NSCN (IM) holds Delhi, Rangoon liable for bloodshed The Morung Express
NSCN (IM) holds Delhi, Rangoon liable for bloodshed The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, FEB 27 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) explaining the root causes of division among the Nagas pointed out that their peaceful existence was shattered the day “Indian occupation forces invaded on their land” and termed this as the “genesis of fighting and killing in Nagalim”. The Peace and Reconciliation Committee of the NSCN (IM) in a press communiqué while mentioning among others, the 16 point agreement, Shillong Accord, Military coupe d’ etat staged in 1978 and the other abortive coupe by SS Khaplang however stated that “when one dig deep into the heart of the matter”, it was Delhi and Rangoon who are the authors of all these bloodshed in “Nagalim”.
“They are the culprits. Our political battle or military battle is in Delhi and Rangoon. Our fighting strategy should therefore, be directed against those aggressors, not among ourselves. The Nagas realized the curse and shame of chopping the heads of their own brothers for status, money and tinsel medals from their enemies”, the statement pointed out.
While stating that the message of peace should be preached to the aggressors and ‘their allies’, the NSCN (IM) Peace Committee also maintained that it was the ‘collaborators of the enemies’ who betrayed the cause for ‘status and money’. “It is they who magnified fighting in Nagalim. It is they who made the stay of the occupation forces prolong this far. And that Nagas they are the innocent victims of those demons”, the Peace Committee maintained.
Making it clear that the Nagas are the aggrieved party, not the aggressor, the NSCN (IM) stated that it was imperative to know the causes of war and the roots of peace if Nagas are to eliminate war and restore peace in the land. Besides the occupational forces, which it stated was the genesis of fighting and killing, the NSCN (IM) Peace and Reconciliation Committee stated that the 16 point agreement was an attempt to legitimize the occupation of Nagalim by India. “It is never a boon as claimed by a few demagogues. It is only political bait to trap and murder the right of the Nagas”, it stated and further termed the Shillong Accord as another diabolic attempt on the life of the Naga nation, which had claimed thousands of lives.
On the military coupe d’ etat staged in 1978, it termed the move as a conspiracy hatched by the Indian intelligent agency, which had taken a heavy toll and went to state that the wounds of the Naga people were further widened by another coupe attempt of SS Khaplang, who butchered hundreds of fellow workers on ‘fabricated grounds’.
‘Right time to reconcile, unite’ The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, FEB 28 (MExN): Reaffirming the earlier proclamation made by its Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and also stating that it was the right time to reconcile, the NSCN (IM) Peace and Reconciliation Committee has stated that it was a message “to rebuild the relationship damaged by hatred, jealousy, tribalism, misinformation and venom of the enemies”. “We must love one another because that is the commandment. We must unite into one because that is law. We must rediscover peace because that is the will of God as well as that of mankind”, a press communiqué issued by the Committee stated while also affirming that Nagas must bury the past, heal the wounds, rebuild the damage and renew our trust and faith. “The causes of the conflagration must be removed. We must live together for a higher mission, a mission we are born for. And now is the right time”, the Committee stated.
Pointing out that it has been the practice from time immemorial that any dispute that arises between two villages, clans, families or individuals is settled through the mediation of a third party and “by sharing smoke pipe or food and drinks in the presence of the elders as a sign of reconciliation between the contending parties”. “And when it is settled in this way, both parties strictly abide by that, violator of which earns the wrath of the whole community or village”.
Stating that Nagas have been struggling for peace for more than six decades, the NSCN (IM) Peace Committee pointed out that “peace and progress of Nagalim hangs on the pendulum of a solution based on mutual respect and recognition of rights on the one hand and reconciliation and reunification of the long departed Naga brothers and sisters on the other”. The Peace Committee however stated that there is no logic in peace or unity move if it is not meant for “our higher cause”. “Peace and unity should be built upon the rock of freedom, truth and justice”, it stated adding that “free Nagalim for Christ is our rallying point and uniting point, fighting point and negotiating point” and that it was the political message to the people and the world as well. “It is where we stand and invest our labor and time. This is the unshakable stand of NSCN”, the Peace Committee stated.
NSCN (K) man killed in factional clash Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, FEB 27 (NPN): One cadre of the NSCN (K) was killed and another injured in a factional clash with NSCN (I-M) at Khukiye-Lukhaiyi Village, about one km away from Satakha town, in Zunheboto district on Tuesday morning. The clash took place when a 60-member NSCN(K)cadre attacked the rival numbering around 40 in the village after which there was heavy exchange of fire from 6.20 a.m. till 9 a.m. Intervention by village headmen,public and NGOs halted further clash after which both factions vacated the place.
However, the NSCN(K) returned and resorted to another attack at around 11 a.m. which was again stopped through the intervention of the public. The slain NSCN(K)activist was later identified as Uewrethong of Tisari village. However, the identity of the injured could not be ascertained. Casaulty if any, on the side of the NSCN(I-M)was not known.
The inured was later shifted to Zunheboto Town by the public for medical treatment. One NSCN (K) man died and two others sustained injuries in the gun battle that took place from 6.10 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. of the day, they said. Meanwhile, GBs of Satakha Town, leaders of Sumi Totomi Hoho and elders of Khukiye Lukhai Village have expressed gratitude to both factions for heeding to their plea and restoring normalcy in the area.
The culture of sharing smoke pipe- Nagaland Post Opninion
It has been our culture, prac-ticed since time immemorial that any dispute that arises between two villages, clans, families or individuals is settled through the mediation of a third party by sharing smoke pipe or food and drinks in the presence of elders as a sign of reconciliation between the contending parties. And when it is settled in this way, both the parties strictly abide by that, violator of which earns the wrath of the whole community or village.
Peace and conciliation is a divine language. Peace on earth is the wish of the Lord. All the living beings are created to exist in harmony with the law of creation. In the event of violation of that law, commotion and violence occur in that particular land. It is all because peaceful co-existence among all living beings and nations is the law.
According to the Scripture, man is created for love, which means love for God and man. Love for God is a divine longing in man for his creator and sustainer like that of a child for each other. Love for man is not only a natural born among brethren, but it is also a social necessity. It is so because no one is created to be an island. And that peace is the product of love. We cannot imagine of peace without love among humankind. Every one of us longs for peace and talks of peace everywhere and every time, but we are placed in war situation most of the time. Why? War is the artificial creation of human beings. It is made by the demons of dictators, power-mongers, imperialists, capitalists, communalists, tribal lords, dominant classes and nations.
Peace has been the message of every preacher, social activist, politicians, philosopher, writer and ruler in every generation. We are witnessing how the leaders of the world have been striving to re-discover peace on earth. In every stage of history we find people and nations struggling for peace and for the sake of peace even wars were fought among them.
The Nagas too have been struggling for peace for more than 6 decades. Where is that long cherished peace? Peace is indispensable for the growth of life and progress of society. But the reality is that peace does not exist by itself. It naturally goes along with somebody else. Basically peace is rooted in the solid ground of divine will. It blooms with freedom. It is built upon the foundations of truth and justice. It grows in the fertile soil of common will of a people. It is born of mutual trust and recognition of right. In the absence of these truths we cannot expect peace nor have peace anywhere on earth.
It is imperative for us to know the causes of war and the roots of peace if we are to eliminate war and restore peace in the land. In the case of the Nagas, they are the aggrieved party, not the aggressor. Their peaceful existence was shattered the day Indian occupation forces invaded on their land. That is the genesis of fighting and killing in Nagalim. 16 point agreement was an attempt to legitimize the occupation of Nagalim by India. It is never a boon as claimed by a few demagogues. It is only political bait to trap and murder the right of the Nagas. The Shillong Accord was also another diabolic attempt on the life of the Naga nation, which had claimed thousands of lives. The military coupe d'etat staged in 1978 was the manifestation of a conspiracy hatched by the Indian intelligent agency and those signatories of the accord of treason against the legitimate leadership of the people. It has also taken a heavy toll.
The wounds of the Naga people were further widened by another abortive coupe attempt of S.S Khaplang, who butchered hundreds of fellow workers on fabricated grounds. But when we dig deep into the heart of the matter we find that Delhi and Rangoon are the authors of all these bloodshed in Nagalim. They are the culprits. Our political battle or military battle is in Delhi and Rangoon. Our fighters strategy should therefore, be directed against those aggressors, not among ourselves. The Nagas realized the curse and shame of chopping the heads of their own brothers for status, money and tinsel medals from their enemies. The message of peace should be preached to the aggressors and their allies. It is the collaborations of the enemies, the power-mongers and the opportunist traitors who betrayed the cause for status and money. It is they who magnified fighting in Nagalim. It is they who made the stay of the occupation forces prolong this far. And that Nagas they are the innocent victims of those demons.
Now the questions is-where will we go from here and what is to become? Since the fate of a people cannot be placed in the hands of the aggressors or the opportunists traitors, policy and strategy have to be worked out so that it is rescued and redeemed. Peace and progress of Nagalim hangs on the pendulum of a solution based on mutual respect and recognition of rights on the one 3 hands and reconciliation and reunification of the long departed Naga brothers and sisters on the other. But we see no logic in peace or unity move if it is not meant for our higher caused. Peace and unity should be built upon the rock of freedom, truth and justice. Free Nagalim for Christ is our rallying point and uniting point. It is our fighting point and negotiating point. It is our political message to our people and the world as well. It is where we stand and invest our labor and time. This is the unshakable stand of NSCN.The spirit of the proclamation of our most honorable Yaruiwo is a tender call to all brothers and sisters for family reunion in his name. it is a healing touch to the wounded. It is a message to rebuild the relationship damaged by hatred, jealousy, tribalism, misinformation, disinformation and venom of the enemies.
We must love one another because that is commandment. We must unite into one because that is law. We must rediscover peace because that the will of God as well as that of mankind. We must bury the past, heal the wounds, rebuild the damaged and renew our trust and faith. The causes of the conflagration must be removed. We must live together for a higher mission, a mission we are born for. And now is the right time Peace and Reconciliation Committee, NSCN (IM).
Nagaland, the Land of the Nagas and not the Animals Centurion The Morung Express In Focus
Human beings and indisciplined wild animals cannot live together in a small state like Nagaland. Wild animals like Elephants and Rhinos cannot accommodate along with the farmers in a place like Nagaland, where there is no Government Reserved Forest. To preserve wild animals as centurion, sufficient area of land at least 1,000 sq. miles of Government Reserved Forest is needed. In a State like Nagaland, Bangladeshi terrorists and wild animals like Elephants and Rhinos that were harmful to innocent public cannot live where there are no sufficient hideouts.
It is to state that the Government of Nagaland allowed DHEP Development within the border areas of Zunheboto District and Wokha District and acquired 14,000 acres of Jhuming land that reduced our cultivable land by 50%. The effect was so serious for the survival of the farmers in these infected areas. While struggling for the shortage of cultivable land, wild Elephants in several groups penetrated into the area of DHEP surroundings and damaged all the agricultural crops and forest plantations. Further, the wild animals dismantled all the farm houses (including buildings). The animals are so furious that the villagers can no longer go to that area and cultivate their field where the wild animals are roaming.
It is our last and sincere appeal to owners of those animals, if any, to take them away to your reserved forest or eliminate them as you decide. Otherwise, to compensate the loss of the properties and the cost of abandoned whole areas for years by many villages may not be possible to compensate in terms of rupees for the owners (be it Govt. or private).
The public of the areas might demand alternative “exact size” of the areas for shifting the villages from our ancestral villages to the exchanged alternative sites, if no action is taken from the owners of the animals within March 2007, we shall consider those animals as our forest resource and take the action as per the Naga Customary Law and the Naga Tradition on indisciplined animals. This is in compliance to the Tribal Bill passed in Lok Sabha on 15th December 2006 and published in Nagaland Post on 16th December 2006 and 31st December 2006, that authorized forest resources ownership right to the tribals, who lived many generations in the said land. Because, anything that are existing in our ancestral lands are our forest resources.
I Vitokhe Sema Senior Citizen Littami Village, Zunheboto
Assam to end ‘land grab’ A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Feb. 27: Dispur today sought the co-operation of all political parties to stop the rampant encroachment of Assam’s land by neighbouring states, particularly Nagaland.
Responding to the concerns expressed by the legislators over territorial aggression by neighbouring states, revenue minister Bhumidhar Barman said the state government would sit down with Opposition leaders to draw up an action plan to stop the “land grabbing”.
In a written reply to a question by former chief minister and Asom Gana Parishad (Pragatisheel) legislator Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Barman said Nagaland has encroached upon 19,819 hectares of land in Assam since May 2001. During the same period, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have allegedly encroached upon 5,756 and 65.62 hectares of land respectively.
Assam shares 434 km of its boundary with Nagaland, 704 km with Arunachal Pradesh and 723 km with Meghalaya. Mahanta and other opposition leaders alleged that the state government was doing practically nothing to stop encroachment by neighbouring states, particularly Nagaland, which has even set up government institutions and subdivisions within the territory of Assam.
Congress legislator Akon Bora pointed out that Meghalaya has set up a public works department office in his Dispur Assembly constituency. Barman, however, said no new subdivision of Nagaland has encroached upon the Assam border. Countering the minister, AGP legislator Binod Goala said that Nagaland has recently set up a new subdivision called Uriamghat, part of which has encroached upon land in Assam’s Golaghat district.
The Nagaland government recently said it would furnish maps to the boundary commission, which has been set up to look into the dispute. The maps reportedly show areas thathad originally formed part of Nagaland and should be returned to it, said Barman. “The validity of Nagaland’s claim, however, will be established only after the maps are filed before the commission,” he added. The Assam government has been insisting on the identification of the boundary on the basis of the government notification dated November 25, 1925, the Naga Hills Tuensang Area Act, 1957 and the State of Nagaland Act, 1962. Nagaland, however, told the commission that the identification of the boundary could not be done only on the basis of constitutional provisions.
Barman asserted that the state government had put forward its views before the boundary commission on November 27 in Guwahati and from January 8 to 10 at Dimapur last year. As members insisted that before settling the dispute, steps should be taken to prevent the “ongoing encroachment,” Barman assured that he would discuss the matter with Opposition leaders.
Assam wants Nagaland to return 'encroached' area By Indian Express
The Assam government has demanded that the 19,819.60-hectare land, which the neighbouring state of Nagaland encroached in May 2001, be returned. Assam also expressed that it would not, under any circumstances, accept claims made by Nagaland over the area. Revealing this, Assam Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman told the state Assembly here on Tuesday that although Nagaland had encroached 19,189.61 hectares of the area belonging to Assam in May 2001, the Assam government wants the boundary dispute settled based on the State of Nagaland Act, 1962. "The government of Assam told the committee appointed by the Supreme Court on November 27, 2006 and also in January this year and insisted on identification of the boundary in terms of the notification dated November 25, 1925, the Naga Hills Tuensang Area Act of 1957 and the State of Nagaland Act of 1962," the minister said. The minister said that the Nagaland government too had told the Committee that it would submit copies of maps showing what according to it were the territories which originally formed part of Nagaland and which areas should be returned to the state. "The extent of Nagaland's claim will become clear only after submission of those maps," Barman said. He said in reply to a question by former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta of the AGP(P). Barman said the Nagaland government had submitted before the committee that identification of the boundary would not be only on the basis of constitutional provisions. "The Assam government cannot accept such conditions and we have insisted that the boundary should be demarcated only on the basis of the State of Nagaland Act of 1962 and earlier relevant Acts," he said. The minister also informed the House that apart from the 19,819.61 hectares of Assam land under 'encroachment' of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya too had 'encroached' upon Assam's area. "While about 5,756 hectares of Assam area is under encroachment of Arunachal Pradesh, about 65.6 hectares is with Meghalaya," he said.
6 UNC-backed candidates win Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, Feb 27 (NPN): Six of the eleven candidates, who were sponsored by the United Naga Council (UNC), have won in Manipur assembly elections. The candidates contested from the four Naga-dominated hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel.
The winners included K Wungnaoshing (Phungyar), Danny Shaiza (Ukhrul), Dr. Khashim Ruivah (Chingami), K .Raina (Tadubi), Awangbu Newmai (Tamei) and Morung Mokunga (Tenuogpal), all contested as Independent.
The other winners were M Thorii (Independent) contesting from Mao; Khanthuanang Panmei (Independent) contesting from Tamenglong; D.D Thaisii of Congress (Karong); Gaikhangam, also of Congress (Nungba) and Thangkhulun Haokip of RJD (Chandel). In Mao, Thorii (Ind) defeated his nearest rival Woba Joram (Ind) by about 5,500 votes.
In Karong, DD Thaisii (Cong) defeated his nearest rival L Jonathan (Ind) by about 1,300 votes. In Tadubi, K Raina (Ind) defeated sitting minister Francias Nkagjopa (Cong) by about 600 votes. In Phungyar, K Wungnaoshing (Ind) defeated Victor Keishing of Congress, son of former chief minister Rishang Keishing. In UKhrul, Danny Shaiza (Ind) retained the seat by defeating his nearest rival A.S Arthur of Congress by about 1,000 votes.
In Chingai, Dr. Khashim Ruivah (Ind) defeated his nearest rival A Aza by 8,000 votes. In Nungba, Manipur Congress chief Gaikhangam defeated his nearest rival Gangmumei Kamei (Ind) by over 4,000 votes. In Tamei, Awangbu Newmai won. In Tamenglong, Khanthuanang Panmei defeated Samuel Jendai (Ind) by 1,301 votes. Khangthuanang was kidnapped by gunmen in the run up to the polls. In Tengnouapal, Morung Mokunga (Ind) defeated Chungsei of RJD by over 2,000 votes. In Chandel, Thangkhulun Haokip of RJD defeated L. Benjamin (Independent).
UNC ecstatic with debut show By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Feb 27: Asserting that securing six seats out of eleven nominees in the just concluded election to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly is a flying start, United Naga Council (UNC) is hoping that its victorious candidates would serve the aspirations of the Naga people.
Talking to The Sangai Express, publicity secretary of UNC Milan said securing six seats out of eleven is a great leap as UNC and other Naga apex bodies entered the electoral process for the first time only to fulfil the aspirations of the Nagas.
“We have won over 65 percent of what we have fielded and this is a flying start. This has also shown that the Nagas in general have endorsed the collective aspirations,” Milan said.
The elected UNC sponsored candidates are W Keishing (Phungyar), Ma-rung Makunga (Teng- noupal ), Danny Shaiza (Ukhrul ), Khasim Ruivah (Chingai), Awangbow Newmei (Tamei ) and K Raina (Tadubi).
Referring to the declaration made on January 16 by all intending Naga candidates at Taphou in Senapati, Milan said, “We are looking forward that two independent candidates- M Thohrii (Mao AC) and Khangthuanang Panmei (Tamenglong AC) would also came to our fold’, he added.
A joint meeting of UNC, other Naga civil organisations and the elected Naga candidates would convene a meeting to discuss the future plans to strengthen the collective resolutions of the Nagas, he informed.
Kalam to attend convocation OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Feb. 27: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is likely to attend the second convocation of Nagaland University on March 15. Announcing this, Prof. K. Kannan, vice-chancellor of the university, said Kalam has consented to grace the convocation. Kalam is also scheduled to inaugurate the newly- constructed state Assembly hall and is expected to address the legislators on the occasion. The state government is, however, trying to reschedule the President’s visit and has sought some more time for preparation. Kannan today held an emergency meeting with the heads of departments and deans of the university to take stock of the situation. After the meeting, he said they would be ready to organise the convocation on March 15.
This will be Kalam’s second visit to the state. He had visited the state in October 2002. “Kalam is keen to visit the state again,” Kannan said, adding that the President has expressed his eagerness to interact with Nagaland University students. Kannan also highlighted some of the major achievements and focus of the university. Nagaland University will tie up with Oxford University to start MSc course in anthropology. The university is also trying to tie up with a reputed university in Norway. The School of Agricultural Sciences at Medziphema has been incorporated in the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, he added.
The university is expected to start an engineering college by August, while a medical college is in the offing. The department at Tenydie would be renamed the School of Naga Tribal Dialects.
The vice-chancellor announced that the university headquarters at Lumami would soon become fully functional. The campus will be turned into a township with modern facilities. The three campuses of the university at Medziphema, Kohima and Lumami will be connected by hotlines. The university has been rocked by agitation and protests since it was established 13 years’ ago.
Red Fort attack case takes a quirky turn Gyan Varma DNA Daily News
NEW DELHI: The defence counsel of Arif, the main accused in the Red Fort attack case, told the court on Tuesday that the mobile phone which was found on the suspect showed records of calls made to the Delhi Police and the then chief secretary of Nagaland, among others. The court of justices RS Sodhi and PK Bhasin was told that Arif was never carrying a mobile phone when he was arrested in December 22, 2000 and it was planted later to frame him.
“The mobile phone theory of the police is a farce because if Arif is a terrorist then he would not have spoken to policemen who had carried out the investigations,” said the defence advocate. Arif, who is a suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba militant, has been given death sentence by a lower court. The defence said the prosecution claim that police recovered the phone from Arif is false. Police had claimed that they had traced the mobile number through surveillance and had arrested Arif on the basis of the phone found on him.
Congress set to lead next ministry in Manipur The Morung Express
Imphal, Feb 27 (PTI): Congress today won 29 of the 60 seats in the Manipur assembly elections, just two short of absolute majority, and looked set to form the next government in the State. Sources in the party said CPI, which was a junior partner in the out-going Secular Progressive Front Ministry and secured four seats this time, was likely to join a coalition government led by it. Sources said the Steering Committee of the SPF Ministry held a meeting yesterday during which the CPI offered to join the next ministry if the Congress and CPI received absolute majority. It was not yet known whether the NCP and RJD, partners of the UPA government in Delhi, would join the new ministry.
State RJD president and former Chief Minister, W Nipamacha Singh, who lost to NCP nominee, S Joy Singh in Wangoi, had said his party would strictly abide by the decision of RJD central leaders. While NCP bagged 6 seats, RJD secured 3.
Newmai News Network adds
Prominent losers include MPP president Dr. L. Chandramani, another MPP leader Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, ex-Chief minister and RJD leader W. Nipamacha and Independent candidate Prof. Gangmumei Kamei. Altogether 10 Independent candidates have won including the 6 UNC sponsored ‘consensus candidates’.
6 from UNC kitty emerge victors
One seat each from Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel districts have been won by United Naga Council (UNC) sponsored candidates while all the three Assembly Constituencies in Ukhrul district have been swept by the UNC’s ‘consensus candidates’. 5 of the other UNC-backed candidates lost to their rivals. In Nungba A/C under Tamenglong district, Sangamlung alias Sebestian, a UNC consensus candidate, secured only 438 votes.
UNC’s winners
Awangbow Newmei from Tamei A/C under Tamenglong district beat Z. Mangaibou of the Congress by a margin of 396 votes.
K. Raina won in the Tadubi A/C under Senapati district by beat N. Kayisii with a margin of 614 votes.
Morung Makunga won over his nearest rival Chungsei of the RJD by a margin of 2087 votes in the Tengnoupal A/C under Chandel district.
K. Wungnaoshang from Phungyar A/C under Ukhrul District beat Victor Keishing of the Congress party by a margin of 123 votes
Dr Khashim Ruivah of Chingai A/C under Ukhrul District beat A Aza of the Congress by 8067 votes.
Danny Shaiza of the UNC beat AS Arthur of the Congress by 1868 votes.
Newmai News Network
Results not a referendum on the Centre: PM
NEW DELHI, FEB 27 (AGENCIES): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said that the elections in Punjab and Uttrakhand, where the Congress was voted out of power, were not a vote against the central government. The prime minister, making a rare appearance outside his office in Parliament House, said, “No, this is not a referendum on the central government. Of course there would be some fallout of the elections.”
He expressed concern over the rising prices and said that his government was trying to control the spiral. “We are trying to control the prices and inflation. It is a matter of concern to us,” he said.
Dr Singh also said the government has done nothing wrong in the Quattrocchi issue and offered to discuss each and every issue with those seeking to raise the matter.
“The law would take its own course,” the prime minister said, rejecting the charge that the government was indirectly helping the accused Ottavio Quattrocchi.
Cong readies to form next Govt By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Feb 27 : With the Congress emerging as the single largest party with 30 MLAs out of the total 60 seats, MPCC president Gaikhangam has informed that Congress will soon claim to form the next Government.
Talking to The Sangai Express at Congress Bhawan today, Gai-khangam who retained his seat at Nungba AC, maintained that the verdict of the election shows that the people of Manipur want Congress party to remain in power. In accordance with the aspirations of the people, Congress party would pay special attention for restoring peace and bring more development in Manipur, he said. However, Gaikhangam shied away from commenting on whether Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh will be the next Chief Minister or there would be a change in leadership stating “Let it be decided by the newly elected members of the Congress.”
Nonetheless, he hoped there would not be any difference of opinion on the leadership of CLP.
Being a National party, a consensus leader would be chosen very soon so as to complete the process for formation of a new Govt led by Congress within the first week of March , he added.
Even after declaration of the all results of the election, the State unit Congress president was seen remaining at Congress Bhavan discussing matters related to formation of the next Government with the AICC officials who are presently campaigning at Imphal in connection with the election. Some of the successful party candidates were also seen arriving at Congress Bhavan, but Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh was conspicuous by his absen-ce. Out of 59 candidates fielded to contest in the election to the 60-member Assembly, Congress party secured 30 seats and from among the successful candidates 18 of them are sitting MLAs, six of them are ex-MLAs and six others are new entrants. Meanwhile, Chairman of CPI Control Commission M Ibohal has expressed hope that the Congress-CPI coalition SPF Government would be reinstated. A joint meeting of elected candidates of both the parties including the Chief Minister is scheduled to be held tomorrow, he disclosed.
The Indo-Manipur political conflict — II — Exploring new ways for solution —
By Sanatomba Kangujam Sangai Express
Various forms of antagonized relations, which have developed among the armed opposition groups in the North East, carry evidences to the negative ramifications of ceasefire. The post-1997 period has witnessed ruptures in the operational pattern of various insurgent groups in the North East, thereby manifesting incongruence among the insurgent groups. One can see a trend of factional clashes and this trend incites various points of polarization among the insurgent groups with an immense effect that often presents splitting of groups as anti-talk and pro-talk factions. The NLFT, UPDS and DHD got split on this pattern. One significant fall-out of the politics of ceasefire introduced by the Government of India is the emergence of new forms of conflict and also intensification of this conflict among various communities in the North East on the line of ethnicity. Consequently, there is an intense ‘Ethnic Cold War’ growing up in the region due to the naivety of the Government of India. Or rather in this context it can be placed that the Government of India becomes an unwelcome agent that is always preoccupied with ‘fetishism’ in its effort to enter the complexity of reality in the North East. Ceasefire with one group while leaving others advertently on the part of the Government has today produced the fetishism in its inordinate outcomes that have largely taken the shape of deepening antagonism among various communities in the region as in the case of Manipur where the military has entered into ‘ceasefire’ exclusively with some armed groups of a particular community. In this regard, the “Great June Uprising” which took place in 2001 following the infamous “Bangkok Declaration” can also be cited as a vivid reminder of how the politics of ceasefire had sparked off the inferno that razed the Manipur State Assembly to the ground. Therefore, facticity of the peace talk between any insurgent group and the Government of India with ceasefire as the pre-condition is directly linked with the growing internal strife, factional fight and communal cleavage as can be witnessed today in different parts of the North East.
The allegation that ceasefire is only a ploy designed by the Government of India to enhance its strategic upper hand vis-à-vis the armed groups also smacks out another fact that the Indian approach in dealing with insurgency in the North East is an attempt to smash the insurgent organizations without actually resolving the basic incompatibility. Besides, the Government has a history of utter disregard for any accord concluded with the dissenting groups. These are precisely the reasons why the major armed opposition groups of Manipur mainly the UNLF and the RPF are highly skeptical about any peace process with the Government of India.
Re-enacting the conflict:
The genesis of the Indo -Manipur political conflict can be harken back to the infamous Manipur Merger Agreement reached between the Government of India and Maharaj Bodh Chandra on September 21, 1949 at Shillong and subsequent annexation of Manipur by India on October 15, 1949 in contravention to all established norms of international conventions and constitutional laws. The opposition to this agreement marked the origin of armed resistance movement in Manipur. Therefore, it will not be out of place to assert that the Manipur Merger Agreement, 1949 is the crux of the ongoing Indo-Manipur political conflict.
It is pertinent to recount that with the lapse of British paramountcy and the passing of the Indian Independence Act in 1947 Manipur regained the ‘sovereign status’ through enactment of the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947. It became the first country in South Asia to have adopted a democratically elected State Assembly with the king as a constitutional head. Manipur then became truly an independent state, legally and technically free from the British Parliament and the British India in every aspect. Previous agreements like the Standstill Agreement and the Instrument of Accession entered into between Manipur and the British India could not infringe upon the sovereignty of Manipur as nothing in either of these agreements included the exercise of any paramountcy function or commitment in any way to acceptance of any future constitution of India. Above all, the same were superseded by the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
The armed-opposition groups of Manipur contested the Manipur Merger Agreement 1949 on the ground that it was executed under ‘duress’ and ‘coercion’. Various claims point to the fact that the king was kept virtually under house arrest thereby putting him under tremendous psychological pressure. It is also alleged that the Maharaja did not have the constitutional authority to enter into such an agreement as he was during the moment of the signature merely a titular head of the state as per the provisions of the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947. The agreement was, the allegation continues, neither approved by his Council of Minister nor ratified by the Manipur State Assembly, which had existed prior to the agreement.
A significant aspect of the whole drama of merger was that the nature of the said agreement was in the form of a ‘personal contract’ between the king and the Government of India and therefore the agreement does not reflect any imprint of having reached between two states. The king did not sign the agreement on behalf of the people of Manipur but only on behalf of himself, his heirs and his successors. The weakness of the agreement lies also in the fact that the people of Manipur did not give consent in any form to the Merger Agreement as no referendum was held on that issue. Therefore, the Manipur Merger Agreement of 1949 does not carry any mandate of the people of Manipur. One can bring it to the notice that Manipur did not participate in the making of the Indian Constitution, as Manipur did not send its representatives to the Constituent Assembly. — to be contd
Surprise package Sangai Express Editorial
Despite their earlier claims that it would be able to form the Government on its own, we are more than inclined to believe that the results of the election to the 9th Assembly election must have surprised even the Congress party. As things stand today, the party is just one short of the magical figure of 31 and the only question that has to be resolved is the leadership issue, that is who is going to be the next Chief Minister. The answer will emerge in the next few days and while the extremely good showing of the Congress must have taken everyone by surprise, equally surprising too was the flop show of the MPP, which was able to win only five seats. This is a far cry from the pre-poll calculations, when the MPP was under the belief that it would emerge as the single largest party with anywhere between 22 to 24 MLAs. This has not happened and while the keen political watchers were not ready to agree with the figure speculated by the MPP, no one would have thought that it would fare so poorly in the election. The MPP came back strongly in the reckoning with different regional political parties including the FPM and DRPP coming under a common roof. The calling card of the MPP was regionalism and it rode on the popular anti-AFSPA wave to woo the voters, even going to the extent of promising that if voted to power, it would repeal the controversial Act. The question then is, is AFSPA no longer a public issue ? We are of the opinion that AFSPA is still very much a public issue. However the message that has been rung out is that the people are not ready to buy whatever the politicians promise during election campaigns. This is the point that all the other political parties should take note of. The fall of a number of political heavy weights including former Chief Minister RK Dorendra, former Deputy Chief Ministers Dr L Chandramani and Th Chaoba, sitting MLA from Wangkhem AC Dr Nimaichand Luwang and another former Chief Minister W Nipamacha were the other shockers in the election results. It is also significant that except for W Nipamacha of the RJD, the other named political heavy weights were all MPP candidates. In fact, the only political heavy weight to emerge successful, outside the Congress party, was former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam of the NCP. The surprise elements thrown up by the results of the election have a story to tell.
In the hill districts, especially the Naga dominated district, the result was a mixed bag for the UNC. Out of the 11 candidates named by the UNC, six emerged successful and Ukhrul was the only district where its candidates made a clean sweep in the three ACs. The role and conduct of the six UNC sponsored candidates will be interesting to watch. Despite the many unsavoury incidents that marked the run up to the election, especially in the third and final phase of the election, one particular result that instils hope in democracy was the victory of Independent candidate K Panmei from Tamenglong Assembly Constituency. This particular candidate was abducted by NSCN (IM) cadres days before the election and was literally forced to announce that he had withdrawn from the election. His victory is a victory of the people, who believe in a free and fair election and it is instances like this that re-inforce our trust and faith in democracy. The fruits of the peace rallies at Chandel and Tamenglong are there for all to see. The point to be noted is that there is a limit to which people will tolerate the imposition of force and diktats and the result at Tamenglong AC and the success of only six out of the 11 candidates named by the UNC as consensus candidates of the Naga people is a telling commentary that defining what is people's choice and what is people's interest is not the monopoly of any single organisation, how powerful it may be.
Will defend territorial integrity: Gaikhangam The Imphal Free Press
imphal, feb 28: The Manipur Pradesh Committee president Gaikhangam, who was re-elected as Nungba A/C MLA in the teeth of opposition from the UNC and its backers, has pledged to defend Manipur`s territorial integrity and meet all challenges to it. Gaikhangam, whose results were among the earliest declared, made the pledge in front of the Kangla gate this morning.
The senior Congress leader, also expressed strong concern over the way in which underground groups had disrupted the elections in some assembly segments.
He however said the efforts of these underground groups cannot succeed in weakening the party.
The people`s desires cannot be suppressed at the point of a gun, he declared. Gaikhangam also said he had always expected the Congress to get a majority in these elections. He further informed that a clp meeting would be held to take necessary decisions for formation of the government. He however begged off making a comment on which parties would be inducted into the ruling alliance, stating that no decision has been taken in this regard as yet.
Regarding the election of a legislative party leader, he made it clear this would be done through consensus. There is no question of camps being set up, he said. He also attributed the Congress`s success to the the people`s faith in the party, and the courageous efforts of the Congress workers.
THE FINAL TALLY
Final party position in the 9th Manipur Assembly Elections 2007
Indian National Congress 30
Communist Party of India 4
Nationalist Congress Party 5
Manipur People`s Party 5
Nationalist People`s Party 3
Rashtriya Janata Dal 3
Independents 10
lists of the winner candidates
Constituency Candidate Party
1-Khundrakpam Thokchom Navakumar NCP
2-Heingang Nongthombam Biren INC
3-Khurai Dr Ngairangbam Bijoy MPP
4-Kshetrigao Thangjam Nandakishwor NCP
5-Thongju Bijoy Koijam INC
6-Keirao Md Alauddin Khan INC
7-Andro Th Shyamkumar MPP
8-Lamlai Pheiroijam Parijat CPI
9-Thangmeiband Radhabinod Koijam NCP
10-Uripok Laishram Nandakumar INC
11-Sagolband Dr Khwairakpam Loken INC
12-Keisamthong L Jayentakumar INC
13-Singjamei Irengbam Hemochandra INC
14-Yaiskul Elangbam Kunjeshwor INC
15-Wangkhei Yumnam Erabot INC
16-Sekmai (SC) Dr Heikham Borajao CPI
17-Lamsang W Brajabidhu INC
18-Konthoujam Dr S Budhichandra INC
19-Patsoi Sapam Kunjakeswor IND
20-Langthabal Okram Joy Singh MPP
21-Naoriya RK Anand MPP
Pakhanglakpa
22-Wangoi Salam Joy Singh NCP
23-Mayang Dr Kh Ratankumar INC
Imphal
24-Nambol Nameirakpam Loken INC
25-Oinam Irengbam Ibohalbi MPP
26-Bishnupur Konthoujam Govindas INC
27-Moirang M Manindra INC
28-Thanga Tongbram Mangibabu INC
29-Kumbi Ningthoujam Mangi CPI
30-Lilong Md Helaluddin Khan RJD
31-Thoubal Okram Ibobi Singh INC
32-Wangkhem Keisham Meghachandra INC
33-Heirok Moirangthem Okendro INC
34-Wangjing Moirangthem Hemanta INC
Tentha
35-Khangabok Okram Ibobi INC
36-Wabgai Dr Usham Deben CPI
37-Kakching Yengkhom Surchandra INC
38-Hiyanglam Elangbam Dwijamani INC
39-Sugnu Kangujam Ranjit INC
43-Phungyar K Wungnaoshang IND
44-Ukhrul D Shaiza IND
45-Chingai Dr Kashim Ruivah IND
46-Saikul Doukhomang Kipgen NCP
47-Karong DD Thaisii INC
48-Mao M Thorii IND
49-Tadubi K Raina IND
50-Kangpokpi Thangminlen Kipgen NPP
51-Saitu Haokholet Kipgen IND
52-Tamei Awangbow Newmei IND
53-Tamenglong Kh Panmei IND
54-Nungba Gaikhangam INC
55-Tipaimukh Ngursanglur RJD
56-Thanlon V Hangkhanlian NPP
57-Henglep T Manga Vaiphei INC
58-CCpur Phungzathang Tonsing INC
59-Saikot TN Haokip INC
60-Singhat T Hangkhanpao NPP
People`s verdict beyond expectations: chief minister The Imphal Free Press
imphal, feb 28: A jubilant O Ibobi Singh, who led the SPF alliance to victory in the 9th Assembly elections,said today the people have made clear their preference for Congress rule with their verdict. The CM, who won in both Thoubal and Khangabok A/Cs admitted that he did not expect the Congress to perform so well, but said it is what the people want. The chief minister indicated that the alliance with the CPI would continue and also mentioned the possibility of bringing in other parties into the ruling alliance. He however said no decision in this regard has been taken as yet. He informed that newly formed clp would meet soon to decide on formation of the new government. He thanked the people of Thoubal and Khangabok kendras for electing him, stating he owned them a huge debt and pledged to make every effort to work for their welfare.
The chief minister also admitted that these elections were expected to be difficult, but they went off peacefully except for stray incidents of violence.
Frans on 02.28.07 @ 01:33 PM CST [link]