UNC plea to PM on political talks , (NPN):
UNC plea to PM on political talks , (NPN):
Dimapur Amid confusion over the ceasefire area coverage, the UNC has reiterated its appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to spell out and give a clear cut stand on the realistic meaning of “Indo-Naga political talks”, unconditional and in third country as two entities, as agreed upon at the highest level.
“This is sought to defuse the confusion being created on the minds of the people to avoid any act of democratic agitation by the Naga people which will be unfortunate,” UNC president Samson Remei and general secretary A Ashohrii said in a memorandum to the Prime Minister.
Terming Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s reported statement that there is no cease fire in the present state of Manipur as uncalled for, the UNC said “It is unfortunate that a personality of his calibre and knowledge should be so blunt to this delicate Indo-Naga political imbroglio that has involved so much socio-economic and socio-cultural turmoil and human lives.”
“The Naga people would like to expect from him a deeper understanding of the situation of the North Eastern Region. Because we would not like to leave behind this political problem unsolved and pass on this imminent woeful situation to younger generation to suffer,” the UNC memorandum said.
In maintained that “opposition from some non-actor states (majority-dominant Manipur government) on the Indo-Naga peace process should not be stumbling block for New Delhi to delay and derail the peace talks.”
The UNC also felt that the recent unfortunate siege of Shirui village in Ukhrul district on the question of cease fire coverage and designated camp interpretation, which is part of the process, could have been addressed through the existing cease fire mechanism, rather than twisting it into a major magnitude of impending dangers to the Indo-Naga political talks.
The majority dominated Manipur government’s letter to Union Home Ministry and unguarded utterance of the state Chief Minister that there cannot be ceasefire in Manipur with psychological manifestation of unfortunate June 18, 2001 violent vandalism, communalistic culture, which they call “the great uprising”, amounts to direct challenge and brutalisation of Naga people’s search for genuine peace and the campaign for peace around the world.
“This attitude is loud and clear that they want the Nagas to continue with their past painful history of 250 thousands innocent Naga civilian casualties, rape of women, concentration camp, desecration of churches sanctity, re-grouping of villages, burning of houses, granaries and so on, is far short of any rational human being.”
The UNC has condemned this as an act of psychological and state sponsored terrorism for apparent conflict of human casualty and blatant human rights violation, thereby undermining the magnanimity of traditional endurance exhibited by the Naga people not succumbing to hardship and humiliation but for negotiated settlement through peaceful means.
“We believe peace cannot be compartmentalised as much as cease fire can not be shelved in cold storage. We consider the fundamental rights and ownership of its people to which they belong is the basis for any solution.
No constitutional imposition can hold on good, if it is not in tune with its people aspiration,” the UNC said and added that the Government of India will have to remedy the past political myopia and avoid treating the Naga people in condescending manner.
Nagas must unite Retd. Gen. TM Keyho Morungexpress
Nagas must unite and decide their future. Otherwise, whatever we have achieved may lost, and the present Naga National workers sacrifices and sufferings may come to nothing. First let the Naga National Workers unite and then with the “State” people.
Earlier, several different Organisations such as the Naga National Worker’s conference, the Church, the Naga Hoho and the GBs & DBs. Federation also tried to bring unity among the Naga National Workers but failed.
This time, the forum for Naga Reconciliation, under the leadership of Dr. Rev. Wati Aier, seem to be making some progress. This Forum may be the best and last chance for the Nagas to reconcile. I want this to be successful, because if this also failed, then there may be a long vacuum to fill it and the consequences may be much worse than before. In order to strengthen it, I would like to point out some loopholes for necessary correction.
According to my understanding, the first Thailand’s Chiang Mai meeting all the Naga National Workers were invited. But now, some National Workers such as Naga Peoples’ Support group, Mrs. Adinno’s group, Dr, Senkas’ group and some old and veteran National Workers’ were excluded! Why?
The FNR should play the role of peace making, a mediator body and not as supervisor or negotiating body. Why Joint Working Group? Can the rival group come together by themselves? If it can, that is the best way. But if not, then what?
Have the FNR started discussing the basic of the reconciliation, that is, “on the basis of historical facts and political rights of the Nagas”? Without having a basis, basing on facts, there can be no real reconciliation. And real reconciliation can come only when we reason together and find out from where we have gone wrong and the causes of so-called ‘Factionalism’ etc.
Unless the FNR is serious and strong, and act on impartial and independent body, instead of bringing Nagas together, it may create further division. This is the danger we must take care.
Naga Reconciliation (2 Cor.5:18-20) R.C. Chiten Jamir MorungExpress-
Of late Naga Reconciliation has become a household word in Nagaland. It is a pure sign that the Nagas need to reconcile each other, that there is a sharp division among them and that they need to unite to live like a people. Over half a century, the Nagas are living in fear, insecurity, violence, hostilities, terrorisms, bloodshed, fraticism, sinful abominations like theft, robbery, extortion, abductions, corruptions and untold sufferings- they are desperately seeking for peace and harmony but all their sincere efforts have ended in contemptuous futility. There seems to be a ray of hope to achieve peace and to live in harmony ever since they decided to create Reconciliation among the diametrically opposing forces and to bring about peace and unity in the country.
The Biblical connotation of Reconciliation is to re-establish a fractured relationship between two persons. The scripture text clearly point out at the first instance that the two parties/persons who are to reconcile is between God and man. A change of relationship between God and man based on the changed status of man through redemptive work of Christ. Man was in enmity with God because of sin. But now God’s grace of redemptive work of Christ has changed man to enable God to create Reconciliation with man.
If we study the New Testament we discover three aspects of this change of man’s status before God:
1. Just as Revival is of God, so also Reconciliation is of God. God exercises His because of sin. God initiates the redemptive works of Christ as the basis of Reconciliation between Him and man- 2 Cor.5:19. This changed status between the Holy God and the sinful man was possible only because of God’s grace to forgive the sins of man and accept him as God’s children. Man’s sins create enmity with God- Col 1:21; Rom 8:7.
2. Now the enmity- relationship is removed and a basis of fellowship is established-2 Cor.5:18-20; Eph.2:16. Now God and man are reconciled.
3. God and man are in new relationship arising out of a change in man through His grace. Rom.5:11;11:15; 2 Cor.5:18; Eph.2:5. Reconciliation arises from God, barriers to fellowship are moved and positive fellowship is established- Rom.5:10
With this background, if we study the question of Naga Reconciliation, there seems to be an inner breakdown. A breakdown in something back behind the socio-economic and political- a breakdown in the spiritual. Man’s outer arrangements rest on the inner arrangements. Men cannot get along with each other because they cannot get along with themselves and God. Why we cannot achieve genuine and trust-worthy Reconciliation even if we want to? The reason is we are not set on the Way of Reconciliation. We cannot advance in our search for reconciliation that means we are still in enmity with God. If the Nagas want to get a sparkle, buoyancy or a gaiety back to their life, they better be sure that they are reconciled with God and be willing to reconcile with each other as never before. Something lies empty within without music. There is a God who loves the Nagas and consider them as precious, and they must come to terms with Him. God says, “I have a plan to bring prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for”- Jer.29:11. God is interested in a future we aspire for but there must first be peace and prosperity and to have the future we hope for, we must reconcile each other to forget the past and unite to cross the Red Sea. Nagas have walked too long, the way of frustration, deception, exhaustion and hurting, they have learned a bitter lesson how not to live and now it is very pressing that they learn the better lesson how to live. God in his mercy has changed us from enemies into His friends, in like manner, we too should make our enemies changed into our friends. Without Reconciliation, the Nagas cannot exist as a people who are promised a glorious future by God.
Let us admit that we Nagas have traveled on roads with Dead End- the Naga Pride, critical attitudes, over sensitiveness, Hotbed of conflicts, ignoring the fact that it is not given to man to expect something else than the reality of things from God. These are the minus factors that come on the way of reconciliation.
Nagaland is a beautiful country. Its uniqueness is that, it is a Christian country, where the people have covenanted it for Christ- vide Naga Covenant made at Dimapur by the church leaders in March 1-9, 1975. This news of the Naga Covenant and the spiritual dynamism with which one was tempted to think that despite the hardships, the Nagas would come to find their homes, towns and cities on the great principles of Christian faith. The people looked to the church for leadership, advice and restoration of peaceful atmosphere to the strife torn Nagaland. In a Christian state the church should become the main stream but today it has become like a rivulet.
God’s justice does not change. The people who run away from God run into storms. Nagaland is ravished with storms. People have become like beasts who sink their fangs of hatred, the violence rages and the blood flows faster. Nagas are looking for security, stability, peace, tranquility and prosperity, but as long as Reconciliation evades the Nagas there can never be any of these they aspire for.
We are grateful to God that there are many Naga leaders in different sections of the people who have made the top by dint of hard work, struggle, sacrifice and merit. Of course, some men get to the top be accident or through back door. But most men at the top have paid the price, risked, sacrificed, made the struggle of sweat, disappointment, even defeat, plowed through to victory. The pay off success but one should not be deceived- for it is said, ‘God is not mocked…for whatever a man sows- that he will also reap”- Gal 6:7.
The time demands big men in Nagaland, not big shots but men who are big in the heart and mind- great men of God- Large- souled men who are ready to become humble before God and ready to become humble before God for the sake of the people and the country for which they have suffered so much and so long. Realistic men with vision whose feet are on the ground but whose eyes are in the horizon. Far sighted, selfless men- men with a goal. Men whose hearts God has touched. Leaders who are committed and dedicated to God- Men of Moral Integrity.
There is a saying’ “All the troubles in the world cannot sink a human being…..unless those troubles invade his inner life”. The inner life of a true Christian is the abode of the Holy Spirit, he is Bible- believing and God fearing, he will help Nagas to seek reconciliation with God and among fellow Nagas. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…..” Isa.40:31. “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him”. 2 Cho.16:9. By God’s grace, we are provided with such Naga leaders, Hallelujah!
Although, because, we are human, doubts and misgivings may assail on us, if we resolutely follow the Christian principles and democratic traditions of the Naga way of Life, we shall surely have a future blessed with reconciliation, peace, unity and prosperity. The opportunity is great and precious as much, let the Nagas rise up to the occasion.
Thai envoy presents Thailand-India road map Eastern Mirror
Our Correspondent | EMN
KOHIMA, FEB 4: Thai Ambassador to India Krit Kraichitti today presented a proposed road map linking Thailand and India through North East region while also expressing the hope that the ADB proposed road links will open avenues for eco-cooperation between the two countries and will also promote greater links with the rest of the South East Asian countries.
Addressing a press conference at Hotel Japfu, Kohima before leaving for Delhi, Kraichitti stressed that the main elements which urgently need to be taken are setting up of a tourist federation and introduction of more airlines between India and Thailand.
“But while doing so both sides should be able to instill confidence on airlines that such a proposition would be commercially viable,” he pointed out. He also emphasized on promotion of trade, investment, culture, tourism and all-round infrastructural development in Nagaland.
The ambassador also called for integration of Buddhist pilgrimage circuits in India with the eco and cultural tourism sectors of the North East to boost visits of Thai people to the region.
Since increasing number of Thai people are now visiting the India-promoted Buddhist tourism circuits, which are mainly confined to east and central parts of the country, the north eastern states should integrate them to places like Sikkim and Tawang for promotion of pilgrimage tourism, the envoy suggested.
The Ambassador reiterated that the enormous potentials to promote trade, tourism and investment can be possible if both the countries work together to improve connectivity through roads and other tele-communications.
During his meeting with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio last evening, the ambassador discussed possibility of imports of agricultural and floriculture products from Nagaland to Thailand. Accompanied by his wife and a team of officials, the envoy also called on Governor Nikhil Kumar.
Supplementing the Ambassador, Thai Embassy, New Delhi, Counsellor, Tharadoc Thongruang disclosed that the Rajaphat Surintra University of Surin Province, Thailand has already approved free scholarship to one student from Nagaland for a two-year Masters course in Arts or Social Science. The vice-chancellor of the University along with about 30-member cultural troupe visited the State during the annual Hornbill festival in December last, he said.
He stated that the scholarship scheme was taken up with a view to creating good human relation between Thailand and India while informing that it will continue in later years.
Kraichitti was on a two visit to the State to experience grassroots level democratic functioning in Nagaland since yesterday along with five other officials of the Thai Embassy. They also visited the War Cemetery en route to Dimapur.
Civil & Religious Leadership Kaba Daniel Pou Morungexpress
Need to Reviewing and Rethinking of Civil Leadership and Religious Leadership in the 21st century for better living. We are living in the century of informative, innovative, creative and ideas; Where USA is the super power and act as the Headman in this Global Village. The world fear United States of America because of her technology advancements and United States of America is suffering from autism, the genius’s brain of one man, the world most destructive and wanted terrorist chief of Al-Qaeda Islamic Militant, Osama Bin Laden. USA, with her latest technology coercive devices could not able to detect and trace world gentleman, Mr. Bin Laden out since 11 September, 2001 attacked till now. Bin Laden’s, whose head has been bounty 50-milliom dollar. If she succeeded, it will be her glorious achievement, if not she will be defeated and humiliated in the global networking world. Mr. Laden, all his brain, thoughts, and energy vested for the cause of Islamic religion and for His ‘Ala’. Bin Laden’s Tape warns of more US attacks in an audio statement broadcast 24 Sunday 2010, on AL-Jazeera television. The message stated,” America should not dream of security until we enjoy it as a reality in Palestine. It is not fair that you (America) enjoy a good life while our brothers in Gaza endure the worst standard of living. Therefore, God willing, our attack against you will continue as long as you maintain your support to Israel”.
But intellectuals and right thinking person’s need to ask question, Bin Laden is using the name of God, it might be right or it might be wrong. Being a world gentleman and secular in thought, he must also know the Great Mughal Empire might not had fall but it was Humty- Dumty fall due to religious fanatism of Muslim. Using the name of God it may be right or it may be wrong to any other religions. But the matter lies between God and whoever use fallaciously. As we belong to one religion group or the others we need to be careful. For instance, as I am Christian of Nagas, I know “you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Exodus 20:7) we are Christian; we need to be diligent where to use and how to use. Further, “You shall not witness against your neighbours” (Exodus 20: 16). On the other, if we are using rightly His name He promise His believers, “ If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what do what is right in His sight, give ear to his commandments and keep all His statues. I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15: 26). In this regard the people of Naga need to be more diligent while asserting the name of God. I said this, because we the Nagas asserted ‘Nagaland or Nagalism for Christ’, good! But in practices many are Anti-Christ in acts, in deed and in words.
DICHOTOMY PARADOXES IN THE 21ST CENTURY
I have seeing in the 20th century and in this 21st century many religious leadership having two sided characters like Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hyde, living hypocritic life while the civil leaders busy constructing bridges for commodious living. Religious leaders will be busy constructing walls through conversions and divisions among the religious groups and among the denominations group and proliferate hegemony of religious fundamentalists. It assume to be that in the 20th century and in this 21st century still we are and very hard to remove the shadow of traditional and orthodoxies practices and believes known as ‘worshipping to own groups / denominations but not to God, our creator’. Thus salvation is heaven or hell, big question mark (?). This is why every development stagnant in rural areas and in urban areas violence happens, corruptions begin, and the problems remain unsolved, murder, kidnapping, raping, and extortion practice rampant in this century in every place and even to our Naga community. This is exactly true, what Thomas Hobbes, a renounced English Political Philosopher had stated once in his state of nature as ‘state of war’ where ‘war against everyone with everyone’. In such condition no cultures of the earth, no navigation, no industries, no communication, no telegraph, and no post office. Manipur State in North- East India is fine example here. In short, the life of man was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short. As there was no common superior which could hold all people in check. There is a constant war of all against all. Henceforth, people talking about peace but into pieces, talking about integration but into disintegration, talking about unity but disunity, talking about Nagaland / Nagalim for Christ but anti-Christ.
Secular/Civic scholars, thinkers and leaders like, Machiavelli, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rouseau, Karl Marx, Linen, etc. brought broad intellectual foundations for communities’ development and nations. Look at, like Machiavelli renounced Italy political thinker whose greatest contribution to the world was separation of politics from ethics and religion; Locke, English Political thinker, for the first time reduced church to a voluntary society which can exert no power saves over its members. In other words, he did favor interference of God or religious leaders in the affairs of the state. Rousseau, the French political philosopher, says that the existence of churches resulted in the establishment of two legislators, two sovereigns, and almost two fatherlands and rendered them liable to two antagonism duties. Sooner or later, the individuals are compelled to choose between being faithful to his religion or royal to the state. He considers Christianity as the religion of the slaves who has no fatherland in this world. In another place, he said, that Christianity destroyed the unity of the body politics. It is the enemy of the patriotism. Christianity charity, he tell us, does not permit us to draw a distinction between our fellow countrymen and foreigner. Today in this 21st Bin Laden have no particular fatherland but fighting for the entire Islamic community in the name of religion- yesterday he was in Afghanistan, today he is in Palestine and Israel , tomorrow he may be somewhere else. I am not a critic of Bin Laden, but cited an example. In fact, he is world gentleman from Islamic community I considered. I respect him, for his genius intellectual I Q. Karl Marx of Germany provocative thinker and Lenin of Russia famous revolutionary thinker, described religion, “as the opium of the people”. It was their conviction that religion has been used by the exploiting class as a means to perpetuate inequalities in society. The exploiters invoke the theme of religion which teaches ‘contentment’ humality and meekness’ the exploiters want the poor people to tolerate the system which oppresses them. Thus, ‘religion’, the instrument of the rich, is also bridle of the poor. What these great people talked and predicted about in the 16th and 18th centuries is reviving again. No doubt, the 3th century religious philosopher like St. Augustine cannot be called religious leader but spiritual leader brought spiritualism and make smooth running between church institution and state institution; and in Naga nation leaders in the 21st Century like Rev. Dr. Wati Aier and Rev. V. K. Nuh. They cannot be called religious leaders but spiritual leaders bringing spirituality and spiritualism to every Nagas heart through reconciliation process. One needs to support and appreciate them their vision and mission for the Naga cause. But in depth, the 21st century Leaders needs to introspect themselves and retrospect the places and post what they are holding and where they are working.
It is pragmatic paradoxes, Preacher and religious leaders who should be fishers of men are now too frequent fishing for compliments from men, materialistic in position and lives bourgeoisie life. Today’s religious leaders make church organizations and associations’ very mere and shallow faiths. Religious leaders must spend more time getting acquainted with the religious people and do the plan of God. Religious leaders are not only to preach good news but also to practice what they preach and show good exemplary to the members as their Gods and Goddess do. Remember that good gardener prepares the soil before he plants his seed. Having my own eyes witness, many theologians unable to passed matriculate but from theological colleges acquire the degree of B.Th, D.Th, M.Th without matriculate and thereafter, they were given important place in every function and every special occasions which is not fair, to justify the true. In my opinion, every social organisations and functions first preference must be given to the secular / civil leaders and then to religious leaders; in religious matters to theologians first then to seculars. Then only development will start. See Lord Jesus, Lord Krishnan, Lord Ala, Lord Buddha, etc; they came into this world to serve and not to be served. But today many religious leaders want to be served and not to serve. My simple doubt is, are you really preaching the true doctrines of your Lord? Are you prepare well and summoning the services? If not having with little theological knowledge and with your own ideologies do not try to preach and sow religious fanatism, anybody can do that? For instance, you preach with faults doctrines to 500 members with eloquent tongues and then assume, if we multiply and see 500x 500=250000 persons carried your fault preaching message and preach with your own philosophy convincing power. You become master of fault preacher and great liar and those people who influence your message and spread them they become the pupil of faults preachers. Ultimatum God will judge whom? Therefore, Preachers, your duties are not to converse from one religion to another religion/ from one denomination to another denomination but your core duty is, to preach the good news and let people decide by themselves but no force. The higher and nobler mission of religious leaders and preachers should try to transform every individual the spirit of spiritualism. Religion divides brothers and sisters, wife and husband, communities, regions and states. I am sinner, we are all sinners, but remember, what the Gospel says, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”. (Mathew 10: 28). Another, I have practically seeing, since I am from Christian community, in most of the Christian Churches, the rich and powerful people are regarded and this spread even to their missionaries institutions and have soft corner with these people and the poor and down trodden people are disguised. I feel, this is severe crime and rapidly spread everywhere in this 21st Century.
May I conclude with, the 21st Century leaders must possess these fine qualities what this century leaders’ comment about for better living. ‘We must elect and reward good governance’ (P. Chidambaram, former Finance Minister); ‘connectivity with transform lives’ (Wim Elfrink, Ceif Globilisation Officer, CISCO); ‘ know your religion to understand the other’s’ ( Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister of J&K); ‘leaders must stand up against the crowd for what they think is right. Leadership needs spiritual intelligence’ (Danah Zohar,thought leader, Physicist, Philosopher and Author); ‘ creating new possibilities by looking within and leading’ and Aroon Purie, Editor-in- Chief, India Today commented for the twenty-first century leaders, “ the new Century needs a Leadership that is not subordinated to ideology but ideas”.
Kaba Daniel Pou is Lecturer and social redress activist, Department of Political Science, Don Bosco College, Maram, Manipur.
Move to net NE militants Nagaland Post
GUWAHATI, Security agencies have drawn up a list of 22 Ulfa and NDFB militants whose capture or elimination is expected to deliver a terminal blow to the two outfits’ network of operatives within Assam.
“All of them are currently in Assam and we have taken all possible steps to ensure that they cannot leave the state,” a source said, but declined to declare the identities of the militants.
He, however, said there were others too, who sustain the two outfits militarily, but they were operating from outside the state.
“There is no point fretting over those who are outside our command area. We are after those who are within. Our first aim would be to capture them. It is important to get them before they trigger something as barbaric as the serial blasts of 2008.
We are closing in on them. Footloose ground operatives have to be neutralised,” the source said.
He said those outside the list did not pose as much a threat and once the listed ones were neutralised, then the ones working below them would become rudderless. “It should be easy after that to mop up the remaining ones.”
According to a report in The Telegraph, the decision to zero in on this “select” list was arrived at after reviewing the situation in the wake of the arrest of top Ulfa leaders, including the outfit’s chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and the threat from commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, who, like NDFB’s Ranjan Daimary, controls the outfit from abroad. Both the militant outfits are operating in tandem in a couple of districts of Assam.
Sources indicated that the Unified Command was for continuance of counter-insurgency operations against the two outfits.
The Centre today reviewed the operations against both outfits at a meet convened by Union home secretary G.K. Pillai, who is visiting Kokrajhar on February 10 to review implementation of the Bodo Accord 2003 and security issues ahead of the BTC polls.
In a related development, a suspected Ulfa militant was shot dead by security forces at Chakrashila reserve forest near Choaikhola in Kokrajhar this morning. The militant is yet to be identified.
Oldest Naga queen to grace Lui-Ngai-Ni Sentinel
IMPHAL, Feb 6: Unlike the previous many years of the Naga seed-sowing festival, the Lui-Ngai-Ni of 2010 celebration will be graced by the oldest living queen amongst the Nagas in Manipur. Queen Apei Hinga of Maram Namdi (Maram Khullen) will be attending this year’s Lui-Ngai-Ni festival at Senapati where she will also perform a traditional ritual of blessing the Naga seed-sowing festival.
Lui-Ngai-Ni, a seed sowing festival of the Nagas is a State festival of Manipur celebrated every year on February 15 with gala cultural shows. Apart from the Nagas, other communities like the Kukis and the Gorkhas will also present their cultural items during the celebration at Senapati, according to the organizing committee of the festival.
Meanwhile, noted artists from Nagaland and Manipur will be taking part in the festival which kick-starts from February 14. Preparations for the day have been in full swing at Senapati headquarters. All the Naga tribes in Manipur will present their cultural items in the day-long celebration at Senapati. Normally tourists are attracted every year by the very feature of the Lui-Ngai-Ni where Naga cultural and traditional programmes are show-cased. (Agencies)
Frans on 02.06.10 @ 11:13 PM CST [link]
