Assam Rifles violating CF rules: NSCN-IM Eastern Mirror
AR violating CF rules: NSCN-IM Eastern Mirror
DIMAPUR, JAN 25 (EMN): The NSCN-IM today took ‘serious note’ of the ‘unwarranted activities’ of the Assam Rifles while informing of a raid by the para-military personnel on one of its official’s house in Pfütsero.
A press note issued by the MIP/GPRN stated that the 13 Assam Rifles had ‘raided and ransacked’ the house of its Chakhesang CAO, Venehu Vese, at Pfütsero town on January 18 last ‘in deliberate violation of the ceasefire ground rules’. It further alleged that the AR personnel had physically harassed the CAO and his bodyguard without any provocation and seized two country-made 3.2 pistols with four magazines, one handmade carbine with one magazine as well as all region documents along with six TR books meant for house tax and Live Census tax endorsed and issued by the Kilo Affairs and cash amounting to Rs 20,000. The weapons seized were only for the CAO’s ‘personal guard and safety from unforeseen dangers’, the release said.
The NSCN-IM expressed grave concern over the ‘unprovoked action’ of the 13 Assam Rifles and also strongly questioned the ‘highly questionable habitual intentions of the Assam Rifles’, which it said ‘have become almost a daily occurrence in total contravention of the mutually accepted ceasefire ground rules’.
It further felt that ‘something was seen to have gone wrong with the Assam Rifles in the region which ever remains the same that could jeopardize the hard-earned peace in Nagalim’.
The NSCN/GPRN cautioned the Assam Rifles and stated that if the present trend continues further ‘it will not hesitate to respond in a befitting manner as the government deem necessary’.
Myanmar nod to joint ops against N-E militants Vishwa Mohan, TNN
NEW DELHI: In a major boost for India, Myanmar is learnt to have agreed to launch "coordinated operations" to flush out north-east militants from its territory -- quite similar to what Bhutan did against ULFA by launching `Operation All Clear' in December 2003.
Besides, the neighbouring country's ruling junta has also promised to track down elusive ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah who is believed to be hiding somewhere in Myanmar's Kachin province bordering China.
These assurances were given at the three-day home secretary-level talks between the two countries which concluded in Myanmar's capital Nay Pay Taw on Thursday.
A senior home ministry official said, "Security forces of India and Myanmar will conduct coordinated operations in their respective territories in the next two-three months. The objective of the operations is that no militant should escape to the other side after facing heat on one side."
The Indian delegation, led by home secretary G K Pillai, included senior officials from Army and military intelligence including DGMI Lt Gen R K Loomba, unlike previous such meetings where generally home ministry officials used to outnumber others.
Though the official here did not specify when such coordinated operations would begin, he hinted that it would "more or less be like what Bhutan did six years ago".
"Indian Army and paramilitary personnel will lay a dragnet within Indian territory to nab the fleeing militants. The proposed operation on the other side will be solely carried out by Myanmar without any manpower or artillery support from Indian Army," said the official.
Bhutan had launched `Operation All Clear' on December 15, 2003 which resulted in elimination of at least 160 militants and arrests of hundreds of other ULFA cadres including its ideologues Bhimkanta Buragohain and Mithinga Daimari.
Besides ULFA, other north-east outfits including NSCN(IM), NSCN(K), PLA and UNLF too have their camps within Myanmarese territory. While ULFA has camps in the Kachin province bordering China, the other outfits have been operating from areas bordering India which touches Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
Referring to Baruah, the official said, "We have conveyed to the Myanmar delegation that we have information that the ULFA military chief is hiding in their territory and they assured us to track him down."
The Indian side also held detailed discussions with the Myanmar contingent led by Brigadier General Phone Swe on issues like activities of smugglers along the border, cross-border movement of insurgents, border trade and cross-border projects.
"The meeting was very positive as Myanmar assured us that it will address all our security concerns and promised to carry forward the cordial relations between the two countries," the official said.
‘Nagas tend to spiritualise everything’ morungexpress
Asen Jamir Woch and Bisevou Peseyie, both counsellors at The Lighthouse Counselling Clinic & Training Facility located at Nagarjan, Dimapur. The clinic deals with therapy for individuals, couples, children, adult adolescents and family and also pre and post marital counselling, addictions, trauma and abuse. (Morung Photo)
Dimapur | January 24 : Two young qualified professional counsellors, Asen Jamir Woch and Bisevou Peseyie started the Lighthouse Counselling Clinic & Training Facility in Dimapur since 2008. Located in Nagarjan, Dimapur the clinic and training facility is a place where any individual can come into talk over any issue or issues to a qualified professional counsellor in a safe, accepting, private and confidential setting.
Clinical approach recommended to fix issues
In an exclusive interview with The Morung Express, the duo confides that they want to help any individual and try to make a positive difference in their lives. Bisevou says “We are very much aware of the existing problems in Nagaland and realised that there are people desperately seeking professional help”. However she also says that she and her partner are very well aware that it will take ‘Time’ and meanwhile they have decided to educate people by conducting workshops and counselling courses etc. The duo counsellors together provide treatment depending on the clients needs. They also assert that confidentiality is an important aspect that they stress on and hence no information is given even to the clients’ family unless it’s by the consent of the client.
Speaking on the topic of the tendency of many Naga people to resort to spiritual counselling, Asen states that many times she has come across people that are ‘done’ with spiritual counselling. “We come across people that just want to share their feelings and issues”, she says. Bisevou also states ‘Our people tend to spiritualise everything’. Asen also reiterates that maybe it’s because Nagas have this strong belief that ‘God is the only way’ which is ingrained in our mentality. She also says that it’s a strong message that the church sends out. She also feels that many people do not know where to go and that most people fail to see an issue from a psychological aspect because of their ignorance mainly.
‘Nagas also have this tendency to criticise people, and look down on people” says Bisevou. She says that because of this attitude of the people, ‘trust’ becomes an issue and hence people like to keep the problems to themselves. “Naga people tend to suppress a lot of things which is not healthy” reiterates Asen. She also says that although Nagas seem to be very open-minded people, we hardly express ourselves. “People are scared of rejection and criticism and they try to hide their feelings and it becomes a problem leading to identity crisis and other issues” she mooted. Bisevou also felt that our society is living in a state of denial when it comes to issues like relationships, parents, children relationship, addiction etc.
“Nagas by nature are resilient people” expressed Bisevou. We have seen a lot of trauma yet we don’t process it and carry them around leading to a lot of unresolved issues. Many a times because of these people resort to alcohol and drugs as an escape route. Asen also says that a lot of issues or factors have led to psycho problems, especially resulting from the family. “We are witnessing a lot of dysfunctional families”, she feels. Other factors like friends, church, society and school also pressurises the teenager. “The bigger chunk of youngsters are nowadays pressured to excel and to be the best beyond their limits” says Bisevou .
Though a brochure of their clinic & training facility claims on providing a distinctively Christian viewpoint by integrating biblical truth and psychological theory, Asen and Bisevou clarifies that they are open to non-Christian clients and would treat the said client while respecting their values and beliefs but at the same time would not compromise on their own Christian beliefs. “As counsellors, we do not evangelise”, said Asen. They stated that they provide a well-rounded approach that includes consideration of the emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of healing while not imposing or disrespecting their clients’ beliefs and values.
Asen Jamir Woch holds a Masters degree in psychology from Pune University and a Masters of Arts degree in Christian counselling from Alliance Graduate School, Philippines. She has also worked in rehabilitation centres, counselling clinics, educational institutions and in a church as a counsellor. Bisevou Peseyie holds a Master of Divinity degree in Christian counselling from Alliance Biblical Seminary, Philippines and has also received training in clinical pastoral education and has given services to healthcare centres, churches, rehabilitation centres and served as a counsellor in educational institutions.
Pre marital and post marital counselling
Lighthouse Counselling Clinic also provides a unique service or perhaps the only clinic to provide professional pre marital and post marital counselling in Nagaland. “In pre marital counselling, we coach the couples on what to expect from marriage”. We work on their unrealistic expectations and their strengths and weaknesses, communication and expressions”. Bisevuo also says that they touch on gender issues, the myths and the truths. “Pre marital counselling is basically saving a marriage before it starts” says Bisevuo. It also helps the couples to know each other better because the way a man and a woman think are different. Bisevuo also felt that men opt for a ‘Quick fix’ when facing a problem; they want to solve it right away, whereas a woman usually wants to talk about the problem and process it. Bisevuo also shared that before Christian Naga weddings, usually the pastor gives a couple counselling but the maximum he can give is one or two meetings. Also, it is usually theological counselling. They do not go into the ‘deep stuff’. Post marital counselling on the other hand is more about enriching, more practical. A lot of unspoken expectations exist, which counsellors try to verbalise it.
‘Combined effort needed for stable peace’ morungexpress
dimapur, January 25 (MExN): The Governor of Nagaland Nikhil Kumar has stated that the “paramount concern is for peace in Nagaland” and pointed out that when “peace sustains, developments follows”. Expressing his confidence, the Governor in his message on the occasion of Republic Day 2010 stated that with the blessings of the Lord Almighty and combined efforts of all we can succeed in bringing stable peace to Nagaland. In this connection the Governor commended the efforts of the State Government in constituting an all party Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Naga political issue comprising members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. “This reflects the concern of our people as a whole for a solution to the Naga political issue”, the Governor stated while also thanking the Government of India for its initiative to solve the issue through dialogue. The Governor also commended the efforts made by the civil societies in laying the ground work for ushering in lasting peace in Nagaland.
Extending warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the State, the Governor mentioned that the Constitution of India had given Nagaland a special status and termed it as “a remarkable document that has served our democratic polity so admirably for the last sixty years”. The Governor also described people of the State as “enlightened and vibrant”. “People of this beautiful state through their unique initiatives in various areas, particularly in the area of self-government have earned the admiration of everyone. Despite constraints and unfavorable situations, the state and its people have striven and succeeded greatly in achieving significant progress in many fields”, the message stated.
Stating that that State has been endowed with rich natural resources and abundant potential, especially in the sectors of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry and tourism; the Governor expressed confidence that if these are harnessed properly, the economy of the state will grow further. “The state government, I am happy to note is seized of the need to improve our physical infrastructure and do so on a priority. This will give further boost to our efforts in making Nagaland a well developed state”.
Pointing out that the State already excels in many of the social indicators when compared to the national averages, the Governor however stated that there is always scope for improvement and urged the need to put in our best efforts so as to excel particularly in the fields of education, health and drinking water so that our achievements in these areas become the best in the country. The Governor also pointed out that the State’s biggest assets were its youthful population and stated that this was a measure of the forward looking attitude of our younger men and women that they have found stable vocation in some of our metro cities especially Delhi. The Governor also informed that the Government of the NCT of Delhi had given assurance to promptly address grievances if any without any discrimination.
“Initiatives like capacity building programmes, more technical and vocational training opportunities, better sport facilities are some praiseworthy initiatives during the recent times for our youth”.
The Governor while greeting the people of the State on the occasion of the 61st Republic Day also urged all to come together forgetting differences – be they related to tribe, region, community, religion or gender for working wholeheartedly towards a peaceful, beautiful, vibrant and a developed Nagaland in every way.
A brief paper presentation on;
“The Naga Political Assertion and its impact on the Naga Society”
at the 51st Annual Conference cum Games & Sports Meet of the Tungjoy Youth & Students’ Organisation held at Tungjoy on the 22nd of January 2010. Nagaland page
- Neingulo Krome, Member, Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
“Even if heaven falls and all the rivers runs red with blood, I will not allow Nagas to be Independent”, “I will station one Indian soldier for every tree in Nagaland and wipe them out within one week” says India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru when Nagas made their political assertion. Again another Prime Minister Mr. Morarji Desai said; “I will exterminate all the Nagas without any compunction” when Naga student leaders went to meet him and to ask him to solve the Naga political problem during his visit to Kohima. And we are experiencing those impact ever since and even today despite peace processes and political negotiations which are purportedly being held at the highest level, without conditions and in a third country.
My dear fellow Naga brothers and sisters, every time we meet on an occasion like this, we want to talk about the political history of the Nagas and question the possible outcome. Even when we eat and drink, things seems incomplete without some talks and thoughts on the Naga political issue. No wonder, this political assertion has all of us engaged with it in one way or the other. Some in support and some against it, but every single one of us are caught in the same impact, where for some people it may be for the better and for some others for the worse. And again there are many assertions, although the general assertion of the Nagas as a people may be only one, which is based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas for a free Naga Nation.
On the other hand, we also had few Nagas asserting the interests of the Government of India against Naga interest which impacted the Naga society much beyond repairable damages. One such assertion would be the signing of the so-called 16-Points Agreement of 1960 between representatives of the Naga People’s Convention and the Government of India. And this has gone down in the Naga political history as the greatest damage ever done to the Naga Political assertion which created the present state of Nagaland within the Indian Union. The Naga assertion for Political Independence suffered the biggest blow and the people paid the highest price then and are even paying now and will continue to pay the price of this mistake till cent per cent of the people’s assertion are achieved. God only knows how many of us in the present generation or the next will live to see that day. Even the present Peace Process which has now run into the 13th year and the earlier Peace Talks of 1960s are victims of this mistake.
We also had the Shillong Accord of 1975 which needs no elaboration, but which struck the last nails to the coffin of an undivided Naga National Council and gave birth to multi-national political groups resulting in “Nagas killing Nagas” in the name of “national cause or principles” while our enemies watch and instigate. This certainly was not an assertion but a by-product of an impact bereaved of visions to even see the terrible consequences that were clearly written on the walls.
These two events are altogether quite two different things, one by over-ground politicians and the other by “Underground Organization”. But there were two things in common. On both the occasions, the signatories were called and taken to Delhi and Shillong respectively for signing the documents prepared by the Indian Government. And on both the occasion 1 person each did not append their signatures, where in the first case the person who did not sign came back home in a coffin and in the second case, the person came home shouting; “if I ever sign such an Accord even the leaves of the trees in Nagaland will not spare me” or something of that nature as it was relayed in native language.
The third thing in common which supporters of the two events say is that, it was the best thing to have happened at that time. But we need not be judgmental about that but leave them to the best healer, which is “time” and move on without “crying over spilled milk”. There could be more similar impairment of political visions and assertions in a more than 60 years of political conflict which may not have reached the public ears, but they could be things that are best left unsaid. For some others, it may best be forgotten.
When the Government of India signed the first Ceasefire with the Federal Government of Nagaland in 1964 after installing the first Legislative Assembly in Nagaland, subsequent to the inauguration of Nagaland Statehood as the 16th State of the Indian Union, several rounds of talks were held, with the Indian Government offering “anything under the sun” except Sovereignty. This was reciprocated by the Naga leaders who would take nothing but Sovereignty. Both the Indian Civil society and the Naga public knew little on this developments and were not curious enough either. After 8 (eight) years of asserting their respective positions, the talks ended in a dead-lock and military options to crush the Nagas were re-enforced.
This time when the Government of India signed the second Ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, led by Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah, in 1997, the Naga Civil Society organizations took the lead to strengthen the hands of the negotiators and decided to create an “interference free space” for talks to take place. Towards this, a Boycott Call or rather deferment of elections under the slogan “Solution not Election” was given by the Co-ordination Committee of all Naga Civil Society organizations and Churches against the holding of the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly scheduled for 1998. Rather than proving sincerity to the Peace talks, the Government of India imposed its “Constitutional Obligations” and installed an Indian National Congress (Indira) led Proxy Government in Nagaland as all the other political parties refrained from contesting the elections to stand with the people for solution of the Indo-Naga political problem. What happened after that is within everybody’s knowledge and the DAN Government of Nagaland stands in power today as a living testimony of the people’s verdict.
But if you were to ask me, where is the Naga political assertion leading us to and what would be the impact on the Naga society? I would say; Nagas also have to learn from our past mistakes and also try and think outside of our own narrow “Naga Box”!! Today I stand before you as a humble member of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. But I also want to tell you that despite the many weaknesses and limitation that FNR may have, it has started to help the Naga people who are the managers of the Naga political assertions to think outside that narrow “Naga Box”. And that is why the leaders of the different political groups have started meeting and talking things out even within a new mechanism call the “Joint Working Group”.
Again for a moment I want to share the stories of other people who also live through very serious conflict situations, in conditions much worse than that of Nagas. One such case will be the Bougainvillien experience. But to make a long story short, let me just say, they have fought for their Independence from Papua New Guinea and in the process started killing each other just like us - Nagas. But then they said, “If we kill each other who will take care of Buogainville when it gets Independence”? So they decided to reconcile with each other and started talking with the Government of Papua New Guinea. And they entered into a Peace Agreement in 2005, in which they are given full Autonomy to run their own Country and Government for a period of 15 years. At the end of which will be a period of 5 years, during which time period they will decide whether they will choose to stay Independent or remain with Papua new Guinea.
Whereas in South Africa, after Nelson Mandela was release in 1990 and African National Congress (ANC) won the 1994 elections with Mandela as the first President of Post Apartheid regime, an Act called PROMOTION OF NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION ACT, 1995 was passed and the TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC) was established under this Act. Thereon, after conducting public hearing from both victims and perpetrators, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chairperson of the TRC handed over their report to the President of South Africa on 29th October 1998 where about 22,000 individuals or surviving families appeared before the Commission. Those who confessed their crimes were granted Amnesty and others who were victims were granted reparations. But when some of us visited South Africa last month in December, we also saw that many did not appear before the Commission. Many of them out of sheer fear that they may not get real justice. But we also met with people who were both victims as well as perpetrators and we saw some real reconciliation where they even re-told their stories to us. And all of them had this to say; “we have forgiven each other but we shall not forget”. And when TRC finished its work and the Government approved its report, they did it on a two word commitment “Never Again”.
Nagas loves to talk big things, perhaps as we are doing now….but we have to put our fears behind us and confront our future with courage. We also should not shy away from our responsibilities both as leaders and followers or even as mere public and make decisions where it is due. Most of the time, we keep waiting for others to make decisions for us and by then the opportunity has gone away from us. While Nagas are talking about the talks, peace, unity and reconciliation etc for all this years, several struggling people who may not have fought even half of what we did, have already found solutions in one way or the other. And besides Buogainville and South Africa, East Timor, Aceh and Sarejevo etc. are a few examples. Out of this few countries, East Timor which got Independent on 20th May 2002, has only 14, 609 Sq. Kms in size and 1.1 Million in population as of the United Nations Census sources in 2009. This calls for us to start to stop talking and talking about the peace talks or others gossips, but live out our lives in action before even our own neighbors overtakes us. Already even in India the Jarkhand, Chattisgarh and now Talengana have overtaken us even though the nature of the problem may be completely different. The truth is, we are just too proud of our history and bask in the glory of the past without doing anything in the present. Other may not have histories that they can boast of, but they do what needs to be done in their present situations.
So let us wake up and walk together with OUR PAST NOT BEHIND US, BUT IN FRONT OF US so that we are constantly reminded of our past mistakes and not repeat them again.
KUKNALIM!
Is the Naga youth contributing positively to society? morungexpress
Some of those who voted yes had this to say:
• They have their own society, they are contributing in their own society, they should come for the Nation as a whole. Unless the thought of getting a separate nation for them, I don’t think that they will contribute for India.
• There is a lot the Naga youth can contribute to cultural change and transformation. Today's Naga youth is intellectually more prepared, is cosmopolitan in outlook, is culturally informed and is able to think outside the box. However, as in all other areas of Naga life, there is the absence of strong, visionary leadership. I believe the Lord will one day raise up a group of visionary Naga youth who will be used of the Lord to deliver us from the mess we are in. Surely, there is hope for the Naga youth. Keep praying for our youth. The future of Nagaland lies in their hands for good or bad.
• Very much for the development of the state
• See the changes around you. We r the change. Lets stop flushing our economy to outside state.
• Inspite of bottle infrastructures, lack of standard technology and engineering capabilities, dismal public and private sponsorship, insurgency, corruption etc, by analyzing and dissecting the current trend in a broader and deeper perspective one may be convinced that the Naga youths I son the move to climb the ladder of greater heights of success and progress. If the spirit of entrepreneurship has firmly taken hold of the first generation of Naga business entrepreneurs viz. business and finance consultancies, synergy group enterprise, Avalon aviation with the pioneering service like youthnet and music task force besides those many young Naga leaders, top bureaucrats, able administrators, you name it, why not, in fact, they are part and parcel of our Naga society and no right thinking Naga citizen in his/her right mind can under value ever growing priceless contribution of the aforesaid Naga youth on the land of festivals.
• Yes, but donations makes stingy people negative if they don’t think of the long run.
Some of those who voted no had this to say:
• Naga youths are not willing to shoulder and responsibility and do not care for their own future. Their complacent and indifferent attitude towards life and the Nagas is very worrisome. Till today, there is not one Naga youth who you can say is a leader. This is very sad.
• Dependent on the Government alone.
• No, Naga youth are not contributing positively to society. The only thing they care about is partying their lives away and materialistic stuff. Granted, some youths are doing their bit to help society. But, the general mass is just taking things very lightly.
• There are many Naga youth that are talented and have the ability to do a lot of things for society, but their voices are often not heard. Its a irony that those whose voices should be heard are not heard while we can do away with those whose opinions bring nothing by division and destruction.
• Youth contribution is not visible at this stage.
• The young Nagas of today have the intelligent, exposure, confidence and the know how, but their contribution to society is not being felt at all. They just dont know the opportunity and are somehow marginalized from decision making.
• All tat d naga youths r contributing 8 d moment s more noise pollution, illigitimate babies+abortd ones, raw recruits 4 anti-social activities & time-pass 4 perverts wit money & power.
• Majority of them are not yet ready to be considerate enough to sacrifice for the betterment of Nagaland.
• No, forget positive contribution
• The Naga youth are lazy, dispassionate, easy going and too dependent on either their parents or the government for their livelihood. This is a chronic problem for the Naga youth. The Naga youth is indecisive and lacks vision and so are just groping in the dark.
• Certainly not, it is sad to see that youths today are acting vague about our culture and principles. They only seem that fashions, adopting lifestyles etc,… is their top priority and turn a deaf ear of the consequences that follows. We call ourselves Christian. Are we living as one? Youths, today are the leaders for tomorrow but can we really drive our society for a better future? Nagaland is in need of truth and dedicated leaders. Unless we see the true virtue and live for Christ, there is no question of us contributing to the society.
• No, forget positive contribution. The youth cannot even think positively cause Nagaland is governed by selfish, egoistic and wicked politicians and bureaucrats.
Some of those who voted others had this to say:
• Naga youths do not have the space to make any meaningful contribution to the growth of the society. The patriarchal set up has marginalized young Naga men and women and have not given room for them to share their opinions. Without the participation of the youth, Naga society is doomed to fail.
• There is a big divide between those Naga youths who have studied outside Nagaland and those Naga youths who have studied all their life in Nagaland. This gap will prove dangerous in the years to come. While the Naga youths that have studied outside Nagaland have the knowledge and the exposure they are quite handicapped in Nagaland because the real power lies with those Nagas who have lived in Nagaland all their lives. Unless some kind of synergy is created between these two, the contribution of the Naga youth will never be felt positively.
• The government has influenced and controlled all those potential young people and youth organizations that are capable of contributing to society. The youth today are leaderless and have no role models and this makes them easy prey to the seduction of the all powerful government. It’s a shame.
• So far only the government is in a position to help youth people. This itself is faulty. I wish the Churches like NBCC and other would invest in young people and even go to the extent of promoting young Naga entrepreneurs in business and commerce. It is only by investing in young people that the fruits can be reaped. Right now, no one is investing in young people and this is obviously making them more frustrated and disillusioned with the future. Even the factions should not collect tax from young entrepreneurs. They should introduce a system where young entrepreneurs are exempted from tax for at least five years. They should realize that by investing in the youth, the future of the Nagas become bright.
FNR moots ‘confederal’ DIMAPUR, JAN 25 (AGENCIES):
Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has suggested setting up of a “confederal form of government” among the Naga political groups to pursue the “common interest” of the Nagas as well as address the pressing needs of the hour.
“One of the fundamental truths of the Nagas today is the call for political reconciliation in pursuit of common interest based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas,” said FNR convenor Rev. Dr. Wati Aier in his address at the public meeting in Ukhrul on Saturday.
Rev. Dr. Wati said with the signing of ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ and “rejection of any form of conditional package offered to Nagas by the Government of India,” it was logical that for common interest and actions of Nagas, a ‘confederation’ of some sorts was required.
He also said that the more Nagas want Naga political leaders to respond quickly and adequately to the needs of many different groups and localities, “the more decentralized and localized it has to be.”
“This means, more thought should be given to a confederal form of government,” he said.
The ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ was signed jointly by NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu, GPRN/NSCN chairman S. S. Khaplang and FGN president ‘Brig’ (Retd) S Singnya in June 2009.
In the covenant, the leaders gave a solemn commitment to offer themselves to “Naga Reconciliation and forgiveness.”
The JWG of the signatories of the Covenant in a joint statement issued on September 28, 2008, also resolved to abide by the Covenant and rejected “any form of conditional package offered to Nagas by the Government of India.”
JWG reaffirmed the same resolution on December 8, 2009.
‘Corruption has overcome Development’ morungexpress
Dimapur, January 25 (MExN): President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil today said huge funds have been given out but the resources have not been utilized, due to corruption. In her address to the nation on the eve of India’s 61st Republic Day, the president lamented the absence of accountability in the development process. The president called corruption and weak implementation (of developmental impetus) the ‘bottlenecks.’
“A bottleneck and an impediment in bringing about the desired results, for which policies and schemes have been formulated and huge allocation of funds made, is weak implementation and corruption in the system,” President Patil said in her speech. The causes of the chronic ailment of tardy implementation have to be treated, she said.
“There should be accountability for lack of implementation of projects, programmes and schemes. This is critical for bringing about positive change” she said, and referring to the day said “today, is a reminder” to “upholding the values, determining the direction and propelling the growth of our nation.” This is a task that must be fulfilled by every citizen of the country, the president reminded.
President of India calls for accountability
The President also said the country should continue with policies that promote growth, and also take growth patterns “to the bottom of the pyramid” to those “currently outside its purview.” She said empowering the poor and the disadvantaged, enabling them to move up the economic ladder is a task that must be accomplished. “Women need to be made full and equal partners. The inclusive growth strategy, which we have chosen, can make our growth process equitable and sustainable,” she said.
As inclusive growth is envisaged, President Patil said, it requires social justice that can be delivered through an effective social sector infrastructure. “It should make quality education and good health facilities available to all citizens, along with social services and job opportunities,” she said. This will create a human resource base which has the skills, knowledge and capacity to work productively, the president stated.
The president also called for integration and development of linkages between sectors such as agriculture and industry. For a nation which is the seventh largest in geographical terms and the second largest in terms of population, the existing physical infrastructure is inadequate, the president said. “We have to change this situation. The number of bridges, roads, harbors as well as our power generation capacity and transport facilities, among others, require extensive additions. But, do not forget that along with these structures of cement, steel and mortar, it is also important to bridge our differences, build roads to connect hearts and minds, harbor compassion, generate goodwill towards all and transport these feelings to strengthen the unity of the nation.”
The President also broached the issue of social injustice in India. An instance she gave was the discrimination against women: “A change which is required, and of which I have spoken often is the eradication of social malpractices in particular those related to discrimination against women. These pose a hindrance on our path to building a more progressive and equitable nation. We should follow a positive agenda for the empowerment of women.”
She said a change in the mindsets will be important to remove prejudices and create equal opportunities for all citizens. “This is essential for our inclusive growth agenda and for tapping the full potential of our population,” the president remained in her message.
The president said the Media can have an important influence on how people see the country. With relentless advances in technology, media is now an integral part of one’s daily lives, she said. The President said: “It can create awareness by bringing information to the people, getting them to reflect, and making them realize their responsibilities towards the nation. With a media that plays a constructive role, people would be inspired to take actions that would contribute to building the nation and also to learn about the benefits of positive actions.”
Make democracy cleaner: President NEW DELHI, JAN 25 (IANS):
For a cleaner and healthier democracy, India needs to remove “impediments, lacunae and malpractices” in the electoral process and be the democratic role model for other countries, President Pratibha Patil said Monday.
The president in her address at the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Election Commission of India said the country had “impressive democratic credentials, but yet has the challenge of becoming a role model for other countries”.
“This requires that we should be aware of the impediments, the lacunae and malpractices in the electoral process. These would have to be removed with determination, to make our democracy cleaner, healthier and stronger,” she said.
She said the people’s representatives must adhere to values, spirit and principles of the Constitution.
“Democracy adorns our Constitution. We have to see that the power of voting vested in the people makes them powerful enough to change their own destiny through democracy and therefore, the importance of making democracy fully participatory,” she said. Patil expressed hope that democracy would be taken deeper to the grassroots to involve people in governance.
“Through the Panchayati Raj institutions and local urban bodies, we have sought to deepen the reach of democracy. Their role and responsibility for executing programmes and schemes, particularly social and welfare schemes must increase,” she said.
The poll panel has chosen the theme “greater participation for a stronger democracy” for its diamond jubilee year and the president hoped that discussions under the rubric of this theme would be fruitful.
Meanwhile the vice president urged that political parties should now have “substantive organisational” democracy.
Ansari was speaking at the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Election Commission. Leaders of most national and regional political parties -- including Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Prakash Karat, Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee -- were present too. “Corrective action by the Election Commission and the political parties is imperative to remove blot on the democratic electoral process in the country,” Ansari said.
“Despite stringent efforts, unaccounted election expenses constitute the major expenditure of political parties and their candidates. These relate to the distribution of freebies, liquor and cash during elections, the phenomenon of surrogate advertisements, and the extensive media-related malpractice of paid news and coverage packages.”
The vice president pointed out that each of these was “a blot on the democratic process and on the objective of free and fair elections. Corrective action by the Election Commission and our political parties is imperative”.
He also asked political parties to establish effective organisational democracy.
“The Election Commission has insisted upon and enforced procedural inner party democracy in recognised political parties. The challenge for the political parties now is to bring about substantive organisational democracy,” Ansari said.
The vice president was also dissatisfied with the state of the grassroots democratic system.
“While we have traversed a long distance in providing a constitutional basis for local government, real empowerment and participative governance at the third tier of government is still a work-in-progress,” he said.
“It is to be hoped, as recommended by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, that the electoral process at the local self government level would benefit from coordination and sharing of experiences and resources with the Election Commission of India.”
The vice president had words of praise for the commission, which, he said, “has been adapting itself in a remarkable fashion to the evolving society, polity and technological changes to fulfil its mandate”.
On the eve of Republic Day, he said when a country celebrates its festival, it is also a time for introspection.
“A celebration is a festive occasion. In the affairs of a nation, it is also a time for introspection. Six decades on, a fair verdict would be that the glass is neither empty nor full but well above the half way mark,” said the vice president.
“We have established and sustained procedural democracy. And yet, Dr. Ambedkar’s foreboding about the contradiction between political equality and social and economic inequality remains valid. The realisation of one person one vote and one vote one value continues to be elusive.”
Dimasa forum to tap Haldar - Apex body wants envoy to clear stand A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Haldar: Time to troubleshoot
Guwahati, Jan. 24: The Jadikhe Naisho Hoshom, the apex body of the Dimasas that had played a crucial role in impressing upon the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) to lay down arms en masse on October 2, has decided to seek answers from P.C. Haldar, the Centre-appointed interlocutor for talks, on steps being taken to carry forward the peace process.
The president of JNH, Dethang Naiding, told this correspondent today that along with the Dimasa Mothers’ Association (DMA), it intends to move Haldar in the next couple of days to know about the steps being taken to clear hindrances that stood in the way of the peace process between the government and the DHD (J) in the light of the memorandum the two organisations had submitted to him in December.
The JNH’s proposed joint effort vis-à-vis Haldar follows a growing fear about efforts to get the DHD (J) overground getting derailed if there was no significant progress at the earliest.
The two organisations have also decided to send copies of the letter to Haldar to the Centre and in Dispur.
The JNH and the DMA are of the opinion that the peace process will not progress and remain inconclusive without the participation of senior DHD (J) leaders, including its chairman Jewel Gorlosa, in custody.
“The honourable interlocutor knows our mind. During the arms surrender, prominent government officials said that efforts would be made to solve all the problems of the DHD (J) within 100 days,” Naiding said.
“Even the Union home minister had lauded the gesture of the DHD (J), but unfortunately, we do not see any significant progress. The government was in constant touch with us before the surrender of arms, but now we do not know much about what exactly is happening. We are totally confused. He will be in a position to allay our apprehensions.”
Calling for a time-bound solution to the problem in letter and spirit, Naiding said Dispur should at least take one constructive step in response to the mass surrender of the DHD (J) to instil confidence in the local population and insurgent groups.
“Changing of the nomenclature of the district can be done immediately as there is a majority support. Facilitating the participation of leaders in custody in talks, too, can be done if the government so wishes. For maintaining peace and harmony, it is necessary to instil confidence,” he added.
Naiding feared a delay could affect the prevailing peace in the district and that they would have no say if the situation deteriorated if the government did not keep its part of the bargain vis-à-vis the DHD (J).
“There is already resentment among the cadres which could lead to a backlash on society. Even we cannot do much then as it will be difficult convincing the boys if the peace process is not expedited. The government has to understand this,” he said.
The DHD (J) wants the name of North Cachar Hills be changed to Dima Hasao Raji and a state within a state, among others.
Earlier, the Tarun Gogoi cabinet had asked the cabi- net-sub-committee on changing the nomenclature headed by D.P. Goala, to give its decision.
Goala said the committee was examining the issue and would give its report within the deadline next month.
Dilemma of Bodoland Northeast Echoes PATRICIA MUKHIM
BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary (right) with Bodo leaders during a demonstration in Guwahati. Picture by Eastern Projections
What is happening in Bodoland is seen by many as a blight that is visiting the Bodo people on account of the sins of their elders.
When the Plains Tribal Council of Assam (PTCA), the first political organisation spearheaded by the Bodos was formed in 1967 under the leadership of Modoram Brahma, the Bodos dominated the council, completely sidelining other plains tribals like the Koch, Rajbongshi, Kachari, Rabha, Hajong, Tiwas who separately might not make up a sizeable chunk of the plains tribal population but taken together are not an insignificant number.
While it is true that the Bodos are the single largest group among the plains tribal of Assam and also the most politically conscious and articulate having started a movement for a Union Territory — Udayachal in 1972, they are also seen as usurpers of the rights of the other plains tribes.
It was at the behest of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma that the Bodos represented before the Simon Commission that certain percentage of seats in the Legislative Assembly and government jobs be reserved for tribals. Brahma was also instrumental in the formation of the Tribal League in 1930 to focus on the socio-economic problems of the tribes.
It is interesting how the Tribal League got transformed into the Tribal Sangha after 1947 and how its agenda changed from that of a group focusing on the socio-economic welfare of the tribes to become a socio-cultural organisation.
Be that as it may, the Bodos can be credited with a political consciousness that was rare among the other hills or plains tribes at that time.
Alarming slide How such politically progressive people are today unable to find their bearings and are struggling to understand their own dilemma is a cause of great concern among the other tribal neighbours.
Particularly disturbing is the regression of the Bodo people into a sort of inferno from where they are grappling to find a way out.
While the present literacy rate of Assam stands at 64.28 per cent that of the Bodos is only 33 per cent. This once culturally advanced group with leaders of worth like Upendra Nath Brahma, has surprisingly produced only four IAS and three IPS officers and only one from the IFS cadre.
These officers who have served some of the top institutions of the country such as the BSF and the NSG do not seem to want to come back to serve their own people.
Take for instance the present Governor of Meghalaya, Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, who retired as the director-general of the BSF in 2006 and later became Assam’s first chief information commissioner (CIC).
The Bodo people had pinned their hopes on him to provide, not the conventional kind of leadership which is politically partisan but to revolutionise his people and give them hope in a situation that is gloomy, murky and steeped in bloodshed and violence. But Mooshahary opted to be a faithful servant of the state which has rewarded him with a governorship.
Perhaps, the upcoming Bodo leaders are too idealistic to expect someone nurtured in the administrative crucible of this country and attended by the creature comforts it affords, to come back and unravel the imbroglio that has been created by a series of bad decisions and actions.
Ethnic dimension What the Bodos did to achieve that goal is neither honourable not humane. The ethnic cleaning cannot be forgotten so easily by those who today live in refugee camps. It has created so much bad blood and mistrust among the Santhals and Muslim population — the latter having been broadly labelled as “illegal immigrants” — that any hope of bringing sanity in Bodoland is at this time illusory.
Earlier, the petty politics played by the Bodos in the allocation of Legislative Assembly seats through the PTCA has also alienated the other plains tribes. While a section of evolved Assamese does empathise with the Bodos, the larger section is indifferent, having enough to deal with its own Ulfa problems.
The government at Dispur considers the Bodos a thorn in the flesh. With one section of Bodos making a strident demand for a separate state and another using the instrument of violence to demand a sovereign Bodoland, and both unwilling to engage with Dispur, the Assam government decides that it is best to play Nero. Left in the lurch is the All Bodo Students’ Union (Absu) which has ostensibly decided, (at least from what can be gleaned in conversations with them), to remain an apolitical force for now. Absu had in the past played an active role in guiding the political life of the Bodos. They have aligned with one or other political group and indulged in quid pro quos wherein former Absu president U.G. Brahma was sent to Rajya Sabha.
At this point of time though, Absu is stunned by the relentless killing in their homeland. What is causing immense pain and trauma is the fratricide that is now threatening to divide the Bodo community like never before. While the Indian intelligence agencies have been credited with creating these splits and fissures that have factionalised the militant groups, it must be said that such developments are not a one-sided affair. Hunger for power and political privileges among a section of Bodos have become the Achilles heel of the entire community.
Poll prospects Elections to the Bodoland TerritorialAreas District are fast approaching. Already the armed groups are positioned to help some against other contenders. Absu have expressed serious apprehensions about the likely fallout of the elections. When politicians use the militia to achieve their agenda, blood will spill over all of Bodoland. Absu have knocked on all doors in the corridors of power hoping they could somehow prevail upon the powers that be to stop the bloodletting in Bodoland. So far they have met with little success. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has refused to give them a hearing. Senior police officials wring their hands in despair saying they can do nothing since decisions on the posting and transfer of police officials in Bodoland are taken at the highest political levels.
Clearly the scene is as incoherent as it is fraught with ambiguities and doublespeak. The Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) Accord was signed in 1993 but the Bodoland movement became more violent during the later part of the nineties.
In 2003, the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Accord was signed as a closure to the 15-year-long Bodo movement. But the terms of the accord are yet to be implemented in letter and spirit even today. Cosy in their seats of power the leaders have perhaps forgotten what they even demanded at the time. This is Bodoland’s biggest dilemma. They have been let down by their own leaders; they are politically and socially fragmented and have become pawns of different masters. Bodoland is suffering from a cancer that would require the intervention of a political maestro. Who that person or persons will be is difficult to say at this stage.
(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com">patricia17@rediffmail.com)
Frans on 01.25.10 @ 10:22 PM CST [link]
