we can decide the future that relates to the Nagas by keeping stronger relationship with Naga brethren wherever we are.’
The first phase tour programme covered Konyak Region, Tangsang (Heimi) Region, Khiamniungan Region and Lainung Region. The general secretary further informed that the second-phase tour will likely be held this coming winter to cover the remaining three regions including Somra Region, Makuri Region and Para Region. The ENSA team through the release expressed gratitude to all the students, village elders, pastors, well wishers and general public for their warm welcome and hospitality and their cooperation during the tour. The ENSA team, led by their president Michael Kaita, had begun their tour on December 10, 2008, at Longwa village and concluded on January 22, 2009, at Throilo Village (Konyak Region), Lahe district. This was the first educational tour the ENSA has undertaken since its inception in 2004, the release added.
Some important points of Naga sovereignty Vezonu Venuh Morung
Through your esteem local daily, I the undersigned would like to highlights the following few genuine noted points in respect of the birth and formation of the Naga sovereignty, where our fore fathers fights for the rights and cause of the Nagas since from the time immemorial. This publication is indeed aimed at creating a better knowledge of how our leaders and pioneers of the Naga Freedom fighters engage themselves fighting for the better future of the Nagas with firm determination and loyalties. Following few enumerated points are some of the in formation points in regard to the formation and birth of the Naga Sovereignty.
1. From the beginning Nagas were independent people, Nagas were never ruled by any other nation other than themselves. Nagas lives with the feeling of oneness.
2. During the first world war in 1917, Nagas too fights in the war claiming themselves free from ruled of any other nations. Subsequently, a team of Nagas went to French under the Allied Colonel Leber Corps proclaiming that Nagas had their own uniqueness and free from the ruled of whatever nation.
3. It is to be noted that, with the formation of the ‘Naga Club’ in 1918, some Naga leaders were assigned to work for the cause of the Naga rights.
4. Under the initiatives of the Naga Club, a memorandum was submitted to the British Cabinet on 10th January 1929 urging the British government to take note of the rights of the Nagas.
5. It was in 1935 that the British Parliament passed a resolution that Nagas should be excluded from the Indian territory, hence, the covered lands of the Nagas was termed as “Naga Hills Excluded Areas”.
6. Naga Club was abolished on 2nd February 1946; thereby ‘Naga National Council’ (NNC) was formed in its place.
7. The global announcement of 14th August as the “Naga Independence Day” initiated in the year 1947.
8. 99% of the Nagas participated in the famous Naga Plebiscite Day on 16th may 1957. All plebiscite day participants take firm “Oath” provided that they shall be ever faithful and loyal to the Naga Sovereignty.
9. The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was formed under the initiatives of the Parasent Sendenyu Area Rengma Region on 22nd March 1956. Following the formation of the FGN, a rainbow colour Naga National Sovereignty Flag was hoisted. Meanwhile, the following designated leaders of the Naga were assigned to read the given Holy Bible verse and thereby they were being blessed by the mandatory of the Nagas to work for the cause of the Naga rights.
(a) Khriesaneisa, FGN Kedahge (President) Roman 10:18. “But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: Their voice has gone out into all the earth, Their words to the ends of the world”.
(b) Wheha, FGN Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) Mathew 6:33. “But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.
(c) AZ. Phizo, NNC Kedahge (President) Zechariah 4:6. “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit’, says the Lord Almighty”.
(d) Kruzhalie, FGN Ahng (Governor) Japfu State. Roman 8:33. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies”.
Meanwhile, General Thongti Chang, Chief of the Naga Army, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) hoisted the Naga Sovereignty Flag followed by the above stated leaders read their assigned bible verse. Under the banner of “Nagaland for Christ” the leaders were ask to declared themselves as such; “I shall be ever faithful to God and the people of the Nagas in all the pursuing activities of the NNC”.
I also do felt pertinent to analyse the real meaning and objectives of the Famous 1957 plebiscite day participation. The participants of the plebiscite solemnly vowed before God and the man and take the oath as stated under;
(i) That I as a Naga shall honour the NNC and nothing else.
(ii) That I will never be part of the Central Investigation Department (CID) of India that may compel the citizens of the Naga to sold the rights of the Nagas.
(iii) That I shall never do with the name of NNC whatsoever for the personal benefits.
I shall be loyal to the above solemn words, “I vowed before God and man that I shall always lives behind the fellow Naga friends, besides- heaven and earth curse be mine in case I fail to abide by the above words”. This plebiscite participation was done by pressing their cut bleeding thumbs on the white documented paper.
Dear readers, therefore, let us remind ourselves with the loyal deeds of our forefathers who stays firm and committed all the time even in times of great difficulties “May God Almighty blessed each one of us”

(Vezonu Venuh) President,
Naga National Council,
Phek Sub Region
SPEECH OF
HIS EXCELLENCY CHAIRMAN ISAK CHISHI SWU
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 29TH NSCN RAISING DAY 31 JANUARY 2009



Dear Comrades-in-Common Cause,
On this historic raising day of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, I greet you all in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pay homage and give my revolutionary salute to those departed souls. Their supreme sacrifices are precious and I believe the blood of those martyrs speaks to the Lord as the blood of Abel did.
First of all, I would like to brief you on historical account. Politics and history are inseparable. Naga politics is built upon the foundation of living Naga history, which means, Nagas are free from time immemorial. They have never been a part of Union of India or that of Burma or any other power either by conquest or consent.
Like the Greek city-states, Nagas were living free and independent in their own sovereign village kingdoms till the British imperialist came to control a part of their country. Our forefather fought the aggressors with ‘daos’ and spears in defense of our land, culture, identity and right. Thanks to our father who left the legacy of living history to us. The issue of the Nagas is now left to the present generations. We will be held responsible if it cannot be defended to keep it alive.
After the lapse of the British power, we declared our independence on 14 August 1947. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation recognized our right to be free. But after his death the post Gandhi leadership waged war on Nagalim with a view to subjugate the Nagas. In their attempt at subduing the Nagas they adopted the policy of divide and rule to keep the Nagas ever divided. Accordingly, the so-called 16-point agreement was reached in 1963, which physically divided the Nagas. When the Indian government tried to politically annihilate the Naga nation, it was strongly resisted and saved under the banner of NNC, the then authentic political organization of the Naga people. The Revolutionary Government was a setback plotted in collaboration with a faction of workers. The Shillong Accord was another attempt of the Indian State upon the life of Naga nation through Naga traitors. However, it was totally rejected by the people in National Assembly. Since annihilation of Naga nation has been the policy of Indian State the Government of India through the persons of some elements of Shillong Accord staged a military coup with an eye to finish those remnant revolutionaries.
The Indian expansionist found a good friend in SS. Khaplang through whom the bloodiest abortive coup attempt was made in 1988. Recently we have witnessed another attempt made by the Indian state through some deserters to tear down the edifice of NSCN in the stolen name of unification. In fact, we have already officially declared the policy of unity through reconciliation and forgiveness. But the hard reality is that we are witnessing division between the patriots and traitors, loyalists of the people and deserters. Khaplang claims that he is for the people when he is hosting all the anti-Naga elements at his camp. He is collaborating with the enemies of the people when people are fighting against them. Where is his nationalism? In spite of the fact, we have stated time and again that we are for principle-based unity, not unity in capitulation. Solution is the priority. Everything hangs on the pendulum of solution. If solution comes the rest will follow suit.
Ours is a resistance movement for defending the land we belong. The war we are fighting is not a contest of strength. It is a war of just and unjust, right and wrong. It is a movement for national future, peace and progress in Nagalim and the world as well. And that our case cannot be viewed in isolation. It is part of the global problems. Naga Nation is rooted on solid ground of a principle and it will stay the course even if the world falls apart. In the matter of approach to the confronting problem, NSCN is deeply committed to political solution and we will continue to do so.
We are not begging freedom from India or Myanmar or for that matter from any others. Freedom of a people is inbuilt and it is our inherent right. We are not asking territory from any other states. We have our own territory inherited from our fathers. The good Lord has created the earth for all, big or small and even the smallest animal and nation have their own share in it. Whether the Naga people want to join the Union of India or that of Myanmar or be free, it is their divine right to decide it by themselves. On the question of deciding their future, the Naga people themselves are the prime factors. On top of that, we have been struggling under the banner of Nagalim for Christ and the presence of the Lord has been with us thus far and I strongly believe that His presence shall continue to go with us till to the last.
We believe in the doctrine of inter-dependent relationship of people and nations inasmuch as everything on earth is inter-related and nothing stands in isolation. We do not nourish enmity towards any of our neighbors particularly India and Myanmar. We have been good neighbors since time immemorial and we will continue to maintain that spirit. However, we cannot ignore the fact that we have an issue with India and Myanmar and we will try to settle it through political means for any tangible solution acceptable to both parties. We rule out violent means and we condemn any attempt at settlement of the issue through military might, which has been proved a futile exercise. This is the era of democracy and we are committed to settlement of all human problems through dialogue based on mutual respect, understanding and recognition of rights. We also believe that there is no problem, which we cannot solve through discussions.
Comrades, we have to be prepared for freedom, which demands of us the revolutionary spirit in every worker. We know all the nation-states are the creations of revolutionary people and independent states are the homes of brave revolutionaries. I hope we too have revolutionary generations to liberate our people from all kinds of bondages. Last but not the least; it is the faith force that matters. We must amend our ways and reaffirm our decision for the Lord’s battle.

KUKNALIM!

SPEECH OF RH. RAISING SECRETARY, STEERING COMMITTEE, NSCN ON 29TH NSCN RAISING DAY, THE 31ST JANUARY 2009(f)

Why the birth of NSCN was necessitated? What are the achievements and failures of NSCN?
A people are safe and secured only when they are placed in an organized condition. A people are a force only when they are organized under the banner of one national organization. Unorganized people are vulnerable to all dangers from both within and without. To cite a few examples – Buffaloes live together, but they are not organized into a force to defend themselves from any predator. That’s why they become innocent victims of those predators. Like buffaloes, there are people who just live together without any political vision and organization only to be carried away by the waves.
On the other hand, there are animals like lions, wild dogs, bees etc. They are organized animals who live together, hunt together and defend themselves together. No predators can defeat them. Likewise, organized people are always the victors.
Our honorable General Secretary Th. Muivah used to say, “The world goes its own way independent of man.” As a matter of fact, it does not go accordingly to the sweet will of man. There was a time when man was the faithful subject of nature. There was also a time when man and nature live together in harmony. But this is the era where man strife to become the master of his destiny and everything. In order to subdue nature and become master of everything, man needs a giant machine called State. How big or great he might be an individual can never subdue the nature. The sun, the air, the water are being harnessed for producing sources of power for humankind.
Nagas were living together in the same world, but under different thousands of sovereign units, which may not be viable in modern context. After the First and Second World Wars, they organized themselves into one political entity under the banner of NNC. Emotional integration was brought about by the leadership of NNC. The Naga people under the leadership of NNC raised the issue to the highest platform and even earned recognition of some sympathizer countries. But as the downfall of Roman Empire was brought about by the Romans themselves so also the downfall of NNC was brought about by NNC themselves. Any organization that has betrayed the principle naturally no longer represents the cause of a people. Politically speaking, the Shillong Accord is nothing but an accord of treason and no amount of argument can justify it.
Leadership comes and goes; organization comes and goes, but the principle stands forever. The Principle does not change and it cannot be changed and destroyed. Generation comes and goes, but revolution stays to liberate people from all kinds of bondages and make them grow to the fullest size.
The rational Nagas today and the revolutionary generations have got to think of their national future beyond NNC. In fact, we have reasons to appreciate and value those achievements made during its leadership and I am sure of it that they have gone into the pages of history. But the reality is that NNC had parted with history from 1975. Nagas have no point to look for their future in the dead organization. The Shillong Accord cannot be the end of Naga politics. The Nagas have a long way to go, but they were left without an organization to inspire and guide them in their struggle for their destination. Liberation of a people without an organization is a wishful thinking. Thus the question came, ‘Who will go and fight for us and under what banner?’ Out of such historical necessity, NSCN was formed to be approved by the National Assembly on January 31, 1980.
NSCN is neither a party nor an organization of a group of people as supposed by some people from some quarters. It is a national council (organization) that represents the aspiration and future of the four million Nagas today and generations to come. It was founded on the rock of ‘Sovereign Independent Christian Socialist Democratic Republic.’
In the past, the Naga army units in the regions were highly communalized. All units were manned by their respective tribes, which was to me, the seat bed of tribalism. It was the leadership of NSCN who centralized them.
Nationalism and religion are not inimical to each other. They are closely inter-related. Nationalism is a historical force to be reckoned with. Equally Religion is also a historical force that shapes the thinking of people. Our movement was identified by some sectarian elements as the movement of the Baptist Church. The virus of sectarianism thus infected the mindsets of some workers to some extent. It is the leadership of NSCN that formed CNC (Council of Nagalim Churches), the umbrella organization of all churches.
Each and every Naga is by culture, socialist-oriented. The activities of the Nagas throughout the year are all acts of socialists. They work together in groups or peers, dance and sing together, fight together, hunt and fish together. They build their houses together free of cost. Every one contributes his/her best to the common cause. This kind of socialist culture is our social values to be treasured most. Socialist spirit is the social bond that binds people together for a common good. Our fathers could not imagine of a village, a society, a Hoho or a nation without that spirit. In fact, we do not see anyone of them moving forward without that spirit. The system of all the nation-states and the international community will die a natural death the moment socialist spirit dies in them. Basing on the social values of the Nagas, the leadership of NSCN put the word ‘national socialist’ in our manifesto and constitution, which I hope, will be a guiding spirit to the Nagas of all generations. Generation comes and goes; nation rises and falls but the torch of the socialist will ever burn. It is this spirit that had dismantled the edifices of imperialism, colonialism, autocracy, expansionism and all oppressive systems in history. NSCN is for the revival of that socialist spirit in every Naga of all generations. Any one of us who does not have that spirit in him is out of the track. And whoever condemns it has no understanding of the Naga social values. It is, without doubt, a part of Naga culture. And that we can never stay away from it.
Our war strategy was confined to guerilla warfare. It was a fighting within the enemy encircled areas. It is NSCN who changed the warfare from fighting within the box to outside the box, guerilla warfare to mass warfare, military warfare to political warfare and isolated warfare to collision warfare. NSCN took up the issue from the scrap of the Shillong Accord to the Prime Ministerial level talks. It raised the issue to the level of international platform. In fact, the revolutionary spirit of the NSCN is quite laudable. NSCN know how to fight with machine gun and how to capture enemies’ camps. But it should also be told that they must know how to win over the minds of the enemies they fight. Those who capture the hearts of the enemies are greater than those who capture a city with sword. Of course, NSCN are good at fighting, but that fighting is only one dimension of revolution. We must also try to be good at other dimensions too. We must also be equally good in the politics of construction. After completion of the politics of liberation and construction, we have yet another politics of production and management. Finally, we will be heavily engaging in the maintenance and defense of what we have made.
However great our achievements are, there is gradual moral degeneration among the NSCN members. It is regrettable to learn that our national socialist forces are reducing to tribal force, national heroes to tribal warlords. Our glorious socialist mindsets have been communalized and individualized. The virus of communalism, immorality, egoism, autocracy have taken deep root in the veins of many NSCN members. If we do not amend our ways when it is not too late I am sure, we will be chosen out before long.
Let us therefore, take a strong decision to renew ourselves – physically, mentally and spiritually for our cherished goal.

God bless Nagalim for Christ.
God bless NSCN.
God bless the Naga People.



Frans on 01.31.09 @ 10:53 AM CST [link]


Friday, January 30th

PC tough talk on NSCN NISHIT DHOLABHAI



PC tough talk on NSCN NISHIT DHOLABHAI Telegraph

New Delhi, Jan. 29: Home minister P. Chidambaram today made it clear that he favoured an end to the impasse with Naga militants because he believed that the ceasefire with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) had gone on for too long.
At a security meeting today with senior home ministry and defence officials, Chidambaram took a tough stand, especially in view of the standoff between the Assam Rifles and Naga militants in Shiroy village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district for the past 11 days. The NSCN (I-M) and the Centre are in ceasefire in Nagaland since 1997.
“He sounded tough,” a source said after the meeting. Yesterday, during a meeting with Outer Manipur MP Mani Charenamei, the home minister made no bones about his reservations on the unending ceasefire. He is understood to have told the MP that the NSCN (I-M) will have to mend its ways.
Though there is little possibility of either the Centre or the NSCN (I-M) calling off the truce in a hurry, it is certain that the standoff in Manipur has brought about a change in Delhi’s stance. Till now, the Centre had maintained that it would not like to lose the hard-earned peace in Nagaland. To a no-nonsense Chidambaram, however, results seemed more important within a timeframe. Home ministry officials said the outfit has a tendency to blow small issues out of proportion. “In Shiroy, they were allowed to leave with their weapons but are now asking us to provide them a camp,” said an official.
Under the ceasefire, the outfit has 11 designated camps in Nagaland but none outside the state. The present camp, near the hometown of the outfit’s general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, is the fourth one in the state. Since 1995, even after the truce with the Centre that was limited to Nagaland state, the NSCN (I-M) maintained three camps in Manipur. However, Shiroy seems to be the last straw for security forces.
The NSCN (I-M) set up the camp in 2007 at Shiroy, best known for the exotic lily, despite opposition from the security forces. The abduction of Assam Rifles jawans a month ago and the outfit’s unwillingness to admit its mistakes led to the stalemate, officials said. The issue will be taken up again this week at a follow-up meeting and another with interlocutor in Naga talks, K. Padmanabhaiah, sources said.
DGP’s claim on Siroy refuted KHELEN THOKCHOM The Telegraph


Women protest the standoff in Siroy on Thursday. A Telegraph picture
Siroy (Ukhrul), Jan. 29: Not a single Naga militant has stepped out of Ukhrul’s Siroy camp since the Assam Rifles laid siege to it on January 18, the forces said today, refuting claims made the Manipur police chief yesterday that the rebels began leaving four days ago.
So tight is the Assam Rifles vigil that they are disallowing everyone, including mediapersons, from venturing into the 500-metre radius of the Siroy camp set up by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah).
Troops closed in on Siroy, some 100km from Imphal, last week after the militants, who are not allowed to camp on Manipur soil under ceasefire ground rules, refused to surrender their arms or move to a designated camp with arms.
Disallowing any movement anywhere near the camp, in fact, is part of the Assam Rifles strategy to cut off all supplies to the Siroy camp and force the cadres to surrender once their ration stocks are exhausted.
A walk along the perimeter of the camp, set up in a government tourist lodge atop Siroy hill, offered a real view of the “siege”. At least 1,000 troops are keeping an eye on the camp, villagers said, not permitting anyone to enter it or come out it.
The situation on the ground, and accounts of the villagers and the Assam Rifles contradicted the report submitted by the director-general of police, Yumnam Joykmar Singh, before the cabinet yesterday, claiming that the cadres have begun leaving.
“No cadre has left the camp after the cordon. We will not allow them to leave with weapons. We will give them safe passage if they decide to go to any of the designated camps,” the commandant of the 17 Assam Rifles Col D. Yadav, who is in-charge of the siege, told The Telegraph.
Ngatangkhui Tangkhul, the head of Siroy village, confirmed that not a single rebel has left the camp. The forces tightened their cordon amid cries from the villagers to move out. They have even constructed a barbed wire fence around the camp .
A magistrate, Lakshmikanta Sharma, and a few police personnel are posted at the entry point to the village but cannot regulate movement of people without permission from the Assam Rifles. The troops have also cut off food, electricity and water supply to the camp.
The cadres are surviving on their earlier stock. “They have a stockpile of ration,” Col. Yadav said. The forces are now hoping that the cadres will succumb and move out once their stock runs out.
“The cadres are on the verge of starvation. If the Assam Rifles troops do not pull out immediately, the cadres will die of starvation and sickness,” Artex Shimray, the spokesperson of Tangkhul Coordination Committee on Siroy Seige, said. This committee was formed on January 25 to resolve the impasse. The Siroy villagers also formed Siroy Non-violence Committee to put pressure on both sides to solve the standoff.
“We want the Assam Rifles to pull out first and then we want the cadres to move to the jungles where no civilian lives,” Rock Wulgnayom, convenor of the Siroy committee, said. Residents are holding daily sit-ins at Gandhi Chowk in Ukhrul praying for an end to the impasse. Women from various parts of the district continue to keep vigil, squatting between the rebels and the Assam Rifles to pre-empt any possibility of bloodshed.
Every morning, the women arrive at Siroy in a bus to take turns for the vigil. Earlier, the Assam Rifles had allowed 80 women near the camp. But since the eighth day of the siege, they reduced the number to 50. Though the troops are asking people to continue with their normal life, the villagers feel they, too, are living under “siege”.
“So far we are trying to convince the people here about the need for peaceful means of agitation. But if this situation continues, the agitation may turn violent,” Shimray said.
Villagers said the NSCN (I-M)’s camp has been there for the past two-three years and that the government and the Assam Rifles had full knowledge of it. Col. Yadav, however, maintained that they came to know about the camp “only recently”. The Tangkhul committee has called on human rights groups, student organisations, NGOs and civil society to join hands against the “violation of basic rights” of the people of Siroy.
Shiroi Siege... morungexpress

Already into the eleventh day of standoff with NSCN (IM) cadres, 17th Assam Rifles troopers (top) seen here in a private house compound while a girl (left) tends to her younger sister at home, in Shiroi village. In protest against the Assam Rifles-NSCN (IM) standoff in Shiroi, women (below right) sit underneath a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Ukhrul town, Manipur, January 29. (Morung Photos)
DIG’s claim draws fire from NPMHR
Dimapur : The reported statement of the DIG of Assam Rifles, PS Mander, made during a public meeting at Shirui (Shiroi) village on Wednesday that there was no ceasefire in the State of Manipur, has kicked up a storm. The Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has reacted sharply by saying that the statement is “utterly irresponsible” and one that has undermined the political negotiations between the Nagas and the Government of India.
“It suggests that the Assam Rifles is more interested in confrontation than in the peaceful settlement of conflict. We would like to question the sincerity of the Assam Rifles in resolving the situation and also question whether it is implementing the directive of the Union Home Ministry or the interest of vested communities and individuals,” stated a press release issued by the NPMHR.
The NPMHR reminded that the standoff between the Assam Rifles and NSCN (IM) cadres in Shirui has entered its eleventh day without any sign of solution. In such a serious situation, it is necessary that everyone, especially officers in charge of the “siege,” take precautions not to aggravate the situation through provocative statements, the NPMHR stated.
The organization has extended support to the demands of Shirui villagers put forward to the representatives of the Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation and other frontal organizations, and also to the DIG of 17 Assam Rifles that the situation in Shirui be immediately resolved through peaceful negotiations. The siege of Shirui had adversely affected the livelihood and survival of the villagers, the organization stated while pointing out that the present seed-sowing season is a crucial period for villagers who depend entirely on their paddy crops for survival and existence. The future survival of Shirui villagers is at stake as no one from the village had been able to take up farming activities for the last ten-eleven days due to the siege, the NPMHR stated.
The rights body also said that Shirui Village, for the first time in its history, had to cancel their seed sowing festival scheduled for January 27.
“NPMHR states that in the event of a famine or hunger breaking out in the future as a result of the siege, the Government of India through its officers in the district will be solely and exclusively responsible,” the release declared.
Listing out the hardship being faced by the villagers, the organization said even the right to education of many students from Shirui village is being violated. There are many students are who are about to appear their board examinations the following month. They cannot study due to the prevailing tension, the NPMHR stated, and asked the DC of Ukhrul to immediately depute a senior magistrate to look into the violations of rights
Also, the central government is asked to immediately withdraw the Assam Rifles from Shirui village and the Manipur government to intervene to resolve the situation at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the Shirui villagers are said to have formed a separate committee on Wednesday called the “Shirui Non-Violence Committee”. The committee was formed as a response to the need for the villagers ‘themselves to articulate their needs’, it was informed.
Ulfa rebels escape, NSCN holds on Fleeing militants kill cops on bike OUR BUREAU Telegraph
Dibrugarh/Guwahati, Jan. 29: Two policemen died when a group of Ulfa militants fleeing from an encounter with security forces opened fire on them in a village in Upper Assam’s Sivasagar district around 2.30pm today.
A six-year-old boy, Debojit Swargiary, was injured in the crossfire at Bansbaripathar Chetiachuk village under Sonari police station.
Sivasagar superintendent of police Shyamal Prasad Saikia said a huge contingent of police and army personnel, led by Charaideo sub-divisional police officer Jayanta Sarathi Bora, moved in at No. 2 Puroni Jaboka around 1pm after receiving information that a four-member Ulfa gang was holed up in the area.
Puroni Jaboka is approximately 1km from Bansbaripathar Chetiachuk.
“We had information about the presence of a Ulfa group taking shelter in the residence of a villager, Khagen Gogoi. As our men surrounded the house, they were greeted with heavy firing from inside. Though our men fired back, the rebels escaped,” a senior police official said. The police seized an IED weighing around 10kg and some incriminating documents from the encounter site.
“As soon as the news of the encounter and the rebels’ escape reached the police stations and forces stationed at various locations, they were alerted and all exit routes sealed,” the policeman said.
During one such movement of forces, the two policemen who were riding a motorbike (a TVS Victor — AS 30-3708), came face-to-face with the fleeing Ulfa group at Bansbaripathar Chetiachuk.
The policemen — whether they were carrying weapons could not be immediately officially confirmed — could not put up much of a resistance and died on the spot. They were assistant sub-inspector Bhimkanta Upadhaya and constable Debojit Borgohain. Upadhaya was the in-charge of the Tingalibam outpost on the Assam-Nagaland border.
The Ulfa rebels, local residents said, later fled towards Nagaland, around 2km from Bansbaripathar Chetiachuk .
Army sources involved in the encounter in Puroni Jaboka said one militant had died in the gunbattle. They said the group included dreaded militants like Rupantar Kakoty and Bhaity Baruah.
Majuli operation
Sources in Jorhat said the 10-day drama festival in Majuli was coming in the way of launching an operation to flush out the militants. Besides, the despatch of commandos for the operation in Majuli would take “a little time” as they would have to be oriented with the island’s historical and religious background. “The commandos are trained in a particular manner which could prove counter-productive in certain situations,” a source said, pointing out that civilian casualties could not be allowed.
The sources said Dispur today was thinking of keeping the army, too, on standby although there was a technical obstacle to such a move as the island is located in Jorhat district, which is outside the jurisdiction of the Unified Command.
Aya A. Shimray
AR-NSCN (IM) 'Stand-Off' at Shirui: Volatile Situation Continues
Ukhrul, Even as the agreed deadline between the NSCN (IM) and AR expires this evening, both the contending parties are apparently not prepared to pull out from Shirui village, triggering fear to the local populace and nearby Ukhrul residents.
As per the deadline, both the parties should move out from the village within 72 hours. When contacted, Dharmesh Yadav, C.O Assam Rifles who has been camping here since the impasse broke out refused to divulge any comment in regard to the expiry of deadline. When queried about the use of 'electrified barb wire' around the IM Camp as claimed by a human rights organization, he denied of such use. However, it has been ascertained from local sources that the AR have laid barbed wires around the whole vicinity of the camp. Access to the perimeter of the camp is restricted to all beyond the first AR bunker. Even photos taken media persons within the permitted perimeter are scanned by CO himself. The AR men were seen positioned at the first bunker, which used to be the bunker 1 of IM cadres before this stand-off. Sporadic movements of AR men within the IM camp area were noticed. Heavy AR re-enforcement has been reported during the last 48 hours, in addition to nearly 500 AR personnel already stationed in the village. On the other hand, the IM cadres believed to be numbering around 15-20 are still holed-up inside the camp, cut off from any humanitarian supply for the last 7 days. Water, food, electricity supply has been disconnected since 20th of this month. They are believed to be manning the three bunkers inside the camp with heavy weaponry. It is very apparent that with prolonged shortage of food items and other necessary commodities, the cadres would run out of their patience, prompting hostile situation.
The village looks very deserted and gloomy, with very little sign of life around this otherwise bustling scenic village. Only scenes replete with AR men in full uniform and weaponry are noticed at every pockets of the village. Except for few children and women attending to their daily chores, only few menfolks were seen moving around the village – reasons largely attributed to the fear of a possible 'show-down'. It has been reported that since the impasse ensued, most of the villagers have not attended to their paddy works, hampering its economy. "We want peace to reign in again so that we can continue to go for work and sleep peacefully". No instance of intimidation by the AR has been reported so far. However, as one local stated, "the huge concentration of the Indian Army in the village vicinity has not only deprived privacy but has also created fear psychosis in the minds of the local population, especially the children".
To prevent both the parties from confrontation, and also to facilitate peaceful withdrawal from both sides, a large number of womenfolk have been camping here near the first bunker since the stand-off began on 19th January 2009. Similarly, two sit-in rallies which were attended by women from all walks of life were staged at two places at Ukhrul town today.
As the stalemate enters 7th day, the civil societies have been working round-the-clock to avert any unwanted situation brewing from this. At the time of filing this report, a host of leaders from the community's social based organization have arrived at the village. They will obviously appeal to both the AR and IM cadres to leave the village, peacefully. Unless an amicable understanding is brokered immediately, it is speculated that an inevitable but possible 'show-down' could be the only option

Naga MLAs ask Governor to intervene in Siroy stand off
The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jan 29: The Naga MLAs of the state Dr. Khashim Ruivah, W Morung Makunga and M Thohrii have submitted a memorandum to the state Governor Gurbachan Jagat on the matter of the stand off between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN(IM) at Siroy village in Ukhrul district of Manipur.

In their representation the MLAs have reiterated that the Indo-Naga peace process should continue and both sides should ensure that the peace process is not disturbed.

Stating their firm opinion that the confrontation between both the sides should be avoided for the sake of peace, the memorandum urged both sides to disengage themselves immediately and in the interest of peace maintain the status quo while also asking the Governor to intervene and restore peace in the state.

They further said that the Indo-Naga peace talks should not be disturbed and the present stand off between the NSCN(IM) and the Assam Rifles should be solved amicably.

Peace in the district should be maintained at all costs, women respected and human rights protected, the memorandum said while calling on the Government of India and the Naga group to maintain the ceasefire in letter and spirit for the protection of the property of the local people.

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal(S), Manipur has said that it is greatly shocked to learn that Outer Manipur MP Mani Cheranamei pretends not to understand that the ceasefire agreement between the government of India and the NSCN(IM) does not extend to Manipur or Assam or Arunachal Pradesh or beyond Nagaland.

Even though people may not have been aware of this fact earlier, surely after the June 2001 incident in Manipur everyone knew that the ceasefire did not extend beyond Nagaland, as specifically notified by the government of India too, it said.

Stating that Cheranamei`s reference to the ceasefire of 1964 till 1972 with the then NNC (Naga National Council) and the government of India as quite irrelevant and out of context, it said in a statement that the clarification by the 17th Assam Rifles that the militants of NSCN(IM) were not supposed to set up camps outside Nagaland was quite true.

The ANSAM has also in an appeal to the concerned authorities asked for immediate intervention in order to amicably resolve the war like situation at Shiroy village.
AR nabs NSCN cadres Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Kohima, January 29 2009: ACTING ON specific intelligence regarding movement of cadres, a joint mobile check post was laid by 42 Assam Rifles and 164 TA Battalion near Iron Bridge at Kukidolong in Nagaland yesterday.

Confirming the reports, Assam Rifles sources today revealed that they intercepted a suspiciously moving Santro car and arrested 2 NSCN-IM cadres.

They also recovered uniforms and 50 rounds of ammunition of 303 rifle.

Later, the same troops arrested 4 NSCN-K cadres moving from Kohima to Dimapur in an Alto car and recovered three 9mm pistol and 32 live rounds, besides 4 mobile sets.

All the accused to handed over to Nagaland police.

Assam Rifles source further clarified that a state of high vigil is being maintained all over the state to ensure that ceasefire ground rules laid down by Government of India are adhered to by all the underground factions.

Stringent measures will be adopted against erring cadres violating laid down ceasefire ground rules within the state of Nagaland, sources added.
JD (S) fires salvo Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 29 2009: Janata Dal (S) Manipur president W Kulabidhu Singh has expressed that his party is unhappy rather greatly shocked to know that Outer MP Mani Cheranamei pretends not to understand that the ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) does not extend to Manipur or Assam Or Arunachal Pradesh or beyond Nagaland.

Even if this was not widely known to laymen earlier, it has been specifically made known specially after the Great Uprising of June in 2001 in Manipur, Kulabidhu, who is also a former MP said in a statement, adding that the Government of India had clearly and specifically issued a notification announcing that the said ceasefire does not extend beyond Nagaland.

The JD (S) State unit president further said that the Cheranamei's reference to the ceasefire of 1964 till 1912 with the then Naga National Council (NNC) and the Government of India is quite irrelevant and out of context.

Hence, the clarification of the 17 Assam Rifles that the militants of NSCN (IM) are not supposed to set up camps outside Nagaland (viz.

Siroy village of Ukhrul) is quite true, he noted.
Traders Meet 2009 conducted in Dimapur morungexpress

Bankers and business community engaged in a dialogue during the Traders Meet which was held with an aim towards carrying out “business developments in Dimapur in particular and Nagaland in general.

Dimapur : A Traders’ Meet was conducted on January 21 by the Dimapur-based branches of State Bank of India at the Conference Hall, R.O Super Market Complex, Dimapur, wherein the trader community was invited for a close discussion with bankers, with an aim towards carrying out “business developments in Dimapur in particular and Nagaland in general”.
S C Sen, Assistant General Manager, R.O Dimapur, announced the opening of new branches in Dimapur to facilitate the business community and provide better services to them. He highlighted various products available with SBI in the form of loans and advances, both Fund Based and Non-Fund Based, Instant Fund Transfer through RTGS, NEFT, internet banking, free ATM/Debit card, CBS all over India, including facilities like ‘power pack’ and ‘power gain’ suitable for the business community.
New SBI branches in Dimapur to assist business community
S H Leo, Chief Manager (Rural), R.O Dimapur, recalling the earlier Traders’ Meet wherein due to communication gap certain projects presented by the traders did not materialise due to non-feasibility and economic viability, requested the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce (DCC) to inculcate banking system with local traders. U Purkayastha, Assistant General Manager, SME, LHO Guwahati, discussed selected products most suitable for the business people in Dimapur. He expressed his optimism that the business community in Dimapur would take Dimapur to greater heights in terms of economic development of the people of Nagaland, while also advising the participants to be more involved.
Kasheto Yeptho, president of DCC, and Basu Damani, general secretary of DCC, also attended the meet. The businessmen present at the meet expressed their views on the need for financial assistance from the Bank at some point. They spoke of the convenience of fast means of fund transfer through RTGS and multi-city cheques which have been found useful during business trips. They showed keen interest in the different products of the Bank and asked the Bank to encourage local entrepreneurs on merit basis.
Informing this in a press release, the AGM of SBI Regional Office, Dimapur, added that the meet ended with vote of thanks by Paneer Mazumdar, Manager (DBD) Dimapur Branch, while printouts of demand products were handed over to the participants.
Bangla to crack down on terror Assam Tribune
DHAKA, Jan 29 – Bangladesh’s new government is proposing a South Asian anti-terrorist task force to tackle cross-border movements of militants. The proposal for such a force was floated in the election manifesto of the ruling Awami League party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed and envisages setting up a cooperative mechanism with police forces and judiciaries of neighbouring countries to “track down militants and bring them to justice”.

Hasina outlined this proposal while speaking in the Parliament, where she said her new government has issued orders to uproot militancy in the country while an initiative was under way to pursue the formation of a South Asian Anti-Terrorist Task Force.

“I have already directed the ministries concerned to deracinate militancy and asked all intelligence agencies to activate themselves,” Hasina said. “I have also asked concerned authorities to find out their (terrorists’) patrons and financers and source of their weapons,” she said.

The premier’s remarks assume significance as a number of Indian outlawed north-eastern insurgent groups are reported to have established safe havens in Bangladesh. New Delhi has been asking Dhaka to extradite some of the top leaders of the banned ULFA.

Hasina said she has also asked madrassas to keep their institutions free from extremism, while warning of tough actions against banks and other institutions found involved in financing terror.

“We will have multifaceted sincere efforts to control militancy,” the Prime Minister said. Foreign Minister Dipu Moni earlier said terrorism would be the priority agenda of their new government, installed with three-fourths majority in the December 29 general elections, while it would play a pioneering role for effective regional cooperation to fight militancy in South Asia.

“Terrorism turned out to be a matter of worldwide concern (but) we will take effective steps in consultation with our neighbouring countries against it,” she told reporters on the first day in office earlier this month.

Awami League proposed the formation of the regional taskforce to fight terrorism and militancy while Hasina in her post-election press conference reiterated it saying it could end the mutual blame game on the issue of terrorism “between the countries in our region”. – PTI
Girl, jawan injured in encounter with NDFB
: From our Correspondent Sentinel
MANGALDAI, Jan 28: A minor girl student and a jawan of Army sustained serious injury in an encounter that took place between two cadres of Ranjan Daimary group of NDFB and the troops of Army on January 27 at Ambagaon in Udalguri district, while the Army was successful to arrest a cadre though the other managed to escape.
The arrested NDFB cadre has been identified as one William Daimary of village Nalbari near Daipham adjacent to Udalguri town and the absconding cadre namely Ajay Daimary is of village Balisiha under Udalguri police station and has been apprehended by the troops of 172 Field Regiment and police in the early hours today from Rowta area in an injured state. The incident took place at about 10.30 am on Tuesday.
Significantly, even after facing the firing from the militants, the Army showed a great restraint not to open firing on the militants only to save the lives of the nearby innocent people which have widely been appreciated by the people of the locality.
As reported, the troops of 172 Field Regiment of Red Horns Division operating in Udalguri district acting on a tip off, while intercepted two militants riding on a red-colour Pulsar motorcycle, one of the militants started firing upon the Army causing serious injury to a jawan and a girl student of class IX standard. The Army nabbed William Daimary and recovered a grenade from his possession while Ajay Daimary managed to make his good escape. The injured girl namely Ranjali Baglary (14), daughter of Binoy Baglary of Ambagaon area, and the jawan was immediately shifted to Udalguri Civil Hospital and later referred to Guwahati Medical College Hospital.
Significantly, the Udalguri police and the Army offered an amount of Rs 25,000 to the injured girl for her medical treatment on humanitarian ground.
In an another incident, the troops of 65 Field Regiment operating at Kalaigaon in Udalguri district recovered two crude bombs, seven numbers of detonators and one bottle liquid substance concealed in an abandoned bag at village Daloipara near Dalongghat under Kalaigaon police station on January 27.
Bodo National Festival concludes

: From our Correspondent Sentinel
KOKRAJHAR, Jan 28: A week-long Bodo National Festival held at Bijni in Chirang district concluded recently with the significant resolution of unifying all Bodo people living in Asom, NC Hills Tripura, Nepal, West Bengal and Bangladesh. The festival was most significant as the leaders of Bodo people from inside and outside the State assembled to exchange their views to prepare a common platform to speed up the unification process.
In the conclusion ceremony, president of Kok-Borok Sahitya Sabha Nanda Kumar Debberma addressing the gathering said there should be only oneness of language, culture, literature and race under the strong leadership of the Bodos of Bodoland. He said the Bodos of Brahmaputra Valley must take the leading role for uniting all the Bodo people living within and outside the State, and for that mission, the Boroks of Tripura and Dimasas of NC Hills as well as Bodos of West Bengal, Nepal and Bangladesh will have to join hands in the move to bring back the lost identity and glory of the great race.
He said he is happy with the unification move which is going on with regular meets within the community people here and there. He also called upon the Bodo youths to come forward to revive the identity of the race.
The open meeting which was chaired by Rakhao Basumatary, president of Bodo Writers’ Academy (BWA) was also addressed by BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, Minister of Agriculture Ms Pramila Rani Brahma, MLA of Nepal Chandralal Meche, MP SK Bwiswmuthiary, president of Twipra Students’ Federation Upen Chandra Debbarma, president of Kok Borok Sahitya Sabha Nanda Kumar Debbarma. The open session was inaugurated by Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary.
In an interview, in the sideline of the meting, Nepal MLA Chandralal Meche said the Bodo National Festival was most significant in uniting the great Bodo race, because the Bodo group of people from various regions could come together and exchange their views in a common platform. He said such festival should be conducted on regular basis to strengthen the community. He also hoped that through holding this kind of festivals, the language, literature, culture, tradition, identity and security could be well-protected and effective change may come in this way.
President of Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) Upen Chandra Debbarma said that the festival was a historic milestone for unification of the Bodos, adding that there will be Bodo National Festival every year and resolved to hold the festival in NC Hills, Tripura, West Bengal and Nepal in the years to come.
NE handicraft goods take Thailand by surprise
: By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Jan 28: An inspired Northeast won the hearts of thousands of Thai people as the rich and colourful handicraft of the region were showcased here last night when the crowed swayed to the music of Dr Bhupen Hazarika and Jubin Garg.
Dr Trirong Suwankiri, Former Deputy Prime Minister and advisor to present Prime Minister of Thailand inaugurated the first-ever stand alone exhibition on indigenous handicraft products of the Northeast India aptly titled “Made in North East India” at Fashion Island Shopping Centre Bangkok, one of the biggest shopping malls in Thailand.
The exposition organized by Industries & Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA), in association with DC (Handicraft), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and with support of Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi and Thai Council of Commerce took the elite evening crowd at the stylish mall by surprise as all the participants, including the organizers came out in traditional dresses of the Northeast commemorating the country’s Republic Day.
Dr Trirong Suwankiri impressed with the colourful designs of Northeast handicraft pointed out that mixture of Thai and Northeast Handicraft can capture the world market.
The huge evening crowd at the mall cheered as the senior political leader posed in colourful Naga jacket.
Yaomi Sasa, a National Award winner from Ukhrul district of Manipur, could not stop his tears as Dr Trirong hugged him seeing in his traditional dress.
“I couldn’t believe that there is such a beautiful world waiting outside,” said Sasa.
Manendra Deka from Barpeta district of Asom had difficult time convincing people that the bamboo replica of his rickshaw is not for sale.
The fashion conscious Thai people made a beeline for the colourful jewellery of Suresh Das from Tripura. “Surprisingly the young generation liked my design more with some girls finding it fit for trendy wear,” said Das.
Bangkok with its humid climate welcomed the sital patti by Ranjit Kumar Dey with open arm.
“It looks so cool and comfortable. Fit for Thai homes,” commented Kanjana of DEP.
The organizers were overwhelmed by the love and affection showered by Thai community on the artisans on their maiden visit to the country.
“Every second moment we are receiving invitation from the visitors for either lunch and dinner.
Some even brought Thai food to our office. Everybody finds a connection between Northeast India and Thailand,” informed Rajesh Das, Vice President, ITFAA.
Sunisa of Department of Export Promotion (DEP) Royal Thai Government could not stop praising the rich and colourful embroidery of Nagaland, Rabha handicraft and Meghalaya.
“The small household articles made of pine wood by Isabella Pakma of Meghalaya is definitely going to occupy a very important position in my residence,” said Sunisa.
Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA) has the distinction of introducing Thailand in its flagship trade expositions International Guwahati Trade Fair held regularly in Guwahati for the last 16 years.
Aptly summarising the mood of the expositions, Madhukar Asnani, First Secretary (Commercial) Embassy of India, Thailand pointed out that the goodness and simplicity of Northeast India shows in the works of the participating artisans.
The exposition which began on January 26 will continue till January 31 aspiring to leave a permanent mark on the heart of Thai people.


Frans on 01.30.09 @ 07:52 AM CST [link]


Thursday, January 29th

NISC demand GoI to withdraw AR troops Nagaland Page



NISC demand GoI to withdraw AR troops Nagaland Page

In the background of the Peace Process provocations undermine the spirit of the Ceasefire and peace talks.
A well covered Government of India – Government of the Peoples Republic of Nagalim agreement once and for all put an end to misinterpretation to the extent of the ceasefire with the addiction of the term ‘without territorial limits.
Already at the signing of the cease fire agreement, 1997, it was obvious that this agreement was arrived at between two parties, the Governments of India and the Government of the Peoples Republic of Nagallim. There was no mistake in understanding, because part of the dispute was based on limitations of territory that two nations not the nation India and the state Nagaland had agreed to ceasefire.
The use of electrified barbed wire around the Naga Camp to prevent Naga Forces to leave, is an inhumane act and a Violation of Human Rights.
Considering the points above the Naga International Support Center requests the Government of India to answer the following questions:
1 – Is there any misunderstanding, misinterpretation, of the meaning and extent of the ceasefire by the Armed Forces on the ceasefire with the Government of the Peoples Republic of Nagalim?
2 - On the basis of genuine peace talks should your Armed Forces not show restraint?
3 - The besieging and subsequent threatening of Naga soldiers residing peacefully in the vicinity of a village is a threat to civilian life too. Have your forces been ordered to disrupt the life of peaceful Naga citizens?
Considering that the Assam Rifles, who base their action on the idea that the cease fire covers Nagaland State only, not Manipur or other Naga lands and hence no camps if the Naga Army should be there, the Naga International Support Center strongly demands that the Government of India:
- orders the Assam Rifles to immediately withdraw
- explains the meaning of cease fire to all troops
- stops all conflicting instructions
- to order its forces to show restraint
- to stop provoking the Naga Forces to the point of jeopardizing the Peace Process
- show respect for Human Rights by instantly removing the electrified barbed wire from around the Naga Camp
For more information visit our website www.nagalim.nl or get in touch nisc@nagalim.nl">nisc@nagalim.nl
(On E-mail)

‘Explain meaning of ceasefire to army’ morungexpress
Dimapur : In the backdrop of the ongoing Shiroi standoff between Assam Rifles troopers and NSCN (IM) cadres, the Naga International Support Center today made a number of queries to the Government of India. The NISC also made a number of demands, including one that demanded that the ‘meaning of ceasefire should be explained to all troops’.
According to the statement from the NISC, a ‘well-covered’ Government of India and “government of the people’s republic of Nagalim” agreement put an end once and for all to any misinterpretation “to the extent of the ceasefire with the addiction of the term ‘without territorial limits’”.
On this argument, the NISC queried if there is “any misunderstanding, misinterpretation, of the meaning and extent of the ceasefire by the armed forces on the ceasefire with the government of the peoples republic of Nagalim?” The NISC also demanded a response if “on the basis of genuine peace talks should your armed forces not show restraint”.
The organization said the “besieging and subsequent threatening” of Naga “soldiers” who were “residing peacefully in the vicinity of a village”, is a threat to civilian life too. “Have your forces been ordered to disrupt the life of peaceful Naga citizens?” the NISC queried.
Considering that the Assam Rifles, according to the NISC, “who base their action on the idea that the ceasefire covers Nagaland State only, not Manipur or other Naga lands and hence no camps if the Naga Army should be there”, the NISC made a number of demands to the Government of India. The Government of India should order the Assam Rifles to immediately withdraw and “explain the meaning of cease fire to all troops”, the NISC demanded. Further, all “conflicting instructions” should be stopped and orders to the army to show restraint should be issued.
Asking the Indian forces to “stop provoking the Naga forces” to the ‘point of jeopardizing the peace process’, the GoI is told by the NISC to show respect for Human Rights “by instantly removing the electrified barbed wire from around the Naga camp”. The statement from the NISC added that “the use of electrified barbed wire around the Naga camp to prevent Naga forces to leave, is an inhumane act and a violation of Human Rights” .
Army enforces C-fire; NSCN cadres arrested
Dimapur : The Assam Rifles has informed that on 28 January based on specific intelligence regarding movement of underground cadres, a joint mobile check post of the 42 AR and 164 TA battalion at Kukidolong intercepted a suspiciously moving car, a Santro, leading to the arrest of two NSCN (IM) cadres. On searching the vehicle, uniforms and 50 rounds of ammunition of .303 rifle were recovered, informed a press note issued by the PRO of IGAR (North). At the same check post, the IGAR said, another car, an Alto traveling from Kohima to Dimapur led to the arrest of four NSCN (K) cadres along with three 9mm pistols and 32 live rounds (9mm) and four mobile sets. All the apprehended cadres were handed over to police, the press note stated.
AR STEPS UP VIGIL IN NAGALAND
The Assam Rifles clarified that a state of high vigil is being maintained all over the state to ensure that Ceasefire Ground Rules are adhered to by all the Naga factions. Stringent measures will be adopted against erring cadres violating laid down CFGR within the state of Nagaland, the IGAR press note informed.
Shiroi Impasse Infuse Tension morungexpress
In this photo released to the media, women from Shiroi village and adjoining villages, in Manipur are seen keeping vigil to prevent any untoward eventuality from the ongoing standoff between the Assam Rifles and NSCN (IM) cadres in the village, January 26.
Dimapur : Even as the 72-hour deadline for the Assam Rifles troops and NSCN (IM) cadres to withdraw from Shiroi village came to an end on Monday evening, the stand-off was reportedly persisting as both the parties refused to vacate the areas until their "terms" are met accordingly. Sources from Shiroi village said the Assam Rifles are staying put in the village saying the troops would be withdrawn only after the NSCN (IM) armed cadres leave the village, whereas the latter are willing to budge only if "another designated camp" elsewhere is accepted.
Both the parties had earlier agreed to withdraw from the area after a three-day stand-off from the village, which prompted the women from the village and surrounding areas to step in and keep up a 24-hour long vigil and avert any untoward incident. Till late on Monday evening, activists from different groups are said to be camping at Shiroi. "They (women) are still continuing with their day-night vigil. This is likely to go on until the situation is totally peaceful," a student leader, camping in the village, said over telephone.
Since the stand-off began with the Naga outfits, the Assam Riffles has deployed troops drawn from 17 and 23 ARs battalions. "There are about 500 ARs personnel in the area. There is no sign of withdrawal from them till this evening," said the villagers. According to reliable sources, there are about 20 NSCN (IM) cadres reported to be inside the "disputed camp."
Sources today said that the Assam Rifles are still in cordoning off the area while the NSCN (IM) cadres are still sticking to their positions. The Assam Rifles are said to have deployed about 700 troopers with heavy arms and ammunitions. Sources quoted Assam Rifles CO Dharmesh Yadav refusing to comment over the expiry of the deadline. Over a query about the use of 'electrified barb wire' by the AR around the NSCN (IM) camp as claimed by a Human Rights organization, he denied of such use. However, local sources said that the AR has laid barbed wires around the entire vicinity of the camp. Access to the perimeter of the camp is restricted to all beyond the first AR bunker. Even photos taken by media persons within the permitted perimeter are scanned by CO himself, it was informed.
72 Hrs dateline ends; stand-off still on AR troopers were seen positioned at the first bunker, which used to be the 'bunker-1' of the NSCN (IM) cadres before the standoff began. Heavy AR reinforcements have been reported during the last 48 hours, in addition to nearly 500 AR personnel already stationed in the village. On the other hand, the NSCN (IM) cadres are believed to be numbering around 20 and still holed-up inside the camp, cut off from any supply for the last 7 days. Water, food, electricity supply has been disconnected since January 20. They are believed to be manning three bunkers with heavy weaponry.
Sources said the village looks very deserted, with very little sign of life around this otherwise bustling scenic village. Only scenes replete with AR men in full uniform and weaponry are noticed at every pocket of the village. Except for few children and women attending to their daily chores, only few men were seen moving around the village – reasons largely attributed to the fear of a possible showdown. It has been reported that since the impasse ensued, most of the villagers have not attended to their paddy field works, hampering economy. No instance of intimidation by the AR has been reported so far. However, as one local stated, "the huge concentration of the Indian Army in the village vicinity has not only deprived privacy but has also created fear psychosis in the minds of the local population, especially the children".
To prevent both the parties from confrontation, and also to facilitate peaceful withdrawal, a large number of womenfolk have been camping here near the first bunker since the stand-off began on January 19.
Civil society takes to protest
Dimapur : The continuing standoff between the Assam Rifles and NSCN (IM) in Shiroi village in Manipur has created exigencies leading to civil initiatives. An indefinite sit-in protest has been started in Shiroi village in Manipur, against what was stated to be the "siege of Shirui village by Assam Rifles". Relatively, the village has shot off a letter to the Manipur State Human Rights' Commission calling for intervention.
A 'coordination committee for Shirui Siege' has been formed, consisting of various frontal organizations, faith-based organizations, NGOs, representatives of Shirui village and social activists. The chief objective of the committee is 'to protect and promote' the rights of Shirui villagers 'whose human rights are being violated in the siege of Shirui village by the Assam Rifles', the committee said in a statement today. The indefinite sit-in started stared around 7 AM on January 26 and is said to be indefinite until the Assam Rifles withdraw from the village.
The committee has demanded immediate withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from Shirui village and that the civil authorities of Ukhrul district immediately look into the situation and take all necessary actions to protect the rights of the villagers. "The situation has created immense suffering and hardships for the denizens of Shirui village. The constant presence of security forces has resulted in the violation of basic fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of the country, including the right to live with dignity, the freedom of movement, the right to privacy and personal security, the right to livelihood, and the right to property etcetera" the committee informed. The impasse has also affected the economic well being of the villagers with all of them unable to take up any economic activity, it added.
Also, the Shiroi village authority has written to the Manipur State Human Rights Commission calling for immediate intervention. The village authority highlighted the situation to the commission and said that it demands active action of the state. 'There is no guarantee in the war-like situation to secure the life and liberty of Shirei village enshrined in the Constitution of India;it is a veritable threat to be redressed in time. To secure the life of innocent children, they have been evacuated from Shirei village to safer place and are taking shelter in the neighboring village for the last few days', the commission was told.
The village also said that both the parties 'seem to have resolved amicably to end the crisis without bloodshed' but the matter is "hovering around with utter confusion in the minds the parties involved in the interpretation of the terms of agreement in their own convenient language has compounded the problem".
The commission was told that the only remedy and last option available to the villagers is to vacate to safer places till the crisis is over. However, this will entail tremendous hardship, suffering and financial losses "to overcome man-made catastrophe" the letter stated. Shiroi reminded that the situation demanded the State's action to protect and ensure right to life and liberty of the citizens. The matter is serious as it involves the duty of the state to security to life and property of the citizens and so there should be no delay, it added.
Meanwhile the NSCN (IM) has expressed appreciation of the role played by womenfolk in the Shiroi situation. "Despite the chilly winter night the women of the villages like Hundung, Choithar, Langdang, Nungbi and from the Ukhrul town stay put in the camp area to face the war-like situation. They have one object in mind, and that is, peace should prevail" the MIP note stated. "They know that political settlement through negotiation is the only way out and military confrontation they abhorred. Their emotional and physical involvement in such manner certainly saved the day from going bloody" the outfit acknowledged. "With the government of India showing different colors in different occasions not doing enough to rein in the AR the Nagas are passing through a critical period where the nerve of the NSCN is being put to greatest test. But the culprits shall be AR and not NA (Naga army)" it added. Rights body expresses concern over situation in Naga areas Kohima , Jan 28 A human rights body in Nagaland has expressed concern over what it called a&apospsychological warfare&aposlaunched against people in the Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast, including neighbouring Manipur, by the Assam Rifles.
Rights body expresses concern over situation in Naga areas Opinio
The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) in a statement said that the move by the Assam Rifles vitiated the conducive atmosphere prevailing in the areas at a time when there was a ceasefire in operation with Naga underground groups.
The NPMHR cited the tension at Wokha in Nagaland last December - which arose after a standoff between local people and Assam Rifles - and at Sirohi village in Manipurs' Ukhrul district, to claim that the incidents were&aposdisturbing signs of instability&aposemerging out of lack of progress in the Naga political talks.
There was a week-long standoff at Sirohi village in Ukhrul district, a stronghold of NSCN(I-M), between local people and Assam Rifles over the existence of a camp set up by the underground elements. The Assam Rifles wanted the facility to be closed since Manipur officially does not fall under cease-fire jurisdiction.
The rights body yesterday held its general assembly at Diampur and deliberated on current situation in different Naga-inhabited areas of the region.
The meeting also deliberated on the proposed construction of Tipaimukh and Mapithel dams and other mega projects in southern Naga areas (Manipur) and demanded that consent should be obtained from the affected people before undertaking such projects.

Unite Nagas as a people – Rio DIPR Morung
Zunheboto : The DAN Government is a government committed to unity and reconciliation of the Naga brethren. It is a bigger policy, said Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio while speaking at the inauguration of SDO (C) Hq in Suruhoto. He told the gathering that if ‘administratively we are not united, we can be united, politically’. He cited how the Britishers created their empire in India due to the disunity among petty kingdoms. ‘Our disunity will be to the advantage of our adversaries’, he reminded.
“Nagas are free and without control and the Britishers termed Nagas as free people who lived under the banner ‘might is right’, during our forefathers. But today Christianity and civilization has changed our lifestyle”, he said. But at the same time he also warned that if ‘this civilization’ is not ‘properly controlled’ under certain rules and a disciplined life not maintained, ‘our future is heading for ruin’.
He further said freedom is not being free ‘to do as you like; you are free within rules and regulations’ he said. ‘Without this peace and regulated development cannot take place’ he said and added that the DAN Government is committed to the uplift of the downtrodden in the villages and rural areas. People must work hard to avail this privilege to create a favorable environment, he said.
Rio also said that the Nagas should choose ‘their own leaders to bring forth their own development’. In this regard, the chief minister had special praise for the MLA from Suruhuto, Shetoi, for his effort towards development of the constituency. The CM said Shetoi had initiated several developmental projects in Suruhuto especially in the road sector. Rio thanked the people of Suruhuto for electing him to the assembly and urged the people of the area to cooperate with the Government’s agencies.
Rio also highlighted various programmes and initiatives of the state, especially in the youth sector. He said special focus is on empowering the youth through the Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund along with empowerment initiatives and capacity-building exercises.
Earlier Minister for Road & Bridges, G. Kaito in his speech expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Sumi Legislatures and Sumi community to the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio for listening to the voice of the Suruhoto people and bringing forth the reality of up-gradation of EAC Hq to that of SDO (C) Hq
MLA & Chairman NHHDC, Shetoyi said that in the history of Suruhoto town since 1944 Neiphiu Rio is the first Chief Minister to ever visit the town. The upgradation of EAC Suruhoto to that of SDO (C) and the monolith shall stand as a harbinger to many positive developments in the days to come. Parliamentary Secretary for Industries & Commerce, K.C. Nihoshi described Rio as a man of development, courage and a visionary leader.
The CM was accompanied by Minister for Power, Doshehe Y. Sema, Parliamentary Secretary for Geology & Mining, Y. Patton, Additional Commissioner, K.N. Ngullie, Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto, C.M. Tsanglo, SP Zunheboto, KK Chishi, Commandant 8 NAP, Commandant 27 AR and a host of government officials from Zunheboto. A cultural item of various significance was displayed by surrounding villagers. The programme was chaired by DC, Zuheboto.

Naga re-conciliation a policy of DAN govt: Rio Zee News

Kohima, Jan 29: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has reiterated that the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government is committed to unity and re-conciliation of the deeply divided Nagas, saying this commitment is the bigger policy of the coalition government.

Speaking at the inaugural of SDO (civil) headquarters at Suruhoto under Zunheboto district, Rio said, “Our disunity will be to the advantages of our adversaries, and appealed for unity among the Nagas.”

”Our future is heading for a ruin if the Nagas remain undisciplined and do not live under established rules,” he said adding, “Freedom is not free to do as you like, you are free within rules and regulations.”

Stating that his government was committed to uplift of the rural people, the Chief Minister insisted that people must cooperate with the administration to create a favourable environment to get things done for their welfare.

Speaking at another function at Ighunami in the same district, Home Minister Imkong Imchen also expressed deep concern over the present trend of Nagas killing Nagas in the name of Naga independence, and called for unity and re-conciliation amongst them.

At the general conference of All Sumi Students Union yesterday, Imkong lamented though there were no fighting between Naga undergrounds and security forces in the state since the cease-fire was in force between the two, yet killings among Nagas continued under the pretext of a political cause.

Meeting for peace in Nagaland-Assam border areas The Hindu
Kohima (PTI): In a bid to ensure peace in border areas between Nagaland and Assam, Mokokchung district authorities held a public meeting at Tsurangkong range bordering Jorhat district of Assam, officials said on Thursday.
Official sources said Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner accompanied by Superintendent of Police, Commandant of 2nd NAP, DFO and others held the meeting yesterday with the villagers from the range.
Tsurangkong range comprises eight villages bordering Mariani in Assam.
The meeting discussed various measures for maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas which often witness clashes between the villagers on both sides of the "disputed" inter-state boundary.
Militants moving out of Siroy, claims police chief
OUR BUREAU


Imphal/New Delhi, Jan. 28: The Manipur police chief today submitted a report stating that Naga militants holed up in a camp at Siroy in Ukhrul began “leaving” three days back, belying claims by the Assam Rifles and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) that the standoff continues.
Director-general of police Yumnam Joykumar Singh, in his report submitted to the Okram Ibobi Singh cabinet tonight, claimed that the Naga rebels had begun leaving in small groups following pressure from the Assam Rifles.
The troops laid siege to a camp set up by the NSCN (I-M) on January 19 after the militants, who are not allowed to set up camps outside Nagaland according to ceasefire ground rules, refused to give up their arms.
“We discussed the report submitted by the director-general of police on the Siroy impasse. The report said the militants have started leaving. We are closely monitoring the situation,” a cabinet minister told the media after the meeting.
The minister declined to give any more details.
The police chief’s report came just a day after the Assam Rifles issued a statement yesterday saying that they had rejected the rebels’ demand that they would move out of Siroy, but only to another village and not a designated camp.
“The NSCN (I-M) authorities have intimated that they (the cadres) would not move to any of the designated camps and their cadres would move to yet another village with arms, ammunition and explosives. Obviously, this proposal cannot be accepted as no armed cadres can be permitted to move in any of these areas,” the statement had said.
The NSCN demand came after the Assam Rifles, following a directive from the home ministry, offered safe passage to the cadres on January 23 to leave Siroy and shift to a designated camp. The Naga rebels, however, refused to budge.
A team of Naga Hoho, the apex organisation of the Naga community, visited Siroy to take stock of the situation.
The group, led by P. Chuba and H.K. Zhimomi, spoke to women vigilantes at Siroy for first-hand information about the prevailing situation around the camp.
Hundreds of women have been keeping vigil at the rebel camp to prevent a flare-up.
Accompanied by members of the Naga Students Federation, Naga civil society organisations based in Ukhrul and the newly formed Coordination Committee on Siroy Siege, the Naga Hoho discussed ways to defuse the tension.
They are expected to take up the matter with the ceasefire monitoring cell in Dimapur.
People of Ukhrul are also holding daily sit-ins at the district headquarters since Republic Day, demanding withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from Siroy to allow the NSCN (I-M) to vacate the area.
Outer Manipur MP Mani Charanamei said in Delhi today that Union home minister P. Chidambaram felt the NSCN (I-M) should vacate its camps in Manipur.
Chidambaram will meet home secretary Madhukar Gupta, army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor, interlocutor for Naga talks K. Padmanabhaiah and senior home ministry officials tomorrow to discuss the future of the peace process in Nagaland and the hill districts of Manipur, a source said.
IM adamant on setting up camp at Ukl dist, Cabinet discusses issue
Our Staff Reporters

A picture of the camp set up by the NSCN (IM) at Siroy, which is the bone of contention
UKL/IMP, Jan 28 : Refusing to budge from its stand, the NSCN (IM) has today made it clear that their objective is to open a camp at Ukhrul district and not as suggested by the Assam Rifles that the cadres holed up at Siroy be shifted to any of the three camps located at Bunning in Tamenglong district, Oklong in Senapati district and Phungchong in Chandel district.
These camps have been there for a long time, much before the ceasefire agreement came into force, AR had earlier maintained.
On the other hand, the State Cabinet which met today, discussed the Siroy crisis, said a reliable source.
To have a detailed discussion on the matter a meeting of the Unified Command has been convened tomorrow which will be chaired by the Chief Minister.
Representatives from the Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF and State police will attend the meeting.
Some days back, the IG AR (S) had also highlighted the matter during a meeting of the Strategic Operations Group chaired by the Chief Secretary.
The State Government has also verbally communicated the Siroy situation to the Union Home Ministry.
For the moment, the State Cabinet has decided to adopt the wait and watch policy, said a source and added that as per reports received, out of the 40 cadres who were intially holed up in the camp, there are now only 10 left.
Interacting with The Sangai Express at Ukhrul district headquarters, Chief Administrative Officer of the Wung region of NSCN (IM), V Horam said that on January 23 it was agreed that both the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM) cadres would withdraw from Siroy simultaneously within 72 hours.
Once the cadres are shifted out from Siroy, they can be moved to a temporary camp while the NSCN (IM) looks for a suitable site to set up an official camp, said Horam.
Once the site is selected then it would be notified by the NSCN (IM), maintained the CAO.
However the Assam Rifles has been insisting that the cadres at Siroy should be shifted to any of the three camps in Manipur, either at Bunning in Tamenglong, Oklong in Senapati or Phunchong in Chandel.
This is not agreeable to us, said Horam and asserted that the Assam Rifles had also earlier agreed that they (IM) will choose the site for the camp which is to be notified later.
Even as the stand off continues, the people of Siroy are beginning to feel the pinch.
Though the Assam Rifles have stopped advising them not to venture out to their fields, they are still reluctant fearing that things may take a turn for the worse.
Local contacts informed The Sangai Express that there is the danger of facing a bleak harvest this and even readmitting their children to schools has become difficult. The school authorities have been requested to treat students of Siroy as a special cases, said local contacts.
A new body christened “Shirui Non-Violence Committee” has also been formed by the people of Siroy today. The main objective of the Committee is to enable the people to lead peaceful and normal life. Members of the Village Auth-ority, Shanao Long, student bodies and youths constitute the Committee which is headed by a Convenor and a secretary. The Committee has also questioned what the State Govt has been doing when over 1500 people of Siroy are facing the prospect of food shortage. On the other hand, representatives of Naga Hoho, ANSAM, UNC and Naga Students’ Federation who arrived at Ukhrul district headquarters yesterday visited Siroy today morning. The repre- sentatives assured the people of Siroy that they would approach the Centre and apply the right pressure to resolve the situation. The team also met the AR officers including the CO of 17 Assam Rifles. The team however was not allowed to proceed near the camp of the IM group as well as where the AR troops have taken position. The DIG of the Assam Rifles also visited Siroy to over see the situation. To extend a helping hand to the villagers, the Assam Rifles has opened a mobile medical camp. As part of the campaign to resolve the situation, a sit-in-protest was held at Gandhi Chowk at Ukhrul district headquarters today. Meanwhile Outer Lok Sabha MP Mani Charenamei has written to the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Union Defence Minister AK Antony to intervene and defuse the situation.
AR interacts with Siroy villagers Nagarealm.com
IMPHAL, JAN28 [IFP] : The commander of 10 Sector Assam Rifles carried out interaction with the people of village Siroy at about 10.30 am today. Around 250 to 300 people were present for the informal interaction with the commander.

Appreciating the people of Siroy for their quest for peace and tranquility in the area, the commander said that Assam Rifles is also committed towards the same. He mentioned that NSCN(IM) cadres have been conveyed to vacate the camp with assurance of safe passage to them as a one time measure and to go to any of the designated camp.

However, they have forced this stand off to continue for so long as they have not been able to take any decision on the subject. The DIG further reiterated that irrespective of the reports being published in certain sections of media, people of Siroy are aware that Assam Rifles is ensuring that no inconvenience is caused to the local people due to the ongoing impasse. During today`s visit the DIG presented gifts to village elders, stationery items and sweets for schools of Siroy. The interaction was followed by a high tea and snacks in a cordial atmosphere.

It is pertinent to highlight here that in the past few days medical camps were organised by 17 Assam Rifles at Siroy village. 17 Assam Rifles is also extending CSD facilities and monetary as well as material assistance to the community kitchen at Siroy as a gesture of goodwill. Approximately 115 people from Siroy village alone availed the medical and CSD facilities today, a release from the PRO IGAR(South) has said.

Meanwhile, our correspondent has said that Naga civil society organisations from Nagaland including the Naga Hoho, Naga Students` Federation (NSF) along with the United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women`s Union, Manipur (NWUM), Naga People`s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) South Sector, All Naga Students` Union Manipur (ANSUM), Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL),Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL) today visited the village under seige at Shiroy and took stock of the situation

.Our disunity is advantage to adversaries: Rio
Suruhoto upgraded to SDO (C) HQ (Page News Service)
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 28: Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday asserted that his Government is committed to unity and reconciliation of all Naga. It is a bigger policy, he said while inaugurating the Suruhoto SDO (C) HQ today.
The CM said even if Nagas cannot be united administratively they could unite politically. Our disunity will be to the advantage of our adversaries, he quipped.
Rio also reiterated his Government's commitment to uplift the downtrodden in the villages and rural areas. He called upon the people to work hard to avail this privilege by creating favorable environment.
Earlier Minister for Road & Bridges, G. Kaito expressed appreciation to the chief minister on behalf of the Sumi Legislatures and Sumi community for listening to the voice of the Suruhoto people and bringing forth the reality of up-gradation of EAC HQ to that of SDO (C) HQ.
Parliamentary Secretary for Industries & Commerce, KC Nihoshi and MLA & Chairman NHHDC, Shetoyi also spoke on the occasion.
The CM was accompanied by Minister for Power, Doshehe Y. Sema, Parliamentary Secretary for Geology & Mining, Y. Patton, Additional Commissioner, KN Ngullie, DC Zunheboto, CM Tsanglo, SP Zunheboto, KK Chishi, Commandant 8 NAP, Commandant 27 AR and a host of Government officials from Zunheboto.

Indian rebel groups shifting ‘bases from Bangladesh (Agencies)

SHILLONG, JANUARY 28: Indian rebel groups operating from Bangladesh, were exploring ways to shift their bases from Bangladesh to Myanmar and even China after the change of regime in the neighbouring country, a security official said.
"While so far there is no concrete evidence available regarding Bangladesh's crackdown on camps of Indian insurgent groups, but there is definitely discomfort among the NE outfits having camps in the neighbouring country," the official said on condition of anonymity.
He said security agencies had inputs that the rebel groups were exploring ways to shift to Myanmar, China and Bhutan, while some were intending to cross over to India.
Last year, India had given a list of 110 camps of Indian rebel groups, mostly those of ULFA, to Bangladesh authorities and sought action against them.
Interestingly, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, who is holed up in Bangladesh, had issued a statement to the media a few days back claiming that the group did not have any camps in the neighbouring country.
The official said as per the inputs available 'Bangladesh security forces have cracked down upon fundamentalist groups like JMB (Jama'atul Mujahiddin, Bangladesh) and arrested a number of its cadres.'
Meanwhile, BSF IG P K Mishra said, "There are inputs that militants were trying to intrude into India from Bangladesh. The BSF has put its maximum force along the borders since the last 15 days."
"We have deployed more than six additional companies in the vulnerable patches like Garo hills in Meghalaya and Dhubri in Assam, while several additional ambush points and nakas (checkposts) have been set up and more boats deployed in the riverine border of Assam," the IG said.
An additional battalion will be deployed shortly in the 'most sensitive' Dhubri border in Assam, he said.
He said the BSF had increased its coordination with the BDR in sharing information even as both the border guards were conducting joint patrolling in identified vulnerable patches of the border.
The development comes when External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to visit Dhaka next month, the first visit by an Indian leader to Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League wrested power.
It was during her earlier stint that Sheikh Hasina had initiated action against militant groups setting up bases in that country.
With the previous Hasina regime exerting pressure, the ULFA, the NDFB and the KLO were all compelled to shift base to Bhutan.

Frans on 01.29.09 @ 02:10 PM CST [link]


Wednesday, January 28th

In the background of the Peace Process provocations undermine the spirit of the Ceasefire and peace talks.


A Naga International Support Center, NISC, www.nagalim.nl
A human rights organization

From the NISC mobile office, 30 January 2009

In the background of the Peace Process provocations undermine the spirit of the Ceasefire and peace talks.

A well covered Government of India – Government of the Peoples Republic of Nagalim agreement once and for all put an end to misinterpretation to the extent of the ceasefire with the addiction of the term ‘without territorial limits.
Already at the signing of the cease fire agreement, 1997, it was obvious that this agreement was arrived at between two parties, the Governments of India and the Government of the Peoples Republic of Nagallim. There was no mistake in understanding, because part of the dispute was based on limitations of territory that two nations not the nation India and the state Nagaland had agreed to ceasefire.
The use of electrified barbed wire around the Naga Camp to prevent Naga Forces to leave, is an inhumane act and a Violation of Human Rights.

Considering the points above the Naga International Support Center requests the Government of India to answer the following questions:

1 – Is there any misunderstanding, misinterpretation, of the meaning and extent of the ceasefire by the Armed Forces on the ceasefire with the Government of the Peoples Republic of Nagalim?
2 - On the basis of genuine peace talks should your Armed Forces not show restraint?
3 - The besieging and subsequent threatening of Naga soldiers residing peacefully in the vicinity of a village is a threat to civilian life too. Have your forces been ordered to disrupt the life of peaceful Naga citizens?

Considering that the Assam Rifles, who base their action on the idea that the cease fire covers Nagaland State only, not Manipur or other Naga lands and hence no camps if the Naga Army should be there, the Naga International Support Center strongly demands that the Government of India:

- orders the Assam Rifles to immediately withdraw
- explains the meaning of cease fire to all troops
- stops all conflicting instructions
- to order its forces to show restraint
- to stop provoking the Naga Forces to the point of jeopardizing the Peace Process
- show respect for Human Rights by instantly removing the electrified barbed wire from around the Naga Camp

For more information visit our website www.nagalim.nl or get in touch nisc@nagalim.nl">nisc@nagalim.nl

Siroy forces reject rebel demand OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, Jan. 27: Naga militants holed up in a camp in Ukhrul’s Siroy today agreed to move out if they were allowed to shift to another village and not to a designated camp — a demand the Assam Rifles rejected.
The 17 Assam Rifles surrounded the camp of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) on January 18 after the militants, who are not supposed to set up camps outside Nagaland according to ceasefire ground rules, refused to surrender their weapons.
The Assam Rifles public relations office this afternoon issued a statement rejecting the NSCN (I-M) demand of shifting to another village.
“The NSCN (I-M) authorities have intimated that they (the cadres) would not move to any of the designated camps and their cadres would move to yet another village with arms, ammunition explosives. Obviously this proposal cannot be accepted as no armed cadres can be permitted to move in any of these areas,” the statement said.
On January 23, the NSCN (I-M) sought “safe passage” out of Siroy — a request the Assam Rifles accepted “as a one-time measure” to allow the militants to move to any one of their designated camps with their weapons.
The Assam Rifles today said the army and the paramilitary forces “have gone out of their way” to help the people of Siroy. “NSCN (I-M) armed cadres, if allowed to remain in these areas, will affect the security situation and the peaceful environment and hence, (that) cannot be permitted,” the statement said.
The forces will continue to cordon the area until the rebels either surrender their weapons and leave or move to any of the designated camps with their weapons.
Naga women, who formed a wall between the rebels and forces to pre-empt clashes, continued to keep vigil today.
Hundreds of Naga villagers, under the Co-ordinating Committee on Siroy Siege, today held a sit-in on Gandhi Avenue at the district headquarters demanding withdrawal of the troops from the area to allow the NSCN (I-M) cadres to leave.
“The sit-in was organised to put pressure on the Assam Rifles personnel to allow the cadres to leave by withdrawing first from the area,” a spokesperson of the committee said over phone.
“We believe once the Assam Rifles withdraw, the cadres will go away. So the civil society groups of Ukhrul have been urging the Assam Rifles to vacate the area first,” a resident of Ukhrul, T. Shimary, said.

Frans on 01.28.09 @ 06:30 AM CST [link]


Tuesday, January 27th

Shiroi Impasse Infuse Tension morungexpress


Shiroi Impasse Infuse Tension morungexpress

Dimapur : Even as the 72-hour deadline for the Assam Rifles troops and NSCN (IM) cadres to withdraw from Shiroi village came to an end on Monday evening, the stand-off was reportedly persisting as both the parties refused to vacate the areas until their “terms” are met accordingly. Sources from Shiroi village said the Assam Rifles are staying put in the village saying the troops would be withdrawn only after the NSCN (IM) armed cadres leave the village, whereas the latter are willing to budge only if “another designated camp” elsewhere is accepted.
Both the parties had earlier agreed to withdraw from the area after a three-day stand-off from the village, which prompted the women from the village and surrounding areas to step in and keep up a 24-hour long vigil and avert any untoward incident. Till late on Monday evening, activists from different groups are said to be camping at Shiroi. “They (women) are still continuing with their day-night vigil. This is likely to go on until the situation is totally peaceful,” a student leader, camping in the village, said over telephone.
Since the stand-off began with the Naga outfits, the Assam Riffles has deployed troops drawn from 17 and 23 ARs battalions. “There are about 500 ARs personnel in the area. There is no sign of withdrawal from them till this evening,” said the villagers. According to reliable sources, there are about 20 NSCN (IM) cadres reported to be inside the “disputed camp.”
Sources today said that the Assam Rifles are still in cordoning off the area while the NSCN (IM) cadres are still sticking to their positions. The Assam Rifles are said to have deployed about 700 troopers with heavy arms and ammunitions. Sources quoted Assam Rifles CO Dharmesh Yadav refusing to comment over the expiry of the deadline. Over a query about the use of ‘electrified barb wire’ by the AR around the NSCN (IM) camp as claimed by a Human Rights organization, he denied of such use. However, local sources said that the AR has laid barbed wires around the entire vicinity of the camp. Access to the perimeter of the camp is restricted to all beyond the first AR bunker. Even photos taken by media persons within the permitted perimeter are scanned by CO himself, it was informed.
72 Hrs dateline ends; stand-off still on AR troopers were seen positioned at the first bunker, which used to be the ‘bunker-1’ of the NSCN (IM) cadres before the standoff began. Heavy AR reinforcements have been reported during the last 48 hours, in addition to nearly 500 AR personnel already stationed in the village. On the other hand, the NSCN (IM) cadres are believed to be numbering around 20 and still holed-up inside the camp, cut off from any supply for the last 7 days. Water, food, electricity supply has been disconnected since January 20. They are believed to be manning three bunkers with heavy weaponry.
Sources said the village looks very deserted, with very little sign of life around this otherwise bustling scenic village. Only scenes replete with AR men in full uniform and weaponry are noticed at every pocket of the village. Except for few children and women attending to their daily chores, only few men were seen moving around the village – reasons largely attributed to the fear of a possible showdown. It has been reported that since the impasse ensued, most of the villagers have not attended to their paddy field works, hampering economy. No instance of intimidation by the AR has been reported so far. However, as one local stated, “the huge concentration of the Indian Army in the village vicinity has not only deprived privacy but has also created fear psychosis in the minds of the local population, especially the children”.
To prevent both the parties from confrontation, and also to facilitate peaceful withdrawal, a large number of womenfolk have been camping here near the first bunker since the stand-off began on January 19.
Civil society takes to protest
Dimapur : The continuing standoff between the Assam Rifles and NSCN (IM) in Shiroi village in Manipur has created exigencies leading to civil initiatives. An indefinite sit-in protest has been started in Shiroi village in Manipur, against what was stated to be the “siege of Shirui village by Assam Rifles”. Relatively, the village has shot off a letter to the Manipur State Human Rights’ Commission calling for intervention.
A ‘coordination committee for Shirui Siege’ has been formed, consisting of various frontal organizations, faith-based organizations, NGOs, representatives of Shirui village and social activists. The chief objective of the committee is ‘to protect and promote’ the rights of Shirui villagers ‘whose human rights are being violated in the siege of Shirui village by the Assam Rifles’, the committee said in a statement today. The indefinite sit-in started stared around 7 AM on January 26 and is said to be indefinite until the Assam Rifles withdraw from the village.
The committee has demanded immediate withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from Shirui village and that the civil authorities of Ukhrul district immediately look into the situation and take all necessary actions to protect the rights of the villagers. “The situation has created immense suffering and hardships for the denizens of Shirui village. The constant presence of security forces has resulted in the violation of basic fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of the country, including the right to live with dignity, the freedom of movement, the right to privacy and personal security, the right to livelihood, and the right to property etcetera” the committee informed. The impasse has also affected the economic well being of the villagers with all of them unable to take up any economic activity, it added.
Also, the Shiroi village authority has written to the Manipur State Human Rights Commission calling for immediate intervention. The village authority highlighted the situation to the commission and said that it demands active action of the state. ‘There is no guarantee in the war-like situation to secure the life and liberty of Shirei village enshrined in the Constitution of India;it is a veritable threat to be redressed in time. To secure the life of innocent children, they have been evacuated from Shirei village to safer place and are taking shelter in the neighboring village for the last few days’, the commission was told.
The village also said that both the parties ‘seem to have resolved amicably to end the crisis without bloodshed’ but the matter is “hovering around with utter confusion in the minds the parties involved in the interpretation of the terms of agreement in their own convenient language has compounded the problem”.
The commission was told that the only remedy and last option available to the villagers is to vacate to safer places till the crisis is over. However, this will entail tremendous hardship, suffering and financial losses “to overcome man-made catastrophe” the letter stated. Shiroi reminded that the situation demanded the State’s action to protect and ensure right to life and liberty of the citizens. The matter is serious as it involves the duty of the state to security to life and property of the citizens and so there should be no delay, it added.
Meanwhile the NSCN (IM) has expressed appreciation of the role played by womenfolk in the Shiroi situation. “Despite the chilly winter night the women of the villages like Hundung, Choithar, Langdang, Nungbi and from the Ukhrul town stay put in the camp area to face the war-like situation. They have one object in mind, and that is, peace should prevail” the MIP note stated. “They know that political settlement through negotiation is the only way out and military confrontation they abhorred. Their emotional and physical involvement in such manner certainly saved the day from going bloody” the outfit acknowledged. “With the government of India showing different colors in different occasions not doing enough to rein in the AR the Nagas are passing through a critical period where the nerve of the NSCN is being put to greatest test. But the culprits shall be AR and not NA (Naga army)” it added.


PRESS RELEASE
25th January 2009
A “Coordination Committee on Shirui Siege” was formed today at Ukhrul consisting of various frontal organizations (Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Tangkhul Leihsak Long, etcetera), faith based organizations, NGOs, representatives of Shirui Village, and social activists. The chief objective of the Committee is to protect and promote the rights of Shirui villagers whose human rights are being violated in the siege of Shirui village by the Assam Rifles.
It is worth recalling that the Assam Rifles laid siege to Shirui village from the morning of 18th January to force out NSCN (IM) cadres stationed in a camp located in the vicinity of the village. The situation became very grim with the Assam Rifles fencing the camp with electrified barbwires. Women from Shirui village and other neighboring villages were forced to intervene by keeping a continuous vigil of the area to prevent any untoward incidents and to avoid bloodshed. On 23rd January, the situation reportedly improved (as reported in many dailies and newspapers) after a meeting between the NSCN (IM) and the Assam Rifles. It was reported that both sides will withdraw from the site within 72 hours. However, a visit to the site tells a different story with the Assam Rifles still cordoning off the area and the NSCN (IM) still holed up inside their camp. Meanwhile, the 72 hours continue to tick away with no signs of either side keeping to their agreement.
The situation has created immense suffering and hardships for the denizens of Shirui village. The constant presence of security forces has resulted in the violation of basic fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of the country, including the right to live with dignity, the freedom of movement, the right to privacy and personal security, the right to livelihood, and the right to property etcetera. The situation has also affected the economic well being of the villagers with all of them unable to take up any economic activity such as farming or selling of cash crops.
The focus on the impasse by the media and other such agencies ignores an essential element of the story: that of innocent villagers caught between the crosshair of the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM).
Shirui village bears a deserted atmosphere. There is no sight or sound of children, and men from the village prefer to stay indoors for fear of personal harm. Meanwhile, women from the village and other places continue to keep their vigil to prevent a confrontation between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM). It should be noted that as of the writing of this press release, the vigil has entered its 7th day.
The Coordination Committee on Shirui demands the immediate withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from Shirui Village in the interest of the peaceful settlement of the situation. Further, the Committee demands the civil authorities of Ukhrul District to immediately look into the situation and take all necessary actions to protect and promote the rights of Shirui villagers. The Committee also calls upon all right thinking individuals, public organizations, and civil societies from all sections of the society to actively advocate for and condemn the rights violations of the innocent villagers.
The Committee further states that an “Indefinite Sit in Protest Against the Siege of Shirui Village by Assam Rifles” will start from 7 AM tomorrow, the 26th January, 2009 at Ukhrul until the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from the village.

Sd/- Alung Rungsung for
Media and Documentation Wing,
Co-ordination Committee on Shirui.

Contact: +91-9436683066
+91-9436341677

UCM on warpath over Siroy OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, Jan. 25: The United Committee, Manipur (UCM), today warned of an agitation if the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) camps in the state were not dismantled and also slammed New Delhi and the state government for “cheating” the people.
“We have been demanding that no NSCN (I-M) camp be allowed to open in Manipur, as the ceasefire is confined to only Nagaland. The opening of designated camps in Manipur is a violation of ground rules. We demand that all the camps be evicted without any delay,” said K. Langamba, the president of the committee.
The committee’s warning comes after an Assam Rifles statement yesterday that three designated camps of the NSCN (I-M) were existing in Manipur with the knowledge of the state government.
“There are three camps in Manipur for the NSCN (I-M), taken note of by the government (Centre and state). These are situated at Bonning in Senapati, Ooklong in Tamenglong and Phungchong in Chandel districts. The movement of armed cadres is not permitted in any other area,” the Assam Rifles public relations office said yesterday.
The committee is spearheading the campaign against breaking up Manipur after a demand by the NSCN (I-M) for the unification of all Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative unit.
It headed an uprising on June 18, 2001, against the extension of the ceasefire with the NSCN without any limit. Eighteen people lost their lives in the uprising.
Manipur’s Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong districts, dominated by Nagas, are included in the NSCN (I-M)’s map of greater Nagaland.
The Assam Rifles issued the statement to justify the eviction of a group of NSCN (I-M) cadres who were holed up in a camp in Siroy village in Ukhrul district.
The troops had surrounded the camp on January 19 and asked the cadres to lay down arms. The cadres were given time till tomorrow afternoon to vacate the area after they sought “safe passage”.
The troops continued to be in position around the Siroy camp and there was no report of an evacuation till today.
The committee also set up a monitoring board to look into the illegal tax collection by militant groups, which have signed a suspension of operations agreement with the government.
Manipur police contradicted the claim by the Assam Rifles.
A home department official source said the state government had no knowledge of the camps in Manipur.
“As far as our knowledge goes the ceasefire is applicable only in Nagaland and no designated camp exists in Manipur. Since the Assam Rifles has made a claim, we will inquire into the matter. No NSCN (I-M) camp can exist in the state,” the source said.
Naga Reconciliation turns to People Power morungexpress
Dimapur : The quest for Naga reconciliation as initiated and led by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation has reached a turning point with the forum’s members undertaking the arduous task of traveling to various districts to solicit response, advice and feedback of the public.
A five-member team of the forum led by its convener Rev. Dr. Wati Aier and including Rev. Pughoto Aye, Toshi Wungtung, Dr. N Venuh and Nepuni Piku visited Wokha and Mokokchung January 24 and 25th respectively. Separate meetings with apex tribal bodies, student and women leaders of the two districts were held. Public leaders, elders and women of both the Ao and Kyong tribes raised several questions and debated on issues pertaining to the Naga movement and reconciliation.
However, at the end on the day, the forum gained the trust and confidence of the people of the two districts. While extending fullest support to the reconciliation process, Kyong Hoho president Yansethung Jami summed up the opinion of the Kyongs on reconciliation: Nagas are one and that there should be only one Naga “government”. Similarly, outgoing Ao Senden president Temjenkaba who presided over the Mokokchung meeting requested the forum to design a “broad political framework” and present it to the various Naga underground groups.
Both the apex women bodies of the Kyongs (Kyong Eloe Hoho) and Aos (Watsu Mundang) also assured to continually pray for success of the reconciliation movement and that the endeavor of the forum would not go in vain.
In both the meetings, the forum members highlighted its objectives and the importance of people’s involvement in the reconciliation process. “The Naga issue is like a jigsaw puzzle; even a small piece is needed to complete the whole. Likewise everybody’s contribution is needed. Your wisdom, moral and spiritual support towards the reconciliation process is a must,” said Rev. Dr. Wati Aier.
Rev. Wati said the reconciliation move was based on the “historical and political rights of the Nagas” as well as from the Christian perspective. Assuring that there were no strings attached, he said reconciliation did not mean “unification or merger” and that it has no windows or doors.
He further clarified that the role of forum was limited to facilitating the reconciliation process. “Our aim is not to get involved or entangled with status of solution. That is up to the public and national workers. After reconciliation process, political nomenclature will come in which Forum for Naga Reconciliation will not have any role,” the forum’s convener said.
Also, Rev. Pughoto Aye said the Naga public is the ultimate authority to decide on reconciliation, while Toshi Wungtung said the protraction of the Naga issue was destroying the Nagas and that reconciliation was the key to “unlock the difficulties” to Naga unity and solution. “We have to be honest and sincere ourselves while facilitating underground groups to come together,” Dr. Venuh added.
Public leaders and elders of Wokha raised several issues and there was an exchange of ideas among the forum members and public. Nepuni Piku thanked the public for sharing their views and offering valuable insights and suggestions to forum. On January 26 at Mokokchung town, Rev. Wati Aier and Rev. Pughoto Aye also addressed the congregation of Ao Baptist and Sumi Baptist Church respectively.

Naga convention on Feb 21-22

In what could be described as another milestone in Naga history, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation along with the support of apex tribal bodies, has convened a ‘Naga Convention for Reconciliation and Peace’ with the theme “Let my people go” scheduled for February 21 and the 22nd at Kohima.
The forum’s members said, besides representatives from all Naga tribes, the meeting will also be attended various Naga civil society organizations. For convenience of the public, the convention is likely to be conducted in both Nagamese and English.


Some questions and views raised by public leaders
• The task of Reconciliation is a revelation from God and therefore should not be taken lightly
• Political talks should have resumed after the deadlock in 1967 instead of signing the Shillong Accord in 1975.
• NPC made a mistake by bringing statehood instead of ushering in understanding between the “underground” and “overground”.
• Without knowing the hearts of the Naga factions, if we try to bring about solution it will not work.
• It is the outside elements (‘third force’) which is destroying the Naga reconciliation cause.
• Are Naga factions ready to forgive and work for the common cause?
• Khalistan movement perished because of lack of public support. Make the Naga factional leaders realize this fact.
• Why have the factions abandoned the old ways of patriotism?
• Are the people now joining the Naga movement to build big buildings and own two-three vehicles?
• Naga public is confused: One cause but too many factions/groups.

“GPRN/NSCN” clarifies on vehicle theft morungexpress
Dimapur, January 25 (MExN): The “GPRN/NSCN” has clarified on a news item published today in some local dailies, about a vehicle theft involving uniformed personnel from Dimapur. A note from the outfit’s “Dimapur town command” stated that on January 22, a complaint was lodged with “Dimapur town command” about a vehicle theft ‘around Purana Bazaar’. “On hearing the detailed information, our cadres went to nab the culprits, who had stolen the Wagon-R (NL07 5805). When our cadres chased the culprits, they left the vehicle near Purana Bazaar and fled. Our cadres then pushed the vehicle near Ghokiho Jakhalu, SI, Home Guard’s house and went in search of the culprits”, the press note maintained. As such, the note stated, the involvement of SI Ghokiho Jakhalu and Khatwang Konyak in the vehicle theft does not arise, “for Dimapur town command GPRN/NSCN was responsible for the story behind the vehicle theft incident”.
NSCN hails women’s role in defusing stand-off Nagarealm.com
DIMAPUR, JAN26 [EMN] : The MIP/GPRN has lauded the positive peace initiatives spearheaded by the women organisations led by Tangkhul Women Organisation (TSL) in the wake of a war-like situation created at Shiro by Assam Rifles sending out alarming wrong signals.


The Tangkhul civil societies, particularly the women groups from Hundung, Choithar, Langdang and Nungbi villages including the Ukhrul town sensing the possibility of hard earned ceasefire been put to jeopardy by Assam Rifles formed human chain through-out the night braving the midnight chill with a view to insure that guns don’t boom, a press statement issued by MIP/GPRN stated. It has also welcomed the onus taken by women to defuse the situation and bringing about peace between the NSCN and the AR, it added. Commenting on the peace initiative, the MIP/GPRN has further lauded the under standing of women that, ‘political settlement could be brought only through negotiation and not military confrontation.’

Crediting the women for saving bloody confrontation, the NSCN has flayed the unwarranted confrontationist approach adopted by AR to forcefully evict the cadres. While, clarifying that the NSCN has not been on the wrong, it has expressed angst against the GoI for showing different colors and not doing enough to reign in the AR. ‘The nerve of the NSCN has been put to greatest test, but the culprits will be AR and not the NSCN/GPRN’, it maintained. In a separate release, the National Socialist Women Organization of Nagalim (NSWON) has expressed its gratitude to all Naga Civil Societies, particularly the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, for making a sustained effort to free its chairperson Salem and her assistant Aphy from K-group without any harm.


Frans on 01.27.09 @ 10:48 AM CST [link]



NSCN hails women’s role in defusing stand-off Nagarealm.com


NSCN hails women’s role in defusing stand-off Nagarealm.com

DIMAPUR, JAN26 [EMN] : The MIP/GPRN has lauded the positive peace initiatives spearheaded by the women organisations led by Tangkhul Women Organisation (TSL) in the wake of a war-like situation created at Shiro by Assam Rifles sending out alarming wrong signals.


The Tangkhul civil societies, particularly the women groups from Hundung, Choithar, Langdang and Nungbi villages including the Ukhrul town sensing the possibility of hard earned ceasefire been put to jeopardy by Assam Rifles formed human chain through-out the night braving the midnight chill with a view to insure that guns don’t boom, a press statement issued by MIP/GPRN stated. It has also welcomed the onus taken by women to defuse the situation and bringing about peace between the NSCN and the AR, it added. Commenting on the peace initiative, the MIP/GPRN has further lauded the under standing of women that, ‘political settlement could be brought only through negotiation and not military confrontation.’

Crediting the women for saving bloody confrontation, the NSCN has flayed the unwarranted confrontationist approach adopted by AR to forcefully evict the cadres. While, clarifying that the NSCN has not been on the wrong, it has expressed angst against the GoI for showing different colors and not doing enough to reign in the AR. ‘The nerve of the NSCN has been put to greatest test, but the culprits will be AR and not the NSCN/GPRN’, it maintained. In a separate release, the National Socialist Women Organization of Nagalim (NSWON) has expressed its gratitude to all Naga Civil Societies, particularly the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, for making a sustained effort to free its chairperson Salem and her assistant Aphy from K-group without any harm.

Frans on 01.27.09 @ 10:41 AM CST [link]


Sunday, January 25th

On the futility of trying to be an Indian Kaka D. Iralu Morung



On the futility of trying to be an Indian Kaka D. Iralu Morung

I came back from a journey and read a very interesting article in the Nagaland Post ( Jan 23) under the caption “Oh to be an Indian”, where some of our MLAs with names like Chingwangs and Changs had a tough time in convincing Chinese immigration officers that they were really genuine Indian citizens. I would like to here add a few of my own experiences and also that of some of my friends. Many times, going to foreign countries, I am held up at immigration check points in foreign airports when I present my Indian passport to the immigration officers. They would look at me with great suspicion and say that I am not an Indian citizen. But the more irritating experiences are when I return to Delhi or Kolkata airport and am held up by suspicious Indian immigration officers who would cross examine and interrogate me, saying that I am not an Indian citizen! On two occasions, when I was standing on the Indian citizen’s queue to present my passport for verification, I was told by an immigration officer to queue up in the foreigner’s queue!
Then there is this more interesting story about my friend Dr. Ashikho Daili who teaches in the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. He is also an executive member of an organization called Indian Association for Peace and Friendship with China. On one of his friendship trips to China, deputed by the JNU authorities and the Government of India, he was held up by the Chinese immigration officers for five hours at the airport on the suspicion that he was not an Indian citizen. My friend is very plumb and white and he looks more like a Korean or Japanese then a Naga. The Chinese officer probably suspected him to be a South Korean spy with a false Indian passport trying to spy on China! However, the story did not end there. When he finally returned to India after the conference, he was detained at the Delhi airport for another three hours by the Indian immigration officers on the suspicion that he was a Chinese spy trying to enter India with a false Indian passport!!!!
Our MLAs who went to China recently had an irritating experience because they were carrying Naga faces though they were carrying Indian passports after swearing their allegiance to India. Now the point I want to make here is that trying to live under a false and farcical identity will always get us into trouble wherever we go.
As for me, truthfulness to who I am is a moral, political and historical obligation. Despite all my flaws, I am a Christian and my Christianity demands that I speak and live the truth. This is because I am a follower of Jesus who is “The way the TRUTH and the life.”
As far as I am concerned, truthfulness to who one is, is the most important things in life. To elaborate on what mean; I am Kaka D Iralu of the Meyasetsu Clan of Khonoma Village. I am also an Angami and a Naga. Under this truthful identity, I cannot say or do anything I like, because my actions would implicate my family, my clan, my tribe and my Nation. However if I falsely say I am an Indian then I can say or do anything I like, became my false Indian identity will not implicate my family, clan, tribe or Nation.
The state of Nagaland is founded on the false historical, political and cultural premise that Nagas are Indians and Nagaland is India. Now to expect that something politically or economically beautiful would grow out of this false foundation is no different from planting a thorn bush and expecting that beautiful apple fruits will come out from that thorn bush. Far from beautiful apple fruits growing out of this false thorny bush of a state, what we are harvesting today is corruption, irresponsibility and a decadent law and order system where liars are millionaires and honest people are paupers. I for one refuse to accept such a system or such a future for me and my children.
Fellow Nagas, Let us stop lying and start fighting for the truth that we are Nagas and not Indians because only the truth will set us free from the tyranny of political and economic stagnation and oppression.
Is the Nagaland govt doing anything to check corruption? morungexpress

Some of those who voted Yes had this to say:
• Yes, corruption has decreased tremendously. At least this time, the government is letting some peanuts go from their hands. This is a marked improvement. Before, those peanuts would not even be spared.
• With a more active media and informed public, it is becoming more difficult for politicians and bureaucrats to do whatever they want. It is not like what it was 5 years back. Slowly people are questioning corruption. A few high profile cases of corruption has been exposed recently, but the vigilance department has failed to follow up on it. Even then, people are now getting active against corruption. It will take some time to get rid of it, but I feel the fight against corruption is slowly gaining momentum.

Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No, I don’t see the government doing anything to check corruption. There were a few instances in which the vigilance dept found some crore of rupees in some engineer's house but there seems to be nothing more than that. Look at what is happening with NU, even the President of India has sanctioned a probe. But the government has not been able to say anything on this, its a shame. It shows that the government has no will at all to check corruption.
• Govt can’t do anything coz Nagaland is ruled by people who are publicly holier than thou and privately big time, high class swindlers, actively involved in society
• Wish they could practice what they preach
• The government machinery are the main tools of corruption
• And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?" That’s the only thing that comes to my mind.
• Say that again....what? They have selective hearing/sight/taste. Corruption is alien to them! THUT!
• Government itself is corrupted. What would I expected from such Government.
• What Bullshit Question is this? Can’t u people see that the Government itself is so corrupted? Every year hundreds of Crore is give to Nagaland for progress and development and if the government is not corrupted Nagaland would have been a Top class state by now. BUT the Government itself is so corrupted that we are still a state which is considered poor and under developed. SO NAGALAND GOVRNMENT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO CHECK CORRUPTION RATHER THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF IS THE MOST CORRUPTED GOVENMENT THE PEOPLE OF NAGALAND HAVE EVER SEEN.
• The government itself is corrupt, who do you think is gonna check them.
• If so, we would already seen some of its officials going behind bar..Nothings happening morrungjee...
• The prime example is the govt. officials backing and supporting the most corrupt vc (nu) saying that he is good for the Nagas even after the President of India has initiated a cbi inquiry on him and other officials of nu which is very sad and Nagas deserve better!
• There is no transparency.
• When even the Vigilance dept. itself is corrupted, where and when will it check corruption.
• IF THERE IS NO CORRUPTION AT ALL HOW CAN A DIRECTOR OR ANY OTHER OFFICERS COULD BUILT SUCH HUGE HOUSES AND LOOK AFTER THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN WITH THEIR SALARY ALONE.

Some of those who voted Others had this to say:
• Cannot draw any conclusion on checking corruption in the state. Of course there are few clean personnel in the office who really fighting against the menace of corruption. It is the people who make official more corrupt. First things citizen should learn to set themselves free from this practices.
• It is not possible to completely stop corruption in Nagaland at this time. But I wish the government would also make some serious attempt to see that the officials acting under their authority are corruption free. Just look at Obama, once he came into office he passed an executive order for a strong ethical code of conduct. I only wish the Nagaland government would learn something from him and implement it.
• To see that corruption is strongly checked in the government, the vigilance department has to get active. The members in the vigilance department should not be political appointees and should be people of high standing integrity and reputation. Most of all they should have the courage to act. As of now, we don’t see the vigilance department possessing the qualities that is required to check corruption. Maybe a citizens watch should be formed.

Poor participation in Bodo National Festival

:From our Correspondent Sentinel
KOKRAJHAR, Jan 24: In the 1st Bodo National Festival, a grand festival of Bodo, Dimasa, Borok and others held at Bagduar Nwgwr, Bijni in Chirang district witnessed the poor participation of people. The 4th session on Bodo “Laithun” and the Book fair were also very thin from the point of participation.
A meeting was held on the Bodo Writers’ Academy and its works on Bodo Literature chaired by the president of the BWA Rakhao Basumatary. The objectives were given by the general secretary of the BWA Dr Subungs Mashahary.
The secretary of the BTC Prafulla Kumar Hazoary inaugurated a discussion on ‘Laithun’. Naba Kumar Brahma, vice president of the BWA, Dhaneswar Narzary, Gwgwm Brahma Kachary, Rajendra Basumatary, Ms Dipali Kherkatary and Dharani Dhar Wary presented their papers on various issues of ‘Laithun’.
In an interaction with some members of the reception committee on the poor participation, they told The Sentinel that there was certain lapses in the reception committee, local primary BSS and Bodo writers’ Academy. They also revealed that there was defective decentralization of powers and works.
The first Bodo festival was held at Serfanguri in Kokrajhar district with a week-long programme in 1997, where Bodo group of people from Nepal, West Bengal and Tripura participated in a large number.
GPRN/NSCN releases 6 rival detainees
A Staff Reporter | EMN
DIMAPUR JAN 22: In what comes as an encouraging goodwill gesture, the GPRN/NSCN today unconditionally released six officials of the NSCN-IM who had been detained by them since December 18, 2008
, while stating in a declaration that the decision to release them had been taken so that Nagas could come together through ‘genuine reconciliation and unity.’
But even as the programme for official release of the detainees was being conducted in the presence of representatives from FNR, Naga Hoho, women associations, NSF and civil societies at designated camp Khehoi, news arrived that an Under Secretary from the GPRN/NSCN, identified as Heito, had been abducted by suspected members of the NSCN-IM. However, to the relief of the gathering, GPRN/NSCN officials exhibited tolerance and said they would not go back on their promise of releasing the six detainees unconditionally with all their ‘belongings intact and in sound mind and health’.
“We have no hidden agenda and we want to show this in action and not by shouting,” Kilonser Alezo stated while advising that this show of clemency should not be considered as a weakness but strength. “This is what the Nagas have been yearning for,” he reminded.
In his short speech, GPRN/NSCN Kilo Kilonser Azheto made clear that the main motive for the release was to ‘stop bloodshed’ among the Naga brothers and also in respect of the reconciliation process initiated by the FNR and the civil societies.
Referring to Khehoi, he said the new camp will not be for any particular group or faction, whether GPRN/NSCN, NNC or NSCN-IM but said ‘this is a camp of peace, reconciliation and unity.’ He also urged upon all to focus on positive aspects and not only on the negative so that peace and reconciliation can be ushered into Nagaland.
Convener of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) Dr Wati Aier maintained that the attitude towards reconciliation and peace has been limited with the thought that it cannot be the most sane approach in context. However, he said the happening at Khehoi camp on Thursday has defied the notion of the impossible. “Nagas see this and draw hope from it, and inspires us to move persistently towards it,” he stated.
Various representatives from the NGOs, and civil societies also expressed appreciation over the release. They also voiced that if all groups, both undergrounds and over-grounds, can uphold the same spirit, then the ultimate prayer of the Nagas for peace and reconciliation and moving past enmities could be achieved.
The released detainees, on their part, assured that they would be sharing the positive experiences at camp Kehoi and also extended gratitude to the GPRN/NSCN authorities for taking the decision to release them unconditionally. The released NSCN-IM members, including two women activists, are Imcha Longkumer, YS Salem, Hutovi, Aphi, Aren and Kuvei.
Those who attended the programme included representative from the FNR, GB&DBs, NWHD, NWUM, ASTD, NSF, JSTD, NMA, WSTH and WSH.
Meanwhile, it was learnt later that the GPRN/NSCN official ‘arrested’ by the NSCN-IM earlier today has been taken to Hebron camp. Informing of this, officials from the GPRN/NSCN said they have in turn ‘arrested’ one Hukaito who they said had ‘run off to Hebron with government properties’.


Frans on 01.25.09 @ 02:41 PM CST [link]


Friday, January 23rd

GPRN/NSCN releases rival cadres (Page News Service)



GPRN/NSCN releases rival cadres (Page News Service)

Dimapur, January 22: In a goodwill gesture and to foster peace and understanding amongst the Nagas, the GPRN/NSCN today released 6 members of NSCN (IM) unconditionally in the presence of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and other Civil Societies at a brief function at Khehoi designated camp.
The 6 members of NSCN (IM), Imcha Longkumer, Y S Salem, Hutovi, Aphi, Aren and Kuvei were apprehended by the GPRN/NSCN on December 18 last.
Speaking on the occasion, Kilo Kilonser of GPRN/NSCN, Azheto Chopy said that they are releasing the captives to foster Naga peace, reconciliation and unity and to stop bloodshed. He said that the GPRN/NSCN believes that Naga leaders also think the same.
Chophy said that the captives were released unconditionally and handed over to the Naga Civil Societies, the FNR respecting their vision for peace and reconciliation.
He said that there is no discrimination for any tribe, therefore nobody should focus on negative aspect but have positive attitude to bring about peace and reconciliation.
Convenor of Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Dr Wati Aier said that what happened at Khehoi Camp is to defy the notion of the impossible. "Our attitude towards reconciliation and peace is partial and we think reconciliation and peace cannot be the most sane approach in our context," he said adding, "We make reconciliation and peace difficult, but
such position emerges out of a defeatist mind-set, leading to the conclusion that conflict among us is inevitable."
Dr Wati also expressed gratitude to the GPRN/NSCN for paving the way for reconciliation and peace and said, "It is not impracticable."
Various Civil Societies, including Tangkhul Long, Naga Mothers' Association, Western Sumi Hoho, Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur, Naga Women Union Manipur, Eastern Naga Public Organization (ENPO), Naga Students' Federation (NSF) expressed appreciation and gratitude to the GPRN/NSCN for release the 6 abducted members of NSCN (IM) today.
Taking opportunity, the freed officials of NSCN (IM), Imcha Longkumer and Y S Salem also expressed thanks and gratitude to the GPRN/NSCN for their release from the captivity of 36 days and said that all those days they were kept with great care and warm treatment was given to them. They also said that during the captivity, they came to learn lots of things, which they would be sharing with their colleagues at Hebron.
Meanwhile, a 'declaration' signed by the representatives of the Civil Societies and the detained officials of the NSCN (IM) was read out on the occasion, which stated: "The GPRN/NSCN, in presence of representatives from FNR, Hohos, Women Associations, NSF and Civil Societies hereby release the detained officials of Hebron Camp unconditionally. This decision is taken so that Nagas could come together through genuine reconciliation and unity.
The detained officials are released with all their belongings in tact, in sound mind and health."

A TIME OF RECKONING

Ever since the dawn of revolution in Nagalim, an inextinguishable fire of Nationalism has been burning in the heart of every Naga; the profound desire to liberate our land from all the clutches of foreign rule and to ensure the full measure of happiness for all, based on the principles of equality, liberty and fraternity. But the cost was heavy; we had to pay the prize of freedom. Then, at the height of violence, an agreement to cease all hostilities was entered in 1997 between the Govt. of India and the NSCN, so as to create conducive
atmosphere for political dialogue between the two. Naga Army still honors the commitment we gave 12 years ago and in that spirit, we have come thus far, exercising restraint and overlooking petty incidences of breaching the ground rules by the Indian Army and her agents. However, when our counterpart always reciprocates in the manner to provoke and push us to the corner, taking due advantage of ceasefire agreement, it becomes imperative to question the purpose and the very existence of such agreement.
The episodes of intimidation in Phek, Hebron and now Ukhrul are nothing but a direct challenge to the validity of ceasefire agreement. History has it that the 1st ceasefire agreement became almost non-existent after the break down of political talks in 1966 and
eventually, India unilaterally abrogated it in 1972. Is the history of betrayal repeating again? It is an irony that a Para military force such as the notorious Assam Rifles should dare to defy the commitment given at the Prime Minister's level. The vibrant question therefore that rings across the sub-continent is: Can India be trusted?

To friends and foes, let it be known that we are not a spent force yet. Should the present peace talks break down and should we go back to square one, we will take the challenge. The resurgence of armed conflict could be even more fatal than before; but our spirit can
never be crushed. We reiterate our firm commitment to the cause of our Nation. On the other hand, should a solution arrive; Nagalim shall still need her Army for her defense. Therefore, for both ways, Naga Army must prevail.

Sd/-
Col. Levi Zimik
PRO/IPR Naga Army.

Manhunt to arrest jawan in Manipur, 0258 hrs IST, TNN
IMPHAL: Security personnel have launched a search for an Assam Rifles jawan who shot dead six of his colleagues in Manupur's Ukhrul district on

Wednesday evening.

Sheneyi Medio of Assam Rifles's 17th battalion fled with an AK-47 rifle and some ammunition after he gunned down his colleagues at Awang Kasom, a remote village post in the Chingai subdivision. The absconding jawan belongs to Nagaland.

Awang Kasom is situated close to Siroy village, which has been witnessing a stand-off between Assam Rifles and NSCN (I-M) since Sunday. The country's oldest paramilitary force has laid siege to an NSCN (I-M) camp saying it is been set up in violation of the Centre-NSCN (I-M) ceasefire which is applicable only to Nagaland.

Assam Rifles officials, however, ruled out any links between the killings and the stand-off. "We have begun a massive manhunt in the jungles of the Chingai division and beyond to arrest Medio,'' Assam Rifles spokesman Maj. Shamsher Jung said.

"We have also ordered a court of inquiry into the killings,'' Maj. Jung said. The inquiry will take place at the battalion's headquarters in Ukhrul.

The victims were identified as naib-subedar Baldev Singh, havildar Samsujama and riflemen W Islam, Biswas Singh, Vikas Kumar and Nitish Kumar.

Maj. Jung said Medio fired at his colleagues indiscriminately and ran away with his service weapon. "The reason for the firing will be known only after the inquiry.''

A source said Medio gunned down naib-subedar Baldev Singh after a heated argument. He then turned his gun on the other five jawans when they tried to overpower him, he added.

Ukhrul SP Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said a case had been registered and investigation was on. The bodies of the jawans were sent to the Ukhrul Ditrict Hospital for autopsy.
Goodwill Strengthens Naga Reconciliation
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morungexpress January 23, 2009 10:19:00

Members of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and Naga civil society organizations along with the released cadres of the NSCN (IM), stand outside the CHQ Church of Kehoi Camp. The GPRN/NSCN today released six NSCN (IM) cadres ‘unconditionally’ in the interest of genuine Naga reconciliation. (Morung Photos)
Dimapur : In a significant gesture seen as a token of seriousness and sincere commitment to the Naga reconciliation process, the “GPRN/NSCN” in a goodwill gesture today “unconditionally” released six NSCN (IM) functionaries who were earlier held captive by the former. Befitting to the gesture, the NSCN (IM) reciprocated with a hope-giving and heartening response of gratitude to the “GPRN/NSCN.”
The six NSCN (IM) members, earlier detained at its rivals’ designated camp at Kehoi for more than a month, were released in the presence of representatives of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and Naga civil society organizations.
Speaking at the release “function”, “GPRN/NSCN” kilo kilonser Azheto Chophy maintained that Kehoi camp does not belong to the NSCN (K) or the NSCN (IM) or any other faction. Rather, he asserted, ‘it was built as a place for Naga reconciliation, peace and unity’. Azheto also affirmed against discrimination of any Naga tribe as all Naga tribes are equal.
Peace and reconciliation are the desires of all Naga leaders and also of ‘Jehovah’, he said. “And what Nagas want, we must do and stop bloodshed” he emphasized. Handing over the captives to the members of Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Azheto appealed to civil society to pray that Nagas would one day find peace.
MIP kilonser, Alezo, also assured the gathering that the “GPRN/NSCN” had ‘no hidden agenda’ but that it wanted to ‘show their earnestness through action and not by shouting’. “This is not our weakness but our strength” he declared adding that the Nagas want a bright future and “enough is enough”.
On behalf of the released captives, Imcha Longkumer, “MIP secretary” of the NSCN (IM), expressed deep gratitude to the “GPRN/NSCN” for their “unconditional release” and also to the members of the reconciliation forum for their tireless effort in obtaining their freedom.
Longkumer, along with Tatar Hutovi were in confinement for 37 days. He testified that the captives were all treated very well during the entire time of their captivity and also assured to convey all the ‘good things’ they had heard and seen during their ‘stay’ at Kehoi.
“GPRN/NSCN” releases cadres; NSCN (IM) grateful Chairperson of National Socialist Women Organization of Nagalim (NSWON), YS Salem also assured the gathered civil society organizations that they had been treated well and nothing ‘bad’ happened during the 35 days of her confinement.
The 53 years old functionary, who is in her 29th year of “national service”, also wondered why it is ‘so difficult for Nagas to get together’. She assured the gathering that ‘from now on, wherever they might be, they would strive for the common good’.
Describing the occasion at Kehoi camp as an act in “defiance of the notion of the impossible”, convener of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier said the people’s attitude towards reconciliation and peace had been limited so far. “We think reconciliation and peace cannot be the sane approach in our context. We make reconciliation and peace difficult” he lamented. “Our problems are created by us. And therefore these can be solved by us”, he reminded. Through God and the people’s reason and right spirit, Nagas can solve the seemingly unsolvable problems, the convener said and conveyed gratitude to the “GPRN/NSCN” on behalf of the forum for paving that way for reconciliation and peace. Nagas are looking at the events and drawing hope from it, he added.
On receiving news of the release of its functionaries from Kehoi camp, the NSCN (IM) arranged a small prayer program at its CHQ church in Hebron to welcome its comrades. Steering Committee Convener and kilo kilonser conveyed gratitude to the “GPRN/NSCN” for the unconditional release of the activists. Forum for Naga Reconciliation Convener, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier read the same message he had earlier read at Kehoi camp while members of Naga civil society organizations also spoke at the prayer. The brief function was concluded with a mass prayer for the officials from Hebron who finally returned home safely.
Representatives of other Naga civil society organizations also spoke at the occasion, conveying gratitude for the gesture of releasing the NSCN (IM) functionaries unconditionally and expressing hope that this act would lead to greater understanding among the Naga groups. Some of those who spoke at the occasion were representatives of the Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Women Hoho of Dimapur, Naga Students’ Federation, Ao Union of Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho of Manipur, Sumi Totomi Hoho, , Tangkhul Hoho of Dimapur, Western Sumi Hoho, Eastern Naga People’s Organization, and DBs & GBs Joint Forum.
DECLARATION

The GPRN/NSCN, in presence of representatives from FNR, Hohos, women associations, NSF, and civil societies, hereby, releases the detained officials of Hebron camp unconditionally. This decision is taken so that Nagas could come together through genuine reconciliation and unity. The detained officials are released with all their belongings intact, in sound mind and health.

DETAINED OFFICIALS: 1. Imcha Longkumer, 2. Y.S.Salem, 3. Hutovi, 4. Aphi, 5. Aren, 6. Kuvei

REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL SOCIETIES
1. GBs & DBs, 2. Naga Women Union, Manipur, 3.Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, 4.Naga Mothers Association, 5. Ao Union, Dimapur, 6. Tangkhul Long representative, 7. Western Sumi Hoho, 8. Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization, 9. Naga Students Federation, 10. Forum for Naga Reconciliation
Revenge as a motive for fragging - ‘Community sense’ could have led the Naga jawan to pick up the gun and kill six of his colleagues The Telegraph
A jawan committing suicide or killing their seniors and colleagues for their unfulfilled or unmet demands is becoming an alarming phenomenon in the security apparatus of India.
Experts cite various socio-psychological factors for such killings. Work pressure, separation from family members and the nature of duty in far-flung areas are considered some of the main factors responsible for such acts.
However, the killing of six Assam Rifle jawans by one of their colleagues in Ukhrul district in Manipur does not look like a typical case of an overburdened jawan taking revenge on his seniors.
The person who took six lives of his colleagues is a Naga jawan.
The incident cannot be seen in isolation. For the past three days, in Siroy village — an area east of Ukhrul — Assam Rifles jawans have been laying siege to a camp where several National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) militants are holed up. The militants have been accused of violating ceasefire rules, as no NSCM (I-M) designated camp can be set up in Manipur.
The Assam Rifles forces want to capture them by force. But the women of Siroy have stepped in to ensure a peaceful settlement, making a confrontation a difficult task for the forces.
Ukhrul is the epicentre of the fight for an independent Nagalim (Greater Nagaland). That is probably why the NSCN (I-M) decided to use Ukhrul (where its leader Thuingaleng Muivah was born) as a base to collect funds and recruit cadres.
Since 1993, Ukhrul has been the pivotal point for the outfit and it has confronted the security forces and other smaller ethnic groups here for its supremacy and dominance.
The government, on the other hand, uses all diabolical tactics by encouraging the smaller outfits to fight against the NSCN (I-M).
Another trend in the state’s security apparatus is to recruit tribal people from the northeastern states in the various security agencies, including the army and paramilitary forces.
There are innumerable families in the region where one member of the family is a jawan in the security forces and the other is a member of a rebel group.
Nagas are a conglomerate of tribes who are immensely proud of their history, customs and way of life, the internal differences among tribes notwithstanding!
Over a period of time, India has been successful in engaging a substantial number of Nagas in administrative jobs in the government and other security agencies. Although, the appeal for “Naga independence” is losing ground, that did not succeed in snapping their ties with their culture, tradition and “Naga nationhood”.
As such, the Naga jawan who committed the crime must have been sufficiently provoked by a “community sense”. He must have thought that the presence of the Assam Rifles in the epicentre of Naga identity, Ukhrul, must be brought to an end.
It could be a symbolic act of “revenge” where the victims were identified as the “perpetrators of Indian domination”.
In addition, Assam Rifles are viewed by the local tribal people in Manipur and Nagaland as the symbol of oppression and domination.
However, this is a probable analysis of the “psyche” of a Naga jawan unless proved wrong by other “psychiatric” investigation.
Such a ghastly incident leaves a lot of issues to be pondered on. Apart from the resolution of the core Naga issue, the security agencies need to take psychological counselling for the jawans more seriously. Be more humane. It is now time to attend to their needs.
Jawans can’t be seen in isolation from the rest of community.
The author is co-ordinator of Peace and Conflict Studies, Gauhati Universit


Frans on 01.23.09 @ 03:07 PM CST [link]


Thursday, January 22nd

Troops surround Ukhrul rebel camp OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph



Troops surround Ukhrul rebel camp OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Imphal, Jan. 21: After two days of denial, the Assam Rifles today admitted a standoff between its troops and cadres of the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) in Manipur’s Ukhrul district for the past three days.
A resident of Ukhrul said the only thing that’s preventing a shootout is the women of Siroy village, where the troops are positioned, who have placed themselves between the jawans and the militants. The women of surrounding villages have also joined in the 24-hour vigil.
“It is the women’s intervention which has staved off a clash,” the resident said.
On January 18, the 17 Assam Rifles came across a camp-like construction in the village, nearly 15km east of the district headquarters and found several NSCN (I-M) cadres holed up there. Since there cannot be any designated camp for the Naga militants in Manipur, the jawans, accusing them of violating ceasefire ground rules, asked the armed rebels to “surrender their weapons”.
When the rebels did not comply, the troops surrounded the camp and brought in reinforcements. They were not allowing anybody either to leave the camp or enter.
“Yes there is a stand-off between the troops and the cadres of the NSCN (I-M) in Siroy of Ukhrul district. We have asked the cadres to surrender their weapons as they have violated the ground rules. The stand-off is continuing today,” said Assam Rifles spokesman Maj. Shamsher Jung.
Earlier, the Assam Rifles officials and police had denied that there was a stand-off. Sources said the NSCN (I-M) cadres were staying there for the past two years. The camp was constructed on the site of an unfinished tourist lodge.
“The ceasefire is applicable only in Nagaland and no designated camps could be set up in Manipur for NSCN cadres. So the troops asked them to surrender. But they failed to comply. Then the troops surrounded the camp,” Maj. Jung said.
The spokesman confirmed that no one was being allowed to enter the camp nor come out of it in an attempt to cut off food supply. It could not be confirmed how many cadres of the Naga rebel group were holed up in the camp.
As tension in the village mounted, social organisations of Ukhrul today reviewed the situation at a meeting, convened by the Tangkhul Naga Long, the apex body of the Tangkhul community, at the district headquarters. It could not be immediately known if any decision was taken. However, the public organisations are expected to appeal to both sides to defuse tension. The resident of Ukhrul who visited the place today said over phone that the situation was still tense.
Nagaland redrawing map with British-era documents Vishwa Mohan, TNN
NEW DELHI: Nearly 30 years after losing its map, Nagaland has finally got down to drawing one with the help of a number of old British-era maps

of the northeast provided to it by National Archives of India.

Though the state had lost its map after submitting it to the Centre in 1979, it came as a shock to the home ministry in September last year when the loss was brought to light by Nagaland during its submission before the Local Commission on Border.

TOI had first reported the loss on September 10 last year -- leading the home ministry to pursue the matter with Survey of India, National Archives, state archive of Assam and National Library, Kolkata, to help Nagaland reconstruct the map all over again.

While National Archives has given 53 old maps of northeast to Nagaland, National Library and Assam state archive have been asked by the home ministry to make the requisite information available to the state so that it can draw its line of jurisdiction as early as possible.

In a glaring instance of callous handling of vital public documents, neither the Centre nor the state could keep the original documents safe.

Officials in the home ministry, however, said it was actually Assam's responsibility to keep the documents/maps safe as it was handed over to the state government which has boundary disputes with Nagaland.

"Government of Nagaland had submitted certain documents/maps in September 1979 to the home ministry with respect to the boundary dispute with Assam. The ministry subsequently referred these maps to Assam for its response, which was duly acknowledged by the state," a senior home ministry official said.

Assam, however, lost it. Nagaland, meanwhile, witnessed large-scale violence sparked by insurgents' demand to carve out Greater Nagaland by extending the existing boundaries of the state -- which came into existence in 1963.

It, however, remains a mystery why the home ministry, which received the original documents including map of Nagaland, did not keep a copy of what it got in 1979.

MNRF owns up to blasting bomb at Ukhrul on Jan 16 Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 20 2009: THE MANIPUR Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) today while owning the blast at Ukhrul town on January 16 last said that it was carried out by a special task force of the Naga Red Army under the front as a part of its military campaign in the district.

"It was nothing but just sounds to the people one and all of our presence in the district, a statement of the front signed by its information and publicity secretary C Rocky said adding that it was also a sign of love, peace and understanding.

The front is well aware of precious of one's life.So they don't want to hurt anyone's life before he or she is well informed for impeding dangers, it said. The statement also call the people (they say brother and sister of Nagas in Manipur) to understand "the threats made by the NSCN (IM) to each and every good citizen as land lord for their benefits only".

"We must know that NSCN(IM) is for the development of their organization, they are not for the Nagas/Nagalim.

We are deceived and suppressed by the organization in the name of the Nagalim sovereignty," the statement said. The front will go on fighting against the act of "hypocrisy, imperialist and relentless attitude" applied by the NSCN(IM) towards the poor people like us. They want peace, unity to self liberty in the society, it said.

It also warned the NSCN(IM) not to forget what UG could do against impostors and asked to leave the public free to choose the right thing to do and way to go.

NSCN (IM) should not interrupt the relationship building up between the MNRF and the public, the statement asked while stating that any untoward incident occur will be the responsibility of the IM as they would not able to provide life security for a person they like most.

"If you leave us free we have nothing to say against you. Lets behave ourselves and mind our own business to make things smoother," the statement finally said.
'Feast of love' held in Nagaland for unity and friendship From ANI
Kohima, Jan.21: Members of the Nagaland's Shuya clan from different parts of Kohima, Dimapur and Phek districts, assembled here recently in large numbers for a much-awaited Shuya clan meet headed by 96-year-old L.Shuya.

The event was the traditional "feast of love" at Meriema, one of the oldest villages in northern Angami area of Kohima.

The Shuya clan from 10 villages of Nagaland came together after a gap of one decade to mark this special occasion.

The event is traditional practice of the clan, which used to occur after an inter-village war as a sort of peace treaty.

It was held to encourage unity and friendship among the people. A monolith stone was also unveiled signifying unity and friendship among the members of the clan.

Rarovilhou Khfu of Jotsoma village, said: "When Kipfhu came from another village, Merie's eldest son Shyatsu and Kipfhu's son developed close friendship and became a family. So we are here to carry that tradition forward and get to know each other and to participate in the feast of love. Through this our relationship becomes better and we are at peace with each other."

Dr. Thepfudi Shuya, said: "Peace can be brought through such events. This is the true meaning. This is the place where peace was ushered in and we can bring peace through this."

The event, which highlighted the history and the present status of Shuyatsumia in different fields, was marked by songs and concluded with a grand feast.

The organization of this special event showcased a strong desire among the locals to spread the message of solidarity and peace among the Nagas, which sets a example for all others. By Vibou Ganguly
Some important points of Naga sovereignty Vezonu Venuh Morung
Through your esteem local daily, I the undersigned would like to highlights the following few genuine noted points in respect of the birth and formation of the Naga sovereignty, where our fore fathers fights for the rights and cause of the Nagas since from the time immemorial. This publication is indeed aimed at creating a better knowledge of how our leaders and pioneers of the Naga Freedom fighters engage themselves fighting for the better future of the Nagas with firm determination and loyalties. Following few enumerated points are some of the in formation points in regard to the formation and birth of the Naga Sovereignty.
1. From the beginning Nagas were independent people, Nagas were never ruled by any other nation other than themselves. Nagas lives with the feeling of oneness.
2. During the first world war in 1917, Nagas too fights in the war claiming themselves free from ruled of any other nations. Subsequently, a team of Nagas went to French under the Allied Colonel Leber Corps proclaiming that Nagas had their own uniqueness and free from the ruled of whatever nation.
3. It is to be noted that, with the formation of the ‘Naga Club’ in 1918, some Naga leaders were assigned to work for the cause of the Naga rights.
4. Under the initiatives of the Naga Club, a memorandum was submitted to the British Cabinet on 10th January 1929 urging the British government to take note of the rights of the Nagas.
5. It was in 1935 that the British Parliament passed a resolution that Nagas should be excluded from the Indian territory, hence, the covered lands of the Nagas was termed as “Naga Hills Excluded Areas”.
6. Naga Club was abolished on 2nd February 1946; thereby ‘Naga National Council’ (NNC) was formed in its place.
7. The global announcement of 14th August as the “Naga Independence Day” initiated in the year 1947.
8. 99% of the Nagas participated in the famous Naga Plebiscite Day on 16th may 1957. All plebiscite day participants take firm “Oath” provided that they shall be ever faithful and loyal to the Naga Sovereignty.
9. The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was formed under the initiatives of the Parasent Sendenyu Area Rengma Region on 22nd March 1956. Following the formation of the FGN, a rainbow colour Naga National Sovereignty Flag was hoisted. Meanwhile, the following designated leaders of the Naga were assigned to read the given Holy Bible verse and thereby they were being blessed by the mandatory of the Nagas to work for the cause of the Naga rights.
(a) Khriesaneisa, FGN Kedahge (President) Roman 10:18. “But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: Their voice has gone out into all the earth, Their words to the ends of the world”.
(b) Wheha, FGN Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) Mathew 6:33. “But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.
(c) AZ. Phizo, NNC Kedahge (President) Zechariah 4:6. “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit’, says the Lord Almighty”.
(d) Kruzhalie, FGN Ahng (Governor) Japfu State. Roman 8:33. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies”.
Meanwhile, General Thongti Chang, Chief of the Naga Army, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) hoisted the Naga Sovereignty Flag followed by the above stated leaders read their assigned bible verse. Under the banner of “Nagaland for Christ” the leaders were ask to declared themselves as such; “I shall be ever faithful to God and the people of the Nagas in all the pursuing activities of the NNC”.
I also do felt pertinent to analyse the real meaning and objectives of the Famous 1957 plebiscite day participation. The participants of the plebiscite solemnly vowed before God and the man and take the oath as stated under;
(i) That I as a Naga shall honour the NNC and nothing else.
(ii) That I will never be part of the Central Investigation Department (CID) of India that may compel the citizens of the Naga to sold the rights of the Nagas.
(iii) That I shall never do with the name of NNC whatsoever for the personal benefits.
I shall be loyal to the above solemn words, “I vowed before God and man that I shall always lives behind the fellow Naga friends, besides- heaven and earth curse be mine in case I fail to abide by the above words”. This plebiscite participation was done by pressing their cut bleeding thumbs on the white documented paper.
Dear readers, therefore, let us remind ourselves with the loyal deeds of our forefathers who stays firm and committed all the time even in times of great difficulties “May God Almighty blessed each one of us”

(Vezonu Venuh)
President,
Naga National Council,
Phek Sub Region
‘Nagas suppressed and neglected for so long’ morungexpress
Dimapur : The United Naga Democratic Socialist Party (UNDSP) today asserted that the Nagas have been suppressed and neglected by the Government of India for the last many decades, that the Naga areas have been divided into so many sectors which cannot be denied historically and anthropologically, and therefore it was necessary to unify these people.
In a four page memorandum submitted to the visiting 13th Finance Commission to the state, the UNDSP president, N Ntsemo Ngullie, while highlighting the condition of the Nagas, said that the Nagas in fact are hardworking, energetic, imaginative, and can play any role in any organisation of the world. However, he lamented that the Naga areas have been divided into so many sectors like Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and China.
“Therefore, it is necessary to unify these people based on historical facts. By doing so, it is hoped that peace and development activities will speed up in the State without hindrances from various quarters,” the UNDSP president asserted. In this connection, the UNDSP maintained that the allocation of funds should not be based on population and area, instead it should be on “need base”, since Nagaland state is known as a political state formed out of the agreement between the Government of India and the Nagas and that a separate constitutional provision for the state of Nagaland was enshrined in the Constitution of India to look into the peculiar socio-economic and political needs of the state.
However, the UNDSP stated, there is no development in sectors like industry, agriculture, etc., and that businessmen are also not willing to invest their money due to the prolonged insurgency problem. “The alternative is Government to invest and allocate more funds for developing the state,” the UNDSP stated. In this regard, the Party stated that the state of Nagaland needs the blessing and sympathy of the 13th Finance Commission given the present economic, socio and political conditions.
“Until and unless your generous allocation of fund is extended, it is difficult to run the Government. Therefore, UNDSP suggest that special allocation should be given to the Nagaland state,” the party implored. Besides, the Party also expressed its belief that there is a system breakdown in the country which needs to be revived so that India can survive as a nation. To check corruption in the tribal area where people do not pay income tax, the party suggested the evolving of a system to detect corruption.
“As long as corruption prevails, the Nation cannot survive and mutual trust and confidence among each other will be lost,” the UNDSP stated. Also, asserting that the ‘Financial Commissions’ and Planning Commission are interrelated, the party also highlighted some points as to why the Planning Department of the Government of India should not seriously look into the development activities for the state of Nagaland.
In this regard, the UNDSP stated that Nagaland is surrounded by unfriendly neighbouring countries and also agitating states like Assam and Manipur who are against the Nagas and are forcibly taking Naga forests and lands leaving no plain areas left to the Nagas to cultivate.
It also highlighted that Nagaland has enough potential for economic development and that it is rich in mineral resources which could not be explored due to lack of communication. It maintained that Nagaland government and the government of India are busy in dealing with the “Naga Undergrounds” for over sixty years and no funds were spared for the development activities. Most of the development funds have been diverted for fighting the Naga insurgents and which in turn have slowed down all the development activities or have kept them in pending, it added.
In this regard, the UNDSP stated that for extraction of minerals, good communication and roads are needed. The Party stated that since air and waterways cannot be made possible in the area, it suggested opting for a cheaper transport which is railways, the party maintained. Besides this, the UNDSP also suggested the opening of roads to link the state with other Southeast Asian countries.
Former Nagaland minister slams Gogoi over terror tag morungexpress
Dimapur : Former Nagaland minister TA Ngullie has slammed what he termed as “irresponsible utterances and accusation” made by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. The latter had reportedly accused Nagaland pointing as a breeding place for terrorists in the northeast. “This is a serious matter in the eye of the nation, in front of the chief ministers of India. Such irresponsible utterances and accusation is unfounded and uncalled for”, the former Nagaland minister stated in response to the Assam Chief Minister’s statement on terrorism.
Ngullie, who is now advisor to the newly formed United Naga Democratic Socialist Party (UNDSP) went on to claim that Assam government was one of the ‘factors’ which created ‘situation in Nagaland whereby an innocent Naga, “most popular and handsome sportsman were shot down by Officer In-charge (OC) Assam Police at Kohima in the year 1950”’. Ngullie stated that this was the beginning of provocation and open challenge to the “innocent and harmless Nagas”. Ngullie went on to add that the “Nagas have never killed innocent civilians in the State ever since the Indian generals and bureaucrats who conducted counter-insurgency operation in Nagalim”. The former minister also pointed out that former Chief Minister of Assam Medhi visited some parts of Nagaland to assess the situation and ‘bring down the independence movement and to destroy and eradicate it completely’. It was alleged that instead of bringing peace between the government and the Nagas, such an action only antagonized the Nagas creating rift between the people of the two states and that the former chief minister Medhi “brought the Army to operate against the Nagas”.
In contrast, Ngullie stated that Late PB Chaliha visited Nagaland as leader of the Socialist Party and that among the Nagas, his work of understanding and love between the Assamese and the Nagas were restored. As a reward for his ‘good works’, the Nagaland Baptist churches demanded his inclusion in the peace talks between the Naga undergrounds and the government of India.
Ngullie went on to state that, as Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi could not bring out any solution with regard to the insurgent groups of Assam, especially with the ULFA, ‘which is the strongest organization in Assam today’. “Instead, he should be ashamed of increasing terrorist groups in the State of Assam”, Ngullie alleged. He pointed out that during his regime there had been increase of militant groups such as the ALNA, BODO, DHD, KNLP, SULFA, NDFB and many others.
The former Nagaland minister stated that the Congress leadership in Delhi was blind to all these activities and allowing Gogoi to continue in office. Ngullie stated that through Gogoi the Congress will be ‘finished in Assam never to come back’. Since time immemorial, the Ahoms and Nagas have lived in peace and harmony, Ngullie said and urged that the Centre should push for an amicable settlement of the boundary issue between Assam and Nagaland. It was also stated that the Assam chief minister through his utterances was dividing the people of the two States. Gogoi is told to ‘apologize to the Nagas and Assamese people for his unmindful utterances and false statement of misleading the people’.
Ngullie while claiming that the Naga “freedom fighters” were the only organization which ‘abided with the laws of the land, customary laws and traditions besides international law’, has asked Gogoi that if there is any terrorist activities being undertaken by the Naga undergrounds, the Assam Chief Minister should specifically pinpoint them such as the particular group and the place and occurrences. “If he does not clear his position, it will go down in the history and it will be bad for him”, Ngullie stated. It was also suggested that in order to deal with the situation in the northeast, leaders should be ‘careful and sincere because the problems in the region itself was sensitive’.
Assam Rifles jawan kills 6 colleagues at Manipur checkpost Manu Pubby Indian Express
New Delhi: In perhaps the worst case of fratricidal killing in the security forces, a jawan of the Assam Rifles shot dead six of his colleagues at a remote checkpost in Manipur’s Ukhrul district this evening.
Sources said the victims belonged to the 17 Assam Rifles and were manning a road checkpost at Awang Kasom Khullen. According to initial reports, the jawan got into a “verbal altercation” with another soldier and shot him dead with a service rifle. Hearing the gunshots, five other soldiers, including a JCO, rushed in. However, they, too, came under fire and were shot dead. Only one jawan was reported to have survived.
Security forces are searching for the jawan who hails from Nagaland and is believed to be familiar with the local terrain. Police suspect he might be headed to a stronghold of the NSCN-IM insurgents. The group has a ceasefire agreement with the Government in Nagaland but is active in Manipur.
The Assam Rifles has been carrying out counter-insurgency operations in the area and had busted two NSCN-IM bunkers in the last few days. In the last such case, an IAF sergeant shot dead his superior at Kalaikunda airbase in September last year. More than 70 officers and men have died from colleagues’ bullets since 2001.
Gandhi Peace Foundation steps in for bringing peace in Manipur Manipur Information Centre

NEW DELHI, Jan 20: Having felt that the state of Manipur has been under alarming situation of violence, the Gandhi Peace Foundation has come out with determination to find a solution so that Manipur could take part in the issues of development.

To discuss the issues exclusively for Manipur, the Gandhi Peace Foundation is organizing a seminar-cum-workshop on the subject `Peace is essential for development` on February 7 from 10 am to 5.30 pm at the conference hall of the Gandhi Peace Foundation at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg here.

The secretary of the foundation Surendra Kumar said, "We are well aware that Manipur has been a victim of violence and the situation needs immediate rectification. The violence has seriously affected all aspects of life, the society, the state and its overall progress.

"Peace is a pre-requisite for development and the civil society can play a very vital role in establishing peace. Believing in peace which is indispensable medium to foster development, the foundation has taken initiative to organize a seminar where people of Manipur from different walks of life could discuss about the issues of peace and development in the state."

He underlined, "The fast pace of development of today`s globalizing world is of no use to Manipur, if the people of the state cannot participate and take advantage of the development process."

The seminar will be a platform for different voices to express their views and ideas on different aspects of the problem. The deliberations of the workshop will also help in formulating strategy for strengthening the peace process in the region and thereby facilitating all round development.

The proposed issues for the seminar-cum-workshop include - How violence has affected the education system, health facilities, trade and commerce, tourism, developmental works including infrastructure development and economic progress?; States which are peaceful have shown all-round progress and are taking advantage of opportunities in India; Potential of development in Manipur and people`s participation in its planning and implementation;and Formulating strategies of mechanism to establish peace in the state with people`s support.

Surendra Kumar said, "The objective of this seminar is to understand and appreciate the different views expressed by the participants on these crucial and important issues and this will also be an opportunity to chalk out the direction for the future."

Besides inviting some eminent scholars from Manipur including academicians, intellectuals, media representatives who are deeply concerned with the present state of affairs in the state to address the seminar, the Gandhi Peace Foundation has also invited students and youths of Manipur who are studying and working in Delhi for active participation in the conference and interaction with each other.

The Gandhi Peace Foundation was formed in 1963 to promote the principles of truth and non-violence and to carry out studies and research on the teachings and practices of Mahatma Gandhi and also to determine their relevance in today`s context.
Ibobi claims peace talks on right track OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


A religious group performs at the statehood day function in Imphal on Wednesday. A Telegraph Picture
Imphal, Jan. 21: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today announced that the peace process with 20 militant groups in the state was making “good progress”. He renewed his appeal to the rest of the outfits to join the process.
“I am happy to announce that the peace process with some militant groups is making good progress. I appeal to the rest of the groups to come to the democratic process and contribute in making a new Manipur,” Ibobi Singh said, while addressing the statehood day function at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground here today.
The Ibobi Singh government is holding talks with these militant groups since August last year.
Ibobi Singh, however, did not elaborate on the progress of the peace process.
His appeal to the armed groups came shortly after a team of the 13th Finance Commission landed at Kangla by helicopter on a three-day visit.
“After attaining statehood in 1972, the state has been making rapid strides in various fields, particularly in the field of education, healthcare, infrastructure development, games and art and culture. We have a vision to include Manipur among the list of developed states of the country by 2020,” he said.
The chief minister, however, expressed his unhappiness that the problem of militancy was in the way of his government’s implementation of development projects.
Stating that his government believed in the democratic process, Ibobi Singh reiterated his appeal to the armed groups.
Health minister Pheiroijam Parijat Singh hoped that the militant groups would respond positively to the chief minister’s appeal .
The statehood day function was a low-key affair. The highlight of the programme was all religious prayers.


Frans on 01.22.09 @ 03:18 AM CST [link]


Tuesday, January 20th

Naga group against Centre imposing its will(Page News Service)



Naga group against Centre imposing its will(Page News Service)

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 19: In the wake of the Centre saying that the muscle flexing among different Naga factions is harming prospects of the decade-long peace process, Naga militants have now shot back stating that New Delhi's "imposition" of its will is not acceptable to the Nagas.
"There cannot be any genuine and lasting solution if India tries to impose its will on the Nagas," the leaders of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN - IM) reportedly stated in a communiqué to Government interlocutors.
The Statesman quoted official sources in New Delhi as having said that even as the talks "have made little headway", the missive from the potent militant group had stressed on the "essentiality" of appreciating and reflecting the "national aspirations" of the Naga people.
Sources maintained that despite sincere efforts to ensure peace, armed conflicts continued between warring groups, especially NSCN (IM) and GPRN-NSCN.
The home ministry is worried as there are occasional skirmishes between militant groups and security forces, especially owing to the "communication gap".
A major tussle and gunbattle was aborted recently near Hebron camp between Rashtriya Rifles and NSCN (IM), sources said, adding that the conflict had arisen close on the heels of a similar problem at Pfutsero in remote Phek district when five Assam Rifles personnel including an officer were held "hostage".
The NSCN leadership has told the Government authorities that such alleged "incursions" in and around designated peace camps by the security forces would not be tolerated.
Officials said these problems are unwanted when both the NSCN (IM) and the Centre are in "serious friendly peace process with an eye to arrive at a solution and end bloodshed in Nagaland".
The officials also denied the charge often made by insurgent groups that prolonging the peace talks which formally started in August 1997 during the IK Gujral regime is in any way in the interest of the government.
"It's unfortunate these allegations are made. The government had also encouraged involvement of civil society and church leaders like the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), but even meetings convened by the forum fail to evoke much enthusiasm," the sources added.
NSCN (IM) condemns Ukhrul explosion morungexpress
Dimapur: The NSCN (IM) has expressed condemnation for the bomb explosion in Ukhrul on January 16. The outfit’s Wung Tangkhul region in a note called it an “act of terrorism” and has no place in “Nagalim”.
According to the note, the Assam Rifles were seen near the site of the explosion “for quiet sometime” and were “restricting movement of civilians in and around the place”. The explosion took place “soon after they retreated” to their camp, the note asserted. However, the note continued, within five minutes, the Assam Rifles rushed back and cordoned off the area. “They collected all the splinters and went back again to their camp within a few minutes without frisking or further inquiry,” the NSCN (IM) stated.
The Wung Tangkhul region’s note explained about the nature of the bomb: “The explosive, which was planted on the wall of the building that has the office of the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau, was a time bomb.” The outfit also said that a businessman residing in the same building was earlier served a “demand note” by an “armed group”. The note termed as interesting that the so-called “Manipur Naga revolutionary force” has claimed responsibility of the explosion, and that it clearly points to a nexus between the AR and the said group. Asserting that the NSCN (IM) will “enforce peace” in the “larger interest of the people”, the note said the “state sponsored terrorism” will not be tolerated.
Naga group against govt imposing its will Nirendra Dev Statesman
NEW DELHI, Jan. 18: In the wake of the government saying that the muscle flexing among different Naga factions is harming prospects of the decade-long peace process, Naga militants have now shot back stating that New Delhi’s “imposition” of its will is not acceptable to the Nagas.
“There cannot be any genuine and lasting solution if India tries to impose its will on the Nagas,” the leaders of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN - IM) reportedly stated in a communiqué to government interlocutors.
Official sources said here today that even as the talks “have made little headway”, the missive from the potent militant group had stressed on the “essentiality” of appreciating and reflecting the “national aspirations” of the Naga people.
Sources maintained that despite sincere efforts to ensure peace, armed conflicts continued between warring groups, especially NSCN (IM) and GPRN-NSCN.
The home ministry is worried as there are occasional skirmishes between militant groups and security forces, especially owing to the “communication gap”.
A major tussle and gunbattle was aborted recently near Hebron camp between Rashtriya Rifles and NSCN (IM), sources said, adding that the conflict had arisen close on the heels of a similar problem at Pfutsero in remote Phek district when five Assam Rifles personnel including an officer were held “hostage”.
The NSCN leadership has told the government authorities that such alleged “incursions” in and around designated peace camps by the security forces would not be tolerated.
Officials said these problems are unwanted when both the NSCN (IM) and the Centre are in “serious friendly peace process with an eye to arrive at a solution and end bloodshed in Nagaland”.
The officials also denied the charge often made by insurgent groups that prolonging the peace talks which formally started in August 1997 during the IK Gujral regime is in any way in the interest of the government.
“It’s unfortunate these allegations are made. The government had also encouraged involvement of civil society and church leaders like the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), but even meetings convened by the forum fail to evoke much enthusiasm,” the sources added.
Crusade aims to revive ‘Nagaland for Christ’ morungexpress
Dimapur: The United Christian Prayer Ministries (UCPM) in collaboration with the gospel ministries, Bible colleges and churches in Dimapur, are all set to conduct the ‘Restore Nagaland for Christ crusade’ at five points at Dimapur from February 3-7, 2009. Informing this, UCPM convener Satovi Swu and Secretary Mutu Muniak have added that the speakers on the occasion will include Rev. Dr. Wati Aier Principal of OTS, Rev. Vevozo Khamo, Director of NCRC Mission Centre, Rev. Dr. T N Lotha, Principal of EBC, Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi, Secretary of Sumi Baptist Churches Convention, and Maongwati Aier, Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur.
In this connection, churches, gospel ministries, Bible colleges and individuals are requested to extend their prayer and cooperation besides physical participation at the programme. The organising committee has also asked believers and churches to pray for this crusade programme during their worship services.
Greater Nagaland dispute a 'hanging fire', says book
Source: Hueiyen News Service / agencies
Dimapur, January 18 2009: EVEN AS the decade old Naga peace talks negotiations have made little headway, the vexed greater Nagaland dispute remains a "hanging fire", says a new book penned by a journalist, who had served in Dimapur and Kohima.

"The Nagas would not give up and Meities would find it difficult to stomach," says the book 'The Talking Guns: Northeast India' penned by journalist Nirendra Dev and published by Manas Publications (New Delhi).

In this context, the author says in 2001, the erstwhile Vajpayee government's "ill-advised" move to extend Naga ceasefire to all Naga inhabitant areas without assessing Manipuri mindset had put the hills into fire.

The book offers a critical and richly detailed analysis of 60 years of northeast India's politics and administrative strategies since independence and their going wrong from time to time.

Using a variety of stylistic genres, commentaries, first hand experience anecdotes and rare media reports from the local tabloids published in the region, the author scans the entire period through the regimes of Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and aftermath.

The book is an important addition to the literature on northeast both for its acuteness and originality of its analysis.

This should interest ordinary readers and also military and intelligence officers, politicians and administrators alike.

Analysing that at a time when hot pursuits against LTTE and other militants are being advocated in South Asia, especially in the context of Mumbai terror attack of 26/11, the book argues that such an orientation can "only harden the people's attitude" and keep aggravating the problems.

"The fight between security forces and even the other side, the militants, had always left the common people in a miserable state," says the book.
IM-AR stand off at Siroy Staff Reporter & Correspondent Sangai
IMP/ UKL, Jan 19 : Tension is running high at the little hamlet of Siroy in Ukhrul district following a stand off between personnel of Assam Rifles and NSCN (IM) cadres, who are holed up in a camp there.
According to local people, who spoke to The Sangai Express, personnel of 17 Assam Rifles surrounded the camp of the IM group, which is located at the half constructed Tourist Lodge from about 9 pm yesterday.
The Assam Rifles team led by its CO marched towards the camp of the Khusumung Bn of the NSCN (IM) last night and asked the IM men to move out within 24 hours.
The rebel group has however refused to budge contending that the camp at Siroy is a designated camp. IM source said that the camp was opened at Siroy two years back after it was shifted from Phungyar and the Assam Rifles authority fully knows this.
When The Sangai Express contacted the office of the PRO of Assam Rifles, he answered that no official report has been received.
Local people informed The Sangai Express that tension is running high in the village as the AR men have spread out to the nearby jungles. Some farmers were also told to return home quickly in case trouble breaks out.
The local people of Siroy have reportedly urged the Assam Rifles to avert a shoot out for the safety and security of the villagers.
The IM cadres who are holed up in the said camp have reportedly sent out the message that they would also retaliate if their camp is attacked or if the Assam Rifles personnel try to over run it.
It is still not yet clear whether the matter has reached the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell or not.
The CO of the 17 Assam Rifles was also present at Siroy village to over see the situation for a long time today, said local people.
Till the time of filing this report, there is no report of any shoot out or untoward incident.

Handicraft training workshop begins in Nagaland (India) Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
The handicraft items produced in Nagaland are attracting a large numbers of buyers from abroad. To keep the tradition alive and humming among the youth of Nagaland, a 90 day vocational training workshop on bamboo and wood craft products has been organised at the Pusa Craft centre.

Speaking at the inaugural function, the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Art & Culture, Mr. Yitachu said that the craftsmen should put in extra efforts to keep the traditional skills alive and also adopt a professional approach. He also added by saying that they have the potential to produce quality products and make the state proud.

He further advised the trainees at the workshop to make the best use of workshop and to be sincere and dedicated during the training period as this training would lay the foundation for their success in the future. This workshop he said was would also provide the professional touch that is needed to give the sector a boost.
Finance panel appreciates communitisation concept in Nagaland
Kohima , Jan 20 Appreciating communitisation of public institutions and services in Nagaland, Chairman of 13th Finance Commission Dr Vijay L Kelkar has described the concept as a unique programme in the country.
Kelkar, also a former union finance secretary, along with other members of the commission yesterday interacted with the villagers at Kigwema on functioning of village councils, village development boards (VDB) and management of education, health care, electricity and water supply in villages under the communitisation programme.
Kigwema secretary (VDB) Thepfurale Zutso said communitisation had come a long way in improving delivery of essential services in villages and suggested handing over of more departments to village authorities for management.
The Commission would submit its report to the President by October next, Kelkar said.
The commission looks after all aspects of sharing of taxes between the Centre and the states and devolution of resources to local bodies.
Kelkar also urged the commission to strengthen micro-finance mechanism at the earliest and more grants-in-aid to development bodies like VDBs or panchayats to meet the needs of the people.

Intellectual bankruptcy and Social Crisis in Naga Society: A Personal Reflection Nagarealm.com
Any society, be it in America, Africa, Asia or Europe, drives not simply on wealth and strength. But the growth of any society depends on the quality of intellectuals that it possess.

Here I am not limiting intellectuals to PhDs and scientist but people who are trained and skilled academically and philosophically. In every society, there are two kinds of people, irrespective of literacy and education. The first group of people is known as the lay people and the other as intellectuals. Both lay and intellectuals ask the same questions. But the difference is that, intellectuals are armed with philosophical, historical, comparative tools and skills to analyze the situation and provide historically grounded and theoretically sound explanations. An intellectual is not measured by the degree of educational qualification, although education is vital for the growth of human mind and reasoning. But a true intellectual is measured by scholarship, quality of works and depth of understanding. This is what is lacking in our Naga society today.

During my short stay at home in Dimapur this last Christmas, I was amazed to see how our Naga society is like a closed glass box with smoke inside. The box is closed from all sides and so the same smoke moves around within the box. Everywhere I go, I find the same set of questions and concerns been asked. It’s like every Naga seems to ask the same question, shares the same thought. I sat with many elders, retires, government officials, church leaders, village leaders, young people and also with all the factions. If I were to summarize all their discussions, it boils down to these few statements. First, the people are sick of kidnapping, extortion and fighting. Second, the people are tired of underground taxations. Because of the first two reasons, many businesses have closed down and businessmen have run away. Third, people don’t care anymore what some self elected leaders are discussing with the government of India. The public don’t know what they are discussing and infact care less because it will not bring any permanent solution. The people are disillusioned with big words like sovereignty, integration, greater Nagalim, reconciliation and human rights. Finally, the people just don’t understand why different underground groups have to threaten each other and kill each other as if independence (which is the original goal of all groups) is an object kept in a box and all the groups are fighting to get hold of it. Over and over again, I heard the Nagas lamenting about these issues and concerns. Although all these are genuine problems and concerns, the Nagas are holed up with no where to exit.

The questions and issues raised by the Nagas are genuine and reflects the current situation of the land. But these problems are the reflections and consequences of a much deeper problem. Naga problem is layered in many levels. Beneath the observable issues that I have summarized, Nagas are going through a very complicated set of problems arising from capitalism, tribalism, clan-ism, pre-modern ideas verses modernity, morality and so on. Since I am in position to explain, all I can do is raise more questions. For instance, how did the Nagas value wealth and money before and now? How and why did money and land become the most important element for the Nagas in twentieth century? How is it impacting the social and individual lives of the Nagas and also our relationship with others? What role do tribes play in our Naga society? How does tribalism impact our political and religious lives? What’s happening with clan-ism? Why is it that differences occur within a clan and fight for rights, eldership, and originality? How is it impacting the villagers’ life? Is clan-ism more then a fight for rights? Is Naga society going through a turmoil of pre-modernity and modernity? For instance, a shift from traditional values to consumerism, a plea to save our language, history, tradition and culture verses the latest jeans, bags, hair style, phone, ipods, cars, TV etc? If so, is the transition natural or is it forced? How is it impacting our lives? How about our churches? Is there a tension between traditionalist and non-traditionalist?

But beneath these level of issues, we still have a layer of structural problems and issues. How is the Naga society structured? How is the power structured? Is the State government more powerful then Village councils? Do we have a parallel form of government? Do the underground groups share the same power with the State government in administering and maintaining the State? What kind of church and state relationship exists in Nagaland? What role does the church play in socio-political life? Are we truly Baptist or catholic or Pentecostals? Is our church an activist or pacifist church? How is the church structured? Are we Congregationalist or not? Who controls the church? Who holds the church power and authority?

We often see our society as compartmentalized. We do not mix our religious lives with social or economic or political lives. We see each of them as separate entities. But the fact remains that all theses entities are part and parcel of our individual lives and that we cannot pretend that we are not a Christian while at work and forget our moral principles nor can we go for a month long church mission trip and pretend that we not an employee of the government, whereas hundred of lives depends on our presence in the office to processes their work. We cannot collect underground tax, kidnap people and even authorize someone to be executed or arrest someone without any good reason and pretend that we are not responsible for it and go to the church and act as if we are the most religious person. The dichotomy that exist in our lives are not always visible not is it intended but we are forced to be play our roles without even understanding why we do it.

For the last ten years or more, I have been keenly observing and reading local newspapers, any articles that are published in any journals around the world about the Nagas. Except for couple of articles written by Kaka Iralu, Dr. Wati and some others, I am yet to see any academic papers about the Nagas. I agree that many articles have been written about the Naga problem. But guess what, it’s always in favor of one underground group accusing the others or accusing the Indians. The other type of articles that dominate our newspaper are written by religious people who boils everything to moral crisis. Although, moral crises could be one reason, we cannot limit our problem to religion. Infact it is very easy to make analysis from a religious perspective but we must remember that religion is just one aspect of our lives. We cannot always conclude by saying that “we are therefore all sinners and we need to ask forgiveness from God. Therefore we need revival hours”. But how many times do we need to confess and revive ourselves from our sinful ways? If moral crisis is the cause of our problem, don’t you think that Naga society should be doing better since we hold revival hours every year?

I feel that the problems in our society are a result of intellectual bankruptcy. Our problems are symptoms of a changing society. Our society is changing from pre-modern to modern and post modern society. We are facing the tension of ideas, concepts and values. But unless these symptoms are rightfully diagnosed, our society will become complicated, almost like anarchy. As mentioned earlier, we cannot diagnose our problem as a moral problem alone but we need intellectuals and scholars who should be able to diagnose our problem using the right tools and methods, who can comparatively analyze the problem which are historically and theoretically grounded.

IPhD,
University of Missouri-Kansas City

Frans on 01.20.09 @ 03:54 PM CST [link]


Saturday, January 17th

DAN institutionalised corruption: Cong Eastern Mirror



DAN institutionalised corruption: Cong Eastern Mirror

KOHIMA, JAN 14: The Nagaland unit of the Congress party today alleged that corruption has been institutionalised in Nagaland under the reign of Nagaland Peoples’ Front (NPF) led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government.
Chairman of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) Media Cell R. Paphino said that in the realm of conducive atmosphere for fast growth of corruption, rampant indulgence has now developed into an epidemic form, creeping into all the vital parts of the entire apparatus of the state.
“The NPF/DAN government is well known for framing slogans and, therefore, in developmental activities, for pursuing projects and related works amounting to lakhs and crores of rupees, a catchy sentence ‘maximum profit and minimum quality work’ can fit well in their system,” he said. The Congress also said in matters of funds sanctioned for developmental activities for the welfare and interest of the people, there was nowhere in the whole country where funds are cut as high as Nagaland.
The culture of heavy cuts/commissions on funds meant for development projects and programs is directly responsible for scanty developments in Nagaland, he said, and adding that even in the marginal developments that were carried out, the workmanship are ‘awfully poor and sub-standard’.
The undesirable convention of realising heavy commission is gradually turning the entire state to the brink of barrenness and, at this rate, people’s expectation of delivering tangible and positive development by the NPF/DAN government is a matter of deception and far fetched, he claimed
The NPCC said, in the light of all these, it has been left with no option but to take up the matter with New Delhi. (Newmai News Network)
Preserve traditional judicial system: Yitachu
DIMAPUR, [NPN] : Parliamentary Secretary for tourism, art & culture and law & justice, Yitachu said Nagas have a good and strong legal system, therefore people practice Naga customary law in court of government right from the time of British rule in India and "we must preserve our traditional and justice system".


He was speaking at the inauguration of Panchayat Hall at Sohomi village on January 15. He expressed hope that the Panchayat Hall would be 'a seat of justice and a place for delivering justice'. Yitachu was of the opinion that freedom should be within the legal law and that one's freedom should not affect other's right but should enjoy freedom within the legal right by respecting other's right, and therefore unless "we understand the real sense of freedom we cannot expect to deliver freedom for people of our society".

In reply to demand for construction of a rest house in Sohomi village, Yitachu assured to set up an eco-camp instead of a rest house so as to promote eco-cultural tourism preservation in near future. He asked the villagers to extend corporation in brining development for the area. Parliamentary secretary was accompanied by ex-minister Vejoyi Vero, ex-MLA Chiehutso, a host of public leaders and officials of Phek district.
Ceasefire Tension Eases morungexpress
Dimapur | January 11: The timely intervention of the chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) General Mandhita today averted the tense situation around the NSCN (IM) GHQ from going out of control even as troops of the Rashtriya Rifles were directed to move out of the immediate vicinity of Camp Hebron after several hours of a tense face-off between the Indian armed force and the outfit. According to available information with The Morung Express, General Mandhita led a joint inspection over the area of tension and verified the same, giving clear instructions to the Rashtriya Rifles to withdraw.

CFMG Chairman Mandhita steps in to avert collision

The chairman of the CFMG reportedly advised both the parties not to go for any confrontationist approach but to show restraint. According to highly-placed sources, General Mandhita has also instructed the Assam Rifles not to intrude into NSCN territory unnecessarily to provoke the activists without reason. While addressing both sides, the CFMG chairman also suggested that there should be no communication gaps in the event of any incident as there is “friendly peace talks” going on.
According to military sources at Hebron, the Rashtriya Rifles have withdrawn to the Assam Police camp, which is around 1500 yards away from Hebron. According to ADC, ‘deputy commander-in-chief Naga army’, the chairman of the CFMG had given assurance that troops will be withdrawn phase by phase from the area near Camp Hebron. General Mandhita was accompanied by Nagaland IGP, Colonel Sahni, Commanding Officer of 24 Assam Rifles and Maj Rajeev of the Rashtriya Rifles besides top NSCN (IM) functionaries.
The NSCN (IM) has however expressed reservation over the frequent movement of Indian armed forces in and around the designated camps across the state. The latest incident comes in the backdrop of the detention of some Assam Rifles personnel by the NSCN (IM) for alleged intrusion near the outfit’s designated camp at Pfutsero under Phek district. It was disclosed that the recent incidents between the NSCN (IM) and the Indian armed forces has become a matter of concern for both sides of the leadership even as peace talks have been taking place for the last ten years.
It may be mentioned that the NSCN (IM) had claimed movement of security forces personnel on the opposite side of the river near Camp Hebron since early Saturday morning and that by late evening, they had crossed the river and were seen on the periphery of the outfit’s designated camp. The army on the other hand, claimed that the security forces were on routine patrol.

Fragrance Of Roses In Nagaland

Rose Cultivation is the new venture trend in Nagaland, with an area of 500 square meters under cultivation. The state's Department of Horticulture is supervising the cultivation and the technical know-hows provided by the various private companies.

This new venture has offered a new hope to the local entrepreneurs, Watienla Jamir, Joint Director, Horticulture Dept, Nagaland, said: "We wanted to find out the potentiality of growing rose in Nagaland, whether the quality would be good. So, around one hectare area was initiated in the Yisemyong government farm, and we found that the quality was good and of International standard and it was serving as an eye opener and model for entrepreneurs."
Anungla, one rose exporter, said: "I want to encourage the youth in Nagaland that being a part of this is very profitable for us and been engaged in something is a wonderful experience and beneficial for each and everyone of us."

The state boasts of over 12 lakhs (1.2 million) stems of cut roses till now with annual sales in 2008 standing at crores of rupees. Over 20 self-help groups have taken the rose cultivation project and is also helping the youth in employment by keeping them involved in productive activities.
Yach beiu, a rose cultivator, said: "The state government directive to display roses is a good encouragement to us beneficiarixes. I believe it would rope in good money and promote rose cultivation. An idle mind promotes anti-social activities and ill thoughts, so I believe being engaged in whatever constructive activity, would usher in peace in our land."

Neisakuono, a local resident, said: "Rose has good market value as it is bought for all special occasion, to decorate houses, to gift others and in programmes. People buy a lot so it has a good market generating income."

The cultivation of rose is implemented by the Department of Horticulture and was initiated in 2004-05. Since then Nagaland has received various awards for its remarkable achievements in the floriculture sector. This is sure to boost the economic development sector of the state with the demand for top quality roses increasing globally.
Nagas Lose Out On Biggest Employer Al Ngullie Morung January 16
Dimapur : Out of the Rs. 450.60 Crore yearly income made by non-locals in the non-government service sector in Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung, an approximate Rs. 250. 60 Crore is the yearly turnover made by the said workforce in the private service sector (public facilities, domestic essentials and goods). The report of the Evaluation Directorate, Government of Nagaland, said the biggest employer in the state is the service industry sector, with the construction and tertiary service heading the list (The Morung Express, Wednesday, January 14 edition).
Non-govt service turnover: 250 Cr
The service and entrepreneurial sectors – with Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung acting as the yardstick for the government’s survey – are manned by huge numbers of non-locals, the Evaluation report said. This finding virtually points to the service sector as the main support of the state’s local economy.
The government’s report highlighted the four biggest non-government employers that the approximate 45,000 to 50,000 non-Naga workforce are engaged in and generating a staggering yearly turnover/income of Rs. 250 Crore in the survey period year 2007 alone. In comparison to the extreme percentage of non-Nagas engaged in the service sector, Naga workers form barely few percentages, the report shows.

Construction/ Subsidiary sector income: Rs. 55 Crore
In its sector-wise findings, the report said the construction sector has the highest number of non-Naga workforce forming an approximate number of 4,000-5, 000. This non-Naga workforce are engaged in infrastructural activities, generating a total yearly earning of Rs. 22 Crore and registering an annual per Capita Income of Rs. 53402. The growth of this sector in Nagaland has been capitalized to the maximum by the non-Naga workforce, the report stated.
The construction sector is followed by the “loading-unloading” (subsidiary or associated) sector. In fact there are an approximate 4,000 non-Naga persons engaged in “loading and unloading” activities at public transport stations (railways, airport, bus stations, ‘godowns’, storehouses etc) in the three districts. This group earns an annual income of an estimated Rs. 33 Crore with an annual average Per Capita Income of an impressive Rs. 82192. The construction and subsidiary sector account a total revenue/income of Rs. 55 Crore per year. The report had this to observe: “(These) service industries, is predominated by non-Nagas. Not a single Naga is engaged in the loading/unloading sector while the construction sector has traces of few Nagas in Dimapur”. The report further stated that the said services in fact do not require any specialized skill, training or “education”, but only requires physical ability and willingness to work.

Trading, entrepreneurial activities: Rs. 13 crore to Rs 24-Crore
The third-largest sector the non-local workforce, about 2, 800 persons, is engaged in is trading and entrepreneurial activities, making a yearly income of Rs 24 Crore.
This is followed by about 2, 000 persons running ration/small shops but earning around Rs. 79 Crore yearly in total. Here’ the report remarked that amongst the various classifications of enterprises, grocery/ration trading activities earn the highest average annual income of Rs. 3 Lakhs per year per unit. The fifth largest work force is the manual transport sector (good carriers, wagons, carts) with an approximate more than 2, 500 non-Naga persons engaged in it, and earning about Rs. 9 Crore in total yearly. The hospitality/hotel sector is the sixth largest service sector with about 2, 800 non-Naga persons employed in it. The hotel/catering service sector is the third highest revenue earning sector with about Rs. 13 Crore annually with a non-Naga workforce of about 2257, the report said. Employment in the automobile servicing (garages, workshops etc) account for an annual income of about Rs. 9.5 Crores while those engaged in operating automobiles (For instance, auto drivers and contract drivers) earn an annual income of about Rs. 8.7 Crore from about 1271 non-locals.

Business income: Rs. 300 Crore
Out of the total Rs. 450.60 Crore income made by non-locals, the government report said their entrepreneurial activities alone account for a colossal income of Rs. 300 Crore approximately. The high turnover enterprises are mainly those dealing in cosmetics, textiles, domestic essentials, shops, hardware, electronics, consumer durables and automobiles. More than 50% of the workforce is non-Nagas, the report said. In fact the yearly income of non-Nagas engaged in domestic essentials/grocery supplies touch a staggering Rs. 78 Crore. This is followed by the cosmetic enterprises with Rs. 45 crore as their yearly income. The textile entrepreneurial sector generates income of about Rs. 42 Crore for the non-Naga workforce. Electronics and consumer durables figure at about Rs. 11 crore as total yearly income; hardware business at about Rs. 9.0 Crore and automobile parts dealership at about Rs. 5.2 Crore annual income for non-Nagas engaged in them, the report said.
‘There’s room for reconciliation’ morungexpress January 15
Dimapur : Querying “what is wrong if he/she belongs to NSCN-K, NSCN-IM or FGN”, Nagaland’s Home Minister today said political ideologies may differ but there is room for reconciliation, rather than ‘killing each other’. “I see killing in this way. What is wrong if he/she belong to NSCN-K, IM or FGN. Belonging to such factions doesn’t justify to be executed their life, after all they’re all belonging to Naga family,” Imkong Imchen explained in a message today.
According to him, bloodshed between the different Naga factions should be stopped. “If this factional killing is (did) not stop in the last few months, how many precious lives belonging to different factions must have gone?” he stated and expressed gratefulness to the factional leaders, NGOs and forums “for working tirelessly”. Imchen expressed hope that the underground leadership would “continue to maintain this good gesture”.
Home Minister expresses hope in dialogue
Also, stating that human life “should not be eliminated so easily because, life is the ultimate value,” Imchen said there is still room for reconciliation. “Political ideology may differ but there should be room to reconcile each other on such given diverse political ideology instead of killing each other. Violence begets violence and therefore this should be avoided as far as possible,” he stated. “In the name of New Year”, Imchen appealed to the Naga underground leaders to “keep up their peace mission” in the larger interest of the Naga people.
CM calls for emotional integration Nagarealm
KOHIMA, JAN16 [NPN] : State chief minister Neiphiu Rio Thursday called for emotional integration of the people to pave way for peace, understanding and oneness. Addressing the 45th general conference of Khaimniungan Students Union in Thsoiphu village under Thonoknyu sub-division., chief minister said people needed to consider the welfare of Nagas not just in Nagaland but across international boundary in Myanmar where condition of the people was much worse.


He emphasized that though physical integration may be out of immediate reach, there was no reason why Nagas could integrate emotionally. Rio challenged students' community to undertake studies and education in technical fields and self employment oriented studies by availing the government scholarships and support which, he said was available even under DUDA department. Rio lauded the hardworking nature of Khaimniungan people and expressed satisfaction that the sub-division was progressing well under the guidance of elected representatives, P. Longon and Heno. He thanked the gathering for electing him for a second term in office.

The grand programme was attended by a host of public leaders, high ranking civil and police officers, student leaders and the public of the area. Parliamentary Secretary Heno was also present in the function.

Next battle against Karen rebels soon by Daniel Pedersen Mizzima

Maesot (Mizzima) - Soldiers of the Karen National Liberation Army's Special Battalion 103 are reinforcing troops of the KNLA's Sixth Brigade's 201st Battalion just south of Thailand's border town of Mae Sot.

The Special Battalion 103 in the past week has lost its base camp and for the past seven days has been moving constantly, deflecting their enemies - Burmese Army soldiers - with terrestrial mines and directional Claymore mines.

The vicious battle for the region surrounding Thailand's Phop Phra district has see-sawed back and forth across Thailand's northern border with Burma since June 30 last year.

Last week government troops overran - then destroyed - 103's base camp, a significant settlement equipped with solar power, fish holding tanks, a huge granary and a medical clinic that serviced 800 people living in two nearby villages. The KNLA has lost and won back the base repeatedly since last year. Now there is nothing to win back.

The Karen National Union is the one of some significant groups yet to sign a ceasefire deal with the junta and the KNLA is its armed wing. Colonel Nerdah Mya, a commander said his base camp was lost and his men were redeploying further north to defend 201st's Wah Lay Kee base camp. That camp has stood since 1998 and was briefly overrun in early July last year, but won back after three days of heavy fighting.

In the last week's fighting SPDC troops suffered significant casualties from landmines and the corridors of Thailand's Mae Sot General Hospital were for a few days crammed with injured Burmese soldiers perched on stainless steel trolleys.

The battle is on over a region opposite Thailand's Umphang region, a tourist spot for its spectacular mountain scenery.

On Thursday, SPDC troops were positioning themselves around Wah Lay Kee camp for an all-out offensive and followed lobbing a few shells at the military encampment, but missed.

They have managed to occupy some high ground around the camp and are lugging 81mm mortars with them.

The KNLA has a Browning 0.5 inch machine gun, a formidable weapon usually mounted on top of armoured vehicles.

The KNLA desperately wants to hold the camp not only because it represents its last significant regional outpost, equipped with training halls and a medical clinic, but also because a military cemetery is maintained there. The rebel claims that SPDC wants "full economic control", to wrest control of the region for its significant deposits of gold, tin, zinc and wolfram (from which antimony is refined).

Taiwanese and Thai mining companies are waiting in the wings, ready to strike a deal with whichever side can guarantee security for their capital investment. For the KNLA, whose footprint in the region has always been somewhat precarious, this latest outbreak of fighting represents the most sustained series of attacks around Phop Phra for years.

Aid workers report that even Thai farmers have given up trying to harvest the hundreds of hectares of corn standing in field on both sides of the border and are heading for Karen refugee camps. At least there they will probably get a meal. The Thai Army has reinforced troops on the border in the region and is keeping a close eye on comings and goings. This weekend will be a critical time for the KNLA's future in the area.

Heavy fighting now looks inescapable barring a withdrawal, and that would mean the assured destruction of Wah Lay Kee. On Monday before dawn a British photographer was escorted along jungle trails hidden underneath a blanket to safety in Thailand.

On Wednesday a foreign volunteer was asked to cut short a training programme and depart before hostilities broke out. The trolleys look set to be wheeled into the corridors of Mae Sot General Hospital again this weekend.
Indian Vice President to visit Burma to strengthen bilateral relations door indoadmin Sources: Mizzima News

January 16, 2009: New Delhi, India's Vice President Hamid Ansari is set to visit neighbouring military-ruled Burma, in a bid to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between both countries, according to reports.
Ansari's trip will focus on consolidating India's energy interests in Burma and cooperation in infrastructure development, an official source was quoted as saying by the Indo-Asian News Service.

"Ansari will go on a goodwill visit to Myanmar [Burma] early next month. Preparations are under way," the report said.

Ansari's visit to Burma, which is a first for Indian leaders in 2009, is seen as a part of India's growing efforts to strengthen bilateral relationship with the gas-rich Southeast Asian nation.

Dr. Tint Swe, a minister of the Burmese government in exile – the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma – said Ansari's visit is part of India's efforts to appease the Burmese military government in order to gain wider foothold in the country.

However, he said, "It has been about 15 years now, but India's Look East Policy has still not been a success," adding that it was time for India to reconsider its policy on Burma.

India, which is Burma's 4th largest trading partner after Thailand, China and Singapore, is competing with China, Thailand, South Korea and Japan to tap natural gas from offshore gas reserves on Burma's western coast.

However, in December 2008, Daewoo International Corporation along with it's four other partners - Myanmar Oil & Gas Enterprise (MOGE), ONGC, GAIL and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) signed a deal with the China National Petroleum Corporation, to supply Burma's offshore gas to China for 30 years from 2012.

India's ONGC and GAIL both held 20 % and 10 % respectively in Burma's offshore A1 and A3 gas fields, and has been appeasing the junta so that it awards the right to import gas. The Shwe gas fields on Burma's western coast are estimated to hold a reserve of 4.53 tcf (trillion cubic feet) of gas.

India, which lost out to China in its race to buy gas from Burma, however, is also looking for other energy cooperation options, with Burma including the building of hydro-electric projects. The two countries recently signed a pact on the development of Tamanthi and Shwezay hydropower projects on the Chindwin River, in Burma's northwestern Sagaing division. But Dr. Tint Swe, who is based in New Delhi and monitors Indo-Burmese relationship said, "The two countries' bilateral relations does not help the Burmese peoples' aspiration for democratic change."

"But it helps the junta in strengthening their rule," he added. Indo-Burmese bilateral trade reached a record of 995 million US dollars in the fiscal year 2007-08, while Burma's exports to India accounted for 810 million US dollars and its imports from India touched 185 million US dollars, according to Burma's official statistics.


Frans on 01.17.09 @ 04:34 PM CST [link]


Sunday, January 11th

Expedite Naga peace process, Rio to Delhi morungexpress



Expedite Naga peace process, Rio to Delhi morungexpress Dimapur : Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio has said that the vexed Indo-Naga political problem has defied solution even after 11 years of ceasefire and endless dialogues and propounded the urgent need to also involve the civil societies, NGOs and Hohos and the political executives in the process of dialogue to expedite the resolution of the Naga political problem and urged upon the Central Government to give the matter the importance it deserved. Rio made these comments during the conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security held in New Delhi on January 6, 2009 which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India.
Rio while participating in the deliberations also rebutted what he termed as “highly misplaced and wrong insinuation of the Chief Minister of Assam that Nagaland has given birth to terrorism in the North East Region”. Rio asserted that terrorism was never initiated by Naga insurgents and the Naga insurgency movement is a political movement and cannot be equated with terrorism, which has no agenda except to create and propagate terror. “In fact, terrorism is perpetuated by misguided fundamentalist forces in various parts of the country inflicting severe casualties on innocent civilians and is alien to the Nagas and the Naga insurgents”.
The Chief Minister also made a mention of the deadly bomb blasts that took place in Dimapur Railway Station and Hong Kong Market on October 2, 2004 in Dimapur that claimed 23 precious innocent lives and caused severe injuries to 87 people. Rio said that this was the handiwork of outside forces and not the handiwork of Naga insurgents.
Commenting on the present unresolved Naga political problem, the Chief Minister stated that ever since the ceasefire agreements between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) in 1997 and with the NSCN (K) in 2001, the Government of India lifted the ban on the both factions of the NSCN to facilitate the process of dialogue. Since the declaration of ceasefires in 1997 and 2001, there has been no confrontation between the insurgent groups and the security forces.
The Chief Minister requested the Government of India to seriously consider the modernization of the civil administration on the lines of modernization of police as these are the two interlinked entities responsible for the maintenance of law and order. He also proposed that the Village Guards of Nagaland, who guard the areas bordering Myanmar, and who have proved a very effective fighting force, be extended support to improve their weaponry, allowances and facilities.
The Nagaland Chief Minister also said that in response to the suggestions contained in the Home Minister’s letter to all Chief Ministers, the state had already initiated several steps relating to maintenance of internal security and would solicit funding for raising more commando units and in upgrading and equipping our intelligence, investigative and prosecution agencies.
Ceasefire tension rises morungexpress
Dimapur : Against the backdrop of the detention of some Assam Rifles personnel by the NSCN (IM) for alleged intrusion near the outfit’s designated camp at Pfutsero under Phek district and their subsequent release Thursday night, the organization has alleged that the security forces had come within 1 km range of Hebron Camp, its headquarters, on Saturday.
A functionary of the NSCN (IM) ‘MIP’ informed that movement of security forces personnel were detected on the opposite side of the river near Camp Hebron since early Saturday morning and that by late evening, the security forces had crossed the river and were seen on the periphery of the outfit’s designated camp.
However, when contacted, army sources from Rangapahar denied that there was any such movement in the area. “There is nothing of that sort. Ceasefire ground rules is there,” an army official said. Dimapur Police also said they were unaware of any new development in the area.
“I have spoken with the commandant of 24 Assam Rifles and everything is normal. There may be routine movement of security forces, but for routine movements, they (security forces) do not inform us,” a senior police official told this correspondent.
NSCN (IM)-AR face off reaches Camp Hebron
On the other hand, the NSCN(IM) stuck to their version and said the “special task force” commander of Camp Hebron, “lt col” Elijah had even gone down to the river around 10am and confronted the security forces, demanding why the security forces were violating the CFGR.
According to the NSCN (IM), the security forces reportedly replied that they were on routine patrolling. A clause in the CFGR prohibits the Indian armed forces from coming within the range of 1km of any NSCN designated camp without prior approval from the ceasefire monitoring cell.
“They (security forces) were seen leaving around 2pm, however they reappeared on our side of the river late afternoon and are still hovering around,” the MIP/NSCN (IM) functionary said. Terming the act as downright provocation, the NSCN (IM) cadre added that “Anything can happen anytime.”
Naga tribe revives lost festival Agencies
Imphal : A post-harvest festival of a Naga tribe that got erased by the steady invasion of Christianity, showed the first signs of revival on Friday when scores gathered at an Imphal auditorium for a round of pagan revelry. Gaan Ngai is a festival of the Zeliangrong community, which has the second largest concentration in Manipur after the Tangkhuls.
“Modern education and conversion to Christianity is threatening to push several age-old rituals to extinction. Certain institutions are revived only during Gaan Ngai festival,” said Golmei Lanbilung, executive secretary of Zeliangrong Religious Council. One of these “institutions” is the system of Zeliangrong boys and girls living in dormitories till they are married.
Lok Sabha MP from Outer Manipur constituency, Mani Charenamei, who is also a member of the Zeliangrong community, agreed that the younger generation no longer practises the old religious rituals. Several people have even destroyed ornaments and materials used by their forefathers, who practised Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak religion, after they converted to Christianity.
Conversions, in fact, gave rise to controversies. In December last year, a conflict erupted in Chingmeirong Kabui, a Zeliangrong village in Imphal East, after a church was dismantled by non-Christians. The mood at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela auditorium, where the Gaan Ngai festival was organised, however, was one of pure jubilation. Young artistes in bright, colourful traditional clothes sang and danced after a round of religious renditions.
“The main objective of the festival is to pay homage to departed souls, pray for a better year, show respect to all and preserve and promote old traditions, rituals and rites for posterity,” Lanbilung said. Health minister Pheiroijam Parijat Singh, who attended the programme, goaded all to live in harmony.
DG AR on Pfutsero incident: [NPN]
KOHIMA, JAN10 Director General (DG) Assam Rifles Lt. Gen. K S Yadava has termed Thursday’s incident near Pfutsero where one AR officer and five other jawans were taken into custody by NSCN (I-M) as “most unfortunate".

“The matter has now been amicably resolved” he said but added, “the incident should not have taken place”. The DG was speaking to news persons Saturday here at 26 Assam Rifles. It may be recalled that an AR captain identified as one Capt S Momo along with five jawans of the 33 AR were taken into custody by NSCN (I-M) on Thursday for entering their designated camp area but later released after midnight. IGAR (N) Maj General JP Nehra defended the officer for carrying out duty in the national interest.

He said nobody had complained about Capt.Momo’s behavior during Friday’s meeting at Pfutsero that was attended by chairman CFMG, ADC, SDPO and also a representative of the NSCN (I-M). He said the officer and jawans had gone to nearby area to extend help the village which itself indicated a noble and friendly act. The jawans strayed into the area due to “technical error” as they took a new road that turned out to be one that led to the designated camp of the NSCN (I-M), he said. Commenting on the action of the NSCN (I-M) Maj General JP Nehra termed it as “most severe violation of the spirit of Ceasefire Fire Ground Rules”.
Rio rebuts Gogoi’s at CMs’ conference
DIMAPUR, JAN09 [NPN] : State chief minister Neiphiu Rio has rebutted what was described as an “insinuation” made by Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi during the deliberations at the recent chief ministers’ conference that Nagaland was responsible for birthing terrorism in the north east region.

A communiqué issued by press secretary to the chief minister termed Gogoi’s statement as “misplaced and wrong” . It said Mr. Neiphiu Rio asserted that terrorism was never initiated by Naga insurgents but rather, the Naga insurgency was a political movement and could not be equated with terrorism. He said terrorism is alien to the Nagas and the Naga insurgents. Rio said terrorism was perpetuated by fundamentalist forces in various parts of the country inflicting casualties on innocent civilians. Pointing to the October 2,2004 bomb blasts at Dimapur Railway Station and Hong Kong Market that claimed 23 innocent lives and severe injuries to 87 people, Rio said these were the handiwork of outside forces and not of Naga insurgents.

The chief minister stated that ever since the ceasefire agreements between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) in 1997 and with the NSCN (K) in 2001, the Government of India lifted the ban on the both factions to facilitate the process of dialogue. He said there has been no confrontation between the insurgent groups and the security forces after cease fire though the problem has defied solution even after 11 years of ceasefire and endless dialogues. He also suggested the involvement of civil societies, NGOs and Hohos and the political executives in the process of dialogue to expedite the resolution of the Naga political problem. Rio also made a plea for the modernization of the civil administration on the lines of modernization of police and improvement of weaponry, allowances and facilities to the Village Guards of Nagaland.

Mr Rio also said the state has already initiated steps relating to maintenance of internal security as directed by the home minister besides soliciting fund for more commando units, upgrading and equipping our intelligence, investigative and prosecution agencies Appeal to Naga National Leaders to encourage development
Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them and said to them "Be fruitful and increase in numbers; fill the earth and subdue it". Subdue the earth mean develop the land in which we live.
1) First, Kohima city usually experience acute shortage of water (which is happening now) even before the arrival of the driest months. Here, I would like to ask if this is because the Government is unable to release sufficient money to the PHE department that the department is not able to provide sufficient drinking water to the public in the state capital. If so, it is suggested that the Government changed its policy and allow competent private agencies to take over supply of this very precious commodity to meet the need of the public.
2) Second, the Government Civil Hospitals are the only last resort available to the sick and dying common and ordinary section of the public. Therefore it is legitimate to expect that Health and Medical Department would provide maximum health and sanitary facilities to these civil hospitals. However, a look into the sanitary conditions of any of these Civil Hospitals reveals utter neglect by the authority that be. Thus, it is difficult to expect doctors and nurses to deliver health care to the poor under such miserable and dilapidated conditions of Civil Hospitals in the state. A peep into Dimapur Civil Hospital with its stinking stench of human refuge, lack of water supply, broken down furniture etc. will tell tales of total neglect and careless system prevailing in the far-flung areas of the state: The department may like to blame public for lack of civic sense, lack of fund etc, etc. But I prefer to think that this is purely due to lack of common sense on the part of the department.
3) Third, I would also like to appeal to the Naga National leaders to encourage various development activities being carried out in the state by different agencies including the State Government, ensuring that no extortion is allowed to take place in its name. Let us not forget that the enemy is only be too glad to help degenerate the national movement into a factional war or turf war.
No freedom loving people of the world is against the development of their own country. Therefore, let us agree to join hand in development of our land while we continue to fight for our national cause.
T L Angami, Chariman
Angami Customary Court, H.Q. Kohima, Nagaland
Camp-Razhüphe Dimapur, Nagaland
“Only peace talks can solve Manipur problem” Agencies
Imphal : Concerned over the continuing arm-conflict between the government machinery and militant outfits, a parliamentarian from the state has said only peace talks can solve the problem in the state. "Only peace talks between the government and militant outfits can solve the armed conflict in Manipur," T Meinya, the sitting Congress MP from Inner Manipur constituency, said.
Speaking at a public function here yesterday, Meinya, said Manipuris need to look back into the history of the state and compare it with the present situation to bring about a reformation in the state. "Instead of blaming the government for its mistakes, the public themselves should become active agents for change in the region," he said. Meinya said peace talks were the only viable solution to the armed conflict which has been "tearing apart" Manipur in the past some decades.
Assam, Assamese will survive: Gogoi Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Jan 10 – The Assamese nationality and the State of Assam will survive in the days to come and nothing can pose threat to their existence, said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in the State Assembly here today. He was taking part in the debate on the supplementary demand for grant of the Police Department.

Gogoi said that there should not be any attempt at harping on corruption in the Police Department. For, this will send a wrong signal to the people. He however, admitted that corruption was there in the Department.

Contrary to the allegations of the Opposition, he said that in the counrty, officers of the Assam Police were known as the most efficient ones.

Asserting that there was no political interference in the functioning of the Police Department, he said that there was no formal complaint of such interferences.

He also apprised the House that the State Government was going to introduce a bill limiting the tenure of the officers and personnel of the Department at a place to two years, going by an order of the Supreme Court of India.

The Government is also setting up a police academy to train up the officers and personnel of the Department in a better manner and a committee has been set up to suggest measures to brighten up the image of the Department, he said.

Commenting on the manpower shortage in the Department, he said that new police battalions were being set up, but, here, fund crunch was posing problems. The State Government wants that the Central Government should bear 50 per cent of the burden against the salaries of the officers and personnel employed in these battalions for the next ten years, he said.

He reiterated that the State Government was keen on modernising the Police Department and much modernisation of the Department had taken place under the present regime.

However, in containing terrorism, cooperation of the people is also needed and people should be made security conscious, he said and asserted that confidence of the people in police had been growing these days and more feed back on the movements of the terrorists were now received from the people.

He also claimed that during the seven and half-a-year rule of the Congress 1,544 people were killed in terrorist attacks, whereas during the five-year rule of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) 1,535 people were killed. At present, the terrorists are taking recourse to bomb blasts.

If things were allowed to go on as they were during the AGP rule, the number of persons killed during the past seven and half-a-year would have stood at around 2,300, he claimed.

In all, he said, police recovered 2,550 bombs and grenades during the rule of the present Government, said Gogoi.

The Chief Minister reiterated that his Government was determined to deport the aliens and claimed that his party had no vote bank politics as alleged by the Opposition. He announced his readiness to hold a discussion on secret killing in the Assembly and also agreed to the Opposition’s suggestion that such a discussion should cover the entire period since 1991.

After the speech of the Chief Minister the demand of the Police Department for a supplementary grant of Rs 1,520. 65 lakh was passed by the House.

Frans on 01.11.09 @ 01:46 PM CST [link]


Saturday, January 10th

IM releases AR men Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network



IM releases AR men Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, January 09 2009: AMID HIGH drama over the detention of an Assam Rifles Captain and four other jawans by the NSCN-IM cadres in Nagaland's Phek district yesterday, the Naga militants have released the jawans on the midnight of January 8 .

Tension ran high last evening as the Assam Rifles had accused the NSCN-IM of violating the ceasefire ground rules.The Assam Rifles also said that the security forces had been exercising restrain in view of the prevailing situation.

However, the NSCN-IM today alleged that on Thursday afternoon at around 1pm five security forces jawans from 33 Assam Rifles led by one captain S.Momo 'intruded' into the prohibited zone of Ihoshe Battalion of Naga Army near Pfuzero,in Nagaland's Phek district which is a designated camp.

"The Naga Army was left with no option but to exercise the military command of duty to defend its territorial rights as demarcated by the Indo-Naga ceasefire.

The five Assam Rifles personnel were over-powered by the alert Naga Army and detained for conducting interrogation.

The version of the Assam Rifles was that they were doing patrolling duty.

But, the question is, why at the gate of the designated camp? An official of the rank of Captain should know the rules that governed the ceasefire for the past 11 years," asked the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM press statement issued by its information wing this evening said that in the light of this 'provocative episode it may be pointed out that there is more about Captain S.Momo than what meet the eyes'.

"His notorious movement in the Chakhesang area is nothing new.

He has been a source of social irritants for quite some time.But despite the unwarranted interference of this officer as witnessed by the authorities of the area including S.D.P.O.,C.P.O (Chakhesang people's Organization) Gaonburas (GBs) etc.

nothing was done to stop him from going overboard.

And this is just another repetition of his unauthorized intrusion into the area," alleged the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM statement said that the five Assam Rifles personnel were compelled to undergo serious interrogation at the hands of the 'Naga Army', and they were not kept in 'Naga Army's custody' for more than what is required.

They were released on the midnight of January 8 after making the civil societies and district administration as witnesses.

Their weapons were also eventually released after the Assam Rifles admitted their mistakes, added the outfit in the statement.

Harping on the over-all scene of the ceasefire, the NSCN-IM said that the Indo-Naga ceasefire that was reached in August 1, 1997 bears historical significance because the long years of Indo-Naga conflict reflected the futility of seeking military solution by suppressing the Naga political struggle.

The Indian military generals realized this impracticality, which ultimately striked the political consciousness of the bosses in New Delhi, it added.

"The Nagas under NSCN was only defending its political right that has been intruded and suppressed.

The NSCN's endurance for more than 11years after ceasefire demonstrates its faith on political solution and not military solution.

Nevertheless, the Indo-Naga ceasefire was simply not signed on blank paper.

Certain obligations are attached to preserve the sanctity of the ceasefire and one of the obligations prohibits the Indian Armed forces from coming within the range of 1 Km of any NSCN's designated camps without getting prior approval from the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell.

Violation of this is therefore, against the ceasefire spirit as laid down," explained the NSCN-IM.
Nagaland moving on towards a rosy future ANI Thai-Indian News
Kohima,Jan.6 (ANI): Moving on the path of self reliance, Nagaland is all set to have a rosy future with the success of rose farming in the state and annual sales turn over in 2008 standing at of crores of rupees. Flowers like Lilium, Anthurium, Roses, dry flowers and Birds of Paradise recorded a gross turnover of rupees eleven crores, thirty four lakhs forty three thousand (Rs. 11,34,43,000) during the year 2004-05 to 2007-08.
Commercial rose cultivation was first introduced at Yisemyong village under Mokokchung District by the state government in 2004-05 on experimental basis. Seeing the positive outcome and the potential of rose cultivation, so far 35 units of green house spread over more than 500 square metres of land have been set up under active guidance of the state Department of Horticulture and technical know how of companies like Zopar Private Limited and Florance Flora.
Roses, anthuriums, lilium have found a place in the international market with consignments going to the metro cities and Dubai
The latest materials for cultivation are brought from Holland and Israel with a strict compliance to quality.
Watienla Jamir, Joint Director of Horticulture, says that the Yisemyong project served as an eye opener and model for entrepreneurs.
She also said that 20 SHGs are involved in the process and the income regenerated has been a great boost for them, adding that about 12 lakh stems have been cut till 2008.
The state government has also given a directive to all government departments to display freshly cut flowers in the office premises in a first of its kind venture in the country.
Talking on this line, she appreciated the government directive and said that Nagaland has a rosy future and found place in the international map of floriculture, becoming the main economic mainstay of Nagaland.
Yachubeiu says she was introduced to rose cultivation through the department and I am doing a project in Nerhema village.
“I got the first harvest a few months back and weekly I am getting at least 1000 roses from one unit,” she adds.
“The state government directive to display roses is a good encouragement to us beneficiaries, and I believe it would rope in good money and promote rose cultivation. An idle mind promotes anti-social activities and ill thoughts. So, I believe being engaged in whatever constructive activity would usher in peace in our land,” she says.
“Locally, we cater to demands or else we also supply outside according to demands of companies,” she adds.
Anungla from Zopar Exports Private Limited she joined the business in 2007.
“I encourage everyone to be a part of this as it is a profitable venture. It is going well so it is very good. Rose farms are spread over Kohima, Wokha and Mokokchung district in Nagaland,” she says.
“My name is Neisakuono. Rose has good market value as it is bought for all special occasion, to decorate houses, to gif others and in programmes. People buy a lot so it has a good market generating income.” (ANI)
PRESS RELEASE 6TH Jan 09. Issued By MIP/ GPRNIt is unfortunate that NSCN were compelled to arrest anti-social elements involved in tax collection or other illegal activities in the name of reactionary K-group. It is however to be made known that they are not kept in the custody of NSCN more than the period necessary for interrogation. Moreover the joy of festive season of Christmas and New
Year was not denied to them. And accordingly, all the arrested elements kept in GHQ were released without any condition in different period of time. The list shown below is indicative of the release beginning from January 2008 to Dec 23, 2008.

1. Mr Mhosevoyi Nikha s/o Mr. Felenii Nikha of Zasheyu Village, Region Ch'sang.
2. Mr. Hovito Zhimomi s/o Mr. Inaho Zhimomi of Kukidolong (Gaspani)
Region- Sumi d/o released-March 28, 2008.
3. Mr. Zakaito Zhimomi s/o Mr. Bohoto Zhimomi Zomti Village Region Sumi 02/04/
4. Mr. Herato Kinimi s/o Mr. Hugheto Kinimi of Zaphumi Village,
Region- Sumi d/o released- April 14,2008.
5. Mr. Akato Yeptho s/o Mr. Lali Kakheto Yeptho of Aghunato Village
Region Sumi 18,2008.
6. Mr. Ketoshe Zhimomi s/o Mr. Vinito Zhimomi of Kiyekhu Village
Region Sumi d/o released- April 18,2008.
7. Mr. Yimso Khiphruh s/o Late Mr. Shankar Khiphruh of solomi Village.
Region Bihar d/o released July 20, 2008.
8. Mr. Kevisehe Chishi s/o Lt. Tohenu Chishi of Guihakhu Village,
Region Sumi d/o released Dec 11,2008.
9. Mr. Stenhop Fithu s/o Mr. Yapoh Fithu of Regin Village- Pochury
10. Mr. Kasheho Shohe s/o Mr. Kohoshe Shohe of Awohomi Village, Region Sumi.
11. Mr. Lan Kamei s/o Mr. Atching Kamei of Nongba Village, Region ZLR
d/o released- Dec 04, 2008.
12. Mr. Nunghingthan Golmei s/o Thonsem Village Region- ZLR, d/o
released Dec 04, 2008.

Rebels take soldiers hostage in India's northeast
GUWAHATI, India, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Tribal rebels in India's troubled northeast kidnapped an army officer and five soldiers, saying they were angry that government forces were encouraging rival groups despite a ceasefire, officials said on Friday.
The soldiers were on a routine foot patrol in the mountains of Nagaland late on Thursday when they were captured by separatist rebels of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) (NSCN-IM).
The group is among the strongest of dozens of militant organisations fighting Indian rule in the state. The insurgencies have killed thousands of people over the last half century.
"Efforts are on to secure their release with the help of village elders," Lieutenant Colonel Nirupam Bhargav said in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
The kidnappers said New Delhi was encouraging rival groups to attack them and sabotage a decade-old peace process aimed at ending the longest-running insurgency in the region.
Nagaland is a mainly Christian state of two million people on India's far northeast border with Myanmar. (Reporting by Biswajyoti Das, Editing by Krittivas Mukherjee)
NSCN abducts officer, 5 jawans
A STAFF REPORTER
Guwahati, Jan. 8: Members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) allegedly kidnapped an Assam Rifles captain and five jawans along with their arms and ammunition at Zhamai in Nagaland’s Phek district today.
Lt Col Nirupam Bhargav, a defence spokesman in Kohima, confirmed the abduction and said Capt. Shapam Momo had gone to Zhamai from Pfutsero town on a routine patrol with the five jawans when they were overpowered by a large number of NSCN cadres.
He said the abducted persons were kept in the nearby NSCN (I-M) designated camp at Kopamedzu and that negotiations were on with the help of village elders to seek their release.
None of the NSCN (I-M) leaders were available for comment till late tonight. The defence spokesman said the Assam Rifles team could be overpowered as it had restrained itself in view of the ceasefire with the outfit.
The rebels, however, did not bother about the ceasefire ground rules and abducted the Assam Rifles personnel, he alleged.
The NSCN (I-M) had recently claimed to have “arrested” several people in connection with extortions, abductions and ransoms as part of “a drive against antisocial elements” in and around Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland.
The information and publicity wing of the NSCN said many of the arrested persons were from its rival NSCN (Khaplang) faction who it later released.
This gesture is also to pave the way for the arrested NSCN (I-M) cadres by the rival group who are yet to be released.
State terror has foreign links: CM
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Jan 9 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today emphasised that development held the key to resolution of the problems of insurgency and terrorism. He maintained that rise in the purchasing power of the common people was more important compared to the coming of the multi-national companies to accelerate development in the State. He was replying to the debate on the Governor’s address in the State Assembly.

He also reiterated that the problem of terrorism in the State had a foreign connection. Though he did not name any country in this connection, he said that the election of Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh would help the State resolve the problem.

To drive home his point on development, he said that terrorism and underdevelopment formed a vicious circle. Therefore, the State Government has attached top priority to development and unemployment and flood and erosion are rated the two bigger problems for the State. Terrorism comes only next to them.

The Government is spending 80 per cent of its funds on developmental schemes, he said, adding, terrorism is dominant in inaccessible areas like the border and char areas and hence these areas need special consideration. The Government has prepared special schemes for these areas, he said.

The growing stress of his Government on development has led to the rise in the growth rate to 8 per cent from the 1.75 per cent during the AGP rule. Similarly, the per capita income of the people has come up to Rs 22,000 now from Rs 10,000 in the previous regime, he said.

That 34 lakh of domestic tourists are visiting the State annually, compared to the 10 lakh in AGP’s time is also suggestive of the developmental activities taking place in the State, he said.

To make the youths fit for jobs, the Government is concentrating on their skill development, and, therefore, he said, training facilities are set up at the development block level, said Gogoi.

In reply to the allegation made by the Opposition members that the Central Government went on to hold talks with the NSCN (IM) despite it adhering to violence, he said that the NSCN faction had given up the demand for a sovereign Nagaland. Instead it has called for a Greater Nagalim, which is also opposed by the Assam Government, he said.

For holding talks with it ULFA needs to shun violence and give up the demand for a sovereign Assam. It should also send its top leaders to the negotiation. If the ULFA top brass comes forward to take part in the negotiation, the Government was willing to release the outfit’s five jailed leaders, he clarified.

In reply to the charge of the Opposition that the State Government had allowed the Pakistani nationals arrested during the AGP rule to go on bail, he said that two Pakistani nationals were still in jail custody.

He also dismissed the charge of the Opposition that the Union Home Minister had criticised the Assam Police for its role in containing insurgency as baseless. Moreover, the Union Home Minister never made any statement that the Central Government would tackle the law and order situation of the State, he said.

Frans on 01.10.09 @ 01:10 PM CST [link]


Tuesday, January 6th

Delhi mulls flushout from Naga camps Big guns holed up in NSCN hideouts A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph



Delhi mulls flushout from Naga camps Big guns holed up in NSCN hideouts A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


NSCN-IM cadres stand guard at a designated camp in Dimapur. A file picture
Guwahati, Jan. 5: The Centre will launch an operation to smoke out leaders and activists of Assam militant outfits holed up in Naga rebel camps in Nagaland.
Highly placed sources in the state home department today said Dispur had pointed out to Delhi that these camps had become a major source of trouble for the state as militants belonging to several outfits like Ulfa, ANLA and DHD (J) were taking refuge there under the patronage of the Naga rebels.
While some senior Ulfa cadres were said to be carrying out their activities from camps of the NSCN (K), militants belonging to the other two outfits were being hosted by the NSCN (I-M) in their camps. “However, given that the government is in a ceasefire with the two Naga outfits, it is Delhi’s responsibility to ensure that their camps are not misused,” a source said, adding that the Centre has assured Dispur that it would take action in the wake of the recent blasts.
Sources said home minister P. Chidambaram was told about the development during his recent visit to the state. A senior police official said Uttam Bengra and John Toppno, the two dreaded ANLA militants involved in the recent Rajdhani blast, top DHD (J) commander Athen Hapila alias Daku, who escaped from a prison in Haflong recently, were holed up in Nagaland.
Recently, several ANLA cadres, including Samson Saha, were apprehended along the Assam-Nagaland border while they crossed over from Nagaland. A police official in Karbi Anglong said it was because of the fact that the ANLA cadres were finding a safe haven in Naga camps that it was becoming increasingly difficult to arrest them. “Operations against the ANLA militants have intensified in recent times, especially after they tried to trigger another blast on the Rajdhani Express. We apprehended a few but most of them are taking shelter across the border,” the official said.
He said though the police have specific information about the ANLA cadres taking shelter in designated Naga militant camps, the cops are helpless since it would be in violation of ceasefire ground rules with Naga militants if those camps were attacked. “We are in touch with our counterparts in Nagaland but they also seem helpless,” the official said.
In fact, the ANLA commander-in-chief, Nirmal Tirki, had revealed that the bomb the outfit used to trigger the blast under the Rajdhani Express in 2007 was bought from Naga militants. Tirki, who was arrested in Jharkhand, is now in the custody of Assam police.
Home department sources said a few cadres of the B company of Ulfa’s 28 battalion were also being sheltered by Naga militant outfits. “As long as Naga militant outfits continue to provide shelter to these Assam militants, it is impossible to apprehend them,” he said.
Army sources in Sivasagar said several hardcore Ulfa cadres of the B company of the 28 battalion were holed up in Mon district of Nagaland, bordering Sivasagar district. “These militants are being provided logistical support by the NSCN (K). These Ulfa cadres cross over the border, carry out strikes in Assam and hop right back,” the army official said.
Intelligence sources said the B company had set up a camp in Mon district recently with the help of the NSCN (K), after the A and C companies declared a unilateral ceasefire in June last year.
Secularism as a civic agenda Pradip Phanjoubam The Statesman
The recent sorry episode where a church at Chingmeirong Kabui village was destroyed by villagers was unfortunate but expected. This is not the first time such an incident has happened and there is no guarantee either that it will not be repeated if the government continues in its ridiculous policy of shutting the stable after the horses have bolted.
A large section of the Zeliangong Naga community, constituting Zemei, Liangmei and Rongmei tribes concentrated in Tamenglong, and the Imphal Valley districts in Manipur, as well as Peren and Kohima in Nagaland, have still resisted conversion to the Christian faith, and retain their indigenous faith to this day, although it does seem like a losing battle.
It is, however, not just amongst the non-Christian Zeliangrong community, but we have also witnessed similar attacks in predominantly Hindu Meitei villages on new Christian converts amongst them. After every one of these explosions of emotion, almost as a routine this author has raised the same alarm that secularism in a good many ways can be, and indeed should be, made a civic agenda as well.
In this sense, because of what it has not done in all these years that the problem began manifesting itself, the near crisis Manipur is witnessing today on this front is of the government’s own making.
This hypothesis will require a little more elaboration. The suggestion by someone who has an understanding of the situation out of intuition born of having lived and breathed the accumulating tensions over the years that led to the flare-up, is that it is not so much about hate for Christians or the Christian faith, but a civic failure on the part of the administration which has allowed this to happen through its insensitive approach.
Secularism as the Manipur government sees it, and indeed as the Indian state by and large sees it, is an ideal and achieving it involves reforming the consciousness of individual citizens so that they are able to tolerate differences. The strategy has also consequently been largely marked by political sermons and homilies, which, as we all know, are so drearily prone to be mere rhetorical lip services of politicians aimed more at electoral gains rather than problem-solving.
One has absolutely no argument with the ideal. Secularism must not be just about tolerating differences but about respecting them as well.
However, while the ideal must definitely be the guiding principle of policies, these policies cannot afford to ignore the reality on the ground. Religion is a very private affair, and those who chose to convert do so by an exercise of private decision. But the problem is, this does not mean one person’s private decision would not ever intrude into the privacy of others around him.
This is where one has been prodding the state administration to step in and do its bit. No, there cannot be a ban on conversion whichever way the conversion happens. The idea is simply ludicrous and goes against the very tenets of democratic ethos, for it would amount to what India-born British author George Orwell so provocatively called “thought policing” in his novel, 1984.
On the other hand, administrative measures in this regard should hinge around giving tangible policy articulation to the metaphors of “private” and “public” spaces, and the need to clearly demarcate them.
As already mentioned earlier in this article, the conversion issue in Manipur is not so much about detesting any religion but of mutual encroachments into privacies, hence success in preventing these encroachments would amount to half the problem solved.
The government, hence, must come up with legislation that demarcates private and public spaces physically, and proclaim that no “new” houses of worship can be allowed in private localities. These edifices, however, can come up in spaces designated as public by the administration, and with the permission of the government.
What often happens as part of the Christian proselytising process in Manipur is a neighbourhood house suddenly transforms into a church with its Sunday masses, hymn-singing and midnight congregation and all else. Even non-Christians who have all respect for Christianity would probably feel the obvious affront in this.
The same would be the case if temples were to spring up at random in Muslim or Christian localities, which is also why we feel the blaring morning bhajans on shrill public address systems that emanate from various camps of Central security forces in the state is distasteful.
Let the government come up with an appropriate and secular policy response, lest we get deeper into the mess and perhaps even land in the kind of induced insensitivity and intolerance the world witnessed in Kashmir in the Amarnath Temple Board land acquisition case earlier last year.
(The author is editor of Imphal Free Press.)
Opposition attacks governor’s speech A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Legislators at the opening session of the Assembly on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Jan. 5: Of his 46-page address, Assam Governor Shiv Charan Mathur barely managed to read three paragraphs in the Assembly today after the Opposition found that the speech did not articulate the true picture of the state.
Mathur had reached only the second para when members of the Opposition began raising uncomfortable questions about the two serial blasts and the Udalguri riots.
Some of the AGP and BJP members also displayed placards seeking resignation of the government amid attempts by the governor to complete his speech.
With the Opposition in no mood to relent, Mathur read out the last para, which allows it to be deemed as read by the Assembly.
Chandra Mohan Patowary, leader of the Opposition, said the speech was not a true reflection of the ground reality and was, instead, trying to glorify a failed government.
The governor’s address, which started with the law and order situation, apparently conveyed anguish over the blasts and the riots and spoke about a multi-pronged strategy to deal with militant groups.
Sustained operations against the recalcitrant groups and peace overtures to those willing for a negotiated settlement formed the core of the strategy.
“The unilateral ceasefire by the A and C companies of Ulfa’s 28 battalion in June is significant and indicative of a desire for peaceful settlement on part of large sections of the militants,” the governor said.
He said the strategy would also include improving the functioning of the police, constitution of a specialised body on the lines of the National Security Guards, setting up of a research and analysis wing and installation of CCTVs in Guwahati and other major towns. The Opposition found the arguments untrue.
“There is no semblance of law and order in the state. Tarun Gogoi should resign as the Centre has virtually taken over the law and order situation. Home minister P. Chidambaram himself has said that the chief minister should concentrate on development and that security forces should tackle law and order problems,” Patowary said.
The Gogoi government should now seek a fresh mandate, he said. The BJP said it would oppose the speech during the debate on the motion of thanks on the governor’s address.
ULFA splits; new faction favours autonomy Nagaland Page
GUWAHATI, JANUARY 4: Making the split in the proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom official, the pro-talks faction of the outfit has given up the demand for sovereignty and announced its readiness to hold talks with the central government within the framework of the Constitution.
The faction said it favours autonomy over sovereignty.
After failing to convince the top leaders of the ULFA, who are suspected to be based in Bangladesh, to come forward for unconditional talks with the government in response to the popular opinion in the state, the pro-talks faction of the outfit has decided to breakaway from the ULFA led by fugitive commander-in-chief Paresh Barua and chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa.
The pro-talks faction comprising Alfa and Charlie companies of the 28th battalion of the ULFA had declared unilateral ceasefire on June 24 to launch a campaign to mount public pressure on the ULFA s top leaders to hold peace negotiation with the government. They resorted to massive campaign to mobilise public opinion for peace talks to find a solution to the vexed problem.
The members of the pro-talks faction are now lodged in designated camps run by the state government.
Leader of the pro-talks faction, Mrinal Hazarika said, "We are ready to sit for dialogue with the Government of India within the framework of the Indian Constitution. Instead of sovereignty, we will now fight for autonomy of the state. We have our charter of demands ready."
He said the pro-talks faction's appeal to ULFA leadership to hold dialogue with the government had failed to evoke any positive response and they were forced to snap all their connections with the banned outfit from now onwards. The group in ceasefire will be known as ULFA (pro-talks) groups from now on, he added. (Agencies)
ULFA, which was formed in April 1979, had expelled its pro-talks faction leaders including Mrinal Hazarika and Jiten Dutta from the primary membership of the outfit for resorting to unwarranted unilateral truce with Government of India. (Agencies)

Open letter to members of Legislative Assembly, Nagaland Nagaland page
Honorable Members,
It is a great pity there is not a single Women representative in the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland; this is not because Democracy prevents Woman; it is because of the wisdom of the political Parties not giving enough responsible Posts in the Organizations to Women and less of Party Tickets during Elections.
Democracy does not discriminate Woman from Election; it discriminates only Criminals. Democracy however does not provide preferential treatment to any; it does not grant privileges to any person or to any section of the Society: Democracy stands for EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ALL. The problem of poor representation of woman in the echelons of Power Houses of the State lies in the treatment of woman in the Party Organizations and not in any lapses of Democracy.
The overwhelming majority of the Cultivators in Nagaland are not much concerned with the Issue of 33 % Seat Reservation for Woman in the Assembly, it does not excite them; it has no relevance to their lives in the cultivations, but when the question is put to them whether they would accept Woman Gambura in the Village Council Body, Villagers express no hesitation to say that in the present circumstances, they do not think it necessary. On the other hand, most of the educated women this Writer has solicited their opinion; from the most highly placed retired Bureaucrat through well known former Parliamentarian to simple housewives, seem to favor the possible legal privilege for them, -quite an understandable thing! We all are human beings!
As Legislators, you are sometimes expected to make decisions even against the popular wishes of the people: the Issue at hand is about EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL rather than temper well tested Democratic principles to favor certain section of the Society. I hope you would decide for Democracy rather than swayed by sentiments or by your immediate personal political gain. I hope I speak for many concerned Nagas from the simple Cultivator to the most learned. To Reserve Legislative Seat for certain section of the society is perhaps undemocratic if unethical.
The solution should be sought in the Political Party Organizations by sharing the Responsible Posts between the two Genders equally rather than temper Democracy. Rules and Regulations may be framed in the Party to share responsible Jobs equally between the Genders. If the Party President is a Male, then the Vice should be a woman; if the Secretary is a woman, the Vice should be a Man and the Election Commission of India may not recognize any Political Party that does not have the prescribed set up.
Reserving Seats for certain sections of the Society in Democracy would be like Church Leaders reserving for themselves the best donated Articles before the Stalls open for sale in a Church Fund raising event for great Missionary Work!
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely.
Thepulhouvi Solo
Now, ‘Naga chilli’ to tackle wild elephants Eastern Mirror
SHILLONG, JAN 5 (PTI): The world’s hottest chilli, ‘Naga chilli’, or ‘bhoot jolokia’ in Assamese dialect, could be the latest weapon against marauding wild elephants that have wrecked havoc in many parts of North East.
‘Bhoot jolokia’, a chilli pepper that grows mostly in Assam, has shot to limelight after the DRDO developed a non-lethal grenade from it that could be used in anti-terrorist operations.
The DRDO and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are now working on developing the ‘chilli’ into a powder that could be coated on fences and ropes to scare away wild pachyderms.
“Two months back, a WWF experiment observed that the chilli could be a good scaring material. Its’ powder when coated on fences and ropes that are erected on routes of the elephants can scare away the giants,” RP Srivastava, director of the Tezpur laboratory of DRDO told PTI. He said trials are being proposed on the experiment soon, and the DRDO and WWF are working to come up with an effective substance that can help in mitigating man-elephant conflict.
The ‘bhoot jolokia’ has been branded as the world’s hottest chilli with the pungency of 855000 scoville units, that is nearly double the scale of Mexican chilli. It is used as a cure for stomach ailments and as a remedy to summer heat, presumably by inducing perspiration.
The DRDO says that the chilli also has qualities that can give physiological impetus, especially to security forces deployed in high altitude areas.


Frans on 01.06.09 @ 02:41 AM CST [link]


Monday, January 5th

2009 Ushers in Hope, for Naga Reconciliation Morung Express News



2009 Ushers in Hope, for Naga Reconciliation Morung Express News

Dimapur | January 4: As the people of Nagaland step into a new year, there is renewed hope and expectation throughout, from church leaders, politicians, bureaucrats to the average citizen, everybody is anticipating a chance for a better tomorrow. After an impacting year 2008, people rest their hopes in lasting peace and development, in the state. When The Morung Express caught up with various sections of the Naga spectrum, most admitted that there are many daunting challenges ahead. Yet there is hope in the people. 2008 may have witnessed a turbulent phase especially in the law and order, not to forget the wave of insecurity faced by civil society. But the people of Nagaland are willing to look ahead again, come 2009, that perhaps things will change for the better this time.
The theme of “Naga Reconciliation” has been at the forefront of many people’s agenda and this New Year too, much expectation is for reconciliation, peace and unity of the Nagas. The Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) which has long been trying to root out “isms” from the Naga community says this year will be a year of “inner search.” Apart from the Naga reconciliation effort which the NBCC fully supports, it hopes to encourage “spiritual reconciliation” among different tribes in Nagaland and drive away the elements of differences. “We cannot only blame the undergrounds for disharmony in our society. We need to search ourselves first in order to usher in peace and development in the state,” Reverend Kari Longchar, Director of the NBCC’s Peace Affairs, says. He said that the NBCC will strengthen churches in Nagaland irrespective of denomination and impress upon them to rededicate to God. Having shed the responsibility of being the sole organization for peace, Reverend Longchar said NBCC fully supports the reconciliation process and shall work hand in hand with other organizations to bring a lasting solution to the Naga political problem.
The government is also making “peace” its first priority this year. With the slogan “peace for development; development for peace,” the government will thrust this agenda and work towards being a “facilitator for peace.” The government is also planning to increase the pace of development in the state. With lack of infrastructure in all sectors and snail-paced development, this is good news for the common man as the man on the street wants development, security and opportunities.
Leaders who have concern for peoples’ welfare and imbibed with good leadership qualities is the need of the hour, according to many of those this daily spoke to. As people hope for better opportunities, women are leaving no stone unturned to get their share as well. Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur, says it will continue to work programmes for the uplift of women and pursue the controversial “33% Women Reservation” as part of their agenda for 2009. Their support to the “Naga Reconciliation” also stands and says it hopes the year will be a “year of reconciliation.”
The Media also hopes to pick up on things which need to be highlighted. Several issues pertaining to the common man that the Media had failed to reach out and address, it will strive to be more variant and relevant. “Media has failed to investigate on many issues and bring more awareness among common people,” Dimapur Press Club president, Dilip Sharma says and wants to make a difference this year. Other journalists also say that reporters need to broaden horizons and venture into areas untouched. Some also feel that the masses and government should recognize the enormity of the Media’s task and service. They ought to give access to journalists to broker more development in the state and highlight issues which will “open the eyes of the government.”
‘Organized corruption behind development fiasco’ Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 3: The newly christened United Naga Democratic Socialist Party (UNDSP) has pointed out that a new economic elite has emerged among the Naga society and that this new elite class consists of corrupt politicians, government officials and business class enjoying the patronage of the politicians and the bureaucrats.
A press note issued by Ntsemo Ngullie, President UNDSP, has observed that the root cause of corruption-based money economy is nothing but the Grant-in-Aid money coming from New Delhi. “The money sent from Delhi is mainly to develop the State so that even the poorest of the poor would get its benefit both directly and indirectly”, the UNDSP stated while alleging that due to “organized corruption practices” in the State, the target group never gets the benefit and that the politicians, bureaucrats and the government contractors and suppliers were enjoying all the development funds at the cost of the general public.
The UNDSP pointed out that the very proof of the above corruption practice was the State elections where candidates on an average spent Rs 9 crores per assembly seat, which had already been surveyed and published by the local media right after the election, it was informed. “Since the public are well convinced that the politicians are going to corrupt away their share for development activities they would ask for money even for their precious votes during the election”, the press note observed while adding that this has become a vicious cycle and was likely to continue unless a new political regime emerges in the State with a clear cut ideology and vision to protect the economic security of the common people. “Therefore, the UNDP has now been re-christened into UNDSP to bring about socialistic principle in the State politics failing which the common people in general will continue to suffer the exploitative system of governance of the privileged class,” the press note stated.
Besides, the UNDSP informed that its motto was “peace and prosperity” and that its main object was to bring about unity and reconciliation of the Nagas; peaceful solution of the Naga political issue and also to bring about all round development through socio-economic and political equality based on democratic and socialistic patterns. The UNDSP further explained that after a thoughtful study on the prevailing socio-economic and political situation of the Naga society, it was considered necessary to rechristen the United Naga Democratic Party into the United Naga Democratic Socialist Party on December 11, 2008.
It also gave the observation that before the advent of the then British-Indian administration in India in the 19th century, Naga society was an agrarian classless society and each village was a republic by itself. Stating that people were known for their simplicity, honesty, integrity and bravery, it was pointed out that with the passage of time the old cultural values were eroded mainly due to cultural invasions.
On the political situation, the UNDSP was of the view that at this juncture the general public had become confused to choose between the Naga nationalist led government and the State government under the Government of India and Myanmar. “In this process the entire socio-economic and political situation have been jumbled up and the old self sufficient agrarian economy has been replaced by money economy which has brought about economic imbalance in the State,” the UNDSP stated.
Congress members resign; join NPF under 46 AC morungexpress
Dimapur : Several active members of the Congress party under 46 AC, Mon town, have reportedly quit to join the NPF in support of N Thongwang Konyak, an ex-candidate from the constituency. The active members who resigned include Pintok, general secretary of VCC (I), Tahkai, Khonglem, Tingkam, Pennyem and Ngamshong, along with 30 households under 46 AC, Mon town, of Totok Chingkho.
Pointing out that they had lost confidence in Congress MLA Chingwang Konyak representing 46 AC, a press note stated that they were totally deprived of any kind of developmental works in every field. The note also stated that the NPF party was working to pave way for peace, prosperity and development under the able leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. This, they stated, had influenced them to join the NPF.
The NPF president of 46 AC Mon town, Tingtong Konyak, has warmly welcomed the members along with the 30 households and called for working in cooperation for the upliftment of the NPF party in the future, besides providing support to the party candidate in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.
Alleged cadres imposing 'godown tax' Newmai News Network
Imphal | January 4:Uncertainty looms large in Manipur over the availability of cooking gas as some miscreants claiming themselves to be NSCN-IM cadres allegedly have turned back some 15 empty gas tankers from Maram in Senapati district on Friday. With this recent development, the gas tanker owners have appealed the NSCN-IM to give necessary clarification whether it made any commitment to the cease-fire monitoring cell that the outfit would not disturb gas tankers of Manipur while playing along the Imphal-Kohima highway.
It is worth noting that Manipur chief minister O. Ibobi Singh had assured gas tankers owners sometimes back that the NSCN-IM would not disturb the transporters anymore. On Sunday, drivers of the gas tankers alleged that some individuals claiming themselves to be NSCN-IM cadres had insisted that unless 'godown tax' was paid to the NSCN-IM by the gas distributors there should not be any gas tanker service until Sekmai gas bottling plant in Imphal West.
During the first week of December, the gas tankers had stopped their supply for a while after some elements claiming themselves as cadres of NSCN-IM allegedly turned back more than 10 empty tankers from Maram in Senapati demanding that “godown tax” be paid. The tankers, however, resumed service on December 29 after a high level government team led by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh assured a delegation of the tanker owners on December 27 that the cease-fire monitoring cell in Dimapur assured the state government that the NSCN (IM) would not disturb Manipur gas tankers.
According to reports, Manipur police detained two tanker drivers on Friday for more information after the tankers were turned back allegedly by NSCN (IM) cadres demanding tax. The drivers of gas tankers are frustrated despite the assurance made by the Manipur government that NSCN-IM would not hinder tanker movement the disturbance continues. Transporters from Manipur are presently refiling gas from Assam and the bottling plant at Sekmai in Imphal West.

No IM tax demand : CFMG By Our Staff Reporter Sangai
IMPHAL, Jan 4: Amid severe shortage of cooking gas (LPG) in the State owing to alleged monetary demand by the NSCN (IM), Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) General Mandhita has reportedly denied that the Naga rebel group had made any such demand.
According to a highly placed source here, the CFMG Chairman contacted officials concerned of the State Government and issued a clarification that officially cleared the NSCN (IM) from any involvement in levying tax of Rs 15 lakh from the Sekmai Gas (LPG) Bottling Plant as well as LPG distributors.
Apart from denying involvement of the IM group, which is currently observing a ceasefire and having talks with New Delhi, Gen Mandhita is said to have commented that involvement of the rebel outfit’s splinter/breakaway group/s making the monetary demand could not be ruled out.
Significantly the Army officer, according to the source, sought detailed information from the State government such as schedule of movement of bullet tankers/LPG carriers, the exact location where the incident of stopping and turning back the vehicles occurred so that the Army could initiate necessary action.
More information on the LPG impasse could be extracted by The Sangai Express when contact was established with the individual through the telephone (mobile) number which was reportedly handed to Bullet Tanker operators for communication on the tax demand.
The individual in question claiming to be a member of the GPRN also conveyed his name and designation in the outfit but insisted that such details should not be published in the newspaper as he is not authorised to comment on the matter by the GPRN’s Ministry of Information and Publicity. Conceding that the tax demand was indeed made, he said to establish mutual understanding and sustain cordiality between the outfit and the transporters/distributors the said amount was ‘urged’ verbally as favourable response from the distributors was expected.
Further insisting that distributors ought to cough up the said amount, the GPRN member contended that as 30 percent tax is being levied by the Government from the distributors the GPRN insistence for the minimal amount is justifiable as LPG carriers (bullet tankers) pass through GPRN territories.
Informing that the tax demand was made verbally and no demand letter had been served on the matter, he also held the authorities of the Sekmai Bottling Plant responsible for the shortage in cooking gas faced by consumers of Manipur.
Further expressing that the issue could have been resolved through negotiation, the GPRN member also disclosed of LPG distributors in the ‘Group A’ category of amassing income to the tune of Rs 25 lakh annually whereas profit earned for every truck load of LPG stands at Rs 2000.
Taking into account the profit figure of the distributors the GPRN merely sought minimal contribution, he reiterated during the telephonic conversation.
The individual also recounted when LPGs were carried in ‘pack truck’ the NSCN (IM) used to levy godown tax but the tax collection module had to be dropped as the sekmai Bottling Plant technically served as the LPG storage godown.
He also disclosed that after setting up of the Sekmai plant the IM group had been levying daily tax of Rs 300 for each truck-load or Rs 5000 annually.
In another startling revelation some bullet tanker operators speaking to the Sangai Express at near the Sekmai bottling plant on condition of anonymity contended that there is strong apprehension of certain drivers conniving with the armed group in the godown tax demand of Rs 15 lakh against the distributors.
Claiming that about 10 bullet tanker operators out of many drivers engaged for supply to the Plant operate as a different constellate seldom interacting with their colleagues (majority group).
Coincidentally, the two bullet tanker drivers reportedly at the custody of the rebel group are from this cluster, they claimed and provided inputs with regard to the hijack of a bullet tanker in December last from near Maram.
Identifying driver of the hijacked bullet tanker as a Nepali individual called Raman, the drivers during the interaction at the Sekmai plant insisted that Raman was reluctant to share information regarding the hijack story other than saying that the vehicle was taken to an interior location in Senapati district.

Bid to bring together Bodo groups Staff reporter Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Jan 4 – It would be an attempt at going back to the roots so as to bring together various Bodo groups scattered across the length and breadth of the country and even outside the country. The silver jubilee celebration of the Bodo Writers Academy scheduled from January 18 at Bagduar Nwgwr, Bijni, Chirang, is going to emerge as the platform for various Bodo groups of Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Delhi, Tamil Nadu etc to interact and discover their similarities and assimilated dissimilarities.

The event will also feature the first ever concerted endeavour to build the bond of camaraderie especially between Bodo groups concentrated in NC Hills, Tripura and in the plains of Assam.

The get-together has been termed as the Bodo National Festival which will start from January 22 on the sidelines of the silver jubilee celebrations. A book fair on the same venue will be another attraction of the event.

Addressing mediapersons on Sunday, Biswajit Daimary, MP, Rajya Sabha and president of the Bodo National Festival Committee said that despite having the same roots, the Bodos living in different parts of the country were ignorant about each other and there was a communication gap between them. “We hope to build the bridge of friendship between the Bodo groups through this platform,” said Daimary adding that discussion was on with the Dimasa Sahitya Sabha and Kok Borok Sahitya Sabha of Tripura to make the festival an annual affair.

It needs to be mentioned here that around 300 Bodos from Nepal are expected to participate in the event that will not only highlight the cultural identity of each Bodo group, but will also have seminars and discussion sessions on Bodo literature, culture, history, language and national buildings.

The curtains will come down on the 8-day extravaganza with a pledge to promote amity and cultural exchange between the groups.

City blast explosives supplier arrested Correspondent Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Jan 4 – Police today achieved an important breakthrough into the investigation of January 1 serial blasts in the city and arrested ULFA cadre Sanjeeb Talukdar (20), who, according to police, supplied the explosives used for triggering all the three blasts in Guwahati. Based on Sanjeeb’s statement, a few more arrests were made. Some more ULFA cadres, according to police, are likely to be arrested in the next 24 hours.

GP Singh, Deputy Inspector General (Central West Range) told The Assam Tribune that police have laid hands on some very specific clues after the arrest of Talukdar.

“The investigation is heading in the right direction and very soon those involved in the blasts would be booked,” Singh said. However, he refused to divulge any details, saying, “Interrogation is on and it would be premature to divulge anything at this moment.”

Talukdar, who acted as a carrier for the ULFA’s 709 battalion, handed over the explosives to Pranjal Deka, a couple of days before the explosions took place in Guwahati. Talukdar hails from Rangiya district and was arrested by the city police this morning.

Police claimed that the deal between Pranjal Deka and Sanjeeb Talukdar was being co-ordinated by Khagen Kalita, self-styled sergeant major of the outfit’s 709 battalion over phone. The explosives, according to police, were handed over to Deka near Adabari bus station. Based on Talukdar’s statement, police intensified the combing operation and also picked up some youths from different parts of the city. It needs mention that city police, on Friday, released the photograph of ULFA cadre Pranjal Deka, who according to security agencies had masterminded the serial blasts on the New Year day.

Another senior Assam Police official, when contacted, said that the hunt for Pranjal Deka is on across the State and some vital clues about his movement have been gathered in the last 24 hours.



Frans on 01.05.09 @ 02:32 AM CST [link]


Sunday, January 4th

Naga insurgents force truck detour morungexpress



Naga insurgents force truck detour morungexpress

Imphal : Altogether 17 trucks that were to collect gas from Assam were stopped at a Maram area in Senapati district and forced to return to Imphal by Naga militants. Official sources said Saturday that the reason was for ‘non-payment of demand money’. Sources said in all, 19 trucks left for the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plant at Awang Sekmai near Imphal on Saturday to collect gas from Assam but they were stopped by the militants who said to be cadres of the outfit NSCN-IM. While the first two trucks crossed the Manipur-Nagaland border at Mao, the drivers of the remaining trucks were told that there was no “agreement” between the government and NSCN-IM ‘over the issue’. The militants forced the trucks to return to Imphal, sources said. They said the NSCN-IM had demanded Rs 15 lakh as “godown tax” from the bottling plant. Sources said the state government had earlier informed the Dimapur-based cease fire monitoring centre (CFMC) to pressurize NSCN-IM as the outfit was having ‘peace’ talks with the central government for the past ten years. Meanwhile, sources in the bottling plant said they would stop distributing cooking gas cylinders to customers as there was no gas at the plant.
Lotha Hoho Dimapur condemns morungexpress
Dimapur, January 3 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho Dimapur has vehemently condemned the attempt made on the life of one Chibenthung Lotha, Deputy Kilongser of ‘NSCN’, by some unidentified miscreants on December 27, 2008. Y K Ovung, Chairman of LHD, in a press release stated, “At this outset the Hoho also calls upon all right thinking citizens to condemn such cowardly and barbaric act.”

Picturesque Lungwa attracts tourists Nagarealm.com
When you talk of border or boundary, the immediate perception in our mind is that it would prohibit our movement beyond an area. But in the case of residents of Lungwa village in Nagaland's Mon district bordering Myanmar's Saigang division, it is not so as the village has a different tale.

Nearly 5000 villagers of Lungwa, whose occupation is cultivation, hardly recognises border or boundary as there is no restriction to their movement not so speak of agricultural activities across the borders. Interestingly, the international boundary line between Myanmar and India that passes in the middle portion of the village also divides the village chief’s (Angh) huge hut.

"We've a saying that our Chief dines in India and sleeps in Myanmar in his own house as the boundary line demarcates his kitchen and bedroom," Aching Konyak, a village youth said. There was no proper administration in Konyak inhabited areas of Nagaland till 1963. It came only after the two countries drew the international boundary that demarcates Konyaks of Nagaland and Myanmar not to speak of those in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap and Chanlang districts.

In spite of having the border pillars, including the one BP 154 which was erected way back in 1970-71 and still stands tall atop Lungwa range, the villagers of this Konyak village do not bother about it as they have their relatives across the border since time immemorial. Many villagers visit Pangmei village, border town in Myanmar, for business purposes daily. "Even two of my sons were serving in Myanmar army," Chief Loknang, who converted to Christianity in 1984, told a visiting journalists team in Konyak dialect recently.

However, the village gets regular financial help from the Nagaland government for various developments, particularly the agricultural activities, the husband of 10 wives and father of 20 children narrated. Moreover, the villagers have a good relationship with the personnel of 37 Assam Rifles posted in Lungwa village to guard the border as well as the Myanmar army. Echoing a similar feeling, Minphong Konyak, joint secretary of Konyak Union said, "We don't recognize particular boundaries here," adding ‘it would be good, if there are no border pillars’.

The present Nagaland has the least number of Konyak population comparing to those in Myanmar, he observed and added that the total population of Konyak tribes in Indo-Myanmar region would be over 20 lakhs. For its picturesque view located at the tri-junction of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar, Lungwa attracts many tourists, both domestic and international, every year. Konyaks are artisans by birth and their wood carving skills could be make out easily after seeing their traditional ornaments and other structures in the village particularly in Chief's palace.

In fact these villagers are dreaming of having a border trade centre through their village with Myanmar after the government once made an announcement in this regard in the line of Moreh in Manipur sector of the Indo-Myanmar international boundary. "Of course they (government officials) visited our village sometime ago, but there's nothing in the village as of now" Aching lamented. Though the village is located in Nagaland, there's no proper motor-able road from Kohima to reach the village. As a result, the villagers are depending on Assam roads. Likewise those who wish to visit Lungwa need to drive through highways in Assam to reach the destinatio. [Sobhapati Samom, EMN]

Daimary issues warning OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kokrajhar, Jan. 3: Accusing the government of walking away from the ceasefire, the Ranjan Daimary-led faction of the NDFB today warned of renewing its war for the liberation of Bodos.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Daimary also described his expulsion from the NDFB by the B. Sungthagra-led faction as “ridiculous”.
“After waging a war for 18 years for the legitimate rights of the Bodo people when almost all the leaders were either in jail or missing, I declared the ceasefire on October 4, 2004, to solve the Indo-Bodoland issue peacefully and democratically. As requested by the Government of India, the proposed agenda to initiate the talks was also submitted to the Centre on May 1, 2008. But it is unfortunate that instead of initiating the talks, the Government of India outright rejected the proposed agenda and started dictating terms to the NDFB. Therefore, who is to blame for ending the ceasefire and the failure of the talks? Now the NDFB shall have no other option but to renew the war for the liberation of Bodoland,” the statement said.
Daimary said after he had already stated that he was not the president of those who have capitulated on the ideology and principles of the NDFB and adopted a resolution to take part in Indian elections, his expulsion by the group was “nothing but ridiculous”.
“Those who have betrayed the national principle and deviated from the ideology and principle of the NDFB do not have any moral authority to talk about my expulsion,” the statement said.
Daimary said that Sungthagra, who had just come out of jail after six years, and whose hands are stained with blood of innocent people, did not have the moral authority to speak of humanity and rights violation.
Masterminds identified - Seven-member Ulfa group behind blasts, say cops A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Assam Governor Shiv Charan Mathur interacts with a blast victim at MMC Hospital in Guwahati on Saturday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati/Kokrajhar, Jan. 3: A seven-member group of Ulfa militants, who entered the city before December 29, had carried out the January 1 serial blasts in Guwahati, police sources claimed today.
The sources claimed that the newly recruited cadres were given a 15 to 20-day crash course in handling explosives before they entered the city from lower Assam to carry out several blasts on New Year’s eve. The group, however, failed to plant the bombs where they wanted because of tight security.
The sources claimed that the masterminds behind these blasts were two leaders of Ulfa’s 709 battalion, Akash Thapa and Amrit Baruah, who were at present taking shelter along the Indo-Bhutan border.
The police have also identified two bombers, Pranjal Deka and Sailen Das, and arrested nine persons, most of whom have either links with militants or had provided shelter to them.
Pranjal, the main suspect, used to stay in the house of Dharani Das in Roopnagar as a tenant. City police had released Pranjal’s photograph and arrested Das yesterday. Both Pranjal and Das hail from Dwarkuchi village in Baksa district. Sailen, the second bomber identified, also comes from a lower Assam village.
The police are still clueless about the other five bombers.
Pranjal’s alleged involvement in the blasts has left Dwarkuchi shocked. After seeing his photograph flashed in newspapers and TV channels, the villagers said it was difficult to believe that a simple boy like him could be involved in the blasts.
“It is hard to believe that Pranjal could be involved in the bomb blasts or have any connection with Ulfa. He is from a very poor family,” said Nanda Deka, a villager. Another villager said Ulfa could have lured Pranjal with money. The villagers last saw him on Thursday morning.
Pranjal, the eldest son of a poor farmer couple, Putul and Riju Deka, had dropped out of school after Class VII because of financial constraints. He has two sisters, aged 14 and 12, and two brothers, aged 6 and 4.
Baksa superintendent of police P.K. Dutta said Pranjal’s name was not in the administration’s list of Ulfa rebels.
In a related development, forensic experts have revealed that “small quantity of TNT” was used in all the three blasts on Thursday, pointing fingers at home-grown outfits which have used the same substance in earlier explosions, excluding the October 30 blasts in which RDX was used.
A high-level team of officials, headed by chief secretary P.C. Sharma, briefed chief minister Tarun Gogoi late this evening on the matters to be raised at the chief ministers’ conference on internal security in New Delhi on Tuesday.
In another development, two powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered from Routa station weekly market in Udalguri this morning. The bombs, weighing 7kg each, were kept inside a plastic bag and placed beside a tree. Army bomb experts later defused them.
Assam Governor Shiv Charan Mathur today visited the victims of Thursday’s Bhootnath blast at Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital here. He met all the 16 injured as well as the hospital authorities and instructed the latter to provide the best possible treatment to the wounded. The governor also visited the blast site at Bhootnath on his way back from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport after seeing off Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Hasina should act against NE ultras: PM Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Jan 3 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said terrorists using Bangladesh to carry out attacks against India was a cause of worry and hoped Sheikh Hasinas new government would take appropriate measures in this regard. Singh who was here to inaugurate the 96th Indian Science Congress said that he hoped that the new government in Bangladesh would take appropriate measures and not allow terrorism to grow from its soil.

Admitting that northeast based insurgents groups were sheltering in the neighboring country, the Prime Minister said that matter was brought to the notice of successive Bangladesh governments in the past without any much success.

However, Indias hope was rekindled with Shiekh Hasina and her party, the Awami League and its allies winning a landslide victory in the general elections. Hasina has already said that Bangladesh was willing to cooperate with India to fight terrorism jointly.

We hope that the new government in Bangladesh would ensure that its soil wont be allowed for acts of terror against India, especially the northeast, Singh said adding, India was committed to root out the growing menace of terrorism and Naxalism, despite initial setbacks.

Ruling out talks with insurgent groups before they laid down arms, Singh asserted that the government would not compromise with those who have taken up guns to find solution.

On the Mumbai terror attacks, Singh said war was no solution but reiterated that Pakistan must act against the perpetrators of the attack and hand over those involved behind the horrible terrorists to India.

We have been pressing on Pakistan to hand over the terrorists responsible for the Mumbai attacks without success. We hope better sense will prevail on the Pakistani leadership and it will recognise that tackling terrorism is an area that needed mutual cooperation,

Meanwhile, Singh also expressed concern over Bangladeshi infiltration into India and said the fencing work along the Indo-Bangla border needs to be expedited. The government is worried about infiltration and fencing work needs to expedited, Singh said.

Frans on 01.04.09 @ 04:07 AM CST [link]


Saturday, January 3rd

NDFB expels founder president for Assam bombings Agencies



NDFB expels founder president for Assam bombings Agencies

GUWAHATI : The frontline Assam tribal separatist group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) on Thursday expelled its founder president D.R. Nabla alias Ranjan Daimary for his role in the serial explosions in Assam in October which killed nearly 100 people. The decision by the outlawed NDFB to expel its former president follows a confessional statement by arrested rebel leader Ajay Basumatary that the serial explosions Oct 30 in Assam were masterminded by Nabla.
"We are shocked and surprised that D.R. Nabla was directly involved in the series of explosions. The NDFB, therefore, unanimously decided to expel Nabla from the outfit as a disciplinary action," B. Sungthagra, the new president of the NDFB, said in a statement. "The act (serial explosions) is undoubtedly an act of terrorism and can never be part of a revolutionary struggle," the rebel statement said.
The NDFB replaced its Bangladesh-based president last month with a new leader and announced its decision to contest next year's parliamentary elections either 'directly or indirectly'. The NDFB general assembly that met Dec 15, 2008 replaced its founder president Nabla and appointed his deputy Sungthagra alias Dhiren Boro as their leader. The NDFB is a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe with the outfit in a ceasefire with New Delhi since 2005. The ceasefire expired Wednesday but the central government is yet to extend it.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram told journalists in New Delhi on Wednesday that the ceasefire extension with the NDFB would depend on the report of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) currently probing the Assam bombings. "We have asked the central government not to extend the ceasefire with the NDFB," said Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday. Nabla last week claimed he was still the president of the NDFB despite the outfit's national assembly deciding to remove him from the post.

Why more factional violence in 2008 than 2007 Nagaland Page
The fact is that there should be peace and unity among the Naga brothers. And it has been the solemn expectation of general public to see working together all Naga national workers. Unexpectedly it appeared to be part of the peoples¢ expectation that had happened in 2007 that some Sumis defected from the NSCN-IM faction knocking the ear doors of Th. Muivah and Isak Swu and formed unification group on 23rd November 2008. But contrary to the expectation, within a brief time of four months, the unification group rejoined Khaplang group on 8th May 2008. Hence more bloodshed took place again among the Naga brothers and K- group faced heavy loss of lives. Remarkably, after they accepted the FGN Army who deserted on 6th May 2008 with 10 arms from Sumi Region, such as when fighting took place with IM group on 16th May 2008 at Patkai College area, 14 of them were killed and took away all of their arms and ammunitions by IM group. Again on 4th June 2008 at Xelhoshe village, Dimapur, 12 of them were killed and captured their arms by IM group, also on June 23 to 26, 2008, nine of them were killed and 43 vehicles were burned down when their camp at Vihokhu village was over run by IM group.
It had noticeably happened in the past too that when K- group violated the peace of January 1991 with the NNC/FGN they have faced loss of lives. In 1993, they fought against the FGN Army in Ao Region, they have lost many lives, and the leader who ordered to fight against the FGN Army was also fell in the hands of IM group and killed. On November 26, 1996, K- group who were stationed in and around Jotsoma village, took away 3 FGN Army from Kohima Town and tortured them brutally. There, it had happened on 24th December 1996 that, one of K- Army personnel from that Jotsoma Camp fired upon his fellow men and killed three of them and caused injury to Head Chaplain of K- group, lastly he turned his gun on himself and committed suicide. Who tortured FGN Army was also faced vehicle accident and fractured his knee, and later died of cancer. Again in May 2000, P.Y. Chingmak Chang, Dy. Kilonser of K-group abducted FGN Kilonser Eno L. Palang along with Naga Army and took away four arms from them. Then after, P.Y. Chingmak faced thundered and died of it after four months.
After 1980, killing among the Nagas was started instead of fighting against the aggressors, and more factional violence had been taking place after the so-called NSCN split into two factions in 1988. The NSCN leaders had gone astray from the path God is leading Naga nation and killing among them is being taking as part of divine punishment. Because the Almighty God foretold them several times that if they do not obey the word of God, the killing among them would surely happen. It is the need of hour to realize that God is leading the Naga nation and must come into the path God is leading the Naga nation, which is the meeting point for all of us to reunite and to have peace among us. Let this year 2009 be the year of peace among the Naga brothers.
Thomas, NNC Member.

Jamir for end to dowry system DIMAPUR, JAN 2 (NPN):


Vice Chancellor of University of Mumbai Dr Vijay Khole presents a portrait of Smt Savitribai Phule to the Governor of Maharashtra and Chancellor of the University S. C. Jamir on Friday at Mumbai.
Pitching the need for a change in the perception of Indian society towards women, Governor of Maharashtra S. C. Jamir Friday said putting an end to the menace of dowry system would go a long way in addressing many problems faced by women. He was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day National Seminar on ‘Gender and Caste’ organised by the Women Development Cell and the Centre for Human Development of the University of Mumbai. Asserting that the dowry system lay at the vortex of discrimination against women, Jamir said the society should overcome its deep mental blocks about women’s efficiency and capacity to participate in the decision making process. “Overcoming such mental blocks is the first challenge to women’s empowerment” he said.
The Governor also expressed the need to have separate provision for women in the budget and felt that the legislature should have focused its discussion on women’s issues. Jamir pointed out that the President of India has recently constituted a Committee of Governors to study and recommend strategies for speedy economic development and empowerment of women. He said that the Committee has recommended establishment of a women’s council at the national level to be headed by the Prime Minister and a similar women’s council in the State to be headed by the Chief Minister. These councils having women representatives and NGOs as members will review the progress of implementation of programmes relating women’s development.
Vice-Chancellor of University of Mumbai, Dr Vijay Khole; eminent feminist historian, Dr Uma Chakravarty; Chairperson of Women Development Cell, Dr Kranti Jejurkar and Co-ordinator of the Centre for Women Development, Dr Ritu Dewan also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, the Governor garlanded the portrait of Smt. Savitribai Phule.
The Bodo battleground: Ominous portents DATELINE Guwahati/Wasbir Hussain The Sentinel
The National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), one of the region’s frontline separatist groups, has split into two factions (pro and anti-talks), and that’s official now. The group’s exiled president Ranjan Daimary alias D. R. Nabla was replaced by his deputy, vice-president B. Sungthagra alias Dhiren Boro last month. Nabla responded by claiming he continues to be the president and dubbed the Boro faction as having literally sold-out to the Government. On the first day of the New Year, January 1, the Dhiren Boro group expelled Nabla from the outfit. This after an arrested NDFB cadre told police that the October 30, 2008 serial blasts that had rocked Asom was carried out under direct orders from Nabla.
But, that is not the big news anymore on the Bodo insurgency front. The big news is that the Government has not extended the ceasefire with the NDFB that expired on December 31, 2008. “The truce has not been extended. I agree that the situation is nebulous now and action will be taken by the security forces against NDFB cadres who are outside the designated camps,” a top Assam Government official told this writer on Thursday. But, in all probability, the ceasefire with the Dhiren Boro faction will be extended sooner than later, particularly after this group has made enough demonstration of having distanced itself from the Nabla group. Dhiren Boro has since described the October 30 blasts as a clear act of terrorism.
That the Bodo insurgent group, on a ceasefire with the Indian Government since May 25, 2005, has actually split had become clear on December 15, 2008 when some of its top leaders held a ‘general assembly’ at a truce-time designated camp in Assam and replaced its exiled president Nabla. NDFB vice-president Dhiren Boro, physically present and in the open in Asom, was elected president, leading to speculations in the media whether the rebel group has split into pro and anti-talk factions.
Nabla himself set aside all speculations on December 27, 2008 when he sent an e-mail to journalists confirming the split. Daimary, believed by Indian authorities to be based and operating from Bangladesh, said: “…I am still the president of the NDFB that has been fighting for the last 22 years for the right to national self-determination, independence and sovereignty of the Boro people.” The exiled NDFB leader made it clear that he was not representing those of his group’s cadres who, he said, have “capitulated the ideology and principle of the NDFB by submitting a memorandum on the 30th September, 2008 to the Government of India and who have adopted a resolution to take part in Indian elections.”
This development—that is likely to trigger fresh fratricidal clashes among rebel factions in Asom’s western and northern Bodo tribal heartland— raises questions as to whether going for a ceasefire with insurgent groups is a right approach in the quest for peace. For more than three years after the NDFB-New Delhi truce, it appeared as if the entire NDFB top-brass was on board. That it was not the case became clear when several NDFB cadres were found to have been involved in the deadly bomb explosions in Asom on October 30, 2008 that killed 89 people and injured more than 500 others. Besides, recent video footage showed Nabla himself inspecting a passing out parade of new NDFB recruits at a base, which intelligence sources say, is located in Bangladesh despite the group being on a ceasefire with the Government.
If Nabla —founder president of the NDFB (formed on October 3, 1986)— was keeping his fighting machine oiled, leaders like Dhiren Boro and general secretary B Swmkhwr alias Govinda Basumatary went out of their way to extend the olive branch to the authorities, particularly after the heat in the wake of the October 30, 2008 blasts. The Asom-based leadership sought to distance itself from Nabla & Co. and quickly replaced him with Dhiren Boro as the new president. Besides, to halt the long arm of the law, the Assam-based leaders announced they would directly or indirectly participate in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. “…We are thinking of playing a role in the elections,” the pro-talk NDFB faction has said. The group headed by Dhiren Boro and Govinda Basumatary tried hard to hammer home the point to the authorities that the entire NDFB as a group cannot be blamed for acts of terror that may have been committed by a faction in the group or those owing allegiance to hardliners like Nabla. The divide was clear and Nabla’s statement on December 27, 2008 only confirmed the split.
The Government now has new challenges in hand—the possibility of clashes between pro and anti-talk NDFB factions is indeed high. Secondly, the Government, both at the Centre and the State, have suddenly realized that Bodo insurgency was not going to end after all even if a peace agreement was reached with the NDFB group headed by Dhiren Boro and Govinda Basumatary. The Nabla faction too is aware of the challenges facing the group. Therefore, the clever ploy by Nabla to seek peace with the cadres of the now disbanded Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT). “Today, as president of the NDFB, I declare to stop all enmity between NDFB and ex-BLT members on the basis and spirit of 1999 agreement between BLT and NDFB. So I appeal (to) our members and ex-BLT cadres to refrain from attacking each other for the greater interest of the Boro nation,” Nabla said in the statement. The exiled NDFB leader knows that he cannot afford to have both the pro-talk NDFB faction and the former BLT men as his enemies.
Aside from the challenges at hand, the Government’s strategy of postponing peace by letting the ceasefire with rebel groups on a truce mode linger on needs tough questioning. Examples of insurgent groups on ceasefire in the Northeast getting restive and breaking away can be found in plenty. The two best examples are the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah faction) or the NSCN-IM and now, the NDFB. The NSCN already had two factions (the other being the Khaplang faction or the NSCN-K), but the tortuous road to peace as evident by the inability of the group and the Government to reach any agreement had led to infighting and eventually a split. The formation of the NSCN (Unification) on November 23, 2007 by some NSCN-IM cadres headed by its one-time ‘home minister’ Azheto Chopey is a case in point. The latest turn of events within the NDFB leading to the split is another example of long ceasefires without any tangible resolution of the conflict triggering factionalism within insurgent groups.
The security establishment might actually be happy that groups like the NSCN or the NDFB have suffered splits. But as things stand on the ground, these are not welcome developments in so far as finding lasting peace in any insurgency theatre is concerned. Aside from having to deal with internecine violence, the Government in such a faction-ridden insurgency theatre will be required to accommodate the socio-political aspirations of several factions within a small playing arena. In the Bodo heartland of Asom, for instance, three major rebel forces are currently at play: (a) the former BLT militants who have since transformed into a political party called the Bodo People’s Front (BPF) and is in power at the autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC); (b) the Dhiren Boro faction of the NDFB that is the faction on a ceasefire and making its intention of joining electoral politics clear, and (c) the hardline NDFB faction headed by Nabla that is obviously outside the purview of the truce. This means, three major forces, aside from the mainstream political forces, are fighting for the same political space, all promising to work for the interest of their community, the Bodos.
Another question can be asked: can the Nabla faction of the NDFB be isolated? Or, will the Nabla faction become irrelevant in Bodo politics with the passage of time since a major group is out in the open and is talking of reconciliation with New Delhi? That may not quite happen because if the authorities now come to take the Dhiren Boro faction for granted and adopt their favourite strategy of postponing peace by not putting the peace talks on the fast track to reach a possible solution, it could well be this faction (headed by Dhiren Boro) that may end up getting isolated. If that happens, the Nabla faction will once again come to call the shots and make a comeback with fresh recruitments and fresh acts of violence. Will the Government then start afresh by extending an olive branch to the Nabla group? This can be a never ending process really.
It is time the Government reviews its step-by-step approach at peace-making in the country, particularly in the Northeast. As things stands today, ceasefires with insurgent groups are clearly nothing but a time-buying mechanism adopted by the authorities to restore a semblance of order in the insurgency theatres across the region. Often the authorities are clueless as to how they are going to take the peace process to the next level after reaching a truce with a rebel group. On their part, rebel groups agree to truce offers or offer truce on their own as a tactical ploy to get the pursuing security force off its back and regroup. The Government needs to think if it should henceforth make it mandatory for the top leaders of any insurgent group to agree to come out from hiding and stay in designated camps before a ceasefire agreement is signed.
IM forces bullet trucks to turn back By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 2: For the second time, 19 LPG carrier bullet trucks have been reportedly forced to return from Maram area inspite of the presence of escort personnel by armed cadres of the NSCN (IM) today. In connection with its demand for payment of Rs 15 lakhs as godown tax from the LPG distributors and the LPG bottling plant of the AOC (AOD) at Awang Sekmai, the outfit had forced 20 bullet trucks from Imphal to turn back on December 8 last and one of the LPG loaded truck was detained on December 10 last.
According to information received by the press, in all 19 LPG carrier bullet trucks left Imphal along with escort.
However the trucks were intercepted by some armed persons who identified themselves as cadres of NSCN (IM) at Maram area who told the driver of the first truck to turn back saying that the report of signing an ‘agreement’ published in newspapers and broadcasted on radio was false. However, before the armed persons could stop two of the trucks escaped and managed to reach Khuzuma.
Talking to mediapersons, one truck driver identified as Dhanga Prasad of Charhajare informed that the armed persons threatened them not to come that side until the demand is met. Otherwise, they would be shot dead without any warning.
Prasad recalled that it was around 12.15 pm when the trucks were stopped by the armed persons and the place was not far from Don Bosco School, Maram. Confronted by the armed persons, some of the security personnel who were escorting the trucks in five Gypsies suggested that it would be better for them to return as there is no agreement while some others insisted that they should go forward and they (security personnel) were there to protect them.
Afterward, caught in a perplexing situation, all the remaining 17 trucks turned back while the escort party went ahead to Mao to bring back bullet trucks and other oil tankers which were expected to arrive from Assam, the driver informed, adding that they were also detained by the Senapati OC at Senapati Bazar for almost one hour.
It may noted here that following the December 8 last incident of forcing the bullet trucks to return back, transporters launched a cease work strike and the functioning of the bottling plant at Awang Sekmai came to a grinding halt from December 16. On December 27, transporters met the Chief Minister. During the meeting which was also attended by Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home), Commission (IFC) and DGP, the Chief Minister convinced the transporters they can called off their agitation as the matter had been brought to the notice of the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell of the Government of India and Naga rebel group. Consequently, the transporters resumed their service from December 29. Out of 64 trucks that had left Imphal since the resumption of service, 33 loaded trucks arrived on December 31 and the work at the bottling plant resumed on January 1 and supply of the domestic LPG cylinders continued till today.
Meanwhile, the dejected truck drivers who were forced to return back empty-handed today have decided not to ply their trucks until the resolution of the impasse. Over and above this, they have also decided to stop transportation of filled domestic LPG cylinders from the bottling plant at Awang Sekmai.
Mastermind of city blasts identified
Correspondent Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Jan 2 – City police today released the photograph of Pranjal Deka alias Biju Saraniya alias Bhambhal (20), the dreaded cadre of ULFA’s 709 battalion, who according to security agencies, masterminded all the three blasts in Guwahati on January 1. Additional SP (City DSB) Joyshree Khersa today claimed that Deka, who hails from Dwarkuchi village in Baksa district, is still holed up in the city along with at least five other cadres of the outfit.

“Combing operation is on and we have intensified vigil across the State,” Khersa said, adding that Deka is wanted in connection with several other recent blasts. City police is in touch with its counterparts in Baksa to secure more information about the dreaded militant.

Meanwhile, police picked up over 30 suspects in the last 24 hours from different areas of the city in connection with the serial blasts. Suspected ULFA militants, on Thursday, triggered serial blasts in three different areas of the city, that claimed five lives, including a minor, besides leaving over 50 others injured. Of the 43 injured admitted at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, the condition of five is still stated to be critical. At present, the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital is housing 14 blast victims and condition of each one of them is said to be stable. Meanwhile, the dead have been identified as Manser Ali(25), Arifa Begum(40), Ridus Salam(13), Kamal Das(29) and Sahil Sheikh(8).
All the five dead, according to sources at the GMCH and MMCH, were brought dead cases.

Another senior police official, when contacted, meanwhile, informed that police, based on intelligence inputs gathered on Wednesday evening, carried out search operations across the city but could not get hold of Pranjal Deka.

“We intercepted the cell number (9707528063) Deka was using to co-ordinate with his associates and came to know that he was hiding somewhere in the Rehabari area. We could only zero in on about a 3 kilometre radius but could not figure out the exact hide-out,” said the senior police official, conceding that it was not feasible on their part to physically check each and every house.

Later, the police made a call to the said number and asked the militant to defuse the explosive as he had been identified by the police.

“This is making us believe that the bomb which went off in Bhootnath area was to be planted in crowded areas like Athgaon and Machkhowa markets,” the police official claimed.

He further stated that a team of senior police officials is probing the incident and is likely to make breakthroughs soon.

Meanwhile, rumours about bomb recovery across the city kept the city police on its toes throughout the day.

“We urge the people not to indulge in such activities for the greater interest of the society. Anyone found indulging in such mischievous act would not be spared,” the senior police official asserted.
No quarter to militancy, says HM Nagarealm.com
GUWAHATI, JAN02 [PTI] : Talking tough after serial blasts rocked Assam, Home Minister P Chidambaram today said that no quarter will be given to militancy and those threatening the country’s integrity and sovereignty will be dealt with ‘decisively’.

“If leaders of the banned organisations are listening to this as I speak now, or read about it in tomorrow’s newspapers, or watch it on television later in the day, they must get this clear message that the chief minister and his government will deal with development issues and security forces will deal with members of banned organisations which threaten India’s sovereignty and security,” he said. Chidambaram was talking to media persons after a two-hour meeting of the Unified Command a day after three blasts in the city left five dead and over 50 wounded.

“No quarter will be given to militancy. Broad guidelines have been given to the army, paramilitary forces and Assam Police. These will be finalised and more sharply focused operational strategy will be drawn up by the operations group,” he said. Without naming ULFA and NDFB, Chidambaram said it is ‘regrettable’ that leaders of at least two banned organisations have found ‘sanctuary’ in Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh has not had an elected government for some time. Fortunately, elections have taken place in Bangladesh and the prime minister-elect has made a very positive statement that she will not allow the country to be used as launching pad for terror and she will join India in fighting terror,” he said. Chidambaram said “we hope to make a new beginning and we can neutralise the leadership of these banned elements which have found sanctuary in Bangladesh”.

The home minister, who visited the Guwahati Medical College Hospital to meet some of those injured in yesterday’s blasts, complimented Assam Police ‘for acting swiftly’. Rejecting the charge of Intelligence failure, he said the Centre had inputs about the blasts. “In fact, Intelligence was building up over the past few days and on the evening of December 31 we had shared the Intelligence with the state government. On first (January) morning, I spoke to the chief minister,” he said.

“Assam Police nearly succeeded in apprehending him (a suspect). But just that little bit of luck was not there. He escaped...This time Assam Police was not lucky. This time that chap was lucky. Next time Assam Police will be lucky,” he said. “We condemn these bomb blasts and we are determined to catch the perpetrators...I have full faith in the ability of Assam Police to capture them,” he said. Referring to ceasefire with NDFB, he said the term of the truce ended on December 31 and a decision on future action would be taken in a day or two. “I have told the negotiators that the Suspension of Operation (SOO) agreement must be observed in letter and spirit. There cannot be that a government suspends operations but somebody else continues to do whatever he wants to do,” he said.

Chidambaram warns of action against NE militants Nagapage
GUWAHATI, JANUARY 2: In a tough message against the backdrop of New Year-day serial blasts, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday said security forces will deal with banned outfits in the north east "decisively" if they threaten peace and integrity of India but said talks could be held with ULFA if it gave up sovereignty demand.
"The leaders of banned organisations if they are listening as I speak now or read it in tomorrow's newspapers or watch television later in the day, they must get this clear message that security forces will deal decisively with the members of these banned organisations who threaten peace and integrity of India," he said.
Addressing a press conference here after a review meeting with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who also chairs the Unified Command in the northeast, Chidambaram said "no quarter would be given to militants."
Condemning Friday's blasts here in which five people were killed and over 50 injured, he said police knew who were behind them and expressed confidence that the Assam police would capture them.
The Home Minister regretted that two-three top leaders of the banned groups of the north east were taking shelter in Bangladesh and saw the "positive" statement emanating from the prime minister-to be on dealing with them. On the ULFA, he said, "they have to drop their sovereignty demand. I have seen a change in the stance of its `a' and `c' companies (of the 28th battalion).
"I am examining them. The broad policy is that talks are held with anyone who abjures violence and makes no claim on sovereignty".
Chidambaram said "If they (ULFA) give up their demand for sovereignty we will talk. If they do, I see no reason why not talk with them...This is my personal opinion and not a policy statement."
On the statement of Awami League chief, who is set to become the Prime Minister, that Bangladesh would not not allow its soil to be used for export of terror to neighbours, he said "I hope it will be a new beginning and the terrorist forces having sanctuary in Bangladesh will be neutralised."
The minister said "South Asian region's yearning is for peace and development. Maldives and bangladesh both voted for peace and development."
On the two-hour long meeting with the Unified Command, Chidambaram said he appreciated the good work done by them, which is to be continued. "Regarding Thursday's blast, we had intelligence input. In fact intelligence was built up over the last few days. On December 31, we shared intelligence with the state government after which Assam police acted swiftly", he said.
"A massive manhunt was launched for a person who was involved in yesterday's blast. Police knows who he is, his name and his face. The police had almost succeeded in apprehending himon Thursday night", he added.
"But a little bit of luck eluded the police as a result of which he managed to escape after throwing the grenade and it exploded injuring people there. The DGP (Director General of Police) has told me that he will be able to capture him", he said. (PTI)

PM visits blast victims at GMCH Staff reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Jan 2 – Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today arrived at the city. Governor SC Mathur and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi received him at the Borjhar LGB International Airport this evening. The Prime Minister is accompanied by his ministerial colleagues Manishankar Aiyer, Kapil Sibal and Prithivraj Chouhan.

After his landing at Borjhar, the Prime Minister rushed to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital to meet the injured ones of the yesterday city blast cases.

The Prime Minister also held discussion with the Governor and the Chief Minister on the present law and order situation of the State. He will stay at the Raj Bhawan tonight and leave for Shillong to inaugurate the five-day 96 th session of the Indian Science Congress on the North East Hill University (NEHU) campus there.

He will leave Shillong, via Guwahati, for Delhi at 12-30 pm, said official sources here.

Spl Correspondent from New Delhi adds: Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has said that Government of India would stay steadfast in its determination to root out terrorism and that the measures taken recently in this direction would be taken to their logical conclusion.

While expressing grief over the loss of lives of people in the serial bomb blasts at Guwahati, the Prime Minister has sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those deceased, the Prime Ministers Office announced today..

It has been further announced that Rs 1 lakh would be paid each to the seriously injured from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund.

The Prime Minister had, yesterday condemned the terrorist blasts in Guwahati. He expressed his condolences to the near and dear ones of those killed in the blasts and his sympathies to those injured.

AFSPA victim recounts ordeal By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jan 2: “My daughter wished to become a nurse and serve sick and elderly persons”, recalled Radhamani whose daughter Robita was killed in firing by security forces at Pangei in 2002.
Taking part in the relay hunger strike being staged at Porompat PDA complex since December 10 last under the aegis of the Sharmila Kanba Lup, Radhamani prayed that no such cruel fate that shattered her life may ever befall upon any mother.
Demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 from all Manipur and to save the life of Irom Sharmila, Radhamani from Waiton said that it was spine chilling and heart breaking to recall the day when the dead body of Robita who was always lively and energetic was brought home.
It was in one unexpected moment that Robita who went out for college fell to the bullets of security forces on that fateful day, she lamented.
The moment was a cruel blow to Radhamani who had already lost her husband. It literally turned her life upside down. She had only two children, a daughter and a son. But one man-made tragedy or a cruel stroke of fate had robbed off her only daughter.
“For the loss of my child, I was given Rs one lakh as ex-gratia by the Government. But I cannot help remembering my daughter whenever I see my brother’s daughter who has now completed nursing course and entered service”. Today’s relay hunger strike was participated by Waiton Women Development Nishabandh Association, Haotan Meira Paibi Lup, Waiton Meira Paibi Nupi Lup, Khurai Nandeibam Leikai Meira Paibi Lup and NH 53 Kanglei Ching-Tam Leima Lup.
Speaking in today’s leg of the relay hunger strike Nupi Samaj president K Taruni questioned as to how long mothers of Mani-pur should live with fear and threat every moment for the safety of their children.
Noting that every mother this day is preoccupied with the persistent thought whether their sons/daughters would fall victim to bomb blasts, whether they would be caught in cross-fire or whether they would be pronounced guilty after being killed, Taruni conveyed the helpless condition and predicament being faced by mothers in Manipur.
Social activist Shilleima observed that the violence and crime rates have been raising day by day since the imposition of AFSPA in Manipur although the Act was enforced to contain insurgency in the State. She asked the authority concerned to repeal AFSPA and watch the resultant changes.
Advisor of the NH 53 Kanglei Ching-Tam Leima Lup Taruni asserted that the remaining population of Manipur that survives after 20 years would be leading a life of slavery in case the present trend of daily killings continues.
“For the sake of future generations and the life of Irom Sharmila, repeal AFSPA from all over Manipur”, she cried.

Frans on 01.03.09 @ 02:20 PM CST [link]


Friday, January 2nd

NNC on Isak Swu’s background morungexpress



NNC on Isak Swu’s background morungexpress

Tokiho The Naga peoples’ Convention (NPC) was formed in 1957 and under which Tribal Councils were formed in each and every tribe of Naga people. In Sema Tribal Council, Isak Swu was appointed as President of the Sema Tribal Council and Kuhovi Zhimomi was appointed as Secretary under the banner of the NPC.
In January 1960, Isak Swu and Kuhovi Zhimomi came to contact and consult with the Sema leaders, Scato Swu, the then President of the FGN, Kughato Sukhai, Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of FGN and General Kaito Naga Army on the matter of their demand for statehood under the Indian Union. The Naga Army however forcefully took them to serve the Naga nation. Isak and Kohovi were therefore, compelled to join the Naga national service in January 1960. After one year, Isak was appointed as Foreign Secretary of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN). As foreign Secretary, Isak had participated peace talk in Delhi with the Prime Minister of India in 1966-1967.
In 1971, Isak was appointed as Chaplee Kilonser (Finance Minister) of the FGN and took part in Alee (foreign) Mission in 1974. It was unfortunate for Isak that he defected from the NNC/FGN and formed the so-called National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) in January 1980. Then after, carried out military operation against his own Naga people. For such treacherous act, the NNC and FGN expelled Isak along with Th. Muivah from the Naga national service (NNC/FGN) on 1st September 1980.
From 1980, under the leadership of Isak Swu, some Nagas have been fighting against their own Naga brothers, which are still unabated and made the Nagas lost of precious lives as well as properties. Therefore, from 1980, Isak’s service cannot be counted as national service in the Naga national history but only as treacherous act against the Naga nation. Golden Jubilee celebration of Isak’s service by I-M group Hebron Campers is therefore a mockery and ridiculous in itself. Even if his service is counted from 1960, it is only 48 years.
Tokiho, President, Sumi Regional Council, NNC.
The Timeliness in the History of the Nagas Forum for Naga Reconciliation
Standing at the threshold of the year 2009, we are in what might be called a “Post-Ambivalent” year in the life of the Nagas. The bygone cynicism and skepticism toward “Naga solidarity” will simply be a sad chapter of our national saga. Naga-Land today is no longer characterized by the past mind-set of cultural and political exclucivism. From all the Naga communities, as witnessed and attested on September 25, 2008, by 37 Naga tribes and other apex bodies, at the Sumi Baptist Church, Dimapur, the commanding mood of the Naga nation is created by the people. Coupled with this is the affirmation to Naga reconciliation by all the “Naga groups” and its leaders. This is historical. There is no turning back! Indeed, “The Timeliness in the History of the Nagas” is our newest song.
One important point should be written as our foot note: the FNR couldn’t agree more with the critics that soccer matches played, hoisting of white flags in homes, using car stickers, voluntarily, the United National Choir singing in churches, etc. have not deterred nor sealed violence. FNR has taken up the activities knowing fully that these are only means towards strengthening the reconciliation process in the Journey of Common Hope. To be sure, reconciliation is a process requiring tireless planning, executing, energizing and much more. The FNR is clear about this one thing: that the “FNR is not the only entity working for Naga reconciliation and as such we do not have a monopoly on reconciliation. FNR acknowledges the various individuals, Hohos, organizations and the Church for their undiminished commitment to the Naga reconciliation, unity and peace.”
Moving away from the footnote, we now move out into where violence and tears, and sweat, and screams, and curses, and bitterness, and suspicions, and anger are still real. There is no way on earth that the element of our personal reconciliation with God, our prayers and piety can be the exclusive quality of being a Christian.
A sign of demise of theology in our contemporary context is, Christians often cringe and withdraw. Can the “Queen of Sciences” (During the Middle Ages theology was given the highest honor in the world of academia) live up to its honor by knowing and living that the good news of Christ’s message must sometimes be made in agony, in the circles of hardships, danger, blood and death; and in being with the “rebels,” and the tax collectors, outcasts and sinners? Are we forgetting the Cross of Christ for ‘one’s respectability’ through our silence? Have we ever pondered that our “politeness” to safeguard the purity of the Gospel from “meddling in politics” may well be the greatest pro status quo political statement ever made?
In recent history, Nagas have been deeply wounded by the conflicts. Many people have become apathetic, while some are caught up in the vicious cycle of hatred, anger, and revenge, many simply walk away. Still, some say, “all efforts towards Naga reconciliation are futile.” During the Guatemalan conflict in South America, a priest wrote these lines: “I can deal with persecution by the military and the state. But the fact that some of my fellow people are against me hurts me more deeply than anything else.”
The most painful hurts always come from within. Jesus suffered that despair also. In the darkness of the grave He embraced the despair that existed among His own followers, and among His own people, in His own body. We are tempted to run away and say, “I don’t want to be connected with that body because it is still broken and it’s too much to deal with.”
But we are called to be a community in solidarity. We are called to be together, in a fellowship of the wounded and broken to proclaim the “acceptable year of the Lord.”
The year 2009 must renew the people living in Naga-Land. The Cross of Christ is a powerful reminder to us that from a place of despair God speaks to us about hope. From the place of disappointments, of broken relationships, of hopelessness, Jesus emerges to accompany us as we journey on. Even though we are often downcast, Jesus always speaks of hope. And this hope is different from optimism. Optimism arranges reality in a way that enables us to say things will get better based on chances. The hope for the Nagas is built upon the promise that whatever happens, God will stay with us at all times, in all places. God is the God of life. We are called to be a people of hope. Together, we can face our despairs. Together too, we can find the Risen Lord, emerged from the tomb of despair, ready once again to love us first. In embracing us, Jesus gives us hope we need to live the life He has given us, in this world of ours. Let the year 2009 be for us to share and experience this hope.

Rift in NDFB widens, Daimary expelled Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Jan 1 – Differences within the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) widened with the outfit today expelling former Chief Ranjan Daimary alias DR Nabla and his “associates”. In a release here today, president of the NDFB, B Sungthagra said that the outfit would have no link with Nabla and his accomplices. He pointed out that the recent arrest of one Ajai Basumatary and his confessional statements proved that the former NDFB chairman was involved in the serial blasts on October 30. He said that the killings were acts of terrorism and could never be parts of revolutionary struggle.

The new president of the NDFB said that the outfit was committed to peace process and would continue its talks with the Government of India on the basis of the memorandum submitted on September 29. He also appealed to all the Bodo organizations as well as the people of the State to support the peace process.

It may be mentioned here that the NDFB formally split recently with the general assembly of the outfit removing Ranjan Daimary from his post, while, on his part, Daimary asserted that he was still the chairman of the outfit. Meanwhile, the term of the cease-fire agreement between the Government and the NDFB expired yesterday and the Central and State Governments are likely to take the final decision on whether to extend the term of the agreement or not after the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram reviews the security scenario in a meeting with the Unified Command tomorrow.

Five killed, 50 injured in three blasts in Guwahati PTI
Fire at the site of blast at Bhangagarh in Guwahati on Thursday. Three blasts rocked Birubari, Bhootnath and Bhangagarh areas of the city.
Five people were killed and over 50 injured in three blasts set off by insurgent outfit ULFA in Assam on Thursday hours before Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's visit to review law and order situation in the state rocked by deadly blasts that left 88 dead two months ago. Three people were killed and 35 injured, including four women, when a bomb planted in front of a closed sweet shop exploded near upmarket Bhangagarh flyover on the busy Guwahati-Shillong road at around 5:45 pm. Two persons died on way to hospital while another succumbed to his injuries at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital, DGP G M Srivastava said. Two of the dead were identified as Amal Das and Kahil Sheikh.
A bomb kept in a bicycle exploded at a market in the Bhootnath area, the route which Chidambaram was to take on his way from the airport, under Baralumukh police station around 5.30 pm in which two persons were killed and 12 others injured, official sources said. An Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) kept in a Gauhati Municipal Corporation (GMC) dustbin went off at around 3.30 pm injuring three persons in Birubari Tiniali area. The blasts came a day ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's arrival here tomorrow enroute Shillong to inaugurate the Indian Science Congress there on January three.
Chidmabaram arrived at the Lokopriyo Gopinath Bordoloi international airport on a two-day visit to the state to review Assam's law and order situation and attend a meeting of the Unified Command headed by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
The DGP said it was ULFA which carried out the blasts, at least one of them. "We know who were behind the blast but we won't divulge the names at this stage," he said.
Srivastava said the police had intelligence inputs that ULFA would carry out blasts as the group usually indulged in such activities either on December 31 or January one and specially when union ministers were in the city. He said that of the three blasts two were of low intensity and the one at Boothnath was serious. He said kerosene was found in a stove which burst near the sweet shop during the explosion, which set off fire but there was no casualty.
Two months after Assam blasts NDTV
Guwahati : It's been two months after the serial blast hit Assam. And the families of the victims are still trying to cope with their tragedies. On October 30, 2008, a day after Diwali, Dulal Mandal was shopping with his wife in a Guwahati market when an explosion hit them. His wife died instantly and Mandal was injured. Two months later, he may be back at work at his own fabrication unit but he is still nursing an injury.
"It's difficult to express through words what I feel. The only person I could have shared this grief with is no more. So I keep it to myself," he said. Sunita lost her husband and five-year-old daughter, who was returning from school, in the same explosion. She now works as a domestic help to run the family but is still numbed by the tragedy. Dinesh Das's wife stares blankly. Her husband was a greengrocer and now she has two daughters and a son to look after.
"Every night I wait for dad to come. It still hasn't seeped in. But life goes on," said Dinesh's daughter. More than two months have passed since the Assam serial blast, which killed more than 90 people. While the physical damage is being repaired, the emotional damage, the personal loss, loss of livelihood and the trauma probably can never be compensated by ex-gratia or memorial services. The day will continue to haunt the thousands affected by the attack.

Ominous start to New Year Peace prayers torn to shreds The Telegraph


People gather a few metres from the blast spot in Birubari on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Jan. 1: Guwahati left behind a year pockmarked with bombs but simply stepped into another which appeared to be littered with the same explosives.
As three explosions ripped through the city one after another on the first day of the New Year, Guwahati was once again left with a sense of foreboding, of danger lurking just around the corner.
Rajat Kalita, for one, was convinced that the New Year would be no different from 2008.
“On October 30, I had rushed to Ganeshguri when the bomb went off under the flyover just to see what had happened. Today, I almost died as I crossed the blast site just a few minutes ago on my way back home from the market,” said Kalita, 34, who stays in a rented house at Srimantapur, close to the blast site in Bhangagarh. Suddenly, the scene from Ganeshguri on October 30 appeared to have been juxtaposed at Bhangagarh — terror shifting from one flyover to another — though perhaps not on that scale. Bhangagarh is around 2km from Ganeshguri. From Bhangagarh to Bhootnath, the site of the second blast, the distance is around 10km.
While the Bhangagarh explosion occurred at a paan kiosk on the footpath, in Bhootnath the bomb went off at a roadside vegetable market. All the death and destruction occurred in these two blasts. The first blast, in a metal garbage bin at Birubari, did not cause much damage. At Bhangagarh and Bhootnath, the scenes were eerily similar to the October 30 horror of blood-streaked vegetables scattered on the road, blood coagulating on lampposts and the wails of the injured.
The fire that erupted at the kiosk in Bhangagarh brought back memories of the towering flames at Ganeshguri just a few months ago. “When I saw the fire, I simply ran. All I could think was: Oh no, is this going to be that bad?” Akhilesh Sharma, an executive of a private firm, said. He had just parked his vehicle and was walking towards a shop with his wife and son.
Bhootnath, close to the Brahmaputra, is also the place where a crematorium is located. Not very far away stands Sukreswar Temple where many had offered prayers all through the first day of the New Year, seeking peace in the state. Between 5.15pm and 5.40pm, the prayers and hopes lay in tatters at Bhootnath and Bhangagarh.
At the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, doctors and nurses were jolted out of their celebratory mood as they were called in to treat the injured. “On the first day of the year we generally receive persons injured in accidents during picnics. We had never before received blast victims on January1,” a doctor said.
GMCH superintendent K.K. Saikia said the incident was quite unexpected on the first day of the year. “The hospital authorities had to send an SOS to all the doctors and nurses to join emergency duty to treat the blast victims.” Zabbar Ali, a daily wage earner who sustained injuries on his right leg at Bhangagarh, said, “I was on my way to the Bhangagarh market near the GMCH to buy fish when the blast took place. I suddenly heard a big sound and fell down near a small drain. I became unconscious and was brought here.”
Ram Bachchan, 45, who sustained head injuries in the Bhootnath market blast, was crying at GMCH. “My family members went out to celebrate the New Year. So I came to chat with some friends at Bhootnath market. I do not know whether my family members are aware that I am injured and in the hospital,” he said. Mainul Hussain, a resident of Bhangagarh, said his sons had gone out. “My wife started crying but both my sons called to say that they were safe.”
Cops had inputs, but failed to act A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


A policeman keeps vigil near Guwahati railway station on Thursday. (Fotocorp)
Guwahati, Jan. 1: Two months after the October 30 serial blasts ripped through the state, security forces today found themselves in a deja vu: of having known about militant plans but failing to prevent them.
Three blasts rocked the capital this afternoon leaving five dead and over 60 people injured.
Police today said they had information about Ulfa militants out to trigger explosions and accordingly, an intensive vigil was mounted in certain areas.
After the October 30 blasts, too, security forces had told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that they had information about possible attacks.
Last month, the Unified Command structure said it had inputs about “subversive activities” during the festive months of December and January. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who visited the blast site at Bhangagarh, admitted that it was a failure on the part of security forces. He said the police force and the intelligence agencies needed to be modernised to deal with such attacks. The police force will be strengthened with more manpower and high-tech gadgets, he added.
“We are also thinking of forming small committees in marketplaces so that they can work in close co-ordination with the police. These committees could be a great help,” Gogoi said. A senior police official said there was information about a group of Ulfa militants trying to plant bombs in the city.
“Security was tightened in the past few days. We had information about militants trying to plant a bomb in the Birubari area. So we engaged nearly 15 police patrols to keep strong vigil in the area,” he said.
It was because of the tightened vigil that the militants were forced to dump the bomb in a dustbin at Birubari Tiniali, he said. Regarding the other two bombs, he said it was very difficult to receive specific information about the exact location where the rebels would plant a bomb.
“Who would suspect that a simple bicycle with a bag hanging from it at a daily market has a bomb in it? Bicycles are very common in a small market. Even petty shopkeepers use these to ferry goods,” he said. Echoing the police official, Gogoi said it was really difficult to think that someone could plant a bomb in a small shop. “All we have to do now is improve our intelligence network and for this we will need the support of the people,” he said.
Sources in the home department said the chief minister had already taken note of the fact that the police had not been able to prevent the blasts although they claimed to have been aware of such a plan. “The blasts have come as a big embarrassment given that Union home minister P. Chidambaram is visiting the state and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is also stopping over briefly tomorrow en route to Shillong,” a source said.
The police could not take any credit regarding knowledge about plans of subversion because they failed to do anything about it.
Decision on NDFB truce after CBI report, says PC
From our Correspondent Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Dec 31: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has today said that the Centre is yet to take any decision on the extension of ceasefire with the NDFB, and the government will take a decision in this regard only after getting the report of the CBI investigation into the serial blasts in Asom.
Talking to newsmen here today, Chidambaram questioned: “If the NDFB doesn’t shun violence, how can the government go for suspension of operation with the outfit? The CBI is now investigating the serial blasts in Asom. Let the investigating agency submit its report first.” Chidambaram said some of Home Ministry officials have been keeping in touch with NDFB leaders in Delhi.
The Home Minister further said: “I intend to visit Asom on January 2 to meet Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and the Unified Command Structure to review the security situation there. Works of the ongoing national projects and border fencing will also be reviewed during the visit.”
Chidambaram said that the proposed Chief Ministers’ meeting on January 6 on the security scenario in the country after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks would be followed by another meeting the next day when a select group of Chief Ministers would discuss the menace of extremists.
Meanwhile, North East Congress Coordination Committee (NECC) general secretary Sharif U Laskar also met Chidambaram and discussed various issues relating to insurgency in the Northeast. He urged the Home Minister to provide adequate security for completion of Lumding-Badarpur gauge conversion work.
Insurgents operating from Bangladesh, Myanmar The Hindu News
December 18, 2008: New Delhi, Many Indian insurgent groups are operating from Bangladesh and Myanmar and India is putting pressure on its neighbours through diplomatic channels to stop such activities. It is also focussing on completing the fencing of the border with Bangladesh to check illegal immigration and infiltration.
India has been putting pressure on these nations to stop such activities
This was stated by Home Minister P. Chidambaram in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
He said several anti-India groups were finding Bangladesh and Myanmar as safe havens, though both nations denied it. There were reports that insurgent groups from the northeast have links with terrorist organisations, including Bangladesh-based Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami, which in turn is reported to have links with Pakistan-based terror groups and the Inter-Services Intelligence.
Terror groups such as HuJI and Lashkar-e-Taiba were using Bangladesh for infiltration and carrying out terror activities in India. We are not happy with the situation. This issue has been discussed with Bangladesh and will be taken up again when a democratic government is elected by the end of this month.
Mr. Chidambaram said he was not satisfied with the progress in the fencing of the India-Bangladesh border. He had asked the authorities concerned to “quicken the process.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has instructed that the fencing should be completed on schedule. It is a difficult terrain where normal fencing may not work. We have asked the authorities to take whatever additional measures are required to complete the job.
On Samajwadi Party member Amar Singh’s question that whether the government was aware that terror camps were operating at Dhubri and Bongaigaon in Assam, Mr. Chidambaram said: “Neither can I confirm nor deny that such camps are there. This government will take note of the matter seriously; and if there are any camps, the Centre and the State government would dismantle them immediately.
The Minister pointed out that there were gaps in the intelligence apparatus. “The problem is being addressed expeditiously to prevent recurrence of terror attacks. We are focussing on better gathering and sharing of information between intelligence and security agencies. All States have been asked to raise special anti-terror squads.
Regional hubs of the National Security Guards would be set up soon and coastal security was also being beefed up. A ‘Coastal Command’ with a mandate to protect the India’s coastline would be put before the Cabinet for approval soon.


Frans on 01.02.09 @ 05:35 AM CST [link]


Thursday, January 1st

2008: Hope prevails over turbulence STATE STEPS INTO THE NEW YEAR ON A POSITIVE NOTE Kevi Soho EMN FLASHBACK 2008 Eastern Mirror



2008: Hope prevails over turbulence STATE STEPS INTO THE NEW YEAR ON A POSITIVE NOTE Kevi Soho | EMN FLASHBACK 2008 Eastern Mirror

DIMAPUR, DEC 31: Year 2008 proved a mixed bag for the state. While turbulence dominated some periods, it was also a year of hope, reconciliation and positive developments.
The turmoil that marred parts of the year saw tears of sorrow fall in many a home and a sense of insecurity cloaked the environment and forced the citizens to march out on the streets across the state.
However, the new order pushed in through various NGOs, including Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), Joint Forum of GBs and DBs, youth force, Political Affairs Committee (PAC), Women organisations and the public, yielding positive results that reignited hope.
Curtains went up on 2008 with the imposition of President’s Rule in January and an aggressive election mood which finally led to the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) catapulting back to take the reigns for the second term in March.
The poll period witnessed a host of political party big wigs including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP supremo Rajnath, the inimitable RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Sonia Gandhi visit the state to garner support for their respective parties.
As the hectic election activity was rolling towards conclusion in March, veteran politician and former Chief Minister Vizol breathed his last.
January through the better part of June, which saw factional violence at its height, also witnessed a new trend – a public that had long remained passive made its voice heard. Public rallies resounded all over the state even as security machineries, following the government’s decision to promulgate the National Security Act, carried out a series of flush-out operations of factional elements holed up in public areas.
The Prohibition Act also re-emerged as an intense subject of debate during the year with many sections of the society openly declaring the need to lift it totally or at least partially, even as the church strongly countered the view. The year ends with no consensus in sight.
The youth of the state finally got a respite amidst all the violence that had marred the better half of the year when famed gospel singer John Schlit of Petra visited Kohima and Dimapur for much appreciated gigs in May.
In June, NPF candidate Khekiho Zhimomi gets elected as Rajya Sabha MP even as rural farmers voiced their woes to the media over marketing failure for their agro products. Also, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar visits the state and commends the government on ‘communitisation’ for a job well done.
Dimapur Municipal Council’s (DMC) demolition drive takes centre-stage in July and receives a mixed response with a section of the people delighted over the face lift programme while another section objects and complains.
33 percent Women Reservation Bill became the issue of the year in July-August as the Mokokchung ‘public’ said no-thank-you to the implementation of the bill in its municipal election which was slated for October. A series of meetings by the civic bodies of the districts ruled that the bill does not apply to the state and, though women leaders took up the issue with the Governor, the Mokokchung Municipal election was ultimately called off again for the second time in a row.
September saw the U-14 Naga colts bring home the Subroto Cup giving the state reason to cheer in the midst of the grim news of over 15 people losing their lives in a train fuel pilferation scam gone wrong.
Rodent menace also severely affected farmers in Peren district this year with the situation of many families reported to be in dire conditions. There was also a change of guard in the opposition Congress camp when senior leader Chingwang Konyak replaced CLP leader I Imkong and KV Pusa replaced Hokheto Sumi as NPCC president.
Even as factional violence reached a tragic peak during the year, the untiring efforts of the Forum were a notable feature of 2008. The umbrella body comprising members from churches, tribal councils and social organisations stepped forward to work for peace and unity amongst the warring Naga underground groups emphasising on the spirit of reconciliation and oneness with common hope. The reconciliation exercise has been continuously carried out by the Forum leading to endorsement to the initiative from the various underground groups, which even played two Reconciliation Football Matches to strengthen their commitment to peace and unity
As 2008 shifted into festive gear by year end, dramatic changes were witnessed. The annual national event – ‘Hornbill festival’ - was arguably one of the biggest and the best. Besides, chart-topper band ‘White Lion’ dropped in for a visit and became the first international band to perform in Nagaland.
To sign off Year 2008 on a heartening note, the state was the honoured host to the mega science event, the ‘16th National Children’s Science Congress’, participated by 34 states and over 1500 child scientists and inaugurated by none other than Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. An observer noted that this positive closing perhaps is an omen that the state is headed for a much more uplifting 2009.

NDFB ceasefire on PC table - Union home minister arrives today to discuss serial blasts case, Ulfa & truce A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Union home minister P. Chidambaram leaves after a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)
Guwahati, Dec. 31: The issue of the ceasefire with the National Democratic Front of Boroland will be high on the agenda of Dispur’s meeting with Union home minister P. Chidambaram during his visit to the state starting tomorrow.
Sources said this evening that Chidambaram would familiarise himself with the issues plaguing the state by taking part in a meeting of the Unified Command along with chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday. The meeting will be an exhaustive one, attended by senior police, army, paramilitary, intelligence and government officials in Dispur.
Chidambaram, who is arriving tomorrow evening, will inaugurate the State Bank of India’s Sonapur branch on Friday morning and then head for the secretariat for the much-awaited Unified Command meeting before flying back to Delhi.
“Though the visit was formally confirmed late this afternoon, we have been preparing a report on the latest status of the progress made in the October 30 serial blasts case and the peace process with various groups. All issues on internal security of the state and threats from external forces will be discussed,” the source said in an oblique reference to the NDFB ceasefire, which ends tonight.
Till late this evening, the Centre had not conveyed its decision on whether to extend the ceasefire with the NDFB, though most are in favour of an extension.
“After all, you cannot have a situation where you suddenly put about 740 cadres currently living in designated camps behind bars by discontinuing the ceasefire after they have observed truce for nearly four years. I am sure a decision will be taken in a couple of days,” a senior police official said.
The state government had briefed the Centre about the NDFB issue on December 16 and 17, sources said, adding that the Centre was taking its time given the alleged involvement of some of its cadres in the serial blasts case and the subsequent split in the outfit.
Another issue likely to come up is the proposals to be announced by the pro-peace Ulfa group on January 1 to take the unilateral peace process forward. This will be Chidambaram’s first visit to the state after assuming charge as home minister. He had promised Gogoi when the chief minister met him in Delhi to brief him about the situation in Assam that he would visit the state after the Parliament session ended.
Dispur was expecting Chidambaram’s visit to help the state government secure more support from the Centre to tackle the problem of insurgency as well modernise the police force. “Assam can expect something positive after the new home minister’s visit,” a senior official said.
NDFB extortion The spurt in cases of extortion by the NDFB along the border of Jaintia Hills district has become a cause of concern for Meghalaya police, adds our Shillong correspondent. What is making things worse for the police is the lack of public co-operation to tackle extortion.
A senior police official today said reports of the involvement of NDFB and HNLC cadres in distributing demand notes to several coal dealers in the district, especially in Bapung, Khleirihat and Sutnga areas, were received recently. The rebels have the backing of coal labourers working in the mining areas of Jaintia Hills. “A lot of Bodo labourers are wor-king in the coal mines of Jaintia Hills and some of them are either sympathisers or overground workers of the NDFB,” the police official said. The police said since 2005, cases of kidnapping and extortion involving the NDFB in Jaintia Hills have been on the rise and that the group is backed by the local militant outfit, HNLC, to carry out their extortion activities. The police said some of the coal businessmen continue to accept the militants’ extortion demands under pressure and such cases go unreported out of fear.
‘We are called to be a people of hope’ YEAR 2009 MUST RENEW THE PEOPLE OF NAGA-LAND: FNR Eastern Mirror
DIMAPUR, DEC 30 (EMN): The commanding mood of the Naga nation is created by the people, stated the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) today while maintaining that Naga-Land today is no longer characterised by the past mind-set of cultural and political exclucivism.
In a statement released to the press, the Forum said this fact has been witnessed and attested from all the Naga communities on September 25, 2008 - by 37 Naga tribes and other apex bodies - at the Sumi Baptist Church, Dimapur, and added that coupled with this is the affirmation to Naga reconciliation by all the ‘Naga groups’ and its leaders.
“This is historical. There is no turning back! Indeed, ‘The Timeliness in the History of the Nagas’ is our newest song,” said the FNR.
It also said that as we wait to welcome 2009 ‘we are in what might be called a ‘Post-Ambivalent’ year in the life of the Nagas’’, while further stating that ‘the bygone cynicism and scepticism toward ‘Naga solidarity’ will simply be a sad chapter of our national saga’.
Drawing attention to a point it referred to as its footnote, the FNR said it couldn’t agree more with the critics that soccer matches, hoisting of white flags, car stickers, the United National Choir singing in churches, etc, have not deterred nor sealed violence. However, it said these activities had been taken up ‘knowing fully that these are only means towards strengthening the reconciliation process in the Journey of Common Hope’ and reiterated that ‘reconciliation is a process requiring tireless planning, executing, energising and much more’.
Moreover, it sought to make clear that the ‘FNR is not the only entity working for Naga reconciliation and as such we do not have a monopoly on reconciliation’ and acknowledged the various individuals, Hohos, organisations and the Church for their undiminished commitment to the Naga reconciliation, unity and peace.
Pointing out that in recent history, Nagas have been deeply wounded by the conflict, the Forum said ‘many people have become apathetic, while some are caught up in the vicious cycle of hatred, anger, and revenge, many simply walk away’. Still, some say ‘all efforts towards Naga reconciliation are futile’, it added.
Taking the instance of the Guatemalan conflict in South America where a priest had written that he can deal with persecution by the military and the state, ‘but the fact that some of my fellow people are against me hurts me more deeply than anything else’, the FNR said the most painful hurts always come from within.
Nonetheless, it firmly stated that ‘we are called to be a community in solidarity’ and said ‘the year 2009 must renew the people living in Naga-Land’.
We are called to be a people of hope, it said while adding that ‘the hope for the Nagas is built upon the promise that whatever happens, God will stay with us at all times, in all places. God is the God of life’.
“In embracing us, Jesus gives us hope we need to live the life He has given us … Let the year 2009 be for us to share and experience this hope,” the FNR appealed through the statement.

NDFB truce expires, no decision on extension reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 31 – Though the ceasefire agreement with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) expired today, the Central and State Governments have not yet taken any decision on whether to extend the same or not. Official sources said that the State and Central Governments would take the final decision on extension of the ceasefire agreement within the first week of the new year.

Sources said that the involvement of members of the NDFB in the serial blasts on October 30, which resulted in the death of 89 persons, forced the Government to think twice on extending the term of the ceasefire agreement.

Sources revealed that after the involvement of NDFB cadres in the blasts came to light, the Union Home ministry was not keen on extending the cease-fire agreement, but the State Government was of the view that the situation in the state might deteriorate if the agreement is withdrawn at this moment.

Official sources said division in the ranks of the NDFB also complicated the situation. The general assembly of the outfit removed the chairman of the outfit Ranjan Daimary alias DR Nabla from his post recently and on his part, Nabla claimed that he was still the chairman of the NDFB. Sources pointed out that even if the ceasefire agreement is extended, it would be difficult for the security forces to ascertain which member of the NDFB is follower of the pro-talk group of which one is a follower of Nabla.

However, the final decision on extension of the ceasefire agreement is likely to be taken in the Unified Command meeting scheduled for January 2, which will also be attended by the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, sources added.
Decision on NDFB truce after CBI report, says PC: Correspondent Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Dec 31: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has today said that the Centre is yet to take any decision on the extension of ceasefire with the NDFB, and the government will take a decision in this regard only after getting the report of the CBI investigation into the serial blasts in Asom.
Talking to newsmen here today, Chidambaram questioned: “If the NDFB doesn’t shun violence, how can the government go for suspension of operation with the outfit? The CBI is now investigating the serial blasts in Asom. Let the investigating agency submit its report first.” Chidambaram said some of Home Ministry officials have been keeping in touch with NDFB leaders in Delhi.
The Home Minister further said: “I intend to visit Asom on January 2 to meet Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and the Unified Command Structure to review the security situation there. Works of the ongoing national projects and border fencing will also be reviewed during the visit.”
Chidambaram said that the proposed Chief Ministers’ meeting on January 6 on the security scenario in the country after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks would be followed by another meeting the next day when a select group of Chief Ministers would discuss the menace of extremists.
Meanwhile, North East Congress Coordination Committee (NECC) general secretary Sharif U Laskar also met Chidambaram and discussed various issues relating to insurgency in the Northeast. He urged the Home Minister to provide adequate security for completion of Lumding-Badarpur gauge conversion work.



Frans on 01.01.09 @ 05:05 PM CST [link]




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