Preserve, protect Naga identity: Rio Correspondent Assam Tribune
Preserve, protect Naga identity: Rio Correspondent Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, Sept 26 – Stating that civil societies and Tribal Hohos are the guardians and custodians of the rich culture and tradition of the Nagas, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has called for preserving the Naga identity while speaking of its uniqueness and recognition given by others through ILP and RAP.
Addressing the Culmination meeting of the Northern Angami Public Organisation for the tenure 2007-2010 at Ura Academy here on Wednesday, he underscored the need for promoting the Naga culture, its folk songs and traditional attires besides preserving village gates, which he maintained are symbolic in nature. In this regard, he also informed that the State Government has taken the initiative to build traditional gates at the Local Ground here.
He noted that the Northern Angamis form half of the Angami tribe and impressed that they have extra responsibility since the State capital also falls under its jurisdiction. He urged them to play proactive roles in maintaining law and order in the State capital town.
Dwelling on the slogan ‘Kohima is the mirror of Nagaland’ coined by the Classic Club, the CM asserted that Kohima should truly reflect the image of the Nagas and further stressed that cleanliness is something that should be maintained without the government.
Also voicing the complaints expressed by the delegates who attended the just concluded World Bamboo Day, the Chief Minister underlined the need for better hotels, particularly stressing on the aspect of cleanliness. He felt that campaigns on civic sense should be taken up on a war footing.
Extortion up in Nagaland H. CHISI The telegraph
Kohima, Sept. 26: The reconciliation process between the warring Naga militant factions has started taking a toll on the Naga people in the form of extortion by militant outfits.
From the time of cessation of all hostilities between Naga separatist groups since 2008, there has been a sharp increase in extortion as well as abduction of businessmen and affluent people by militants, particularly in Dimapur and Kohima.
This became possible as the militants could move about freely without fearing other factions.
Dimapur, once dominated by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) is now home to over a dozen militant outfits
In Kohima, businessmen, government employees, and the public have to pay so-called “taxes” to five Naga outfits — the NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K), Naga National Council (Adinno) (NNC-A), NNC (Senka) and Federal Government of Nagaland (Singnya). Kohima, too, was once the stronghold of the NSCN (I-M).
Apart from yearly tax, these outfits also collect taxes from time to time from businessmen and government departments. Contractors and suppliers, too, are not spared. They have to part ways with a certain percentage of money from their contract and supply works, while government employees have to pay yearly taxes ranging from 5 per cent to 25 per cent. Usually, the NSCN (I-M) deducts 25 per cent as yearly tax from the government employees and the NSCN (K) deducts 20 per cent.
“With the cessation of hostilities among Naga groups, we now have to pay taxes to all the five factions,” a businessman from Kohima, who did not want to be identified, told The Telegraph. He said businessmen do not report this to the authorities fearing retaliation from the outfits though the police have been asking them to do so.
“How can we report to the police? Even if the militants are arrested, they are released the next day,” he said.
The police, too, have admitted that extortionists are often released without punishment. They said that better coordination between the judiciary and the police would ensure befitting punishment for these lawbreakers.
When it comes to taxation, it’s only the security forces and police who remain untouched by the militants. Apart from businessmen and government servants, every household has to pay a yearly tax of Rs 100 to these unscrupulous elements.
“Life in Kohima has become difficult,” a senior government employee said. He said militants come to office not only to collect taxes, but also to ask for contracts and supply works.
At the New Field gate, Dimapur militants are collecting taxes under the very nose of the policemen manning the gate. Trucks have to pay Rs 4,000 to the NSCN (I-M) and Rs 2,500 to the NSCN (K) as entry taxes while FGN charges Rs 5,000 as a yearly tax per truck.
Dimapur district administration said apart from militant groups, around 12 different organisations collect taxes from trucks, commercial vehicles and business establishments. Dimapur Transport Goods Union has threatened to go on an indefinite strike if this menace continues.
But authorities have assured them that stringent action will be initiated to check the menace in and around Dimapur.
The state government will now book all arrested extortionists under the National Security Act, which ensures harsher punishment for them.
He said state government has issued necessary notifications to book the extortionists under NSA, and directed the district administration not to spare anyone indulging in extortion.
Apart from this, the home minister was also concerned about the vehicle-lifting cases in Dimapur and the increase in overall criminal activity.
The state government is raising a special force to tackle the militants in and around Dimapur. Since the last part of 2007, over 20 businessmen have been abducted and killed in and around Dimapur, while over 100 non-Naga businessmen have been forced to flee Dimapur.
The organisations of Dimapur have also demanded more police stations in different colonies and wards to check the rising crime rate.
Reconciliation of Nagas a threat to the Government of India's unpublished policies?- E-Pa0 News
Amsterdam, September 23 2010
A Naga International Support Center, NISC
www.nagalim.nl
A human rights organization
Amsterdam, September 23 2010
Reconciliation of Nagas a threat to the Government of India's unpublished policies?
United as One
As the road to concrete reconciliation is a difficult one vowing to do just that is no token endeavor. Thus, the Naga International Support Center congratulates the Naga groups for, under the auspices of the FNR, coming together as one.
However, to forgive but not forget needs wisdom, statesmanship and accompanying action. Action like purifying the united Naga Organization from the causes on which this horrendously aggressive diversity was based, causes which led to indiscriminant killing of fellow Nagas.
Since NNC, NSCN-Khaplang and the NSCN-Isak Muivah groups know the reasons for these violent separations very well, they should be able to forgive but also to built on a Naga society where trust and respect prevails and the gun is used to defend the people against the real enemies of the Nagas.
The reasons for conflicts among the Nagas are multifold but not created by Nagas alone; the separation caused by the Shillong Accord and the separation of the Khaplang group happened due to the infusion of the Divide and Rule policy of the Government of India. On the other end of the spectrum and no matter how influenced all Naga groups claim and maintain that 'sovereignty' is the core reason for their existence.
Then, if sovereignty is the goal of the Naga Forces, a conviction they act on behalf and in defense of the Naga Peoples what is more natural than coming together as one?
This is an important observation because those, who truly defend the Naga peoples against alien invaders to achieve their Freedom, have the right to act on their behalf; they represent them. As the Naga Peoples too have the right to self determination, a universal right in the Covenant of the United Nations the Government of India also was a signatory to, the Naga forces act to defend that very right; the right determine their own future.
Though Nagas in general have a common goal still individuals, groups, political parties can differ in their opinion on how the Naga Nation should be governed, governed with respect to the rights of all Nagas. These differences are free to express and during elections Nagas should be able to express these preferences without be they voted without being harassed, bribed, coerced or otherwise influenced.
A reconciled Naga Organization stands strong and defeats the divide and rule policy of the Government of India. Though ultimately the Government of India has failed, it is not likely to gracefully bow out. Only with successful peace talks will the Government of India cease its efforts to subdue.
For more information visit www.nagalim.nl 0r email: nisc@nagalim.nl">nisc@nagalim.nl
Peace is the way Samudra Gupta Kashyap Indian Express
The Naga movement for a sovereign state, which has been marred by factionalism and violence in the past couple of decades, touched a new landmark when the two warring sides — the Issak-Muivah and Khaplang factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) — signed an agreement this weekend to reconcile on the basis of the “historical and political rights of the Nagas”.
Another faction, the Naga National Council (NNC), the one that had actually launched the armed campaign for a Naga state under the leadership of the now legendary Angami Zapu Phizo, also joined the two NSCN factions to sign the agreement.
While the reconciliation process was facilitated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), the most significant aspect of this effort was the presence of two top leaders of the underground movement, NSCN(IM) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and NSCN(K) leader N. Kitovi Zhimomi. In the words of the FNR, “the leaders patiently listened to each other and emphasised the need for Naga reconciliation and to end all violence and bloodshed amongst the Nagas.”
In the past three or four years, Naga groups, particularly the two NSCN factions, have been busier fighting each other for territorial dominance and expansion. The ground reality is that the more area a group controls, the stronger and financially sound it stays. All the three main factions not only have their respective underground governments, but also collect “tax” from the people at rates that are revised from time to time. Within their respective governments, Muivah and Zhimomi are also regarded as “ato kilonser” — prime minister — of their respective Nagalim.
It has been a fact that though the NSCN(IM) has been in a ceasefire with the government of India since August 1997 and the NSCN(K) followed suit three years later, the two sides have engaged in a series of violent clashes that has left hundreds of cadres dead in the past three or four years. They have also engaged in a war of words, with each calling the other a stooge of the government.
To recall, while the NSCN was formed by Muivah and Khaplang after they broke away from the NNC in the aftermath of the signing of the “Shillong Accord” in 1975, the two subsequently parted ways following clashes in which Khaplang’s followers allegedly killed about 200 of Muivah’s men in 1988. Even after the ceasefires the two factions have signed with New Delhi, there has been a lot of suspicion within the Khaplang faction, because the government has been, for long, talking only to the NSCN(IM). No wonder Kughalu Mulatonu, a senior NSCN(K) leader, even went to the extent of saying, a couple of years back, that the day was not far when the Muivah faction would start singing Vande Mataram!
Factional clashes have also claimed a large number of lives in recent years, prompting the church, traditional institutions like the Naga Hoho and various civil society groups, including the Naga Mothers’ Association, to call upon both sides to put an end to violence in the interest of the peace talks.
While these attempts did not yield much, it was the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) formed by Wati Aier, a highly respected Naga who heads the Oriental Theological Seminary in Dimapur, which finally managed to put an end to the hostilities. Aier, who has been working on this since 2008, got representatives of the three factions sign the Covenant of Reconciliation at Chiang Mai in Thailand last September, which paved the way for this agreement.
The reconciliation agreement has been already hailed by all quarters across Nagaland. While the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has described it as a “landmark in the reconciliation process”, the Naga Hoho has called it “another red-letter day” in the annals of Naga political history. Political parties, too, have not lagged behind in hailing the September 18 agreement.
Now, with the agreement in place, Wati Aier’s FNR has said the signatories should now be engaged in working out their differences in the greater interest of the Naga people. It also reminded all Naga political groups that one without the other would be incomplete. “All of them are part of the jigsaw puzzle of the Naga nation and everyone has a role to play in ushering in an era of peace that Nagaland has been yearning for decades,” Aier said.
Nagaland certainly can no longer afford to seek a solution to the six-decade-old problem with the groups remaining divided. New Delhi has also been insisting that the Naga leaders must come forward with a common voice to hammer out a lasting peaceful solution. It is time Muivah, Khaplang and the others realised the meaning of the old saying: divided we fall, united we stand.
“September 18 Summit” an opening for the Nagas morungexpress
Dimapur, September 27 (MExN): The UNDSP Nagaland said that “September 18 Summit” is an opening for the Nagas which was made possible with the participation of the GPRN/NSCN, FGN/NNC, NSCN/GPRN. The Party terming this meeting as “Silver lining in our common efforts to find amicable solution to the Naga political problem, also prayed that the leaders be granted with wisdom and strength to collectively withstand against the storm-like adversary and opponents.”
The party Adviser & Chief Patron, T. A. Ngullie in a press release encouraged saying that “if any group, party, organisation breaks away from the Covenant of Reconciliation, it will not be only a shame but a curse of God which may fall upon those who break away.” He also reminded that Nagas have one chorus and one mind and had arrived at this point of unity and reconciliation. There is nothing greater than reconciliation and unification of the Nagas.
Meanwhile, the UNDSP Nagaland has committed to extent its fullest support and cooperation towards the greater progress of the reconciliation of the Nagas which will thereby pave the way for the long awaited fulfillment of the Naga political settlement.
In a separate release, the president of RJD Nagaland state today stated that the “September 18 Summit” was successful due to the tireless efforts of FNR and prays that almighty God will grant them good health, wisdom and long life to continue working for the ongoing Naga Reconciliation process. He also commended the top leaders of Naga faction for accepting the calls of FNR and the cry of the Naga people and appealed to the top leaders to stay united for achieving any goal.
President, RJD Nagaland state Khetovi Kinny in another press release said that the signatories of “September 18 Summit” for reconciliation should not betray the Naga people; Almighty God will not spare the life of those signatories if the leaders commit the same mistake. “Naga people want to see our freedom fighters as one body, as one common platform while negotiating with Government of India based on the Historical Rights of Naga People,” Kinny added.
Memo to PM by Nagas of Manipur, (NPN):
DIMAPUR Disconcerted over Manipur government’s rejection to increase tribal representation in the Manipur legislative assembly, United Naga Council (UNC) and Committee for Alternative Arrangement has appealed to the government of India to intervene and protect Naga citizens in the present state of Manipur.
The two organisations, in a memorandum to the prime minister of India, reiterated the June 1947 Nine Point Agreement signed between Akbar Hydari, the then governor of Assam and the Naga National Council (NNC), and the 13th clause of the Sixteen Point Agreement 1960, between the GoI and the Naga Peoples’ Convention (NPC), stating that they testified to India’s standing commitment to the consolidation of contiguous Naga areas.
According to the two organisations, the tribal areas in Manipur constituted about 90% of the state’s total area, with a population of 9,83,074, making up for 41% of the state’s total of 23,88,634. The council pointed out that the tribals had only 20 representatives in the house of 60, each tribal MLA representing a population of 49,154 and about 1004.5 sq km on an average. It alleged that despite the apparent constitutional requirement for delimitation adjustment of assembly constituencies based on the above mentioned data, which indicated the need for an increase in tribal representation, the same had been ignored and rejected by the “communal” government of Manipur.
Stating that the position of the Nagas was clear and resolute, the Nagas of Manipur demanded that the government of Manipur withdraw its administration and cease “militarization” in Naga areas. The two organisations also urged the government of India to recognize Manipur government’s failure to represent the Naga people with the denial of their constitutional and democratic rights, and that it was impossible for the Nagas to protect their right to life, land, traditional institutions, customary practice and values under the administration of the Government of Manipur. It urged the government of India to intervene with an alternative arrangement for protection of the Naga citizens and administration of the Naga areas in the present state of Manipur.
Further, drawing to the “grave potential for communal confrontations and violence” which it said could flare up at the slightest provocations, intentional or perceived as such by any community, the Nagas in Manipur sought the centre’s immediate intervention in the matter to avoid any catastrophic consequences.
It described the situation as “fragile, sensitive, and delicate” and said that “peaceful parting of ways” of the Nagas in Manipur and the Meiteis as good
neighbours was the only way to avert catastrophic situations that would arise out of prolongation of the forced union.
The journey o f Naga issue! Oken Jeet Sandham
Decades old Naga political movement has a lot to tell tale. Basically, the Naga political movement was for the Nagas to live as a “free nation” but it became complicated when the British left India without settling many problems including Nagas. In fact, they have created a political mess in whole of the Indian sub-continent. As such what we are seeing today is not the Indian creation but the British.
In spite of all these, the Naga leaders of Naga National Council (NNC) started engaging in series of discussions with leaders of India prior to the British’s transferring of power to them, expressing their clear conscience of living as a free nation. After knowing that whatever discussion on the matter would not fructify, the NNC leaders went ahead to declare Naga Independence on August 14, 1947, one day ahead of Indian Independence on August 15, 1947. This is the turning point in the history of Naga political struggle.
To strengthen their movement and reaffirmation of Independence, NNC had conducted “national Plebiscite” on May 16, 1951. They said 99.9 percent of Nagas voted in favor of “a sovereign Nagaland.” With this mandate, the NNC adopted the Constitution of Nagaland on March 22, 1952.
This “extraordinary” development raised the specter of huge trust deficit between the Government of India and the NNC. In the meantime, NNC continued their vigorous campaign consolidating their position but things were not that bad till such time when Delhi took a decision to crush the surging Naga movement with their military might.
To give extra ordinary power to the security forces fighting against the Naga underground people, Delhi, for the first tem, brought out the “Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958.” It has become one of the most controversial Acts today in the country – drawing flaks from around the world. Nagaland was like a laboratory theatre for the Indian army to experiment the new “Act.”
Imagine, the hell bent in the 50s, 60s, 70s when so-called educated Nagas had hardly realized the nature of the Act. Only after decades, people started raising the specter of it.
Strangely, it took Delhi 42 years to declare the Naga issue as “political.” It was Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao who while visiting Nagaland in 1989 had declared that the “Naga issue is political,” and “it needs political solution.”
When Manipur went into flames after Assam Riles jawans allegedly raped and murdered Th Manorama, Indian Army General commented that the Army was not the solution to the issue but the political approach. The Army took 57 years of the futility of using their forces against region’s insurgency problems.
People may say many things of the Naga political struggle today but if one looks back at the 50s, it is simply horrible. I had interacted with many Naga elders in many villages. Their stories were all the same. The Naga people had suffered enough at the hands of the Indian army. Indian army had burnt down many Naga villages, granaries, raped many Naga ladies, tortured numerous males, killed many, etc. Most of the boys in the 50s could not go to schools for fear of being beaten or arrested by India army, while males including teenage boys had to take shelter in jungles for days, weeks, months. Some were starved to death. All these horrendous acts were perpetrated on the innocent Naga villagers in the name of fighting Naga underground people. And the Nagas underwent all these unwanted just because they wanted to live as a free nation.
By then, most of the NNC leaders went “underground” as they were hunted down by the Indian army and in fact, one of the most charismatic Naga leaders, AZ Phizo, he himself had to flee to London. It is unfortunate that though the British knew very well, they did not help find solution to the problem they had created. They did not object Phizo taking shelter in Britain either. It’s a mockery at the way the British played with the Nagas.
These are untold stories of the Nagas because in those early days, no pressmen, no outsiders (read foreigners), no communication facilities were there. The Nagas did not know such importance either. It is only after mid 90s or say, after Delhi’s ceasefire with NSCN (IM) in 1997, the importance of mass media came in Nagaland.
There were various occasions where many Naga leaders both overground and underground tried to solve the Naga political problem. Overgound Naga leaders initiated process and even contacted Phizo at London. We have seen series of correspondences between many state politicians including Dr SC Jamir and Phizo.
The emergence of Naga People’s Convention (NPC) had changed the course of Naga history as they were responsible for the birth of a full-fledged statehood of Nagaland in 1963. In the following year in 1964, ceasefire was declared between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) through the initiative of NBCC. Subsequently, they were engaged in political talks for finding settlement to the problem. The talks collapsed after six rounds. The problem remained and became more compounded as there were Naga leaders who ran the affairs of the Indian state of Nagaland needing to defend the “Sovereignty and Unity of India.” The Naga underground people became more aggressive needing to fight against their own people on the one hand and Indian army on the other. The political process became trickier and riskier. Assassination of Naga leaders started, so also many abortive assassination attempts on Naga politicians. The Naga underground leaders and the Naga overground people were at loggerheads over the Naga issue.
Then the Shillong Accord came in 1975. This Accord had done maximum damage to the NNC. The immediate fallout of this Accord could be seen by the formation of another Naga underground group – The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) in 1980. After about a decade, the NSCN was split into two in 1988—one headed by Isak Chishi Swu and Th Muivah and the other by SS Khaplang and Dally Mungro. Following the split, hundreds of Naga underground cadres and high functionaries including Dally Mungro lost their precious lives due to factionalism. Sadly, it went on in large scale even after the Government of India’s ceasefires with NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K). This had led many intellectuals and intelligentsias to questioning the rationality of the ceasefires with the Government of India. Some poised questions as to why Naga underground groups could not cease fighting amongst them when they could with Indian security forces, while wondering on New Delhi’s remaining as mute spectator allowing factions to go free for all. This is where mass based Naga civil societies came in to intervene.
Even after present DAN Government came into power, they set up committees to facilitate unity and reconciliation amongst the factions. In its second tenure, the DAN government constituted Political Affairs Committee (PAC). Its members had extensively travelled and met leaders of various factions. They discussed the exigency of having unity and reconciliation amongst them. But everything seemed quite smooth till such time when the PAC mooted the idea of having a “Naga Common Platform.” Members for Naga Common Platform would be drawn up from different political parties, NGOs, representatives from all the tribal hohos, veteran Naga politicians in the likes of Dr SC Jamir, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, RC Chiten Jamir, etc. The basic premise of such arrangement is to evolve a consensus or majority opinion of the Naga people towards ongoing talks with New Delhi. With such mandate endorsed, the Naga underground leaders could talk with New Delhi.
Unfortunately, the formation of Naga Common Platform did not materialize and the emergence of Joint Legislators Working Group (JLWG) has actually overtaken the role of PAC. Thereby the role of PAC carried no weight at this juncture and it appears to be only duplication.
On the other hand, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) also came into being in 2008 with renowned priest Rev Wati Aier as Convener. Since then, they had initiated series of programs for leaders of various Naga underground groups to meet and share about their feelings of love and affection and understanding.
They avoided touchy words and issues but primarily concentrated on “reconciliation” so far. They could succeed in breaking ice and further strengthen the journey of common hope. Who believed that members of NSCN factions would agree to meet each other and form a combined team to play soccer against combined team of different Naga NGOs. But the idea worked at last. It is a fantastic idea. Now the ball started rolling and gradually the ghost of fear of meeting one another has drastically reduced.
These successive positive developments could pave way for the top leaders of NSCNs and NNC/FGN to come and attend the “Highest Level Meeting” of leaders of Naga underground groups.
The FNR has come a long way since its birth with a mission.
Their “Highest Level Meeting” for top leaders of the NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and NNC/FGN is “landmark.” One should give credit to the FNR and other agencies working tirelessly to make the event a success. NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah, NSCN(K) general secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi and NNC/FGN president S Singnya along with their senior kilonsers (ministers) came to attend the historic “Highest Level Meeting” – they called it “September Naga Summit” – on September 18 at Dimapur would go down in the annals of Naga political history. The three leaders had inked “Covenant of Reconciliation,” committing to working out their differences as outlined in it (Covenant of Reconciliation).
This would end the most unwanted factional killings and begin a new chapter in the history towards strengthening the Naga Reconciliation.
“September Naga Summit greatest of the decade”: FNR
Posted by kanglaonline on September 19, 2010 in K-Featured | 0 Comment
KOHIMA, SEPT 19 (NEPS): Following the “historic” highest level meeting of leaders of NSCN(IM), NSCN(K)and FGN/NNC held at yesterday at Dimapur under the initiative of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR),things are moving in fast pace with high hope real peace will return to the land.
It is a landmark in the history of Naga political journey that by responding to the deep yearning of the Naga people and in affirmation to the call made by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to convene the highest level reconciliation meeting, Brig (Retd) S. Singnya, Kedaghe of NNC/FGN, N. Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser of GPRN/NSCN and Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser of NSCN/GPRN met in Dimapur on September 18 to show their commitment and sincerity to the Naga Reconciliation.
In a press communiqué issued on Sunday, FNR stated that from despondency, the Journey of Common Hope, was emerging with concrete hope towards the future. “We are humbled and profoundly mindful of God’s faithfulness all through the journey—a journey sometimes filled with fear and hopelessness,” it said.
Naga leaders with NSCN(IM) general secretary Th Muivah, NSCN (K) general secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi and NNC/FGN leader Brig (retd) S Singnya during “Highest Level Reconciliation Meeting” initiated by FNR at Dimapur
Stating that amidst the abyss of uncertainty, the “Highest Level Meeting” of the Naga leaders has taken place on September 18, at Dimapur which was attended by Mr. Th Muivah, the Ato Kilonser, NSCN/GPRN; Brig (Retd) S Singnya, the President, FGN/NNC; and Mr. Kitovi Zhimomi, the Ato Kilonser, GPRN/NSCN. Senior leaders who accompanied them were, Gen. V S Atem (Emissary to the Collective Leadership and Convener, Steering Committee), Mr. Qhevihe (Speaker, Tatar Hoho) and Mr. Kedulhitsu Tsuzu (Steering Committee Member) of the NSCN/GPRN; Mr. Azheto Chopy (Convener, NPAC), Mr. Huthrong Yimchungru (Kilo Lilonser), Mr. C Singson (Kilonser) of the GPRN/NSCN; and Mr. Zhopra Vero (Vice-President), Mr. Peshuo Lam (Kilonser), and Mr. Pudai Lam (Kilonser) of the FGN/NNC.
“The September Summit may be considered as the greatest news of the decade for the Nagas,’ the communiqué said terming it as “Indeed, a priceless gift to the Naga people from our highest level leaders.”
It said they were touched by the “sincerity” of the Naga leaders and their “down-to-earth leadership’ exhibited throughout the meeting proceedings. “This signals the beginning of a new era of bright hope for the Nagas. We applaud each of them,” it asserted.
They disclosed that just last Sunday, September 12, 2010, Christians across Naga areas and Baptists in many parts of the world were praying for the Highest Level Meeting of the Naga leaders. Today, September 19, exactly a week after, they were beginning to harvest the “intercessions of God’s people. All achievements have come from God and FNR attests to this fact.”
“FNR would like to put in record of our sincere gratefulness to the Shisha Hoho Prayer Center, NBCC, CNBC, NCRC, Nagaland Catholic Churches Association, and other Christians organizations in Naga areas, and other Christian organizations throughout the world; and notwithstanding the Naga Hoho, ENPO, NMA, NSF, NPMHR, UNC, NWUM, and all other Naga Tribal organizations for your tireless support to Naga reconciliation,” the communiqué added.
It further said in the coming days, the signatories of the COR (Covenant of Reconciliation) would be engaged in working out their differences and for this the “FNR, once again, must call upon all to render your fullest support.”
“As often mentioned, the FNR assures all Naga political groups that one without the other will be incomplete and we stand by our words,” it said adding it would like to reiterate that all of them were part of the jig-saw-puzzle of the Naga nation and everyone had a role to play.
Acknowledging with much gratefulness to Mr. Hukato and Debby Naga for their wholehearted support in hosting the entire event, FNR wished that God blessed them.
Uncertainty over peace talks OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Shillong, Sept. 26: Uncertainty looms large over the proposed political talks with the main militant outfits of the state, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC).
While the state government is yet to chalk out modalities for the talks with HNLC the ANVC is currently under ceasefire, but the Garo outfit’s demand for a separate Garoland autonomous council is yet to be fulfilled by government.
The recent statement by HNLC commander-in-chief Bobby Marwein that he was committed to continuation of the armed struggle and would not surrender may further delay the talks process.
On the other hand, in Garo hills, the ANVC, which had entered into a ceasefire with the state and the Centre six years ago, are frustrated over the delay in initiation of a political dialogue.
On September 20, in a statement, HNLC leader Marwein said come what may he and his group would not surrender or come overground.
This contradicted the statement issued by HNLC general secretary Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew on August 16 this year, that they were willing to hold talks with the government provided the government showed some seriousness on its part.
Thangkhiew, however, had deplored that the government was making statements about the need to have peace talks only in the media without taking any pro-active steps in that direction.
A senior police official today said with at least 150 HNLC cadres surrendering so far, the strength of HNLC was on the decline.
There can be a minimum of 40 to 50 HNLC members at present at their camps in Bangladesh and, moreover, the firepower of the outfit has also been reduced considerably.
The biggest setback for the outfit was surrender of HNLC chairman Julius Dophang in September 2007.
This paved way for largescale exodus of other senior cadres of HNLC from Bangladesh.
The police official said HNLC should learn from Ulfa and other outfits who are coming overground, as the situation in Bangladesh was not conducive.
Both the state home department and the Union home ministry were keeping a close watch on HNLC militants, as they consider it only a matter of time for the remaining members of the outfit to follow suit.
The ANVC, under ceasefire since 2004, has been demanding the formation of Garoland Autonomous Council, but in vain.
Other than the ceasefire monitoring committee meetings to extend the ceasefire over the years, there were only two rounds of talks held in the early part of this year —the militant outfit being initiated by mediator P.C. Haldar.
“We don’t understand why is the Centre delaying political talks, and we are frustrated over the undue delay,” ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sangma said today.
He added that the ANVC members are still waiting for a meeting with Haldar to discuss and finalise their demands.
AASU suspends Eco Blockade morungexpress
Dimapur | September 24 : The economic blockade imposed by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) on Nagaland bound commercial vehicles has been called-off for the time being. It took effect from Saturday morning after a late night marathon meeting between AASU and NSF leaders at Golaghat.
The positive development was brought about after AASU took note of the Nagaland government placing into suspension, the company commander of the concerned 12 (NAP) IR Battalion on September 23, which was involved in the Pholongoni incident at Golaghat on September 15 last. The Morung Express had reported yesterday that an end to the blockade was in sight following this breakthrough development.
“The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) do hereby suspend the ongoing Economic Blockade on Nagaland with immediate effect”, stated a press release from the AASU countersigned by its President Sankar Prasad Ray and General Secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi. The release however, came with a clear warning that it will be compelled to resume the agitation if all the erring police personnel involved in the unfortunate September 15 incident are not brought to book at the earliest.
The note stated that the AASU has taken note of the Nagaland government “starting the process of disciplinary steps by way of suspension of the Company Commander of the 12th (NAP) IR BN responsible for the 15th Sept. atrocities on the AASU volunteers vide govt. order NO. POL/PF-2/12/2009”.
It also lauded the “immediate condemnation and expression of solidarity and support” extended by the NSF to the cause of the AASU, and the subsequent effort of the Naga students’ body to exert pressure on the Nagaland government for immediate disciplinary action on the erring policemen.
The action of the AASU was also, in part, responding to the appeal of the NSF to lift the blockade in the interest of strengthening people to people relationship between Assam and Nagaland, the note further stated.
It acknowledged the role played by the former presidents of the NSF – Achumbemo Kikon and NSN Lotha – and extended gratitude to “all the organisations and volunteers who have extended support and rendered their valuable services to the cause of bringing justice to the 15th Sept. 2010 incident.”
“The above statements is an outcome of a joint meting between the AASU and the NSF held at Golaghat on the 23 rd Sept., 2010 conducted by Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharya, Advisor AASU and represented from the NSF by President, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, General Secretary, O. Wati Jamir, and Speaker, K. Andrew, NSF, Achumbemo Kikon, Ex. President, NSF, Imchatoba, Ex. President, NSF and NSN Lotha, Ex. Secretary General, NESO”.
Differences among ULFA members exist: Paresh Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 27 – The commander in chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Paresh Barua today admitted that there are differences of opinion among the members of the outfit on the issue of talks with the Government. Meanwhile, the Central Government’s interlocutor for talks with the militant groups of Assam, PC Haldar met Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at his residence to discuss various issues relating to the talks with the militants.
Amidst reports of division in the ranks of the ULFA on the issue of talks, Paresh Barua today sent an email to the media claiming that there is no division in the outfit. He said that there are differences of opinion on the way the outfit should come for talks with the Government and hoped that such differences would be settled soon.
Barua alleged that the Government of India was trying to create division in the ranks of the ULFA. The Government of India has been making such efforts since 1991 and the efforts are still continuing. Having difference of opinion is nothing unusual but such differences can be settled through timely action by the chairman of the ULFA and other members of the outfit, he added.
The ULFA C-in-C said that the people of Assam did not want a division in the ULFA and called upon all members of the outfit to thwart all such attempts by the Government. He said that no member of the ULFA is against respectable and meaningful talks with the Government of India but at the same time, no one should give up the ideology of the outfit to come for talks. He said that if the ULFA accepts the pre-conditions put forward by the Government of India, respectable dialogue would not be possible for permanent solution of the problems. No one should also forget the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs, he added.
On the issue of more than 20 ULFA members returning to Assam from Bangladesh, Barua said that those ULFA members came back at the behest of the Assam Police. He said he has definite proof of the same.
Barua admitted that the preset condition of the ULFA pained him, but at the same time, he said he did not lose heart. He ridiculed the statements made by the Government authorities that he has been isolated but, he said that he would not engage in a war of words with anyone.
Frans on 09.27.10 @ 10:45 PM CST [link]
