Nagalim.NL News

Monday, July 31st

Joint Communiqué peacetalks Bangkok India-Nagaland

Joint Communiqué

(Bangkok July 31, 2006)

The representatives of the Government of India and the NSCN held meetings in Bangkok on July 29th to 31st at which important substantive issues were discussed and satisfaction expressed over the progress made.

With respect to the ceasefire, both sides agreed to strengthen the ceasefire monitoring mechanism. It was also agreed that any proposals in this regard to be tabled by the NSCN would be decided upon promptly.

Given the need to move expeditiously with the discussions on substantive issues to reach an early settlement, it was agreed to extend the ceasefire for one year w.e.f. August 1, 2006 and to ensure its proper implementation through periodic reviews.

Sd/- Sd/-
( K. Padmanabhaiah) ( Th. Muivah )
Representative of the Government of India General Secretary,NSCN

Frans on 07.31.06 @ 06:04 PM CST [link]

NSCN-IM may extend ceasefire for unlimited time By IANS

NSCN-IM may extend ceasefire for unlimited time By IANS Monday July 31,
Guwahati, July 31 (IANS) In what is clearly a positive development, Nagaland's leading separatist group is contemplating extending a nine-year ceasefire till a peace pact is signed with New Delhi to end decades of insurgency.
Central minister Oscar Fernandes and New Delhi's main peace negotiator K. Padmanabhaiah are currently meeting leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) in Bangkok.
The talks, which began Saturday, were aimed at extending the ceasefire that expires later Monday. 'There is a proposal to extend the ceasefire without any time limit and carry on with the truce as long as the talks continue,' a senior NSCN-IM leader told IANS.
'We are discussing this proposal although we cannot say for sure what happens when we meet the Indian government team for talks later Monday.'
A joint statement is expected to be released later Monday at the end of the talks, detailing the agreements reached between the two sides to carry forward the peace process.
The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, threatened last week not to extend the truce and accused the Indian Army of covertly supplying weapons to a rival outfit to provoke a 'fratricidal war'.
The main NSCN-IM wants a 'Greater Nagaland' to unite 1.2 million Nagas, by incorporating slices of Naga-inhabited neighbouring states, into Nagaland. The other states strongly oppose this. NSCN-IM leaders in Bangkok were insisting on the need to have a separate Naga Constitution, independent of the Indian constitution.
'We cannot accept the Indian constitution although we are not totally opposed to having some important sections of the Indian constitution incorporated in the Naga constitution,' the rebel leader said. India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of negotiations in the past nine years in a bid to end one of South Asia's oldest revolts, which has claimed around 25,000 lives since New Delhi's independence in 1947.
Consensus in sight on Naga framework Hopes float on NSCN insurgency coming to end Bharat Bhushan Bangkok (Courtesy of The Telegraph).
Nine years after they entered into a ceasefire agreement, Indian and Naga negotiators have agreed on a broad framework to define a relationship that could end the Naga insurgency.
The operative part of the framework proposes that the two sides jointly analyse the Indian Constitution to decide which parts of it will apply, not apply or apply with modifications to the Nagas. This is, however, proposed to be done only after agreeing to the basic principles underlying the framework.
“We think this is a good start,” said Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). He, however, pointed out that both sides still had some problems with the framework. The two sides began informal discussions today, addressing these reservations to refine the framework. The framework itself is the brainchild of Michael Van Walt, the Dalai Lama’s legal adviser and head of the Dutch NGO Kreddha.
While one part of the framework specifies the underlying principles, the other deals with the procedure of defining the relationship.
Among the basic principles that have been proposed is that the relationship would be “new and unique”, recognising the uniqueness of Naga history; that it would be based on asymmetric federalism (different from that existing between any Indian state and the Union); and that all elements of the relationship would be defined by an agreement between the two sides. While the agreement would set out the division of competencies between the Union of India and Nagaland, its substantive details would be incorporated within the Constitutions of both India and Nagaland.
The settlement would be reached after analysing the structure of the Indian Constitution to demarcate subjects or competencies to be managed separately by the Centre, by Nagaland and jointly by both of them.
A separate Naga Constitution has been proposed, which would make “a reference to the Constitution of India”. The Constitution of Nagaland would be set “within the framework of the Constitution of India” and it is proposed that this would be done “in a separate chapter”.
These principles, proposed by Kreddah, have not been accepted by the Indian negotiators yet. The NSCN (I-M) also sees in them an attempt to incorporate them within the Indian Union. But both sides seem keen to take the process forward by finding a common approach. “Notwithstanding the government of India’s reservations, the only way forward is this framework,” insisted a source. Indian negotiators are objecting to the repeated reference to the term “new and unique” while describing the relationship, saying that calling it “unique” should be enough.
They do not want “asymmetric federalism” to be accepted as a principle as it would amount to prejudging the outcome of the negotiations. Their strongest objection is to the statement that the Naga Constitution would make a “reference” to the Indian Constitution. “What does reference mean? This must be changed,” an Indian negotiator said.
The Indian side is being led by Union minister of state Oscar Fernandez. It comprises minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office Prithviraj Chauhan, Union minister of state for home S. Raghupathy and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s special representative K. Padmanabhaiah. The team, quite understandably, wants to emphasise the operative part. The Nagas do not want to give up on the principles.
“The two sides should start with the exercise of analysing the Constitution Article by Article to see what will apply, not apply or apply with modification to the Nagas. Then we can decide where to put what applies to the Nagas — in a separate Constitution, in a separate chapter or annexure to the Constitution or in an expanded Article 371 (A),” a source said. The NSCN (I-M) wants a separate Constitution while Delhi wants to push for expanding the existing provisions.
“To accept a discussion on all issues is realistic on India’s part. Whatever is acceptable, we will accept. Whatever is not acceptable, we will not. But to start with the framework is not bad,” Muivah asserted.
NNC fires back at NSCN-IM Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, JULY 30 (NPN): Taking strong exception to the labeling of the NNC as a "dead organization" by a senior NSCN-IM leader, the NNC asked if such was the case, then why did the present NSCN-IM general secretary Th. Muivah made AZ Phizo as president of both the NNC and FGN on August 16, 1976 and why Muivah himself held the post of general secretary NNC, till January 31, 1980?
It may be mentioned that earlier, K. Tsuzu, steering committee, NSCN-IM, in a rejoinder to a press statement 'The NNC does not belong to Nagalim' by L Palang Khiamniungan of the NNC, had alleged that NNC had become a dead organization after the signing of the Shillong Accord (1975). Tsuzu had also alleged that it was the Accordists who pulled Phizo down. Reacting to Tsuzu's allegation, Palang in a press statement said if the NSCN-IM thought the NNC as dead, then for what reason and purpose the NSCN-IM was fighting against the NNC since 1980.
Palang also quoted Muivah's speech on January 25, 2005, at Hebron Camp- "It is the NNC that gave us leeway, not me nor Isak. It was the NNC, it was Phizo. And who can deny that the NNC laid the foundation."
Contradicting Tsuzu's statement that the killing of NSCN men on September 27, 1980, was the first event of killing among the Nagas, Palang asked who was responsible for the killing of Brig Ngamleo Konyak in 1975 in Kachinland, the deaths of NNC/FGN leaders in 1979, the burning down of Khiamniungan villages and torture their people in 1980.
The release also stated that if the NSCN-IM thought that Shillong Accord was the main factor for division among Nagas, the NSCN-IM has to clarify its alleged involvement in India elections and demand for federal relationship with India. It further alleged that the NSCN-IM had violated the Lakhuti Resolution besides given up its stand on sovereignty.
Naga bodies react to K threat, endorse peace process Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 30 : The United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM) and All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) today said that it is the unanimous stand of the Naga people in the "present state of Manipur" to support the peace process of the rightful Naga cause.
UNC, ANSAM, NWUM and NSF are not working at the behest of NSCN (IM) as alleged by the NSCN (K) Zeliangrong Region, said the statement of the Naga frontal organisations.
The joint statement made available to Newmai News Network by UNC president KS Paul Leo, NWUM president Grace Shatsang and ANSAM president Paulhring Lang-hu said that the Naga Peoples Convention (NPC) held on November 4, 2005 at Taphou Naga village in Senapati under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UN-C) was the conclave of the Naga people necessitated by the ‘peoples will’ to protect the identity and history of the Nagas and to realize the resolute aspiration to unify the "arbitrarily demarcated Naga homeland by the alien forces".
The reaction came following the statement of the NSCN (K), Zeliangrong Region warning of 'strong action against any civil organisation which bacame a partner in the campaign to adopt the books prescribed by NBSE located in the four hill districts of manipur'.
The NSCN-K also accused the UNC, ANSAM, NSF and NWUM as acting at the behest of the NSCN-IM. The Naga organisa- tions then said that it is the resolute stand to shoulder the responsibililies of the Naga people's aspiration and added that the Naga frontal organizations are just carrying out its NPC declaration for non pay-ment of hill house tax and the school affiliation to NBSE "as desired by the Naga people" adding that "the Nagas in the present state of Manipur" firmly support the early negotiated potitical settlement and the peace talks "beca-use peace is universal".
The statement recalled that the Naga people restrained themselves when the "anti Naga ceasefire" agitation took an ugly turn in Imphal valley in 2001.
"It was attempted to sabotage the Nagas' struggle for self determination. It was also designed to deny the physical existence of the Nagas. The Nagas were provoked but the ceasefire extension to the Naga areas and peace is inevitable to establish cordial atmosphere in the region", it cited, and termed the threat of the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region as unfortunate.
Further, expressing concern over the notion that Naga frontal organisations are working at the instigation of NSCN (IM), the statement pointed out that they are not swayed by any pressure saying that the Naga peoples support to the ongoing peace process is to create peaceful environment in the Naga areas as well as in the region.
While appealing all concerned not to implicate the factional conflicts and ideological differences to the mass based organizations, the Naga bodies hoped that factions shall create understanding among them- selves to work together to pursue the Naga aspiration.
"The unjustified declaration to award capital punishment to any Naga indivi- dual(s) and civil organiza-tion(s) who are shouldering to strengthen the universal peace is detrimental for the Naga people.
Naga groups deny NSCN (IM) link The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 30 (MExN): Naga organizations such as the UNC, ANSAM and the NWUM sought to dispel any “misgivings and irrational assumption” that their groups including the NSF were working at the behest of the NSCN (IM).
Through a joint release issued by their respective Presidents KS Paul Leo, (UNC), Grace Shatshang (NWUM), and Paulhring Langhu (ANSAM), the organizations declared their resolute stand on the shouldering of the aspirations of the Naga people.
According to the release, “The Nagas in the present state of Manipur firmly support the early negotiated political settlement and the Peace Talks, because peace is universal. The Naga frontal organizations is just carrying out its NPC declaration for non-payment of hill house tax and the school affiliation to NBSE as desired by the Naga people.”
The release stated that “the Naga Peoples Convention held on November 4, 2005 at Taphou Naga village under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) is the conclave of the Naga people necessitated by ‘peoples will’ to protect the identity and history of the Nagas and to realize the resolute aspirations to unify the arbitrarily demarcated Naga homeland by the alien forces.
It was further mentioned that “the Naga people restrained themselves when the anti-Naga ceasefire agitation took an ugly turn in Imphal valley in 2001” and that “it was attempted to sabotage the Nagas’ struggle for self determination. It was also designed to deny the physical existence of the Nagas. The Nagas were provoked but the Ceasefire extension to the Naga areas and peace is inevitable to establish cordial atmosphere in the region.”
The organization leaders termed as unfortunate and far from the truth the allegation by the NSCN (K) Zeliangrong Region that they were working on the instigation of the NSCN (IM). Vowing not to be swayed by any pressure, they added that the Naga people’s support for the ongoing Peace Process was to create peaceful environment in the Naga areas as well as in the region.
They hoped that factions would “create understanding among themselves to work together to pursue the Naga aspiration. It is the unanimous stand of the Naga people in the present state of Manipur to support the Peace Process of the rightful Naga Cause.”
“The Naga people earnestly appeal all the concerned groups under this circumstance not to implicate the factional conflicts and ideological differences to the mass based organizations.”
On the declaration to “award capital punishment to any Naga individual(s) and civil organization(s) who are shouldering to strengthen the Universal Peace,” the organizations termed this as unjustified and “detrimental for the Naga people; violence against our Naga brethren cannot enhance the struggle movement to achieve our political objectives.” The Naga Organizations offered to resolve any misunderstanding through peaceful means.
India-NSCN-Talks Guwahati, India, IRNA Islamic republic news agency
Peace talks to extend a ceasefire between a frontline separatist group in India's northeast and New Delhi's emissaries scheduled Friday in Bangkok has been deferred by a day, a rebel leader said. Leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in Nagaland state, was to meet government peace interlocutors led by federal minister Oscar Fernandes for talks on the nine-year-old ceasefire, set to expire July 31. The NSCN-IM entered into a ceasefire with New Delhi in August 1997.
"The talks now begin Saturday in Bangkok and are likely to extend up to Sunday", R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN-IM leader said by telephone from Nagaland.
The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, last week threatened not to extend their ceasefire, accusing the army of supplying weapons to a rival rebel outfit to provoke a "fratricidal war."
"I cannot say conclusively if the ceasefire would be extended beyond Monday. It would depend on the outcome of the talks to be held in Bangkok", Raising said.
The rebel leadership is expected to seek a clarification from the government on their charges of arming the rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland faction led by S.S. Khaplang.
"The talks would be crucial as we want to know from the government about the security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions," another senior NSCN-IM leader who did not wish to be identified said.
"The question of ceasefire extension now depends on the response to our charges by the government in the Bangkok talks."
The original Nagaland rebel group split in 1988 into two factions. The NSCN (Khaplang) struck a ceasefire with the government in 2001 although no formal peace talks have yet been held. The two sides regularly clash for territorial supremacy.
At least 200 members of both outfits have been killed in turf battles in the past five years.
The main group led by Muivah and Swu is seeking a "Greater Nagaland" that would unite 1.2 million Nagas, a demand strongly opposed by neighboring Indian states of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. The other group is seeking an independent tribal homeland.
India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of South Asia's longest-running insurgencies that have claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947.
NNC questions on Keditsu’s contentions The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 30 (MExN): The Naga National Council, while highlighting various historical instance of what it asserted were violations of the principles of the Naga movement, questioned Eno Keditsu on his contentions.
A statement from the NNC issued by L Palang Khiamniungan while asserting that young Naga people have been misled by the NSCN-IM, forwarded some questions: That if the NNC and the FGN were “finished” in 1975 by signing the Shillong Accord as Keditsu asserted, when then Th. Muivah made AZ Phizo as President of the two organizations on August 16, 1976 and why Muivah upheld the NNC General Secretary office up to January 1, 1980; that if the NNC is a “dead organization” “why are you fighting against the NNC since 1980 and for what reasons.”The NNC questioned why Th. Muivah “praised” the NNC on January 20, 2005 at Hebron Camp saying “It is the NNC that gave us the leeway, not me or Isak; it was the NNC, it was Phizo and who can deny that the NNC leaders laid the foundation”.
He NNC further asked that “if you said the NSCN men were killed on 27th September, 1980 (and it) was the first event of killing among the Nagas, then who had killed Brig.Ngamleo Konyak in December 1975 in Kachinland? Who burned down Khiamniungan villages and tortured Khiamniungan people in March and April in 1980?”
Asserting that the NNC and the FGN had maintained time and again that the Shillong Accord was rejected by the FGN in the national assembly held at Dihoma Oking in December 1975, it was stated that through it, the stand of the Nagas was made clear. “So also Muivah group always stated that Nagas have rejected the Shillong Accord” it was stated. The NNC also contended that if it was the Shillong Accord as the main factor for the division and killing among the Nagas, why did the NSCN-IM involved “in the Indian stated elections?”
It questioned: “Why did you leaders submit NSCN-IM 30-point competencies proposal to demand an autonomous state/federal relationship with India and why the talk is going on for the integration under the Indian union and not for sovereignty?”.
'No need to fear as long as Cong is in power' Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 30: Social activist and president of Senior Citizens' Forum, Manipur Ningthoujam Benoy Singh has stated that the people of Manipur need not habour any fear on the issue of territorial integrity of Manipur or affiliation of schools in the hill districts of Manipur with Nagaland Board as long as Congress party is in power.

Speaking as chief guest of a function hosted by Thangmeiband Kendra Progressive Front (TPF) at the residence of its president Dr Ch Chandramani Singh today to honour dedicated manual workers of Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency, Benoy cautioned the people of Manipur against rumour mongers who are out to sow seeds of discord among the people.

Congress party under the able leadership of Sonia Gandhi is the only political party in India which would always keep the interest of the Manipuri people in mind while dealing with NSCN (I-M), he said, adding that the recent stunt of burning text books prescribed by BSEM was carried out by some vested interested parties at the instigation of the Naga rebel group.

So the people of Manipur should not have no apprehension on the issue of territorial integrity of Manipur or affiliation of hill schools with Nagaland Board as long as Congress party is in power both at the Centre and the State, he said, while appealing to the people not to be carried away by rumours. Giving a piece of advice to Dr Chandramani Singh, who aspires to contest in the forthcoming Assembly election as a Congress candidate, Benoy said whatever welfare measures being taken up by TPF should be able to convey to the people as the ideals of the Congress party.

Ex-Commissioner of Imphal Municipal Board Ngangom Ibochouba presided over the function during which many dignitaries like president of Thangmeiband Congress Committee Irungbam Kameshwar, Retired Commandant of BSF L Dijwamani Sharmah, retired Additional Chief Engineer of PHED Nongthombam Ranjit Singh, retired MPS Officer Naorem Ibohal Singh, Chairman of Tarung Village Authority K Maniram, retired MCS Officer F Gailalung of Neikalong village and retired Additional Director of Health Services Dr Ngangom Chaoba Singh also shared the dais as guests of honour.

Convenor of TPF Dr Sharat gave the vote of thanks. The gifts presentation to the dedicated manual workers of Thangmeiband A/C wrapped up the May Day observance of TPF which had been instrumental in taking up various welfare programme for the people with the latest being the social service camp conducted at Khwairamband Bazar area recently.
Naga talks remain inconclusive; no decision on ceasefire The Hindu
Bangkok, July 30 (PTI): Talks between central negotiators and NSCN(IM) on extending the nine-year-old ceasefire remained inconclusive here today and the two sides will meet again tomorrow for discussions. A Group of Ministers, headed by Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, held extensive discussions on extending the ceasefire and the rebels' "charter of demands" with NSCN(IM) delegation headed by its chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.
"The talks remained inconclusive. No decision has been taken today," Fernandes told PTI. The two sides held informal discussions on Saturday.
The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997, when they agreed to a ceasefire. The truce has been extended every 12 months since then except last year, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the NSCN-IM and further extended by another six months in February.
The current spell of the ceasefire will end tomorrow. Both sides are understood to have agreed on a broad framework to jointly analyse the Indian Constitution to decide which parts of it will apply with modifications to the Nagas. This is, however, proposed to be done only after agreeing to the basic principles underlying the framework, sources said
In its "charter of demands", the banned NSCN-IM has sought unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast, separate representation at the UN, and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing. Other members of the GoM - Union Minister of State for Home S Reghupathy and Minister of State at the PMO Prithviraj Chouhan - and interlocutor for the Naga talks K Padmanabhiah were also present at the talks.
The Nagas and Politics I believe in The Morung Express Prespective
In the words of SK. Chaube in his Hills Politics in Northeast India (1999 P.166) “Like War, peace in appropriate cases is an instrument of political struggle. For the first time after Independence, the Nagas tasted the benefits of settled life. The Underground occasionally resorts to violence, what is most important, however, is that Naga Politics, both open and underground, has followed the course of All-India politics. It is faction ridden”.
He further contented, “Like All-India Politics, Naga Politics was never based on any monolithic unity. The first Naga National Council (NNC) of 1946 was expected to be an All-Naga platform. But it was very much an elite or middle class organization dominated by the advanced Ao. Phizo, with a middle class background but personally frustrated, was able to unify most of the other Naga groups, through an appeal to tribalism and with the weight of the powerful Angami village, Khonoma”.
On 2nd June 1955, The Assamese Hill Tribal Leaders Conference was held in Shillong where A.Z. Phizo with the delegates rejecting the demand of the Sixth Schedule commends in most interesting terms:
“I feel, the Hill State demand has already achieved its mission. It has shaken the Assamese. In politics it is not mere majority but a matter of organization………….. One day if we achieve Independence, it will not mean that India granted it, it will be because India can no longer stand against the voice of the world. You can help us much in this matter by speaking about us to the many tourists. If we came down, it will not helpful to you.” (Discussion with the Naga Leaders, B.B. Lyndoh, 2nd June 1955).
A Khasi Deputy Commissioner described on Naga Hills Administration that the Naga hospitality was still there, but the naïve and simple Naga that I had been so much used to in earlier years was hard to find. The Marwari’s shopkeepers of Kohima had left during the Japanese advance in 1942. Naga shopkeepers of Kohima had installed themselves in their place though not yet quite effectively. In the 20years (1929-1949) or so that had elapsed, education had made rapid advances in the district and the war had also brought the Nagas into close contact with different nationalities and peoples with different ways of thinking and aggressive ethnical values. He was now worldly-wise and sophisticated and, what was more, he was very politically minded.(S.J. Duncan paper (abridged) Naga Hills Administration-Reminiscences, presented at a seminar on Nagaland, organized by the Shillong Science Association, Shillong 1969).
During the past decades, agreements were signed between India and Nagas; Hydari Agreement, 16 points agreement, and Shillong Accord. These were ardous journeys and also complicated. Circumstantial evidence only permits guesswork. The ascendancy of A.Z. Phizo was illutrious and paramount as evidenced in meeting with Mahatma Gandhi on 19th July 1947. And his internationalization of Naga politics based in London was significant step towards the destiny of the Nagas. With his demise peace process has been slackened forming different opinions and pulling at different directions. Whatever happens today among the Nagas, one and all must come to common pool for common good. We are not infidels. Partnership with the infidels will surely lead us to destruction and will forever live in harms way.
In 1964, further efforts by the Naga Church Leaders led to the establishment of a peace mission comprising three members including Revd. Micheal Scott, the British host to Phizo. Peace of 4th September 1964’s with five rounds of talks could not bring any tangible political results though peace continued to reign with occasional interruptions. The same trend continues today with the help of International Agencies. The world is watching us and we have shown to the world.
During early 1960’s Naga areas in Manipur burned like hell while the valley people, the Meiteis, made haydays and had a good laugh with Delhi. In Ukhrul district an Army General Hqs. was established at Tuinem hilltop, about 30kms west of Ukhrul Town, under the command of General Mowa Angami. Today Nagas are divided and working with different groups associated with various opinions, etc. Today the Nagas are faction ridden and have strange bed-fellows.
We all know the past events and they are Naga history which we ourselves cannot omit or erase from the soil of Nagaland. They are deep rooted and have dyed in the blood of Naga sons and daughter. In real politics to attain selfhood there cannot exist expediency and cannot move on a one-way street. Politics is always a two-ways street. Politically speaking any agencies that work or pursue dichotomization naturally ended in negation. One cannot play like the chasing eagle and sitting dove.
India does not belong to Gandhi and Nehru. Likewise Nagaland does not and will not belong to Lotha, Angami, Ao, Sema or Mao, Tangkhul. Leaders come and go and their history followed after his/their footprints, good or bad. Fearing for solution in any given aspects pertaining to peace and tranquility is apolitical. Shunning violence, revenge, hatred, self gain and so on is the way to peace and unity. In the world, politics is never permanent. It is always see-saws. I can never say what I am doing is absolutely right and vice versa. Self justification against the national interest is against the natural river course and will ultimately baulk at the rock wall. The enemy within will lead to suicidal goal.
We are all in the same channel running with different colours to reach the same long cherished goal. Let us remember what Pope I said in U.N. chamber 39 years ago: “If you want to be brothers, let the arms falls from your hands” Is the spirit of head hunting still running in the proclaimed land of ‘Nagaland for Christ’ I strongly believe, we shall soon see a waiting day and say a BIG AMEN. This is what I believe in Naga politics. God bless you all.
R.Rungsung, Member
Tangkhul Elders Forum,Wino Bazar, Ukhrul
Kuki students threaten further agitations after today`s strike The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 30: The issue of gunning down of two Kuki youths by police commandos at Langol Laimanai on July 26 is unlikely to subside lightly as the Kuki Students Organization, which has been demanding justice in the matter, has threatened of more intense agitations after the 24 hours statewide general strike called from midnight today.

The 24 hours general strike will be immediately followed by indefinite economic blockade along the national highways and another two days statewide general strike if the state government fails to take up any positive action.

Even though talks were held between the government and KSO representatives today to resolve the current impasse both sides could not arrive at any tangible result.

A reliable source said the KSO representative pressed the government to constitute a judicial probe into the July 26 Langol incident apart from demanding termination of services of all the commando personnel involved in the firing incident.

The demands put up by the student body were rejected by the government who however accepted that a high level police inquiry at the level of a IGP could be set up to probe the incident.

The government side led by the chief minister O Ibobi Singh, reportedly appealed to the KSO leaders to withdraw their proposed agitation in the interest of the people of the state.

Speaking to mediapersons this evening at the Kuki Inn Imphal, the KSO ridiculed the government`s proposal to constitute a departmental inquiry to probe the incident and asked as to how justice could be delivered by the police department which stood solely for their own personnel. Asserting that the two youths gunned down by the Imphal west police commandos on July 26 were innocent civilians, the KSO leader also said the duo were picked up from Khuman Lampak bus terminus at about 12.30 pm and later shot dead at Langol Laimanai later in the afternoon at 4.30 pm on the same day.

The two youths have become yet another victim of fake encounters of the state police commandos, the student leader alleged. He also disclosed that the 24 hours general strike has the support of many students and civil society bodies working together with the students body.

The press conference was also attended by leaders of several students and civil society bodies like AMSU, MAFYF, Kuki Mothers Association, Kuki Movement for Human Rights who vowed to extend support to the KSO sponsored general strike.In the meantime, the dead body of the two youths are still lying at RIMS mortuary even though government authorities had announced that the bodies will be disposed off if the families fail to take them by 1 pm of July 30.

Frans on 07.31.06 @ 01:11 PM CST [link]

Sunday, July 30th

NSCN-K opposes affiliation drive Nagaland Post

NSCN-K opposes affiliation drive Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, JULY 29 (NPN): Taking strong exception to the move initiated by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and other Naga organizations for affiliation of schools in the four hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), the NSCN-K said it would oppose the move with all resources under its disposal.
The NSCN-K said the opposition is to safeguard the employment opportunities of the coming Naga generations, which is also in the economic and political interest of Nagaland, and urged the NSF leaders to stop the "unhealthy move forthwith."
A joint council meeting of the NSCN-K held on Friday also called upon the Naga Hoho not to meddle with the twenty percent quota reservation for outsiders, but to keep in abeyance the issue of seeking quotas for Nagas from other states.
The NSCN-K (MIP) in a press release said the house decided to invite leaders of Naga Hoho, NSF and NPMHR for discussion on issues pertaining to social and political problems affecting the Nagas and further requested these organizations to meet the NSCN-K leaders at Mon on or before August 10.
The release informed that the house adopted the above resolutions after thorough and lengthy deliberation on issues pertaining to the present Naga political scenario and appealed for cooperation from all concerned.
Consensus in sight on Naga framework (Telegraph) Kuknalim.com
BANGKOK, July 29:: Nine years after they entered into a ceasefire agreement, Indian and Naga negotiators have agreed on a broad framework to define a relationship that could end the Naga insurgency. The operative part of the framework proposes that the two sides jointly analyse the Indian Constitution to decide which parts of it will apply, not apply or apply with modifications to the Nagas. This is, however, proposed to be done only after agreeing to the basic principles underlying the framework.

“We think this is a good start,” said Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). He, however, pointed out that both sides still had some problems with the framework. The two sides began informal discussions today, addressing these reservations to refine the framework. The framework itself is the brainchild of Michael Van Walt, the Dalai Lama’s legal adviser and head of the Dutch NGO Kreddha.

While one part of the framework specifies the underlying principles, the other deals with the procedure of defining the relationship.
Among the basic principles that have been proposed is that the relationship would be “new and unique”, recognising the uniqueness of Naga history; that it would be based on asymmetric federalism (different from that existing between any Indian state and the Union); and that all elements of the relationship would be defined by an agreement between the two sides.

While the agreement would set out the division of competencies between the Union of India and Nagaland, its substantive details would be incorporated within the Constitutions of both India and Nagaland. The settlement would be reached after analysing the structure of the Indian Constitution to demarcate subjects or competencies to be managed separately by the Centre, by Nagaland and jointly by both of them.

A separate Naga Constitution has been proposed, which would make “a reference to the Constitution of India”. The Constitution of Nagaland would be set “within the framework of the Constitution of India” and it is proposed that this would be done “in a separate chapter”.

These principles, proposed by Kreddah, have not been accepted by the Indian negotiators yet. The NSCN (I-M) also sees in them an attempt to incorporate them within the Indian Union. But both sides seem keen to take the process forward by finding a common approach. “Notwithstanding the government of India’s reservations, the only way forward is this framework,” insisted a source. Indian negotiators are objecting to the repeated reference to the term “new and unique” while describing the relationship, saying that calling it “unique” should be enough. They do not want “asymmetric federalism” to be accepted as a principle as it would amount to prejudging the outcome of the negotiations.

Their strongest objection is to the statement that the Naga Constitution would make a “reference” to the Indian Constitution. “What does reference mean? This must be changed,” an Indian negotiator said. The Indian side is being led by Union minister of state Oscar Fernandez. It comprises minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office Prithviraj Chauhan, Union minister of state for home S. Raghupathy and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s special representative K. Padmanabhaiah. The team, quite understandably, wants to emphasise the operative part. The Nagas do not want to give up on the principles.

“The two sides should start with the exercise of analysing the Constitution Article by Article to see what will apply, not apply or apply with modification to the Nagas. Then we can decide where to put what applies to the Nagas — in a separate Constitution, in a separate chapter or annexure to the Constitution or in an expanded Article 371 (A),” a source said. The NSCN (I-M) wants a separate Constitution while Delhi wants to push for expanding the existing provisions.

“To accept a discussion on all issues is realistic on India’s part. Whatever is acceptable, we will accept. Whatever is not acceptable, we will not. But to start with the framework is not bad,” Muivah asserted. (Telegraph)
Indo-Naga truce extension in sight Centre, NSCN-IM talks begin over extending CF The Morung Express
Bangkok, July 29 (AGENCIES): Central negotiators and the NSCN-IM began crucial talks here today on extending the nearly nine-year-old truce in Nagaland, amid indications that the rebels had toughened their stand to get some “concessions” on their demands.
“Today we have started informal discussions. Formal discussions are yet to take place. Nothing has come out yet,” chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes said here.
The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since august 1997, when they agreed to a ceasefire. The truce has been extended every 12 months since then except last year, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the NSCN-IM and further extended by another six months in February. The current spell of the ceasefire will end on July 31. Asked whether he was hopeful about a further extension of the truce, Fernandes said, “talks are a continuous process. They will go on.”
In its “charter of demands”, the banned NSCN-IM has sought unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the Northeast, separate representation at the UN, and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing.
Before coming here for the talks, Fernandes visited Nagaland last fortnight and met civil society leaders, including members of the influential Naga Hoho or apex tribal council, political leaders, and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues to ascertain their views on the peace process. The Naga Hoho said the peace process should not be held up under any circumstances and the NSCN-IM and the centre should continue their parleys after extending the ceasefire to find a lasting solution to the Naga problem.
In the last meeting between the two sides, held at the Hague in the Netherlands in June, the government and the NSCN-IM are understood to have discussed the limits of flexibility within the constitution and whether a “sub- National Constitution” could be accommodated within it.
This has become a thorny issue as the NSCN-IM has proposed negotiating a federal relationship with the country, sources said. It has suggested that the relationship between India and the Nagas should be defined by a mutually agreed settlement incorporated in the constitution. The government has argued the constitution is flexible enough to take care of regional aspirations and diversities. It allows for “asymmetrical federalism” - different states and regions can relate to the centre differently.
Talks on Naga ceasefire begin The Hindu
Bangkok: Central negotiators and the NSCN-IM began crucial talks here on Saturday on extending the nearly nine-year-old truce in Nagaland amid indications that the rebels had toughened their stand to get some "concessions" on their demands.
"Today we have started informal discussions. Formal discussions are yet to take place. Nothing has come out yet," chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes told PTI here. The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997. The truce has been extended every 12 months since then except last year, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the NSCN-IM and further extended by another six months in February. The current spell of the ceasefire will end on July 31.
Asked whether he was hopeful about a further extension of the truce, Mr. Fernandes said, "Talks are a continous process. They will go on."
In its "charter of demands," the NSCN-IM has sought unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast, separate representation at the UN, and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing.
"We hope the government will give some positive response to our key demands. The extension of the ceasefire will depend on the outcome of the meeting," said NSCN-IM spokesman Jhoney. PTI
NSCN talks in Bangkok to save ceasefire Times of India [ 29 Jul, 2006 IANS ]

GUWAHATI: Peace negotiators from New Delhi are beginning fresh talks in Bangkok on Saturday with a frontline Naga separatist group to save a nine-year-old ceasefire from breaking down, officials said.

The talks with top leaders of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in the north-eastern state of Nagaland, were earlier due to begin on Friday but were deferred by a day.

Central Minister Oscar Fernandes and New Delhi's main peace interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah will meet top leaders of the Isak-Muivah faction in Bangkok.

"The two-day talks will primarily focus on the question of extending the ceasefire and also discussing other major demands," said a home ministry official, requesting anonymity.

"We are confident of the two sides agreeing to extend the ceasefire as the people of Nagaland want peace and a permanent solution to the problem." The last ceasefire extension expires July 31.

The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, last week threatened not to extend their ceasefire accusing the Indian Army of supplying weapons to a rival rebel outfit to provoke a "fratricidal war".

"The question of extending the ceasefire depends on the outcome of the talks. Nothing can be said at this moment," RH Raising, senior NSCN-IM leader, said.

The rebel leadership is expected to seek a clarification from New Delhi on their charges of arming the rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland faction led by SS Khaplang.
The NSCN-IM had accused security forces of seizing weapons from its cadres and then supplying such arms to the rival group. The army denies the allegations.

"The question of ceasefire extension now depends on the response to our charges by the government in the Bangkok talks. We have also sought several modifications of the ceasefire ground rules," another NSCN-IM leader said. The rebel leader refused to give details of the changes sought in the truce ground rules. The original Nagaland rebel group split in 1988 into two factions.

The NSCN (Khaplang) struck a ceasefire with the government in 2001 although no formal peace talks have yet been held. The two sides regularly clash for territorial supremacy. At least 200 members of both outfits have been killed in turf battles in the past five years.

The main group led by Muivah and Swu is seeking a "Greater Nagaland" that would unite 1.2 million Nagas, a demand strongly opposed by the neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The other group is seeking an independent tribal homeland.

India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of the longest-running insurgencies that have claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947.

THE GREAT LIES

The Meiteis wish to call their tiny valley homeland "Golden Manipur". As every nation has the right to describe itself in the fashion it chooses, we have no complain about it. Then in recent years they invented a script, and we praise them for the smartness.

However, real archaeology and history totally disagree with the assertion of the Meiteis that the history of their independent super kings and glorious civilization is over 2000 years old. As written by Horace Hayman Wilson in The History of British India (From 1805 to 1835), Volume IX, Manipur was just a tiny valley (p. 8, 1823) and its ruler was termed as “the petty chiefship of Manipur ” (p. 20).
Secondly, "the history of Manipur is not traceable beyond 1714 when its rule was assumed by a local chieftain named Gharib Nawaz. Chief Commissioner of Assam and, later, Political Agent carried on the administration of Manipur which continued to be one of the subordinate princely states of India until its merger in 1948-49" (S. Bhattacharya. A Dictionary of Indian History. Calcutta University. 1967.).
Thirdly, “Manipur was included in the protectorate in 1826. Owing to its geographical isolation, and partly in consequence of its backwardness in civilization, British intercourse with the principality was confined to the formal admission of subordination by the rulers of Manipur, and to periodical intervention for the suppression of usurpers” (p. 179, Sir William Lee-Warner. The Native States of India. 1910. Macmillan and Co.). Thus, Manipur was just one of the protected states of India (ibid, p. 181) and was never truly independent.

We, Nagalim Christians, cannot study the lies of the Meiteis as part of our education. Also, the Nagas will never accept the imposition of the Meitei Mayek on us. We condemn the Khaplang group for shamelessly threatening the Naga NGOs.

Long live truth! Long live Nagalim! Kuknalim!
In God's grace,

Professor Timothy Kaping President Naga Support Group (UK)

Wrong mindset of the Naga leaders- Nagaland Post Opinion
The mindset of Naga Hoho, the concerned senior Naga citizens and state politicians goes in the wrong direction in so far they fail to comprehend the entire situation and the factor that causes today's fratricidal in Nagaland. Many of the tribal and church leaders who promised peace and taken dozens of peace letters towards Th. Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu from NSCN leaders neither bring back any acknowledgement nor did they declare the two criminal leaders to be anti peace and anti-Naga.
Moreover, they are still supporting the carnivorous leaders without knowing where they are heading. They fervently stated in their write up, "anti-element sabotages the peace process" and "Section of anti-Naga groups against the settlement". If these so-called NGOs have the guts to brand an individual, group or organization as anti-elements/anti-Nagas, they should be bold enough to explain and expose to the Nagas who are anti-Naga, real patriot, real sheep and the wolf in a sheep's clothing.
It is not the Nagas born in Nagalim but the Nagas born in Nagaland who loves the Nagas and their cause. Nagalim people have nothing to do with the Naga sovereignty movements, because even before they were born, there was Naga movement and will continue even after they surrender. What do you mean by solution? Are you not ashamed of your promises to the Eastern Naga people who are under Myanmar occupation that, they will be freed? Are you fair and just? Do you have some alternate arrangement for eastern Nagaland people while you are supporting Nagalim IM surrender solution? Th. Muivah and Isak will be surely cursed by the God for cheating the Eastern Nagaland people through whose support their political career had been built.
Do you (Naga NGOs leaders) mean that, solution between GOI and the NSCN (IM) will be final for the Nagas? No, you are wrong. There had been many earlier solutions between India and Nagas such as 16th Point Agreement Hong Kong government surrendered solution, Revolutionary government of Nagaland surrendered solution and Shillong Accord etc, but all these solutions and not stop the Nagas' movement for complete freedom. IM solution will in no way be exceptional, because you are helping in digging their graves.
Nothing new can be achieved even today unless all the national workers come together to mutual agreement, but all chances of "coming together" have been blocked by your sponsored NSCN (IM) since 1993. Where were you when IM murdered thousand of Nagas public and national leaders? Did you condemn Th. Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu for their rejection of peace and reconciliation programmes initiated both by international churches, Nagaland churches and NGOs? The NSCN never sabotage your peace process nor is it against solution, but at the same time one should not expect the NSCN to bow down before IM-Nagalim surrender solution.
Today, the Naga people should know as to why the Immigration Authority arrested Th. Muivah at Bangkok international Air port and called him "Terrorist". It indicates certain diseases that might have infected the IM organization, which will be engulfed by an ocean of anti-terrorist law and it will ultimately enter into international terrorist list. The question is who will bail them out?
The list of thousands innocent civilian Kukis massacred by the NSCN (IM) and above 2900 (two thousand nine hundred) Naga innocent civilians murdered by the nscn (IM) have already been submitted to the Geneva and USA by the Kuki organization and NNC respectively. The abrogation of the cease fire between GOI and the NSCN (IM) will open the new chapter of ugly tragedy; therefore, they should surrender even for smaller "packages" or autonomy within Dimapur. But they should bow down before the Naga nationalist groups for their survival. Meanwhile, Naga NGOs should thoroughly study their course that is ahead, instead of creating misunderstanding with NSCN who is Alfa and Omega.
Y. Wangtin Konyak, Central Council Member, GPRN, NSCN (K)
Naga students’ move against socio-political norms: NSCN(K), KSO
From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, July 29 – Reacting to the school syllabus issue, which is poised to plunge Manipur into another round of disarray, the Kuki Students’ Organization general headquarters and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang faction) in their separate statements said the move raised by Naga student community for affiliation of schools in all four hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland Board instead of the Manipur Board is against the socio-political norms of the State.

The NSCN(K)’s publicity secretary, in-charge of the Zeliangrong region, warned of strong action against any civil bodies which become a partner in the campaign to adopt the Nagaland Board of School Education books in the schools of four hill districts of Manipur, i.e., Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong at the alleged instigation of the rival NSCN(IM). In a statement, the secretary in-charge added the attempt being made to incite young students to burn the textbooks is the most uncivilized and foolish thing ever seen. The efforts of the rival NSCN(IM) to create communal feeling among the people by using some of the Naga bodies with the concept that might is more powerful than intellect is nothing but the mindset of the stone ages, it said.

On the other hand, KSO’s publicity secretary Paominthang Lupheng in a statement categorically said that a non-political issue like education has been dragged in by the Naga students just to serve their political purpose rather than the claimed discontentment over the contents of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur syllabus. KSO leader further said open support of a Manipur Lok Sabha MP acting to the tune of the NSCN(IM) and United Naga Council is much against the socio-political norms of the State.

Stating that the four hills districts in questions have been proportionately represented by both Nagas and Kukis in all spheres of domains, the student body rejected the move being made for affiliation to Nagaland board as lacking acceptance and validity. It, however, agreed to learn one major Indian language as offered by the Manipur government but ready to oppose compulsory inclusion of complicated scripts (Meitei Mayek) in the syllabus.

Meanwhile, the Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said he never gave any form of assurance to the Naga students over the affiliation of 163 private schools in Manipur’s Chandel, Tamenglong, Senapati and Ukhrul districts under Nagaland Board of Secondary Education. The Minister gave his statement in reply to a question by Manipur Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya during the ongoing Lok Sabha session, sources from Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi, said here Thursday.

Tribal bodies threaten stir over fund misuse Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 29: Peeved with the State's failure to take action against the alleged misappropriation of Central funds meant for the education sector among others, five tribal bodies of Manipur today submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh threatening to launch a series of agitation.

On July 18, the bodiesZeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland), Movement for Tribal Peoples' Rights, Manipur, Sadar Hills Youth Union, All Colleges Tribals Students' Organization, Manipur and Tribal Vigilance Forum, Manipurhad urged the State to rope in the service of the CBI to cleanse the mess within 10 days and pull up the corrupt and erring people.

"Since the 10-day ultimatum expired on Sunday and the State has also failed to take steps to probe the matter, we are all prepared to launch the stir for which a joint meeting of the five bodies would be convened here tomorrow to chalk out our line of agitation", said Johnson, secretary of Tribal Vigilance Forum.

In the afternoon the bodies sent the memo through fax to Okram , who is presently at New Delhi.

Copies of the same were also sent to Human Resource Development Minister and the State Governor.

Besides education, the bodies also highlighted the State's failure in distributing PDS items in the hill districts in the memorandum.

On education sector the memo said the Sarbha Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme in Manipur has failed to take off despite the amount released by the Centre .

Of the total amount of Rs 60,91,09,200 earmarked by the Centre more than 80 percent had already been utilized, however, it has left the general public dismayed as to how and on what purpose was such a huge amount was utilized.

Though the Government has not appointed even a single resource person for block resource centre and cluster resource centre, it utilized the same from the Education Department.

A large amount of money for payment of salary for such persons was withdrawn the memo said while questioning as to whom such a huge amount was paid and for what purpose? Rs 4,32,21,450 sanctioned for installation of computers in 15 schools have been misappropriated as none of these schools have been provided the same except for the Ukhrul Higher Secondary School.

On Public Distribution System, the bodies contended that every successive Governments of the State have neglected the hills districts.

"This problem has doubled during the term of the current Government.

All contract works have been awarded to underground organizations thereby making a mockery of a popular Government which is installed by the people through adult suffrage", the memo said.

It is an open secret that the PDS share of hills district have been sold off in the valley areas without delivering them to the poor hills people after obtaining contracts works for transportation of the items in collusion with minister and some officials." The tribal bodies demand for construction of FCI godown or chalk out any other possible arrangement all the hill districts so that all PDS items are delivered to the people.
Affiliation process in full swing: ANSAM Newmai News Network Imphal | July 29
The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) today said that the affiliation process to NBSE is in full swing. The statement issued to Newmai News Network said that the recent burning of BSEM books in the four hill districts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul and the “Welcome to South Nagalim” festoon greetings to Manipur Chief Minister O.Ibobi Singh in Senapati and Ukhrul and also the news of four hill districts started learning NBSE have indicated a clear message. The Naga student body pointed out that the attitude of valley community interfering in others affairs as dominant, and added that the noise created by valley organizations on NBSE affiliation process is an attempt to derail the Naga integration process.
Further, the statement alleged that Chief Minister O.Ibobi Singh was unfolding more lies by telling the people that HRD Minister Arjun Singh did not give any assurance on NBSE affiliation in order to save his (CM) chair.
“If Chief Minister has any vision then he should maintain good relationship with the Nagas by supporting the Naga integration movement for the future of his own people”, concluded the statement.
Asom Accord implementation talks Nagaland Post
Guwahati, July 29 (UNI) Tripartite talk between Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Asom government and AASU on implementation of the Asom Accord began today at the administrative staff college here.
The five-member MHA team was led by Secretary (Border Management) B S Lalli while officials of various state departments, including Asom Accord implementation and Home, represented the state government.
The All Assam Students Union (AASU), who had led the agitation, that resulted in the signing of the Accord two decades ago, would be represented by advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya, president Shankar Prasad Roy, general secretary Tapan Gogoi and Basanta Deka.
A meeting between an AASU delegation and state government was held yesterday to review progress in updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a clause in the Asom Accord.
Today's meeting is expected to deliberate on the progress of implementation of the various clauses of the Accord.
Dr Bhattacharya informed that the AASU would take up, among others, the issues of sealing of the Asom-Bangladesh border, reviving the Ashok Paper Mill, rehabilitation of martyrs' families and the special package the state should receive after declaration of state floods as a national calamity.
Appeal on present scenario of Nagaland- Nagaland Post Opinion
I would like to share my per-sonal observation and sug-gestions to all the Nagas, they are:
Observation:-
1. Using the banner "Nagaland for Christ and killing each other".
2. Peace with enemies but killing our own brothers.
3. Talking about peace and reconciliation but harboring hatred deep inside the heart.
4. Talking about Christian love but preparing arms and ammunition, tribal armies for killing our own brothers
5. Corruption even in the churches, not to talk about government offices because people have started loving money instead of loving God and humanity.
Suggestion:-
1. Freedom fighters/national workers should think seriously about the meaning of "Nagaland for Christ" because Jesus taught us to love even our enemies and that is the first and foremost commandment given to the New Testament believers, stop criticizing one another, rather accept the good policies of each other. God said, in the Bible "that if we obey his commandment then even our enemies would make peace with us".
Dear brothers, why are you depending upon your own wisdom. God said, "vengeance is mine, so if you really depend upon God why are you scared? The word of God also says that whatever you sow, so shall you reap. The more you prepare, the more you become insecure. Christian itself means love, not love of money; love of power but to love God with all your heart, mind and strength. Obviously everybody needs money, want money but the Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:10 that the love of money is the root of all evil. Now it's high time for the Nagas to arise and know the truth. John 8:32 - "you should know the truth and the truth will make you free".
Do not hesitate to speak out the truth even against our leaders because the word of God says in Luke 6:44 - "For every tree is known by its own fruit", so if our leaders are leading us at the wrong path, it’s our duty to correct them because of their mistakes general public suffers, God says that "Blessing and curse" is your choice. We see in the Bible that because of David's sin many innocent people died. Likewise, if our leaders commit sin knowingly or unknowingly, we the general public will suffer. So pray that the almighty may add wisdom upon our leaders so we can live in peace and that prosperity may come to our land.
"May God Bless Nagaland". C. Sashi Nagaland, President, Achomang Welfare Society.
Students power and Manipur Sangai Express editorial
There is something unique about the student community of Manipur which sets them apart from their peers in other parts of the country or even the world. That student organisations have emerged as one of the most powerful pressure groups is a fact that is accepted across the world and nearer home one just has to recollect the movement launched in Assam in the 80s by the All Assam Students' Union and the birth of the Asom Gana Parishad. In Manipur too, student organisations have been at the forefront of many issues, social and political. The anti-foreigner movement launched by the All Manipur Students' Union and the then AMSCOC remains a landmark in the history of the land. This was followed by the demand to include Manipuri in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Student organisations in the hill districts of Manipur have also been equally effective in highlighting their issues. The 52 days economic blockade imposed by the All Naga Students' Union, Manipur will not be forgotten in a hurry and the recent burning of the text books prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur in the hill districts under the aegis of ANSAM is another telling commentary of the clout and influence of student organisations. The Zomi Students' Federation had recently boycotted all the MLAs and the stand off that was witnessed between the student body and the district administration of Churachandpur some time back was a clear reflection of the power that students wield. In fact situation is such that student organisations have been able to jolt the Government machinery awake on numerous occasions and many a time the Government had to buckle under the demands raised by students across the State. Student power in a democracy is understandable and may even be encouraged, but there comes a time when all the action and course of agitation taken up by students cannot be left unquestioned.
In as much as students should be allowed to voice their protest and at times even take the leading role in rousing the people awake to some sensitive issues, questions may well be asked over the conduct and motive of the students when they take up critical issues. During the last few years, it has become something of an accepted culture for students of any institution to take to the streets to protest the demand of a teacher or two. This situation raises certain pertinent points that should be given due thoughts to by all concerned. Have the students taken to the street to protest the transfer, because the Government had failed to post their replacements ? If this is the case then the Government should be pilloried for refusing to see justice. On the other hand we may also ask whether the students have come out to protest on some whimsical ground, such as the teacher/s being transferred has struck up a good rapport with the students and the transfer will affect their institution ? These are questions worth raising now for increasingly students have started coming out on the street to protest whenever any teacher is being transferred to some other place. Transfers and postings to the hill districts and remote areas come along with the baggage of being a Government employee and this is a fact that should not be lost on anyone. There are times when it would be prudent for the students not to meddle in Government policies, for students should remain students and framing policies and programmes should be left to the Government.

‘Remove RAP to promote tourism in North East’ Assam tribune
NEW DELHI, July 29 – Claiming that restriction on entry of foreigners in the North East runs contrary to the government’s Look East Policy, Manipur has asked the Centre to do away with the constraint to tap the regions’ tourism potential.

“On the one hand there is this talk of Look East policy and integration of the North East to the global economy, and on the other you have the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which restricts entry of foreigners to the region. The two run contrary,” Manipur Minister for Tourism T N Haokip said here on the sidelines of a seminar.

Under the RAP, foreign nationals wanting to enter the North East require Central permission and are granted for a maximum of 10-15 days stay. “Such a system does not encourage tourist arrival in the region. It should be removed. As such the region has not yet been fully integrated with the national mainstream,” he added.

Haokip also lamented the fact that in certain areas of the region, even the entry of Indian nationals are restricted. “To visit state like Mizoram, even Indian nationals require Inner Line Permit. This does not in any way contribute to tap the region’s vast tourism potential,” he said.

Haokip said tourism can help bring stability to the region, which has been witness to turmoil for a long period. “A vibrant tourism industry in the region can provide a lot of employment to the youths there. With the region bordering countries like China, Myanmar a lot of inbound tourist inflow can be expected if they are allowed to come freely,” he added. –PTI

Assam-Bangladesh border sealing to be over year-end By IANS Sunday July 30

Guwahati, July 30 (IANS) Barbed wire fencing of India's border with Bangladesh along the northeastern state of Assam will be completed by this year-end to prevent illegal infiltration from the neighbouring country, officials said.
'We have set a deadline to complete fencing the border by the end of the year, besides replacing old fencings with new ones,' said B.S. Lalli, secretary in-charge of border management in the central home ministry. The fencing was started four years ago. Assam shares a 272-km land border with Bangladesh, besides some 90 km of river border guarded by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) troopers on motorboats and posts located on sandbars. 'A stretch of only 43 km of the land border remains to be fenced now,' the official said. Besides the barbed wire fences, floodlights would be installed in the border areas to prevent cross-border movement of people at night. Meanwhile, tension was continuing to build along the border in southern Assam's Cachar district with the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) massing troops by digging trenches and bunkers on its side.
'There is no need to panic as we are on a state of high alert with full force in the area,' said Ashwini Kumar Singh, BSF deputy inspector general of the Cachar sector. 'We have not yet asked the border villagers to vacate the area. If the situation demands we may do so for precautionary measures.'
Soldiers of the two countries resorted to indiscriminate firing last month near the Harinagar border post in Cachar district, about 320 km south of Guwahati. 'BDR soldiers were also encouraging and instigating their civilians to continue illegal cultivation and sending children inside Indian land,' the BSF official said. The immediate provocation for the June 28 firing was over a strip of land measuring 216 acres near the Surma river which Bangladesh claims is their territory. India maintains the land is not disputed and falls on the Indian side.
The allegations came a day after the Assam government charged Dhaka of illegally grabbing two sq km of Indian land in western and southern parts of the state. 'A total of about 499.83 acres of Assam's territory has been encroached and occupied by the neighbouring country after the boundary pillars were removed,' Assam Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman told the Assam assembly. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, however, told parliament that the two sq km of land was not forcibly encroached but was under 'adverse possession' of Bangladesh. India has previously charged that Bangladeshi citizens enter Indian territory illegally across the porous border. Bangladesh denies its nationals cross illegally into India. The two countries' border forces have clashed over the issue in the past. Sixteen Indian and three Bangladeshi soldiers were killed in 2001 in the deadliest such battle in Assam and Meghalaya.

Frans on 07.30.06 @ 03:42 PM CST [link]

THE GREAT LIES Naga Support Group (UK)

THE GREAT LIES

The Meiteis wish to call their tiny valley homeland "Golden Manipur". As every nation has the right to describe itself in the fashion it chooses, we have no complain about it. Then in recent years they invented a script, and we praise them for the smartness.

However, real archaeology and history totally disagree with the assertion of the Meiteis that the history of their independent super kings and glorious civilization is over 2000 years old. As written by Horace Hayman Wilson in The History of British India (From 1805 to 1835), Volume IX, Manipur was just a tiny valley (p. 8, 1823) and its ruler was termed as “the petty chiefship of Manipur ” (p. 20). Secondly, "the history of Manipur is not traceable beyond 1714 when its rule was assumed by a local chieftain named Gharib Nawaz. Chief Commissioner of Assam and, later, Political Agent carried on the administration of Manipur which continued to be one of the subordinate princely states of India until its merger in 1948-49" (S. Bhattacharya. A Dictionary of Indian History. Calcutta University. 1967.). Thirdly, “Manipur was included in the protectorate in 1826. Owing to its geographical isolation, and partly in consequence of its backwardness in civilization, British intercourse with the principality was confined to the formal admission of subordination by the rulers of Manipur, and to periodical intervention for the suppression of usurpers” (p. 179, Sir William Lee-Warner. The Native States of India. 1910. Macmillan and Co.). Thus, Manipur was just one of the protected states of India (ibid, p. 181) and was never truly independent.

We, Nagalim Christians, cannot study the lies of the Meiteis as part of our education. Also, the Nagas will never accept the imposition of the Meitei Mayek on us. We condemn the Khaplang group for shamelessly threatening the Naga NGOs.

Long live truth! Long live Nagalim! Kuknalim!

In God's grace,

Professor Timothy Kaping
President
Naga Support Group (UK)

Frans on 07.30.06 @ 02:49 PM CST [link]

Saturday, July 29th

Rio puts peace process at risk - Congress The Morung Express

Rio puts peace process at risk - Congress The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 28 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today stated that the final solution to the Indo-Naga problem should be acceptable by the all sections of the Naga people. At the same time, the Congress expressed concern over the recent plea of Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on the Naga Political issue, wherein he said the parties involved in the peace talks should arrive at an “Interim Agreement”.
“The present issue needs to be viewed seriously by all sections of the Naga people because without spelling out his (Rio) hidden agenda he is talking of Interim Agreement. What does he (Rio) mean by Interim Agreement, the people need to know from him”, NPCC Chief Hokheto Sumi stated in a press communiqué. The statement pointed out that Chief Minister Rio was talking of interim agreement without specifying what type of arrangement was being made under the interim agreement. “The NPCC questions Rio whether he has been authorized by either side of the parties involved in the peace talks or whether both the parties involved in the Peace talks are also working in line with Rio in regards to interim agreement. If not then, Rio is jeopardizing the peace process”, Sumi stated.
Reminding that some of the present DAN Ministers had denounced the 16 Point Agreement during last Parliamentary Election, 2004 but Rio was now referring to the 16 Point Agreement stating that the then political leaders were more akin in enjoying power then achieving the Naga sovereignty. “He has even questioned the credibility of those political leaders for not sorting out the Naga integration while pursuing for 16 Point Agreement”, the NPCC ridiculed. The 16 Point Agreement the NPCC maintained, was made as a stop-gap-arrangement to avoid any further loss of life and properties of the Naga people at that point of time.
Through this agreement the harassment, torture etc. faced by the Naga people was put to a halt and it gave birth to statehood, the NPCC stated.
“During the time of signing 16 Point Agreement by the then Naga leaders, Rio might have just started his student career in school. Instead of acknowledging the contributions of those leaders who paved the way for the future Nagas, he is blaming them despite occupying the chair of Chief Minister which is the fruit of 16 point agreement”, the NPCC stated.
The Congress further pointed out that at the time of signing the 16 point agreement, there was no talk of integration but through the wisdom of those leaders having the vision of the future Nagas, they had added the provision in the agreement and established the rights for integration of Naga inhabited areas. “The Naga political issue has come a long way and present Naga leaders should try to correct rather than criticize the circumstances leading to the signing of accords/agreements. As a Naga we have to acknowledge each other’s contribution in order to maintain unity and peace in our society.
NSCN-IM ridicules NNC statement Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, JULY 28 (NPN): Ridiculing the press statement 'The NNC does not belong to Nagalim' by L Palang Khiamniungan of the NNC that appeared in a section of the local media, the NSCN-IM said 'Nagalim' or 'Nagaland' carried the same political significance.
In a rejoinder, K. Tsuzu, steering committee, NSCN-IM, said "when we say Nagalim it means land of the Nagas. It embraces all Naga areas."
Tsuzu also said that when Palang wrote "The NNC does not belong to Nagalim," the latter was right since the NNC had accepted the Constitution of India through the Shillong Accord, adding NNC no longer belonged to Nagalim or Nagaland.
Reiterating his remark that NNC and Shillong Accord are two faces of the same coin, Tsuzu said the present NNC (after Shillong Accord) is a dead organization, which cannot be "re-incarnated" for all times to come.
Advising Palang to stop such kind of "venomous preaching" to the Naga innocent public, the NSCN-IM leader said he was talking about historical facts when he mentioned that hundred of freedom fighters were killed by the Accordists during military coup.
"To cite an example, 72 national workers were killed at Langnuk Village alone. If Mr. Palang were there that time he must be knowing all about the blood massacre," Tsuzu added.
He further said Phizo was made the president of both NNC and FGN by the National Assembly convened under the leadership of Isak and Muivah, but that it was the Accordists who pulled him down. "We can substantiate this with documents," Tsuzu disclosed.
‘FGN free from Shillong Accord’ The Morung Express

KOHIMA, JULY 28 (MExN): The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) today said that they have completely freed themselves from the Shillong Accord of 1975 since a decade ago as such there is no reason for targeting their cadres and further fueling the increasing fratricidal killings amongst the Naga national workers.
A FGN release by its Kilo Kilonser, Zaleo Chakhesang claimed that all its cadres had vacated the Transit Peace camp, since the call made by the then President Lt Zashei Huire to disown the accord in 1996, and the subsequent directive issued by its incumbent President Brig. S. Singnya in 2000 asking all the cadres to move out of the said camp.
“People living there now are Shillong Accordists who have accepted the constitution of India in the name of underground organizations”, FGN stated.
Therefore, it said that the Shillong Accord can not be used as a reason to justify the killing of their cadres, and also can not be termed as the obstacle towards Naga unity, which they said some people still choose to do so.
The FGN also cautioned that refusing to accept this reality, and continue self destruction of Naga family by any one will be only facilitating India’s game of attempting to establish its supremacy over Nagaland, which the latter have failed to achieve through military might for over the past five decades. FGN also further said that the ‘infamous’ Shillong Accord of 1975 has become one of the most controversial issue for the Naga national workers to part ways, as some people used this Accord as the ‘foot- stool’ to break away from the NNC to form NSCN, and since then fratricidal killings has been continuing unabated for the last 26 years now.
However, in spite of the continuingly increasing factional feuds, some accordists refuse to disown the accord, instead, still funnily claim to bear the national responsibility, it stated. This, the FGN said is providing fuel to a ‘devastating fire’, which the accordists refuse to admit. And further, added that this refusal of the accordists to disown the Transit Peace Camp is providing an ample ground for the people with motive to continue with the fratricidal killings in the land.
FGN Kilonser also asserted that as its President, Brig. S. Singnya has declared in its Tatar Hoho on April 6 this year, that the NNC/FGN has freed themselves from the Shillong Accord, there is no reason for disunity and fratricide amongst the Nagas, by using the Accord as an excuse.
The ongoing peace talks between the GOI and NSCN-IM tends to confuse some of the people, but there can be no solution short of sovereignty, it stated, adding that true and lasting solution to the protracted Indo-Naga conflict can be achieved only when India comes forward with true and sincere approach to solve it with the mandated NNC and the FGN.
It further said that each and every Naga is a participant in the noble Naga cause, as they are all involved through one way or the other- economically or morally or physically, but said that when this sacrifice of a person are being used against the interest of the nation some one, the donor is also equally responsible.
“Unity of our people and a common approach to the common cause can only bring success and accomplishment of our national goal”, the FGN said. Zaleo also called upon all the Nagas to serve the nation in just and right way.
Naga Peace talks deferred The Morung Express
Guwahati, July 28 (IANS): Peace talks to extend a ceasefire between a frontline separatist group in India’s northeast and New Delhi’s emissaries scheduled for Friday in Bangkok have been deferred by a day, a rebel leader said.
Leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in Nagaland state, were to meet government peace interlocutors led by central minister Oscar Fernandes for talks on the nine-year ceasefire that expires July 31. The NSCN-IM entered into a ceasefire with New Delhi in August 1997.
“The talks begin Saturday in Bangkok and are likely to extend up to Sunday,” R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN-IM leader, told IANS over the phone from Nagaland’s commercial hub Dimapur.
The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, last week threatened not to extend their ceasefire, accusing the Indian Army of supplying weapons to a rival rebel outfit to provoke a “fratricidal war”.
“I cannot say conclusively if the ceasefire would be extended beyond Monday. It would depend on the outcome of the talks to be held in Bangkok,” Raising said. The rebel leaders are expected to seek a clarification from the government on their charges of arming the rival NSCN faction led by S.S. Khaplang.
“The talks would be crucial as we want to know from the government about the security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions,” another senior NSCN-IM leader said.
“The question of ceasefire extension now depends on the response to our charges by the government in the Bangkok talks.”India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years.
Naga talks in Bangkok from today to save ceasefire By IANS Saturday July 29,
Guwahati, July 29 (IANS) Peace negotiators from New Delhi are beginning fresh talks in Bangkok Saturday with a frontline Naga separatist group to save a nine-year-old ceasefire from breaking down, officials said. The talks with top leaders of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in the northeastern state of Nagaland, were earlier due to begin Friday but were deferred by a day.
Central Minister Oscar Fernandes and New Delhi's main peace interlocutor K. Padmanabhaiah will meet top leaders of the Isak-Muivah faction in Bangkok.
'The two-day talks will primarily focus on the question of extending the ceasefire and also discussing other major demands,' said a home ministry official, requesting anonymity. 'We are confident of the two sides agreeing to extend the ceasefire as the people of Nagaland want peace and a permanent solution to the problem.' The last ceasefire extension expires July 31. The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, last week threatened not to extend their ceasefire accusing the Indian Army of supplying weapons to a rival rebel outfit to provoke a 'fratricidal war'.
'The question of extending the ceasefire depends on the outcome of the talks. Nothing can be said at this moment,' R.H. Raising, senior NSCN-IM leader, told IANS by telephone from Nagaland.
The rebel leadership is expected to seek a clarification from New Delhi on their charges of arming the rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland faction led by S.S. Khaplang. The NSCN-IM had accused security forces of seizing weapons from its cadres and then supplying such arms to the rival group. The army denies the allegations.
'The question of ceasefire extension now depends on the response to our charges by the government in the Bangkok talks. We have also sought several modifications of the ceasefire ground rules,' another NSCN-IM leader said. The rebel leader refused to give details of the changes sought in the truce ground rules. The original Nagaland rebel group split in 1988 into two factions. The NSCN (Khaplang) struck a ceasefire with the government in 2001 although no formal peace talks have yet been held. The two sides regularly clash for territorial supremacy. At least 200 members of both outfits have been killed in turf battles in the past five years. The main group led by Muivah and Swu is seeking a 'Greater Nagaland' that would unite 1.2 million Nagas, a demand strongly opposed by the neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The other group is seeking an independent tribal homeland. India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of the longest-running insurgencies that have claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947.
NSCN (IM)-Centre talks in Bangkok Xee News
New Delhi, July 29: The next round of talks between NSCN(IM) and Centre is scheduled to be held in Bangkok for two days starting later in the day, today. The current phase of six-month long ceasefire with the Naga rebel group is set to expire on 31st July. Union Minister Oscar Fernandez who is leading the team of government negotiators, paid visit to Nagaland last week to feel the pulse before proceeding to Bangkok to hold next round negotiation with the rebel group. Fernandez has met politicians and representatives of various NGOs in Nagaland.

The ceasefire is likely to be extended for another term as both sides are aware that people of the hill state are longing for a peaceful solution to Northeast`s oldest insurgency problem. Nine years have passed since the NSCN(IM) and Government of India entered into truce and started negotiation in 1997 to find a solution to the problem. Both the sides have kept utmost confidentiality about the progress hitherto made in the peace negotiation while it is being construed that a road map for a solution to Indo-Naga conflict is being hammered out.

The apparent major roadblock in the progress of the peace process seems to be the NSCN-IM`s demand for all Naga-inhabited areas of Asom, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. New Delhi`s response to the demand has been that it required consensus among all the concerned states although it is yet to take up the issue with Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

State governments in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have already expressed their opposition to any disturbance to their present geographical boundaries. Not only the governments, different political and social organisations in these states are vociferous against NSCN-IM`s demand for integration of Naga inhabited areas. Bureau Report
Needed, a real Dialogue By Dolly Kikon Tehelka
All existing politico-legal frameworks have proved futile in fulfilling the aspirations of the Naga people. More broadbased engagement with civil society is urgently required
The campaign for unifying different administrative units of the Northeastern states inhabited by Nagas has generated ardent critics and supporters. This issue remains one of the most contentious topics in the negotiations between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isaac-Muivah) (NSCN-IM) and the Government of India (GOI). In January 2006, Th. Muivah, the general secretary of the NSCN-IM threatened to “go back to arms”. He agreed at the eleventh hour to extend the ceasefire with a condition that the goi should be willing to sit down and talk about more concrete issues. The present ceasefire agreement ends on July 31, 2006. Muivah’s message is clear: the unification of Naga-inhabited areas cannot be compromised, and if the goi fails to engage with this, the talks might as well be called off. Surely, the claim for a single administrative Naga unit is a popular demand, which elicits passionate responses from all parties concerned. Thus, it is important for the Nagas to share their notions of this unified homeland, its historical context and more importantly how they plan to negotiate issues of citizenship, minority rights, indigenous people, resources and rights of women. Aug 05, 2006
Minister Zhimomi calls for strengthening unity among Nagas The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, July 28 (MExN): Minister for Industries & Commerce and Sericulture, Government of Nagaland, Khekiho Zhimomi today called upon the entire Naga tribes to strengthened unity while expressing his view that the present Naga co-existence scenario which according to him the unison present in the society then, is gradually fading away. The minister said that the time to bring Naga indigenous people together has come particular among the citizens dwelling in the commercial hub which encompasses various tribes. He was speaking during the inaugural session of the day-long Seminar on ‘Socio-economic Development’, organized by the Chakhesang Hoho, Dimapur, sponsored by the State Agricultural Department, Government of Nagaland here today at the Agri Expo site.
Minister for Industries & Commerce and Sericulture, Khekiho Zhimomi, addressing the gathering. (Bottom) Participants in traditional attires during the day-long Seminar on ‘Socio-economic Development’ at Agri Expo site, Friday, July 28. (MExPix)
Reflecting on past unpleasant incidents which created much tension among three of the biggest Naga tribes - the Sumis, Chakhesangs and the Angamis, the minister held it responsible to the invasion of destructive elements for political interests. Day by day as the relationship grows stronger, Zhimomi reminded that “You” and “I” should be the keys to strengthen the process of building unity among the Nagas.
While speaking on developmental activities and opportunities that have been so far initiated by the DAN government, the minister advocate to go out and exploit them by one-self and not wait for the government to “spoon feed”. Further he added that while exploring, one’s mindset and attitude should be optimistic and should be sentient in exploring it. The Minister also said that the present mindset of the people about solely depending on the Government for survival, needs to be changed.
In his early acquaintance with various communities, he said, that the one good quality that the Chakhesangs possesses is straightforwardness, which he encouraged the gathering to preserve at any cost. He encouraged to take up various entrepreneurship as the state possesses enough avenues, adding that what most people lack dignity of labor. He said that the present Government is doing its best to encourage the educated youths for sustainable economic growth by opening various platforms. Regarding the objectives of the seminar, he said that the resource persons are the right people for disseminating the right information to the people, which will benefit the community in the days to come.
The Resource persons for the seminar were Nguzonyi Wetsah, DAO, Dimapur, Dr. Kuveduyi Theyo and S.K.Kenye, Addl. Director, Geology & Mining, Nagaland.
NSCN-IM responds to NSCN-K’s reward offer
Dimapur, July 28 (MExN): The NSCN-IM, reacting to what it stated was the NSCN-K offering Rs 1 Lakh “reward” to those giving informing on the killers of Zubenthung Tsopoe on July 13, stated that it is the NSCN-K itself who killed the mentioned cadre. “In this regard I the undersigned would like to clarify our stand to the public that Zubenthung Tsopoe was killed by SS Lt Vitoi, Khaplang group at the residence of Mr Shikato on 13th July, 2006” according to a rejoinder issued by T Keditsu, CAO, Angami region.

“After committing the heinous crime, they are attempting to blame others. What a sense of crime of crimes. Their motive and principle is always to create confusion and bring enmity among the Nagas. The truth will reveal the truth to them one day or the other” it stated.
NSCN (IM) clarifies on shooting incident Newmai News Network

Imphal, Jul 27: National Socialist Council of Nagalim of Isak-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) today viewed the attack at Leingangching under Chandel district seriously and urged the higher authority of the Assam Rifles to check the code of conduct of the involved Major of 21 Assam Rifles, said the central administrative officer (CAO) D.Joy Rudolph, Khurmi Region.

A press statement issued to Newmai News Network said that in the last almost ten years of ceasefire between the government of India (GOI) and the NSCN(IM) not a single bullet was fired upon the Indian armed forces till date.

"Infact, if the NSCN want to be dishonest with the ceasefire commitment and peace process a tactical war would have been launched against the Indian armed forces anytime, anywhere. However, the NSCN wants to prove to the world that Nagas are peace loving nation thus far," said the Khurmi region, NSCN(IM).

The NSCN(IM), Khurmi region then stated that inspite of the numerous loss of precious lives of Nagas the NSCN(IM) continues to stick to its commitment of co-existing harmoniusly and "we endure to continue the same."

"The incident of Leingangching would have been avoided if the 21 Assam Rifles maintained the discipline expected of the powerful Indian army. However 21 Assam Rifles deliberately failed to maintain their status quo and therefore, unfortunately the gunfire took place," said the statement.

As a matter of fact, as soon as the NSCN(IM) reached the village, one Indian army pensioner indentified as one Thamthung was sent to the nearby ROP of 21 AR and a Major was informed about the NSCN(IM) cadres presence, said the Khurmi region of the NSCN(IM).

"However, after 25 minutes the Major and his personnel came in five vehicles and rushed inside the village and started firing at close range at us. As the firing came from the indisciplined 21 AR we relunctantly blank fired few rounds and the rapid fire from AR invited us to launch a lethod bomb just to stop them from firing at us. The lethod was fired 200 feet away from 21 AR location and the village," disclosed the NSCN-IM.

"Had 21 AR listened to our call for ceasefire, no firing would have taken place.

Earlier we intercepted the information of the 21 AR asking its unit for more ammunition on the eve of the incident but never thought the NSCN will be targeted by them,"added the NSCN(IM).

"Further, according to 21 Assam Rifles` press statement our movement was already known to them. And all this proved that the attack was being pre-planned," alleged the NSCN(IM).

It then said that the injured 21 AR personnel got injured by their (Assam Rifles) own grenade blast.

The NSCN(IM) accused the Assam Rifles of killing SN Premson who was reported to be a college student by the Assam Rifles Major from infra bullet series No. K.F.03.5.56.

"If post mortem of the dead body and the injured jawan is done honestly the bullet inside and pieces of grenade will clearly tell the truth, as the truth never fails to tell the truth," pointed out the NSCN(IM), adding that "it was not of the lethod bomb as alleged and also that the location of the innocent dead body will also justify the truth".

The NSCN(IM), dismissed the reports of seizing of arms and ammunitions from the outfit.

Meanwhile, the Naga Peoples Organization, Chandel and the Naga Students Union Chandel have expressed strong condemnation to what it called merciless killing of an innocent student in the aftermath of yesterday`s fire-fight between troops of the 21 Assam Rifles and NSCN(IM) cadres at Leingangching in Chandel district.

Fearing civilian casualties, NSCN(IM) cadres held back their fire and withdrew from the area even as the troops of the 21 Assam Rifles continued to fire indiscriminately, NPO said in a statement and strongly alleged that the post commander of the AR unit mercilessly shot dead a student soon after the exchange of fire stopped. Appealing to the concerned authorities to take up appropriate action to award befitting punishment for the killing of the student, the NPO also warned of taking up severe action. From Manipur to Beirut: a leader leads

Drop guns, take up work: Rio Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, JULY 28 (NPN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today called for a change in the attitude of the Nagas and move from "gun culture to work culture" to usher in progress in Nagaland.
Prioritizing the need to foster developments in the state, Rio said "Even if there is a political solution, nothing will happen unless the Nagas change their attitude."
Signifying that progress was feasible in peaceful atmosphere, he urged the people to shun "gun culture" and embrace the dignity of work.
Rio, who was the chief guest at the commissioning of Chathe Minor Irrigation project at Chumukedima Friday, also dwelled on the consumerist attitude of the Nagas and said "Nagas have to be a producing society."
In a slight departure from his usual stance on the Indo-Naga political issue, the chief minister said Nagas are always chanting for sovereignty, while maintaining they are literally sustained with funds from Delhi.
Expressing satisfaction with the department concern for the completion of the project, Rio said a number of schemes are in the offing under the Bharat Nirma projects and asked the department to come up with a master plan within a period of ten years.
Informing that the DAN government was aiming for surplus in agricultural production, Rio said the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control is undertaking all possible measures to provide equipment to farmers.
He also acknowledged the increasing production of rice in the foothills and felt this can be a considerable factor in bolstering the state's economy.
Towards this end, Rio informed that the state is mooting to set up agro-chemical industry to enhance agricultural production.
Rio also cited "the land owners' issue" as stumbling block for development in Nagaland. In spite of many proposals, the sate could not initiate big projects due to this issue, he rued.
MC Konyak, Parliamentary Secretary, in-charge of Irrigation and Flood Control, formally handover the "Assured Irrigation Facilities" to the Water Users Association.
In his address at the function, Konyak expressed contentment that the handing over of the project coincided with "Year of the Farmers."
The Chathe Minor Irrigation project was built at the cumulative cost of Rupees 2.99 crore under the scheme sanctioned by Department of Irrigation and Flood Control.
Valley bodies urged not to interfere in affiliation process Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, Jul 26: The United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), the Naga People Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and All Naga Student Association Manipur (ANSAM) urged the valley NGOs not to interfere in the Nagaland Board School Education affiliation process.

According to the joint statement issued to Newmai News Network last night signed by UNC president K.S Paul Leo, NWUM president Grace Shatsang, NPMHR (south sector) coconvenor S.Phakhami and ANSAM president Paulring Langhu said that the 163 private schools in the "four Naga Hill districts" of Manipur are in the process of getting affiliated to Nagaland Board School Education.

"Unfortunately, there are some people/organisations that simply cannot accept the reality.

The C.M. of Manipur O.

Ibobi is one such", the statement said. With regard to the statement made by the Manipur C.M. which said that "the education is a state subject and the State Government will never agree to such a proposal" meaning the affiliation of the private schools to NBSE, the Naga NGOs termed it just a political gimmick to save his chair.

"However, at the back of his mind, O. Ibobi knows it fully well that the decision of the Union Govt prevails, on any subject be it on the state or on the concurrent list.

.OIbobi should not attempt to stifle the democratic aspirations of the minorities by stooping to cheap gimmicks unless he is a mere pawn in the hands of some organisations of the valley community with vested interests", said the frontal Naga social organisations, adding, "we respect his democratic right to expression, but he should not expect the public to be so gullible as to easily believe his lies." Further, it said that the Naga people in the four "Naga Hill districts" of Manipur are just expressing their democratic aspirations by deciding to get affiliated to NBSE wherein they find their cultural expression.

The Naga frontal organisations then asserted that they have always respected the aspirations of other communities and expected that others should reciprocate for it.

The Naga NGOs then directed the social organisations of the valley community such as MAFYF, AMSU, NIPCO and Jiribam Development Council to desist from creating irrational violence to interfere in the NBSE affiliation process.

The Naga NGOs termed the attitude of the valley community based social organisations as "dominant and dictatorial" and added that their hue and cry (arson and burning of effigies of Indian leaders) in the Manipur valley will not in anyway halt the affiliation process.
Students in hill districts switch to Govt schools Sentinel
IMPHAL, July 28: With some Naga organisations demanding affiliation of schools to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE), several students in private schools in four hill districts of Manipur have switched over to government schools to continue studying under the Manipur Board of Secondary Education (MBSE).
Official reports said today that said altogether 149 students of private schools in Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati had recently switched over to government schools after being allowed by the MBSE.
Reports said some Naga organisations, which have been demanding affiliation of schools in Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong to Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE), had earlier burnt the books prescribed by MBSE in some hill areas
Unofficial sources said some persons in the hills were distributing text books prescribed by NBSE to private schools which were being forced to teach NBSE text books.
Fearing that they might lose their academic year, many students have sought admission in government schools, official sources said adding that they would be allowed to take admission although the academic year was half way through.
Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh had earlier said it would not be possible for private schools in Manipur to affiliate to Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE) because each board had its own jurisdiction.
He had appealed to those organisations which were seeking affiliation of private schools to NBSE to stop disturbing the students in hill districts as this would lead disruption of academic year of several students in the state. PTI
COHR decries AR's excesses By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 28 : While condemning in the strongest term all the incidents of human rights violations committed by Assam Rifles personnel under the immunity provided by the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 such as extreme physical and mental torture, involuntary disappearance of numerous individuals after being picked up by security forces, rape, murder etc, the Committee on Human Rights (COHR) has pledged all support in the subsequent people's movement against security forces and the State Government in the aftermath of the arrest of Samuel Kabui (20) by 38 AR and the murder of SN Premson (25) by 21 AR.
A statement issued by COHR took strong exception to the rough treatment meted out to villagers of Noney by 38 AR when the villagers were staging a protest in a democratic manner demanding the release of innocent Samuel Kabui who was taken into their custody on July 25.
Many persons victimised by the Assam Rifles personnel for protesting the arrest are still undergoing treatment at hospitals, it disclosed.
It further asserted that SN Premson was killed by Assam Rifles personnel who fired indiscriminately while he was coming out from the latrine at his home in Leingangching under Waikhong police station on July 26.
Sharing the grief and loss felt by the families, COHR called for a united struggle, irrespective of ethnicity and community to abolish the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 which is being used to commit atrocities against the people of the North East region and Manipur in particular, conveyed the statement.
R kicks off Media Mgt drive By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 28 : In an endeavour to avoid any possible stand off between security forces and media persons in the future while discharging their respective duties in the State, a discussion programme on media management was held today at HQs 9 Sector Assam Rifles, Keithelmanbi.
The discussion participated by three senior journalists and officers and JCOs of 32 AR, 22 Maratha LI, 21
AR and 4 AR made a study of the obligations of both the security forces and media persons in conflict situations.
Speaking on the occasion, PRO of IG AR (South) Lt Col Mathur acknowledged the constraints endured
by media persons in terms of time factor while collecting news reports to meet the deadline of filing their reports.
He remarked that military-media relationship should not be strained under any circumstances.
Lt Col Mathur also mentioned the certain dos and don'ts for soldiers while dealing with media persons.
Explaining the difficulties and inconveniences faced by reporters while discharging their duties in conflict zones which often saw stand off between security forces and scribes, the senior journalists maintained that it is their duty to cover all events.
They further observed that such misunderstanding between security forces and media persons can be avoided only when security forces abide by the guidelines given to them while dealing with the media at sensitive places.
Students power and Manipur
There is something unique about the student community of Manipur which sets them apart from their peers in other parts of the country or even the world. That student organisations have emerged as one of the most powerful pressure groups is a fact that is accepted across the world and nearer home one just has to recollect the movement launched in Assam in the 80s by the All Assam Students' Union and the birth of the Asom Gana Parishad. In Manipur too, student organisations have been at the forefront of many issues, social and political. The anti-foreigner movement launched by the All Manipur Students' Union and the then AMSCOC remains a landmark in the history of the land. This was followed by the demand to include Manipuri in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Student organisations in the hill districts of Manipur have also been equally effective in highlighting their issues. The 52 days economic blockade imposed by the All Naga Students' Union, Manipur will not be forgotten in a hurry and the recent burning of the text books prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur in the hill districts under the aegis of ANSAM is another telling commentary of the clout and influence of student organisations. The Zomi Students' Federation had recently boycotted all the MLAs and the stand off that was witnessed between the student body and the district administration of Churachandpur some time back was a clear reflection of the power that students wield. In fact situation is such that student organisations have been able to jolt the Government machinery awake on numerous occasions and many a time the Government had to buckle under the demands raised by students across the State. Student power in a democracy is understandable and may even be encouraged, but there comes a time when all the action and course of agitation taken up by students cannot be left unquestioned.
In as much as students should be allowed to voice their protest and at times even take the leading role in rousing the people awake to some sensitive issues, questions may well be asked over the conduct and motive of the students when they take up critical issues. During the last few years, it has become something of an accepted culture for students of any institution to take to the streets to protest the demand of a teacher or two. This situation raises certain pertinent points that should be given due thoughts to by all concerned. Have the students taken to the street to protest the transfer, because the Government had failed to post their replacements ? If this is the case then the Government should be pilloried for refusing to see justice. On the other hand we may also ask whether the students have come out to protest on some whimsical ground, such as the teacher/s being transferred has struck up a good rapport with the students and the transfer will affect their institution ? These are questions worth raising now for increasingly students have started coming out on the street to protest whenever any teacher is being transferred to some other place. Transfers and postings to the hill districts and remote areas come along with the baggage of being a Government employee and this is a fact that should not be lost on anyone. There are times when it would be prudent for the students not to meddle in Government policies, for students should remain students and framing policies and programmes should be left to the Government.

Frans on 07.29.06 @ 03:47 PM CST [link]

Friday, July 28th

he NSCN (IM) has threatened not to extend the nine-year-old ceasefire accord beyond this month-end if New Delhi fails to modify truce ground rules. NDTV

The NSCN (IM) has threatened not to extend the nine-year-old ceasefire accord beyond this month-end if New Delhi fails to modify truce ground rules. NDTV Correspondent Friday, July 28, 2006
(New Delhi): A week before ceasefire talks Phungthing Shimrang a senior NSCN (I-M) member left Delhi a dejected man.

Shimrang was in the capital to negotiate new ceasefire ground rules in Nagaland but he says the concerned home ministry official didn't even bother to hear him out.

"Last time we met on May 29. There are many things that have not been solved. We got a feeling that Centre is not interested," said Phungthing Shimrang, NSCN-IM Member.

In January, the NSCN (I-M) refused to extend the ceasefire only by six months and not the usual one-year-ceasefire. Precisely because they felt the Centre wasn't taking their demands seriously.

Key demands
• Integration of Naga all inhabited areas, a demand unacceptable to Manipur and Assam
• A special federal relationship with India being considered by the Centre
• A separate representation in the UN
• Joint Defence force to protect Nagaland both of which are unacceptable to the Centre
Although nine years later the Centre hasn't yet made its response very clear.

The negotiators are confident that they can win another round of ceasefire when they meet in Bangkok.

"The talks are proceeding in the right direction and we are hopeful that the ceasefire will be extended beyond July 31 ..it will take time but we will find solution," said S Regupathi, Negotiator, MoS (Home).

The Centre is hopeful that Issac Muivah will be convinced to extend the ceasefire beyond July 31. But with the recent standoff the negotiators will have a hard time convincing the Nagas continue with peace talks.

Frans on 07.28.06 @ 02:01 PM CST [link]

Uneasy peace Editorial Sangai Express

Uneasy peace Editorial Sangai Express
Two incidents in the last few days have exposed just how fragile or farcical the supposedly peaceful condition is in some of the hill districts following the negotiation between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India since 1997. It was on July 23 that Assam Rifles busted a detention centre run by the NSCN (IM) at Ukhrul and arrested four cadres of the rebel group and it was on the very next day that about 30 well armed NSCN (IM) cadres rescued their comrades from the hands of the police men while the arrested were being taken to the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The second incident refers to the July 26 shoot out between the Assam Rifles and suspected cadres of the NSCN (IM) at Leingangching in Thoubal district in which two Assam Rifles personnel were injured while another youth was killed under contradictory claims. It is not yet clear whether the youth slain in the encounter was a member of the rebel outfit or a civilian killed by stray bullets. Whatever the case may be the two incidents have more than made it clear that the so called peace prevailing in some districts of Manipur is nothing much more than a facade which has been imposed on the people. The very fact that the NSCN (IM) was running a detention centre to penalise what it termed, social rogues, is a clear indication of how it has been using its muscle power to intimidate and punish the civil population. As we understand it, peace should not be seen only in the context of non-confrontation between an armed group and the security force, but about how freely and fearlessly the civil population are allowed to live without any diktats from any power player. One may argue that since the cease fire pact is not enforced in Manipur, the question of non-confrontation between the IM group and the security force does not arise. However the fact stands that the cease fire is very much in force here, though unofficially.
Peace has been the elusive dream for the people of Manipur and the North East for the last many, many years and while each and every group of people will vouch for the need of peace to prevail, no one seems ready to concede some ground for peace to prevail. Peace like any other dreams and aspirations of the people also has a price and that is the willingness to see the view points and arguments of the other side without being too rigid. The question before us is whether any of the parties concerned in the tug of war are ready to go that little distance to see and understand the view points and opinion of the other side. To really qualify for the term peace, it should be understood that it means not only absence of violence and stand offs, but also absence of diktats and threats. If we take this parameter into consideration then we can safely say that peace is still a far cry for the Naga people for the writs and diktats and the threat perception of the NSCN (IM) still persist. It is this fact that the Naga people should realise and then garner the courage to say that for peace to really prevail and live up to its parameters, the rebel group, should stop running a sort of a parallel Government. Only then will peace live up to its real term and significance. To let this happen, the role of the Naga civil societies is important. They can no longer remain under the illusion that there is now peace in their region.
NSCN-IM talks in Bangkok deferred until Saturday India News (Indian muslims info
By Syed Zarir Hussain, Guwahati, July 28 (IANS) Peace talks to extend a ceasefire between a frontline separatist group in India's northeast and New Delhi's emissaries scheduled for Friday in Bangkok have been deferred by a day, a rebel leader aid. Leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in Nagaland state, were to meet government peace interlocutors led by central minister Oscar Fernandes for talks on the nine-year ceasefire that expires July 31. The NSCN-IM entered into a ceasefire with New Delhi in August 1997.
"The talks begin Saturday in Bangkok and are likely to extend up to Sunday," R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN-IM leader, told IANS over the phone from Nagaland's commercial hub Dimapur. The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, last week threatened not to extend their ceasefire, accusing the Indian Army of supplying weapons to a rival rebel outfit to provoke a "fratricidal war".
"I cannot say conclusively if the ceasefire would be extended beyond Monday. It would depend on the outcome of the talks to be held in Bangkok," Raising said. The rebel leaders are expected to seek a clarification from the government on their charges of arming the rival NSCN faction led by S.S. Khaplang.
"The talks would be crucial as we want to know from the government about the security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions," another senior NSCN-IM leader said. "The question of ceasefire extension now depends on the response to our charges by the government in the Bangkok talks."
The original Nagaland rebel group split in 1988 into two factions. The NSCN-Khaplang struck a ceasefire with the government in 2001 although no formal peace talks have yet been held with that group.The two sides regularly clash for territorial supremacy. At least 200 members of both outfits have been killed in turf battles in the past five years. The main group led by Muivah and Swu is seeking a 'Greater Nagaland' that would unite 1.2 million Nagas, a demand strongly opposed by neighbouring Indian states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The other group is seeking an independent tribal homeland. India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of South Asia's longest running insurgencies that have claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947.
AR failed to maintain status quo deliberately says NSCN-IM Newmai News Network
Imphal: National Socialist Council of Nagalim of Isak-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) today viewed the attack of Leingangching under Chandel district seriously and urged the higher authority of the Assam Riffles to check the involved Major of 21 Assam Riflles code of conduct, said the Central Administrative Officer (CAO) D.Joy Rudolph, Khurmi Region.
According to a press statement, it said that in the almost ten years of cease fire with the Government of India (GOI), the NSCN-IM did not fire a single bullet on Indian armed forces till date. “Infact, if the NSCN want to be dishonest with the cease fire commitment and peace process a tactical war would have been launched against the Indian armed forces anytime, anywhere. However, the NSCN wants to prove to the world that Nagas are peace loving nation thus far,” said the Khurmi Region, NSCN-IM. The NSCN-IM, Khurmi Region stated that inspite of the numerous loss of the precious lives of the Nagas the NSCN-IM continued to stick to its commitment of co-existing harmoniously and “we endure to continue the same.”
“The incident of Leingangching could have been avoided if the 21 Assam Rifles maintained the discipline of the most powerful Indian army. However, the 21 Assam Rifles deliberately failed to maintain their status quo and therefore, unfortunately the gun-fire took place,” said the statement.
As a matter of fact, as soon as the NSCN-IM reached the village, one Indian army pensioner identified as one Thamthung was sent to the nearby ROP of 21 AR and a Major was informed about the NSCN-IM cadres presence, said the Khurmi Region of the NSCN-IM. “However, after 25 minutes later, the Major and his personnel came in five vehicles and rushed inside the village and started firing at close range at us. As the firing came from the undisciplined 21 AR we reluctantly blank fired few rounds and the rapid fire from AR invited us to launch a bomb just to stop them from firing at us. The bomb was fired 200 feet away from 21 AR location and the village,” disclosed the NSCN-IM.
“Had 21 AR listened our call for ceasefire, no firing would have taken place. Earlier, we intercept the information of the 21 AR asking its unit for more ammunition on the eve of the incident but never thought the NSCN will be targeted by them,” added the NSCN-IM of the Khurmi Region issued by its CAO. “Further, according to 21 Assam Rifles’ press statement our movement was already known to them. And all this proved that the attack was being pre-planned,” alleged the NSCN-IM.
It also said that the injured 21 AR personnel got injured by their (Assam Rifles) own grenade blast. The NSCN-IM of the Khurmi Region accused the Assam Rifles of killing S.N.Premson who was reported to be a college student by the Assam Rifles Major from infra bullet series No. K.F.03.5.56.
“If post mortem of the dead body and the injured jawan is done honestly the bullet inside and pieces of grenade will clearly tell the truth, as the truth never fails to tell the truth,” pointed out the NSCN-IM, adding that “it was not of the lethod bomb as alleged and also that the location of the innocent dead body will also justify the truth”. The NSCN-IM, Khurmoi Region also dismissed with regard to the reports of seizing of arms and ammunitions from the outfit.
Manipur schools press for Naga integration K Brajesh/Kishalay Bhattacharjee NDTV

(Chandel/Guwahati): Private schools in hill districts of Manipur have unofficially switched to the Nagaland Board of Education to press for integration of Naga dominated areas. The Chandel town in Manipur where the influence of Naga rebel group NSCN-IM is such that the gateway announces you are in south Nagaland instead. With this step the Naga speaking tribes in Manipur's hill districts have taken their demand for a Greater Nagaland one step ahead.

The medium of instruction however is still Manipuri. "As instructed by the Naga Students Federation of Chandel Class 8 and above have already changed the syllabus. The lower classes are still following the earlier syllabus," said Mr Warhing, Assistant, Oriental Academy.

Government school option

In districts like Ukhrul students not comfortable with the midcourse change are instead opting for government schools. But others say they will do anything for the people's movement.

"These changes are going to be difficult but it's our peoples movement so I would go with the people's will," said a student. But the Meitei Tribals in the valley are protesting strongly and even the Manipur government, which has not accepted the syllabus change is worried.

"Due to the report that appeared in The Telegraph, I spoke to Arjun Singh to ascertain the truth and he told me that a delegation of NSF came to meet him but he denied giving them any assurances on the matter," said Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister, Manipur.
The Naga talks may not have progressed anywhere but the NSCN(IM) has been quietly working towards their demands , the Assam government claims that Nagaland has already encroached 1,62, 471 acres of land. Now in Manipur the sensitive issue threatening to erupt bringing back images of the 2001 June protests against Naga integration.

Naga bodies bare fangs at AR Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 27: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and the Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) have accused the Assam Rifles saying that the latter has been provoking the Naga people on the eve of the crucial round of talks between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India in the Thai capital starting from coming Friday.
The wrath of the two Naga social organisations come at the backdrop of yesterday’s incident where the cadres of the NSCN-IM and the AR exchanged gun fire at Leingang Ching which resulted in the killing of a civilian.
ANSAM and NPMHR said that even though cease fire has been going on for the last nine years, the Indian security forces have been provoking Naga people to play the spoil sport with regard to the Naga peace process.
The two Naga organisations strongly condemned yesterday’s incident and expressed their condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased identified as S.N.Premson. Meanwhile, a late reports said that the Leingang Ching Village Authority has directly accused the 21 Assam Rifles for the killing of S.N. Premson. The village authority said that it has been the Assam Rifles that had killed Premson and nobody else. The village authority said that unless the Assam Rifles give reasonable clarification the dead body of S.N.Premson would not be taken by the villagers and the family members.

NSCN condemns AR action By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 27 : The NSCN/GPRN has out rightly condemned the attack on its cadres by the 21 Assam Rifles (AR), killing of an innocent civilian and abduction of another innocent civilian in the Khurmi Region of Chandel District.
In a statement Maj (Retd) Johny Dilbung, Kilonser (Minister) Information & Publicity, said that its cadres on being informed of anti-social elements’ activities to vitiate the atmosphere in the Khurmi Region, had deputed some of its personnel to check and contain such activities.
He added that to attend to their duty the Naga Army were passing by Leingang-ching village and saw the 21 AR men approaching their route from a distance.
With the best of intention and in good gesture to avoid accidental confrontation the Naga Army went to Leingangching village and sent information to them (21 AR) through an ex-Indian Army with the message of their presence there to which it was acknowledged by their commander, a Major.
However to their utter surprise, without any provocation, the AR attacked the Naga Army after around twenty minutes of the message, and also killed an innocent civilian, Premson Lamkang s/o (L) Bungthot and abducted SK Thamthung Lamkang, an innocent ex-Armyman, a Naga civilian who was sent by the NSCN to relay the message to the Assam Rifles. The statement said that such an act was in gross violation of the cease-fire ground rules which is a sign of disrespect to the peace initiatives being taken up by the Government of India.
With cease-fire set to expire on July 31 and bilateral talks between the two sides scheduled to take place on July 28 and 29 where the extension or break-down of the cease-fire is to take place, such indication presents the insincerity of the GoI to solve the protracted conflict, he lamented.
The GoI should declare its approach responsibly rather than undertaking a double standard policy to the Indo-Naga issue. The statement also appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Group, International Human Rights Organisations, Civil Societies and all right thinking people to condemn such insincere acts during the period of peace talks between the two entities.

Inter-State bus service to remain suspended Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 27: A meeting of the All Manipur Inter-State Bus Association held today at Hotel Pintu, Imphal has resolved to continue with the suspension of transport service stir until an understanding is reached with the Government.

Citing increased monetary demands from UG groups and mushrooming of entry gates in Nagaland, the inter-State bus service of the State was suspended since July 23.According to the resolutions of the meeting, a team of the association went to meet Chief Minister at around 2 pm today. But the team was denied the opportunity to meet the CM as he was then in the middle of a cabinet meeting. Yet, a presentation containing the resolutions of the association was submitted to the private secretary of CM.

The main resolutions of today's meeting were reduction of entry gates in Nagaland by prevailing over the State Govt to take up the matter with Nagaland Government and seeking the attention of the Govt against the increased monetary demand of UG groups from tourist buses.
Editorial The Morung Expres A Public Process
The Naga Nation needs healing. Victims and survivors need healing; perpetrators are in their own way victims of a violent system; and they need healing as well. The need to heal and reconcile emphasizes presence of polarized opinions and it occurs in the backdrop of a history having protracted conflict. Hence it is essential to place the issue of healing in the dialectical interplay of reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction. These three R function interdependently of each other and are in essence the embodied aspirations of a healing nation.
A nation seeking healing must invariably address reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction. It is said that what politics offers at its core is what life offers at its essence – relationship, communication, conflict, discovery and growth. By this one understands that broken relationships which result from conflicts must at one point or another muster the will to enable a political process that leads to re-communication and re-discovery and growth. In effect, it demands a new way of life, governed by principles of respect and dignity. The outcome depends on the process.
In times of crisis it is very easy to focus on the outcome without quite realizing that the outcome depends on the process itself. The process therefore is critical in the search for reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction. It is fundamental that the process be open and public. For instance, two structural decisions that contributed towards legitimacy of the reconciliation process in South Africa were because, the selection of members to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was a public and democratic process and because there were no electoral politicians in the commission. The degree of public process relies on people’s participation and ownership.
In the South African reconciliation process, any citizen could nominate an individual of high standing and integrity and without any involvement in the apartheid system, to the commission. Several hundred nominations were filed by the people. A selection committee was then responsible for scrutinizing and choosing - through a public process - the members to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. At the end of the selection process, from several hundred nominees, around 30-odd members were selected into the Commission with Archbishop Desmond Tutu as its Chairperson. This transparent and accountable procedure strengthened the legitimacy and public acceptance of the process.
Any process towards reconciliation has to be transparent and public. It is about the truth and therefore unless the process is open, the truth will not be unveiled. Some may assert that a public and transparent process is open to the possibilities of political manipulation; and it is true that it does happen. The tension between the need for transparency and the need for a safe space is inevitable and inescapable. Therefore the dilemma created by this situation is that while conducting the public process, the objective is to make reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction possible.
Lessons from Naga experience has shown that much emphasis is laid on the outcome and not on the process, and therefore the results have not been very encouraging. The tendency to bypass procedures of democratic participation and due public process of dialogue and accountability have often weakened and negated well-meaning and good-intended initiatives. To sow the seeds of healing in the Naga nation, it is fundamental to ensure that a democratic and accountable procedure of selecting members is respected. Hence the process towards reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction needs to find a pragmatic and relevant approach that reveals the truth without sacrificing or neglecting mercy, justice and peace.
For the sake of future generations, it is important that elders do not politicize the process of evolving a pathway towards reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction. The importance of ensuring an inclusive process cannot simply be ignored. For too long, in the name of convenience and adjustment, democratic principles of participation have been overlooked. This has proved detrimental and has only resulted in aggravating polarized positions of differences and jeopardizing the well-being of future generations.
For once, let’s transcend the isms that ail Naga society, and let’s put into perspective the need for Nagas to recognize the necessity of a dig
Letter on Ulfa demands sent to Centre Nagaland Post
New Delhi, July 26 (PTI): A mediator negotiating with the Centre on behalf of the banned ULFA today sent a letter to the Government seeking clarification on the outfit's three key demands, including release of five top jailed leaders. Assamese writer Indira Goswami told PTI here that she had written in the letter to Union Home Secretary V K Duggal about the ULFA's main demands.
"I sent the letter as the government had wanted that I should give the ULFA's demands in writing," said Goswami, who had spoken on phone to National Security Advisor M Narayanan and Duggal about the group's demands on Monday.
The demands include the release of five top ULFA leaders held in prisons in Assam, a written assurance that sovereignty for the state would be part of peace talks, and efforts to trace ULFA cadres missing since the Bhutanese Army launched a crackdown against the group in 2003. Earlier this week, she had received a letter from ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa asking her to ascertain the government's stand on these demands. Goswami said she, in her letter, had reminded the government about a promise made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his meeting with the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group to discuss "all issues" to resolve the insurgency in Assam.
"I have written in the letter that the government should send a letter to ULFA mentioning its stand on the three issues raised by the outfit," she said. A similar letter was also sent today by the People's Consultative Group, of which Goswami is a member, to National Security Advisor Narayanan.
MUCO readies for 9th Integrity Day By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 27 : The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation is ready to observe the 9th Manipur Integrity Day on August 4 at four venues, MDU Hall at Imphal, Jiribam, Moirang and Yairipok Singa.
Appealing to all the clubs and meira paibi lups to attend the function, AMUCO in a statement recalled that the Integrity Rally held on August 4, 1997 was not only about protecting the territory of Manipur but was also about promoting communal harmony with the belief and all should live together in communal amity.
The boundary will be automatically protected once the people co-exist peacefully, said AMUCO and added that the people will also be able to unitedly face any atrocities committed on them.
Pointedly accusing India of sowing the seeds of communal distrust, AMUCO said that for the last 50 years India has been destroying all issues which can be of common interest to the people.
For the last 50 years India has been sowing the seeds of communal distrust between the hill and valley people and spreading canards that the hill people cannot have a future with the valley people.
The Naga-Kuki clash of the 90s was followed by the Kuki-Paite clash, recalled AMUCO and added that now the agenda is to let the hill people view the valley people as their common enemy.
India is also instrumental in pursuing the agenda of one community, one armed group/one ethnic group, one party, each pursuing their own separate goals, charged AMUCO.
Such is the ploy that not a single common issue has been pursued unitedly, observed AMUCO and added that designs were hatched not to let some communities take part in the mass uprising against the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Sounding a word of caution, AMUCO said that the issues such as culture, language and script may chart out the political map of the people and added that given the situation, it would be in the fitness of things for all the people to tackle all issues collectively. Pursuing only one's goal an agenda can sow more seeds of social divide, it observed. Taking the present situation into consideration, the call of the people should be First Integrity, Next Struggle, advocated AMUCO.
The separate aspirations and goals pursued by each community does not serve the common interest of the land, said the statement and added that self interest should not over ride common interest. Unity and integrity can be achieved only when each one us take up steps to defeat the agenda that has been hoisted on the people. The question of leadership should be set aside and instead it should be about collectively moving ahead.
Dividing Manipur will not serve the interest of anyone, said AMUCO and maintained no sons of the soil would to see land dismembered. It will be wrong to support the agenda of India, added the statement.
Since 1993 AMUCO has been relentlessly working for peaceful co-existence said the statement and appealed to all section of society to extend their co-operation to such an endeavour.
NSF pressing Nagaland on affiliation issue
Thingbaijam Dhamen

IMPHAL, Jul 27: In a continuous effort of the Naga Students` Federation to pressurize the Nagaland government to campaign for the affiliation of private schools in four hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland board, the students body has decided to press the Nagaland government further to speed up the process of affiliation.

A report said that the NSF has claimed that more than 50,000 Naga students from 163 private schools in the four hill districts of Manipur had already decided not to go back to study under the Board of School Education, Manipur, BSEM.

An NSF executive meeting held on Wednesday has reportedly decided to step up the campaign, the report from Kohima said claiming that the 163 private schools are already studying NBSE textbooks.

The students body is also likely to submit a representation to their state chief minister and then meet the state`s 60 MLAs in the near future regarding the matter, it stated.

The federation is mulling the though of meeting and lobbying with all the 60 MLAs of the state to seek their unanimous support of the issue in the general interest of the Nagas, adding the careers of thousands of Naga students were at stake.

The report quoting NSF claimed that more than 50,000 Naga students of 163 private schools in four hill districts of Manipur - Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati had already decided not to go back to the BSEM syllabus. Mention may be made that at a press conference held last Tuesday, NSF leaders had said that the federation was optimistic about an amicable settlement on the affiliation issue. Admitting that the careers of students should not be affected in the 163 private schools wanting to affiliate to NBSE, the federation`s delegation also apprised the leaders at the centre of the gravity of the affiliation issue.

The NSF delegation met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, home minister Shivraj Patil, MHRD minister Arjun Singh, DoNER minister PR Kyndia, P S Chauhan and Opposition leaders in Delhi and apprised them of the issue, the report said. Mention may be made that the Nagaland Cabinet had also discussed the issue in a series of meetings. Even as there were no reports of a concrete resolution, the cabinet has reportedly expressed its willingness to take up the issue with the union ministry of human resources development.

The ball is in the court of the union ministry, said the report stating that it is upto the MHRD whether to affiliate these schools to NBSE soon or not, NSF leaders stated. The NSF also did not rule out the possibility of any "untoward incident" as the south Naga students were already studying NBSE texts and had decided not to go back on the matter, the report said.

Terming the matter as a democratic issue, the federation leaders decried Manipur government for preventing the students from exercising their democratic rights, the report said. "We are not against the Meiteis promoting their language, but they should not impose it on others. One day we, Nagas, will also try to promote our own language among other tribes," the report quoted the NSF leaders as saying adding "Every community should do its best to promote its language."

In the meantime, Nagaland education minister Imkong Imchen has also personally taken up the matter with the MHRD minister Arjun Singh, the report added.
Bodies identified, KSO cries foul Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 27: The bodies of the two alleged KRA cadres shot dead yesterday at around 1.20 pm by Imphal West commandos at Langol Laimanai village are still lying at RIMS mortuary.
According to sources close to the deceased duo, they were apprehended by a commando team from Khuman Lampak yesterday at around noon. They are identified as Paominlun Touthang (22) of Aigejang village under Saikul police station and Lalboi alias Lhunlal Haokip (20) of Leisan village under Sugnu police station.
It is reported that both the deceased were married. Lal-boi married just a week back, said the source.
Maintaining that the two came to Imphal to buy medicines for Paominlun Tou- thang's wife, the Kuki Students' Organisation, Im- phal Branch said that they were picked up by two civil dressed commandos befo-re murdering them in cold blood at Langol Laimanai.
A statement issued by the student body while con -demning the act deman-ded enquiry into the inci- dent and booking of the commandos involved in it.
It further stated that the bodies of the deceased would not be taken until the Govt meet its demands.
Questioning whether the commandos are licen-sed to kill any suspect, the Aigejang Village Authority in a press release, main-tained that they came all the way to Imphal only to buy medicines for the ailing wife of Paominlun Touthang.
It also said that the bodies would not be taken unless the State Government institute an enquiry commission so as to bring justice and befitting action against the guilty commandos involved in the alleged cold-blooded murder.
Meanwhile the identity of the youth shot dead on the night of July 25 by unidentified gunmen at Khun- drakpam under Heingang police station has been established as Lairenlakpam Sunil alias Sunildro (24) of Phaknung Thongkhong under Lamlai police station.
It is reported that Sunil was secretary of Phaknung Sangomshang Youth Club.
Sunil was seen going out with some individuals after he came back home from paddy field.
In connection with the murder, a JAC has been con -stituted followed by a public meeting at Phaknung Thongkhong during which some resolutions were also adopted. According to the resolutions, the JAC has asked all concerned to clar-ify on the murder by tomo- rrow while warning that failure to heed JAC's demand would result in bandh along Imphal-Ukhrul road.
Further the JAC has decided not to take the body until a clarification is made on the murder.
A statement issued by the JAC Against Killing of L Sunil has condemned the incident. It further noted that such arbitrary killings without furnishing any reason and proper trial has created a sense of panic and unrest among the people.
The public meeting of today has resolved to lau-nch strong protest movem- ents against the killing if clear clarification is not ma-de by July 28, said the JAC.
The corpse is still lying at RIMS mortuary.
In another such case, the body of SN Premson killed during an encounter between 21 AR and cadres of NSCN (IM) at Leingang-ching yesterday is also being left unclaimed at RIMS morgue as the family members and the villagers refused to take the body.
A memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister today by the villagers demanding befitting punishment to officer in-charge of the Pangaltabi post of 21 AR, ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakhs to the family of the decea-sed and a Govt job to a mem- ber of the family.
A joint press release issued by the Chandel Naga People's Organisation and Naga Students' Union Chandel alleged that SN Premson was shot dead by the post commander of AR from a close range without any remorse.
It also condemned the act of AR while questioning if such attack of AR against NSCN (IM) cadres and killing of innocent civilians would serve any purpose taking into account of the peace talk now being held between the Government of India and NSCN (IM).
Paradox of minority and periphery strike back in Manipur By Ningreingam Shimrah Sangai Express
The then Prime Minister of India late Nehru called present Manipur as ‘Jewel of the East’. Topographically Manipur can be divided into two i.e. the valley and the hill. The Meitei community, who are in majority numerically, inhabits the valley and on the other hand the tribal, who are in minority, inhabits the hill. The valley part of Manipur was once a princely State, ruled by the Maharajas; it has a rich cultural and literary tradition. Later on, the Meiteis cultural belief systems were effectively influenced by the Hindu Vaish- anavism belief system, and as a result it has brought a paradigm shift in the belief system of the Meitei people. And today, to a large extent the Meiteis consider Hindu as their religion and practice contentedly. Thus, the idea and concept of purity and Hindu Brahmanical practices were imbibed by the Meitei people thereby, considered the hill inhabitance people mostly the Nagas and the Kukis as ‘Hao’ or uncivilized people. The Hills of Manipur are inhabited by the so-called ‘Hao’ or uncivilized people i.e. the Nagas and the Kukis who proudly claimed that they are settling in their indigenous land, which was given to them by their forefather. They also happily practice their old age traditional cultural practices and later on they were converted into Christianity, and today, they also proudly professed Christianity as their religion.
The hill people inhabited on a hilltop with numerous villages are governed and ruled by the village elders or the village chiefs. Thus, unlike the valley this part of the land was not ruled by the Meitei Maharajas at any point of time, but governed by the village elder or village chief through a democratic procedure. The Meitei Maharajas failed to rule the hill areas because, probably because it was not possible for the Maharajas to climb the hill and do not perceived the need for controlling the hill areas after all it is inhabited by the uncivilized people. Thus, considered not imp-ortant for both geographical and demographic consideration. But today the attitude has changed and it has a different image.
Gradually, this once princely State was also annex and merged into the India Union along with the other Northeastern States, thus ending the long age traditional Maharajas rule and became part of the Indian Union. Later on, the hill areas along with the Valley merged into Indian Union and formed the present Manipur State. In both the valley and the hill, the British and the Indian ruler did not ascertain the people’s consent at the time of merger. As a result people especially from the hill and particularly the Nagas strongly agitated against the merger of their land into the valley and subsequently into the Indian Union. The equal amount of resistance was not visible in the valley at that time. The Nagas still committed and continues their struggle till date.
Today, however, the neo conservative thinking Meitei community are regretting for what their predecessor have done in the past (i.e. cultural assimilation and merging to the Indian Union). Thus, attempts are being made to restore back the old age rich political and cultural tradition, and as the outcome of their attempt incidents like banning of the Hindi movies in the valley of Manipur, burning of the Bengali script books and an attempt to replaced it by their own script and denouncing the Indian state etc. are some of the emotional regrets manifested by the Meitei people in recent times. A kind of Cultural Revolution is on in the Valley of Manipur at present.
The valley people seem to have woken up from their sleep and today, they are trying to reclaim back their past glory and ironically blame the Indian state and the Hindu religion and partly to the Nagas for their political misfortune. Hence, the consequences like the banning of Hindi movies in the valley and followed by attacking the Government buildings and public library etc. Vehement agitation against the removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) is one area where the Meiteis try to get mileage and empathy from non-Meiteis. All these attacks in a way manifested the frustration of the valley people against the symbols of the Indian state power and forces. Some Meitei assert that they wanted to restore back their freedom and independent Kingdom of the past. In this entire episode the hill people seem to have shown their outmost restrain for not going against the Meitei people. I say this because the government building or the public library properties etc. does not solely belong to the Meiteis but it is also equally the property of others/non-Meitei as well. This in a way reflects the Meiteis intolerance attitudes towards the other communities’ rights and their existence in the present Manipur state.
Again, the agitation that triggered in the Valley in the recent years following the Government of India announcement that the Indo-NSCN (IM) ceasefire be extended to Manipur state left the entire state with total anarchy and chaos. And the subsequence provocative slogan against the Nagas like ‘there are no Nagas in Manipur, all the hill people are Meiteis etc. and the subsequent declaration by the Government of Manipur that the 18th June be declared as ‘Martyr’s’ day and hence declaring as state holiday. This not only expresses their sense of intolerance towards the minority in the state but it is also a sheer expression of their fear and insecurity of their existence in the Indian state hence asserting the majoritarianism force seem to be the only option left. This declaration was however, feverishly opposed by All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) and called for a month long economic blockade in the two National Highway i.e. NH 39 and NH 53.
The paradox is that the Meiteis are in majority in Manipur when it comes to the numerical demographical factors but in the geographical terms they just have merely 10 per cent of the total land in the present State and the rest belong to the Nagas and the Kukis. Today, Meiteis are so concern about the others land and when to the extent of giving their life and not even sure whether the Nagas exist and own those land in Manipur or not. It is high time that the Meiteis should start respecting the other people and the land and not just respecting the land alone, which they have done in the past. In doing this the Meiteis will be also respected by other people. The matter of the fact is that Meitei cannot afford to lose the neigh-borhood of the Nagas and the Kukis. Thus, if they continue to assert their majoritarianism power without respecting and recognizing the presence of the minority then the minority can also effectively play their parts, which can equally cause the damage, we have witnessed this dramatic politics played out by the Meiteis and the Nagas over the years. Meiteis should not act as if they are blind rather they should open their social eyes and admit the reality. The Meitei should not continue to ignore the presence of the Nagas of Manipur in the future.
The majority of the Meitei’s attitudes of we love your land and the resources but really not the people have made the non-Meiteis difficult to live together in one political unit. The mass rapes carried out by non-tribal UGs in the Churachanpur district are some of the worse incident that took place in the civilized world. The latest hill house tax collected by the United Naga Council (UNC) and attempted to submit to the Central government is a clear testimony that the Nagas of Manipur can no longer be part of Manipur state. The matter of the fact is that it is not just the house tax and the money but more importantly Nagas do not feel worthy to be a part of that state. Again, the UNC have directed all the private schools in the four Naga hill district of Manipur to affiliate in the Nagaland Board of Secondary School (NBSC). All these reflect the total failure of the Manipur state legitimacy to rule over the people. This is nothing but the reflection and the outcome of the failed and intolerance state towards the minority community in the state.
The latest ongoing agitation by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) regarding the failure of the State in fulfilling the 33% reservation of job in the Government services for the tribal community is another example of the repeated failed story of the state towards the tribal community in the state. According to the ATSUM released in the Morung Newspaper dated 29th June stated that“ the State Government conventional reservation of 33% for SC/ST has rooms for manipulations and encourage the recruitment practices of Adhoc/casual/muster-roll/work-charge/part-time/contract/substitution so as to avoid reservation norms.” It is also pertinent to see that the Manipur University is presently under processes of recruiting 21 professors, 23 posts of reader and 23 lecturer posts where only one post is reserved for ST and only two reserved for SC, this is a clear indication of violation of the reservation of the State’s own policy. All these categorically testify how majority community in the State often takes away even the very rights of the minority community, overlooked and deprived by the Government. Under this circumstance it is crucial to see the life of the tribal community in Manipur, who often live with insecurity in their own state. Today, it would not be wrong to say that this ‘Jewel of the East’ has turned into a ‘scandalous State’.

India planning to transport Myanmar gas through NE
From Our Staff orrespondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, July 27 – India has prepared a blue print for transporting gas from Myanmar through the North Eastern region, bypassing Bangladesh. In a Lok Sabha reply, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dinsha Patel said that Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has got a Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) prepared for pipeline for evacuating Myanmar gas to India through the NES by passing Bangladesh.

The execution of the project will depend upon the gas tie-up with the Myanmar side. The matter has been taken up- with the Myanmar Government, the Minister said.

Frans on 07.28.06 @ 12:05 PM CST [link]

Thursday, July 27th

Many students, women hurt in confrontation with AR at Noney The Imphal Free Press

Many students, women hurt in confrontation with AR at Noney The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 26: Many villagers of Noney in Tamenglong district, mostly school students and women, suffered injuries in a crackdown today at around 11.30 am by the 38 Assam Rifles personnel at Noney post. Some of the seriously injured people were brought to the RIMS hospital in Imphal. Among them the condition of some students were stated to be serious.

At least four jawans of the Assam Rifles of the post also sustained injuries in the confrontation, the AR authority claimed. Reports said that the incident occurred when villagers of Noney including women and social organizations of the areas and students of different schools marched to the Assam Rifles camp demanding release of a youth said to be a NSCN (IM) cadre.

Many civil organizations of the area charged the AR of excesses on the civilians while the Assam Rifles authority denied the charge stating that the Assam Rifles personnel were only preventing the mob from marching forward to the camp.A youth identified as Simeon Kabui, 22, of Tousang village presently residing at Noney, said to belong to the NSCN (IM) was apprehended by troops of Assam Rifles in civil dress yesterday along with another youth, Alfrin Kabui, who was released later, on the charge of extorting money. An official source said that the AR personnel recovered Rs. 600 in cash along with a lot of demand letters from Simeon`s possession.

A PIB source said that Simeon was handed over to the Noney police formally yesterday itself but the police told them that they had no lock up facility. However, the police formally received him on the understanding that the police would physically take him over today for further transportation to Imphal, he said. Top police officials of Tamenglong district including the SP himself rushed to the area and are camping there, reports said. As many as around 500 people converged on the AR camp today with their demand for unconditional release of Simeon. A confrontation between the mob and the AR reportedly took place as people approached the post`s main gate. In order to thwart the people from further proceeding toward the camp, the AR personnel started assaulting them resulting in a tussle between the two sides. Six persons including five students in their school uniforms who suffered serious injuries were admitted to RIMS hospital. They reached Imphal at around 5.40 pm.

They were identified as Tarileo Kabui, 45, wife of Kuthui Kabui, Abel Kabui, 15, son of Tomba Kabui, Bouchui Kabui, 15, daughter of Ramboi Kabui, Gracy Kabui, 15, daughter of Akhul Kabui, Lalthuileo Kamei, 15, daughter of Chaoringboi and Esther Kabui, 15, daughter of Paokhuigai Kabui. All are residents of Noney and the five students belong to Children`s Training School and Sharon English School located at Noney.

In the meantime, the zeliangrong Youth Front has expressed strong condemnation of the excesses meted out by the 38 AR personnel. According to a spokeperson of ZYF, the 38 AR`s treatment to the unarmed villagers particularly to the students was inhuman. He also added that the detention of Simeon is against the directive of the Supreme Court which stated that security personnel should hand over a person arrested by them to the nearest police station within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the PRO defense wing said that the incident occurred when the AR personnel tried to foil an attempt by the mob to burn down the AR camp there. The people received injuries during the course of tussle, he said. Referring to the Assam Rifles authority statement, the PRO recalled that at the initial stage the huge crowd converged and surrounded the camp. Then they started stoning the camp, he said. As a result of it four personnel received injuries, he added.

He further clarified that no excesses were committed on the villagers except efforts for self defense. He went on to say that the incident was witnessed by the president, Zelaingrong Union (Manipur, Nagaland and Assam along with SDPO, Nungba.
SP transferred in Manipur Iboyaima Laithangbam The Hindu
IMPHAL: The Manipur Government has transferred the Superintendent of Police in Ukhrul district following the escape of four Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) insurgents from custody. Two police officers have been placed under suspension.
Personnel of 13 Assam Rifles busted an illegal jail complex run by NSCN (I-M) insurgents at Ukhrul. Five civilians were set free and four insurgents with guns nabbed. The insurgents, handed over to the police, were being taken to the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate on Monday to secure police remand. However, about 40 insurgents, armed with sophisticated weapons, overpowered the police and escaped along with the prisoners.
The NSCN (Khaplang) has said the Naga non-governmental organisations' demand that books prescribed by the Nagaland Board of School Education be taught in private schools in the four districts of Manipur has driven a wedge among the different communities.
In a statement, the Naga NGOs asked the people not to oppose the demand. Their representatives called on Human Resource Minister Arjun Singh on Saturday to demand the introduction of books prescribed by the Nagaland Board.
‘Stop killings now’, Church to factions Morung Express News
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) today pointed out that it believed that as the DAN government had a policy of equi-closeness, it will give importance to all national groups to bring what the NBCC termed as respite to the ‘suffering population’. This was reportedly stated during the consultative meeting of the Consultative Committee for Peace (CCP) with representatives of various church organizations, church representatives and elders of Naga society on the Naga political issue.
The NBCC General Secretary Rev Zhabu Terhuja is reported to have presented a four-point observation of the current situation during the day long meeting in which more than twenty people spoke. The NBCC is reported to have told the gathering that reconciliation and understanding among the faction is a must and took the line that the peace process and reconciliation must be simultaneously pursued. “Hatred and bloodshed cannot build a house. Killing must be stopped right away”, the Church leader reportedly told the meeting.
The NBCC also stated that no matter the division, the different factions must recognize the sacrifices laid by the other groups in the building of the Naga house. “Past mistakes, wrongs, hurts must be admitted and addressed properly in truthfulness for healing and for the next healthy step”, was one of the point of observation. The NBCC also appreciated the interest and initiatives of the State Government for a settlement of the Indo-Naga political problem.
Meanwhile, a release issued by V Abu Metha, Press Secretary to the Chief Minister stated that Neiphiu Rio addressed the meeting that was held in the State Banquet Hall and chaired by Home Minister Thenucho. The CM appreciated the presence and views expressed by various churches and organizations. The meeting was mainly of consultative nature on the opinions over the ongoing peace process.
AR accused of provoking Nagas The Morung Express
IMPHAL, JULY 26 (NNN): The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) have accused the Assam Rifles saying that the latter has been provoking the Naga people on the eve of the crucial round of talks between the NSCN-IM and the government of India in the Thai capital starting from coming Friday.
The two Naga social organisations wrath came at the backdrop of today’s incident where the cadres of the NSCN-IM and the Assam Rifles exchanged gun fires at Leingang Ching under Chandel district which resulted in the killing of a civilian. ANSAM and NPMHR said that even though cease fire has been going on for the last nine years, the Indian security forces have been provoking the Naga people to play the spoil sport with regard to the Naga peace process. The two Naga organisations strongly condemned today’s incident of Leingang Ching in Chandel and expressed their condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased identified as S.N.Premson.
Meanwhile, a late report said that the Leingang Ching Village Authority has directly accused the 21 Assam Rifles for the killing of S.N.Premson. The village authority said that it has been the Assam Rifles that had killed Premson and nobody else. The village authority said that unless the Assam Rifles give reasonable clarification the dead body of S.N.Premson would not be taken by the villagers and the family members.
NSCN-IM says troops violating truce Nagaland Post
DIPHUPAR, JULY 26 (REUTERS): The NSCN-IM on Wednesday said it was running out of patience as government forces had killed dozens of its cadres in violation of the 1997 ceasefire agreement. The comments by a top rebel leader came before peace talks with Indian government ministers in Bangkok later this week and the expiry of the ceasefire, due on July 31. The NSCN I-M has stepped up pressure in the run up to the talks, saying sovereignty was the key issue.
"They have killed around 116 of our boys in cold blood and arrested about 200 of them in the recent past," Phunthing Shimrang, a NSCN (IM) "brigadier" who heads the rebels' ceasefire monitoring cell, told Reuters. "Our patience is running out," he said, adding that this was in violation of the truce agreement not to kill each other or confiscate arms.
But there has been little progress on the central rebel demands -- unification of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India, which is fiercely opposed by other ethnic groups in the region, and ultimately independence. Security analysts say peace with the Nagas is crucial for a broader peace in the remote northeast, seven states connected to the rest of India by a thin strip of land and home to dozens of insurgent groups. Indian security officials said NSCN cadres moved around in battle fatigues and carried arms, making it difficult for troops to distinguish them from other militants in the region.
"They are acting as a law enforcing agency in the Naga areas, which is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement," a security officer said. The NSCN (IM) runs a parallel government in the Naga inhabited areas. The rebels say hat between 1991 and 1996, they snatched more than 800 weapons from soldiers in attacks and ambushes.
"Now that we have agreed to stop fighting, they are trying to snatch the weapons back from us," the rebel leader said. "More than 100 weapons have been taken away from us."
NSCN (IM) condemns AR attack The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 26 (MExN): Terming it as an act of gross violation of the ceasefire ground rules, the NSCN (IM) has out rightly condemned the attack on its personnel by the 21 Assam Rifles, killing an innocent Naga public and abduction of another innocent civilian in the Khurmi region under Chandel District of Manipur. With the expiry of the ceasefire by July end and talks scheduled for July 28-29, the NSCM (IM) has termed the latest incident as the insincerity of the Government of India to solve the protracted conflict.
“The GoI should declare its approach responsibly rather than undertaking a double standard policy to the Indo-Naga issue”, an MIP statement commented and appealed to the UN Human Rights Group, civil societies to condemn such insincere acts. The MIP in a statement clarified that on being informed of anti-social elements’ activities trying to create disturbance in the Khurmi region had deputed some of its personnel to check and contain such from taking place. The NSCN (IM) pointed out that despite sending a message to the 21 Assam Rifles of the formers presence and which was acknowledged by the AR Commander, it was alleged that the AR attacked the NSCN (IM) and killed the innocent public Lt. Sn. Premson Lamkang and abducted the ex-army man, SK Thamthung Lamkang who had been earlier send by the NSCN (IM) to relay the message to the AR.
NSCN (I-M) cadre free militants in ambush By Indian Express Thursday July 27,
Militants of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today attacked a police party to rescue four of their cadre on their way to the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Ukhrul.
The four had been arrested a day earlier by the Assam Rifles for running an illegal "detention centre" in Ukhrul.
The attack comes three days before the next round of talks between the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre in Bangkok.
According to reports, the armed militants appeared in civilian clothing and took away their comrades without a single shot being fired and no resistance from the police escort.
The militants also snatched away the arms and ammunition earlier seized from the four detainees.
The state government has suspended Inspector R Jonah and ASI K Yangla of Ukhrul police station. Ukhrul SP G Kabui has been transferred to the police headquarters in Imphal.
Naga bodies disapprove interference in affiliation matter Newmai News Network

Imphal, July 25: The United Naga Council (UNC),the Naga Women`s Union Manipur (NWUM),the Naga People`s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and All Naga Students` Association Manipur (ANSAM) have urged the valley NGOs not to interfere in the Nagaland Board of School Education affiliation process. According to a joint statement issued to Newmai News Network this evening signed by UNC president K.S Paul Leo, NWUM president Grace Shatsang,NPMHR (south sector) co-convenor S.Phakhami and ANSAM president Paulring Langhu 163 private schools in the "four Naga hill districts" of Manipur are in the process of getting affiliated to Nagaland Board of School Education.

"Unfortunately, there are some people/organisations that simply cannot accept the reality. The hon`ble CM of Manipur O. Ibobi Singh is one such,"the statement said. With regard to the statement made by the Manipur CM which said that "the education is a state subject and the state government will never agree to such a proposal" meaning the affiliation of the private schools to NBSE, the Naga NGOs termed it as just a political gimmick to save his chair.

"However, at the back of his mind, O Ibobi Singh knows it fully well that the decision of the Union government prevails, on any subject - be it on the state or on the concurrent list. O Ibobi should not attempt to stifle the democratic aspirations of the minorities by stooping to cheap gimmicks unless he is a mere pawn in the hands of some organisations of the valley community with vested interests,"said the frontal Naga social organisations,adding, "we respect his democratic right to expression, but he should not expect the modern public to be so gullible as to easily believe his lies."

Further, it said that the Naga people in the four "Naga hill districts" of Manipur are just expressing their democratic aspirations by deciding to get affiliated to NBSE wherein they find their cultural expression. The Naga frontal organisations then asserted that they have always respected the aspirations of other communities and expected that others should reciprocate.

The Naga NGOs then directed the social organisations of the valley community such as MAFYF, AMSU, NIPCO and Jiribam Development Council to desist from creating irrational violence to interfere in the NBSE affiliation process. The Naga NGOs termed the attitude of the valley community based social organisations as "dominant and dictatorial"and added that such attitude cannot prevent reality from taking place - their hue and cry (arson and burning of effigies of Indian leaders) in the Manipur valley will not in anyway halt the affiliation process which is already in full swing. The Naga NGOs have been silent spectators for too long and time has come to answer the call,concluded the statement.

I did not give any commitment to naga students: Arjun singh From Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi Kangla express

NEW DELHI, July 26: Dr. T Meinya Singh, Member of Parliament from Manipur, personally met the Union minister for human resources development, Arjun Singh in the Parliament here yesterday to seek a clarification pertaining to the claim made by some Naga students of Manipur that the Union minister had conceded to their demand of adopting the syllabus of Nagaland state board which is different from that of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur.

The Union minister categorically clarified that he met a delegation of Naga Students from Manipur but he did not give any commitment or endorsement to their demand. After all, the state government decides such issues, he further added.
Nagaland Police under fire for disregarding shot comrade The Morung Express Fulfillment of commitments made to deceased’s family demanded
Dimapur, July 26 (MExN): The Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) is under fire from organizations allegedly for not rendering proper tributes to Tongpang Ao, a bodyguard of former MP Imchalemba who was shot dead by fellow bodyguards on the night of July 22 at around 10:00pm at the ex-MP’s residence. It is charged that NAP authorities failed to observe even minimum formalities taken during demise of uniformed personnel.
According to a civil society, the Dimapur Longjang Senso Telongjem, no guard of honor was given to the deceased, no uniformed personnel represented the force during the funeral service and no wreath or even a ‘simple condolence message’ were received to console the bereaved family etc.
Tongpang Ao, a constable of the 7th NAP was murdered on the night of July 22 at around by 10:00pm allegedly by two fellow bodyguards identified as Home Guards Yoknei Konyak and Jako Konyak who used their service arms to shoot the deceased at the ex-MP’s private residence.
The Dimapur Longjang Senso Telongjem while condemning the act of murder, expressed resentment at what it termed the callous attitude displayed by the concern NAP authority who failed to display the minimum formalities for a fallen comrade. “The union condemns the callous attitude displayed by the concern NAP authority who failed to display the minimum formalities as normally observed during the demise of a uniformed personnel : no guard of honor, no uniformed personnel represented officially during the funeral service, neither a wreath nor a simple condolence message was received to console the bereaved wife and minor and three children in lieu of the deceased’s person’s service to the uniformed cadre till the time of his death” a condemnation issued by the union through its president T Lanu Imchen stated.
However, according to the union, the Dimapur District administration and law enforcement authorities had given certain commitments in written, in the presence of the Naga Council, the AO Senden, Ao Union Dimapur, Asetkong Union Dimapur and women representatives for which the Longjang Senso Telongjem of Dimapur appealed to the concern authorities to fulfill at the earliest.
“In the event of failure or any slackness shown in awarding a befitting punishment to the concern culprits, particularly the murderers, shall be viewed seriously and that the Dimapur Longjang Senso Telongjem shall take up the matter as per customary law” warned the union.
Also, the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur has condemned the killing of Tongpang AO, one of its members. The union called upon all right-thinking citizens to condemn the crime which according to the Telongjem, is contrary to the nature and traditions of the peace-loving Nagas. “The union while calling upon the government and law-enforcement agencies to award befitting punishment to the culprits also request for immediate fulfillment of the commitments made to the family of the deceased” Vice president R Bendang Yaden and General Secretary T Panger Tzudir stated in a condemnation.
Naga NGOs peeved at MP’s statement Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 26: The Un-ited Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NP-MHR) and the All Naga Student Association Mani-pur (ANSAM) termed as unfortunate the speech ma-de by veteran Congress lea- der and Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing at Ukhrul on July 22.
The joint statement of Naga frontal organisations said that “at a time when the GoI and NSCN (IM) are persistently holding talks on the 3 conditions i.e. at the highest level, uncon-ditional talks and talks in a third country, it is very un-fortunate that veteran Con -gress leader and Rajya Sa-bha MP Rishang Keishing, while addressing the Cong-ress Worker’s Conference at Ukhrul Town Hall on the July 22, urging all concer-ned to stop the liberation struggle and instead come to the negotiating table and hold meaningful dialogue so that amicable solution may be worked out within the Indian Constitution” and termed the statement as condemnable by all Naga citizens.
Further, they pointed that as an MP he is working under GOI and the GOI has acknowledged the uniqu-eness of the Naga history.
“The UNC, NPMHR, NWUM and ANSAM se-riously view and strongly condemn his irrational com-ments”, it mentioned.
The statement further stated that “Rishang Kei-shing must realize that the authority engaged in the present talks is none other than the GOI whom he is a servant to, and the GOI has acknowledged the unique-ness of the Naga history. Therefore, Rishang Keishing has no right to belittle the GOI and NSCN (IM) effort unless he feels being left out of the limelight, or he is trying to gain some political leverage out of the issue,” adding, “Rishang Keishing has bartered his own nation, yes, his own people for a political chair, which, ironically, is being pulled away from under him. He is a politician who is out of touch with reality and is to be pitied”.
Letter on Ulfa demands sent to Centre Nagaland Post New
Delhi, July 26 (PTI): A mediator negotiating with the Centre on behalf of the banned ULFA today sent a letter to the Government seeking clarification on the outfit's three key demands, including release of five top jailed leaders. Assamese writer Indira Goswami told PTI here that she had written in the letter to Union Home Secretary V K Duggal about the ULFA's main demands.
"I sent the letter as the government had wanted that I should give the ULFA's demands in writing," said Goswami, who had spoken on phone to National Security Advisor M Narayanan and Duggal about the group's demands on Monday. The demands include the release of five top ULFA leaders held in prisons in Assam, a written assurance that sovereignty for the state would be part of peace talks, and efforts to trace ULFA cadres missing since the Bhutanese Army launched a crackdown against the group in 2003.
Earlier this week, she had received a letter from ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa asking her to ascertain the government's stand on these demands. Goswami said she, in her letter, had reminded the government about a promise made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his meeting with the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group to discuss "all issues" to resolve the insurgency in Assam. "I have written in the letter that the government should send a letter to ULFA mentioning its stand on the three issues raised by the outfit," she said.
A similar letter was also sent today by the People's Consultative Group, of which Goswami is a member, to National Security Advisor Narayanan.
Release leaders before talks: ULFA From Our Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, July 26 – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today informed the Government of India that it would be difficult on the part of the ULFA to name its team for negotiation with the Government unless the five prisoners were released ahead of the talks. This was conveyed by Dr Mamoni Roisom Goswami to the Union Home Secretary, VK Duggal. The author, who has been the mediator in the peace process, conveyed three preconditions set by the outfit to the Government in the letter that was formally handed over to the Home Secretary today.

It was Dr Goswami’s contention that the ULFA expressed its inability to name its team for talks unless the five central committee members were released. The Centre had earlier asked the ULFA to name its team and spell out its agenda for the peace process. The other two conditions were that the discussions must be on sovereignty and the whereabouts of the missing ULFA leaders during the Bhutan operations in December 2003.

Meanwhile, the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) has also faxed a letter to the National Security Adviser, MK Narayanan, today reiterating these three points besides reminding the Centre of the decisions arrived at last meeting on June 22.

Commandos gun down two suspected KRA cadres The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, July 26: Two militants suspected to belong to the Kuki Revolutionary Army, KRA were shot dead by a team of Imphal west police commandos today afternoon at around 1.20 pm at Langol Laimanai village under Lamphel police station.

According to the police the two were gunned down as they hurled a hand grenade towards the police team when challenged to stop. The two slain persons were talking with two motorcycle borne youths. The police team was there on routine patrolling in the area. The two motorcycle borne youths however escaped from the hands of the police.

Later, a team of the state police bomb squad disposed of the hand grenade that failed to explode.

The unidentified dead bodies were collected by the Lamphel police from the spot and deposited at the RIMS morgue for official identification.

In an unrelated incident, miscreants early last night gunned down an unknown youth near the Naorem Birahari College, Khundrakpam under Heingang police station under, Imphal east district.

A local report said that some miscreants brought the youth there in a maruti van and shot him dead last night at around 11.30 pm.

Police retrieved the dead body and deposited it at the morgue for official identification.

When the dead body was recovered, both hands and legs of the person were found tied with a cloth and he was blindfolded also. He received one bullet on his head.

Frans on 07.27.06 @ 02:17 PM CST [link]

Wednesday, July 26th

aga rebels say troops breaking truce Wed Biswajyoti Das Reuters

Naga rebels say troops breaking truce Wed Jul 26 By Biswajyoti Das Reuters
DIPHUPAR, India (Reuters) - Naga rebels, fighting for a separate tribal homeland, said on Wednesday they were running out of patience as government forces had killed dozens of their cadres in violation of a 1997 truce. The comments by a top rebel leader came before peace talks with Indian government ministers in Bangkok later this week and the expiry of the ceasefire, due on July 31.
The rebels of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Isaac-Muivah faction (NSCN I-M), have stepped up pressure in the run up to the talks, saying sovereignty was the key issue.
They have killed around 116 of our boys in cold blood and arrested about 200 of them in the recent past," Phunthing Shimray, a NSCN (IM) "brigadier" who heads the rebels' ceasefire monitoring cell, told Reuters. "Our patience is running out," he said, adding that this was in violation of the truce agreement not to kill each other or confiscate arms.
Naga rebels have fought since 1947 for a separate homeland that includes parts of the predominantly Christian state of Nagaland as well as neighbouring areas inhabited by the tribals. More than 20,000 people died in the insurgency until a ceasefire in 1997 and the rebels and the Indian government have held several rounds of talks since. But there has been little progress on the central rebel demands -- unification of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India, which is fiercely opposed by other ethnic groups in the region, and ultimately independence.
Security analysts say peace with the Nagas is crucial for a broader peace in the remote northeast, seven states connected to the rest of India by a thin strip of land and home to dozens of insurgent groups. Indian security officials said NSCN cadres moved around in battle fatigues and carried arms, making it difficult for troops to distinguish them from other militants in the region.
"They are acting as a law enforcing agency in the Naga areas, which is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement," a security officer said.
The NSCN (IM) runs a parallel government in the Naga inhabited areas. The rebels say hat between 1991 and 1996, they snatched more than 800 weapons from soldiers in attacks and ambushes. "Now that we have agreed to stop fighting, they are trying to snatch the weapons back from us," the rebel leader said. "More than 100 weapons have been taken away from us."
July 28-29 meet to decide on truce push Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 25:: The government and the NSCN-IM will hold talks in Bangkok on July 28-29 on the ceasefire in Nagaland, which will expire at the end of this month...

amid indications the rebels could toughen their stand to get some "concessions" on their "charter of demands" before going ahead with the peace process.

"We hope the government will give some positive response to our key demands. The extension of the ceasefire will depend on the outcome of the meeting," NSCN-IM spokesman Jhoney Dilbung told PTI.

The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have observing a truce since August 1997 when they agreed on a ceasefire. The accord has been extended every 12 months since then except last year, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the NSCN-IM and further extended by another six months in February.

In their "charter of demands", the rebels have sought unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast, separate representation at the UN and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing. However, chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes said, "The talks are a continuous process. These have to be held in many stages before things can evolve in a concrete shape." Fernandes visited Nagaland for three days last week and met civil society leaders, political leaders, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues to ascertain their views regarding the peace process. -PTI
CF extension to depend on talks’ outcome: NSCN (IM)Biswajyoti Das The Moring Express
Kohima, July 25 (AGENCIES): The government and the NSCN-IM will hold talks in Bangkok on July 28-29 on the ceasefire in Nagaland, which will expire at the end of this month, amid indications the rebels could toughen their stand to get some “concessions” on their “charter of demands” before going ahead with the peace process.
“We hope the government will give some positive response to our key demands. The extension of the ceasefire will depend on the outcome of the meeting,” NSCN-IM spokesman Jhoney Dilbung told a news agency.
The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997 when they agreed on a ceasefire. The accord has been extended every 12 months since then except last year, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the NSCN-IM and further extended by another six months in February.
In their “charter of demands”, the rebels have sought unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast, separate representation at the UN and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing.
However, chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes said, “The talks are a continuous process. These have to be held in many stages before things can evolve in a concrete shape.” Fernandes visited Nagaland for three days last week and met civil society leaders, including members of the influential Naga Hoho, political leaders, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues to ascertain their views regarding the peace process.
Naga Hoho seeks quota for Nagas in other states The Moring Express
Kohima, July 25: In what may be seen as the third step to achieve integration of the Naga-inhabited areas, the Naga Hoho last week resolved that Nagaland revert to its “pre-1972 status” in order to make Nagas from outside the state eligible for job reservation.
Till 1972, the state was under the external affairs ministry and enabled job reservation for Nagas from outside the state before the then chief minister Hokishe Sema brought the state under the Union home ministry.
“The resolution was mainly for the job reservation of Nagas residing outside the so-called Nagaland state,” said a Hoho leader. If it reverts to that status, the tribal body will not only go a step towards integrating the Nagas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with Nagaland but also achieve a degree of emotional integration without disturbing the sensitivities of other states.
Under the previous arrangement though, sources said, the job reservation of 20 per cent was not meant solely for Nagas from other states but for any citizen residing in any other Indian state. It was a unique arrangement in the sense that citizens of other states’ could get a job in Nagaland. Now, however, the Hohos have demanded job reservation only for Nagas from other states.
Before this move, two other moves were made by the Nagas in Manipur. The United Naga Council (UNC), Manipur, has demanded the affiliation of all Naga-dominated private schools to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
Chief minister Neiphiu Rio has already given his assent to the UNC’s proposal, and urged the Centre to take appropriate steps to enable the affiliation to the NBSE.
In a second move, the UNC has asked the Naga villages in the four districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel to pay the annual house tax to the Nagaland government and not to the one in Manipur. Source: The Telegraph
‘Don’t interfere in NBSE affiliation’ Newmai News Network Imphal | July 25
The United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), the Naga People Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and All Naga Student Association Manipur (ANSAM) urged the valley NGOs not to interfere in the Nagaland Board School Education affiliation process.
According to the joint statement issued to Newmai News Network this evening signed by UNC president K.S Paul Leo, NWUM president Grace Shatsang, NPMHR (south sector) co-convener S. Phakhami and ANSAM President Paulring Langhu said that the 163 private schools in the “four Naga Hill districts” of Manipur are in the process of getting affiliated to Nagaland Board School Education. “Unfortunately, there are some people/organisations that simply cannot accept the reality. The Hon’ble C.M. of Manipur O. Ibobi Singh is one such”, the statement said.
With regard to the statement made by the Manipur Chief Minister, which stated that, “education is a state subject and that the state government will never agree to such a proposal,” meaning the affiliation of the private schools to NBSE, the Naga NGOs termed it as just a political gimmick to save his chair.
“However, at the back of his mind, O. Ibobi Singh knows it fully well that the decision of the Union Government prevails, on any subject - be it on the state or on the concurrent list. O. Ibobi should not attempt to stifle the democratic aspirations of the minorities by stooping to cheap gimmicks unless he is a mere pawn in the hands of some organizations of the valley community with vested interests”, said the frontal Naga social organisations, adding, “we respect his democratic right to expression, but he should not expect the modern public to be so gullible as to easily believe his lies.”
Further, it stated that the Naga people in the four “Naga Hill districts” of Manipur are just expressing their democratic aspirations by deciding to get affiliated to NBSE wherein they find their cultural expression.
The Naga frontal organizations then asserted that they have always respected the aspirations of other communities and expected that others should reciprocate for it.
The Naga NGOs then directed the social organisations of the valley community such as MAFYF, AMSU, NIPCO and Jiribam Development Council to desist from creating irrational violence to interfere in the NBSE affiliation process.
The Naga NGOs termed the attitude of the valley community based social organisations as “dominant and dictatorial” and added that such attitude cannot prevent reality from taking place - their hue and cry (arson and burning of effigies of Indian leaders) in the Manipur valley will not in anyway halt the affiliation process which is already in full swing. The Naga NGOs has been silent spectators for too long and time has come to answer the call, concluded the statement.
Stay away from IM's campaign : K Many deride affiliation stand to NBSE Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 25: The NSCN (K) has warned of strong action against any civil organisation which becomes a partner in the campaign to adopt the books prescribed by Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) in the schools located in the four hill districts of Manipur at the alleged instigation of the rival NSCN (I-M).

In a statement made available to the press, information and publicity secretary in charge of GPRN/NSCN (Zeliangrong Region) said the attempt being made to incite young students to burn their text books is the most uncivilised and foolish thing. No civil organisations should encourage the NSCN (I-M) in its sinister design of impairing the career of the students and sowing the seeds of communal distrust. If any of the organisations and individual are found taking part and supporting the drama being enacted by NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K) would award capital punishment without giving time for clarification or explanation, the statement said.

None of the student organisation should also give in to the pressure of ANSAM, NSF, UNC and Naga Women's Union, Manipur which are acting at the behest of NSCN (I-M) and forcefully setting the text books confiscated from the hapless students on fire, the statement said. Explaining that the main objective of the NSCN (K) is to promote peaceful harmonious relationship among the people living in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, the statement cautioned the people against the attempt being made allegedly by the NCSN (I-M) to drive wedge among them.

The efforts of the NSCN (I-M) to create communal feeling among the people by using some of the Naga bodies with the concept that might is powerful than intellect nothing but the mindset of the stone age. Now information technology has developed so much that the world is being considered as a global village, the statement said, adding NSCN (K) would never allow the NSCN (I-M) to succeed in its devilish design.
Affiliation uncertainty makes many students seek transfers By Sukham Nanda Kangla
IMPHAL, July 25: Apprehension of loosing an academic year is disturbing the minds of students in the districts of Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati over the matter of affiliation of private schools of the four districts to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education.

According to a highly placed official source of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM) altogether 149 students of private schools from the districts of Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati were transfered to government schools after being allowed by the education department to do so. Moreover many students from these districts including Tamenglong have already collected more than 500 transfer forms from the BSEM.The source further revealed that the state government recently issued an order for allowing the students from the private schools of these four hill districts to transfer to the government schools despite having completed half of the ecademic session. This was due to the current move of some Naga bodies to bring the syllabus of Nagaland Board of Secodary Education to the four hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong after affiliating to the Nagaland board.

Further the official added that the recent steps of the state government to allow the transfer of students from private to government schools was to save the students from expected loss of a academic year of the students. Making an observation on the technical infeasibility of interference in the educational policy of one state by another, the official of the BSEM further added that the neighbouring Nagaland government had no right to spread its education system beyond its own state boundaries, as clearly laid down in the Board of Secondary Education Act 1973. likewise in the state of Manipur too the Board of Secondary Education Manipur Act, 1972 also has similiar instructions not to spread the educational system beyond the Manipur state boundary.

In respect to the latest development in regard to education in the hill districts of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong in the aftermath of the recent open demonstration by the Naga student bodies of the state demanding affiliation of private schools to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, the secretary, Council of Board of School Education in India, BB Sharma has sent a letter to the authorities of BSEM and Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur on July 17 last, informing that they had recently intimated the ministry of human resource development to take up appropriate action to end the controversy between the Nagaland board and Manipur board. This was a follow up action on the reports submitted by the secretary, Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Ph Nandakumar, during the meeting of Coucil of Board of School Education in India held at Guwahati on July 13, the source added.

In the meantime, many private schools in the districts of Ukhrul, Cahndel, Senapati and Tamenglong were forced to start learning the text books prescribed by the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, but there is lack of an official report, which is purportedly another example of adminstrative failure in the hill districts, many commented.

Meanwhile, it will be a must for the students of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong to learn first language subjects, either MIL, Bengali, Hindi, Ao, Lotha, Sema or Alternative English as prescribed by the Nagaland board syllabus after leaving Manipuri written in Roman script, Major Indian Language and eight recognised languages spoken by the tribal commuinities of the state as prescribed by the state board.

The central government has the power to allow the demands of the Naga bodies in the state after promulgation of an ordinance, as education in a state is in the concurrent list in Item 25 of 7th Schedule of the Constitution of India. As a result there is possibility for the affiliation of private schools in four districts of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong to Nagaland board if the lobbying of the Naga bodies at the centre is successful, BSEM officials have observed.
Naga frontal organizations condemns MP Rishang’s irrational comments Newmai News Network July 25
Imphal:The United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and the All Naga Student Association Manipur (ANSAM) has termed the speech made by veteran congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing at Ukhrul on July 22 as unfortunate.
The joint statement of Naga frontal organisations said that “at a time when the GOI and NSCN (IM) are persistently holding talks on the three conditions i.e. at the highest level, unconditional talks and talks in a third country, it is very unfortunate that veteran congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing, while addressing the Congress Worker’s Conference at Ukhrul Town Hall on the July 22 , urging all concerned to stop the liberation struggle and instead come to the negotiating table and hold meaningful dialogue so that amicable solution may be worked out within the Indian Constitution” and termed the statement as condemnable by all Naga citizens.
Further, the Naga frontal organisation pointed that as an MP he (Rishang Keishing) is working under GOI and the GOI has acknowledged the uniqueness of the Naga history.
“The UNC, NPMHR, NWUM and ANSAM seriously view and strongly condemn his irrational comments spoken on the platform of the Congress party conference”, mentioned the statement.
The statement further stated that “Rishang Keishing must realize that the authority engaged in the present talks is none other than the GOI whom he is a servant to, and the GOI has acknowledged the uniqueness of the Naga history. Therefore, Rishang Keishing has no right to belittle the GOI and NSCN (IM) effort unless he feels being left out of the limelight, or he is trying to gain some political leverage out of the issue,” adding, “Rishang Keishing has bartered his own nation, yes, his own people for a political chair, which, ironically, is being pulled away from under him. He is a politician who is out of touch with reality and is to be pitied”.
IM cadres slip through cops fingers Govt acts tough, Ukhrul police SP shifted to Police Hqs, two policemen suspended By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 25 : In a sensational development, the four NSCN (IM) cadres who were arrested by the 13 Assam Rifles on July 23 while busting a detention camp run by the outfit at Ukhrul, escaped from police custody while they were being taken to the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ukhrul yesterday evening.
The four cadres escaped from the complex of the CJM Court after their accomplices suddenly ap- peared on the scene and over powered the police team.
Sources said that while the four NSCN (IM) cadres were being taken to the Court of the CJM yesterday at about 4.30 pm, about 300 well armed NSCN (IM) cadres suddenly appeared and whisked them away without firing a single shot. The police escort team also did not open fire.
The NSCN cadres not only rescued their comrades but also managed to take away the weapons earlier seized by the Assam Rifles from the four cadres.
Taking serious note of the incident the State Government has suspended Inspector R Jonah and ASI K Yangla of Ukhrul police station.
The SP of Ukhrul police Gainirung Kabui has been shifted to the Police Headquarters.
The CO of 6 Manipur Rifles Viraj Raina has been appointed as the SP-in-charge of Ukhrul.
Sources said that the NSCN (IM) cadres who rescued their comrades from the police were dressed in civvies. They were all armed with sophisticated weapons.
Following the daring escape, DIG Range IV, W Meenakumar has rushed to Ukhrul to take stock of the situation.
The four NSCN (IM) cadres who were rescued from the police custody are identified as Sgt Maj Jiten Jo (27) of Matikai, Phek, Cpl Danny Shimray (22) of Upper Hundung, Pvt Min- thing (20) of Pushing and Pvt Imu Pove (18) of Haflong.
The arms and other material seized from them include one 9 mm carbine, .303 rifle, two mobile phones and a large quantity of ammunition, ration and incriminating documents.
Efforts to contact the DGP drew blank as he had gone out for the evening.
When The Sangai Express contacted the Depu- ty Kilonser of Information of the NSCN (IM), Kraibo Chawang, the rebel leader said that the outfit is committed to peace and hence the cease fire.
“We are searching for peace and the Assam Rifles should understand this,” he added.
The PRO of Assam Rifles in a statement had stated that this was not the first time that such a jail complex was raided.
In a statement yesterday, the PRO had stated that on January 5 this year, AR troops conducted a similar raid in the same jail complex in which two NSCN (IM) cadres were arrested and seized a huge cache of arms and war like stores.
A top ranking Govt official agreed that the today's incident was a clear case of security lapses.

The troubled Ukhrul By Jacob Shaiza Sangai Express
The beautiful hill station of Manipur, Ukhrul is no longer as charming as made to believe. Proud people are the inhabitants of Ukhrul or Hunphun as it is now known, but without much to show off. Rumbling of social division is the order of the day in Hunphun today. What me-aning does it carry when the scenic beauty is without any supporting spirit and this is Ukhrul today.
The Ukhrul town comprising around 3000 households and 27 clans with the customary king as the head of the Village Authority (V.A) is in deep mess, notoriously for the misdoings of some persons with sinister plan in their pocket. Once upon a time Ukhrul or (Hunphun in local dialect) was the birth place of Tangkhul civilization that took shape for a new beginning in the form of christianization by Rev. Willian Pettigrew in 1866 and which gradually started education among the local inhabitants.
Significantly, Hunphun locals enjoys all these added advantages as compared to other Tangkhul villages. Having a glorious history as the only recognized customary king among the Manipur Hill Districts, Hunphun was the melting pot of the Tangkhul customs and the unique symbol of Naga history. Ironically, the divisive shadow engineered by a group of dubious personalities with inflated ambition appeared over Hunphun that posed a direct challenge to the time honoured Hunphun customs and to victimize the king by declaring his existence as no longer relevant. But the die-hard followers of the king refused to be shakened and thus the battle of either to go with the custom or choose other system began but in a very unbecoming upmanship.
It may be recalled that for 17 years H.A Haorein-gam was the acting headman. But a time comes when H.A Sarimaya, his elder brother and the legitimate Headman decided to take the historic steps to re-occupy the throne. Accordingly, he occupied his royal seat on 7th January 2005. But to his dismay and for no rhyme or reason his brother refused to hand-over all the relevant files and records and even question his right to the royal seat.
This was something that goes against the customary right with dimensional repercussion that ultimately draws the attention of NSCN (IM) general secretary. Th. Muivah who declared in no uncertain terms that H.A Sarimaya is the undisputed Headman of Hunphun and directed his brother to hand-over all files and records. It was on 26th June, 2005 when Haoreingam reluctantly hand-over files and records with many still missing. To add fuel to the missing records crisis two persons appeared on the scene on this particular juncture claiming themselves as the speaker and secretary of Hunphun public meeting. This two controversial persons AS Shangreiso and Sirawung Ragui were however disowned by Sarimaya on the ground that they were never elected with his authorization and as sanctioned by VA constitution. Tangwung Luiyaiwo, on 5th July, 2006 at Dimapur also flatly denied that these two persons were elected by the public. Interestingly, Shangreiso and Sirawung are regarded by Tangwung as his mentor.
Evidently, 26th June 2005 is a dark day for the people of Hunphun for many reasons that did not go down well with the customary practices. The helplessness of ex-headman HA Haoreingam being used as pawn by some unscrupulous persons was exposed on this day in its true colour. The hegemo-nistic game plan of AS Shangreiso and Sirawung Ragui was demonstrated here in a very unbecoming manner. The controversy over the manipulative lists of Village Authority members also began here. Thus, for all these reasons the present turbulent state of affairs in Hunphun has its root on this day. Hunphun being the capital district headquarters of the Tangkhuls and the centre of the Wung Tangkhul Region of NSCN(IM) administration, a parallel Government that is nurturing to run a full-fledged Government in the nearby future, the Hunphun divisive crisis cannot fail to pull NSCN into it. But unfortunately, many NSCN leaders burn their fingers in the process of playing the role of trouble shooter. Close observation indicates that impartial arbitration was found lacking in NSCN’s exercise of power over the issue. Th. Muivah’s personal attention was also drawn as the issue was a matter of Tangkhul customs that is directly linked to the unique history of the Nagas. The Hunphun public meeting was one important step suggested by Muivah to study the pulse rate of the public over the burning unsolved issues that involved a faction of Village Authority (VA) members who wanted to introduce a chairmanship system on the pretext that the customary headman is too weak. But as this step involves diluting the customary values it could not be translated into a meaningful public debate.
A public meeting was nevertheless organized by HA Sarimaya on 10th July, 2006 at Rashing Hall, Hunphun to establish the collective views and opinions on the issues faced by the Hunphun VA and the divisive anti-custom campaign that is strongly initiated by certain forces. In the meeting the headman made a fervent appeal to the public to preserve and stand by the values reflected by the custom and the beneficial effect of being one in customary principle.
Notably, the meeting was attended by almost all the high dignitaries belonging to Hunphun but based in different parts of the country. Nothing good seems to be expected out of the meeting as the two factions traded allegations and at one moment things almost run out of control.
Crucial as the meeting was, NSCN(IM) sent four observer members. The heated atmosphere was however brought to amenable stage due to the nationalistic deliberation initiated by the senior members like ex-Chief Secretary of Delhi, W. Shaiza, Somi Zimik, Chief Security Commissioner, Indian Railways and others who stressed on going with the customs rather than open the door to the eventual destruction of Hunphun customs. Th-ese two prominent speakers pointedly but poignantly reminded the members on the national valu-es that cannot be separat-ed from Hunphun customs. Taking the cue from Th. Muivah, they share the emotional meeting they had with him who told them that the blood, tears, and sweat they had undergone for all these years are all because of the unique custom of the Nagas that define the true meaning of the unique history of the Nagas. The present Indo-Naga talk is given importance based on this undeniable fact. A good sense however, prevailed and adopting a magnanimous stand, both the rival groups ultimately agreed on the need to appoint a committee for a reconciling role and to remove all obstacles for a smooth functioning of the Hunphun Village Authority. It was taken for granted that the members of the committee are without any factional leanings.
The other important highlights of the meeting was the respect for democratic election when Pro-tem Speaker Reading Luik-ham and secretary Ringp-hami Ragui were elected.
The self-inflected wounds that both the groups suffered will take its own time to heal. It is however, to be admitted that the inflated ego has to be given way to greater interest of the Hunphun public in the course of strengthening the hands of the Headman in guarding the unique customs of Hunphun and justify its place of pride in the unique history of the Nagas.
Politics and Education Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS Posted: 2006-07-25

The tragicomedy continues. The ding dong battle of school affiliation between those who want private schools in Naga dominated districts of the state to shift to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, NBSE and the government of Manipur which is determined to keep all schools within its administrative jurisdiction under its own Board of Secondary Education Manipur, BSEM, is getting more and more intriguing. As the plot deepens, it is also increasingly clear how dry and inflammable the tinderbox Manipur walks on is. A news story in the popular The Telegraph, that the state government’s wish on the matter had been overridden by the Union minister for Human Resource Development, Arjun Singh, to allow schools in four hill districts to affiliate with the NBSE nearly ignited another fire. The chief minister, Okram Ibobi, hence had to personally call up various local newspapers at 11 pm yesterday to put records straight on the matter after he has had a word with the Union minister. His concern is understandable, after all the volatile situation in a fragmented society like Manipur today can overnight deteriorate into social mayhem. Even now, any little spark can produce major infernos, hence the need for constant vigilance.
The matter is tragicomic for no other reason than the obvious admixture of politics and genuinely felt concerns and grievances against the BSEM and the syllabus sought to be rejected by many. In tackling the problem, it would do well for the government as well as the public at large to distinguish between the two. For the political aspect of the problem cannot be amenable at all to any solution the state can think of and propose, short of conceding to the demand. All attempts to put it at rest within the limits of the state would be as futile as the simple prediction of the Meitei proverb: Tumdaba Mi Houdokpa Wabani (You Cannot Awaken Somebody Who Is Only Pretending To Be Asleep). From this viewpoint, the issue of syllabus or boards is incidental for the real agenda is something else and is set by the larger issue of Greater Naga homeland being campaigned and negotiated with the Government of India by the NSCN(IM). Hence, if it is not syllabus, it will be “house tax”, if it is not “house tax” it will be something else and so on. The state can only watch with patience for a resolution reached at the Centre and then evolve its own strategy.
But as in all tragicomedies, this one too has a second script running below the surface. For indeed many of the complaints reflect genuine and understandable concerns. As for instance the image of Manipur projected in the BSEM history and social sciences is not altogether faithful or proportionately plural as the Manipur reality is. It would amount to living in an illusory world to believe Manipur is all about Ras Lila, or else its feudal lineage of kings and queens. They are important parts but not everything, especially now under the present democratic dispensation. Then there is the issue of making Meitei Mayek compulsory in schools. State authorities, including the chief minister have clarified that the Mayek had not been made mandatory in school curriculum in the hills, and students here can opt for the Roman script instead. As for the Manipuri language that the script represents, it must be acknowledged that it is for the benefit of everyone that the state has an official lingua franca. Just as England does not today hold proprietary right over the English language, Manipuri need not be any longer identified only with the Meiteis. Still, to offset the additional academic burden students whose mother tongue is not Manipuri have to bear, Meitei students can be made to compulsorily learn a recognized tribal language of their choice in lower and mid school. If there are students who wish to specialize, they can pursue it further. This should however not amount to weighing each other down in the name of political correctness, but instead be a matter of opening doors to each other and admitting each other into the individual communities’ inner worlds. It is interesting that if from the democratic perspective, learning each others’ languages is a question of opening up to each other, from the colonialist’s perspective it was once considered a matter of rude intrusion into colonial privacy. George Orwell, in Burma Days made some of his most petty and conceited colonial officers posted in Burma, lament the fact that the “natives” were picking up the English language too rapidly, thus shattering their own self-proclaimed sanctified privacy.
Exhibit on Genome & 'People of India' study to be held The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 25 (MExN): The Anthropological Survey of India (ASI), Ministry of Culture, will be organizing a month long exhibition on “Human Origins, Genome and People of India” at State Library Hall beginning from July 26. The exhibition is being hosted by the Anthropological Society of Nagaland (ASN) and facilitated by the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Nagaland. This was informed through a release issued by Dr Anungla Aier, Chairman, ASN.
The exhibition will be inaugurated by Shyamal Datta, the Governor of Nagaland on July 26 at 10:30 am. It was informed that he exhibition has been designed with the student and general public in mind. 'It would help them explore the past, understand the present and inspire ideas about the future of the species Homo sapiens.'
It will attempt to present interesting glimpses into what scholars have been doing for years, away from the public eye for most of the time, and help us appreciate their efforts as well as the uniqueness of our species, the release informed.
The release further added that there will be an entire section on the North East India as well as the work done by Anthropological Survey of India (ASI) in the North East region.
The exhibition, according to the official notice further stated that, innovative plans for the general public as well as students to help them keep abreast of the latest development worldwide in Human Genetics research. Instruments used in the anthropological studies will also be exhibited. Highlights of the event would include fossil finds from different parts of the country which will be on display. The exhibition will also present a panorama of activities of traditional hunter-gatherers, nomads, pastoralists and other human adaptations in different eco-cultural regions of the country, depicted through rare photographs, cultural artifacts, charts, models and crisp captions. Publications containing findings of studies conducted by the ASI will also be kept on display as well as for sale. The exhibition will be open from Monday to Saturday during office hours (10:30 am to 4:30 pm).
India tourism to unlock tribal art, tea tours Campaign to attract British

LONDON, July 25:: India tourism has launched a campaign to attract British tourists to the North East region, describing it as a 'paradise unexplored'. While India attracted a sizeable number of foreign tourists, efforts were being made to ‘show-case’ scenic spots in the North East which had hitherto remained unexplored owing to several factors, including inadequate flights, Vivek Angra, director of India Tourism in the UK told a gathering of tour operators here last night.

Manoj Jalan of Purvi Discoveries demonstrated with the help of slides the different packages available for foreign tourists. The packages include a heritage tea tour around the tea estates of Assam, visit to exotic tribal art and culture, treks and botanical tours in the eastern Himalaya and wildlife and nature tours. Another package speaks about "a pilgrimage through the pages of history".

It includes visits to Dibrugarh, the gateway to the 'hidden land' of eastern Arunachal Pradesh and to Dibru-Saikhowa National Park housing Royal Bengal Tiger, leopard, jungle cat and Malayan giant squirrel. Jalan said "the Mancotta Chang Bungalow located about 20 km from Dubrugarh town is the highpoint of visit to Dibrugarh. This 140 years heritage Chang bungalow built by pioneering Scottish tea planters offers a unique experience of the traditional plantation life."

"Intermingled with local culture, folk dance and music, the Mancotta experience is indeed a life time experience," Jalan said.

He said another star attraction was the Kaziranga National Park - a world heritage site and the oldest park in Assam. It has 65 per cent of the total world's population of the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros and over 50 per cent of the world's population of wild buffaloes and swamp deer respectively along with Asiatic wild elephants, hog deer, jungle cats, tigers and leopards.

Rajat Bagchi, Minister, coordination, in the Indian High Commission said "North Eastern part of India is one of the most scenic places in the country." he suggested that states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam had much to offer to foreign tourists by way of their art, culture and scenic beauty. "North East is the treasure house of India," he said. (Financial Express)
House told ULFA has links with ISI By Indian Express Wednesday July 26,
Minister of State for Home Affairs S Reghupathy told Parliament on Tuesday that ULFA had links with Pakistan's ISI. The conclusion was arrived on the basis of ''available reports'' and interrogation of arrested cadres of the outfit, he said. According to sources, ULFA's links with the ISI were gradually strengthened after training camps were eliminated at Kachin Province in Myanmar in the late 80s. Subsequently, it had to depend on foreign agencies for bases in other areas as also for arms and ammunition. During the period in the 90s when the outfit had set up camps in Bhutan, it was gradually building up a base in Bangladesh. Officials are of the view that the outfit's operations in the neighbouring country was being facilitated by ISI in cooperation with the DGFI, the intelligence agency of Bangladesh. Though the outfit has indicated its willingness for talks with the Centre, it is yet to despatch a formal letter, which the latter has demanded. The sources pointed out that ULFA's vacillation could be due to pressure exerted by foreign agencies that were against the peace initiative in the Northeast.

Army major, soldier found guilty of murder in Assam By IANS Tuesday July 25
Guwahati, July 25 (IANS) The Indian Army has punished an officer and a soldier in Assam after finding the duo guilty of killing a villager in custody, officials Tuesday said. An army spokesman said a military court found Major Nishant Sharma and rifleman Sudip Gurung responsible for the death of a villager Ajit Mahanta in February. 'Sharma was sentenced to one year's forfeiture of service which will affect his promotion prospects and Gurung was sentenced to two months' rigorous military imprisonment,' the army official said.
The military court ruling came after the Assam government lodged a protest with the army saying Mahanta was shot dead after being picked on suspicion of having links with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). His body was found in a bag in a hospital in Dibrugarh town in eastern Assam the next day after he was picked up. The army then claimed Mahanta was shot dead when he tried to escape. The Assam government's decision to seek a probe into Mahanta's death followed widespread public protests in eastern Assam that prompted police to open fire killing nine protestors. A paramilitary soldier was also stoned to death by angry protestors during the protests. 'The punishment meted out to the two army men is nothing but an eye wash. Is this the nature of punishment given to people who murdered a man in cold blood,' said Lachit Bordoloi, a rights activist.

Frans on 07.26.06 @ 02:59 PM CST [link]

Tuesday, July 25th

6 member NSCN-IM delegation leaves for Bangkok talks Kuknalim.com

6 member NSCN-IM delegation leaves for Bangkok talks Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 24:: A six-member NSCN-IM delegation will leave for Bangkok today to assist their Chairman Isac Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th Muivah during the peace talks and extension of current ceasefire with the Centre, scheduled to begin on July 28.

Official sources said the delegation, led by senior NSCN-IM leader Brig V Atem, will comprise of Q. Chishi Swu, Q. Tuccu, A P Shimrey, Tongmeth Konyak and Lungalang. The Governmet, on the other hand, will be led by the leader of the Ministerial team Oscar Fernandes, Interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah and senior officials and bureaucrats.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM has denied that it has threatened to abrogate the nine-year-old ceasefire with the Centre if it fails to modify truce ground rules. The extension of the cease-fire will only be decided in the July 28 and 29 talks in Bangkok. (UNI)
Sovereignty core issue at Naga peace talks Dimapur: Reuters Gulfnews
A powerful rebel group in Nagaland has hardened its position ahead of peace talks this week. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Isaac-Muivah faction (NSCN-I-M) said it would place freedom ahead of the extension of a truce on the agenda. Sovereignty of Naga tribal rebels would be the core issue at the two-day talks in Bangkok beginning on Friday, a top leader said.
"Extension of ceasefire [that is due to expire on July 31] is not on the main agenda at the coming round of talks," Rh. Raising, a senior leader of the NSCN-IM, said.
"The focus of the coming round of talks in Bangkok will be on the federal relationship between two entities - India and the Nagas," Raising said late on Sunday in Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland state. Naga rebels have been fighting since 1947 for a separate homeland that includes parts of the predominantly Christian state of Nagaland as well as some neighbouring states inhabited by the tribals.
More than 20,000 people died in the insurgency until a ceasefire in 1997 and the rebels and the Indian Government have held several rounds of talks since. But there has been little progress on the central rebel demands - unification of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India, which is fiercely opposed by other ethnic groups in the region, and ultimately independence.
"Our federation can't exist within the Indian Union or under the Indian Constitution," said the rebel leader. "We are for independence, nothing else will satisfy us."
NPF distances itself from Kohima firing episode The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 24 (MExN): The NPF has once again clarified on the firing incident which took place near the official residence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and pointed out that the consequences that led to the arrest of cadres from the NSCN (K) and allowing the NSCN (IM) cadres to go scot free was ‘beyond the NPF’s perception’. “The police according to reports, swung into action as soon as the firing incident took place and apprehended the persons found with arms on them, as it was their duty. As such, the NPF had nothing to do with the current case or with the duties of the State police and its lapses, if any”, stated Akang Ao, Spokesperson, NPF Central Office in a press communiqué.
The party spokesperson also clarified that the earlier press release issued by R. Paphino was on behalf of the NPF as a whole and was issued in the capacity of the Press Secretary, in good faith without the intention of jeopardizing either of the factions. “Hence the NPF request all Naga national workers not to misconceive and misinterpret the goodwill of the NPF party”, Akang stated.
The NPF stated that as a Naga political party, it will continue to work in the same spirit and principle with all cross-sections of the Naga people with good humor.
Stating that the NPF came to power along with pre-poll alliance partners with the mandate of the people and formed the DAN government in the State, the party spokesperson pointed out that the DAN government with all humility and sincerity declared its political agenda of ‘equi-closeness’ in order to maintain cordial relationship with all Naga national workers and to forge ahead with a negotiated settlement on the Naga issue. “The NPF whatsoever does not have discrimination or partiality with any of the factions in as such as equi-closeness is concerned and peace process with the government of India for amicable settlement of the Naga political problem” it stated.
It also stated that the firing incident that occurred near the CM’s residence on July 10 was unfortunate. “The NPF’s cry for peace is perpetually disturbed by such incidences. Disturbing the peaceful atmosphere, in any manner, for the peace loving citizens is unwanted and therefore, the NPF through its press secretary issued a press release in this regard”, the party clarified.
The party also stated that as per protocol, the Chief Minister has the armed police force to protect him from any impending danger and eventuality. It pointed out that apart from the police, paramilitary force being deployed by the State government, the Chief Minister did not require keeping personnel of any faction or illegal security, either private or public. “As such, the NPF denounce the article accusing the Chief Minister of having NSCN (IM) as his security guards, and term the article as illogical”, the NPF stated.
AR busts NSCN IM's detention cell at Ukl By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 24 : Troops of 13 Assam Rifles raided a detention centre set up by the NSCN (IM) at Ukhrul yesterday and rescued five youths who were being kept captive there. In a statement, PRO of Assam Rifles said that existence of the ‘jail complex’ once again highlights the parallel governance and illegal activities carried out by the NSCN (IM) at Ukhrul.
Earlier on January 5 this year, AR troops carried out a similar raid in the same jail complex in which two NSCN (IM) cadres were arrested along with a huge cache of arms and war like stores.
During yesterday's raid four NSCN (IM) cadres were rounded up said the statement and identified them as SS Sgt Maj Jiten Jo (27) of Matikai, Phek, SS Cpl Danny Shimray (22) of Upper Hundung, Pvt Min- thing (20) of Pushing and Pvt Imu Pove (18) of Haflong.
One 9 mm carbine, .303 rifle, two mobile phones and a large quantity of ammunition, ration and incriminating documents were recovered.
The five youths rescued were released through the police, said the statement and added that though the NSCN (IM) claims that it is an internal matter and jail complex is a traditional requirement for rogue civilians, the operation proves their illegal activities.
Manipur on alert as Naga report sparks ire Yumnam Rupachandra The Statesman
IMPHAL, July 24: The twin capital districts of Imphal West and East have been put under alert and prohibitory order of 144 CrPC anticipating trouble after reports claiming HRD minister Arjun had agreed to Naga student organisations’ proposal of allowing Manipur-based schools in Naga dominated districts to be affiliated to Nagaland Board.
After the report, which appeared in a Kolkatta-based English newspaper, volunteers of social organisations and student bodies of Manipur came out on street last night and burnt effigies of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi and HRD minister Mr Arjun Singh. Chief minister Mr Okram Ibobi Singh called local media late at night to clarify that the news item was without any basis and that Mr Arjun Singh, with whom he contacted at 10.30 pm denied that he had gave assurance to Naga delegates as reported. The chief minister called a Press meet today to iterate what the HRD minister conveyed to him last night.
The HRD minister told the chief minister that he never told the delegates anything remotely connected to what was reported. According to the chief minister, the Union minister assured him that he would not flout the Constitution by overriding the state government in subjects such as education which is a state subject. The Union minister suggested booking the news paper for the report, the CM told a local daily.
The chief minister clarified that Manipur government have never tried to impose the Meetei Mayek on the tribals as accused by Naga organisations. “Students in the hills have the option to take either the indigenous script of roman script,” he said.
Police have, however, been kept on alert and prohibitory orders promulgated in the twin capital city of Imphal East and West. DC Imphal East, speaking to The Statesman said: “Because of tension prohibitory orders have been clamped. Assembly of public has been banned under the order which would remain in force till normalcy returns.”
The United Committee of Manipur, which spearheaded the agitation over extension of ceasefire (between NSCN-IM and Indian troops) in Manipur, in a letter faxed to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has asked for his clarification on the matter. A “urgent” letter has asked the Centre to stop encouraging politicisation of education. Information secretary of UCM Yaima Saha in a separate Press release has charged Nagaland-based NSF of trying to disintegrate Manipur.
The move, Yaima Saha said, would not affect the students of Nagaland or children of those behind the move, as their children study outside, but simple villagers of Manipur. Besides Nagaland Board text books do not have languages of Manipur tribe in their curriculum and they would be forced to study another language.
Some thoughts on the Indo-Naga Peace Talks By N. Chamroy Sangai Express
If the frequent claims of the Prime Minister’s Principal Interlocutor, K. Padmanibaiah to settle the Naga Issue ‘within the Union’ or ‘ Within the Constitution of India’ is any indicator, GOI is not in a hurry to solve the protracted Indo-Naga conflict. In Indian context the terms within the Union or the Constitution is a vague political motion which can also mean almost nothing. I feel therefore by repeating this intransigent phrases by the GOI, she is saying nothing substantial, at least at the moment. Maybe she still wants to in the words of Shyam Dutta, ‘wait and watch’.
The Constitution of India is invariably subject to change by ammendments. Article 2 of the Indian Constitution for example provides Parliament to admit into the Union or establish new states on such terms and conditions as it sees fit. India’s membership to the Commonwealth is based on an extra Constitutional contratual arrangement entered an terminal at will. So, trying to limit the Indo-Naga within a frame work which is dynamic and flexible is absurbed, technically speaking and lacks sagacity. The terms within the union of India was used as the operative concept to mean that a political solution much be on the basis of Nagas acceptance of union with India or to quote the Nagaland Peace Mission, ‘the Nagas participation in the union of India in their own violations’. It is also pertainent to note here that Sikkim was admited as an "associate state" without being a member of the Union of India in 1974 by inserting a new article 2-A by the Constitution ( Thirty-fifth Ammendment) Act. 1974.
Therefore, these legal notions should not become the political impediment in the present Indo-Naga Peace process. Instead of desperate attempts to limit the talks in a precint, the negotiating parties should rather invest time to define the new future relationships. Priority needs to be given to the substances instead of the form or status. Casting and recasting the desire, aspirations, expediencies, needs, necessities etc. base on Indo-Naga experiences, the talks are expected to deliver a mosaic political pattern and to which giving a clincher is but corollary.
India’s relationship with other entities is provided in Article51 of Indian Constitution. It requires GOI to promote International Peace and Security, maintain just and hounorable relations between nations... and to encourage settlement of International dispute by arbitration. India’s membership in the UN, NAM, SAARC etc. are manifestation of this constitutional desire for peace and harmonous relationship with other nations. While on the other hand Naga’s have realised that there are many non-legal and moral limitation on sovereignty. The present International conditions of inter dependence and the necessity to obey the International Law and obligations effect the absolute sovereignty of the nation. For the Nagas, Sovereignty lies with the people and therefore, an inter dependence relationship of mutual benefit of both the negotiating parties was felt desirable. Naga’s Chief negotiator, Th. Muivah, General Secy of NSCN (IM) had in his interview with BBC for this reason said that Naga wants to have a federal relationship with India.
This is not a new move though. A loose federal relationship between the Nagas and India had also been moted before in the sixties by the Nagaland Peace Mission. Even in recent times a federal movement was launched in Assam in the 1994 comprising of about 50 movements in India including Akali Dal to assert their "voluntary rights to association and secession".
India basic interest in Naga areas is her border. Her aim was strategic and defensive. But of late with the emergence of many struggling people asserting their right to self determination India fears that any settlement with the Nagas on this line will encourage them and jeopardize the Integrity of India. This fear is paramount today. At present GOI is also engaged in truce for dialogue with the Garos, ULFA, Bodos etc. The fear of setting precedence is not without justification by any standard. But the bigger question is could these issue and problems be wished by sitting on it? By legal assimilation? No, A creative solution is needed sooner. The need for a sincere and collective effort of both India and Naga people is needed like never before. Since the negotiation itself is dynamic and has variables, what transpired on the negotiating table need to manifest on the ground back home and what is happening on the ground should find _ex-pression in the political dialogue. It is about responsibility and commitments and not just about relationship and power structures. Solving the Indo-Naga issue could be a panacea and not a pandara box that India so fears to open.

UCM sees conspiracy in text book change stand Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 24: The move to switch over to text books prescribed by the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) in the middle of the academic session is a deliberate attempt to jeopardise the career of the students and to create a line of division in the integrity of Manipur as a part of the Union Government's divisive policy in the North East region, said UCM today. In a statement UCM said that it has taken strong exception to the reported assurance given by the Union Government to change the syllabus of some schools without taking into account the ground reality and legal provisions. Such a move is tantamount sowing the seeds of communal rift in the North East particularly Manipur, it noted adding that the people of Manipur need to neutralise the double-edged conspiracy of the Centre with understanding amongst the people of Manipur. The few individuals who have fallen into the trap of the Centre have nothing to lose.

Their children are all safe and sound either at Imphal or outside the State, said UCM. The victims would be the children of impoverished villagers. It mentioned that the quit notice issued with the signature of UNC in 1992 did not affect the children of UNC leaders in any way though it resulted in loss of hundreds of innocent people besides devastating many villages, it asserted.

The present campaign would not affect the students of Nagaland, it is a diabolic scheme to deny the students of Manipur right to education by making them victims of the current imbroglio, it said. As such, the move is a deliberate attempt to suppress the tribal people of Manipur. It also cautioned to be careful so as not to fall into such traps while asserting that adoption of syllabi of some other board within the State is almost an impossible task.

Maintaining that Manipur has its own laws and Acts, it remarked that it would be futile for Nagaland State cabinet to adopt unrealistic resolutions. The UCM release mentioned that despite repeated resolutions in the Nagaland Assembly for integration of Naga inhabited areas, it still remains a far-fetched dream. It further noted that the syllabi prescribed by NBSE do not include any chapter on any tribal dialect while asking if the tribal people of Manipur would learn other dialects rather than their mother tongues loved and adored by the tribal people.

It alleged that the imposition of dialects other than their own in schools is demeaning to the tribal people of Manipur. The statement asserted that Manipur always stand firm and would not be cowed down by the campaign being undertaken by NSF and its accomplices who are hell-bent on disintegration of Manipur. Reacting to the news report published by the Telegraph without giving any thought to the sensitivity of the issue and without any documents to substantiate their report, UCM asked whether the Telegraph has its ethics incite communal tension.

The matter would be taken to the Press Council of India , it conveyed. Calling to put an immediate halt to politicisation of education, it urged the Government to constitute a long term policy for the students whose text books have been confiscated by some anti-State elements so as to protect their career.
Hoho seeks quota for Nagas in other states Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 24:: The Naga Hoho last week resolved that Nagaland revert to its “pre-1972 status” in order to make Nagas from outside the state eligible for job reservation.

Till 1972, the state was under the external affairs ministry and enabled job reservation for Nagas from outside the state before the then chief minister Hokishe Sema brought the state under the Union home ministry. “The resolution was mainly for the job reservation of Nagas residing outside the so-called Nagaland state,” said a Hoho leader. If it reverts to that status, the tribal body will not only go a step towards integrating the Nagas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with Nagaland but also achieve a degree of emotional integration without disturbing the sensitivities of other states. Under the previous arrangement though, sources said, the job reservation of 20 per cent was not meant solely for Nagas from other states but for any citizen residing in any other Indian state. It was a unique arrangement in the sense that citizens of other states’ could get a job in Nagaland. Now, however, the Hohos have demanded job reservation only for Nagas from other states.

Before this move, two other moves were made by the Nagas in Manipur. The United Naga Council (UNC), Manipur, has demanded the affiliation of all Naga-dominated private schools to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). The students even met Union HRD minister Arjun Singh twice over the past few weeks and claimed to have succeeded in driving home their point. Chief minister Neiphiu Rio has already given his assent to the UNC’s proposal, and urged the Centre to take appropriate steps to enable the affiliation to the NBSE.

In a second move, the UNC has asked the Naga villages in the four districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel to pay the annual house tax to the Nagaland government and not to the one in Manipur. (Telegraph)
Developments in capital is for Naga people, not for Angamis alone: Dr Shurhozelie North East Press Service

Kohima, Jul 24 (NEPS): Nagaland Minister for Planning and Urban Development Dr Shurhozelie said the DAN Government had been doing a lot of developmental works since it came to power in 2003. Talking to NEPS here in his residence, the Minister said whatever “Plan money” they got as “financial assistance” had been “judiciously used with proper monitoring.”

He said there had been 38 projects for the state under the Urban Development Ministry and out of which, only 8 were for state capital. These capital projects include Capital Cultural Hall, two Pedestrian Footbridges, Drainage Protection, IAS Transit Accommodation, Development of Parks, Pay and Use Toilets, Super Market Complex, etc.

The Minister said the projects in other districts included for the improvement of town roads at Phek, Mokokchung, Mon and Noklak, constructions of Guest Houses at Wokha, Mon and Tobu, constructions of Town Halls at Pfutsero and Phek, constructions of Indoor Stadium and Rostrum at Kiphire, constructions of Zunheboto College Building and its Hostel Building, constructions of Market Complexes at Dimapur (Kalibari and Purana Bazaar), Chumukedima, Phek, Kiphire, Kohima, Mon, etc. Constructions of the many markets have already been completed while some are in progress, the Minister stated. Dr Shurhozelie, however, regretted that some Congress leaders including its president Hokheto Sumi continued to say that there were no developmental activities in the State, while some of them would continue to say that except a few developments in Kohima and Dimapur, nothing was there in the State.
“Sometimes, we felt embarrassed as it seemed blowing our own trumpet but the fact remains that there have been so much developments going on since the DAN Government came to power in the State,” the Minister averred. The Naga people were the best judge, he added.

As an opposition, you could give constructive criticism but making such blatant and sweeping lies that “no development was there in the state under the DAN rule” was something nobody could simply think of, said Dr Shurhozelie, who is also president of the major ruling NPF party.
He also explained that whatever developments taking place in the state capital were not for the “Angamis or the Kohima people.”

“If I construct Kohima Town Hall, Super Market, Parks, Pedestrian Footbridges in the state capital, are they for the Angamis or Kohima people,” he asked and further said, “Whatever investments and developments taking place in the state capital are for the Naga people as a whole as the capital belongs to them.”
DAN govt. doing a lot of devp. works: Shurhozelie Nagaland Post Kohima (NEPS): Nagaland Minister for Planning and Urban Development Dr Shurhozelie said the DAN Government had been doing a lot of developmental works since it came to power in 2003. Talking to NEPS here in his residence, the Minister said whatever "Plan money" they got as "financial assistance" had been "judiciously used with proper monitoring."
He said there had been 38 projects for the state under the Urban Development Ministry and out of which, only 8 were for state capital. These capital projects include Capital Cultural Hall, two Pedestrian Footbridges, Drainage Protection, IAS Transit Accommodation, Development of Parks, Pay and Use Toilets, Super Market Complex, etc. The Minister said the projects in other districts included for the improvement of town roads at Phek, Mokokchung, Mon and Noklak, constructions of Guest Houses at Wokha, Mon and Tobu, constructions of Town Halls at Pfutsero and Phek, constructions of Indoor Stadium and Rostrum at Kiphire, constructions of Zunheboto College Building and its Hostel Building, constructions of Market Complexes at Dimapur (Kalibari and Purana Bazaar), Chumukedima, Phek, Kiphire, Kohima, Mon, etc. Constructions of the many markets have already been completed while some are in progress, the Minister stated.
Dr Shurhozelie, however, regretted that some Congress leaders including its president Hokheto Sumi continued to say that there were no developmental activities in the State, while some of them would continue to say that except a few developments in Kohima and Dimapur, nothing was there in the State. "Sometimes, we felt embarrassed as it seemed blowing our own trumpet but the fact remains that there have been so much developments going on since the DAN Government ame to power in the State," the Minister averred. The Naga people were the best judge, he added.
As an opposition, you could give constructive criticism but making such blatant and sweeping lies that "no development was there in the state under the DAN rule" was something nobody could simply think of, said Dr Shurhozelie, who is also president of the major ruling NPF party.He also explained that whatever developments taking place in the state capital were not for the "Angamis or the Kohima people."
"If I construct Kohima Town Hall, Super Market, Parks, Pedestrian Footbridges in the state capital, are they for the Angamis or Kohima people," he asked and further said, "Whatever investments and developments taking place in the state capital are for the Naga people as a whole as the capital belongs to them."
ULFA representatives accuse centre of sabotaging talks The Morung Express
Guwahati, July 24 (Agencies): Civil society representatives of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Assam have accused New Delhi of trying to sabotage the peace process by making contradictory statements over holding talks with the rebel leadership. A sense of growing mistrust between the ULFA and the central government is pushing the much-hyped peace process to a point where it could reach a dead end and even collapse before actually taking off. ‘First they (central government) asked the ULFA to establish direct contact, then they asked to name the members who would participate in the talks, now they are saying there cannot be talks without a ceasefire,’ Arup Borbora, spokesperson of the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), said. ‘In the interest of a negotiated political solution, it is necessary that the centre refrains from violating the decisions taken on June 22.’
At the end of the third of round of talks between the ULFA nominated PCG and government peace negotiators in New Delhi June 22, Home Minister Shivraj Patil had said the government was ready to release five top jailed rebel leaders to pave the way for direct talks with the ULFA leadership. During the past week, there were conflicting statements from Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal - both advocating that the ULFA establish direct contacts with the government before holding peace talks. The ULFA in a statement made it clear it would sit for direct talks with New Delhi only when the government releases five of their jailed leaders. ‘These kind of conflicting signals from the government do not bode too well for the peace process,’ PCG member Dilip Patgiri said.
Meanwhile, army operations are on against the ULFA in Assam triggering mass protests with people blocking highways over the weekend.Hundreds of people in eastern Assam’s Tinsukia district blocked highways Sunday for hours together protesting army operations against the ULFA in the area leading to the death of a local youth. The protestors have threatened to enforce a 48-hour shutdown in Tinsukia district beginning Tuesday if the army offensives were not halted immediately.
‘The army operations are against the spirit of the peace process currently on. The need of the hour is to build and strengthen confidence instead of targeting innocents in the name of hounding ULFA rebels,’ B. Neog, a protesting leader, said. ULFA, which has been fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979, last October appointed the 11-member PCG to represent it in the talks with the government.
Desperately seeking the truth Sangai Express editorial
Did Union Human Resources Development Minister Mr Arjun Singh say something to the delegates of Naga Students' Federation and something very different to Chief Minister O Ibobi on the same issue, is the question that is worth raising now. The Telegraph, which is arguably, one of the most respected newspapers in Manipur, in its July 23 edition carried a lead story which said that Mr Arjun Singh had assured the NSF team that the Centre will allow the private schools in the four hill districts of Manipur to be affiliated to the Nagaland Board of School Education. The news story created ripples across the State, for the news had become hot topic even before the edition of The Telegraph had reached Imphal. When The Sangai Express first contacted the State Education Minister, Mr L Nandakumar on the news story, the Minister said that he had not yet received any intimation from the Centre on the issue, though he made his stand clear in stating that the HRD Minister should not interfere in the issue. Chief Minister O Ibobi too stuck the same line on first being contacted affirming that he had not received any intimation on the issue from the Centre. However, there seems to have been some development, as the Chief Minister's office rang up the newspapers houses late in the evening of July 23 to convey the message that the CM had already talked with Mr Arjun Singh. The Chief Minister was categorical in stating that the HRD Minister had made it clear that he gave no such assurance to the NSF team though he did admit meeting them. So the question now is who is telling the truth, The Telegraph or Mr Arjun Singh ?
As professionals engaged in the calling called journalism, we firmly believe that no newspaper worth its credibility would deliberately twist a story to sensationalise it. The Telegraph which has a large circulation in Manipur and a number of avid readers, has reached this stage in the State through its unbiased reporting all these years and it is a little difficult to even remotely suspect that it may have misquoted the HRD Minister. Something more needs to be done than just the verbal assurance given to Mr Ibobi by Arjun Singh. This is not the first time that conflicting reports over the text book issue have hit the State. Readers will well remember the contradictory reports given by the Secretary of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur and the Chairman of the Nagaland Board of School Education soon after the North East zonal meet of the Council of Board of School Education at Guwahati some days back. Contrary to what the BSEM Secretary had earlier told the press in Manipur the NBSE Chairman refuted the report stating that no resolution was adopted over the text book issue. The BSEM Secretary however stuck to his guns with the Secretary of the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur corroborating his stand. It is unfortunate that text books, which is purely about education have been politicised to such an extent. It will not take a genius to say who will be the loser in the long run.
ULFA reiterates sovereignty stand Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, July 24 – Close on the heels of Centre asking for a firm commitment from ULFA, today it was the turn of the militant outfit to seek a written assurance from the Government of India on the ‘core issue’ of sovereignty. Like a tennis ball, the ULFA peace process is being lobbed from one court to another, with no sign of the tie ending. Today Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami verbally delivered the message from the ULFA to National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and Union Home Secretary VK Duggal conveying that the outfit wanted in black and white a commitment that the discussion would centre around sovereignty, a reiteration of its old demand. Besides, ULFA’s communication, forwarded by People’s Consultative Group (PCG) member Dr Mukul Mahanta, also wanted the Government to release the five detained leaders before the negotiations and details of the whereabouts of the missing ULFA cadres lost during Bhutan Operation, both old demands.
Dr Goswami, in turn was asked by the NSA and Home Secretary to convey the demands in writing to Government of India elaborating on the demands made by ULFA. That letter is likely to go tomorrow. As reported earlier, the Centre had last week sought a written communication from ULFA, specifying its agenda for the peace process, as well as, names of its team member for negotiations with Government of India. But sources here denied that the Centre had asked for a ceasefire ahead of the talks, as alleged by the PCG.
The Government of India had indicated to Dr Goswami that the demand for release of the five Central Committee Members would be favourably looked into, besides safe passage of the leaders would be guaranteed. It also conveyed that, if ULFA was willing, the first round could be held as early as August-end. Confirming the Centre’s message, sources said that the Union Home Secretary had conveyed that delegation for talks could also include the detained ULFA leaders. Besides the outfit would also be free to place all their demands including the ‘core issue’ during the negotiations.
Meanwhile, Dr Goswami today said that she was going to insist on releasing the five leaders because without their presence, ULFA may not be in a position to decide on the peace process. They are all members of the Central Committee and their presence is vital.

Asked about the peace process, Jnanpith Laureate said that she was hopeful. “We will fight for some more time and hope for some breakthrough in the near future,” she said.

Yesterday, the PCG had blasted the Government of India for springing last minute surprises by voicing new demands. It contended that the Centre had set new pre-conditions for talks. The PCG was also peeved with the killing of at least six cadres of the Outfit after the last round of talks, whereas both sides had agreed to exercise restraint.
The PCH has also sent a written communication Dr Goswami today clarifying some of the points.

Frans on 07.25.06 @ 02:27 PM CST [link]

Monday, July 24th

INTERVIEW-Sovereignty core issue at Naga peace talks Reuters

INTERVIEW-Sovereignty core issue at Naga peace talks
24 Jul 2006 05:45:08 GMT
Source: Reuters By Biswajyoti Das
DIMAPUR, India, July 24 (Reuters) - A powerful rebel group in India's troubled northeast hardened its position ahead of peace talks this week and said it would place freedom ahead of the extension of a truce on the agenda. Sovereignty of Naga tribal rebels, fighting India's oldest insurgency, would be the core issue at talks beginning in Bangkok on Friday even though a six-month ceasefire extension is due to expire on July 31, a top leader said.
"Extension of ceasefire is not on the main agenda at the coming round of talks," Rh. Raising, a senior leader of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Isaac-Muivah faction (NSCN I-M), told Reuters in an interview.
"The focus of the coming round of talks in Bangkok will be on the federal relationship between two entities -- India and the Nagas," Raising said late on Sunday in Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland state. Naga rebels have been fighting since 1947 for a separate homeland that includes parts of the predominantly Christian state of Nagaland as well as some neighbouring states inhabited by the tribals.
More than 20,000 people died in the insurgency until a ceasefire in 1997 and the rebels and the Indian government have held several rounds of talks since. But there has been little progress on the central rebel demands -- unification of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India, which is fiercely opposed by other ethnic groups in the region, and ultimately independence.
Security analysts say peace with the Nagas is crucial for a broader peace in the remote northeast, seven states connected to the rest of India by a thin strip of land and home to dozens of insurgent groups.
Raising said the two-day talks with Indian government ministers in Bangkok would fail if New Delhi refused to recognise their right to self-determination.
"Our federation can't exist within the Indian union or under the Indian constitution," said the bespectacled rebel leader.
"We are for independence, nothing else will satisfy us. Ours is a basic issue where the survival of Nagas as a nation is at stake," the school teacher-turned-rebel leader said.
Analysts say although a return to conflict is unlikely with most NSCN cadres getting used to a life of peace under the truce, the inability of talks to make progress would hurt stability in the region.
"We don't hate India and will maintain a good relationship with India in many areas like defence and economy," Raising said. "But there will be no merging in culture and polity."
Oscar for strong cease-fire monitoring to thwart factional clashes Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 22:: Union Minister of State for Programme Implementation (Independent Charge) Oscar Fernandes has emphasised the need for strengthening the cease-fire monitoring mechanism in Nagaland so that inter-factional clashes among the underground factions could be discouraged. Talking to newspersons here last evening, Mr Fernandes said he met several NGOs of the state and everybody had expressed concern at the inter-factional clashes and wanted a peaceful atmosphere in the state and an early settlement of the Naga issue. He said the NGOs and political parties wanted integration of all Naga areas of the region adding that the entire process would take some time as we have to respect the sentiments of other states as well.

On the state government’s claim that inter-factional clashes could not be stopped until there is a solution to the Naga issue, Mr Fernandes categorically stated that inter-factional clashes are the law and order problem of the state and it is the duty of the Government to maintain it. Moreover, central security forces are here to assist the State Government.
On the settlement of the Naga issue, the Union Minister said it should be acceptable to all.

Asked about the talks with the other Naga underground faction who has also agreed the cease-fire with the Government of India, he said the Union Home Ministry is taking up the issue with the other underground group and he was assigned to look into the matter with the NSCN-IM only.

On the ongoing peace talks with the NSCN-IM, Mr Fernandes said 'some progress' had been made in the last round of talks in Amsterdam.
He also expressed concern over the reported poor functioning of the BSNL in Kohima. Saying that it was due to poor equipment facilities and assured to take up the matter with the Union Telecommunication Ministry. He left for Dimapur last evening, where he will stay over night and then leave for New Delhi by train tomorrow. (UNI)
Naga students ‘win’ textbook battle The Morung Express
New Delhi/Imphal, July 23: The Naga students in Manipur have “won” this round of their battle for a separate school syllabus. Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has assured a delegation that Naga students in the four hill districts of Manipur would be allowed to follow the syllabus of the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) instead of that of the Manipur Board of School Education (MBSE).
Last year, the Manipur government, through an ordinance, made the MBSE syllabus compulsory in 163 private schools functioning in Naga-dominated Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel districts. “The Naga students have rejected the syllabus and decided to follow the NBSE one,” said Achumbemo Kikon, tribunal general of the Naga Students Federation (NSF).
The Naga students have been agitating for over a year now, demanding affiliation with the NBSE. “In March, the 163 schools introduced the syllabus followed by the NBSE. All the schools in question are unaided private schools and, therefore, in no way dependent on the Manipur government,” said Kikon. What the Naga students objected to in the MBSE syllabus was the way in which the textbooks were written. “They presented a distorted version of history. There was no reflection in them of the Naga way of life,” said a delegation member.
The Nagaland cabinet took up the students’ demand, discussed and agreed to it at a meeting last month. The government then referred it to the HRD Ministry for clearance. “Education is on the concurrent list, so we need the HRD Ministry’s endorsement of our decision as well,” said Kikon. The situation, however, was fast approaching a critical stage. Thousands of students who had switched to the NBSE had their careers at stake.
A four-member Naga students’ delegation landed in New Delhi recently to take up the matter with the Centre. They wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and met, among others, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Union home minister Shivraj Patil, HRD minister Arjun Singh and Congress leader Oscar Fernandez.
Sonia assured the delegation that she would take up the matter with the HRD minister. When the student leaders met Singh, he said the matter would be sorted out as soon as possible. “He agreed that the matter needed immediate intervention,” said Kikon.
In their memorandum to the HRD minister, the students said, “In complete disregard of the sentiments and rights of the minorities, the Manipur government has been propagating discriminatory policies against minorities, especially Nagas. One example is the imposition of the Meitei script.” The delegation headed by Kikon included K. Elu Ndang, General Secretary of NSF, Sounu, Joint Secretary, All Naga Students Association of Manipur and Ning Reichon, Convenor, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights. The United Naga Council, apex body of Nagas living in Manipur, will meet next week in the state to discuss the issue. Women and students are expected to participate in the meeting. K. Langamba, president of the United Committee, Manipur, which headed the 2001 anti-territory integration movement, declined to comment on the development. Source: The Telegraph
Sumi Hoho for tripartite NSCN meeting The Morung Express

Dimapur, July 23 (MExN): The Sumi Hoho has suggested holding a tripartite meeting comprising representatives of the two NSCN factions, the Hoho and the NGOs to address the contentions arising out of the Zunheboto ceasefire agreement.
“We feel the issue/matter will become more complicated if we continue in issuing rejoinders” Sumi Hoho, President HS Rotokha and General Secretary Aheto V Yepthomi stated in a release. “It is therefore the Sumi Hoho and NGOs suggests holding another tripartite meeting comprising the representatives of the two NSCN factions and Sumi NGOs who attended the 14th June ceasefire agreement signing meeting along with their competent leaders, so as to put the matter to an end across the table in the larger interest of all concerned. The time and venue will be intimated, if the two concerned groups extend positive response” the Hoho stated.
Sectarian leaders should accept the divine truth, says NNC “God told Isak-Muivah to rejoin NNC” The Morung Express
Dimapur July 23 (MExN): Highlighting several instances where divine intervention had ‘warned against’ killings, works of ‘divisive forces’ as well as guided the Naga movement, the Naga National Council lamented that “sectarian leaders” shows no signs of regret or repentance for the Naga killings and refuses to accept the truth.
“Till date, the sectarian leaders show no sign of regret, (realization) or (repentance) for the killings, telling lies and false accusations against the Nagas” according to NNC member Thomas. “Indeed the fact they know that God foretold in 1972, 1974, in march and December 1975 were when no one knows or expects the Shillong will be signed, the mission compound will become as Transit Peace camp or Eno Muivah and Isak will form the NSCN” he stated.
The NNC maintained that despite “God’s Law, His warning and guidance” in the past 25 years, "they" without rest and sleep have been sowing the seeds of hatred and enmity among the Nagas, committing killings, destroying Naga traditional democracy, the integrity and well-being of Nagaland.” The Council stated that these acts cannot be justified “even if they make friendships with hundreds of foreign countries or for that matter even if they explore up to outer space.” They will have no justification for the killing of thousands of Nagas in “the face of God or human” he added.
The NNC stated that instead of justifying the formation of NSCN or killing or attempting to “sell out sovereignty of Nagaland by submitting 30-point competencies proposal” the best thing to do for the NSCN (IM) “is to accept the truth and obey God”. Thomas asserted that God spoke through Lt Kepfelhou on August 15, 1974 at UN Seti Camp: “I will neither deceive you nor betray you. If you obey me, my words will be fulfilled. I will truly take you to your land”.
The statement asserted that in 1984, God spoke to Muivah and Isak through evangelist Athui and a “lady Army” of NSCN “to stop killing and rejoin the NNC” and warned that “if you failed to obey me, I will work against you and there will be more killing taken place among yourselves (NSCN)”. The NNC stated that the words were fulfilled in 1988 when the NSCN split into two factions “as they failed to obey God and killing among themselves is unabated till date”.
Also, the NNC pointed out that the Rainbow flag of Nagaland is a great manifestation of God choosing the Nagas by Himself and leading the Naga Nation. “For which God had given many signs and spoke through his servants that this was for him. For instance, God spoke through an American woman while the people from more than 200 countries gathered together in the yearly tabernacles feaast in jerusalem in 1999 and at that time they were praying for the Naga people” Thomas asserted. “I have chosen Naga people by myself. Before the return of Jesus Christ, it is my will that the Nagas are to be free, for which I have given their kingdom” quoted Thomas of a prophesy made by Lt Kepfelhou on August 13, 1974.
Tension in Asom-Nagaland border Nagaland Post Staff Reporter
Dimapur, July 23 (NPN): Tension is running high in border areas near Saringyim village along Jorhat-Mokokchung districts following the reported extortion demand served on the manager of Naginijan Tea Estate and alleged molestation of a girl of the garden recently. Some Assam-based dailies in their reports implicated a certain Naga underground faction active in the area to the incidents. The incidents prompted villagers on the Assam side along the border to suspend all business transactions with Nagaland besides also restricting the movement of vehicular traffic.
In the aftermath of such developments, a joint meeting of the Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam and Nagaland) was held at Naginijan Tea Estate on July 22 with an aim to defuse the tension. After long deliberation, the members adopted certain resolutions to help continuance of peace and tranquility in the area.
The meeting, chaired by I. Hussain, Manager of Naginijan Tea Estate, was attended among others by District Informatics Officer, Mokokchung, Er Temsuwathi, village council chairmen, GBs and elders of Asiringyim (Saring), Aonokpu and Tsuremmen from Nagaland side. It may be mentioned the Peace Committee was formed a few years back following frequent border skirmishes between Assam and Nagaland.
Arjun Singh tells Ibobi Telegraph story on textbooks is bogus The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 23: The screaming headline “Naga students ‘win’ textbook battle” in the popular Calcutta and Guwahati based English daily, The Telegraph today, claiming that the Union HRD (Human Resource Development) minister Arjun Singh, gave his approval to a delegation of Naga students representatives that 163 private schools in four Naga dominated hill districts of Manipur would be allowed to affiliate to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, NBSE, is bogus, said Manipur chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh in a personal clarification over the phone to local newspapers late this evening.
The chief minister said he had an interview with Arjun Singh at 10.30pm today and the latter categorically told him that he had not made any commitment as reported in the newspaper.
“I never said anything that would have even given the hint of what was reported to have been said by me,” the Union minister told Ibobi during the interview, according to the latter.
He also told the chief minister that education being a state subject, he would not so flagrantly flout constitutional norms to override the state government in such decisions, Ibobi said.
The chief minister said earlier his government had even stopped permission to private schools in the state to affiliate with the Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE, although there was a long queue of schools wanting to do this, precisely for the reason that it would cause complications not only for the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, BSEM, but also for the students studying in these institutes.
At present, the norm set in such matters is to allow one private school per district to affiliate with the Central board, over and above those already thus affiliated, the chief minister said.
The complication the state is having with the National Open Schools, NOS, is just an indication of the shape of things to come if schools were to be put at liberty to affiliate to whichever educational board they prefer, Ibobi said.
To resolve the issue, the government has put a stricture that unless students from the NOS also pass the BSEM public examination, their degrees would not be recognized in the state.
This is an essential part of the standardization of education in the state, he said.
Commenting on the often cited grievances of the hill districts about the imposition of the Meitei Mayek on them, the chief minister said there has been no such imposition, and the students in the hills are given the option to go either for the indigenous script or the Roman script.
The picture projected by the media outside that the case is one of a majority community imposing its will by force on minority communities, is a falsity at least in this case, the chief minister said.
He also said if there were points of disagreement still, these could be sorted out democratically.
The Telegraph in today’s story had said “Union human resource development minister Arjun Singh has assured a delegation that Naga students in the four hill districts of Manipur would be allowed to follow the syllabus of the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) instead of that of the Manipur Board of School Education (MBSE)”.
It also said “last year, the Manipur government, through an ordinance, made the MBSE syllabus compulsory in 163 private schools functioning in Naga-dominated Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel districts”.
It further quoted members of the delegation which met Arjun Singh as explaining the BSEM textbooks which they are rejecting, “presented a distorted version of history. There was no reflection in them of the Naga way of life.”

Effigies of PM, Cong president and Union HRD minister burnt The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 23: Volunteers of several civil society organizations burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh this evening around 7.45 pm at Khoyathong in Imphal.

The furor was caused by a news report that Union HRD minister had given his assent to affiliation of schools in the state to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education.

Volunteers of Manipur Forward Youth Front, All Manipur Students Union, National Identity Protection Committee, Jiri Development Council took part in the effigies burning and shouted slogans like `India government should not break integrity of the North East people.`
Speaking to the media, AMSU vice-president E Ratankumar, said they condemn the reported statement of the Union HRD minister Arjun Singh on the contentious textbook issue. The union minister is trying to create tension between the people of Manipur and Nagaland, the AMSU leader alleged and demanded that the minister retract or deny his statement. The student leader also warned they were ready to launch severe agitations if the Union minister fails to retract his statement at the earliest.
Army, ULFA women trade fire in Arunachal Nagaland Post
Itanagar, July 23 (UNI): An encounter between the Army and ULFA's women wing took place at Khowji village in Upper Lekang under Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh. However, there was no report of any casualty. The gunwomen, however, escaped in spite of heavy firing, official sources said. The army has intensified its operations against the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Changlang and Lohit districts of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Asom.
Official sources said here the operations had been launched against the outfit since Friday at Mahadebpur under Lohit district and Bordumsa in Changlang district following reports of large number of cadres camping in these areas. Additional Deputy Commissioner R K Sharma of Namsai told UNI that there were reports of firing between the outfit cadres and army personnel at Khowji village under Lohit yesterday, but no casualty had been reported from either side.
However, the army along with police had launched a massive combing operation against the outfit at Bangeri Reserve Forest under Tinsukia district of Asom bordering Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, unofficial sources informed that four army personnel, including a senior official of the 15 Maratha Regiment stationed at Sipani under Lohit, were killed in the fierce encounter that took place at Khawzi village yesterday. However, army authorities remained tightlipped over the incident. According to the sources, the encounter took place at 1130 hrs when a team of army personnel went to the village following reports of five Ulfa cadres taking shelter in a teachers' residence. The cadres sensing danger opened fire in which four army personnel were killed. However, the ULFA cadres managed to escape, sources added.
ULFA representatives accuse New Delhi of sabotaging talks By IANS Monday July 24, 12:47 PM
Guwahati, July 24 (IANS) Civil society representatives of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Assam have accused New Delhi of trying to sabotage the peace process by making contradictory statements over holding talks with the rebel leadership. A sense of growing mistrust between the ULFA and the central government is pushing the much-hyped peace process to a point where it could reach a dead end and even collapse before actually taking off.
'First they (central government) asked the ULFA to establish direct contact, then they asked to name the members who would participate in the talks, now they are saying there cannot be talks without a ceasefire,' Arup Borbora, spokesperson of the People's Consultative Group (PCG), said.
'In the interest of a negotiated political solution, it is necessary that the centre refrains from violating the decisions taken on June 22.' At the end of the third of round of talks between the ULFA nominated PCG and government peace negotiators in New Delhi June 22, Home Minister Shivraj Patil had said the government was ready to release five top jailed rebel leaders to pave the way for direct talks with the ULFA leadership. During the past week, there were conflicting statements from Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal - both advocating that the ULFA establish direct contacts with the government before holding peace talks. The ULFA in a statement made it clear it would sit for direct talks with New Delhi only when the government releases five of their jailed leaders. 'These kind of conflicting signals from the government do not bode too well for the peace process,' PCG member Dilip Patgiri said. Meanwhile, army operations are on against the ULFA in Assam triggering mass protests with people blocking highways over the weekend. Hundreds of people in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district blocked highways Sunday for hours together protesting army operations against the ULFA in the area leading to the death of a local youth. The protestors have threatened to enforce a 48-hour shutdown in Tinsukia district beginning Tuesday if the army offensives were not halted immediately. 'The army operations are against the spirit of the peace process currently on. The need of the hour is to build and strengthen confidence instead of targeting innocents in the name of hounding ULFA rebels,' B. Neog, a protesting leader, said. ULFA, which has been fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979, last October appointed the 11-member PCG to represent it in the talks with the government.
Centre’s new terms to hit peace process: PCG By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, July 23 – The People’s Consultative Group (PCG) has expressed apprehension that imposition of new conditions by the Central and State governments for release of the five central committee members of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) might seriously affect the ongoing peace process. The PCG members met here last night to discuss the situation following imposition of new conditions by the governments at Delhi and Dispur for the release of the jailed central committee members of the ULFA and decided to write a letter to the National Security Adviser MK Narayanan tomorrow to express its concern.

PCG coordinator Lachit Bordoloi told this correspondent today that the Government did not abide by the decisions taken in the third round of meeting between the Government of India and the PCG, which was chaired by the Union Home Minister. He said that in the third round of meeting, the Government of India agreed to consider favourably the demand for release of five central committee members of the ULFA in consultation with the State Government. The ULFA demanded the release of the jailed central committee members to enable it to take vital decisions regarding talks with the Government. It was also decided that the Government would restrain the operations against the ULFA and the PCG would request the outfit to maintain restraint. Accordingly, the PCG made a public appeal to the ULFA to maintain restraint and the ULFA also formally welcomed the outcome of the third round of talks.

Bordoloi said that in the following days, the Government did not abide by the decisions taken in that meeting and the Union Home Secretary and the Asom Chief Minister imposed new conditions for the release of the jailed central committee members. He said that new conditions like naming of a team by the ULFA for talks, a formal and direct approach from the outfit, signing of a ceasefire agreement before the release of prisoners, etc., amounted to violation of the decisions taken in the last meeting.

The PCG coordinator also said that the ULFA maintained restraint following the appeal by the group, but the operations against the ULFA continued and six cadres of the outfit were killed in Baksa and Garo Hills. “If the decisions taken in the meetings attended by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister are not implemented, then the Government would not be able to build the confidence of any organization to come for talks,” he added.

A Day at the Rebel Camp Source: Leader Writer: Thingbaijam Dhamen
Posted: 2006-07-15 Kangla on line

Smiles and unsuspecting friendly faces are things that one usually does not expect to see while entering a rebel camp. But yes, that is the way things were when we entered the NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) camp near Udalguri as team of journalists a few months back and we might want to thank the ceasefire agreement for that.

The neatly maintained area is surrounded by barracks with tin roofs, walls made of thickly woven bamboo strips and a concrete floor. The open fields all around the place gives a feeling of serenity. You might mistake it for an ashram until you see the young cadres in their very military mannerisms and olive green combat fatigues.

Why did they need to form NDFB? Are their demands justified? Are their means correct? What are their anxieties and expectations regarding the ceasefire? These are the questions that kept bothering my mind as I entered the camp. We were greeted by a very gentle looking person Mr. Bhobara Alongbar, who, to my surprise, turned out to be the Deputy Chief of the Bodoland army. Could such a soft spoken man ever plan or participate in any kind of violence? I asked myself.

After a brief introduction on both sides we all settled down under the plastic shade, raised mainly for our visit, for a formal question-answer session. Mr. Alongbar and Mr. Susranga, the Chief of Bodoland Army, began by talking about the struggle of the Bodo people for their rights over the decades. As per their manifesto, the struggle began sometime in 1928-29 when India was still under British rule. Sense of insecurity, feeling of neglect and constant suppression by the State are the reasons put forward to justify the cause.

The Armed struggle began nineteen years back with the formation of NDFB. As per records, many efforts were made by various Bodo organizations prior to that, to sort out the problems peacefully. In 1927-28, the Cachari Juvok Sanmiloni submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission demanding recognition as a district and a separate society from other Hindus in the region. They even wished for a separate regiment in the British army. Even after independence efforts were made by Plains tribal Council of Assam (PCTA), United Nationalist Liberation Front (UTNLF) etc. to get a separate state within the Indian Constitution for the Bodo people. All efforts failed.
The leaders are fine with the ceasefire that began on First of July 2005 and shall conclude in June 2006, but are getting apprehensive about the peace process. “We are hoping for a political solution very soon” said Mr. Brahmon Baghmari, the convener of the advisory board of All Boro Peace Forum. He added, “The government needs to keep its promise and either invite us for talks or give us a solution before the ceasefire ends”---“Or they will have to be responsible for the consequences.”
On the other hand, the government spokesperson Mr. Khagen Sarma, who is the IG (Special Branch) of Assam Police, stated that there is no delay on the State’s part regarding the peace process. He said,” Before the negotiations can start, the NDFB will have to submit its charter of demands. It was due at the end of January, they have not submitted the demands till now.”

Today Bodoland army has 2000 recruits out of which 30 are women. The Udalguri camp has 50 cadres who come from different parts of the region including Nalbari, Sonitpur, Dhemaji etc. Most of them are young boys either in their teens or early twenties. Young cadre M. Langdam joined the group five years back. He has not visited his family since then. He recently moved to the Udalguri camp from the main Kokrajhar camp. “I like it very much here, I miss my family but it is nice here,” he said.

There are others like camp commander Nwjwr (pronounced as Najer), who is newly married but shall not be home for a few months at least. He does not regret, rather he feels proud that his family understands and supports the cause. He has had his share of hardships in the jungles of Bhutan where the training for most of the cadres took place.

The boys wake up in the morning at about 3am and start the day with some physical exercise. Later they do some farming and also do cooking and cleaning. Evenings are spent attending political lessons which revolve around plans of action for the group. It is a busy day till they get into bed at 8pm. Most of these young boys have either not gone to school or have left their studies halfway through. On being asked if the leaders do not feel responsible for their basic education, Mr. Alongbar said, “The boys come here on their own and even at home they have no money or environment to get any education.”
The economic backwardness of the race was often being talked about by the leaders during the conversation. On the other hand the camp was well equipped with latest electronic gadgets like a computer, television sets, VCD players and a music system. There were a few motorbikes and also a brand new car still awaiting a number plate. Mr. Alongbar and Mr. Susranga claimed that the money came as donation from well wishers. I sincerely wish that these well wishers donated some more money that could be utilized for the basic education of the Bodo children.
The fight for their cause will continue and no one really knows where it will lead the people and the region to. “If the problem does not get resolved in our lifetime, our next generation will carry on the fight,” said Mr. Alongbar with a sense of Pride. He added, “Let us hope for a peaceful resolution very soon.”

Frans on 07.24.06 @ 01:03 PM CST [link]

Sunday, July 23rd

NSCN-IM threatens to end ceasefire Nagaland Post

NSCN-IM threatens to end ceasefire Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, JULY 22 (IANS): The NSCN-IM Saturday threatened not to extend the nine-year-old ceasefire accord beyond this month-end if New Delhi fails to modify truce ground rules. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, and government peace negotiators are due to meet for peace talks in Bangkok July 28. The latest ceasefire expires July 31.
"There are lots of ceasefire ground rule violations by the Indian Army, besides serious charges of security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions," NSCN-IM spokesperson Kraibo Chawang told IANS.
"The very question of extending the ceasefire beyond July 31 is now at stake if the government does not clarify the issue of scores of missing weapons seized from us and also modifying certain ambiguous clauses of the ceasefire ground rules as sought by us."
The NSCN-IM has been struggling for nearly six decades to create a 'Greater Nagaland' by slicing off parts of three neighbouring states to add to the mountainous Nagaland state. The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire agreement in August 1997 that has been renewed regularly. Central Minister Oscar Fernandes will be leading the talks with the NSCN-IM in Bangkok. "We hope to know if there is a solution or something definite in another two to three rounds of talks," Fernandes told journalists Friday at Kohima. The rebels and the government have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of the longest running insurgencies that has claimed around 25,000 lives since 1947.
"The ceasefire is definitely not going well at this moment with the Indian government found to be a little insincere in its approach," Chawang said. The demand for a 'Greater Nagaland' that would unite 1.2 million Nagas has been strongly opposed by the surrounding states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Thai police question Muivah at Bangkok airport The Imphal Free Press
Kohima, July 22 : Top Naga guerrilla leader Thuingaleng Muivah was questioned by the Thai police at the Bangkok airport earlier this week, a rebel spokesperson said Saturday. Police and immigration officials interrogated Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), on July 17 immediately on his arrival from The Hague. The Thai police allowed him to leave the airport after a few hours. Details of the interrogation are not immediately known.

"We have lodged a protest with the Indian government. We believe the Thai police were instigated by RAW (Research and Analysis Wing - India`s foreign intelligence agency) officials to question our leader when he arrived from The Hague," NSCN-IM spokesperson Kraibo Chawang told IANS. The top rebel leadership has been living in self-imposed exile for the past 38 years with Muivah shuttling bases from Bangkok and Amsterdam and other South Asian cities. The chairman of the NSCN-IM, Isak Chishi Swu, is also in self-imposed exile and operates out of some South Asian cities. Indian peace negotiators have been holding talks with the NSCN-IM in Bangkok and the Netherlands for the past nine years. In 2000, the Thai police arrested Muivah at the Bangkok airport on charges of travelling on a fake Thai passport. He was released after New Delhi intervened as the peace talks were threatened at the time. Central minister Oscar Fernandes will meet Muivah and other top NSCN-IM leaders for talks in Bangkok on July 28.
NSCN (I-M) rejects NSCN (K) charge Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR: The Kohima Town Command, NSCN (I-M), has termed as "a total lie" the NSCN (K) charge that the killing of NSCN (I-M) Corporal Zubenthung in Lerie Colony was the handiwork of his own men. Major Ape of the NSCN (I-M), through a release issued here, alleged that Corporal Zubenthung was killed by NSCN (K) cadres at the house of Shikato in Lerie Colony.
"It is a known fact that Shikato of Lerie Colony used to shelter NSCN (K) cadres. He let SS Lt. Vitoi in his house for a year. When the town command of NSCN (I-M) went to enquire about the presence of the NSCN (K) cadres in his house, Shikato denied their presence. After talking with him for 10 minutes, the NSCN (K) cadres from the window shot corporal Zubenthung," the release said. The release also stated that there was a government white Maruti gypsy parked behind Shikato's house at that time, adding it was "used by the NSCN (K) cadres."
Meanwhile, the Kohima Town Command, NSCN (I-M) has warned that all those, including government servants, public, student or any organizations, found collecting tax or extorting money on behalf of the NSCN (K), would be dealt with capital punishment. "Anyone providing shelter to NSCN (K) cadres shall also be dealt with the same punishment", the release added.
Rio calls for interim agreement Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network Shillong, Jul 22: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today advocated for an 'interim agreement' to keep the Naga peace process alive. Ahead of the scheduled Naga peace talks on July 28, Rio said, "If an immediate settlement becomes too difficult, an interim agreement must be evolved. This issue should be handled step by step," Rio said during a visit to Shillong. Exuding optimism that the Naga problem would be resolved, Rio said, "all human problems have a solution and this issue is no different".
Refusing to divulge any formula that Nagaland may suggest to the centre and the NSCN on the peace process, Rio said, "the state govt is a facilitator and would not like to intervene directly in the peace talks between the centre and NSCN".
Rio informed that the chief interlocutor Oscar Fernandez has also visited Nagaland and met members of the civil society including church leaders.
"This was done to elicit their opinions prior to the next round of talks," Rio stated. When asked, Rio said, the present crisis faced by the Naga community was 'disunity'. "There are many players in the state and there is disunity which is causing problems for the state".
On the issue of integrating Naga-dominated areas, Rio said, his govt was 'not forcing' anyone to integrate with Nagaland. "Anyone wishing to integrate with Nagaland is welcome".
Peace-talk points to remain secretive Nagaream.com
Kohima, July21 [NNN] : Dealing a blow to the demand for publication of ongoing Indo-Naga talks' outcome, Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation and also the head of the Indian Govt's ministerial team in the Indo-Naga peace talks, Oscar Fernandes today disclosed that both the sides have agreed not to make public the points that the two sides have agreed upon out of the NSCN (IM)'s 30-point charter of demands.

These will be made known to the public only after a final settlement is arrived at and a deal is signed, he said while addressing newspersons at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima this evening. Noting that the Govt of India has no desire to further prolong it, he claimed that major progress has been made while reasoning that more rounds of dialogue would be needed before final settlement is arrived at.
"We have discussed every point in the NSCN (IM)'s charter of demands and we have agreed on some points but we need to discuss more on some points", he said.
On the law and order problem in Nagaland as a result of continued factional clashes in various parts of the state, the Union Minister mooted strengthening of the monitoring mechanism with more powers and facilities.
Naga rebels threaten not to extend ceasefire Monsters and Critics.com - Glasgow,UK
Kohima, July 22 (IANS) A dominant tribal Naga separatist group in Nagaland Saturday threatened not to extend a nine-year-old ceasefire accord beyond this month-end if New Delhi fails to modify truce ground rules, a rebel leader said. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, and government peace negotiators are due to meet for peace talks in Bangkok July 28. The latest ceasefire expires July 31. 'There are lots of ceasefire ground rule violations by the Indian Army, besides serious charges of security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions,' NSCN-IM spokesperson Kraibo Chawang told IANS.
'The very question of extending the ceasefire beyond July 31 is now at stake if the government does not clarify the issue of scores of missing weapons seized from us and also modifying certain ambiguous clauses of the ceasefire ground rules as sought by us.'
The NSCN-IM has been struggling for nearly six decades to create a 'Greater Nagaland' by slicing off parts of three neighbouring states to add to the mountainous Nagaland state. The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire agreement in August 1997 that has been renewed regularly. Central Minister Oscar Fernandes will be leading the talks with the NSCN-IM in Bangkok.
'We hope to know if there is a solution or something definite in another two to three rounds of talks,' Fernandes, who is now in Nagaland's capital Kohima, told journalists. The rebels and the government have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of the longest running insurgencies that has claimed around 25,000 lives since 1947.
'The ceasefire is definitely not going well at this moment with the Indian government found to be a little insincere in its approach,' Chawang said. The demand for a 'Greater Nagaland' that would unite 1.2 million Nagas has been strongly opposed by the surrounding states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Rebels threaten to stop ceasefire From correspondents in Guwahati
SEPARATIST rebels in India's remote northeast threatened Saturday not to extend their ceasefire, accusing the army of supplying weapons to a rival rebel outfit to provoke a "fratricidal war." The Australian
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in Nagaland state, is due to meet in Bangkok on Friday for talks on the ceasefire, set to expire July 31.
"(We have) serious charges of security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions... in a bid to create a fratricidal war," said a NSCN-IM spokesman.
"The very question of extending the ceasefire beyond July 31 is now at stake," the spokesman, Kraibo Chawang, told AFP by telephone from Nagaland's commercial hub of Dimapur.
The Indian army denied the rebel charges. "The charges leveled by the NSCN-IM are totally unfounded," an army commander in Nagaland said, requesting anonymity. The original Nagaland rebel group split in 1988 into two factions. The main NSCN-IM outfit is led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah. The other rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland led by guerrilla leader S.S. Khaplang struck a ceasefire with the government in 2001 although no formal peace talks have yet been held. The two sides regularly clash for territorial supremacy. At least 200 members of both outfits have been killed in turf battles in the past five years.
The main group led by Muivah and Swu is seeking a "Greater Nagaland" that would unite 1.2 million Nagas, a demand strongly opposed by neighbouring Indian states. The other group is seeking an independent tribal homeland. India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of South Asia's longest-running insurgencies that has claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947.
The Mulatonu syndrome- Nagaland Post
It is a shame for the Nagas to own a person like that of Mulatonu who is not ashamed of incessantly weaving lies of accusations based on illogically false defamations upon responsible figures. As always proper senses will prevail over all illusive accusations upon all the Naga Civil Societies, Intellectuals, Leaders, Churches, individuals, etc. for everyone is well aware of this gentleman's desperate insanity.
Without any compunction or remorse Mr. Mulatonu and his likes with their lunatic syndrome have been propagating fictitious allegations and discourtesies upon Naga leaders, International friends, Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers Association (NMA), Naga Students Federation (NSF), Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches (CNBC), All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM), United Naga Council, Naga Democratic Movement of Myanmar (NDMM), intellectuals and all other Church bodies as well as organizations throughout Nagalim. Can anyone deny that they have not been falsely accused or charged by the so-called self-proclaimed 'freedom fighters'? The baseless, senseless or illogical accusations and allegations by an insane person do hardly require a response unless one is also insane. For every one knows the fool in the circus arena is dancing to the tune of our adversaries' policy to dislodge the peace process and with intent to continue with their ordeal of blood suckling the Nagas in the name of their aim-less freedom of illusion. The Nagas are familiar with the Khaplang and NNC members who are the tools of the GoI's agencies to stigmatize and subdue the on-going Indo-Naga political talks, and that the Nagas cannot be swayed by false and shameless accusations. The Khaplang group's illusion to be representing the Nagas is the greatest lie of the 21st century. When they are against the people they claim to be representing, whom do they think they are representing? Can anybody tell which people based Naga organization, leader or intellectual figure they have not challenged or gone against? They represent only the 'Mulatonu syndrome' and not the Nagas. The Nagas will no longer succumb to divergent and divisive maneuvers of falsifications. Our historical facts will also remain intact against all distortional elements for the future generations to establish the traitorous elements in our freedom movement that tried to stifle Naga people's aspiration but failed. Some Food for thought: To gauge what the Khaplang group and adversaries have achieved during all these years in their fight against the Naga freedom, they have Throughout their existence of so many years, the Khaplang group in working as a tool of the Indian agencies have done nothing but only continued to paint wrong ugly images of the Nagas, incite division within the Naga family, issue threats and accusations upon genuine Naga people's representatives and organizations for supporting the Indo-Naga peace talks for an honorable settlement, baseless and illogical defamations, collected taxes and extorted money in the name of Naga people's freedom; cheap campaigns of falsely based media hype to confuse and mislead the Nagas, etc. Mr. Kughalu, the false self-proclaimed freedom fighter with intent to mislead the people through his immature and impulsive whims of accusations, allegations, defamations, libels, derogatory statements, etc., have been vying to enunciate a bad image of the Nagas.The Naga people are no more susceptible to be misguided by a novice of such mentality and personality, and such endeavor to hijack the Indo-Naga peace process or to divide the Naga family will be futile. Disgracefully inculcated with naIve, ignorant and irrationally knowledge of the Naga movement, the gentleman has been professing his illogical, adverse and unfounded ideology and philosophy aimed only to fill their (Khaplang) private coffers by serving their paymasters i.e., 'the Indian Government Agencies'. These inimical elements' desire to prolong the national struggle, during which they may continue their acts of terrorisms, innocent assassinations, extortions and various other anti-social acts. Coming to the context of 'terrorism' that has been repeatedly vocalized by the gentleman in the media, time and again, it is not to the wishes of the GPRN to be arguing with a person of his caliber, who is taken to be out of his mind dwelling on his non-stop irrational and illogical baseless press- statements. As the saying goes- "A person who argues with a fool is himself a fool'. But to dispel misguidance and deceptions disseminated through these anti-Naga propagandas to incite unpleasant seeds of Tribalism and distrust in within the Naga social fabric, the facts have to be understood.
The usual accusations of- Indian Mujahedeens, Americanism, Bushist, terrorist, Meitie slaves, Meitie brother, Miyas, gang, National Indian Sponsored Cannibals, Non-Nagas, canines, etc., is the only language and work they are contributing to the Naga National cause. One should know that the NSCN is not that cheap to stoop down to debate with the likes of Mr. Mulatonu against his dirty and dishonorable accusations, for the Nagas are being led not by unprincipled people but by leaders of firm moral characters and integrated principle. Naga people are completely fed up of silly fabricated and false tales and allegations treacherously generated by the negative whims of a psychopath. But to our dismay and the amusement of our adversaries, the clown is performing the comic stint on stage of the Naga history; a slapstick comic jester on the arena of the Naga freedom legacy, foolishly humiliating the Naga people on the stage to the eyes of the world. It disgraces not him but the Naga family. (To be continued)Issued by: MIP: GPRN (IM)
Rishang dismisses ‘liberation movement’ By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 22 : Cocking a snook at the various underground organisations operating in the State, Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing today asked the people not to come under the illusion that the ‘liberation movement’ will bear fruits.
Addressing the Congress Workers' Conference at Ukhrul Town Hall today, the veteran Congress leader urged all the concerned to stop the struggle and instead come to the negotiating table and hold meaningful dialogues so that amenable solutions may be worked out within the Indian Constitution. Expressing grave concern over the violence perpetrated in both the hills and plain of Manipur by underground organisations, Rishang appealed to all to settle their differences peacefully so that the people may enjoy the fruits of peace. Exhorting all Congress workers to work fearlessly for the upcoming 9th Assembly election, Rishang advised them to be ready to meet any elements who pose a threat to the peaceful conduct of the election.
Apparently referring to the text book issue, Chief Minister O Ibobi in his address said that the future of the children should not be jeopardised by trying to get another State involved in areas which are under the jurisdiction of the State Government.
On development, the Chief Minister assured that there will be no dearth of funds for development programmes in the hill districts. Ibobi also pointed out that numerous contract works have been garnered in the name of underground organisations with no work being executed and urged the people not to encourage such trend. The Chief Minister further said that though there are Graduate Teachers vacancies for ST , the problem being faced by the Government is dearth of qualified candidates. It would be wrong to appoint anyone as teachers without ascertaining their qualification minutely, he said adding that the stake is the future of the students.

Rio for ‘interim agreement’ to keep peace process alive From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, July 22 – Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today advocated an ‘interim agreement’ to keep the Naga peace process alive.
Ahead of the scheduled Naga peace talks on July 28, Rio said, “If an immediate settlement becomes too difficult, an interim agreement must be evolved. This issue should be handled step by step,” Rio said during a visit here. Exuding optimism that the Naga problem would be resolved, Rio said, “all human problems have a solution and this issue is no different”.

Refusing to divulge any formula that the State may suggest to the Centre and the NSCN on the peace process, Rio said, “ the State Government is a facilitator and would not like to intervene directly in the peace talks between the Centre and NSCN”.
Rio informed that the chief interlocutor between the Government of India and NSCN parleys Oscar Fernandez have also visited Nagaland and met members of the civil society including church leaders. “This was done to elicit their opinions prior to the next round of talks,” Rio stated.
When asked, Rio said, the present crisis faced by the Naga community was ‘disunity’. “There are many players in the State and there is disunity which is causing problems for Nagaland”.
On the issue of integrating Naga-dominated areas, Rio said, his government was ‘not forcing’ anyone to integrate into the territorial boundary of Nagaland. “Anyone wishing to integrate with Nagaland is welcome”.

Inter state bus service to stop from July 23 The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, JUL 21: Around 110 buses of the All Manipur Inter State Bus Association (AMISBA) connecting Imphal to Guwahati, Dimapur and Shillong will go off the roads from July 23 for three days.
The decision of the association is related with unbearable monetary demands from insurgent outfits, NGOs, civil societies and unlimited harassment received by the drivers, handymen and passengers, AMISBA president A Buddha Luwang said speaking at a press conference today.
“There seems to be no government. We are threatened to close down our association. We had complained to the chief minister and the state transport department on June 11, but no action has been taken till now,” he said
He appealed to the state government to take action against the rampant monetary demands, threats to the association members and harassment of drivers, handymen, passengers, etc.
He further appealed to the state government to take action for ensuring smooth services of the buses along NH-39 and protection from the illegal taxes and other harassment.
With the monetary demands from different NGOs and civil society organizations based in the state increasing, Buddha also appealed to the NGOs and other organizations to stop making unreasonable demands and not to harass the association members. Saying that the association is serving the people, the president urged the 18 different insurgent organizations that are making regular monetary demands not to make demands that are beyond the capacity of the association.
The Association has been serving the people of north east for over 15-20 years with thousands coming to and going out of Manipur. The Association has been plying regular bus services with 80 buses presently on road along the NH-39 amidst the numerous threats to life, illegal tax, etc imposed by the illegal organizations, he went on to say.
In Nagaland alone the buses are checked six times by the police, thus causing wastage of time and unnecessary mental harassment to the passengers, drivers and handymen. The president appealed that such checks be less frequent by checking twice, at the first and last gates. He said that checking is done only once in Manipur and Assam. He said that often loots and extortions are carried out in Nagaland.
The secretary general of the association, Th Krishnan also appealed to the people to cooperate in the recent move for price hike to ensure continued smooth service of the buses.
A memorandum was also submitted to the Assam transport minister on June 24, 2006 requesting for allocation of land near Guwahati Railway Station for bus parking, opening ticket counters, etc for the AMISBA, the president stated adding that often the bus owners from Manipur faced problems due to lack of proper independent offices for the state’s bus owners.

Manipur transporters to launch 3-day strike Assam tribune
IMPHAL, July 22 – The All Manipur Inter-State Bus Association (AMISBA) will launch a three-day strike from tommorrow to protest the “unbearable monetary demands” from insurgents and NGOs.
Some 110 buses that carry thousands of people daily between Imphal and other state capitals in the northeast will not ply during the stir, AMISBA president A Budha Luwang said here today.

“There seems to be no government. We are threatened to close down our association. We complained to the chief minister and transport department on June 11 but no action has been taken till now,” he told reporters. Appealing to authorities to protect transport services on the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar highways, Luwang said the government must take steps to prevent monetary demands by insurgent outfits and NGOs.
Narrating the threats issued to AMISBA members and the harassment of drivers and passengers by armed persons, Luwang said the government must ensure smooth transport services along National Highways in Manipur. Luwang appealed to about 18 insurgent organisations operating in Manipur not to make demands that cannot be met by transporters. He said that in spite of numerous threats to transporters as well as the imposition of an illegal tax on them and the harassment to drivers, the association has been serving the people of the northeast for over 20 years. Official sources confirmed that militants, mainly in the hill areas of Manipur, had been collecting huge amounts of money from transporters in the name of “road tax” and “vehicle tax” over the years as the authorities could not provide adequate security along the highways. – PTI

World Bank study on NE’s natural resources — HN Das Assam Tribune editorial
Many people in Assam, including experts of the relevant disciplines, probably are not fully aware about the significance of an important report on “Natural Resources, Water and the Environment nexus for Development and Growth in Northeast India”, which the World Bank has been commissioned to prepare. The draft report is ready and is under circulation. The Assam Tribune has done a signal service by publishing a front page item on the salient points of the report in its issue dated July 4, 2006. We in Asom normally do not take notice of such matters at the appropriate time and then raise a hue and cry that we were neglected or discriminated against. Some times we start an agitation against supposed step-motherly treatment. Now that the facts are clear we should study the World Bank report carefully and make our views known as soon as possible. The draft report was discussed in a well attended seminar recently. The concerned state governments sent their representatives whose views were listened to and copious notes were taken. Asom was represented by a delegation led by the Minister in charge of Water Resources. I happened to be invited on my own. I did not represent any government or any organization. There were a few other specialists and institutional heads from Asom who also participated in the seminar.
I personally felt that the strongest presentation on the occasion was made by the Chief Minister Gegong Apang who very candidly, almost bluntly, asserted that Arunachal Pradesh’s upstream rights must not be ignored while sharing the benefits of projects based on water resources of the rivers which flow through that state. He actually used the word “belong” while speaking about these rivers. He, however, conceded that these rivers originate in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China. One of the priority activities identified in the World Bank draft is to “create an appropriate institutional framework for river basin management, including a regional river basin organization with a clear mission and mandate”. The World Bank, therefore, “strongly support the plans outlined by India’s Prime Minister to develop a new river basin management institution that would work across the entire Northeast and to which decision making powers would be devolved with strong participation by the states.”

To this seminar the World Bank invited experts from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Grand Coulie Dam on the Columbia river covering both Canada and USA and the country of the Amazon river, that is, Brazil. These people have experience and technical knowledge of managing gigantic dams, hydro-electric installations and river valley projects in their respective countries. They made excellent presentations. Some of the points appeared relevant to the extant situation in the North East. Actually the World Bank is envisaging to base their recommendations on the proposed river management authority on the experience and expertise of these countries.

One discordant voice that was heard was that of Gegong Apong. He was strongly of the view that his state should have a river valley authority of its own and he said that for this purpose he has already initiated steps to bring in a state legislation. He however did not elaborate how such a legislation would fit in with the Prime Minister’s vision of one river management authority for the entire North East. The seminar did not discuss the related question of how to cope with the problem if the other states also followed the Arunachal Pradesh model.

Beside water resources the World Bank has given elaborate attention to the other important problems of flood and erosion management, hydro power, inland water transport and forest and bio-diversity management. Special presentations were made on all these areas and the relevant points were discussed thoroughly. Similarly presentations were made on tourism also.

What I liked most about the draft report is its emphasis on the expectation that “the natural resource curse does not need to become a reality in the North east “. It has rightly surmised that “thousands of young Northeasterners are waiting for a chance to productively contribute to their home region”. The draft report expressed the hope that “with some of the changes advocated here (i.e. in the draft report) taking place, a process would be set in motion that could support them (the Northeasterners) in this endeavour”. The draft report, therefore, finally concluded that “it is vital that this process includes mechanisms for equitably sharing the benefits to be derived from development and focuses not only on the big-ticket items that support broad based, long-term growth but also on those complimentary activities that have immediate impact on poverty reduction at the community level”.

I made the point that while the Prime Minister’s idea about a regional river valley management authority would be welcome it must be shorn of the defects and shortcomings of the Brahmaputra Board. I also asked that the states must be given due representation and their views must be given due weightage. While emphasizing the need for international co-operation with China, Bangladesh and Bhutan I made the point that any decisions taken in this regard must not be prejudicial to the interest of the people of the states concerned.

Many experts touched on the vexing problem of compensation to the people uprooted by water management projects. I made the point that in the past only monetary compensation was paid to those from whom land and property had been acquired. They were also paid for other immoveable property as per the zirat. I did not find this method satisfactory. In order to elaborate on this point I cited the example of those whose land and property had been acquired for Oil India Limited in Dibrugarh. These people had utilized their compensation amounts on current consumption. Consequently they had become paupers. By the time I was posted as the Deputy Commissioner of the erstwhile Lakhimpur district with headquarters at Dibrugarh I found these people agitating for further compensation and for jobs in the late 1960s. It took me quite some time to amicably resolve the matter. This system of monetary conpensation continues even to-day. But some modification has been achieved when the alternative system, that of rehabilitation, was introduced. This, however, could not satisfy everyone who had lost their hearth and homes. This is evident in the Narmada dam and other projects where prolonged agitations have been mounted. In China I have seen people with landed property who had been uprooted by development projects being compelled to shift to cramped accommodation in highrise apartment houses specially in the city of Shanghai. Many of these people suffer from mental and physical illnesses.
I submitted that the geographical isolation of the North East and the transport bottleneck which this region suffers from can be eased to some extent if an agreement can be reached with Bangladesh whereby railway wagons, goods containers and inland water transport holds are locked on the Indian side, rolled or tugged through Bangladesh without interference and are then opened on the other side of the Indian border. A fixed amount may be paid to Bangladesh for each such consignment, beside the passage expenses, in lieu of any incidence of customs duty.

In the British days extensive dredging was resorted to in order to facilitate plying of floats and vessals on the Brahmaputra river. Even in the 1970s two dredgers, owned and operated by the Government of Assam, used to clear the silt in some of the navigational channels in the extremely braided river. For unknown reasons the dredgers were sold to the Government of Gujarat. The reintroduction of this practice may be once again seriously considered.
The NE region is susceptible to very frequent tectonic activity and it has been officially included in the extremely high seismic zone. In fact as many as 15 earthquakes of more than 7 on the Reichter scale and more than 350 earthquakes of more than 5 on the Reichter scale have occurred in the Arunachal Pradesh - Asom area in recent times including the two great earthquakes of June 12, 1897 (8.7) and of August 15, 1950 (8.6). Great damages have been wrought by these earthquakes. As a consequence enormous changes occurred in the Brahmaputra river topography. This led to bank erosion and scouring of embankments. I, therefore, pointed out that in recommending high dams in the soft soil formations of the Sub-Himalayan region very deep examination of seismicity will be required. Finally, I suggested that before finalizing the recommendations extensive and in depth discussions should be held with all stakeholders so that the recommendations become generally acceptable and do not founder on the rocks of non-involvement and apprehension of loss to any of the stakeholders.
[ The writer was Chief Secretary, Asom during 1990-95.]

What prevents the Government from fighting corruption? By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, July 22: Setting up of a number of investigating agencies in the State like the Chief Vigilance Commission (CVC), the Chief Minister’s Vigilance Cell and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell etc, bears little meaning in a State like Asom where the investigating agencies have to wait for years to get the mandatory prosecution sanctions from the Government against corrupt officials, thereby, allowing them (corrupt officials) to go scot-free, and corruption a free run. Though investigations into allegations of corruption against a number of top-level officials have been completed and charge-sheets prepared by the investigating agencies, yet the agencies are not in a position to submit the charge-sheets before the court since the Government, for reasons best known to it, prefers to hold back the mandatory prosecution sanctions. Some of the officials against whom charge-sheets have been prepared by the investigating agencies have already retired and they are getting all retirement benefits since the Government is reluctant to give the prosecution sanction against them.
Spending crores of rupees in these investigating agencies simply seems to be waste of public money since the expensive investigations against corruption and the findings are being kept under the wrap by the Government. Take the case of the office of the Director General of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, which is manned by the full strength of staff including the IG, DIG, SP etc. The Cell could successfully send only one corruption case to the court since its inception. The accused in the particular case was Khadi and Village Industries Board Marketing Officer Sarbeswar Das who was later convicted by the court. This does not mean that the investigating agencies are inefficient and they cannot pursue cases. The agencies do investigate the cases and prepare the charge-sheets, but they cannot submit the charge-sheets before the court since the Government seems to be too lenient towards the corrupt officials.
Take the example of former APSC chairman and now Sarupathar MLA Tara Pada Das. During his tenure as the APSC Chairman, Income Tax officials had raided his residence and seized lakhs of rupees in cash and other assets. The Government of Assam too had asked its Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell to investigate the allegations of corruption against the former APSC chief. After investigation, a case (No 13/2001 u/s -13 (1) (e)/ 13 (2) PC Act, 88) had been registered against him. Acting on the case, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell prepared the charge-sheet and sought the prosecution sanction from the Government way back on March 10, 2005. As the Government is yet to give the prosecution sanction, the former APSC chief has been going scot-free, and he made it to the State Assembly twice as an independent candidate. When the charge-sheet against Das has already been prepared by the investigating agency, why is the Government so lenient towards him? Is the investigation just an eyewash?
The investigating agency has also completed its investigation of the case (No 1/2004 u/s 13 (1) (e) /13 (2) PC Act, 88) against IPS officer PK Roy who had corruption charges against him during his tenure as the Commandant of the Home Guard Civil Defence. The Cell framed its charge-sheet against the IPS officer and sought the prosecution sanction from the Government on March 29, 2004, but the plea fell to the deaf ear of Dispur. Now the IPS officer has got promotions, which would have been blocked had the Government given the prosecution sanction at the right moment.
RN Sarma, IAS, too had a corruption case (No 5/2000 u/s-409/468/471/120 (b) IPC R/W Sec. 13/2 PC Act, 88). The charge-sheet had been prepared and the prosecution sanction was sought way back on February 23, 2001, but the Government’s nod is still awaited.
This is not all. There are 19 other such cases in which the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell prepared the charge-sheets but the Government is reluctant to give the prosecution sanctions. The situation in the other two investigation agencies — the CVC and the Chief Minister’s Vigilance Cell — is no better either.

Frans on 07.23.06 @ 03:59 PM CST [link]

Saturday, July 22nd

Naga rebels threaten to end ceasefire

Naga rebels threaten to end ceasefire Syed Zarir Hussain (IANS) Hindustan Times
Kohima, July 22, 2006A dominant tribal Naga separatist group in Nagaland on Saturday threatened not to extend a nine-year-old ceasefire accord beyond this month-end if New Delhi fails to modify truce ground rules, a rebel leader said.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, and government peace negotiators are due to meet for peace talks in Bangkok on July 28. The latest ceasefire expires July 31.
"There are lots of ceasefire ground rule violations by the Indian Army, besides serious charges of security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions," NSCN-IM spokesperson Kraibo Chawang said.
"The very question of extending the ceasefire beyond July 31 is now at stake if the government does not clarify the issue of scores of missing weapons seized from us and also modifying certain ambiguous clauses of the ceasefire ground rules as sought by us."
The NSCN-IM has been struggling for nearly six decades to create a 'Greater Nagaland' by slicing off parts of three neighbouring states to add to the mountainous Nagaland state. The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire agreement in August 1997 that has been renewed regularly. Central Minister Oscar Fernandes will be leading the talks with the NSCN-IM in Bangkok.
"We hope to know if there is a solution or something definite in another two to three rounds of talks," Fernandes, who is now in Nagaland's capital Kohima, told journalists. The rebels and the government have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of the longest running insurgencies that has claimed around 25,000 lives since 1947.
"The ceasefire is definitely not going well at this moment with the Indian government found to be a little insincere in its approach," Chawang said. The demand for a 'Greater Nagaland' that would unite 1.2 million Nagas has been strongly opposed by the surrounding states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Oscar tightlipped but positive on Naga settlement Integration and Sovereignty are NSCN (IM) core demands for final settlement: Oscar Karaibo Chawang
Union Minister of state for Programme Implementation and Statistics, and the leader of the Ministerial team on Indo-Naga peace talks, Oscar Fernandes, chose to remain hush-hush from disclosing the nitty-gritty of the talk outcomes with the NSCN-IM, stating that it would not do so unless a final deal is struck. In separate press conferences in Dimapur and Kohima, the Union Minister said the results of the talks could not be disclosed because of the ‘gravity of the situation’. He said the result of the talks would be announced only when a ‘100% concrete solution’ would be arrived at.
Oscar, who addressed the media this evening at Raj Bhavan at Kohima after his close interaction with the Council of Ministers, key Naga NGOs and the Congress party workers on the ongoing peace process, said that he could not disclose the details of the talks outcome unless the whole thing is agreed upon and signed by both the parties.
He, however, admitted that all the 30 points charter of demands submitted by the NSCN-IM have been discussed point by point and is under serious consideration as to how to go about it. The demands of the NSCN (IM), he said, could be bifurcated into the integration issue and the ‘relationship’ between both parties- namely the sovereignty issue, he said at Dimapur. “We have gone into it several times”, Oscar said, but refused to comment further. Oscar said that NSCN-IM has two demands- the integration of the Naga areas and sovereignty for final settlement, but, for India it is ‘relationship’, and alluded the query as what actually he mean by ‘relationship’, stating that different groups have its own translation. He said talks were being held under a congenial atmosphere.
Oscar however warned that a rosy picture should not be painted at the moment because the talks are progressing, though at a slow pace. He was quick to add that progress is being made anyway. Echoing the mood of the people as relayed to him, he said the people’s voice of an early settlement rather than simply extending the ceasefire was also concern for Delhi.
Welcoming the decision of civil organizations for an early agreement, Oscar said he welcomes the decision of the people and that Delhi was also looking forward to an honourable and lasting solution as propagated by the NPCC. On the integration issue, he said a commission to absorb the interests of all parties concerned was the answer.
However, the Minister denied mentioning anything about a package deal or of trying striking a settlement on ‘special package’ with the NSCN-IM during the last rounds of talks.
Oscar met state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Council of Ministers, and key Naga NGOs - the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers Association, NSF and congress party workers today.
All the NGOs were reported to have told the visiting minister that time has come for both the Government of India and NSCN-IM to arrive at a final settlement that would put an end to half a century year old conflict.
This visit of the Union Minister, who is heading the ministerial team on Indo-Naga peace talks, to the state assumes significance as he was here to garner the opinion and views of the Naga public and the state government on the current peace process.
Oscar was also reported to have appraised the NGOs of the progress made in the last round of talks. “I have told them that we have made a major progress in the talks, and it is in right direction”, Oscar said during a press briefing at Raj Bhavan.
He will take the opinion and views of the Naga public here, to the next round of talks slated to be held in Bangkok on July 28-29, and this is likely to form the basis of discussion.
The Minister said that meeting had been held in New Delhi recently, although inconclusive, to strengthen ceasefire monitoring mechanisms so as to find out the possibility of discouraging factional feud amongst the Naga National workers.
However, Oscar indirectly hinted that factional clash is a state subject, on contrary to the contention put forth by the state government that it is a political problem. “The role of government of India is not there. It is your position, your own interpretation”, Oscar said, further adding that the center would act only when requested by the state government.
But the minister agreed that factional clashes have an adverse impact on the peace process. He said “I agree on that. That is why we went to Bangkok for talks, and we are working on it. Early meeting will be convened again to strengthen the monitoring mechanism”. Oscar leaves by train on the Rajdhani Express from Dimapur tonight.
Muivah was grilled because of communication gap: Oscar
Meanwhile, Oscar Fernandes admitted that the NSCN-IM General Secretary TH. Muivah was grilled by Thai authority yesterday, however, fervently denied any Indian hand in it.
But said that it was already sorted out and Muivah was released. He said that the incident occured because of communication gap. “We don’t have anything do to with it, or act that way”, Oscar told the media. He further said that before Muivah left Amsterdam for Bangkok, yesterday, he himself spoke to the embassy there.
“When even our ministers are also going to Bangkok for talks why should we act that way”, Oscar added. Morung Express News
Early solution to Naga problem hopeful but no time frame: Fernandez North East Press Service

Kohima, Jul 21 (NEPS): Union Minister for Statistics and Program Implementation Oscar Fernandez said the Center-NSCN (IM) talks were moving in the right direction and further hoped that their upcoming talks to be held in Thai capital later this month would be more productive.

Addressing the press conference here at the Raj Bhavan on Friday after winding up his two-day visit to Nagaland, the Minister, who is the head of the Indian Ministerial Team for the political negotiations with the NSCN (IM), however refused to give any time frame for the solution to the protracted Naga political issue.
Fernandez said it was not the intention of the Government of India to prolong the issue but the point was the talks itself were going in the right direction. “That is a progress.” he pointed out.

Taking note of the concerns expressed by the civil societies to find solution at the earliest, Fernandez informed that he would be carrying their feedbacks this time to their upcoming talks with the leaderships of the NSCN (IM) to be held on July 28 and 29 later this month in Bangkok
to find “solution.” “I don’t mean to say that in one or two sittings, we will be able to find solution,” he stated. “But the point is we have to achieve the goal.”
Asked if they discussed anything to grant autonomy or federal structure to Nagaland within the Union of India in their last talks in The Hague, the Union Minister disclosed that they discussed various issues including the 30-Point Charter of Demands put forward by the NSCN (IM). “But
we will not be able to give any point on whatever discussions we had until the finality,” he stated. “Our main objective is to reach the goal.”
Asked as to how he believed after having had a few rounds of talks with the leaderships of the outfit that the Naga political issue could be resolved with them when there were other groups too, the Union Minister while agreeing that there were other groups explained that they had to
initiate with them because it (NSCN-IM) was the major group.
“By keeping away the major group, it is not possible to make any progress,” he added. With this in mind, former Prime Minister late PV Narasimha Rao initiated to find solution through political means with the group, he pointed out.
He, however, mentioned that he was particularly assigned for political negotiations with the NSCN (IM), while the Home Ministry was keeping in touch with other groups.

Asked whether the Government of India was preparing to talk to neighboring States in view of the Naga integration demand which was one of the agendas in their talks, Fernandez said such stage did not reach but asserted that when the final stage was arrived at, they would “definitely”
not do without discussing with them (neighboring States). The Union Minister also said the Government of India was working out to strengthen ceasefire monitoring mechanism and give more power to the chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group to control the frequent factional clashes in the State.

Peace-talk points to remain secretive Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Kohima, Jul 21: Dealing a blow to the demand for publication of ongoing Indo-Naga talks' outcome, Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation and also the head of the Indian Govt's ministerial team in the Indo-Naga peace talks, Oscar Fernandes today disclosed that both the sides have agreed not to make public the points that the two sides have agreed upon out of the NSCN (IM)'s 30-point charter of demands. These will be made known to the public only after a final settlement is arrived at and a deal is signed, he said while addressing newspersons at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima this evening. Noting that the Govt of India has no desire to further prolong it, he claimed that major progress has been made while reasoning that more rounds of dialogue would be needed before final settlement is arrived at.

"We have discussed every point in the NSCN (IM)'s charter of demands and we have agreed on some points but we need to discuss more on some points", he said. On the law and order problem in Nagaland as a result of continued factional clashes in various parts of the state, the Union Minister mooted strengthening of the monitoring mechanism with more powers and facilities.
NSF lobbies Delhi for affiliation of schools to NBSE Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Jul 21: A team of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) today called on the Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh at his office in New Delhi and apprised him of the affiliation issue of private schools of Manipur's four hill districts Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul to Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).

A statement handed to Newmai News Network by NSF gen secy K Elu Ndang disclosed that the Union Minister assured the Naga students' delegation that he would immediately look into the matter, as the educational career of many children are at stake. The delegation also apprised Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on gravity of the problem that can get out of control if the matter is not addressed exigently, conveyed the NSF communique. The Home Minister is informed to have assured all possible means to settle the matter at the earliest.

It further stated that the student delegation also met Minister of State, PMO Prithiviraj Chavan at his official residence on July 20."The Minister expressed his serious concern and that he will personally discuss the matter with the Prime Minister.

He further stated that this matter requires 'an immediate amicable solution and the academic career students should not be affected at any cost'. The delegation also called on George Fernandes, Convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) who assured to raise the matter with the Minister of HRD," stated the NSF statement. The delegation then met Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities and Joint Secretaries of University & Higher Education, Department of Secondary and Higher Education. Earlier, the NSF submitted a memorandum to Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh.

The memorandum stated that "the four Naga Hill districts"Tahamzam (Senapati), Chamdil (chandel), Hunphun (Ukhrul) and Inriangluang (Tamenglong) of the present state of Manipur are part of the contiguous Naga ancestral homeland. The Nagas occupy about 70 percent of the geographical area of Manipur but they are a minority community.

In complete disregard to the sentiments and rights of the minorities, the Govt. of Manipur has been propagating discriminatory policies against the minorities, especially the Nagas.
Interalia, one of such cases is the imposition of Meitei Mayek (Meitei script) through the Ordinance of State Legislation in 2005 by the Govt of Manipur upon the minorities of the state.
In the light of such discrimination and discontentment, the Naga people resolved on August 9, 2001 and November 4, 2005 to launch a non-cooperation movement and dissociate from the state of Manipur, said the memorandum. It mentioned that the student community too resolved to severe affiliations with the State's educational system and has denounced the imposed syllabus prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur. Subsequently, 163 private schools of the "four Naga hill districts on the March 25, 2006" have introduced the syllabus prescribed by NBSE and the process of affiliation has been initiated as well, claimed the NSF memorandum.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the State Cabinet of Nagaland on June 12, 2006 has seriously deliberated on this matter and has referred the matter to the Ministry HRD for urgent intervention.
Border land dispute surfaces again The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 21: Another twist has come to the fore in the controversy over a piece of land in the Manipur border with Nagaland, with the Khezhakeno Village Council (KVC) under Phek district, asserting in an appeal that the land which the villagers of Tongjoi of Manipur have been claiming as theirs, does not belong to them in truth.
Mention may be made that the construction of a dam in a controversial area by the villagers of Khehakeno, a village of Nagaland bordering Manipur, has been strongly opposed by the villagers of Tongjoi who are claiming the area belongs to them as it lies within Manipur territory.

Fresh tension erupted in the last week of June this year to the decades long controversy over the ownership of the land as the Khezhakeno villagers entered the area and started construction work of a dam there. The Tongjoi villagers informed the local MLA, RK Theko of Mao to intervene in the matter and stop the construction works of the dam. Amidst the prevailing high tension, the Khezhakeno Village Council (KVC) appealed to the authorities, leaders and people of Manipur in general and Tongjoi in particular through the media based in Nagaland, to respect and honour the demarcated state-village boundary so that peace and tranquility may prevail.

The appeal was made reacting to the statements made in "Border Tension Flares Up" and "Set Dzuku Record Straight" published in the Manipuri local dailies recently by Thekho. The appeal reportedly claimed that the people of Khezhakeno have been living in the present territory, which is the traditional village boundary with all its natural resources since time immemorial.

They maintained that it is a well-known fact that the state-district boundary has a link with the traditional village boundary of Khezhakeno. This fact can be ascertained from the survey and demarcation of boundary carried out during the British-India administration in 1872 by Captain Butler and Dr. Gordon, they stated. "It is unfortunate that a person of such stature who holds high responsibility as a leader should ignore the historical facts, orders and agreements and further said such comments only creates confusion and enmity amongst the villagers and the states of Nagaland and Manipur," the local media report quoting the statement of the council mentioned.

The council also reportedly claimed to have various substantial documents supporting this territorial right, some of which are the orders of Political Case No.41 of 1933 under J. H. Hutton and G. P. Steward, the then Deputy Commissioner, Naga Hi1ls and the President of Manipur State Darbar respectively, and the Political Case No. 6 of 1950 through the Office of Deputy Commissioners of Naga Hills and Manipur State and also the inter-village boundary agreement signed between the chief secretaries of Manipur and Nagaland on May 29,1982. Putting this in their reaction note they stated "All these learned decisions and judgments bear testimony to the rightful ownership of the people of Khezhakeno who have every right to carry out developmental activities inside its own traditional jurisdiction." Stating this, the council reportedly warned that any outside threat or encroachment would be viewed seriously and would not be tolerated by the Khezhakeno people.
Nagas’ online news website serving great purpose Asian Tribune
Wow! Today we can learn all the news happening in Nagalim (Nagaland) at the push of a button - whether we are in Nagalim, India or abroad. Once due to lack of information technology development in the region - all the important and urgent news or happening in Nagalim could not be publicized to the world. For instance, the 21 Assam Rifles camp attacked by the NSCN at Oinam village in 1987 and the aftermath of harassment, rape, torture, delivering the women in open ground etc were not reported widely to the world due to lack of internet facility available during that time. But today, some of the Nagas' Daily news websites post all the current news happening in Nagalim, which give a great influence to the world leaders.
Some of the important Nagas' Daily News websites are: www.nagalandpost.com, www.morungexpress.com, www.nagasonline.com, www.nagarealm.com, www.nscnonline.org, www.kuknalim.com, www.akasworld.com etc. Nagaland post is the oldest printed daily newspaper in Nagaland State; it also posts daily news in their website. Morung Express is the latest printed newspaper in Nagaland State, which also post the daily news in their website. Nagaland Post and Morung Express are the only printed newspapers in Nagalim, having their websites posting the daily news about Nagalim, National and International news. The other daily news website do not print but post the daily news in their websites.
One of the important aspects of nagasonline.com, nagarealm.com, nscnonline.org, kuknalim.com and akasworld.com is that there is forum and chat room where Nagas and non-Nagas meet, deliberate and share their perspective on different issues on Nagas and other issues.
Due to technical reasons or space problem - it is difficult to share or write our own views in other newspaper. However, the above sites have forums where we can share our opinions or raise any issues - may be important or insignificant. Many educated young Nagas studying and working in other towns and cities - who are the future leader of our Nagas access the website - read the news, comment and share their opinions. It is observed that more than 80% of the net surfers are from outside Nagalim, which means the Nagas' Daily websites are serving a great purpose for the people living outside Nagalim. The state/local newspapers hardly circulate to other cities in India or abroad. Therefore, the above sites are the only websites where the Naga news is circulated outside Nagaland and abroad.
The most important parts of these sites are; posting regularly the daily news and other Nagas issues. Before these sites were hosted, the people inhabiting outside Nagalim, India and abroad found very difficult to update on local news or were impossible to know what is happening in Nagalim. However, today all kinds of important issues on Nagas or any human rights violations in Nagalim can be raised and publicized to the world. For all the Nagas and non-Nagas who are living outside Nagalim and want to know what is happening in Nagaland, should not miss to read the daily news from the above given sites. In conclusion, today the whole world is observing daily and gets to know what is happening in Nagalim - it is only because of the above sites. As the world come to know more about the Nagas and popularize the unique Nagas' history, culture and customs - all the kudos will goes to the above sites. I really appreciate the above sites and I extend my heartiest congratulation to all the site administrators. R.B. Thohe Pou
GPRN asks Sumi Hoho to reassess its ‘mediator’ role The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 21 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has asked the Sumi Hoho to reassess its role as a moderator before mediating between any conflicting parties asserting that when the components are lacking and mediators ‘dishonorably desist from justifying their role, all implied resolve becomes imposed or dictated.’
According to a MIP, GPRN statement “The Sumi Hoho’s initiative to peace is appreciative and good but the approach on how it is being carried out should also be taken into account.” “Before mediating in between any conflicting parties, the cause of the difference should be analyzed, the role of the mediator should be assessed, the terms of the peace initiative should be underlined and structured and the proposal for the meeting organized in a respectable and dignified manner upholding the integrity of the Sumi Hoho” it stated.
The GPRN urged that the apex body of the Sumis should stick in line with the people’s desired goal and that the people’s collective principle “is the national principle and so should Sumi Hoho function in the line with the national principle.” It asked the Sumi Hoho to clearly identify those who are working for the nation and who are anti-nationals “according to their deeds, traits, professions and achievements, and be able to classify and ascertain each one separately.” Further, the GPRN asserted that all matters relating to the Naga political issue should be based on Naga national principles and not guided by emotions or confined on inclined focus. “For every political issue, undertakings abide by certain procedures commanding respect, trust and goodwill for anchoring on firm grounds of peace. It is when the components are lacking and mediators dishonorably desist from justifying their role, all implied resolve becomes imposed or dictated” the GPRN stated.
The GPRN also asked the Sumi Hoho President and his team to assess themselves in where, according to the statement, they have lacked behind and in what they have failed.
“Has the powers and functions of the Sumi Hoho been executed in tandem with the Naga people’s national principles? Has the powers and functions of the Sumi Hoho been executed in upholding its integrity and honor?” the GPRN queried adding that It is time for the Nagas to examine themselves and identify their roles in the national struggle. “If we do not know our position and status, we will become tools of our enemy. Mr. Rotokha and his team should keep in mind that today there is neither space for mistakes nor can the Sumi people or the Naga people be given to ransom. The nation is above all other issues and hence the national principles of the Nagas cannot be compromised with” it asserted.
Solution may not come so soon: Oscar Nagaland Post NP Bureau
KOHIMA/DIMAPUR, JULY 21 (NPN): Union minister and negotiator in Naga peace talks Oscar Fernandes, while reiterating that the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talk was progressing, albeit slowly, in the right direction, hinted final solution may not come so soon as expected by the Naga general public. "We'll move ahead in finding a solution, but it does not mean in the next one or two rounds of talks" Fernandes said adding "We'll not be able to take up the whole thing at one go, it has to be step by step".
He also said the peace talks would be taken up in the next parliament session on Monday. Fernandes who arrived here on a three-day visit was addressing a press conference at the Raj Bhavan before his departure for Dimapur after series of meetings with the state government and civil societies today afternoon. He revealed that the ongoing talks were revolving on the two main demands of the NSCN-IM - "Integration" and "Sovereignty", which terminology remains a problem for the Government of India. "For us it is the type of relations we are negotiating and that is where some progress has been made", he said. Refusing to divulge further on the claim of making progress in the ongoing talks, Fernandes clarified that many points had been discussed so far, but that he cannot reveal the whole thing because whatever points that were agreed upon cannot be conclusive unless the final solution is worked out.
On the contentious issue of the ongoing factional killings and clashes, he agreed on the need for strengthening the ceasefire monitoring mechanism by giving more power and facilities. He however made it clear that law and order is a state subject, but in any specific situation if the state government asks the Centre for help, the latter wouldn't reject, he added. He said the GoI would very soon convene another ceasefire mechanism meeting for effective ceasefire mechanism.
Denying any proposal of package system to solve the Indo-Naga problem, Fernandes said if solution can be brought through package system, GoI is ready to extend economic package if there is any specific demand. When asked whether any blue print or roadmap had been prepared for a final solution to the Indo-Naga, Fernandes simply said "we're not roaming in the dark".
To another query, he said the ongoing talks was to find a solution acceptable to all the sections of the society and groups, and added that he and his team were given only the charge with the NSCN-IM while the Union Home Ministry is dealing with the other Naga underground factions.
On the other hand, Fernandes denied any hand in Thursday's incident where NSCN-IM general secretary Th Muivah was detained and harassed by Thai airport officials while he was on his way to Bangkok for the next round of talks scheduled for July 28 and 29 next. As soon as the Government of India came to know about the incident, it had intervened and the problem was solved, he said. He however blamed the incident to communication gap between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India and Thailand. Commenting on his findings from the series of meetings with the different section of the Naga society, the union minister said the consensus among the Nagas is a settlement as soon as possible and also a feeling that the ongoing peace talks had been prolonged. He also revealed that during his meeting with chief minister Neiphiu Rio, the issue of the air connectivity problem faced by the state was discussed and that he had assured to talk to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to convene a meeting and solve the problem.
Earlier, Fernandes who arrived here yesterday had an interaction with the chief minister at Dimapur followed by interaction with the Naga Hoho. Fernandes also met the Council of Ministers, Kohima Municipal Council, political parties, CFMG and civil societies including delegations of ENPO, NSF, NMA, NPMHR and ASU.
Time to ponder, time to act- Nagaland Post
At this crucial time, the Indo-Naga issue has reached a point either to come to an honorable settlement within a true democratic framework or go back to the blood bath once again. Regretfully at this difficult time, our Naga national workers choose to fight among themselves. It would be grave mistake to let these fratricidal killings happen among our own people, which is nothing but continuous defeat at the hands of our adversaries and self-destruction. Therefore, this senseless fight and killings among the Nagas must stop and come to a common understanding for our dream is one and our struggle is one. One has to be cautious that this hard earned cease-fire and peace process be used judiciously towards attainment of a meaningful outcome. Ceasefire, peace and settlement is not wanted by only a section of the Nagas. Hence, any efforts toward this should be for all the Nagas, everywhere, until Nagas come to a final settlement with India.
Often, bearing narrow understanding and may lead to unforeseen danger as experienced during the 1964 Indo-Naga ceasefire time, where the government of India was able to segment the Nagas, when some national workers were busy negotiating with government of India, and a section fell under the trap designed by India, ultimately leading to the formation of the revolutionary government of Nagaland that had abated the Naga struggle for a long time. Efforts towards realization of our goal is the need of the hour, where each and every sensible Naga must come forward with clear conscience. It is also time for the Nagas to differentiate between a real sheep and the wolf in a sheep skin. It is time to define each and every citizens’ role. A facilitator cannot be a negotiator nor an anti-Naga be a Naga patriot. It is time to wake up, time to stand for the truth come what may. Tsupong Longchar, Convenor, Moa C. Longkumer, Co-convenor, Concerned Citizen’s Forum, Mokokchung.
AR goes berserk in search for UG leader By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 21: Going berserk, a team of 4 Assam Rifles which came in search of an octogenarian for allegedly being a leader of the KYKL severely flogged many innocent civilians at Awang Sekmai Makha Leikai besides picking up two innocent persons even though they were released later after beating them blue and black.
The alleged leader of the KYKL is identified as Khwairakpam Chandra Singh (80) of Awang Sekmai Makha Leikai. The AR team came in search of Chandra Singh at around 10.30 pm of July 7 and picked up his family members Kh Dharma Singh (48) and Dharma's nephew Kh Monojit who were released only on the next day after torturing them throughout the night in their custody.
Speaking to reporters today, Dharmajit who is now bed-ridden after the physical torture by AR, disclosed that the AR team who came in a bullet-proof Gypsy dragged him out from his house up to the Sekmai Keithel where the vehicle was parked.
During the process, not only were his back and buttock severely injured but all clothes were also removed on the way. Inside the vehicle, he was held tight by one AR personnel while another started beating him with an iron rod.
After that he was forced to get down from the vehicle and he was blindfolded and his hands tied. There he was severely thrashed with water being poured over him at regular intervals. He was kicked around all over his body and was given electric shock. It was only on the next day that he learnt that the place was the camp of AR at Loitang Khunou, retold the victim adding that it was really inhuman and unbearable.
One Manipuri speaking personnel asked him whether Chandra Singh, Angom Juge and Kh Ranjan were cadres of KYKL.
However, he was given no response to his repeated questions as to why he was tortured so inhumanly, he conveyed.
At around 3 pm of the next day, he was taken to the 4 AR camp at Mantripukhri where he was photographed before a board on which were written his name, address and KYKL.
After that he was handed over to Sekmai police station, he further disclosed.
According to Kh Monojit, he rushed to his uncle's (Dharma) house along with his father hearing someone shouting "thieves at home" but he was halted at the courtyard by AR personnel at gun point. It was later learnt that the shouting was made by one AR man.
Then he was blindfolded and hauled into their vehicle. There he was also thra-shed blue and black without furnishing any reason. Even if he could sense so-mething like electric shock twice, he could not say for certain, he recounted.
The same question ask-ed to his uncle was also raised to him, Monojit informed. When the Meira Paibis came to his rescue at the AR camp of Loitang Khunou on the next day, he was forced to walk straight who was limping then because of the extreme torture previous night. The AR personnel even threatened not to release him if he limp before the Meira Paibis, he conveyed.
It is reported that a sit-in-protest would be staged at Awang Sekmai on July 23 against the high-handed conduct of AR.
During the proposed sit-in-protest with "Punish accused AR personnel, repeal Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 etc" as its slogans, the Sekmai Keithel would remain closed and there would be subsequent stronger agitation if the authority concerned fails to provide positive response, informed the president of Advance Women's Society, Awang Sekmai, Angom Shanti.
Future Manipur and Moreh mayhem By Donn Morgan Kipgen Sangai Express
In this tumultuous Switzerland of India, there is nothing as safe as the legendary Swiss banks and the loyal Swiss Guards. Like Kashmir, Manipur is enroute to become another Paradise lost. The insurgency movements and the CI OPs have taken a real toll socio-politically. Apart from the direct Japanese assistance, the US Govt has taken keen interest in making the State of Manipur a secure tourist spot and international trade centre at Moreh. Even the US consul-General had personally made a couple of 'State visits' along with other visits by diplomatic-tourists. Due to the internationalised insurgency movements, the Anglo-Americans are understandably 'forced' to leave out the State of Nagaland. The State of Mizoram has already been the world's largest para-commando training centre at Vaireng-te, and duly recognised and patronised by the Americans. However, it should be noted that the American's plan for uplifting was not influenced officially by the State or Central Govt. As a matter of fact, this particular plan are made diplomatically as a result of Govt's negligence and corruption. Another major factor is the direct influence made by tribal-Christians and budding scholars. After all, the first American missionaries and their young WW-II veteran guides were hos-ted and sheltered at Lung-thulien fiefdom by its Chief Ngulkhotinseh Singson in present day CCpur district. Moreover, the princely State of Manipur was the jungle-warfare training centre and temporary base of the legendary (Gen Frank) Merril's Marauders, the elite commando-trained US assault brigade storming through the Japanese divisional Hqs in inner Burma. Manipur is also the most probable resting place of America's Golden daughter, i.e, Ms Amelia Earhart. Unbeknownst to the British for the past 61 years, thanks to the histo-riless State and Central Govts, Manipur is the final resting place of the legendary (Maj) Gen Orde Win-gate - the founding commander of the CHINDITS, the elite British Army's commando brigade which destroyed the Japanese supply lines and rear-guards in Burma. The crashed remains of Gen Wingate's last flight, Dakota DCII, were found in 1987/88 by an AR expedition team. If the State Govt is capable enough to make use of foreign contacts like other States, there would be historical tourist spots and international trade centres without the help of the Central Govt whose financial assistance never reach where they should.
The main backers for socio-economical development of Manipur have been Germany, US, Japan and Great Britain. Like good grandpas, they are prepared to sanction any amount of money and resources as long as there is socio-political stability and corruption free procedu-res. To them any form of terrorism is real terrorism and militancy in any form is a risky business they would not take chances upon. Bribery, racism and favouritism are most undesirable case-scenario in these independent diplomatic third-world modernisation scheme.
Even in job selection and interview the famed medicine Sans Frontiers, MSF in short, (meaning Doctor without Borders) followed the worldwide standard procedure by excluding local medical staff members of Manipur so as to avoid favouritism, doubts and unfair influences. This elite world's largest free medical institution got the best staff members in Manipur on merit basis without reservation system. With free-treatments and sense of equality, the MSF would put to shame our pompous high charging doctors as they enlarge their field of works in both the hill and valley areas of Manipur. Many NGOs run by local workers failed to do justice contrary to the periodical reports sent by them. We had already known and experienced the embarrassing revelation of the shoc-king unequal manipulations of relief funds for victims of the Kuki-Naga ethnic conflict sent from Germany after the kidnapping of Herr Heinrich Wolfgang by the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA). The good ol' Herr Heinrich (pr. hainrik) reportedly made correspondences with KLA leaders for 'enlightening' him with factual informations. Had the KLA abducted him solely for ransom, German sponsored NGOs comprising atleast 25% to 30% in Manipur would have restricted or abandoned a large number of their projects. And so would the Anglo-Americans and the Japs. Since we have no self-reliance natural resources and nor strategic importance, the best thing we, the citizens of Manipur, can do is to make sure that the image of our State which have received a real battering over the past two or three years must have to be stopped and redressed since the armed forces are not picnicking in the hill areas.
Most unfortunately, there is neither a hope of peace nor sign of normalcy at present. While the war against westernisation is in full swing, special efforts of modernisation is always on the backfoot. The socio-economical interest had already been compromised. What we have been experiencing over the past five years or so can be best described as 'controlled-anarchy' in democratic form. The State of Manipur had been put into sword by the burning and des-tructions of the State Assembly Hall, the CM's residence, MLA/Minister quarters, Central Library, various books, etc by her very own citizens. Understandably, the perpetrators easily got away with it. Whatsoever the excusable reasons might be, arson and vandalism are serious criminal offences; but most unfortunately the State law and order system inexplicably took it otherwise.
As of this very period, the burning, nay the explosive, issue is the Moreh market murder and bombing incidents. It all started when the UNLF gunned-down a JCO (Subedar/Lt) of the 24 AR's detachment near Moreh Gate no. 4 on 15th July, 2006, while he was out shopping. Understandably, enraged colleagues and ranks went on overdrive and even local media personnel were also not given warm welcome. If even a great footballer like Zinedine Zidane physical-ly reacted to a verbal sledging made by Marco Materazzi in such a shocking brutal reprisal in a World Cup final match, who could stop the aggrieved AR Jawans going rampage. Luckily, there was no massacre by means of indiscriminate firing as was done in the past. This is one plus point aftermath the introduction of the IG AR(s) office in Manipur: responsibility and direct accountability for field officers and ranks. Yes, none might condole the death of the JCO but it was his duty to die while on active service in CI OPs, the most honourable way to die for any armed forces personnel. Just when peace and security were on sight, another unbelievable incident shat-tered the tranquillity on the intervening night of July 18-19, 2006, when high explosive grenades and mortars rained down on two Kuki villages of Chawangphai and Moljol. There could be no excuse for these deadly bombings by suspected UNLF militants since it was not two or three but over a dozen right in the heart of populated villages. One might be mistake, two an error and three would be shots on target. One or two P-203 grenades or mortars falling astray can be termed as range-finding shots on military installation but not dozens. It's a good thing that the AR did not use the rules of military engagements and ho-noured the Do's and Don'ts of CI OPs. In all fairness, the AR has the right to retaliate with mortars, RPGs and machine guns, but refrained. Moreover, the Do's and Don'ts strictly specifies that exchange of heavy firing and mortarings should not be made if civilian population is in the line of fire or nearby which could cause unnecessary collateral damages. So, the Mo-reh incidents are the last thing the State of Manipur needed and the citizens are tired of being victims of circumstances either way. The bloody question is: 'Who is fighting for whom at which price?' It may be a perfect case scenario of the cliche 'between the devil and the Deep Sea'. Whatever the case might be, the uniqueness of insurgency movement in Manipur must have to be protected at all cost.

Frans on 07.22.06 @ 01:40 PM CST [link]

Friday, July 21st

Representation in matters relating to Affiliation of Private Schools of the four Naga Hill Districts of Manipur to Nagaland Board of School Education.

To,

Shri. Arjun Singh
The Hon’ble Union Minister,
Ministry of Human Resource Development,
New Delhi.

Subject: Representation in matters relating to Affiliation of Private Schools of the four Naga Hill Districts of Manipur to Nagaland Board of School Education.

Sir,

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), a conglomeration of all Naga tribe student bodies takes this opportunity to place some of our legitimate and genuine grievances with regard to the Naga students of the Naga Hills of Manipur.
The four Naga Hill districts i.e. Tahamzam (Senapati), Chamdil (chandel), Hunphun (Ukhrul) and Inriangluang (Tamenglong) of the present state of Manipur are part of the contiguous Naga ancestral homeland. The Nagas occupy about 70% of the geographical area of the present state of Manipur but they are a minority community. In complete disregard to the sentiments and rights of the minorities, the Govt. of Manipur has been propagating discriminatory policies against the minorities, especially the Nagas. Inter-alia, one of such cases is the imposition of Meitei Mayek (Meitei Script) through the Ordinance of State Legislation in 2005 by the Government of Manipur upon the minorities of the state. In the light of such discriminations and discontentment, the Naga people resolved on the 9th of August 2001 and 4th of November 2005 to launch a non-cooperation movement and dissociate from the state of Manipur.

The student community too resolved to severe affiliations with the State’s educational system and has denounced the imposed syllabus prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BoSEM). Subsequently, one hundred sixty-three (163) private schools of the four Naga Hill Districts (see Annexure I) on the 25th of March 2006 has introduced the syllabus prescribed by Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) and the process of affiliation has been initiated as well.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation where the educational career of thousands of Naga students are at stake, the State Cabinet of Nagaland on 12th of June 2006 has seriously deliberated on this matter. Subsequently, the state government has referred the matter to the Ministry of Human Resources Development for urgent intervention and necessary approval/clearance (see AnnexureII). As a follow up of the Cabinet decision, the Minister of School & Tech. Edn., Sc. & Inf. Tech. And SCERT, Government of Nagaland has also written to your competent authority for kind consideration and necessary action (see Annexure III).

Considering the seriousness of the matter, we urge upon your good office to immediately intervene and take necessary steps from your end, and not delay the affiliation of the schools in the Naga Hills of Manipur to the NBSE.
We hope that your sagacity would prevail in addressing the matter.

Enclosed herewith necessary documents for your ready reference.

-2-

Yours sincerely,
(OBED QUINKER) (MEDO YHOKHA) (K. ELU NDANG)
Member, Member, General Secretary &
Affiliation Committee, Affiliation Committee, Chairman,
NSF. NSF Affiliation Committee NSF.

Copy to;

1. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
2. Hon’ble Home Minister, Government of India.
3. Guard File

(K. ELU NDANG)
General Secretary &
Chairman,
Affiliation Committee, NSF.

Frans on 07.21.06 @ 04:16 PM CST [link]

Thai authorities grill Muivah on arrival; passport seized The Morung Express

Thai authorities grill Muivah on arrival; passport seized The Morung Express
According to reliable sources the NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th. Muivah, chief negotiator in the current peace dialogue with the Government of India was stopped and detained by the Thai Immigration at the Thailand Airport on July 17 while he was on his way to Bangkok, Thailand for the crucial upcoming Indo-Naga political talks scheduled for July 28-29. |
NSCN-IM questions Sumi Hoho approach Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, JULY 20 (NPN): In the backdrop of the controversial June 14 ceasefire agreement signed between the two NSCN factions at Zunheboto, the NSCN-IM has questioned the approach of the Sumi Hoho towards peace, especially on the hoho's role as mediator. The NSCN-IM (MIP) in a press release stated that before mediating between any conflicting parties, the cause of the difference should be analyzed, the mediator should assess its role, the terms of the peace initiative underlined and assessed, in a manner befitting the integrity of the mediator. Stating that Sumi Hoho should follow in line with the people's desired goal since the hoho being the people's representative body, the NSCN-IM reasoned that since the people's collective principle is the national principle, the Sumi Hoho too should function in line with the national principle.
"The Sumi Hoho should clearly identify who are working for the nation and who are anti-nationals according to their deeds, traits, professions and achievements, and be able to classify and ascertain each one separately," the release stated. It also reminded that all matters related to the Naga political issue should be based on Naga national principles and not guided by one's emotion or confined on "inclined focus" and added that for every political issue, undertakings abide by certain procedures commanding respect, trust and goodwillfor anchoring on firm grounds of peace.
"It is when the components are lacking and mediators dishonorably desist from justifying their role, all implied resolve becomes imposed or dictated," the release added. The NSCN-IM said that, giving the circumstances, the Sumi Hoho president Rotokha and his team should assess themselves where they have lagged behind and in what manner they have failed.
The hoho should also ponder on whether the Sumi Hoho has exercised its powers and functions to uphold its integrity and honour, the release stated, adding it was high time that every individual examine "our self and identify our role in our national struggle. If we do not know our position and status, we will become tools of our enemy." The release further informed that the Sumi Hoho must keep in mind that "today there is neither space for mistakes nor can the Sumi people or the Naga people be given to ransom. The nation is above all other issues and hence the national principles of the Nagas cannot be compromised with."
Progress made in talks : Oscar Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, JULY 20 (NPN): Union Minister incharge of Indo-Naga peace Oscar Fernandes today revealed that some progress have been made in the ongoing peace talks and expressed optimism that if talks continued in the present direction, solution was somewhat near at hand.
Fernandes who arrived here on a three day visit ahead of the next round of peace talks with NSCN-IM scheduled to be held at Bangkok from July 28, made the statement during a dinner party hosted by the state government here at Hotel Japfu this evening.
Reiterating that the UPA government was very serious about the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks, Fernandes said both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were very concerned on the issue and had given their blessings and at the same time sought cooperation from the people.
Reacting to State Planning Minister Dr. Shurhozelie's statement on the prevailing Ceasefire Ground Rules, the Union Minister assured that it is the GoI effort to streamline and strengthen the prevailing ceasefire ground rules for effective implementation. Earlier, Dr. Shurhozelie, while welcoming the Union Minister, reiterated that the present DAN government would not stand in the way if any solution was arrived at through fruition of the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks and stressed the need for a congenial atmosphere in the peace talks.
He also claimed that law and order in the state was under control, except for factional clashes, which was creating serious concern for the state government. Stating that the various factional groups have claimed fighting as "political ground", Dr. Shurhozelie requested Fernandes to deal the matter with all seriousness.
Further, raising suspicion of the hands of some intelligence agencies operating in the region in inciting division and fighting among the different Naga groups, Shurhozelie urged the Union minister to rein in such agencies and to be more sincere in solving the vexed Indo-Naga problem.
Shurhozelie asks sanity on continued factional fights Source: Oken Jeet Sandham / NEPS Asian Tribune
Kohima, Jul 20: Nagaland Minister for Planning and Coordination and Urban Development, Dr Shurhozelie reiterated the DAN Government's declared policy of creating congenial atmosphere for the 'peace process.' Talking to NEPS here at his official residence on Thursday, the Minister said as State Government, their responsibility was to create congenial atmosphere for the peace process.

'And when we talk of the peace process, we mean it covers all sections of the people,' he said. 'Therefore, all sections of the people should make the best use of such environment.'

Asked as to how far such policy was realistic when the NSCN (K) was accusing the leaderships of the DAN Government of having nexus with the NSCN (IM), Dr Shurhozelie refused to subscribe to the point. He, however, pointed out that 'some members amongst the NSCN (K) group always write against us.' 'It is for the people to judge,' he stated. He also said the law and order situation in the State had considerably improved and was well controlled. But he refused to call the factional fights in the State as 'law and order issue.' 'The underground factions go out to do anything they like and speak anything they like,' he said.

'So, what can we do, when they start fighting?' He said all the NGOs, civil societies and individuals made numerous appeals to them to stop fighting but the fights continued.
'The more appeals, the more fights amongst them,' he further questioned the intentions behind it.

'Do they believe to gain sovereignty by fighting amongst themselves,' the veteran regionalist and president of the major ruling NPF party asked and said, 'If all the cadres of the NSCN (K) go out of Nagaland and allow the NSCN (IM) cadres to occupy the state, do you mean to say a sovereignty to the Nagas or all the NSCN (IM) cadres go to the present State of Manipur and allow the NSCN (K) cadres to occupy the whole of Nagaland State, do you mean to say sovereignty to Nagas.' The Minister called upon the people that it was time to speak the 'hard truth' that if they believed to gain sovereignty by fighting amongst them, 'let them convince us.' They should not fool the Naga people and also themselves by such acts, he asserted. He also reaffirmed the commitment of the DAN Government that in the event of any final political settlement to the Naga political issue was arrived at; it would not stand on the way.
The NNC does not belong to Nagalim- Nagaland Post Opnion
The Naga National Council (NNC) belongs to Nagaland and Naga people. Since it is for the people and of the people, the CPO or other Naga public leaders or Naga people have the sole right to claim the legacy and legitimacy of the NNC, and at any cost, they have the right to defend the NNC, because without which the Nagaland people have no right to claim the sovereignty of Nagaland. But the NNC does not belong to the so-called NSCN (IM) of Nagalim, thus they are fighting against the NNC and killing its leaders since 1979 and neither recognized the legacy and legitimacy of the NNC like foreign country India who invaded Nagaland. Nagalim people have never concern for the future of Nagaland and fallaciously propagating even to the outside world that the integration and self-determination (autonomous) is the aspiration of Naga people.
It is necessary to ask eno Kedutsü Tsüzu to list down about a hundred names of national workers who were killed during the military coup of 1978 as he mentioned in his article under the caption "caption "CPO justifying Shillong. Accord", which appeared in Nagaland Post on 20th July, 2006. If he cannot list down their names he is a liar like his leaders IM.
I was in the Eastern Nagaland at the Naga Army Headquarter when the Military coup was declared by the Naga Army on 30th August 1978, because Muivah and Isak contemplated to overthrow the leadership of NNC and A.Z. Phizo the then president, NNC, by adopting a resolution on the 2nd August, 1978. Four leaders were detained under house arrest but no one was killed, even the lives of Muivah and Isak were spared and released and unhurt in May 1979. But after they were set free they started to kill NNC/FGN leaders who opposed Muivah's socialism in the last part of 1979. Since then killing started among the Nagas.
You cannot intentionally make the story of killing among the NSCN fold in 1988 at Hangsen Camp in Heimi Region as the story of Military coup of 1978 by the Federal Naga Army. You also always talk about the Accord which Nagalim people do not know. Nagaland people know it why it was done or what it was and thus never talk about it. For which you which you have no right to blame Nagaland people. The Nagaland people work for the future of Nagaland on their own way and they have nothing to do with Nagalim's peace process or selling process.
Also you Nagalim people have no room to impose socialism on the Nagaland people, and neither have the right to dictate or guide and give order the Nagaland people do this or that. The Nagas are free people and completely free from dictatorship or kingship from their ancestors, and enjoying with their traditional democracy, which is their way of life, and they will defend it at any cost. L. Palang Khiamniungan, National worker, NNC.
Congress to contest all seats in next polls Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 20:: The Congress party says it will contest all the 60 seats in the State Assembly election, which is 19 months away from now. Disclosing this to Nagaland Post on Monday, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president Hokheto Sumi said the Congress would go it alone in the Assembly polls and ruled out seat-sharing arrangement with other political parties. At present, the Congress has 16 MLAs in the House of 60 seats.

Asked whether the party will give party tickets to the sitting Congress MLAs, the NPCC president categorically stated that it would depend on their "performances and merit". However, he did not rule out new faces in the party for the poll fray.

The term of the current Nagaland Legislative Assembly will come to an end in early March, 2008. The State Assemblies of Meghalaya, Tripura and Himachal Pradesh also complete their terms in early 2008. The NPF-led DAN Government, headed by Neiphiu Rio as Chief Minister, assumed office in the State on March 6, 2003. (NPN)

Naga students wrath singes BSNL Newmai News Network
Students expressing their angst against BSNL's service
Kohima, Jul 20 : Members of the Angami Students Union clashed with the police force today in Kohima when the students came out on the streets to protest the tardy service provided by the BSNL. As part of its second phase of agitation against the BSNL, the powerful ASU picketed the head office of the BSNL since 8 this morning.
What started as a peaceful and uneventful agitation turned into a riot-like situation as the student volunteers clashed with riot police after the ASU volunteers locked up the Deputy General Manager, prevented the staff from entering the office premises and burned effigies of the BSNL at the office gates. While there was no physical violence, police had to put off the fire started by the students several times even as police and the volunteers confronted each other while the former were trying to press into service the fire tenders.
The General Manager of the BSNL, who came from Dimapur after hearing of the agitation, was forced to flee on foot after irate students turned their ire on him when he reached after hearing of the agita-tion, was forced to flee on foot after irate students turned their ire on him when he reached the scene and demanded that he be allowed to enter the office. His vehicle keys and some files he was carrying were also seized by the volun-teers.
While the GM apparently had the intention to try to pacify the agitators, the arrogant manner in which he approached the student volunteers spar-ked off a confrontation and the GM was forced to flee. Parking his vehicle right next to the agitating volunteers, the GM had deman- ded, “Who are you. Who are you to stop me?” This instigated the students to retaliate and the GM was forced to flee on foot along with his driver after the volunteers snatched the vehi- cle keys and the files.
The Angami students will be continuing with their agitation till an assurance comes directly from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Apart from regular and efficient services, ASU is also demanding early issuance of WWL to the appli- cants, ready availability of Top-Up Cards for Pre-Paid subscribers, immediate re-dressal of SPS subscribers and activation and release of SIM Cards to the remaining SPS applicants, and effective upgradation of the Customer Care Centre. Earlier, ASU had submitted a number of repre- sentations and even an ultimatum and even launched an agitation against the BSNL during which its volunteers broke into the branch office in Kohima and chased away the staff and sealed the office. However, following assurances from BSNL officials, it had called off the agitation.

KNA executes woman informer Sinliangmang Guite Sangai Express
Lamka, Jul 20: A 28 year old divorced woman identified as W Tling Hmar alias Tete alias Toinu was last night executed by cadres of Kuki National Army at Hmar Veng here.
Sources claimed that two armed men shot the deceased twice on her throat and chest, few metres from the corridor after forcibly dragging her out of the house at 9. 25 pm.
Local police after receiving information about the incident retrieved the body at around 11 pm and deposited it at the district hospital.
Claiming responsibility for the execution, Th Stephen Kuki, Under Secretary, Kuki National Organisation/Army in a release today claimed that W Tling was awarded the extreme punishment for her invol-vement in plans to fragment the organization. Their ac-tion being a cleansing step within the organization, none shall tinge the inci-dent in communal lines, the statement added.
Meanwhile, Hmar Wo-men Association termed the incident as most shameful and said the incident is ‘an insult and challenge to the Hmar community’ as it was perpetrated within the Hmar dominated locality.
Condemning the incident ‘without any reserva- tion,’ HWA also called on all sensible individuals and organizations to condemn ‘the act of detestable and heinous killing.’
Churachandpur in recent days has often been marred by ugly incidents wherein even communal lines are toed by armed men who usually perpetrated crimes over innocent citizens. This unsavory trend, which haunts the township needs immediate exploit from the authorities bearing in mind the sensibilities of its complex community set-up.
The security forces also has to do something more than igniting factional clash within various armed group as most of these incidents occurred close to their locations.

Wandering conmen nabbed cleverly duping people of gold The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 20: Locals of Khurai detained two non local conmen, while trying to scoot away with cleverly stolen gold using a chemical process known as cupellation. Cupellation is a refining process for nonoxidizing metals, such as silver and gold, in which a metallic mixture is oxidized at high temperatures and base metals are separated by absorption into the walls of a cupel.

When applied deftly, the process dissolves away the outer surface of these metals giving them a shine. The dissolved metal can then be separated from the solution by a reverse process.

The conmen originally from Bihar but presently residing at Dimapur in Nagaland brought what was supposedly a metal cleansing solution and offered to shine household utensils belonging to one Sagolsem Nabakumar of Khurai Konsam Leikai. They then convinced women members of the house that even gold ornament could be given fresh glint with the solution they had, and proceeded cleansing precious ornaments with owners` consent.

They thus cleaned three necklaces estimated to be about eight Sans, apart from earrings and other gold ornaments. Then they tried to rush off with the residue solution after informing the owners of the ornaments to keep the cleansed gold sealed in a paper pack they provided for at least one and half hours. Suspicious, the residents unsealed the pack and found to their surprise, all the gold ornaments had depleted and contorted.

Immediately, they alerted neighbours and detained the two cheats who tried to slip off with the solution in which the gold had been made to dissolve. The conmen were later identified as Dharbind Kumar Shah, 21, son of Mohon and Deewan Kumar Shah son of Sudhir Kumar Shah, both hailing from Kathihar, Bihar, but presently residing in Dimapur, Nagaland.

As per their disclosure, they reached Ukhrul from Dimapur last Saturday and reached Imphal only yesterday. An identity card issued by executive magistrate, Ukhrul was also recovered from the possession of Dharbind Kumar. The I-card is valid from 07/06/2006 to 31/12/2009.

While interacting with IFP, the duo confessed to have successfully duped people of their gold and silver using the cupellation process. They also informed IFP that members of their families have been summoned from Dimapur to come by tomorrow and after their arrival compensations for the ornaments they damaged will be made.

Safe passage to ULFA cadresFrom Kalyan Barooah Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, July 20 – With no breakthrough in sight, the Central Government has offered safe passage to ULFA leadership and asked for its agenda for the peace process. In a day of fast development, Union Home Secretary, VK Duggal held an impromptu meeting with Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami at the North Block, here this afternoon. The meeting was joined by Intelligence Bureau chief, EL Narasimhan and joint Secretary North East, Rajiv Agarwal. The meeting that lasted about an hour ended with the Home Ministry officials requesting Dr Goswami to convey the Centre’s response to a set of pre-conditions set by ULFA. The Home Ministry reiterated its plea that the ULFA should establish direct contact with Government of India.

“The Centre is positive about the peace process and today they have clarified certain points, which I would be conveying to ULFA chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa and if they agree, then the first round of direct talks could be held by August-end,” Dr Goswami told waiting newsmen. The Centre has assured that the ULFA delegates for the talks would be treated with respect, said the Jnanpith Awardee, indicating an assurance of safe passage for the militants.

All that the Centre wants in return, is a communication from the outfit addressed directly to the Government of India, conveying their programme for the dialogue. The first round may be held in Delhi itself and the Central Government would host them, Dr Goswami said. The flurry of activities started today after Dr Goswami received a letter from Rajkhowa, which was a reply to her earlier correspondence. Rajkhowa, who dwelt at length on the peace process also sought some clarifications from the Government of India. Some of the pre-conditions, Dr Goswami said were old like the the demand for release of the five detained cadres. The chairman also wanted to know whether the issue of sovereignty would be discussed in the talk, said Dr Goswami.

“There are few other issues involved, which I would not like to disclose at this stage,” she told this Correspondent. Upon receiving the letter, the author contacted the Union Home Secretary, who promptly invited her to North Block for further discussions. The Officials after discussing the points raised by the chairman conveyed its response.

Dr Goswami said the she would be sending an email directly to the chairman, conveying the Centre’s response, to ensure faster communications. About the demand for release of the ULFA detainees, the Jnanpith laureate said the Centre was positively inclined, but they wanted a direct communication from the leadership. “I have been given to understand that once they come for talks, the detained leaders may be set free,” Dr Goswami added.

The ULFA has asked for the release of five of their central committee members including vice chairman, Pradip Gogoi, ideologue Bhim Kanta Buragohain, cultural secretary, Pranati Deka, Mithinga Daimary and Ramu Mech. As for the demand for a discussion on the issue of sovereignty, Dr Goswami said the Government of India says the outfit was free to table all their demands during the discussion. “The Government of India is very serious about holding dialogue and wanted me to convey that the first round could be held by the end of the next month, if the ULFA leadership desired,” said Dr Goswami.

On the other hand, the ULFA leaders are also keen to come for talks. So if the two sides agree then talks would be held sooner rather than later, she said. The Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) members may even accompany the ULFA leaders during the first round, said the author.
Meanwhile, an official of the MHA said that they have so far not received any direct communication from the ULFA and today’s meeting was an effort to expedite the peace process.

Gogoi for direct talks By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, July 20 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today laid stress on establishing direct contact with the ULFA. He said that the ULFA tangle needed a political solution. In this context he referred to the case of the NSCN (IM). With the Nagaland outfit also a direct contact was established, he told the State Assembly. He was replying to the debate on the cut motions on the budgetary allocations proposed for the Police Department.

Gogoi also emphasized the need for a ceasefire agreement with the outfit to facilitate negotiations with it. The Government cannot make any unilateral move in this regard, he said. However, he expressed the hope that the ULFA would respond positively to all such requirements for taking ahead the process of negotiations and reiterated his Government’s commitment to facilitate the negotiations with the militant outfit.

He denied the charge of the opposition that the Government intelligence had failed in keeping strict vigilance against the terrorists. All the reports of the terrorist designs appearing in the local press are prepared on the basis of the inputs provided by the Government intelligence, he claimed and maintained that the law and order situation in the State had improved.

He also clarified that it was the belief of his Government that not all the Muslims were involved in fundamentalist activities. Terrorism has no religion, caste or language. Nor it has any country, he said. He also maintained that the State Government had clarified its stand on the Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind long back. It considers the organization as a patriotic one and it had contributed to the freedom struggle of the country and is also contributing to the making of the post-independence India, he said. Allaying the apprehensions of the members of the House that Muslim fundamentalists would ruin Asom and the Assamese society, he said emphatically that Asom as well as the Assamese nationality would survive. The apprehensions concerning the so-called threats to the existence of the State and its society are meaningless, he claimed.

The Chief Minister told the House that his Government would not tolerate any fake encounter and would compensate the family of Riten Karmakar, killed in an incident of police firing in Golaghat district recently. An inquiry into the incident has also been ordered, he said. Earlier initiating the debate on the cut motions, Chandra Mohan Patowary (AGP) expressed concern over the recent reports of growth of fundamentalist outfits, which is posing a serious security threat to the nation. He said that the Government of the neighbouring country Bangladesh is virtually captured by the fundamentalist elements, which might pose a serious threat to the North East.

Patowary stressed the need for immediate solution of the problem of militancy through talks and said that steps should be taken to create a congenial atmosphere for political dialogue with the ULFA. He said that both the Government and the militants must work towards creating the right atmosphere. He sought clarification from the Government on whether it wanted to deal with the problem politically or as a problem of terrorism. “On one hand the Government is inviting the ULFA for political talks, while, on the other hand the Prime Minister was for waging a war against terrorism,” he said. He also expressed the view that if the Government was not in a position to release the jailed central committee members of the ULFA, it should not have made a political statement immediately after assuming office for the second term. Mission Ranjan Das (BJP) alleged that the special branch of the Assam Police failed in its responsibility and expressed concern over the threat posed by the fundamentalist elements to the security of the nation.
Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuyan (AUDF) made an appeal to the Government not to lengthen the process of negotiation with the militant outfits. He also regretted that the Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind, which fought valiantly against the British colonialists and had also made remarkable contributions to the making of the post-independence India, had been dubbed as a terrorist organization. The Tablique-e-Jamat is also not spared, he said.

Prabin Gogoi (AGP) pleaded for a high-level inquiry into the killing of Riten Karmakar, who worked as a part time driver, by the police taking him for a terrorist. He also pleaded for compensation to the family of Karmakar. Ananta Deka (CPI-M) laid stress on a total reformation in the Police Department providing the department with modern equipment. The vacancies in the department should also be filled up, mobility of the police should be enhanced and there should be central morgues at every district, he said. However, modernization of the department should be linked with imbibing patriotism and love towards the people among its officers and personnel, Deka said. Dr Kamala Kalita (AGP) said that though there were many committed officers in the department, some of the officers were dependent on political patronage. This has made the people doubt the integrity of the department’s officers, he said. He also cited an instance in which two bodies of a drowned couple were lost in the presence of the inquiring officers of the department on July 10 at Panikhaiti village under Chaygoan Police Station.

Prafulla Kumar Mahanta (AGP-P) laid stress on prevailing upon the Central Government to help the State overcome the deficiencies in its police department. Major attention should be paid to modernization of the State police, he said. Padma Hazarika, Joseph Toppo and Binod Gowala (AGP), Dr Aditya Langthasa (AUDF), Mahibul Haque and Pranab Kalita (Independents) also took part in the debate. The cut motions were later withdrawn by the opposition.
NESO urges Centre to give it special status By ANI
Guwahati, July 20 (ANI): The North East Students Organisation (NESO) has demanded that it be granted special status by the Central Government to enable it to combat various menaces in the North East.
"The one and only solution of to solve the problem of North East is to provide constitutional status to the North East. It harms, otherwise, our land and national issues. This is the single solution to solve these various problems of North East. Throughout the country it was our alarming slogans towards the countrymen and national leaders to please save the North East to save India for tomorrow," said NESO president Mr. Sammujal Bhattacharya. Citing an example of the recent Mumbai serial blasts, Sammujal said terrorists have a single aim in life-to disrupt the unity of the country. NESO is the apex body of student bodies in the North East. The three constituent organisations of NESO are the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) and the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU). (ANI)
Assam Rifles post attacked, border trade takes another hit as violence rises in Moreh By Indian Express
Trade between the border town of Moreh and Namphalong in Myanmar, which had been hit by a three-day traders' bandh, suffered another blow on Wednesday after militants attacked an Assam Rifles post injuring four civilians. In another incident, a powerful bomb went off near a water tank in the town, severely injuring an Assam Rifles jawan.
Army spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami said militants attacked the Assam Rifles post from the Myanmar side of the border around 9.30 am, but missed the target and hit a civilian area, injuring four locals.
The indefinite bandh called by Moreh-based women's organisations under the banner of All Moreh Apunba Meira Paibi Lup was near total after the trading community supported the call. The bandh had been partially lifted on Tuesday. The bandh came after a face-off on JUly 13. According to reports reaching here, Subedar TB Pun was shot dead by militants around 2 pm on July 13, around a hundred metres from the Indo-Myanmar border checkpost. Reports said angry Assam Rifles personnel assaulted civilians and even some Myanmarese traders who had crossed over for trade purposes. Local mediapersons covering the incident were prevented from doing so by AR personnel, who allegedly threatened to destroy their cameras.
Threat from radical elements, ULFA talks hiccups echo in Asom Assembly Red alert sounded: CM Hindu Yuba Chatra Parishad (Bharat) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidharthi Parishad, Dibrugarh unit activists burning the effigies of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, and Bangladesh President Begum Khaleda Zia and the national flags of Pakistan and Bangladesh in Dibrugarh on Thursday in protest against fomenting Muslim fundamentalism and terrorism against India by the two countries. (Sentinel)
By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, July 20: The entire Opposition in Asom Assembly, comprising the AGP, BJP, CPI and the CPI-M, took the Government to task today on the threat perception in the State from radical elements and the hiccups that have developed on the peace process with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, in his reply, told the House that the common people in the State should remain alert and help the security forces overcome the problem. On the ULFA front, Gogoi said that direct communication by the outfit was a must.
During the discussion on grants for police administration, the AGP, BJP, CPI and the CPI-M wanted to know from the Government what steps it had taken to allay the fear of the common people who remained a panicky lot in the aftermath of the carpet bombing in Mumbai and the arrest of a number of suspected fundamentalists in the city. The Opposition also wanted to know what steps the Government had taken to bring the Centre-ULFA peace process, which has suffered a setback after the rebel group’s extortion note to the RBI Regional Director followed by the killing of as many as six ULFA cadres by the security personnel, right on the track.
In his reply, Gogoi said that threat from radical elements had always been there. “We are alert, but without alertness on the part of the common people our fight against fundamentalism will be futile. We will start a campaign to alert the people on the threat perception,” Gogoi said and added: “The police have sounded a red alert; this implies that the public has also been alerted. We should, however, draw a demarcating line between terrorism and communalism. All SIMI activists don’t mean Muslims and all ULFA cadres don’t mean Asomiyas.”
Gogoi said that in order to tackle terrorism, the intelligence network needed to be modernized, and to make that a reality the Government was contemplating the setting up of an intelligence research centre in the city. On the ULFA front, Gogoi said: “Direct approach by the ULFA to the Centre is a must. The NSCN-IM had also approached the Centre directly. How can there be a ceasefire with the ULFA without any assurance from the rebel group on cessation of all subversive activities?”
He added that the Centre and the State Government were very sincere to settle ULFA problem. “Since the Government is considering the ULFA problem a political one, it has been trying to solve the problem politically,” Gogoi added.
The Sentinel’s comment We understand that all ULFA activists are not Asomiyas, as Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi stated in the State Assembly, because by now many other foreign nationals might have joined the ULFA. But we fail to understand how all SIMI activists are not Muslims, given that the SIMI is an Islamic organization and why on earth non-Muslims would join the SIMI!

Frans on 07.21.06 @ 12:26 PM CST [link]

Thursday, July 20th

Thenucho called for President’s Rule in Nagaland’Ex-Congress-I candidate wants Home Minister to step down The Morung Express

‘Thenucho called for President’s Rule in Nagaland’Ex-Congress-I candidate wants Home Minister to step down The Morung Express
Dimapur July 19 (MExN): Congress has alleged that Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho “confessed” to the Central Government that the Nagaland Home Ministry can no longer contain the volatile law and order situation in the state and towards this, called for the intervention of the centre implied as for President’s Rule. The ‘confession’ was made during Nagaland government’s delegation to New Delhi that met the Centre mid-May, this year.
“When he along with his colleagues went to New Delhi in Mid-May 2006, Mr. Thenucho confessed to the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patel, Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Union Minister for Programme Implementation and Statistics, Oscar Fernandes (who is also the Congress’ in-charge for the North East and involved in the Naga peace talks), the Indian National Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, former Home Minister LK Advani and former Defense Minister George Fernandes, that the Nagaland Home Ministry was not able to contain the law and order situation in the state” according to V Lasuh, Ex-Congress I candidate of 17 Chizami A/C.
“He urged and put across to them with fervor that the Central Government must intervene. That was an invitation for a Presidential Rule As a reaffirmation of his fears and inefficiency, Mr. Thenucho in the meantime pleaded to churches to pray for the trouble-torn state of Nagaland, lest it reels under more law and order problems. He virtually surrendered his power as the Home Minister there and then.” Lasuh asserted.
Lasuh demanded that Thenucho step down from the post of Home Minister on moral grounds, “as a regularly self-professed good Christian” and if not, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is ‘duty-bound’ to remove him. Failure to act on this would “embarrass” the government, the candidate asserted.
“It is the bounden duty of the Chief Minister to relieve Mr. Thenucho of his present portfolio. Such act may not be the most pleasant thing for the Chief Minister to do but it will be for the utmost good of the state. That will also ensure that the State Government be not embarrassed in the future by an unfit person occupying a most significant office in the state. Presently, Mr. Thenucho’s boots are too big for him” the Congress candidate lamented.
More charges of inefficiency were also leveled. “When in January 2006 the official entourage of the Chief Minister came under trouble because of the high-handed Security Forces near Zubza, Mr. Thenucho did not do anything as the Home Minister should do about the drama. His responsibility was to intervene with finality and even issue necessary clarifications through the media. But he was either not aware of the power of the Home Minister’s Office to do so or was scared if he knew” Lasuh maintained adding that there is no other reason to explain why Thenucho remained silent.
Protect Naga tradition if solution comes: Rio Karaiba Chawang Nsunyu (Tseminyu) | July 19 The Morung Express
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that the first task for the Nagas, if solution comes, is to work for the protection of tradition and culture, saying that the present Indian democratic system of election leads to disunity and encourages corruption of the Naga people.
Speaking at a mammoth gathering of the Rengma Community at Nsunyu village ground after the inauguration of the village gate, memorial park, community hall, cultural centre and water supply project, Rio said that by tradition Nagas do not elect their leaders, but select, basing on the unanimous decision of the elders.
Calling the people to keep the rich tradition of the Nagas, the Chief Minister also said that if the Village Development Board (VDB) and Village Council members, which is the traditional governing body are to be paid by the government, they will become government servants, and even if the Nagas get a solution, it will be self-defeating.
“The present Indian system of election will bring disunity and corruption in the Naga society if solution comes, therefore elders need to do lot of thinking on this”.
Factional feud amongst the different groups of the Naga national worker is a shame, said Rio. As a Christian, fratricidal killing among Nagas is not justified, he reminded.
The Chief Minister also said that other countries including India, have recognized the legitimacy of the Nagas’ political struggle, but the Nagas are refusing to recognize themselves, adding that Nagas are not united.
Stating that the some development is taking place in the state because of the ongoing peace arising out of the of the current ceasefire between the government of India and NSCNs, Rio further said if solution doesn’t come this time too it will affect the whole Nagas again, repeating its bloody history.
Rio also further said that he shifted his loyalty from former Chief Minister SC Jamir, when he was a Home Minister in the former ministry, because he had a political vision. “If I have no political vision I won’t leave Jamir. I am comfortable with him, I am the first man there, if I don’t have a political vision why did I leave him”, Rio said, while asking the people to have a political vision.
Rio mesmerized the large public turnout of the Rengma community with his well blended speech of peace process, development and work culture.
The Chief Minister urged the people not to go in for immediate gain, but to have vision, while asserting that years does not progress a community, but optimistic thinking would carry one’s community forward. He said that weaker society should strive more with bold attitude, and compete for good and not for bad.
Referring to Mon, Tuensang and other “backward areas”, Rio quipped: “their areas may be backward, but people are not backward. They are much more intelligent than us”.
Rio also asked the people to do a rethink on the random aforestation, and turn to agri-horti plantation, especially in the areas where it is close to the highway or motorable roads.
Today’s inauguration programme was almost a virtual election campaign for the incumbent Parliamentary Secretary, R Khing. Except for Home Minister, Thenucho, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. TM Lotha, Planning Minister Dr Shurhozelie and Industries Minister Khekiho who were not seen today, all his other cabinet colleagues, besides almost all parliamentary secretaries and NPF MLAs formed the Chief Minister’s entourage.
Earlier, the entourage made whirlwind tour to the area inaugurating Nsunyu Village gate and Jubilee Memorial Park, and Nsunyu Community Hall cum Chunlikha Area Cultural Centre. Minister for PHE, P. Longon inaugurated the integrated Rural Drinking water supply of Nsunyu and Chunlukha villages.
CPO justifying Shillong Accord: NSCN-IM Nagaland Post July 20 2006
DIMAPUR, JULY 19 (NPN): The NSCN-IM has accused the Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) of trying to justify the Shillong Accord and propagating the alleged "infallibility and legitimacy of NNC" by advocating that Nagas should unite in the line of NNC. The NSCN-IM said CPO, by issuing statements such as "the accord was signed by the representatives of the underground organizations, not by NNC" and "the Accord was signed under duress," was desperately attempting to justify the infamous Shillong Accord and defend the NNC.
Kedutsü Tsüzu, steering committee member NSCN-IM, in a press release said if the accord was really signed under duress, then they had reasons to disown or condemn it afterwards, but they had never done so, he said. "On the contrary, they not only spoke against those national leaders who condemned the Shillong Accord, but also incited and engineered the military coup of 1978 where about a hundred national workers who were loyal to the cause were killed," he added.
He also said the NNC accordists and FGN had tried to strengthen their position and effectively implement the Accord by forming an armed wing- People's Militia of Nagaland (PMN). Ridiculing the NNC for ceaselessly talking of plebiscite as the latter's principle, the NSCN-IM questioned as to whether the NNC know that the Shillong Accord is the anti-thesis of the plebiscite: "It is ridiculous that people who had bowed down to worship the statue of Indian constitution are now shouting for total sovereignty on the rooftop of transit camp," Tsüzu said.
The NSCN-IM leader further said that while NNC has already been de-recognized by the world community and even some Indian authorities claiming NNC has become one of them, some CPO leaders were proclaiming NNC as an "institution."
Reminding the CPO to strictly uphold its objective as a non-political organization, Tsüzu said CPO must understand that the Shillong Accord and NNC are two faces of the same coin.
"The CPO is a part of the Naga fourth consultative meeting held at Hebron sometime in 2005. They were also a party to the decision taken in support of peace process and the collective leadership of NSCN but they went back upon their word. Such act of double standard of CPO leadership has confused and misled the innocent people at the bottom", the release added.
The release further cautioned that since the CPO leaders have sown seed of dissension among the Chakhesangs, they would be held responsible for any untoward incident and event leading to fighting and killing in the region in future.
Church talks of victory without bloodshed Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 19:: If things go the way the Church of Nagaland wants, complemented by a rising public aversion for violence, the Naga movement may soon shift gear to a non-violent rebellion. An all-important meeting of all the churches in Nagaland will be held with chief minister Neiphiu Rio on July 26 with peace on the agenda.

Aptly timed, the meeting will come out with its resolutions two days before the vital round of talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) is held on July 28. The nine-year-old ceasefire agreement with the outfit is due for extension on July 31

Zhabu Terhuja of the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council and Nagaland Christian Forum said the Church has not been in favour of violent struggle though it recognises the right of the Nagas to self-determination. “We are also coming out with a draft paper on the Church’s approach on how to deal with the problem. We cannot say anything about the end objective but can comment on the methods,” said Terhuja.

The government, too, seems inclined towards a non-violent approach even as Rio will witness the churning of ideas so that his government’s claim to have peace and development is achieved.

Rio said rebel factions should immediately stop fighting and that his government wants peace to prevail. His commitment to attend the meeting and statement saying he has a solution in mind implies that Rio may favour a non-violent methodology. However, leading the militant groups towards non-violence is no mean task.
Rebel factions are unlikely to accept the point of view to surrender arms and continue with a non-violent struggle. Despite ceasefire agreements with the Centre, the NSCN (I-M) and rival Khaplang faction are perpetually fighting with each other and tension, if not clashes, prevails.

There will be opposition from NGOs who have lost trust in the Centre’s methods in handling past pacts and truce agreements.
“We started out with non-violence from the 1950s but the Nagas were hunted down and the NSCN had to go underground to continue the movement,” said a senior Naga Hoho leader. He said a non-violent movement might not have the required results, as the Centre “will take advantage of the situation”. (The Telegraph)
Nagas yet to know their uniqueness’ Kuknalim.com
TSEMINYU (Kohima), July 19:: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said that although the British and India have recognised the uniqueness of the Naga people...

the Nagas themselves are yet to recognise this uniqueness in them.

Welcoming any political settlement that uplifts the status of the Nagas, he insisted that it should not be at the expense of the rich cultures and traditions of the Nagas. He advised the people of Nagaland to have political vision and to decide their future for themselves.

Rio made this statement while inaugurating two of the biggest villages in Rengma region, Nsunyu and Chunlikha – Nsunyu Community Hall-cum-Chunlikha Area Cultural Centre, Nsunyu Village Gate & Jubilee Memorial Park and Integrated Rural Water Supply of Nsunyu and Chunlikha Villages by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. (NNN)
Militants bomb AR post in Moreh, AR man hurt in another IED attack The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 19: A bomb attack on Post no. 4 of 24 Assam Rifles located at Chavangphai under Moreh police station near the international border left at least four civilians including two women with splinter injuries today. In another attack, an IED explosion at Water Point, Kalapathar a personnel of the Assam Rifles suffered injury. The attack on the AR post at Chavangphai was carried out by suspected militants at around 12.30 am last night while the IED explosion occurred at around 9.20 am this morning at a spot some 2 km away towards Imphal from Moreh along the National highway-39. Many unexploded lethod and 2 inch mortar bombs were also reportedly detected from inside and nearby the AR post. Of them, the AR disposed of at least three at around 4.30 to 5 pm this evening.
On hearing the sounds of the explosions, people at Moreh dispersed leaving their work. In a short while, the town wore a deserted look with the civilian populace fleeing away. Among the four injured civilians two have been evacuated to a hospital at Imphal due to seriousness of their condition. The other two sustained minor injuries and have been admitted at the Moreh community Health Centre. A late report said the two admitted at Moreh CHC have been discharged. In the other incident, the AR personnel identified as Pramesh Kumar, 35, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, who sustained injuries in the IED blast triggered by unidentified miscreants at Moreh Water Point, has been evacuated to the Leimakhong army hospital, Imphal by an army chopper. His condition is stated to be serious as his left leg received serious injuries in the explosion. His rifleman no. is 240376.

Two out of the four injured civilians in the militant attack at Assam Rifles post no. 4 identified have been as Vahneiching Simte, 23, daughter of Alet Jamang of Churchandpur, presently residing at Chavangphai, who received splinter injury at the right side of the neck and Lenminlun Mate, 13, son of Mangchinpao of Chavangvai, who received injury at the right thigh were brought to JN hospital in Imphal in a vehicle provided by minister DK Korungthang. They were later referred to the RIMS hospital for further treatment this afternoon. The other two who were discharged after medical treatment at Moreh CHC were identified as Onmang Mate, 46, son of late Songkholen Mate and Ninghoi Haokip, 30, daughter of Seilet Haokip. Both hail from S Moljon village located mear the AR post.

"Last midnight cadres of the UNLF fired at Assam Rifles post no. 4 with lethod and 2 inch mortar bombs from the Myanmar side", said the PRO, PIB defence wing when contacted by the IFP. He added four civilians including two young women of the village located adjacent to the AR post sustained injuries when a lethod bomb fired by the UNLF exploded in the civilian inhabited area.
Reports said the AR personnel also retaliated the heavy shower of explosives on their post and the exchange lasted for around 30 minutes. There were no reports of any casualty on both sides.

Vahneiching and Lenminlen sustained injuries when a bomb fired by the attackers fell on the roof of a house belonging to Khuplenthang Mate of Chavangphai. The roof of the house was also damaged by the explosion. Onmang and Ninghoi on the other hand suffered injuries in the explosion of another bomb on the roof a house belonging to Janpao Haokip. A third bomb exploded on the house of one Ngamkholet Haokip of S Moljon village. No one in the house sustained injury but the roof was badly damaged. In another incident, an AR jawan sustained injury when an IED which was planted by an suspected separatist group exploded at Moreh Water Point, Kalapathar under Moreh police station at around 9.20 am today.

The IED exploded when a water tanker along with some personnel of 24 battalion AR were fetching water there, reports said. This is the second time militants have attacked AR troops fetching water there in the past two months. In the early part of June this year, they were attacked with an IED at the same spot. Taking stock of the developing situation, the Moreh police has imposed total restriction on the crossing of the border after 8 pm.

In the meantime, the Kuki Students` organization (KSO) Moreh block has strongly condemned the attack on the Assam Rifles post. A release of the organization stated that repeated attacks on the security post located adjacent to the civilian populated area seems to be causing harm more to the civilians rather than the security personnel.
It also stated that indiscriminate firing in the thickly populated civilian area inspite of repeated appeals made earlier clearly shows the indifferent attitude and the lack of consideration for loss of innocent lives on the part of the armed militant groups perpetrating the act.
The organization once again fervently appealed to all the concerned armed groups not to resort to such acts in future considering the loss of precious lives and peace and tranquility in Moreh town.

It also appealed to the state government authorities to strengthen security establishment in and around Moreh town so that unlawful armed nilitants do not have a free hand in the town. In the meantime, admitting that the 24 Assam Rifles post at Moreh was attacked by underground elements, a PIB defence wing statement said the attack was UNLF`s obvious attempt to vent their frustration after the arrest of five of their cadres on the night of July 15/16.
The PIB statement said the underground group carried out stand off fire at the Assam Rifles post near Gate No 4, Moreh and Ward No 7, a civil area in the vicinity of this post at about 0030 hrs on July 19 from across the international border. No act can be more cowardly than firing at a civilian area from across the international border, the statement said adding a total of 13 lethod bombs, mortars and large quantity of small arms were fired by the UNLF towards the Assam Rifles post and on civilian areas around. Four lethod bombs and large quantity of small arms fire landed in the Chavangphai and S Molgol area, the Army statement said adding four persons including two women and a boy sustained serious splinter injuries. It is clearly evident from the incident that the undergrounds have no concern for the safety of civil population and are prepared to cause indiscriminate casualties to innocents. It has shown the ugly side of UNLF and further strengthens the belief of local people that UNLF is only a bunch of inhuman terrorists, it said. D Korangthang, minister of health and family welfare personally interacted with the affected villagers and condemned the incident, the PIB statement added.

Westoxification of Nagas: By: R S Mayori Kangla on line
Today's fast paced world, hardly enables students and youths to sit together under one platform and discuss issues that holds weightage to their own lives and people are turning more and more into techno and cyber savvy. It comes in with many tag of “fast” like fast food, fast car, fast life and fast people.

We have witness that Nagas strives dauntlessly to generate awareness of the indigenous peoples’ right to cultural development and advancement based on the international human rights and humanitarian laws, through the institution they try to set up to provide a platform where Nagas can learn to be Nagas ourselves again.

The Nagas’ way of life has been transformed to a great extent through the walk of life in history from the coming of Christianity to the Indian military crackdown on the Nagas resulting in innumerable violation of human rights, huge loss of innocent lives and most of all the veiled attempt to de-establish the complete identity and integrity of the Nagas’ by sheer military might.

Our narratives have been interrupted by Colonialism till today and our ancestral and past linkages have been broken and lost. Our culture, our stories are getting lost and are fading away at a high rate. The erosion of our identity, culture and values system is making most of the youth confused. The alienation of the traditional education system and breaking of oral culture is posing a great danger to the whole society Nagas as a whole.
Myriad of confusion among the youths and some vested interested people adding up again to the already confused society. The infiltration of western culture and it toxin starts off from the moment the white people appears into our life which is multiplied by Indian toxin.
The westoxification of Nagas is clearly visible even within the so-called learned and religious people of the Nagas. The corruption level has not spared the religious leader. One of the instances is the case which has been going on for more then five years. The Reverend versus Reverend and Doctors in Indian court filed for robbing of innocent people’s money in a broad day light of Tangkhul areas. The United Team Leadership Ministry (UTLM’s) fund Ukhrul Area Development Project’s Money (UADP) amounting to Rupees 40 lakh was robbed off and the signatory of the people who have drawn the money from behind the curtain are Rev. As Realson and Ms Chonchon Luithui on dt. 23/12/95.
If given a little more efforts by scholar and do research on all this cases 90% of the cases that is hanging on the thread have got to do with money and power. Nagas need to re-define themselves with the pair that need to go together a long way. The two terminologies which spin up the pair are Nagas and money. Another westoxifiaction that is penetrating in our society is breaking down of our social traditional structures.
Jacob Shaiza wrote on 15/07/06 “Tussle for hegemony in Ukhrul “ Nagaland Post “Taking cue from Th. Muivah, they shared the emotional meeting they had with him who told them that the blood, tears, and sweat they had undergone for the all these years are all because of the unique custom of the Nagas that define the true meaning of the unique history of the Nagas. The present Indo-Naga talk is given importance based on this undeniable fact.”
We have to keep alive our culture and traditions and cannot imposed alien culture claiming ourselves to be educated. We cannot go back to the past but we have to move forward so we have to reclaim our culture and history. Educated and civilized doesn’t mean copycatting other’s value and system which is not applicable to the Nagas. We need to re-affirm ourselves as a Naga again and again when Nagas are in mist of Chaos and turmoil created by the Government of India.
The Naga nation consists of around 47 tribes, each with its own language and culture and yet they are united by their shared history against foreign domination and the dream of living as one people, one nation. The Nagas are the original settlers on their homeland and their territory has been well demarcated from time immemorial.

The uniqueness of the Naga people lies in the fact that they have continued to live as a united people despite the fact that its lands have been illegally divided by the British by an international boundary between India and Myanmar. Nagalim was never a part of India by consent or conquest. The uniqueness lies in the fact that we still own our land as community and we follow our customary laws unlike other tribal of India.

The Nagas have continued to evolve modern political institutions and organisations in consonance with the democratic principles of Nagas society. Naga polity is based on equal representation for each tribe, large or small. It is the same principle on which the United Nations functions: one nation, one vote. Thus the Naga Students Federation is an apex body of our students and it has two representatives of each of the Naga tribes so does the Naga Hoho. Some tribes are very large with more than 300 villages; each has an equal representation from each tribe.

Within each tribe also the same democratic principle is followed. And the polity is based on consensus and not election which promotes conflicts and power struggles to the detriment of the people. Almost all the Naga organisations functions on this democratic principle of equal representation of all our people without allowing the politically and economically powerful tribes to dominant decision making.

The set up of Nagas, from people to village level, from village to community, from community to the nation. Nagas never had a culture of Panchayat system which is introduce by the Indian so does the Chairman and secretary system is the twin of Panchayati Raj. The introduction and encouragement of this clone of Panchayati raj is the first step and a strong agent to the destruction of the Naganised value based system.

Thus even though the Nagas have been divided by artificial boundaries we continue to live together by evolving modern political institutions along the principles of our ancient way of life. This is the way we have not allowed our society to fossilise and we have developed, evolved and changed our customary laws and traditional practices. Changing and improving doesn’t mean imposing of alien culture and practices that we have learned from Indian education system. This evolving and developing our system has allowed the Naga people as a whole to keep alive their dream of living together under one roof. This gives the Nagas nation a unique history

The relationship of Nagas with their homeland is symbiotic with their lands, forest and hills. We are a people whose culture, society, polity and economy are defined by the relationship between the people and their land.

The people’s relationship within themselves in the social structure of the society has made us come all the way where GOI has re-coganised our uniqueness officially. Nagas should not put all this achievement in peril for a few vested interested people.
Moreh's cup of woes Sangai Express
The cup of woes for the residents of Moreh is running over. Caught between the armed militants and the security force, the residents of this border town have no one else to turn to for their safety and security and the events that have unfolded in the past few days have more than shown that no one cares about the fate of the local people. The genesis of the present turmoil may be traced to the gunning down of a JCO at Moreh on July 13, which was later claimed by the UNLF as its handiwork. As was expected and in line with the set precedents, the Assam Rifles personnel stationed at Moreh launched a series of search operations and in the follow up action five suspects were picked up on charges of being members of the UNLF. Things did not stop here and on July 15, the reports of how civilians were beaten up indiscriminately near Moreh Gate number 2 by Assam Rifles men and the forcible closure of shops and business establishments hit the headlines of all the newspapers in the State. Moreover there was also the unpleasant stand off between Moreh based correspondents and the Assam Rifles personnel with charges and counter charges doing the round. We leave it to the judgement of the people to decide which side of the story is more credible, the story of the correspondents that the AR men used abusive languages and prevented them from covering the story and the stand of the AR authority that no such thing happened and the only thing said to the correspondents was the keep their distance as they were intruding into their line of duty. Not taking things lying down, women folk of Moreh under the All Moreh Meira Paibi Apunba Lup imposed an indefinite bandh at the border town and it was only on July 18 that the stand off was resolved after the personal intervention of the MLA of Chandel AC, DK Korungthang and MLA K Bijoy.
However as things stand today, not everything is going to be fine at Moreh in the immediate future. The bomb attack launched from across the border, allegedly by the UNLF has already sent ripples of fear and apprehension across the town besides inflicting injuries on some civilians. If the fighting does not stop, there may be more civilian casualty and it is this that we find extremely disturbing. The first phase of the turmoil in Moreh was about the charges and counter charges between the AR personnel and the Moreh based correspondents and again between the women folk of Moreh and the Assam Rifles. The second phase may now be a contest of charges and counter charges between the militant outfit which launched the bomb attack and the Assam Rifles authority. Such charges and counter charges are not new in Manipur and while such types of exercise will continue, the disturbing point is the utter lack of concern shown for the civilian population. If the past is any indication, civilian casualty is always used as a tool of propaganda by both sides in their battle to gain public support or in their effort to alienate the other from the general population. If there is any trace of genuine concern for the general public, then no one should open fire at public places or launch bomb attacks that may lead to civilian casualties. On the other hand, it is also equally true that no retributive action should be launched in which the innocent civilians are targeted. Tragically this is what has been happening at Moreh during the last few days.

Talks with ULFA hit roadblock Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, July 19 – Proposed peace talks between the ULFA and the Centre appear to have a hit a roadblock with the government insisting the banned group establish direct contact before its demands can be considered, a move that negotiators nominated by the outfit have described as “unfortunate”, reports PTI. The ULFA must communicate its demands, including the release of jailed leaders, directly to the Centre for the peace process to proceed, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal said today.

He conveyed this to noted author Mamoni Raisom Goswami who was instrumental in the dialogue between the ULFA-nominated Peoples’ Consultative Group (PCG) and the Centre.
Goswami told PTI over phone from New Delhi that Duggal had informed her this morning that ULFA “must make direct contact with the government and then the process of negotiation of their demands can take place”.

She said, “Duggal said ULFA must give a letter highlighting their demands to the union government directly, instead of sending messages through intermediaries and only then can their demands be considered.”
The PCG has reacted strongly to Duggal’s communication, saying it is “unfortunate, lacks sincerity and made to create complications in the talks process”.

PCG member Lachit Bordoloi said Duggal’s latest communication went against the discussions the PCG had with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on June 22. The PCG, which has held three rounds of talks with the Centre since October 2005, was disappointed that the government had now chosen to ignore the body of intellectuals nominated by ULFA to take the peace process forward.
“The Centre cannot ignore the PCG’s existence and if they do not consider the ULFA-appointed body reliable, then why did they hold three rounds of talks with us? It should have then held talks with the ULFA right from the beginning,” Bordoloi said. “ULFA made it clear right from the beginning that the PCG is an important part of the peace process and what it conveys on behalf of the outfit happens to be the last word,” he said.

Duggal told Goswami that “the Centre hopes for direct communication with ULFA and as soon they receive the letter, the talks process can move forward”. He said the ULFA was always welcome to approach the Centre directly instead of giving “speculative statements in the media”.
Goswami urged Duggal to ensure the release of five jailed ULFA leaders, a key demand of the group for taking part in talks. He, however, said “just not this demand, but other demands will be also be considered once they (ULFA) come forward directly for talks.” Goswami said she has urged the ULFA to directly communicate with the Centre to restore peace in Assam.

Establish direct contact: Centre tells ULFA By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, July 19: After three rounds of talks with the ULFA-nominated People’s Consultative Group (PCG), New Delhi has asked the banned outfit to establish direct contact with the government without which, it said, there was no scope for the peace process to move forward.
“The ULFA must communicate their demands, including release of jailed leaders, in black and white directly to the Centre for the peace process to proceed further,” Union Home Secretary VK Duggal is learnt to have told interlocutor Dr Mamaoni Raisom Goswami today.
Speaking to The Sentinel over phone from New Delhi, Goswami said that the Union Home Secretary had informed her this morning that ULFA “must make direct contact with the government and place their demands instead of communicating through intermediaries. Only then can their demands be considered”.
Duggal told Goswami that the ULFA was always welcome to approach the Centre directly instead of giving “speculative” statements in the media.
Goswami said that she had urged the ULFA to directly communicate with the Centre so that peace got a chance in Asom.
Earlier, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had also urged the ULFA to establish direct contact with the Centre for talks and offered ceasefire in the event of direct communication, but the banned outfit had rejected it.
The peace process had already run into rough weather following the recent killing of six ULFA cadres by the Army.
Few weeks back, ULFA ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Barua had made it clear that the PCG was authorized by the outfit to communicate its demands to the government, and the group was an important part of the peace process.
NESO slams Centre on radicals’ threat By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, July 19: Concerned over the threat posed to the indigenous people in the wake of the growing network of fundamentalist outfits in the region, the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) today said the porous Indo-Bangladesh border was abetting cross-border terrorism.
“The pernicious predicaments are foretelling serious eventualities in near future. Increasing activities of jihadi rebels in the region has posed a threat to the entity of the indigenous communities,” NESO chairman Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya and secretary NSN Lotha told a press conference here.
Slamming the “indifferent attitude” of the Centre despite alarming intelligence reports indicating the presence of jihadi rebels in the region, the student leaders said the problem was no longer confined to the region, but has assumed national significance.
Even though the State Government had sent reports on the alarming plight of the region, New Delhi is still to come up with stringent measures to combat the designs of the jihadi outfits, the premier students’ organization said.
Given the gravity of the situation, political parties, instead of politicizing the issue, should unite to salvage the nation from the clutches of fundamentalist powers, the student leaders said.
“If necessary, we will take steps on our own,” AASU president Shankar Prasad Rai said. The annual conference of the NESO slated for September 27-30 in Tripura is likely to chalk out a strategy to deal with the situation.

Frans on 07.20.06 @ 05:51 PM CST [link]

NISC press release on harrassment of NSCN/Muivah by Thai Immigration despite valid Visa and is threatened to be deported

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

Press Release

Amsterdam, 20 July 2006

According to reliable sources Mr. Th. Muivah, chief negotiator of the Naga people, on his way to Bangkok, Thailand for the upcoming Indo-Naga political talks on 17th July 2006 by Thai International Airways was stopped by the Thai Immigration at the Thailand Airport and interrogated for almost 7 hours for no rhyme and reason. He was called bad names and the officers reportedly have called him a terrorist. The Thai Immigration Authorities have confiscated his passport. The Immigration Officers treated him like a criminal and told him that according to Thai Law he cannot enter the Kingdom of Thailand for 100 Years.

The Naga International Support Center believes that, it is not the policy of a Thai Government to ban Mr. Muivah from entering the Kingdom of Thailand, for he has a valid Visas issued by the Royal Thai Embassy, The Netherlands, after due clearance by Royal Foreign Ministry and National Security of Thailand.

The Naga International Support Center calls on the Thai Government to immediately return Mr. Muivah’s passport, to honor it’s own visa so that Mr. Muivah can participate in the peace talks to be held in Bangkok on July 28, July 29. As Mr. Muivah is on a mission of peace, is duly endorsed by the Naga People, he is not to be branded a terrorist by the Thai Immigration.

Since Mr. Muivah is due to negotiate with the Government of India to seek peace and to arrive at an honorable solution, please expedite the procedures of clearing him of all he has supposedly been accused of.

For more information nisc@nagalim.nl">nisc@nagalim.nl visit our website www.nagalim.nl

Frans on 07.20.06 @ 05:03 PM CST [link]

Wednesday, July 19th

NSCN (IM) cautions people on deceptive propagandas The Morung Express

NSCN (IM) cautions people on deceptive propagandas The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, JULY 18 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has once again cautioned against what it termed as “deceptive propagandas doing its round to mislead and confuse the Naga people” and that since 1975 ‘defunct nationalists’ in recent times have been “breathing out from their hibernation of around thirty years of deep slumber with falsified and anti-Naga mindset to mislead the people”.
“This trend of capitulated mindset has resurged with no regret or evaluation of its consequences but only to dislodge the peace process for finding a lasting solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political conflict”, stated a four page long press communiqué issued by the MIP.
The statement pointed out that if one had to proclaim oneself as a true patriotic nationalist, they would work selflessly for the Naga cause rather than subduing it.
“When one is engaged in subversive activities, paper wars based on falsified accusations and destructive inclinations only rather than constructive contributions, is it not a profession of inimical elements”, the NSCN (IM) questioned.
“Can shedding crocodile tears on peace and unity, attacking the NSCN, branding own brothers as meitie brothers or slaves, calling the Nagas from outside the present Indian Nagaland State as outsiders, appealing to the GoI to book NSCN under POTA, calling NSCN as terrorists, gang etc., be recognized as a freedom fighter?”
The MIP statement pointed out that it would be appropriate if the NSCN (K) came out in the open with what they have been doing all these years for the freedom of the Nagas besides “cheap paper wars, senseless killings, extortions, intimidations, threats, condemning international supporters, false propagandas, divisive designs and other subversive activities”.
The NSCN (IM) further alleged that ‘adverse elements’ have been wrongly trying to mislead and confuse the Nagas by saying that the current peace process is only for integration and under the Indian constitution, which is totally untrue.
“The NSCN shall never betray the Nagas and abandon our national principles and will continue to uphold the will and aspiration of the Naga people.”
The NSCN (IM) also welcomed all form of constructive and contributive approaches to the Indo-Naga issue but stated that it could not accept anti-Naga agendas.
“Nagas can expect nothing but only negative solutions through people with negative traits only. It is high time that the Nagas shed away negative elements and positively confront facts to rescue peace and a lasting solution to our problem”.
Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) also stated that despite the odds, it singularly continued to espouse the Naga people’s cause by voicing the inalienable rights as a people suppressed by an occupying nation to the outside world. “The NSCN led the Nagas against all odds and affiliated our nation’s membership in the Unrepresented Nation People’s Organization (UNPO) at The Hague, Netherlands”.
Among the other several achievements the NSCN (IM) pointed out that it succeeded in a breakthrough when the UN Commission on Human Rights granted it the opportunity to speak during its 54th session from March 16-April 27, 1998. The NSCN IM) informed that in pursuit of realizing the Naga people’s aspiration, it was continuing to ceaselessly work and garner support from friends and well wishers from around the world. “We have been able to open our support offices at Netherlands, Thailand, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, South Korea, Australia, England, Philippines, Sweden, Belgium and the United States of America”.
Meanwhile, on the recent firing incident near the Chief Minister’s residence, the NSCN (IM) has clarified that it was not that its members were allowed to go Scot free and the NSCN (K) cadres arrested as accused, but because the NSCN (IM) members were “
”unarmed and unnoticed while those apprehended were in arms to disrupt peace”.
The NSCN (IM) also stated that while trying to put a stop to anti-social activities On July 13, the rival NSCN (K) cadres fired upon them whereby Lt Corpl Zubenthung Tsopoe was killed by their bullet. “But contrary to what happened, the Khaplang people spun a wrong accusation with hope to divert the killing upon our cadres, whereas, one of their cadre who was present during this incident there has recently joined the NSCN fold and remains to be the living proof of their usual misadventures of wrong accusations”.
The NSCN (IM) further pointed out that the cold blooded murder of Lt Mayarping at Kohima recently and falsely implicating the NSCN (IM) had been revealed “after their cadre, Sgt Maj Khehoto who was in Kohima command during the incident of the killing and has joined the NSCN fold and unfolded the facts”. The NSCN (IM) alleged that the NSCN (K) through the command of 2nd Lt. Amento and Toshika orchestrated the brutal murder of Lt Mayarping, an innocent Naga public, with the intent to flare up division within the Naga family.
Naga Hoho resolves- Nagaland Post
In continuation of the Emer-gency Federal Assembly of the Naga Hoho which was adjourned inconclusively on the 27th of June 2006, the house resumed its session on the 14th of July 2006 at Kohima Tourist Lodge with a very impressive attendance, which was specifically summoned to discuss amongst others, on the ongoing Peace Process with its federating tribal organizations bringing in their various understanding and suggestions to the deliberation on the specified agenda and co-related issues.
And after thorough debate and discussions the house unanimously re-affirmed and resolved to :-
• Pursue more vigorously the integration of all Naga areas and that this issue is not-negotiable under any circumstances, whatever may be the nature and terms of negotiation in the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks towards finding a negotiated settlement.
• Continue to extend its fullest support to the Peace Process for which the house further recommends the extension of the Ceasefire for further period to facilitate continuation of a congenial atmosphere towards the peace negotiations.
• Re-iterate its commitment to stop all kind of fratricides amongst the Naga national workers in particular and therefore appeal in the strongest term, for immediate cessation of all kinds of hostilities.
• Urge the Government of Nagaland to expedite the process of affiliating all the Private Schools of the Naga Hills district under the present state of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
• Enable the payment of all Hill House Tax 2006, to the state of Nagaland vis-à-vis the Government of India in further consultation with the United Naga Council of Manipur.
• Further urge the Government of Nagaland, to implement the Pre-1972 Status, guaranteed to all Naga citizens residing in the present state of Nagaland.
• Express its deepest concern for the army and other militant group atrocities that are committed on innocent Naga civilians in the Naga areas at Haflong and adjoining vicinities of the North Cachar Hills under Assam, and demands adequate security be provided to the Naga population. Neingulo Krome, General Secretary, Naga Hoho.
NPMHR cautions ‘rumour mongers’ Nagarealm.com
DIMAPUR, JULY18 [NPN] : The Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights has alleged that "there are elements attempting to cause confusion in the minds of the public by engineering rumors" about the organization, while clarifying that the NPMHR is a democratic organization and there is no place for "divisive politics" in it.
Reacting to the statement issued to a section of local dailies on June 24 by some "posing as members of NPMHR, Delhi Unit", the NPMHR clarified that the four-point allegation leveled against the organization had no basis and "it was only a game plan to create misunderstanding and friction within the organization and with others and to malign the image of the NPMHR."

The NPMHR took serious note of the above press statement, forcing the Executive Council, Kohima Secretariat, to adopt a resolution in this regard on July 1.

"The matter has been carefully examined collectively and we find that there is no authenticity in it. We are not aware of any such press release issued by any of the NPMHR sectors", said a release issued jointly by Nepuni Piku, Lanu Longkumer, Neikesanuo Sorhie and Phamring Sengul Anal, secretary general, NPMHR Secretariat, convenor, NPMHR Nagaland state sector, co-convenor, Delhi sector, and convenor, NPMHR South, respectively.

The release said the NPMHR, Delhi (Sector) was made non-operational since December 24, 2005 in "the democratic interest of the NPMHR collective", adding the matter was resolved on June 4, 2006 basing on the collective wisdom of the organization which was subsequently made known to the public through newspapers on June 14, 2006.

The NPMHR appealed to the public not to be swayed or confused by "such vested intentions" as the organization would continue to be committed to the rights of the Nagas and all those whose rights were suppressed or under threat.

"It is most unfortunate that the said press release has also attempted to strain our relationship with organizations that have shown commitment to the cause of the Nagas", the release said.

"In the larger interest of the Nagas' cause and humanity, we have built and extended mutual solidarity with struggle-based mass organizations. It has taken us decades to build trust and solidarity with the Indian civil society and it will go a long way in realizing our common goal," the release added.

According to the release, the NPMHR is a human rights movement independent from any political affiliation. It thrives on the spirit of understanding, good faith and

consensus. This is the established tradition in the working of the organisation. The NPMHR works under established working guidelines with its Secretariat, headed by a secretary general, and in the coordination of the convenors of the three existing sectors -- Delhi, South and Nagaland state.

The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the NPMHR. The Executive Council is formed by a seven-member EC nominated by the General Assembly to facilitate the implementation of the GA decisions and it is empowered to take decisions on urgent matters of the organisation in between GAs. It also works with other organizations with similar vision, but based on specific issues.

"Minister's office is more of a profit than MLA's corporation": Imkong Imchen By Oken Jeet Sandham – Asian Tribune
Kohima, 19 July, (Asiantribune.com): Nagaland Minister for School Education Imkong L Imchen said the “controversial” Office of Profit Act should be done away as it lacked clarity. Imkong L Imchen: "The Minister's office is more of a profit than MLA's office of corporation."
Talking to “Asian Tribune” here at his office chamber on Tuesday, the Minister said if an MLA or an MP was disqualified for holding the post of Chairmanship of Corporations as they enjoyed salaries and other perks as per the Office of Profit Act, there was no reason why the Chief Ministers, Ministers or for that matter even the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers should not be disqualified.
“I am as a Minister getting salary, bungalow, vehicles and many more whereas an MLA as Chairman of a Corporation gets peanuts,” Imchen explained. “And you said he (MLA) should be under the scanner of the Office of Profit for enjoying his salaries as Corporation chairman while Ministers who in fact enjoyed much more than him was not within the purview of the Act.”
“The Minister’s office is more of a profit than MLA’s office of corporation,” Imchen termed the Act as “diametrical to democracy.” He further argued that as elected legislators, they should be allowed to hold any public office. Otherwise, election itself had no meaning, he pointed out.
The Minister said the Members of the Parliament should have the wisdom to debate on this “un-pragmatic Act” and they should strike it off at the earliest as it had created more confusion. - Asian Tribune -
Look East vision blurred: Rio The Telegraph
KOHIMA, July 18:: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has accused the Centre of not allowing the Look East policy to move forward, giving the excuse of insurgency in the northeastern states as a pretext...

Rio said Delhi did start off on the policy, but did not do anything worthwhile to take it further.

“Whatever the Centre might claim, it has still not sanctioned the Rs 400-crore plan of four-laning the highway from Dimapur to Kohima, which was announced by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in October 2003,” Rio told The Telegraph in an interview.

Hopes were pinned on the four-laning of the road from Dimapur to Kohima. The highway project is in cold storage with the National Highways Authority of India. The Centre has taken few steps, though the state, too, is experiencing land acquisition problems.

Rio said the Look East policy did not find a mention in the introduction paper at the recently-held North Eastern Council (NEC) meet in Shillong. It was attended by Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Asked if he thought that political problems related to insurgency in the region need to be resolved first, Rio said he would leave such decisions to the wisdom of the Centre.

Delhi has been pushing trade access from Bangladesh and finalised the road via Silchar and Mizoram to Myanmar, along with facilities for trade at Sittwe port in Myanmar. However, Nagaland does not figure in the scheme.

On the other hand, Rio has been frustrated by complaints from ministers and bureaucrats alike that “files don’t move without money” in Delhi, sources said. Without accusing the Centre, Rio observed: “For the projects, we have to visit a thousand temples.”

The Rio government is hinting that the Congress dispensation at the Centre is responsible for the slowdown of development schemes in Nagaland.

The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland is a coalition of a regional party — the Nagaland People’s Front, the BJP, the Janata Dal (United) and Independents. The Congress is in the Opposition.

Asked about prospects of growth in Nagaland, Rio was optimistic, but said the state was still at the stage of creating basic infrastructure. Nagaland’s contribution to its own revenue is only six per cent, leaving almost no cash for maintenance of roads and basic infrastructure, complained Rio. Thus, avenues for generation on its own are limited to agriculture or horticulture.

“We are now planning horti-forests so that we can conserve the forests and reap the fruits as well,” he said, taking a cue from a successful agricultural expo in January.

Rio said his government was advising youths to take up whatever work that was available without making a fuss. He has asked NGOs and the Church to influence the youth in a positive way. (The Telegraph)
BSEM info now available on new website The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 18: Students of the schools affiliated to the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, BSEM need not travel any more to the board office for collecting any information directly from the office. They can now avail all their required information from time to time from a nearby internet point or NIC centre as a new website has been launched for the board.

Anyone can find all required information from time to time on www.manipur.nic.in at an internet centre like CIC centre which is open in most of the sub-division and district headquarters of districts of the state. According to the secretary of BSEM, Ph Nandakumar the board has launched the website considering the grievances of the students in the far flung areas who have to travel all the way to the office for obtaining any kind of information, specially for collecting application forms for their school transfer, mark sheets and other certificates.

Talking to the IFP, Nandakumar went on to say that the board can understand the problems faced by the students from the far off remote areas, mostly students from the hill areas while coming up to the board office. As for instance if a student seeks transfer from his earlier school to another, he or she has to obtain permission from the board.

As per the norm of the board, the student first has to collect the application form available with the board office at Imphal. After collecting the same he has to go again to the school where he or she is studying for the signature of the head master or the head of the institution which is a must while applying for the board`s clearance. As such the student has to waste time travelling to and fro several times.

With the launching of the website, the BSEM secretary said such problems will not occur in future as the students can now download the application forms directly from the website from a nearby CIC or internet centre and after signature of the concern head master or the head of the institution and completing all the formalities, can directly come and get the permission. Hence the whole process will be completed in just one journey to the board office.

Apart from this students can download their mark sheets, certificates, admit cards etc. directly from the website.

Regarding the row over affiliation of private schools in the four hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of Secondary School Education (NBSE), Nandakumar reiterated that the law binds the board of a state to the jurisdiction of the latter.

Apart from this he observed that as under the syllabus prescribed by Nagaland board, a student has to choose one of language from among Bengali, Hindi, Angami (Tenyidie) Aao, Lotha and Sema as compulsory subject at class-VIII to X level as their first language. No language spoken by the Nagas of Manipur are among those recognized as first language by the Nagaland Board of Secondary School Education (NBSE)`. This may create difficulty for the students, he further observed.

Board official sticks to stand 'Meet agreed that each board should stick to its area of jurisdiction' Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 18: Sticking to his guns, Secretary of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, Ph Nandakumar today said that the members present at the 4th Zonal Meeting of the NE Zone of the Council of Boards of School Education in India, held at Guwahati on July 13 agreed that each Board should stick to its area of jurisdiction. This was also corroborated by the Deputy Secretary of the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur, Babudhon Sapamcha.

Speaking to The Sangai Express separately the two senior officials said that the area of jurisdiction of each Board was discussed during the meeting at Guwahati and both asserted that the meeting agreed that each Board will stick to its area of jurisdiction and not impinge on another. The BSEM Secretary Nandakumar said that during the meeting he personally brought up the subject of the text book burning incident during the meeting and produced newspapers reports.

None of the members objected or raised complaints when the matter was raised during the meeting, said Nandakumar and added that all agreed that each Board should stick to its area of jurisdiction. After it was agreed that each Board will stick to the rules of sticking to its area of jurisdiction, the Secretary of COBSE, DV Sharma asked for a copy of the Manipur Secondary Education Act, 1972, said Nandakumar and added that a copy was duly given to the official.

DV Sharma will submit the copy of the State's Act to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for due discussion, said Nandakumar. The Deputy Secretary of the CHSEM, Babudhon Sapamcha said that the meeting first deliberated on the frame work of the National curriculum after which the jurisdiction of each Board was discussed.

All members present including representatives from Nagaland had agreed on each Board sticking to its area of jurisdiction, said Babudhon.
The resolutions of the meeting are yet to be circulated, he added. A letter sent to the president of the COBSE, Ashok Ganguly by its general secretary DV Sharma mentioned that the demand in some hill districts of Manipur to use text books of Nagaland Board was raised during the meeting.

In this connection, the general secretary of COBSE (DV Sharma) had pointed out that it is an inter-State issue and the matter has already been referred to the Department of Education, Ministry of HRD and it is for the Government of India to take a stand on the issue. As the letter shows, the issue was discussed during the meeting.
Ibobi rushes emissaries to defuse Moreh crisis Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 18: The Manipur health minister, D.K. Korungthang and Congress MLA Bijoy Koijam today rushed to Manipur’s border trade centre of Moreh in Chandel district as chief minister O. Ibobi Singh’s emissaries to hold talks with the striking traders.
Moreh town remained closed since Saturday following alleged atrocities on innocent civilians of the area in retaliation to an attack by militants on July 13 near border gate No. 2.
The post commander of the Assam Rifles was killed while a woman was injured in the firing incident. Ever since the alleged assault of civilians the town remained closed and border trade remained suspended. The traders are also demanding release of two persons picked by the police and the Assam Rifles following the ambush. Before leaving Imphal Bijoy Koijam, who is very popular among traders of Moreh said that the government team would meet all sections of the people and discussed with them to maintain peace in the border town.
The team will also meet officials of the Assam Rifles and civil officials to defuse the explosive situation there. Before they left for Moreh the two had a meeting with the chief minister.
The Assam Rifles, however, strongly refuted the allegations that the jawans beat up innocent civilians. However, the traders claimed that the jawans did not spare Myanmarese nationals who came to Moreh for trade. They quoted one Nepali Myanmarese national as having said that the military junta in the neighbouring country did not act in the manner the Assam Rifles personnel were behaving. Meanwhile police said that the two arrested persons were brought to Imphal this morning for further interrogation.
The Army PRO earlier said that the arrested persons were working for militants over ground. However, the Moreh residents denied the charges. The UNLF also clarified that the arrested persons were nor related to the organisation in any way. It slammed the Assam Rifles for targeting the innocent civilians.
Naga Hoho Mantle TODAY'S EDITORIAL | July 19 The Morung Express
The Naga Hoho appears to be back slowly on its feet after a period of lull in which the apex tribal body has had quiet but serious and welcome deliberations on a wide range of issues including the election of a new President following the untimely and sad demise of Horangse Sangtam. It has to be appreciated that the Naga Hoho leadership has shown great patience and perseverance in the past few months of uncertainty and despair over many unwanted incidents as it has not been the best of times. Hopefully, the Naga Hoho would have been the first to admit this fact and therefore it was only in the fitness of things that it sat down for some serious deliberation. By taking this time out, the Naga Hoho would hopefully have been in a position to honestly assess its own performance over the last few years and identify the areas that need rectification or a mid course correction. Hopefully with the leadership issue within the Naga Hoho settled, it will now be in a position to start afresh with renewed vigor on the difficult challenges lying ahead.
The decision of the Naga Hoho recommending the extension of the Ceasefire for further period to facilitate continuation of a congenial atmosphere towards holding of peace negotiations is welcomed as it will give a comfortable timeframe for the talks to come to its logical conclusion and without having to rush into any hasty decision. Now that enough time and hard-work has been invested into the peace process, abdication at this juncture will not be worth the years toiled for peace. That however does not mean mere extensions of ceasefire but rather using this period to take up all substantive issues and to give a real push towards a political settlement that honors the historical rights of the Naga people.
For the Naga Hoho, one of its mandated task would be to ensure that any solution coming out of the peace process would have to be first explained and given due publicity before anything is committed in writing by negotiators on the Naga side. The Naga people must be taken into confidence before any final agreement is signed. To make this task easier and less painful, the prevailing discord among the national groups has to be alleviated. And this is not possible unless a sense of unity prevails among the 50 or more Naga tribes. Every organization including the political parties, mass based organization and the Church will also have to work in unison. It would also require that the Naga Hoho remain independent to be able to carry the confidence of the widest spectrum of people on its shoulder.
The new President of the Naga Hoho will also be required to use his diplomatic skills in order to reach out and negotiate on several fronts with different players and to act as a bridge over long distances in reconciling differences. Most importantly for the new President, it will be equally challenging to lead the umbrella organization of the Naga people and how well he does this will depend on keeping the Naga Hoho itself relevant and as a legitimate and credible institution in the eyes of the people.
ULFA using Garo Hills as hideout : ANVC From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, July 18 – The banned United Liberation Force of Asom (ULFA) is using Garo Hills as their hideout, said the banned Achik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC).

The ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sengrang Sangma said over phone from Tura that ULFA cadres were taking shelter in Garo Hills but ‘not disturbing’ the locals there so far.

“So far the public has not lodged any complaint (of ULFA’s harassment). If they complain, we will act against them (ULFA) also,” warned Sangma.

In 2002, the ANVC issued quit notice to its close ally, the proscribed NDFB to leave Garo Hills following public outcry against its illegal activities, Sangma said.

He said, since ANVC was under a tripartite ceasefire agreement with the State and Central Government it had “no control over ULFA’s illegal activities” in Garo Hills. “It is up to the government to evict them (ULFA),” Sangma maintained.

Sangma added not just the ULFA but other banned militant organizations too were using Garo Hills as their base and hideout ‘store house’ for dumping their weapons.

Recently, in a joint operation carried out by the army and the State police, four top ULFA cadres were gunned down in Garo Hills.

According to police sources, the militants had crossed over to escape arrest from security force carrying out operations in Asom.

The Minister in-charge of Home RG Lyngdoh in a recent statement made it clear that the Meghalaya Government would ‘not go soft’ on any militant outfit including the ULFA.

Hmar refugees refuse to return to Manipur Assam Tribune
AIZAWL, July 18 – With the deadline for return of the Hmar refugees from Manipur, now lodged at a relief camp in Mizoram, expiring today, majority of them have refused to return unless the government of their home State guaranteed their safety.

The refugees had sent a memorandum to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to extend their stay in Mizoram and also to increase the rehabilitation and resettlement package offered to them, Chairman of the Hmar Refugees Advisory Board L Thualuai said today.

Hundreds of Hmar refugees fled Manipur’s Parbung and Lungthulien villages after the United National Liberation Front militants attacked the villages in the early part of this year.

Thualuai said only 117 refugees belonging to 42 families have returned to Manipur while 629 Hmars belonging to 104 families refused to go back unless their safety was guaranteed by the Manipur Government.

“The main issue, of course, is our safety. The Manipur Government offered Rs. 5,000 for each family and free ration for four months, but could not ensure safety of our lives and properties,” Thualuai claimed.

He said they intend to remain in Mizoram even if the government discontinued the relief provisions as they still dare not return to their home State.

The National Commission for Women, which conducted an independent inquiry found that at least 25 girls, some of them minors were raped and molested by the Meitei militants. – PTI

Indefinite bandh at Moreh to protest alleged excess by Assam Riflesmen
From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, July 18 – Many Indian citizens including a Myanmarese were among those who faced the wrath of the Assam Riflesmen at Moreh in an apparent reprisal for the gunning down of a Junior Commissioned Officer of 24 Assam Rifles on July 13 by United National Liberation Front cadres.

The victim fifty year-old Myanmarese Nepali informed that though Myanmar is under the military junta such excesses of the security personnel are not witnessed there.

He said, if the Assam Rifles troops did not want any Myanmarese to cross into India they could have said so instead of beating up the innocent people.

The troops led by one Major Sati of 24 Assam Rifles also forced the shops and commercial establishments in and around the Moreh gate No. 2 bordering Myanmar’s Namphalong market to shut down, reports reaching here said.

It added that the troops scattered the goods being sold by womenfolk and lined up all the male traders who were returning from Namphalong market with goods and made them take off their shirts while the troops went about beating up all and sundry.
Five other persons were also arrested from Moreh Ward No.7 Heinou Makhong area and handed over to the Police. Apparently they planted live bullets on two of them. One of them was given a grenade.

The Assam Rifles claimed in the arrest memo that four of them were UGs. The Meira Paibis are demanding the release of the boys by withdrawing the charges.

Even media persons based in Moreh had to bear the brunt of the excesses of the Assam Rifles personnel. The force warned the pressmen who came to cover the incidences of the alleged excess of dire consequences.

Protesting the excesses of the Assam Rifles, the womenfolk of the border town in association with other civil societies has clamped an ‘indefinite’ Moreh bandh.

In view of the excess, the traders who were stranded at Moreh town are afraid to cross the border to fetch the goods from Myanmar which severely hit the border trade since the past 48 hours.

The Army Public Relations Officer (Defence Wing) posted here, however, refuted the report that the AR men went berserk and added that the bandh has been called with unterior motive.

He explained that trouble has been cooked up as the troops have rounded up five suspects in connection with the July 13 incident and added that valuable information have been extracted from the five suspects. No one was beaten up today, he claimed.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi while interacting with mediapersons on the sidelight of a function in Imphal said that a Ministerial team will be going to Moreh to pacify the people.

“Legal action will be taken up against the guilty personnel”, he said adding that his government had already intimated the Army authority so as to resume normal life in the border town.

Frans on 07.19.06 @ 02:26 PM CST [link]

Tuesday, July 18th

Naga Hoho to pursue integration of areas issue Kuknalim.com

Naga Hoho to pursue integration of areas issue Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 18:: Naga Hoho, the apex body of all the Naga tribes, has resolved to pursue the integration of Naga areas and said the issue is not negotiable whatever may be the nature and terms of negotiation in the on-going Indo-Naga peace talks.
Naga Hoho General Secretary Neingulo Krome told newsmen that this was resolved in their "Federal Assembly" meeting last Friday. He further said the house recommended extension of the period of cease-fire to facilitate the peace negotiations. He also reiterated the commitment to stop fratricides amongst the 'Naga national workers' (undergrounds).
The Assembly urged the state government to expedite the affiliation process of all the private schools in Naga hill districts in Manipur to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE).

The apex body further urged to implement the pre-1972 Status, guaranteed to all Naga citizens residing in the state.
Expressing concern upon the alleged attrocities of the army and other militant groups on innocent civilians in the Naga areas at Halflong and adjoining vicinities of the North Cachar Hills under Asom, the house demanded adequate security to the Naga population. (UNI)
"Nationalist" Rio not afraid of truth Nagarealm.com [NISHIT DHOLABHAI, telegraphindia]
Kohima, July17: Making no bones about being a Naga “nationalist”, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio today said his vision of the Naga people is quite clear.
Integration, he reiterated, is the Nagas’ birthright and a road to finding a lasting solution. Often criticised for his straightforward statements on integration and accused of extending tacit support to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), Rio told The Telegraph in an interview today that he is not afraid to speak “the truth”.

“To be nationalist or patriotic is not wrong. So why should I shy away from the truth? My political vision about the Nagas is clear and I know my responsibility towards India also,” the chief minister said. He said to find a solution, the Nagas had three alternatives. The first is to drive out the security forces, the second to have third-party mediation and the third is negotiation. The first two, he admitted, have fallen through.
“Negotiation will work. There will be a solution, I know,” he said, adding that Nagas should stop fighting among themselves at once.
The next round of talks between Delhi and the NSCN (I-M) is slated for July 28.

The chief minister denied that the demand for integration had toned down in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. “The recent protests by students to get their schools affiliated to the Nagaland Board of School Education and the people’s refusal to pay house tax to the Manipur government are indicators that the demand is as strong as ever. It will always be alive.”

His government, Rio said, has no objection to affiliating schools in Manipur’s hill districts to the Nagaland board. The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) had come to power riding on the poll card that a lasting solution to the Naga problem had to be found. Sources said the Rio government’s aim is to get people to understand that they should accept whatever the NSCN (I-M) obtains by bargaining with the Centre and not insist too much on sovereignty in its conventional political sense.

Contrary to the NSCN (Khaplang) and the NNC (Adinno), which insist on sovereignty, NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said in a December 2004 speech in Nagaland that if the people feel that they belong to a sovereign nation, then Nagaland is sovereign.

The “truth” for the Rio government is that the final solution will mean granting of more autonomy and identity to the Nagas than what is enlisted in Article 371-A of the Constitution. Rio blamed the Centre for not doing enough to find a solution. In the 2003 Assembly elections, Rio’s party, the Nagaland People’s Front, rode to power on the campaign that the 16-point agreement was not the final solution.
“The agreement was signed only with those who were overground and not with those underground. So, the solution will be found by them (the rebels),” the former Congressman said, implying why his government claims to be a facilitator in the peace talks.

Rio alleged that the agreement, which led to the formation of the state of Nagaland in 1963, was drafted in two years between 1957 and 1959 without taking the militants — members of the Naga National Council then — into confidence. [NISHIT DHOLABHAI, telegraphindia]
Oscar to visit state on July 20 Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 17:: Union Minister of State for Programme Implementation Oscar Fernandes would visit Nagaland for three days from July 20 according to Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) sources. The visit of the Union Minister is very crucial as he is leading the team of the Centre in the ongoing talks between the Centre and the NSCN-IM.

The extension of the ongoing ceasefire between the Centre and the NSCN-IM would be reviewed in the next round of talks between the parties.
During his visit to Nagaland, the Union Minister is likely to meet senior bureaucrats of the Nagaland government and interact with the political parties, church leaders and NGOs to discuss the ongoing situation, peace process and the issues pertaining to the peace process. The present term of extension of cease-fire between the Centre and the NSCN-IM would expire on July 31.

NPCC sources said the Union Minister would meet party leaders at the Congress Bhavan on July 20 and he would also call on the Chief Minister next day. (UNI)
Naga Hoho recommends ceasefire extension Resolution demands immediate cessation of all hostilities Morung Express News Dimapur | July 17
The Naga Hoho while extending its fullest support to the peace process has further recommended the extension of the Ceasefire for further period to facilitate continuation of a congenial atmosphere towards holding of peace negotiations.
The decision to recommended the extension of the ceasefire was resolved during the July 14 Emergency Federal Assembly of the Naga Hoho held at Kohima Tourist Lodge with its federating tribal organizations bringing in their various understanding and suggestions to the deliberation on the specified agenda and co-related issues.
Naga Hoho General Secretary Neingulo Krome in a press communiqué further informed that a resolution was adopted to pursue more vigorously the integration of all Naga areas and that this issue is not negotiable under any circumstances, whatever may be the nature and terms of negotiation in the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks towards finding a negotiated settlement.
The Naga Hoho re-iterated its commitment to stop all kind of fratricides amongst the Naga national workers in particular and therefore appealed in the strongest term, for immediate cessation of all kinds of hostilities.
It also urged the Government of Nagaland to expedite the process of affiliating all the Private Schools of the Naga Hills district under the present state of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). It further resolved to enable the payment of all Hill House Tax 2006, to the state of Nagaland vis-à-vis the Government of India in further consultation with the United Naga Council of Manipur.
Besides, it urged the Government of Nagaland, to implement the Pre-1972 Status, guaranteed to all Naga citizens residing in the present state of Nagaland.
The Naga Hoho also expressed its deepest concern at the army and other militant groups’ atrocities that are committed on innocent Naga civilians in the Naga areas at Haflong and adjoining vicinities of the North Cachar Hills under Assam, and demanded adequate security be provided to the Naga population.
Naga Peace talks: 'Little hopes' By UA Shimray Sangai Express
In the post-colonialism, India has followed two pronged policy for territorial integration, that is, use of armed might (coercion) and negotiation. For instance, Kashmir issue was discussed under the shadow of gun whereas Naga political issue intermittent with “Point Agreements,” “Accord” and “Ceasefire and Talks.” First round of Naga peace talks was initiated in 1960s under the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and also Mrs. Indira Gandhi period. However, the outcome was a major failure. In fact, the failure of 1975’s “Shillong Accord” politically divides the Naga society.
Discontentment to the Accord spread the germ of sectional rivalry and political split, leading to the formation of underground movement called National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). Further, the NSCN experienced a major setback in 1980s with the split of two faction viz., Isak-Muivah (IM) group and Kaplang (K) group. In spite of all political divides and personal differences, Naga political movement sustains because of historical truth.
The present Naga ceasefire and peace talks between the Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (lim) (IM) is conditioned by the following terms: “unconditional talk,” “highest political level” and venue outside India. The 31st July mark significant day for both the Indian Government and NSCN (IM). This is an official date of the Naga ceasefire vis-à-vis extension of ceasefire. Nine years of peace process registered the third innings of political change in New Delhi from National Front Government to NDA and now Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government. During BJP-led NDA regime, Naga peace process was virtually taken controlled by the bureaucrats and giving “important role” to the Indian Government’s emissary.
No doubt, Nagas are having peace dialogue with the Government of India. But the question is who run the Government. It is the political party. Yesterday, it was NDA, now UPA. The change of guard in New Delhi may alter the track of peace process. Historically, Naga issue is close to the Congress party starting right from Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Rajesh Pilot et al. However, Congress party did not do much in resolving the much-protracted Naga problem. Many Congress leaders are out of touch with the Nagas vis-à-vis Naga leaders also distanced the Congress Party in the last seven years. With installation of UPA in New Delhi made a little “adjustment” in the Naga peace process by inserting Minister of State Oscar Fernandes. Under the leadership of Oscar, the two groups have met several times. Although, detail of the discussions have been kept well-guarded secret. Yet, it is obvious that the crucial agenda Naga integration (all Naga areas) must have raised.
The contesting speculation is how the present Congress-led coalition Government would perceive on Naga problem. Today’s coalition form of Government is virtually based on the “political compromise” and programmes. Hence, in such situation the Naga issue needs a “political consensus” in order to arrive certain understanding. And political consensus is no easy task to achieve.
Talks and hopes
The introduction of electoral process based on ballot box in the Naga Hills created two “power centre”- the traditional institution and the peoples’ representative. In spite of several elections and elected Government, yet there is no any substantial political intervention on Naga issue. Unfortunately, the electoral process and “money power” steadily eroded the traditional institution and social structure.
As an alternative, Naga civil society initiated social consolidation process and has created significant platform to redress the peace process. Several rallies, workshop and seminars were organised to strengthen the movement. Such project aims to generate greater opinion and discourse. Present demand of integration “Naga Homeland” under the aegis of Naga Hoho (Naga apex organisation) is overwhelmly acknowledge in Naga society. In this process, Naga civil society organisations draws the strength from the people and traditional institution and seem to have achieved something that state has failed to in all these years.
The political struggle should not be one-sided track but adopt multiple approaches appropriating present Naga social system, economic parameters and political paradigm. The “Collective Leadership” of the NSCN (IM) should acknowledge the perception of Naga civil societies vis-à-vis capitalise the intervention of church organisations, politicians, intellectuals and bureaucrats. Undermining certain section of society and forum could create unpreceden-ted misunderstanding.
Recently, Naga public openly evaluates the basic responsibility of NSCN (IM) and its cadres’ activities. There is an instance, where they directly involves and interferes on local issues. And also taking control of developmental activities, supplies and contract works (which later translate it as extortion). Worst to come is active “partisan participation” in General Election of Manipur and Nagaland. Sometimes, such interference diverts the core issue and capitalises the non-issue becoming main agenda of discourse. In other words, the core issue is subdue and justified by the “periphery activities” indulged by the underground. The Naga political struggle is not a commodity meant for business but legitimate political issue that every Naga citizen has the right of ownership.
Today, Naga peace process becomes sensitive because of the “reactive attitude” of the neighbouring communities. There is strong reaction particularly vocal by Meitei community in regard to the demand of Naga integration. The so-called 18th June “uprising” in the Imphal valley left bad scar in ethnic co-existence in Manipur state. The Meitei community is strongly asserting on upholding the political territory of Manipur.
In the region, ethnic relationship is uneasy at the moment. Therefore to minimise the ethno-political tension, political negotiation is necessary among the various ethnic groups. Recent NSCN’s statement of desires to consult other communities is very important political stand.
One can remember that the Naga ceasefire “without territorial limits” opened the Pandora’s box in the region. Hitherto, “territorial politics” is recent intervention but now this has play significant role in the Naga peace process. Indeed, the old map which the British had introduced for the first time has become a major bone of contention between the different ethnic groups. Therefore, it is imperative that the talks continue and the rational role of the civil society organisations both within and outside the Naga society is crucial.

Piecemeal integration an act of treason: FGN Source: The Sangai Express
Impal, Jul 14: Maintaining piecemeal integration is an act of treason, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has stated that it is unfortunate for all Nagas that some Nagas who have been misled by the Naga rebel group led by Th Muivah and Isak are carrying out rally and political agitation in support of the piecemeal integration or affiliation with Nagaland.

In a statement, deputy raliwali kilonser of FGN Gaibon Panmei said Nagas are a nation and the question of integration or affiliation within a sovereign Nagaland does not arise.
Since the very beginning, the Nagas are united under the banner of Naga National Council (NNC) and fought against India jointly as our national objective is to be a member in the United Nations as a nation in the world, the statement, said adding that integration or affiliation from an Indian State to another puppet State is not the solution to the Indo-Naga conflict.

Unfortunately, Th Muivah, who has his own interest and sectarian agenda defected from NNC on his own accord and also deviated from the original stand of Nagaland and is now demanding piecemeal integration from New Delhi.
This is nothing but an act of treason to all the Nagas, Panmei asserted.

He further said although it is an undeniable fact that artificial boundaries have been made by foreigners in the heart of Nagaland without the knowledge of the Nagas, but Nagas at no point of time have ever recognised such boundaries.
When the sovereignty of Nagaland is recognised by the world, the artificial boundaries would be disappeared at once and for all, he added. Launching a scathing attack against Th Muivah, Panmei said Naga people in southern part of Nagaland suffered a lot due to wrong policy of Th Muivah as he led the Kukis and the Nagas to fight against each other.
No affiliation, says Nagaland Board Nagaland Board books should not be taught in Manipur : Indian Council Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 14: Despite the move launched by the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur with the blessings of the Naga Students' Federation, to affiliate all the private schools set up in the four Naga dominated hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of Secondary School Education, the NBSSE Chairperson has made it clear that no affiliation will be granted to schools located in Manipur. Over and above this, the Council of Boards of School Education in India, North East Zone, during its fourth meeting held at Guwahati yesterday has also decreed that no books prescribed by the NBSSE should be taught in schools affiliated to the Board of Secondary School Education, Manipur.
Speaking to The Sangai Express the Secretary of BSEM, Ph Nandakumar said that the meeting was unanimous that no text books prescribed by the Nagaland Board should be taught in Manipur.
The meeting also decided that each Board should not cross its area of jurisdiction.

The meeting was held with the Secretary General of the Council of Boards of School Education in India, North East Zone, DB Sharma in the chair and was hosted by the Assam Board of Education and Assam Higher Education Council.
Apart from deciding that no text books prescribed by the Nagaland Board should be taught in the schools of Manipur, the meeting also decided to bring the matter to the National level and to submit a representation to the Human Resources Development Department not to entertain any representation to affiliate schools from Manipur to the Nagaland Board, added Nandakumar.

Making the stand of NBSSE clear, its Chairperson Nimi Merce said that the Nagaland Board has no intention to cross into the jurisdiction of BSEM.
Nandakumar further said that Nimi Merce made it clear that NBSSE will not grant affiliation to any schools from Manipur and urged the meeting not to take the matter as an issue worth discussing. The meeting also decided that the school curriculum will be worked out by the respective Boards and this responsibility will not be given to the SCERT.
The meeting is still underway and representative from Manipur, Assam, Nagaland and Mizoram are taking part in the meeting. Apart from Ph Nandakumar, the Deputy Secretary of the Council of Higher Education, Manipur Babudhon Sapamcha is also attending the meeting.
Naga organizations justify NBSE affiliation movement The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 17 (MExN): Frontal Naga organizations the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights, United Naga Council, Naga Women Union Manipur and the All Naga Students Association Manipur, justified what was termed as the ‘resolute’ stand of the Nagas for affiliation to the NBSE. It also warned Manipur media for not maintaining “balance” as well as reasserted demand for affilation to the NBSE.
It out-rightly rejected the allegations that the demand for introducing NBSE syllabus in the 4 Naga Hill districts was planned by the NSCN (IM). “It is a blatant lie. The Naga people hereby clarify that the private schools are affiliating to NBSE of their own free will and not under the barrel of a gun. Mr. O Ibobi’s allegation that schools are being forced to affiliate to NBSE through the barrel of a gun is a shameless lie” it stated.
“The recent burning of Manipuri/BSEM text books in the Naga Districts was inevitable. The Naga students are doing what they ought to do. The private schools in the 4 (four) Naga districts have introduced the NBSE syllabus and the Naga people are determined. Is there any loss for the BSEM/Meiteis?” questioned a statement signed by KS Paul Leo, UNC President, Grace Shatsang, NWUM President, Phamhring Sengul, NPMHR Convener (South) and Paulhring Langhu, ANSAM President.
The organizations also gave the reasons why syllabus replacement is being demanded. According to the statement the reasons are: ‘that the BSEM curriculum through their prescribed text books imposes the dominant (Meitei) culture and traditions upon the minorities (Naga & other hill people); that the Educational curriculum of the BSEM even contains chapters which attempts to distort Naga History; that State Legislative Ordinance of 2005 deliberately ignores the rights of the minorities by imposing the Meitei Mayek (Meitei language) upon Nagas and other minorities; that the Bengali script is imposed in the schools from Class I to VIII through coercion and persuasion; that the order by the Governor of Manipur dated January 7, 2004 which bar private schools in the state from seeking affiliation to CBSE or ICSE is an imposition of the Meiteis’ will upon Naga students in particular and the hill students in general depriving the minorities of their rights to free and fair education’. It added that the peoples’ movement for identity, dignity, justice, freedom and peace can never be smothered by any force.
Further asserting that while Nagas respect the views of any section of the society, they will never tolerate “the bias and chauvinism of the dominant Meiteis” the organization warned The Sangai Express, a Manipur daily, of biasness.
“The Sangai editorial dated 4th July, 2006 sudden outburst of concern for the students in the 4 Naga districts is nothing but shedding crocodile tears, whereas its stand against the Naga Integration is clear. The Sangai Express editorial is advised to maintain a balanced reporting otherwise this can have serious implication” warned the statement.
It questioned why the Sangai editorial, AISF, United Committee Manipur (UCM) and others and the State Government of Manipur “is panicked when the Private Schools of the 4 Naga districts opted for prescribed text books of NBSE.” “What makes them think that the students might loss their academic career by seeking affiliation to NBSE? Do they mean to say that only BSEM is capable of imparting good education? Do they also think that getting affiliated to NBSE means playing with the future of the Naga students? Why are the dominant Meiteis and Mr. Nandakumar Sarma, Secretary BSEM reacting so much when the Nagas are pursuing to evolve a common education pattern?” it questioned adding that the Nagas opposed the “imposed education system especially the BSEM because the Naga people desire to have a common future with a common educational administration.”
Naga bodies train guns on TSE editorial Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Kohima, Jul 17: Numerous Naga frontal social organisations have strongly reacted to the editorial of The Sangai Express in its July 4 edition as well as against the comments of by some organisations based in Imphal over the text book issue.
The United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM), Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) have said that they were constrained to issue a press clarification and set the record straight to justify the resolute stand of the Naga people for common administration.

In a statement issued to Newmai News Network this afternoon, the Naga social organisations said that the Naga people have a high respect for the views of an individual(s) or group(s), but Nagas will not tolerate the biases and chauvinism of the dominant valley community of Manipur.

There can be a cordial atmosphere in the neighborhood only when we respect each others' 'will' and 'aspirations', the statement said adding that the Naga people do not demand the support of valley community.
"We just want them to understand the historical and political rights of the Naga people. The sudden outburst of concern for the students in the 4 Naga districts in the July 4 editorial of The Sangai Express is nothing but shedding crocodile tears, whereas its stand against the Naga Integration is clear. The Sangai Express is advised to maintain a balanced reporting otherwise this can have serious implications, said the statement signed by UNC president KS Paul Leo, NWUM president Grace Shatsang, NPMHR convenor (South Sector) Phamhring Sengul and ANSAM president Paulring Langhu.
It said that the Naga people also wish to question, why the editorial of The Sangai Express, AISF, United Committee Manipur (UCM) and others and the State Government of Manipur panicked when the private schools of the four hill districts of Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and Ukhrul opted for the prescribed text books of NBSE.

"What makes them think that the students might lose their academic career by seeking affiliation to NBSE ? Do they mean to say that only BSEM is capable of imparting good education? Do they also think that getting affiliated to NBSE means playing with the future of the Naga students? Why are the dominant valley community and Mr Nandakumar Sharma, Secretary BSEM reacting so much when the Nagas are pursuing to evolve a common education pattern?", asked the social organisations of the Naga frontal organisations. It further stated that the Naga people opposed the "imposed education system especially the BSEM" because the Naga people desire to have a common future with a common educational administration.

Giving some points and reasons, the statement said that the Naga people are compelled to undertake this syllabus replacement arguing that the BSEMthrough their prescribed text books imposes the dominant valley community culture and traditions upon the minorities (Naga & other hill people),the Educational curriculum of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, even contains chapters which attempt to distort Naga history;the State Legislative Ordinance of 2005 deliberately ignores the rights of the minorities by imposing the Meitei Mayek (Meitei Language) upon them (Naga & other hill people). Moreover, the Bengali script is imposed in the schools from Class 1 – VIII and thus through coercion and persuasion the dominant valley community is processing to assimilate the minorities.
It also reasoned that the order by the Governor of Manipur dated January 7, 2004 which bar the private schools in the State from seeking affiliation to CBSE or ICSE is an imposition of the valley community's will upon the Naga students in particular and the hill students in general thus depriving the minorities (Naga & other hill people) of their rights to free and fair education.

The people's movement for identity, dignity, justice, freedom and peace can never be smothered by any force. The joint statement then pointed out that the Naga people also outrightly reject the "malicious allegations" that the demand for introducing of NBSE syllabus in the four hill districts was planned by the NSCN (IM).
"It is a blatant lie.
The Naga people hereby clarify that the private schools are affiliating to NBSE of their own free will and not under the barrel of a gun. Mr.O Ibobi's allegation that schools are being forced to affiliate to NBSE through the barrel of the gun is a shameless lie", said the statement of the Naga bodies. The statement then explained that the Manipur Chief Minister must also understand that nobody understands one better than oneself and stated that for the Chief Minister to say that most Nagas do not want to be affiliated to NBSE is just the same as saying that most Meiteis do not want to follow the BSEM syllabus.
"Can you believe it?", asked the statement. The recent burning of Manipuri/BSEM text books in the four hill districts was inevitable,said the joint statement of UNC,NWUM,NPMHR and ANSAM reasoning that the Naga students are doing what they ought to do.

"The private schools in the 4 (four) Naga districts have introduced the NBSE syllabus and the Naga people are determined and asked whether there would be any loss for the BSEM and the valley community," added the statement. The Naga frontal organizations appeal to all the tribe Hohos, s