Nagalim.NL News

Monday, December 31st

Border people regularly paying taxes to Naga ultras From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune



Border people regularly paying taxes to Naga ultras From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune

GOLAGHAT, Dec 30 – Majority of the areas along the Assam-Nagaland border in Dhansiri sub-division are inter-connected by three sectors, namely A, B and C, for the smooth running of administration. These areas under the three sectors are being identified as disputed areas. The Nagaland Government and encroachers have been taking advantage of this situation. In the disputed areas, the Nagaland government established sub-divisions and districts defying the recommendation of the Sundaram Committee.

The erstwhile Chief Minister of Nagaland, who is now a Governor, mentioned in his lectures that Assam government had encroached on lands of Nagaland. Majority of the people living along the Assam-Nagaland border are farmers. They are being compelled to pay taxes to Naga extremists regularly. Recently, Naga village head of No, 1 Cheunpui, J Kharkuw had served demand notice to villagers to deposit seven quintals of paddy as taxes.

People informed to the neutral force (CRPF) and requested action against the Nagas, but the CRPF paid no heed to their appeal. The CRPF personnel were allegedly involved in transaction of land belonging to Assamese farmers with the Nagas, it was alleged by border inhabitants. During harvesting period, the Naga extremists compel farmers to pay tax. As a result, the farmers of the border areas had to lose major portions of their produce.

Having taken advantage of the ceasefire agreement with the Central government, the NSCN extremists have begun to indulge in kidnapping and extortion of money from the neighbouring people of Assam-Nagaland border areas. The extremists kidnap businessmen and release them after receiving a large amount of money. Due to the apathy of the State Government regarding solution of the vexed border problems, people feel that within a short period, Nagaland would include the whole areas of A, B and C sectors in the Nagalim.

Talks only solution on border row with Myanmar: Rio Nagaland Page

Chennai, December 30: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said the border row with Myanmar could be solved only through talks. Talking to reporters after calling on his Tamil Nadu counterpart M Karunanidhi at the latter's Gopalapuram residence here, he said since one third of the Nagas were living in Myanmar, the issue had to be solved only through political dialogue. ''We have been insisting the Centre to arrive at a negotiated settlement to the border issue.'' he added. Rio said as ceasefire was in force, the situation in the troubled state was peaceful. Describing his nearly 20-minute meeting with Karunanidhi as a courtesy call, he appealed to the people of South India, especially Tamil Nadu, to visit Nagaland to promote tourism (UNI)

Naga women get politically conscious (Page News Service)
Dimapur, December 30: Women leaders cutting across political party lines today asserted the need for women to contest the ensuing state general elections in Nagaland. They maintained that it is about time Naga women also become lawmakers instead of just staying back in the background. The women leaders were speaking at a felicitation programme of Khetoli Chishi here at Tourist Lodge Dimapur on Sunday.
It can be recalled that Khetoli Chishi had challenged the Government of Nagaland in the court for its failure to implement the Nagaland Municipal Act (First) Amendment Act 2006 by not declaring the wards reserved for ST/SC and women. The Government had eventually notified the number of wards reserved for women in the state municipality. However, the same cannot be implemented so far as some of the sitting members of the municipality/town councils had filed a writ petition challenging the provision of the amendment act.
In her speech, Khetoli exuded confidence that the reservation for women in the municipality would eventually led to women occupying important position in the state legislature. She wanted all women to unite irrespective of party affiliations to put up and elect at least some women in the forthcoming state general elections. Other women leaders were also unanimous in asserting the need to elect some women in the ensuing state elections so that they can bring some level of decency and transparency in governance.
"Women bear the brunt of mis-governance by men in all affairs of the state because it directly effects the family. It is time we bring some semblance of decency in the state of affairs and this can be done only when there are women law makers to lead the men in the right path," they averred.

Yangon protest, border fencing put on hold By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 30 : With the Myanmarese Government objecting to India Government’s measures of erecting fencing over a distance of 10 kms inside Manipur sector of the Indo-Myanmar border to prevent drug trafficking, illegal crossing and check movement of militants, the Risky Survey Trace Cutting (RSTC) which was slated to begin from November 16 could not take off.
Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source informed that the Myanmarese Government has protested the move being made for conducting the requisite RSTC as announced by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta during his last visit to Imphal for erecting fencing over a distance of 10 kms along the border town of Moreh after leaving 10 metres from the zero line of the International border on India’s side.
A Myanmarese official deputed at Tamu and who is at par with ADC Moreh in rank had reportedly sent a protest note to ADC Moreh Hopeson Chothe stating that border fencing should not be carried out until the settlement of all matters related to border dispute between the two neighbouring countries, the source confided.
The protest note sent by the Myanmarese official demanded to know the exact spot of the zero point of the International border from where the Government of India is planning to measure 10 metres on the India’s side for erecting the fencing, the source further disclosed.
Consequent to the protest note, ADC has brought the matter to the notice of the State Government which in turn has communicated the relevant details to the Union Home Ministry, the source said, adding that the Government of India has not given any response to the State Government in this regard.
However, there is the possibility taking up some diplomatic initiatives from the side of the Government of India with its Myanmarese counterpart to resolve the matter, the source said.
It may be noted that the State Government had earlier urged the External Affairs Ministry to hold diplomatic talks with the Myanmar Government to bring about a settlement to the border dispute.
Following the objection of the Myanmarese Government, officials of the Survey of India and BRO who are presently camping at Moreh in connection with carrying out RSTC have been not been able to take up any work.
The Government of India is to provide all the required fund for the proposed border fencing.

Naga Cong fights twin battles One in Delhi, the other within the party

Kohima, DEC30 [TI] : The Opposition Congress is fighting two losing battles. One in New Delhi where the Centre has refused to dismiss chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s government and the other at home where the party is staring at fissures within.

Top Congress leaders remained mum over the development in the party, but a senior functionary in Nagaland PCC today admitted that all was not well in the party. Though Opposition leader I. Imkong Ao is still in Delhi trying to convince the Centre to dismiss the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government on the ground that it has lost the confidence of the people. Sources said the core problem of the party is that it is entangled in distribution of party tickets for the February elections. While another major problem within the party is leadership crisis between Imkong Ao, former chief minister K.L. Chishi and Goa Governor S.C. Jamir.

Jamir, who is more of a politician than a constitutional head, according to his critics, is willing to come back to the state and is negotiating with the high command. Ao is finding it difficult to accommodate all those MLAs who have defected to the Congress from the ruling DAN as he had promised Congress tickets to all of them. But the party loyalists are ready to revolt if tickets are denied to them at the cost of the newcomers. Ao along with other 15 Congress legislators and nine former members of Nagaland People’s Front are in Delhi since December 17. They are demanding the dismissal of the government besides seeking party tickets for the nine former Nagaland People’s Front members, two JD(U) legislators and three Independents. While Ao is heading one group of the Congress, sources said Jamir had already submitted his own list of party candidates to the Congress high command. “Yes, we heard Jamir had submitted his own list,” a senior NPCC functionary said.

“The Goa governor is willing to come back to the state, but he should not come back to state politics,” said former chief minister Chishi. The relationship between Jamir and Congress chief Imkong Ao had soured after Ao attributed the controversial booklet Bedrock of Naga Society to Jamir and not the Congress as a whole. Ao said the booklet was published by Jamir, therefore the Congress should not be implicated. The booklet generated widespread condemnation from Naga organisations and political parties as it said that statehood had compromised the Nagas’ demand for sovereignty. It also stated that there was never a Naga nation as claimed by Naga rebel organisations. While Jamir still remains the enemy of Naga organisations, Ao has mend his relationship with them. But Ao has been barred from entering his village Changki, which is the biggest village in his constituency. He is also barred from entering another village, Khar. The two villages have decided to field their common candidate Longri Ao.
Yen for Bodo brings linguist to Assam The Telegraph Kokrajhar
A dying language in Nepal has brought a Japanese scholar to the Bodo heartland in Assam. Kazuyuki Kirya, an associate professor at Mimasaka University in Tokyo, is seeking help from Bodo linguists and scholars to compile a grammar of Bodo spoken by a minuscule Bodo population in Nepal who are known as Mech or Meche. Bodo is recognised by the Nepal government as one among the 10 indigenous languages of the country.
“The language is on the verge of extinction because of the small population there. Moreover, in many villages, the young generation now speaks only Nepali,” Kirya told The Telegraph.
The Bodos migrated to Nepal several centuries ago. Kirya, who speaks Bodo fluently, said: “Now, even parents converse with their children in Nepali to make them conversant with the language, knowledge of which is essential to bag government jobs. They do not have any idea of what will happen if they stop speaking their mothertongue. This is sheer killing of the language spoken by a section of the minorities.”
Kirya picked up the language while doing research in a Bodo village in Nepal.
Asked what prompted him to work on Bodo, he said: “My interest in the language was the motivation. I wanted to preserve it and after having received a grant from the Japan government, I started my project three years back. I am trying to compile a grammar and vocabulary of Bodo, among other things. My research will, however, be the work of a professional and appeal to linguists.
“I will try to encourage the Bodos to set up schools to promote education through their mothertongue. I want to help them prepare a syllabus of sorts. You have to make them think that their language is very important and needs to be preserved. We have to inculcate in them love and a sense of pride in the language.
“I will continue to work on Bodo. It is a very satisfying experience to see Bodo as a medium of instruction in Assam. Language, culture and religion are the three main criteria for identifying a community. Of these, language is the most important.”
AR troops ‘recover’ bodies of three ultras Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Dec 30 – Assam Rifles has claimed to have recovered bodies of three militants following an encounter in Chandel district. Columns of 18 Assam Rifles under 26 Sector of HQ IGAR(S) based on specific intelligence inputs, launched a massive operation in the thick jungles of general area Kuljang of Chandel District in Manipur on Friday night.

Contrary to the Assam Rifles claim, proscribed United National Liberation Front countered that at least five securitymen were killed and others wounded in an encounter near S Bongjoi village in Chandel district around 1.10 pm on Saturday.
On December 29 morning around 5.40 am, troops of 18 Assam Rifles established contact with the terrorists. In a well-coordinated-and executed operation, the area was surrounded by the troops. A statement of the Assam Rifles PRO said the firing continued till 6.10 am.

The area was searched and three unidentified bodies of the slain terrorists were recovered. Two automatic weapons, one US made carbine and another 9 mm Sten carbine were recovered from the spot.The operation is still continuing.

In another development, based on specific information, troops of 34 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under Headquarters IGAR (South) launched a well-planed- and quick operation in general area Langthel Mamang Leikai and apprehended one Prepak cadre on Friday.

The individual was identified as self-styled Sergeant Major Sagolsem Yaima Singh alias Ibomcha alias Henry alias Ngakpiba(34), son of Madhu Chandra Singh, resident of Langthel Mamang Leikai, Prepak batch No 08. The cadre was handed over to Thoubal Police Station on Friday.
‘Investigative journalism is of prime importance today’
By Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 30 – His memory is not the same he used to be known for. But his love for sports continues to be the same, undeterred and selfless. This is about veteran sports personality Pulin Das, who in spite of being 90 years of age is still going strong.

Speaking as the guest of the month today at the Guwahati Press Club, an organisation, which was his brainchild, Das, who is credited to have revolutionised the concept of sports journalism in the State, said, “ The concept of journalism has undergone drastic changes from what it used to be in our time. Thanks to the existing environment of stiff competition, investigation journalism has assumed greater importance and with the quality of the work.”

Das who started his journalism career as a freelancer for many a leading national newspaper including some Kolkota based dailies, was associated with The Assam Tribune since its inception and became its first sports sub-editor apart from serving the newspaper also as a photographer. He retired from the job in the year 1982.

Urging the young and upcoming journalists of the State not to get influenced by any unsocial and powerful elements existing in society, Das said, “Merely filing a report for the sake of it is not what people expects from the journalists. A journalist must analyse the pros and cons of a finding before giving it a final shape and that’s where scribe’s investigation instinct comes into play.”

“The idea should be to work for the greater interest of the people of the State and not just for a section of people,” Das stated.

Born in 1918, Das, a vibrant sports organiser, was instrumental in floating a host of sports organisations including the Guwahati Cricket Association (1946), Gauhati Table Tennis Association (1948), Gauhati Hockey Association (1956) and Gauhati Lawn Tennis Association (1979) besides playing an active role in forming the famous Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy Football Tournament and the Gauhati Sports Association.

“Cricket is my first love but almost all other sports event fascinated me be it table tennis, hockey or lawn tennis. It was my love for these games or sports as a whole that I took special interest in floating a host of sports organisations. Expressing his overview of the existing sports scenario in the State, Das opined that unlike what the problems which sportsmen, few decades back faced, the scenario is much better today and this should inspire every one associated with it.
“Government is coming up with financial help, which is indeed very encouraging,” he said.

However, he rued over the lack of public interest for sports event like football in the State, revival of which is a challenge for the journalist fraternity. “The Bordoloi trophy, which was hosted few months back received lukewarm response, which was a very sorry site,” he pointed out. Pulin Das today also gave away the fellowship cash award instituted by vernacular newspaper Adinor Sambad for a research work (Hindi) on the songs of veteran singer Deepali Barthakur to journalist Azhar Alam. Das also released a book titled ‘Siriakhanar Behela’ penned by senior journalist and editor of Asom Bani Dilip Chandan.
After Killings of the Burmese Monks; The Writing is on the Wall by May Ng Mizzima
"Since too, murders have been performed --- too terrible for the ear: That, when the brains were out, the man would die, and there an end; But now--- they rise again," William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth,' ACT III, Scene IV
After the Burmese military junta attacked and killed the peaceful monks and protestors, it is still impossible to imagine how the powerful military can at last be dismissed. But it is even harder to see now how the military generals will survive the latest self inflicted blow, by killing the sons of Buddha in Burma. Since the independence in 1948, 'Myanmar Tatmadaw' has proclaimed itself to be the only force capable of maintaining the national peace and stability. But under the military government, Burma has become the poorest nation in the region and the home to the largest army in Southeast Asia. While the military junta spends most of Burma's resources on paying for the army, the military still has not gained the trust or an outright victory against the armed rebels. After dominating every facet of Burmese people's lives since 1962, Myanmar army is still nowhere near removing the rebel armies, consisted of ceasefire and non-ceasefire armed organizations.
The legacy of armed conflicts with over a million losses of lives and the large scale humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing military occupation of the ethnic tribal areas, have shown the Myanmar Tatmadaw to be the cause of the disasters not the savior of Burma as the regime often proclaims. Sixty years of the army mantra --'non-disintegration of the Union'-- does not seem to have made Burma more secure or gain greater solidarity with its many ethnic nationalities.
The 2005 arrests and the extra long prison sentences for the prominent Shan NLD leaders, including Hkun Htun Oo, and the ceasefire SSA leader Hso Ten indicate that the tensions between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the ethnic nationalities have not lessened but have increased since the army takeover of the power almost a half century ago. The junta's obsession with non-disintegration of the Union, national solidarity and perpetuation of national sovereignty has permitted the military to tighten its grip on the political power. But the government's neglect and mismanagement of the country and its economy has become the Achilles heel of the regime.
The militarization of the economy has plundered a bountiful nation to the poorest one. While the army continues to promise democracy and uplift of morale, the generals continue to demand a greater sacrifice from the population already suffering from the army induced poverty. Last August's fuel oil price increase has finally brought home the military's greatest failure, the widespread poverty, and triggered the largest unrest in two decades. After forty five years in power the army has failed to win the war against the armed rebellions and has now failed to win the peace with the political oppositions. The regime's legitimacy is at all time low even when compared to Ne Win's socialist BSPP party. The BSPP has never lost an election or faced open political oppositions until its fall from power in 1988. The SPDC in contrast continues to hold on to power against the wishes of the people who have voted for the opposition NLD party of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coercion and use of violence against the population have further eroded the legitimacy of the military. People no longer trust the junta government and they no longer see the army generals as their legitimate rulers. The people's goodwill in 1988 helped the SLORC to finally quell the angry mobs with the promise of the 1990 election. But the present army junta no longer has the people's goodwill and can only rely on violence and coercion to control the discontented populace. Up until now the Burmese political opposition has lacked a unified front, within the armed organizations and the political oppositions. It may be changing. Martin Smith in 'State of Strife' observed that as in other political eras, the situation remained fragmentary on the surface. But he said that what was striking about most ethnic parties was not their diversity but the private unity of their views on the need for peace and democratic reforms.
The opposition political parties are also becoming unified under the surface as well. Slowly a powerful unity is emerging within the diverse forces of the political oppositions with a common goal for a free and democratic Burma. While the overstretched army is facing a dim prospect and dropping enlistments, it was evident during the recent uprising that the forces of the protestors do not suffer the same fate and have the support of the majority of the people. Most Burmese believe that Burma has three sons, the students, the soldiers, and the Sangha/monks. Historically the students have been at the forefront of the political movements. The government's actions, from the military's destruction of the Students Union Hall in 1962 to the recent brutal assaults on the monks and students, have elevated the anti-junta sentiment among the young people.
The extravagant undertakings to weaken and suppress the students' desire for democracy have obviously not been effective. The spread of information technology and the increase in political sophistication have caught up with the '88 and '07 student generations. The imprisonment of the senior '88 student leaders last August did not stem the tide of the major protests that followed.
The power of the movement against the government is no longer dependent on a few top leaders. The largest public demonstrations in two decades took place in spite of the absent of many important leaders at the helm. It seems that the political awareness is helping to form new leaderships quickly in response to the army junta's aggression. The army under the SPDC regime is not a monolithic force impervious to the forces against it. Burma's last sons, the soldiers, may hold the key to how long before the military dictatorship will end. The soldiers have already voted for the democracy in 1990. The purging of the military leaderships in 2004 and at other times are signs that all is not well within the military as it may seem on the surface.
The extensive recording of the wedding of supreme general Than Shwe's daughter was leaked to Youtube in 2006 and has greatly empowered the oppositions. The thundering protest that followed a year later may not necessarily have been a coincidence. This is an important reminder that it may not take that much to uproot such little loved regime. Since only the high power elites have access to the video tapes of the wedding, the betrayal of Than Shwe might have likely come from the top. If a video tape of the diamond studded wedding can do much damage, it is not hard to see what the recordings and live evidences of the killings and abuses of the highly revered Buddhist monks might have in store for the military generals. The writing is already on the wall, it is only a matter of time now. May Ng is from the Southern Shan State of Burma and is a NY Regional Director of Justice for Human Rights in Burma (J.H.B).


Frans on 12.31.07 @ 04:20 PM CST [link]


Sunday, December 30th

Resolutions declared for unity- Nagaland Post



Resolutions declared for unity- Nagaland Post

In a Historic Summit officiated by the Eastern Nagaland People's organization (ENPO) on the 18th December 2007 at Tuensang, the following land-mark Resolutions were passed and enacted which was unanimously affirmed and pledged by the Summit House to be sincerely implemented, abided and upheld in the common interest and commitment for the unity of Nagas:
1. Resolved on 18th Dec. 2007 at 4 pm at Tuensang, the ENPO, ENNWA, ENNWU and NNC/FGN (non-accordist) under ENPO jurisdiction jointly resolved to support the unification of all Nagas regardless of Territorial Demarcation.
2. Resolved that there should be no bloodshed, threat, intimidation or any form of violence within ENPO jurisdiction inclusive of Naga territories of Myanmar. The ENPO shall not extend any public co-operation to any factions I groups for noncompliance of the above and ENPO shall also question the same. The ENPO shall appeal the same to all other Nagas.
3. Resolved that there shall be further such consultative meeting amongst the above groups, i.e., ENPO, ENNWA, ENNWU and NNC/FGN (non-accordist) under ENPO jurisdiction in regard to Naga unification and other issues as and when the situation and the need arises for the same.
We solemnly affirm and pledge to implement, abide and uphold the above resolutions in good spirit and faith.
Resolutions 1 & 2 shall be in line with the ENPO press releases recently in regard to Naga Unification and other related issues. The Longleng resolution dated 29/09/2005 shall also be the bases of resolution No.2 as resolved on 18/12/2007. Further, in accordance with resolution No.3, the Tribal Presidents and Colleagues of ENPO federating units, the President and Colleagues of ENSF, and Elders of ENPO shall be invited as desired and deemed necessary for consultations etc. in due course of any such emergency meetings and gatherings depending on issues and matters. The Summit was a prayerful call to the Naga National Workers from the Eastern Nagaland to earnestly deliberate on the issue of Naga unification and other related subjects and to independently share views, opinions and their endurance for the same.
Attending the Summit were National Workers from ENNWA (Eastern Naga National Workers Association) from the NSCN (K), ENNWU (Eastern Naga National Workers Union) of NSCN (IM) and the NNC/FGN (Non-accordist) from the Regions of Eastern Nagas.
Toshi Wungtung, Spokesman for ENPO (on behalf of the Summit Resolution Committee)
New Year greetings from NNC Kuknalim.com
THE NAGA NATIONAL COUNCIL Urra, Nagaland
London 29 December 2007

New Year message

I send my warmest greetings and best wishes to our people for the coming New Year - 2008.

We thank the Almighty God for His unfailing love for our people. Time and again whenever our people face a crisis in the midst of the unremitting Indian occupation army militarised tyranny and in need of help, He always open a way for the Naga people. Could the year 2008 usher in an episodic dawn? Let us look on the bright side in the coming New Year.

In our journey to fulfill the 16 May 1951 democratic mandate of the Naga people to be a nation, followed by the formal organic integration of the Free Nagas and the Naga National Council (NNC) enshrined in the Yehzabo of Nagaland in 1956, every New Year is a milestone. Our destination is the restoration of an independent Federal Republic of Nagaland free of foreign occupation army. In other words, the journey the people of Nagaland undertook is to uphold freedom and nothing can deter us from reaching our destination of a free much loved Nagaland.

The world is unlikely to come across a more blatant aggression in post-colonial era than that of modern India unremitting war against Nagaland since 1954. It was astonishing that instead of turning its back on centuries of subjugation by foreign rulers, the leaders of nascent modern India decided to trample on the freedom of Naga people. As a consequence of Indian aggression, over 150,000 (one hundred and fifty thousand) Naga people died and many people maimed in the inhuman hands of the Indian armed forces.

Contrary to India's flimsy claim of Nagaland on account of its 'British colonial legacy', at no time, including during the British rule over India, the Naga people share a common history with India. As for modern Nagaland, the Naga representatives led by A Z Phizo declared to the world that Nagaland will stay independent on 14 August 1947, a day ahead of Great Britain granting independence to British India. The Naga stand on independence is based on incontrovertible historical facts and by any standard unassailable.

In the past nearly thirty years, under the Indian occupation army militarised tyranny of 53 years, rival Indian agencies funded sectarian proxy militias under the banner of socialism to carry out state sponsored terrorism with impunity. The Naga people will never forget over the years the treacherous sectarian militias dastardly murdered over three thousand of our people in national service and civilians. It is absolutely reprehensible for any Naga regardless of from outside Nagaland to kill another Naga or attempt to gag freedom of expression under the pretext of Naga sovereignty. On recent development in the proximity of Indian occupation army 3 Corp HQ near Dimapur, our people are rightly non-committal as to the unravelling in the rival camps. From our national perspective, those who contravene the Yehzabo of Nagaland, under whatever guise it projects itself, it is deemed fraud. If any Naga would love to serve Naga nation, meet our people in the Federal Government of Nagaland and ask how one can be of help.

Of late, compelling anecdotal muttering on Nagaland emanating from Delhi sound a departure from the usual humdrum and make interesting reading: 1) Why is the problem in Nagaland refuse to go? 2) Who is in charge - Indian army or state government or those nagging socialists or others? 3) Where does all the Indian money disappear? 4) Why the Government of India unwilling to engage in talk with the Naga government? 5) For many years our experts say the Naga government is moribund then who is the enemy? 6) Nagaland is bad news for Indian international image, etc. Evidently, Delhi is far from taking its often stated position on Nagaland seriously. Until there is a fundamental shift in Delhi's approach to why India is in conflict against Nagaland, the prospect for peace in Nagaland will remain elusive as the Naga stand is perfectly clear.
May God bless Nagaland. Urra uvie Adinno Phizo President
NPCC responds to NPF- Murder most fowl: NPF paying obituaries to demise of democracy Nagaland Post
Let us, for a moment, bow our heads in shame that the staunch regionalist and senior leader of the NPF President, Dr. Shürhozelie should so unabashedly try to justify his party's cruel murder of democracy on December 13, 2007, and without any compunction, try to put the whole blame on the Congress party. It is a matter of great embarrassment for all Nagas that the leader is bereft of any sense of shame, a phenomenon which is very strange to Nagas. Alas, power has not only gone to the heads of the DAN leaders, it has also corrupted their reasoning, and it appears that no amount of logic can convince them of their unethical deeds perpetrated in their attempt to hang on to power. There can be no arguments with DAN for the gross injustice they have done to democracy and democracy-loving citizens of the State and country.
We agree with NPF President that the office of the Speaker is hallowed and respectable institution in the Constitution. But that was before December 13, 2007. The DAN coalition has molested the dignity of the hallowed institution and it now lies in ruins, devastated and beyond salvage. And after having abused the hallowed institution, the DAN leaders have the temerity to accuse the Congress party of bringing the Office under vituperative attacks! The determination with which the DAN coalition is holding on to power is reminiscent of a salivating dog refusing to let go of a bone - it has shown that it would go to any extent, even to the extent of murdering the democratic norms and procedures, to hold on to the bone. Indeed, the Speaker's name will be scripted in bold letters in the Book of Notoriety of Nagaland Legislative Assembly for "assiduously protecting" the ruling dispensation; throwing all caution to the winds; and orchestrating the whole proceedings of the House as if it was a pre-Christmas party organized for little children by over-indulging parents! How very juvenile of the ruling dispensation to even for a moment think that the people of Nagaland do not know the difference between 31 and 23, or to assume that the people would be fooled to believe that the Speaker did not misuse his office to let the DAN Government remain in power. And look just who is talking about desecrating the Constitution and its foundations!
NPF President's claim that the Independent MLAs have joined the NPF and then the Congress party is most interesting in the sense that we have here an Honourable Christian legislator telling the world a blatant lie without blinking an eye! One wonders with what visage this lying Legislator would face the neighbours in the days to come. Or has he come up with another Commandment like "Thou shalt not lie - unless it is absolutely necessary to remain in power"? He seems to have conveniently forgotten that Independent MLAs extending support to any Government does not amount to joining the political party or coalition, and as such, does not attract the penalties of the Tenth Schedule. It would do well for the legislator to check out the Attendance Register in the Legislative Assembly whether they have been signing in the Independent Members' register or not. Even on the 13 th December 2007 One-day session, the Independent Members, including the Hon'ble Minister Imkong L Imchen, appended their signature in the said register. If the Congress party were as crooked and power-hungry as the DAN coalition, and if it had the twisted and erroneous reasoning that the DAN coalition has regarding the status of the Independent members, it would have filed a disqualification petition before the Speaker to immediately disqualify the Independent Member Imkong L Imchen by producing the Notification appointing him as a Minister. And going by the infamous precedent of the Speaker, he would have been restrained from casting his vote in the Confidence or No-Confidence Motions as he, the Speaker did to the other three Independent MLAs. However, being fully aware that these notifications appointing or relieving the Independent MLAs do not in any way support the claim that they have JOINED any political party, the Congress party has not done so till date.
The whole premise of NPF President's argument is based on the Circular of the Speaker dated August 21, 2006 which was, for obvious reasons, circulated on December 12, 2007. As pointed out by the CLP Leader, this circular was never discussed in the House let alone passed by all the Members as claimed. For the records, there was no sitting of the Assembly on August 21, 2006. Moreover, the Speaker cannot issue any directions to over-ride the Constitution or the Tenth Schedule. There is no amendment of the Rules of Business and Procedure of the House nor The Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Grounds of Defection) Rules, 2003. Consequently, the Speaker should not have violated the Constitutional mandate by means of a circular issued by himself, with no backing of the House. All said and done, the Speaker's direction contained in the Bulletin dated 12th December 2007 clearly reveals the bias of the Speaker to ensure the survival of the Government at any cost. Since the Governor has a Constitutional obligation to uphold the Constitution and Rule of Law and cannot remain a mute spectator when the Government uses the House and seeks to devise methods to continue in office despite the fact it has lost majority, the Congress party had urged him to immediately dismiss the minority, illegal DAN Government without any delay.
Any voting in defiance of a whip will render a person liable to disqualification on grounds of defection if such act is not condoned within 15 days by the political party as per para (2) of the Tenth Schedule. Therefore, unless there is voting and vote is counted as being contrary to the whip or direction, how is it to be concluded that there has been such defiance unless it is counted as being contrary to the whip? It would be a "mere attempt" and there is no disqualification for "attempt to vote contrary to the whip." Such action of disqualification springs only after the action is completed, and not before. Therefore, the Rule to exclude the vote of such person who allegedly defies the whip apart from being arbitrary and unconstitutional is in direct conflict with the scheme of the Tenth Schedule. The DAN coalition, again, appears to have framed its own Commandments and rules and Procedures!
It is also a matter of surprise that the NPF President has now come up with an entirely new Constitutional position such as "Congress Speakers". It is unheard of in the Indian parliamentary democracy that there are such political party posts in hallowed institutions like the Assembly or the Parliament. Most probably, it is this mindset which has made them assume the Speaker in the Nagaland Assembly is not a "Congress Speaker", but an "NPF Speaker" and that they should misuse his office. No wonder the DAN coalition has used the "NPF Speaker" to assassinate democracy in Nagaland on December 13, 2007.
Vitsorel Lcho Member, Media Cell, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee.
Cong roots for President Rule Nagaland Post

KOHIMA, DEC29 [NPN] : The Congress in Nagaland has reportedly submitted copies of a document to Union ministers and Central leaders including senior Congress functionaries in New Delhi, giving several reasons for imposition of President's Rule in Nagaland.

A copy of the document received here also dwelled on the poor position of the Congress party in Nagaland and the need to impose President's Rule. The document highlighted clause (b) of Article 371 A of the Constitution which provides special powers to the Governor exclusively for Nagaland to impose President's Rule or Army Rule in Nagaland. It stated that ceasefire agreements between the Government of India and three underground groups of Nagaland "have freed over 4000 sophisticated weapons" and that violation of ceasefire agreement ground rules were "daily affair since ceasefire agreements."

It also stated that "factional war in towns and villages and killing amongst themselves and the civilians, destroying public properties by way of burning villages…" were evidences before the Governor. It mentioned that underground organisations had taken lots of preparation for the forthcoming elections and added that the NSCN (I-M) had decided to support like-minded leaders, which ever party they might be from, to form coalition state government. According to the document, the underground group had also identified certain Congress candidates to stop them from winning.

It also predicted that this would reduce the Congress to about 20 in the House of 60. The objective of the NSCN (I-M) was to form coalition government and a weak government so as to keep control, the document stated. In an indirect attack at the Nagaland Governor, the document stated "Governors are chosen based on their past experiences and wisdom, they are expected to exercise their individual judgments, blanket opposition to use of Article 356 is wrong." "If the Governors cannot live to the expectation of citizens in upholding the Constitution provisions who should be responsible to the nation?" it added.
Rio expresses pain Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, DEC 29 (NPN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has expressed pain over the atrocities and abuses being carried out against members of the Christian community in different parts of the country especially in the State of Orissa.
A press release issued by Commissioner & Secretary to Chief Minister stated that Rio was of the view that such activities were detrimental to the secular spirit of the Constitution and against the secular foundations of the country. "He expresses condemnation on behalf of the State Government and on his own behalf while urging all secular and right thinking forces to unite and overcome those sections that are polarizing the country on religious lines," the release added.
The Chief Minister also appealed to all law enforcing agencies to immediately address the problem of lack of protection to the Christian community and take all necessary measures to ensure that Christians were protected.
Bandh hits traffic along Indo-Myanmar road Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Dec 29 – Normal vehicular movement along the Singjamei sector of the Indo-Myanmar road in Manipur was been affected for the second dayon Friday.

This was because of the12-hour bandh imposed along the highway by the newly-floated Joint Action Committee for the immediate and unconditional release of Salam Indrajit Singh, Section Officer, Education (S) Engineering Cell.

Peeved at alleged inaction of the State Government for safe release of Indrajit, abducted by some unidentified persons suspected to be rebels on December 15 last, the Committee has prohibited all development works being taken up by State Government in Singjamei area from Thursday.

Indrajit’s wife, Salam Bimolsakhi had already appealed to all concerned to release her husband safely on humanitarian ground and taking into consideration the fate of their small kids even if Indrajit had committed some mistakes.

According to police sources, no formal report has been submitted to relevant police station on the abduction of Salam Indrajit either by the family or the Education (S) Dept.However, police have registered a suo motto case in connection with the abduction.

Meanwhile due to the 12-hour bandh on the Singjamei-Moirangkhom sector of the Indo-Myanmar road or NH-39, the normal flow of traffic had been severely affected as almost all the private, passenger and goods carriers in particular were forced to take another alternative route for the day.

As a part of the protest agitation, the road stretching from Singjamei chingamakhong to Loklaobung junction along NH-39 was blocked from dawn-to- dusk.

The committee representatives lamented that despite several appeals to the State Government and the Department concerned to take up some concrete steps so as to secure safe release of Indrajit, the authorities still remained indifferent. They also appealed to all civil organisations, Meira Paibis and the general public to help secure safe release of Indrajit. The Committee is further prepared to launch more intense agitation.
India's Halt to Burma Arms Sales May Pressure Junta By Glenn Kessler Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, December 30, 2007; Page A29
India has halted all arms sales and transfers to Burma, a development that could increase international pressure on the military junta that brutally crushed the pro-democracy "Saffron Revolution" led by monks this fall.
The Indian government's decision has not been officially announced, but diplomatic sources said it has been privately confirmed by New Delhi to top U.S. officials in recent weeks. In a little-noticed statement, first lady Laura Bush noted the decision in a video teleconference she held on Dec. 10 in recognition of International Human Rights Day. Ticking off actions taken by countries around the world in response to the crackdown, Bush said, "India, one of Burma's closest trading partners, has stopped selling arms to the junta."
A spokesman for the Indian Embassy in Washington declined to comment.
Burma, also known as Myanmar, is regarded as one of the world's most repressive nations. The National League for Democracy, the party of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won a landslide victory in the country's last elections, in 1990, but the military leadership refused to recognize the outcome. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest or in prison on and off since then.
But in September, massive demonstrations led by Buddhist monks threatened the junta's rule, until the army arrested thousands of monks and democracy activists. Of the thousands arrested, 700 remain behind bars along with 1,150 political prisoners already in detention, according to Amnesty International. At least six members of the 88 Generation Students, a leading pro-democracy group, were arrested last week, the State Department said.
Before the protests, military ties between India and Burma had appeared to be on a fast track. Military contacts had increased in early 2007, with New Delhi seeking help battling Burmese-based insurgent groups operating on its northeastern border and also attempting to counteract China's growing influence in the Burmese economy. Indian and Burmese military forces began conducting joint operations, and Indian officials indicated they would grant Burma's request for military equipment.
In one sign of cooperation, India began discussing the transfer of military helicopters that Amnesty International, in a July report, said are "highly likely to contain components, technology and munitions" originating from European Union nations and the United States, undermining embargoes by those countries.
"India's relationship with Burma has expanded pretty dramatically in the past few years," said Michael J. Green, a former top Asia adviser to President Bush who is now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He said that Southeast Asian neighbors of Burma had complained to Bush about India's deepening military ties with Burma. "They expect it of China, but India is a democracy," Green said.
He said India's decision to end arms sales to Burma is "a big deal for U.S.-India relations. I think they are shifting." More broadly, India's move may put pressure on China, currently Burma's largest trading partner and arms supplier, experts said.
Last week, a bipartisan group of 48 senators, led by Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), signed a letter to Bush urging him to support an international arms embargo against Burma, in the form of a U.N. Security Council resolution. "No responsible nation should provide weapons to a regime as reprehensible as the one found in Burma," the letter said. Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said, "We support an arms embargo against Burma and have been engaged in discussions with various countries on the matter."
China is one of the nations holding veto power at the United Nations, and few expect it to support the arms embargo. But analysts said that India's decision could force China to think of options short of an arms embargo to pressure the Burmese junta.
In the 1990s, China became Burma's most important trading partner, according to Amnesty International, providing more than $2 billion worth of weapons and military equipment, including tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery pieces such as howitzers, antitank guns and antiaircraft guns, some sold at below-market prices.
"The Chinese clearly are sensitive to the emerging role they are playing," Durbin said in an interview. "We have an obligation to continue to remind them we need their help in stopping some of the outrages in the world."
A top European envoy last week also urged China to use its influence in Burma, specifically to end the house arrest of Suu Kyi. "Any sign from the Burmese authorities to progress on this path will be welcome, and the Chinese intervention is fundamental," Piero Fassino told reporters at the end of a three-day trip to China.
In her year-end news conference last week, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that "when the monks were in the streets, that there was an energy in the international community to try to do something about it," but now that momentum has dissipated. "It's our responsibility, along with others, to try to keep a focus on that effort," she said. "We will return again and again to the Security Council to discuss this issue. We will return again and again to those states that have influence, like China, to move this forward, because there needs to be a process of political reconciliation."
Three injured in ULFA bomb blast Outlook (PTI)

GUWAHATI, Three persons were seriously injured in a bomb blast by ULFA in the heart of Guwahati city tonight. ULFA militant hurled a grenade from a flyover in the Athgaon area the city at around 7.30 PM. The police said the three persons injured were waiting in front of a tea shop when the bomb fell near them. The injured admitted to G M C Hospital here were identified as Abdul Samed and Fakruddin Mazumdar of Hajai in Central Assam and Raj of Kamarpatti area adajecent to the blast side. Senior police officer rushed there, cordoned off the blast side and launched a massive manhunt to nab the ultras.
© Copyright PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of any PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without their prior written consent.
Assam peace facilitator hints at fresh talks with ULFA By IANS
Guwahati, Dec 30 (IANS) A prominent peace facilitator in northeastern India has lent fresh hopes Sunday to the start of negotiations in the new year with one of the region's dreaded separatist groups to bring about a possible end to a 28-year-old violent uprising that has killed thousands of people.
Indira Goswami, a well-known Assamese writer and facilitator for talks between the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the government, has said New Delhi might fulfil one of the major preconditions of the rebel group that may set the stage for possible peace talks soon.
'Senior Congress leader and party general secretary for Assam Veerappa Moily has informed me that the government may take a decision by Jan 3 on the ULFA's demand for release of five of its detained leaders from prison,' Goswami told IANS.
'If things move on track, Assam may see the peace process once again gaining momentum in the New Year,' Goswami said.
In September 2005, celebrated novelist Goswami was chosen by the ULFA to head an 11-member peace panel called the People's Consultative Group (PCG) to prepare the ground for possible direct talks between the rebel group and the government.
The PCG held three rounds of exploratory talks with central government leaders, one meeting being attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself, but the effort collapsed over conditions and counter-conditions put up by both sides.
While the ULFA insisted on the release of five senior leaders from jail to enable them to meet and decide on the course of the peace talks, New Delhi stuck to its demand that the rebel group give it a written assurance that it was indeed interested in entering into peace negotiations with the government.
The PCG has since become defunct but Goswami, in her individual capacity, continued exploring possibilities of bringing the peace process back on rails and has been keeping in touch with Moily, the All India Congress Committee's pointsman for Assam.
'Moily is a veteran leader and understands and appreciates Assam's problems. He has been taking a personal interest in re-starting the peace process with the ULFA,' Goswami said.
She said the New Year should bring about a change in Assam's situation.
'If the peace process with the ULFA resumes and the two sides are able to sit for direct talks, other rebel groups too would come to the negotiating table. The peace effort must be taken to its logical end by trying to arrive at acceptable solutions,' Goswami said.
The ULFA has been fighting for a 'sovereign, socialist Assam' ever since the group was formed by six radical Assamese youth in 1979.
Cabinet orders probe into unsanctioned work allocations by Khuga Dam officials; Recruitment of 1501 police personnel okayed The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 29: The state Cabinet has decided to launch a departmental inquiry against engineers of the PHED in charge of the Khuga Dam multipurpose project for sanctioning of work orders worth about Rs. 29 lakhs without authorisation for some works which are not included in the project, according to a highly placed source.
The Cabinet met this afternoon at the chief minister`s official bungalow with CM Ibobi Singh in the chair.

According to the source, the concerned engineers, without the consent of the government, were found to have given work orders to some contractors and agencies for an amount of around Rs. 29 lakhs for various works including construction of retaining wall and construction of roadside drainage system during 2005-06, which were not included in the project.
A total of Rs 11 lakhs out of this has already been withdrawn by the contractors. However, after the government came to realise the illegal diversion of funds, the remaining amount has been frozen.

The Cabinet meeting today took a serious view of the matter and has decided to conduct a departmental inquiry against the involved engineers. The Cabinet also decided to recover the already encashed amount of Rs. 11 lakhs from the concerned engineers on the basis of the findings of the departmental inquiryThe Cabinet has also approved the recruitment of 1501 fresh police personnel for augmenting the strength of 25 police stations in the state, out of the existing 32.

The new personnel to be recruited including 20 inspectors, 80 sub inspectors, 95 ASI, 84 head constables, 805 constables and 81 constable drivers, plus 11 women inspectors, 30 women SIs, 29 women ASIs 53 women head constables and 123 women constables.

This is intended to strengthen the police forces in the state in both the hlls and avalley districts as part of a strategy to control the deteriorating law and order condition in the state. The Cabinet also gave its approval for the installation of a statue of Thangal General at the traffic island at the Konung Mamang.

It also approved the Manipur Wakf Rules 2007 and has decided to go ahead with the establishment of Kangpokpi division PHED. Further the state cabinet has also decided to cancel the irregular regularisation of 28 staff deployed in the remote sensing section of the state science and technology as per Supreme Court ruling. The staff concerned will be allowed salaries only as per their contract.





Frans on 12.30.07 @ 06:17 PM CST [link]


Saturday, December 29th

‘India needs mind-shift for Naga peace’ The Morung Express



‘India needs mind-shift for Naga peace’ The Morung Express

Dimapur, December 29 (MExN): Till such time India turns a shift in its approach to the Indo-Naga conflict, there shall never be peace in Nagaland, NNC chief Adinno Phizo observes in her new year’s message. But there is to be hoped that year 2008 could usher in an “episodic dawn” she says and urges to “look on the bright side in the coming New Year.”
“Evidently, Delhi is far from taking its often stated position on Nagaland seriously. Until there is a fundamental shift in Delhi's approach to why India is in conflict against Nagaland, the prospect for peace in Nagaland will remain elusive as the Naga stand is perfectly clear” she stated in the message.
The NNC president mentioned a number of “compelling anecdotal muttering” on Nagaland emanating from Delhi. She listed “Why is the problem in Nagaland refuse to go? Who is in charge - Indian army or state government or those nagging socialists or others? Where does all the Indian money disappear? Why the Government of India unwilling to engage in talk with the Naga government? For many years our experts say the Naga government is moribund then who is the enemy? Nagaland is bad news for Indian international image, etc…”
The NNC further explained that contrary to India's claim of Nagaland on account of the sub-continent British colonial legacy, at no time, she stated, including during the British rule over India, the Naga people shared a common history with India.
“As for modern Nagaland, the Naga representatives led by A Z Phizo declared to the world that Nagaland will stay independent on 14 August 1947, a day ahead of Great Britain granting independence to British India. The Naga stand on independence is based on incontrovertible historical facts and by any standard unassailable” she maintained. She said that the Nagas’ destination is the restoration of an independent federal republic of Nagaland free from foreign occupation army. ‘In other words, the journey the people of Nagaland undertook is to uphold freedom and nothing can deter us from reaching our destination of a free much loved Nagaland.’
The NNC chief was of the opinion that the world is unlikely to come across a more blatant aggression in post-colonial era than that of India’s unremitting war against Nagaland since 1954. She stated: “… As a consequence of Indian aggression, over 150,000 (one hundred and fifty thousand) Naga people died and many people maimed in the inhuman hands of the Indian armed forces…”
Nonetheless, the God Almighty has been the protection and grace through all these times, she acknowledged. “We thank the Almighty God for His unfailing love for our people. Time and again whenever our people face a crisis in the midst of the unremitting Indian occupation army militarized tyranny and in need of help, He always opens a way for the Naga people. Could the year 2008 usher in an episodic dawn? Let us look on the bright side in the coming New Year.”
“Salvation” through integrity The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 29 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has termed as unfortunate the fact that for the “mistakes committed by some defectors among the Sumis, the Naga national issue is being contaminated on communal line”. “But thank God, not all Sumis are carried away by such misleading programs in the name of Naga unification”, stated a press note issued by the MIP while pointing out that “salvation of the Nagas shall come through the faithful followers whose integrity and steadfastness, history will honor and respect”.
In the prevailing situation, the NSCN (IM) pointed out that the Nagas as a whole, need to be “cautious in passing judgment between the right and the wrong”. The NSCN (IM) stated that there was no way to be pretentious on its part “because the ground reality will prove it wrong if false statements are just supplied for public consumption”.
“There is no time to play with the people’s sentiment without the solid foundation when the Naga national issue is being turned into the melting pot of the Naga societies. But the truth will come out soon and the truth will guide the Naga nation”, the NSCN (IM) stated. Pointing out that Nagas’ faith in God needs to be strengthened and the will of God has to be given priority over individual interest, the NSCN (IM) stated that this was the “crux of the Naga people when faced with such crisis as engineered by Indian intelligent agencies, determined to put a stumbling block in the Indo–Naga political solution”.
Peace: A special Christmas gift for Nagas By Vibou Ganguly Thai Indian News
Kohima, Dec 29 (ANI): The major sections of Naga society have welcomed the news of the unification of the different warring groups. However, some of them believe that the unification bid should be comprehensive and it should include all the Naga tribes. This year, the Christmas was very special for the people of Nagaland. It was for the first time in many years that the people celebrated the festival without fear of factional clashes and violence.
Common citizens of the state have heaved a sigh of relief after the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isac-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM), National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang faction (NSCN-K) and Naga National Council (NNC) led by Adino Phizo signed a peace pact a couple of weeks ago to bring lasting peace in the state. “It’s a desire of every Naga that there should be peace and unification. So, on this basis all the warring groups have come together at the central level but this doesn’t mean that they have already come together. It’s still a process to achieve a large base in the near future. As everybody wants peace and unity, therefore, they are involved in such negotiations,” said Kevileto Kiewho, Naga Hoho, Vice President. “Unity and peace has always been the cry of Naga youth. We have been watching blood being shed throughout our lives. I think it had become a part of our daily routine. Earlier the front page of the newspapers used to be occupied with the news of the killings in the State. But now there is no such news in the papers. This is what were asking for all these years,” said Joshua, a Naga youth.
A senior journalist, Karaiba Chawang, said, “Almost all the tribes of Hoho’s feel that the unification of Naga is a compulsion, irrespective of being a big or a small tribe. Plus all the tribes have said that it should cover all the Naga inhabited areas in the general observation and liking of the Nagas.”
The peace pact is significant because it spells an end to the clashes between the cadres of the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) and NNC led by Adino Phizo. The citizens of the state will be benefited from the peace dividend and the focus will shift to ensuring their development and economic well being. (ANI)This year, the Christmas was very special for the people of Nagaland. It was for the first time in many years that the people celebrated the festival without fear of factional clashes and violence.
Common citizens of the state have heaved a sigh of relief after the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isac-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM), National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang faction (NSCN-K) and Naga National Council (NNC) led by Adino Phizo signed a peace pact a couple of weeks ago to bring lasting peace in the state. “It’s a desire of every Naga that there should be peace and unification. So, on this basis all the warring groups have come together at the central level but this doesn’t mean that they have already come together. It’s still a process to achieve a large base in the near future. As everybody wants peace and unity, therefore, they are involved in such negotiations,” said Kevileto Kiewho, Naga Hoho, Vice President. “Unity and peace has always been the cry of Naga youth. We have been watching blood being shed throughout our lives. I think it had become a part of our daily routine. Earlier the front page of the newspapers used to be occupied with the news of the killings in the State. But now there is no such news in the papers. This is what were asking for all these years,” said Joshua, a Naga youth.
A senior journalist, Karaiba Chawang, said, “Almost all the tribes of Hoho’s feel that the unification of Naga is a compulsion, irrespective of being a big or a small tribe. Plus all the tribes have said that it should cover all the Naga inhabited areas in the general observation and liking of the Nagas.”
The peace pact is significant because it spells an end to the clashes between the cadres of the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) and NNC led by Adino Phizo. The citizens of the state will be benefited from the peace dividend and the focus will shift to ensuring their development and economic well being. (ANI)
Forces review poll security A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Dec. 28: The Unified Command’s strategy group reviewed the law and order in Assam this evening in view of the panchayat elections.
Chaired by chief minister Tarun Gogoi, the meeting focused on militancy, especially in the North Cachar Hills district. It discussed the activities of Ulfa and the Adivasi National Liberation Front. It suggested a special alert along the Assam-Nagaland border for the polls because of ANLA’s links with the NSCN (I-M).
The meeting discussed the Unified Command’s working in the district and agreed that counter-insurgency operations would continue as before. Chief secretary P.C. Sharma, director-general of police K.T.D. Singh and representatives of the army, paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies were present.
Sumi bodies resolve on unity Nagarrealm.com
Dimapur, DEC28 [NPN] : The Sumi Hoho and the Western Sumi frontal organizations have reaffirmed their support to the ongoing process for unification of the Nagas.

A press release issued jointly by Sumi Hoho president Hokishe Yepthomi and Western Sumi Hoho general secretary Akavi Zhimomi said a decision towards this effect was taken during a joint meeting held on December 27. The signatories said the House appreciated the contributions of "all Naga people and tribal Hohos" towards strengthening the process of unification and appealed to them to continue to strive towards realizing the desire of the Nagas to live as one people.

It was also resolved to urge the Seyochung villagers to restrain from acts of violence and maintain the age-old brotherhood besides settling the differences through mutual and peaceful dialogues.




Speaker murdered democracy: NPCC Nagarealm.com

Dimapur, DEC26 [NPN] : Both the ruling NPF-led DAN coalition and the opposition Congress continued trading charges and counter-charges over the December 13 controversial vote of no confidence motion in the assembly where the Opposition claimed victory by 31-23 (minus the speaker) while the speaker Kiyaneilie declared it victory for the coalition by 23-19, after nullifying the votes cast in favour of the motion by three independent and nine rebel NPF legislators.

Reacting to an earlier press statement by NPF president and planning minister Dr Shürhozelie, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) said December 13 would go down the annals of history as "the darkest day as it was on this day the Assembly Speaker murdered parliamentary democracy in an attempt to let DAN remain in power despite being reduced to minority". NPCC media in-charge Vitsorel Lcho accused the ruling DAN coalition of having used the Speaker as an "assassin to murder democracy".

The NPCC took on Dr Shürhozelie for justifying the Speaker's directive on the independent MLAs when he stated: "…The said respondents shall not vote in favour of any political party in the House on motions of confidence and no-confidence in the House in accordance with observations of the Supreme Court of India in various anti-defection law cases and the said members however are free to participate in the proceedings with right to vote on all other questions for decision before the House". The NPCC said this directive did not fall within the purview of the Tenth Schedule and questioned how the Speaker could disqualify any member without following procedures or even issue any interim order for disqualification or restraining any MLA from voting or directing any member on which party to cast vote.

The release also said the circular of the Speaker dated 12-12-2007 itself revealed that the Speaker was already apprehensive of cross-voting and subsequent trouble for the continuance of the government. It said with this in mind, the Speaker had gone out of his way to save the ruling dispensation from certain collapse. The release said until the event of voting occurred and the Member cast his vote contrary to the party whip, the first part of this proviso of Clause (b) of para 2 of the Tenth Schedule would not be attracted. "These persons would then be entitled to seek condonation of their act and if the political party had not condoned such act only then the facts would be complete for an enabling a claim for disqualification to be made in which case even ad-interim order could be issued".

The release pointed out that a Member could be liable for disqualification on the ground of defection under the Tenth Schedule when he or she had defied the whip and which was not condoned within 15 days. However, the release said, in the present case after permitting the Members to attend the assembly session, participate in the proceedings and vote but not count their votes was unimaginable. The release pointed out that an MLA could not be disqualified just because he or she was likely to vote in favour of or against a particular motion. If extension of support to a political party called for disqualification then they (Independent MLAs) should have been disqualified in 2003 when they extended support to the DAN coalition, the NPCC said.

"Or is it that the Speaker has deemed there should be two yard sticks for these MLAs? One, as and when the Independent MLAs were supporting the DAN coalition, it was perfectly alright and in tune with the rules and procedures. But when they withdraw support from the ruling dispensation? It is a violation of the Tenth Schedule?" , it asked. The NPCC described as "ridiculous" the Speaker's verdict that the scheme of the Tenth Schedule was to strictly prohibit Independent members from indulging in party politics. It asked if this could be used against them for extending support to the NPA then why was it not used when they extended support to the NPF-led DAN in 2003?.

On the fate of the nine rebel NPF legislators whose resignations were accepted after the voting took place, the NPCC said "The resignations of seven out of the nine NPF MLAs subsequently accepted, has no bearing as to the counting on the floor of the House when the voting took place; and as far as the two NPF MLAs are concerned, disqualification proceedings are yet to be initiated against them, which means that they continue to be MLAs with full rights even as of date". The release said NPF president Dr Shurhozelie in his recent statement had instead, only managed to expose how the rules and procedures were misused by the Speaker in an attempt to take people for a ride.

Describing the order of the Speaker as a "total farce" on the Constitution, the NPCC said his interim order did not grant any interim disqualification while permitting Members to participate in the proceedings, giving the right to vote on all other questions for decision before the House. "It itself indicates that the rights of the Members have not been taken away and there is no interim order of disqualification".

GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF NAGALIM
Ministry of Information and Publicity

Press Statement Saturday, December 29, 2007

It is unfortunate that for the mistakes committed by some defectors among the Sumis, the Naga National issue is being contaminated on communal line. But thank God, not all Sumis are carried away by such misleading programs in the name of Naga unification. Salvation of the Nagas shall come through the faithful followers whose integrity and steadfastness, history will honor and respect.
In the prevailing situation, the Nagas as a whole, need to be cautious in passing judgment between the right and the wrong. There is no way to be pretentious on the part of the NSCN because the ground reality will prove it wrong if false statements are just supplied for public consumption. There is no time to play with the people’s sentiment without the solid foundation when the Naga national issue is being turned into the melting pot of the Naga societies. But the truth will come out soon and the truth will guide the Naga nation. The Nagas’ faith in God needs to be strengthened and the will of God has to be given priority over individual interest. This is the crux of the Naga people when faced with such crisis as engineered by Indian intelligent agencies, determined to put a stumbling block in the Indo–Naga political solution.

Issued by MIP/GPRN
NSCN Unification Camp reacts Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Dec 28 (NPN): The NSCN Unification Camp said it had been maintaining utmost restraint in order to pave the way for peaceful and fruitful reconciliation and unification among Nagas.
A release issued by the publicity cell of NSCN Unification Camp said maintaining the spirit of unity and peaceful approach had been its only recourse despite repeated "provocations and mindless allegations" against it. The release said dubbing leaders of Unification Team as "anti-Naga, spineless, unprincipled and communal force" was highly malicious and a direct threat to the unification of Nagas.
Meanwhile, the NSCN Unification Camp warned that stern action would be taken against anyone who would vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of unification process through anti-social acts.
Maram – island of peace in Manipur From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
MARAM (Manipur), Dec 28 – Amidst the turmoil and violence in Manipur’s everyday life, Maram in Senapati district bordering Nagaland this season is experiencing not only a festive mood but a pleasantly peaceful time.

It’s neither the hangover of Christmas nor the New Year eve festive mood but the normal lifestyle of this Maram community dominated hill station. “Yes, ours is one of the most peaceful place”, echoes K Raina, local MLA. “That’s why we’ve been celebrating Christmas every year since the last one decade and more without any break”, he informed.

Maram Bazar is a small hill town inhabited by almost all communities living in the State with the majority being Maram tribes.

A vegetable trader L Premila, who hails from Khoyathong in Imphal while interacting with this reporter shared a similar sentiment over the peaceful nature of this hill town. “We’ve been here for the last 37 years, but the town remains so peaceful”, she feels. The only problem is the road and communication, she added.

As celebrated in the past, with the theme ‘amaze of cradle manger’, the town located along the infamous NH 39 witnessed XIV Combined Merry Christmas 2007 festival at Mara bazaar club compound on Thursday.

Former Deputy Speaker of the Manipur Assemby and Local MLA K Raina and V S Malik, Commanding Officer of 22 Assam Rifles posted at Maram were the speakers of the main celebration.

Games and sports among the different age groups of various communities residing in the town,worship session, fashion show, cultural dance sequences, song competitions etc were the main highlights of the day’s celebration.

K Kasing Peter, president of MBYSO also delivered an introductory speech on the occasion.

Prior to the main celebration, not only the people of all communities including Marams, Meiteis, Nepalis, Biharis, Marawalis, etc., but all ranks of 22 Assam Rifles joined together for an indigenous grand feast at the 100 years old Maram Inspection Bunglow complex.

Korean national detained by state police The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 28: A Korean national who was found entering Manipur without mandatory documents was rounded up by the police on Wednesday last and produced before the district magistrate today, a report said.

The Korean national was identified as John Chen Choi, a resident of 299 Mill road, Toronto, Canada. He reportedly entered the Manipur territory by road through national highway-39 which passes through Nagaland state.

He was found taking shelter at Eastern Colony near the Senapati bridge, the source said. When police checked him, no documents needed for entering the state under the restricted area permit regime which is in force in the state.

Will the history of betrayal be repeated?- Nagaland Post
There is no occasion more befitting and demanding than the prevailing situation to assert in the most serious manner that the wage of hypocrisy, deception, lies and falsehood is to face condemnation from God and the Naga people.
Pressing to the limit of human endurance, deception has taken a dangerous color and all in the name of Naga Unification. Swearing in the name of God, who will stand up to say that the process of Naga Unification necessitates indulgence in illegal tax collection (extortions) kidnapping for ransom and all such demeaning activities that only anti-Naga and anti-social elements will dare to do?
The process of unification when started on wrong footing naturally has no compunction to resort to any such criminal programs, when faced with Naga public scrutiny who refuse to buy such high sounding agenda without knowing the truth. Because the magnitude of the Naga unity problems dictates the serious-minded Nagas to be extra careful and behold, the true color of the unity agenda is gradually in the process of unfolding; what unification team preaches and shouts is not supported by the ground realities. Because the ground realities are all about anti-unification programs like arms collection and imparting trainings to Sumi youth front, preparation of stone erection at Inavi Village, collection of money from Dimapur amounting to crores of rupees. Can the Nagas be fooled with such cheap agenda? Can Sumis dictate unification with such criminal programs?
History will bear witness to the unfolding events to point out who is among the Naga tribe to betray the Naga nation again. The most disturbing question that is striking the conscience of every Naga is- 'Will the history of betrayal be repeated?'
MIP, GPRN NSCN (IM)
‘ULFA will be wiped out in next 10 years’ The Morung Express
Guwahati, December 29 (Zeenews): The ULFA will be wiped out in the next ten years, a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) officer expressed confidence on Friday. "The ULFA has turned out to be the worst enemy of the people and will be totally wiped out within the next ten years," Air Marshal P K Barbora, the AOC-in-C Western Air Command Designate said here.
Commenting on the derailed peace process with the ULFA, Barbora said ULFA's demand was "ridiculous" and thus there was no headway. "ULFA is demanding sovereignty, but from whom? Are the people of Assam not enjoying the same benefits under the constitution as the people of other states?" he asked. Barbora who takes up his new assignment on January one had been criticised by the ULFA for his statement earlier that the outfit was divided.
"The ULFA is a divided lot and of late their ideology has been to extort money for their leaders to lead a luxurious life style in foreign countries," Barbora, who relinquished office of the AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command recently, had said.
ULFA leader Paresh Barua’s sister contesting panchayat polls The Morung Express
Tinsukia/Dibrugarh, December 29 (Agencies): Charting a different path from his brother, ULFA 'Commander-in-Chief' Paresh Baruah's sister has entered into the fray for the upcoming panchayat polls in Assam.
Hirawati Baruah Chetia, the only sister of the separatist ULFA leader, is contesting as an Asom Gana Parishad candidate for the councillor of Baruahola village panchayat in Upper Assam's Tinsukia district, official sources said. Amidst busy campaigning in her constituency in Bessaponi area, Hirawati said she entered the fray with the sole intention of solving numerous problems faced by the people.
Bessopani area is the native place of Hirawati's mother Miliki Baruah who has always been very vocal against ULFA and cast her vote in the last assembly elections in the state.
Interestingly, while Paresh Baruah remained under ground as an insurgent, his family members are employed in various security forces.
Baruah's eldest brother Bimal Baruah is working in the supply depot of army at Panitola while elder brother Pradip is serving in the 2nd mountain division headquarters, engaged in anti-ULFA operations at Dinjan in Dibrugarh district.
Hirawati's husband Uma Kanta Chetia had just retired from the CRPF.
Arrests shatter rebel stereotype A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Dec. 28: Assam has woken up to the reality that anybody can be an Ulfa militant or conduit: the college student next door, the amiable neighbour who works as an office clerk or the familiar vegetable vendor in the market.
The stereotype of the rebel as a gunslinging desperado who does his job and disappears into a jungle hideout was shattered today by the arrest of 21 residents of the capital city for playing varied roles in Ulfa’s network of subversion.
The list includes a second-year higher secondary student of Dispur College, Bhabesh Talukdar, a first-year BA student of the Jalukbari-based Sanskrit College, Ajit Kalita, a clerk at the K.C. Das Commerce College, Prafulla Chandra Barman, an employee of the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd, Haren Medhi, and a vegetable vendor, Sailendra Pathak.
A youth who worked as a waiter in the canteen of GNRC Hospitals for three years, Amit Deka, was arrested yesterday for his involvement in the Hengerabari blast on August 8. All the arrests were part of a planned crackdown by the police to bust Ulfa’s extensive network in the city. “We rounded up 25 people in the past two days, of whom 22 were arrested on specific charges. The 21 people arrested today were remanded in police custody,” a police officer involved in the crackdown said.
Six persons were arrested by Dispur police, three each in Panbazar, Basistha and Bharalumukh, two each in Geetanagar and Chandmari, and one each in Jalukbari and Fatasil Ambari. Two of them, Pankaj Rajbongshi and Sailendra Pathak, are militants of Ulfa’s 709 Battalion and the rest are allegedly conduits who did the outfit’s bidding in return for money. Some of the conduits provided shelter and logistical support to Ulfa militants, identified potential targets for extortion and helped smuggle weapons and explosives into the city. “Rajbongshi is trained to handle sophisticated explosives,” the officer said. The crackdown, led by superintendent of police (operations) Jitmol Doley, was based on information that Ulfa commander Hira Sarania was rebuilding the outfit’s network of conduits for a series of subversive plans. More arrests are expected over the next few days.
“Ulfa has changed its modus operandi to make up for the depletion of its cadre strength. The outfit’s leaders usually do not enter the city; they execute their nefarious designs though a well-oiled network of conduits and lower-ranked members,” the officer said. Amit, for instance, worked as a canteen waiter without anybody suspecting him of being a militant under Sarania’s command. He had four addresses in the city, just in case the police got a whiff of his Ulfa connection.
The officer said it was even more difficult to identify conduits. “It is not easy to sniff out somebody without a criminal record,” he added.
Govt's decision on release of jailed ULFA leaders by Jan 5
Deepikaglobal.com
Guwahati, Dec 29 (UNI) Jnanpith awardee and chief ULFA peace interlocutor Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami today said a decision to release five jailed ULFA leaders, which was set as a precondition by the outfit for resumption of peace talks, was likely to materialise by January 5.

Talking to reporters on the sideline of a book release function here, Dr Goswami said Congress general secretary Verrapa Moily has informed here that a decision on whether to release the jailed leaders was likely to be taken by January 5.

Mr Moily, who is also the party in-charge of Assam, had expressed interest in breaking the stalemate in the peace process since last year after the initial progress had fallen apart following the government's insistence on a written assurance by the ULFA of talks and the latter’s demand for release of its five leaders before further progress.

Dr Goswami said, ''Mr Moily understands the problems of the state and has expressed a positive interest in taking the peace process forward.'' Stating that there had been positive development in the state, she said, ''If talks with ULFA begins, other outfits will also follow to the negotiation table and the insurgency problem confronting the state will be solved to a great extent.'' The past year had been a struggling one for the state and the new year brings hopes for peace, the noted litterateur added.

On ULFA's sincerity for talks, Dr Goswami said, ''I have learnt from reliable sources that the ULFA will initiate the process after their leaders are set free and not returned to the jungles.

The top five ULFA leaders in jail were ULFA ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain, 'vice-president' Pradip Gogoi, 'publicity secretary' Mithinga Daimary, 'cultural secretary' Pranati Deka and senior leader Ramu Mech.

Frans on 12.29.07 @ 08:54 PM CST [link]


Friday, December 28th

Naga ‘national issue cannot get polluted’ The Morung Express



Naga ‘national issue cannot get polluted’ The Morung Express

Dimapur, December 27 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has alleged that in the name of unification “the most provocative things are happening in Dimapur” and that in the “greater interest of the Naga nation, maximum restraints and patience have been exercised” by the NSCN (IM) “because the national principle are not guided by communal interest but by national interest”.
“The national issue cannot be allowed to get polluted to serve the interest of the anti-Naga forces that has raised its ugly head in the form of Azheto Chophy and his mentor Khaplang”, stated a press note issued by the MIP, NSCN (IM) while adding that these anti-Naga forces were running after the cadres of the NSCN (IM) from behind to snatch away their arms and pointed out that this was indicative of the most provocative action that ‘armed forces’ of the ‘stature’ of the NSCN (IM) could “forbear for long”.
“This bears immense significance but with dangerous repercussion as such incidence comes behind the call of Naga unification initiated by Azheto and Khaplang group. Thank God the true story and the motive of the slogan of Naga unity is fast unfolding in a very transparent manner”, the NSCN (IM) stated and narrated how on Christmas night, Azheto and Khaplang’s forces stationed at Purana Bazaar snatched away two SLRs from two NSCN (IM) cadres namely “Corporal” Ninguang and “Corporal” Ireilung who were just moving around on “routine duty” near Purana Bazaar. The NSCN (IM) pointed out that when it asked them to surrender the two arms along with the cadres, it was flatly turned down saying the NSCN (IM) cadres can be taken back but not the arms. “Desperate to give reasons they charged the two NSCN cadres for having intruded into the residence of Tatar Vineho. This time too the nerve of the NSCN forces is tested again”, the MIP stated.
The NSCN (IM) pointed out that this was just one incident taking place behind the call of Naga Unity and further alleged that during the past one month of this “false unity call”, prominent businessmen have been kidnapped for ransom demanding crores of rupees and that “no doubt they have collected in terms of crores”. The NSCN (IM) stated that it was having knowledge of all such dirty dealings by Azheto and Khaplang forces, “giving the intolerable message that the patience of NSCN has been exploited to the limit”.
“It is however to be rightfully questioned by all the concern Nagas if such immoral and highly degrading criminal activities have anything to do with Naga Unity program. Where is the unity group under Azheto leading the Nagas to? Lest the Nagas are taken for a ride by this deceptive scheme, the NSCN is under obligation to forewarn the Nagas to exercise their conscience in order to uphold the greater interest of the Nagas and not the chauvinistic interest of any single tribe”, the MIP stated.

NSCN (IM) highlights incident The Morung Express
In another press note issued by the MIP, the NSCN (IM) pointed out that since the “high sounding but deceptive unification game plan was started a month back, interesting stories both good and bad are being encountered but only to reflect that everything happening within the unification group is far from what they are desperately trying to project”. The MIP press note stated that there were a “few die-hard Semas who have returned to the mainstream (in GHQ) after coming face to face with the motley group of Semas belonging to both NSCN and Khaplang group but who are confused as they are not getting the satisfaction of political conviction in the name of Naga unification”.
The NSCN (IM) also made mention of certain incidents being carried out by anti- national elements and referred to one such case where one Private Thangbemo Ngullie of Naga Army bearing Army No. AX-40310, was returning to his base camp (GHQ) on December 20, 2007, after attending his sisters wedding. “He was approaching the ticket counter at the Bus Stand at Super bazaar when he was encountered by three inebriated fellows who recognized him to be Naga Army personnel from GHQ, though he could not recognize them. Telling him that they are also on their way to camp, they boarded the bus together after he purchased the tickets for them also”.
Giving a detailed account of the incident the MIP press note informed that something started going wrong after the bus crossed the Assam Rifles Camp and that the bus was stopped on some pretext and Private Ngullie was taken some distance from the main road after which they forced him to handover whatever he is carrying in his person. When he resisted that he had just returned from home they forced him into an auto to take him back to the super bazaar near the bus stand where they were joined by six members of Khaplang group led by one Lieutenant, all engaged in alcoholic drink, the MIP informed. After this Private Ngullie was beaten black and blue with his hand tied, after which they forcibly took away his mobile handset worth Rs. 10,000/- and his wallet that had Rs.1400/- in it. “That enough, they took him for a circuitous ride of Dimapur and later on kept in a hotel and was made to sit on the floor for two days without food”.
The next day Private Ngullie was taken to the residence of one Kilonser Kiyekhu (Dy. Kilonser, Keya Affairs, GPRN) at 4th Mile. While he was waiting outside, many who came there asked him who he was, where he was going, his tribe etc. When he finally met Kiyekhu, he was asked to bring arms, promising him a reward of Rs.2 lakhs and promotion, the MIP note stated. “He was then taken back to his dungeon-like place in the hotel. He was released on the morning of 23rd Dec. at around 4am where he was dropped at Dhansiri Power house. The next morning after meeting the Chaplee Kilonser, he accompanied Operation Acceleration team to GHQ”, the MIP note stated while lamenting that it was “a tragedy of fate for the Nagas” and that such “dirty incident” was taking place at the hand of persons who claimed to be working for Naga Unification.
Sumis make stand on unity, Seyochung The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 27 (MExN): The Sumi hoho and the “western” Sumi frontals reaffirmed to “support” and “strengthen the unification process.” In a meting held today, the Sumi bodies appreciated and acknowledged the “contribution of all the Naga people” and tribal hohos in strengthening the “unification process.” The bodies also urged the people of Seyochung village to “restrain and maintain” age-old brotherhood and settle differences through peaceful dialogue.
In a related matter, the Sumi community of Seyochung village condemned the assault on “the Sumis” of the village by a mob from a particular community on Christmas Eve. Alleging that it was instigated by the village’s head GB, a note from the secretary of the Sumi community mentioned a GB, one Shivito who was severely assaulted. The note expressed surprise that the district administration has taken no action “so far.” The note stated that the incident was the result of a diktat issued that “not more than two Sumis should assemble together.” It claimed that the mob’s action was to deprive the Sumi community of celebrating Christmas. “The ugly incident should be condemned by every right-thinking citizen as this kind of incident reveals the savagery (sic) act of some narrow-minded persons” it stated and cautioned that if the issue is not resolved the aggrieved party will not remain silent but will take an own course of action.
Gunshots end lull on border - Garden worker hurt OUR BUREAU The Telegraph


Guwahati/Kohima, Dec. 27: A period of relative calm along the disputed Assam-Nagaland border in Sivasagar district was shattered today by suspected Naga assailants firing on tea garden workers.
Just as it had done when a mob from Nagaland pillaged villages in Assam a few months ago, the All Assam Students’ Union threatened to retaliate with an economic blockade that would cut off supplies to that state. Police said tea garden worker Bistu Ram Koiri and some colleagues had entered the Geleky reserve forest to collect firewood when two armed men accosted them and said they were “trespassing” into Naga territory. When the panicky workers ran, the duo opened fire from their countrymade rifles.
Koiri, 50, was admitted to a local hospital with bullet injuries on his leg. Although the incident was a minor one compared to what happened during the last round of violence — five persons on the Assam side were killed and several houses torched — it triggered fears of more attacks and prompted many residents of the area to flee their villages.
A Naga elder from Anaki-C Basti, just across the Geleky stretch of the border, said nobody from his village was involved in today’s incident. He accused villagers from Assam of encroaching on Naga people’s land with the help of police personnel stationed on the border. The AASU urged chief secretary P.C. Sarma to immediately complain to his Nagaland counterpart about the continued show of aggression from that side of the boundary. A police officer said the two men who fired at the garden workers crossed over by the time a team from Geleky police station reached the site of the incident. “The situation is tense. A police picket has been set up in the area.”
The president of the AASU’s Sivasagar unit, Kushal Dutta, said Nagaland was not sincere about restraining its citizens from eyeing Assam’s territory. “We have been assured by student unions of Nagaland and the state government of necessary steps to stop recurrence of such incidents, but what happened today has proved that they are not sincere. We will soon decide whether to enforce an economic blockade against that state.”
Nagaland and Assam have been disputing one another’s claims about territory for decades.
Factional current poses a dampener on Dimapur denizens Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, December 27: There is a possibility of bleak situation prevailing in the Nagaland commercial hub Dimapur following the strong under-current polarisation "among the NSCN factions".

According to the NSCN-IM, huge amount of money to the tune of crores of rupees has been collected from the businessmen in Dimapur by the NSCN faction led by Azheto Chophy and Khaplang in just one month's time. Azheto Chophy and C Singson are the two signatories of the November 24 Niuland Unity Declaration. The NSCN-IM then expressed with a serious tone that the "Azheto and Khaplang group" has tested the nerve of the NSCN-IM again.

The NSCN-IM said that the outfit has been exercising maximum restraint and patience in the interest of the "Naga nation".

"In the name of unification the most provocative incidents had been happening in Dimapur but for the greater interest of the Naga Nation, maximum restraint and patience have been exercised by NSCN, because the national principle are not guided by communal interest but by national interest. The national issue cannot be allowed to get polluted to serve the interest of the anti-Naga forces that has raised its ugly head in the form of Azheto Chophy and his mentor Khaplang," said the NSCN-IM.

The outfit alleged that running after the cadres of NSCN-IM forces from behind to snatch away their arms is indicative of the most provocative action that armed forces of the "stature of GPRN/NSCN could forbear" for long, stated the NSCN-IM today while adding, "This bears immense significance but with dangerous repercussion as such incidents come behind the call of Naga Unification initiated by Azheto and Khaplang group. Thank God the true story and the motive of the slogan of Naga Unity is fast unfolding in a very transparent manner".

The NSCN-IM narrated that on the Christmas night the "Azheto and Khaplang forces" stationed at Purana bazar in Dimapur snatched two SLRs from two NSCN-IM cadres identified as "corporal Ninguang and corporal Ireilung who were just moving around on routine duty" near Purana bazar. The NSCN-IM further alleged that the rival group refused to give back the arms although its cadres were allowed to be taken back. "Desperate to give reasons they charged the two NSCN cadres for having intruded into the residence of Tatar Vineho. This time too the nerve of the NSCN forces is tested again," said the NSCN-IM.

"This is just another story taking place behind the call of Naga Unity.

During the past one month of this false unity call, prominent businessmen have been abducted for ransom amounting to crores of rupees; no doubt they have collected in terms of crores.

The NSCN is in the knowledge of all such dirty dealings by Azheto and Khaplang forces, giving the intolerable message that patience of NSCN has been exploited to the limit," cautioned the NSCN-IM today. The outfit then opined that "it is however to be rightfully questioned" by all the concern Nagas "if such immoral and highly degrading criminal activities" have anything to do with Naga unity programme.

"Where is the unity group under Azheto leading the Nagas to?," asked the NSCN-IM while adding, "Lest the Nagas are taken for a ride by this deceptive scheme, the NSCN is under obligation to forewarn the Nagas to exercise their conscience in order to uphold the greater interest of the Nagas and not the chauvinistic interest of any single tribe".
Jamir, Kamat receive Prime Minister Nagaland Post
PANAJI: Goa Thursday become the first State in the country to have a truly converged wide area network when Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the first phase of Goa Broadband Network (GBBN) soon after his arrival here on a two-day visit.
Governor Dr. SC Jamir, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and other dignitaries received the Prime Minister at Hansa naval base at Dabolim and flew with him by chopper to the State capital Panaji where they headed straigth to the Secretariat for the inauguration during which the Prime Minister interacted with people through videoconferencing from various district and taluka level headquarters.
All the district and taluka level headquarters have been brought under 10 GBPS connectivity, in the first phase of GBBN project. All the government and semi-government offices will also be linked through this project.
In all, 230 km of cables have been laid across the state as part of the project at a cost of Rs 50 crore, and the final completion of the project is expected to cost Rs 125 crore. Later in the evening, the First Lady of Goa Mrs. Alemla Jamir received the Prime Minister at Raj Bhawan where he is staying for the night.
The Prime Minister will be attending the 20th Annual Convocation of Goa University tomorrow. This is the first time that a Prime Minister is attending the annual Convocation of Goa University. During the Convocation "Honoris Causa" Doctor of Letters (D. Litt) will be conferred upon two internationally acclaimed citizens of India and luminaries associated with Goa, namely, Padma Bhushan Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India, and Bharat Ratna Sushree Lata Mangueshkar.
NSCN (I-M) flays Nagaland post
Dimapur, Dec 27 (NPN): The NSCN (I-M) has held the "NSCN Unification Camp" responsible for the latest anti-social activities occurring in and around Dimapur in the past one month.
Describing the unity call of the "NSCN Unification Camp" as "false", a press release issued by the MIP of NSCN (I-M) alleged the former had abducted a number of prominent businessmen of the town in the recent past and demanded huge amount of money as ransom.
The release said NSCN (I-M) would not allow the national issue to get polluted to serve the interest of anti-Naga forces led by Azheto Chophy and the NSCN (K).
The release also said snatching the weapons of NSCN (I-M) members was indicative of the most provocative action. The release said such acts bore immense significance but with dangerous repercussion as this came behind the call of Naga unification "initiated by Azheto and Khaplang group".
The NSCN (I-M) cautioned people to exercise their conscience in order to uphold the greater interest of the Nagas.
GPRN/NSCN (IM) on unification move- Nagaland Post
In the name of unification, the most provocative things are happening in Dimapur but for the greater interest of the Naga Nation, maximum restraints and patience have been exercised by NSCN, because the national principle are not guided by communal interest but by national interest. The national issue cannot be allowed to get polluted to serve the interest of the anti-Naga forces that has raised its ugly head in the form of Azheto Chophy and his mentor Khaplang. Running after the cadres of NSCN forces from behind to snatch away their arms is indicative of the most provocative action that armed forces of the stature of GPRN/NSCN could forbear for long. This bears immense significance but with dangerous repercussion as such incidence comes behind the call of Naga Unification initiated by Azheto and Khaplang group. Thank God the true story and the motive of the slogan of Naga Unity is fast unfolding in a very transparent manner. On Christmas night , Azheto and Khaplang forces stationed at Purana bazaar snatched away two SLRs from two NSCN cadres namely Corporal Ninguang and Corporal Ireilung who were just moving around on routine duty near Purana bazaar. When encountered by the NSCN forces to surrender, the two arms along with the cadres, it was flatly turned down saying the NSCN cadres can be taken back but not the arms. Desperate to give reasons they charged the two NSCN cadres for having intruded into the residence of Tatar Vineho. This time too the nerve of the NSCN forces is tested again.
This is just another story taking place behind the call of Naga Unity. During the past one month of this false unity call, prominent businessmen have been kidnapped for ransom demanding crores of rupees; no doubt they have collected in terms of crores. The NSCN is in the knowledge of all such dirty dealings by Azheto and Khaplang forces, giving the intolerable message that the patience of NSCN has been exploited to the limit. It is however to be rightfully questioned by all the concern Nagas if such immoral and highly degrading criminal activities have anything to do with Naga Unity program. Where is the unity group under Azheto leading the Nagas to? Lest the Nagas are taken for a ride by this deceptive scheme, the NSCN is under obligation to forewarn the Nagas to exercise their conscience in order to uphold the greater interest of the Nagas and not the chauvinistic interest of any single tribe.
Ministry of information and publicity GPRN/NSCN (IM)
Congress- The villain of peace in the Assembly- Nagaland post
The Congress party in Nagaland, which first mounted an assault on the Governor for refusing its bidding, is now training its guns against the Speaker for refusing to bite its bait. The Office of Speaker is a hallowed and respectable institution in our Constitution and the Congress party is laying down the condemnable tradition of bringing such an office under vituperative attacks.
December 13, 2007, the darkest day beacuse of Congress:
I agree with the NPCC's remark that December 13, 2007 will go down as the darkest day in the annals of Nagaland's history for the reason that the Congress murdered democracy within the very precincts of the House on that day. The Speaker was defied, all norms were thrown to winds, carols were sung in the House as though some pre-Christmas party was going on, public money meant for conducting the house was terribly wasted and the Bihar, UP and Parliament type of pandemonium was let loose by power hungry Congressmen inside the House. Any other Speaker would have used the marshals to throw all these (dis) honorable members out for their disorderly conduct. But the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly kept his cool and quietly tolerated their nonsense. His name will be scripted in golden letters in Nagaland Legislature's history for assiduously protecting democracy and the Congress would go down as villains of peace, progress and development the state and marauders of decency and decorum in the House. If at all anyone who murdered democracy on that day, it was the Congress party which was salivating for power by back door methods and arm twisting tactics. Can there be any parallel to a statutory functionary like the Leader of Opposition jumping into the well and announcing results of the vote by himself bypassing a duly elected Speaker? The State Congress is known for this confusion and their pastime is to disturb constitutionally elected Governments, traditions and foundations. The State of Nagaland is in the throes of all kinds of pains and sufferings because tile state congress cannot respect the mandate of the people and serve the people sitting in the Opposition, It wants to corner all the time all the opportunities for being in the saddle of power, even by desecrating the Constitution and its foundations. We are all Christians and we bear utmost respect to departed souls. On the 13th December, 2007, when the Speaker was making obituary references to two Naga public leaders, the Leader of Opposition and the entire Congress benches shouted slogans in the well of the House thereby causing deep disrespect to the departed souls.
Calling the Congress's bluff:
I have already clarified how constitutionally perfect the Speaker's orders are. The Speaker does not decide anything on his own under the anti-defection law. Only when a petition is filed before him, his office is activated. In the case of Independents, I pleaded that they should be disqualified because first they joined the NPF and then the Congress for the reasons cited in the petition. The matter is sub judice before the Speaker. Therefore, I would not allude to the merits of the case. But the Congress, without respect for the office of the Speaker, is discussing the merits of the case in the Press. If by joining NPF they ought to be disqualified, it is not the Speaker who would do the Congress's bidding. They have to file a petition for disqualification before the Speaker. Instead of filing the petition before him, they are joining hands with the alleged defectors, in their true and traditional style of reaping short-term gains for political expediency. We thought these independents are defectors and therefore we were the first to file petition for disqualification agai11st them,
As of now, the Speaker has not disqualified them. There is nothing called interim disqualification in law. But the Supreme Court and other Speakers in the country have passed interim orders restraining the members facing disqualification proceedings from exercising both their rights to participate and work in the house until the petition was finally decided. Several other Speakers did the same thing. A large number of Speakers passed such blanket interim orders just half an hour before Motions of No-Confidence were to be taken up. The Goa Assembly Speaker, a Congress Speaker, had passed an interim order against two Maharashtra Gomautak Party members imposing a blanket ban on their I participatory and voting rights in Goa Assembly. It is now before the Supreme Court. All the Nagaland Assembly Speaker had done in this case was restrain the three Independent Members from voting on the Confidence and No-Confidence motions, because he did not believe in a blanket order similar to orders passed by the other Congress Speakers in the country who stoutly believed in such blanket orders courtesy their fake faith in democracy. Our Speaker allowed the three Independent Members on all other occasions. Let the people of Nagaland decide whether the Congress Speakers in the country who passed the blanket interim orders have murdered democracy or the Nagaland Assemble Speaker who passed an interim order with all liberties to the members concerned but with a limited restraint.
Direction of Speaker:
I have clearly explained to the people that the Direction of the Speaker dated the 21st of. August, 2006 was meant to curb the mischief of defectors; the Nagaland Anti-defection Rules disqualifies a defector retrospectively that is from the date of violation of party whip. To synchronize the date of effect of the Speaker's disqualification order with the act of violation of whip by members, the Speaker had issued the Direction dated 21st August, 2006, stating that the votes of defectors will not be counted, If the number of legislators who violate the whip is two-thirds of the legislature party., this Direction will not apply. It also does not apply to members who have taken prior permission for violating the whip. While disqualification proceedings are optional, the removal of damage caused by defectors to Government whose stability the anti-defection law seeks to secure, is a compulsory exercise under the anti-defection law. The Speaker is the custodian of the said law and if there is any flaw or loophole in the administration of anti-defection law, it is the Speaker's moral duty to stamp them out. The Congress party in Nagaland wants the Speaker to close his eyes to reality and the naked violation of Constitutional scheme and principles by defectors, and, by the Congressmen who want to court them, because it suits their political greed and expediency.
Speaker has upheld a Constitutional scheme inaugurated by Rajiv Gandhi:
The State Congress leaders are oblivious of the fact that the Nagaland Assembly Speaker has only given perfect life to the noble Constitutional scheme grandly which is the brain child of Rajiv Gandhi himself to protect Governments against instability. These virtuous provisions in the anti-defection law were further fortified by the NDA Government by omitting the split provisions, by prohibiting emergence of factions and by prohibiting defectors from holding offices of Ministers and remunerative political posts. The Direction of the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly dated 21-E-2006 is a befitting tribute to the late Leader of the Congress party and a shot in tile arm for the political moralists who want the anti-defection law scheme to be generously effectuated.
It is time for the Congress party to face the people along with us.
Nagaland is a very fragile State. Let not what this party do this in other States, be repeated or replicated in Nagaland. Here, people have high moral values and. a unique culture, heritage and history. Let these precious treasures of the people of Nagaland be not defiled by the Congress's pursuit for power. Nagas are not so numerically illiterate even not to know whether 23 (excluding Speaker) are bigger or 19 is bigger. Nagas are also not so politically illiterate that they would not be able to separate the 17 Congress and 2 JD (U) from 2 NPF defectors and 7 ex-MLAs of NPF from the so-called 31 claimed by the Congress is illegal.
Dr. Shurhozelie.
Army gets China experience: - Soldiers gain from joint exercise with once unfriendly neighbour A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Soldiers display a memento of their joint exercise with China after returning to Guwahati on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Dec. 27: Four decades after Thuingaleng Muivah led a team of Naga National Council (NNC) members to China for training in guerrilla warfare, the Chinese army is helping India deal with militancy.
Brig D.S. Dadwal, the head of the Indian contingent that participated in the first joint military exercise between the two countries — Hand-in-Hand 2007 — said on his return today that the common aim of the neighbours was to eliminate the “scourge of terrorism”,
The contingent, drawn from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry unit posted in Bishnupur district of Manipur, believes the experience of a joint exercise with China will help it conduct counter-insurgency operations better. “Such exercises definitely help you to hone your skills and use them at Ground Zero,” Brig. Dadwal said.
The five-day drill was conducted at the Kunming Military Academy in Yunnan province of China. Battalion commander Col J.S. Budhwar said a mock hostage rescue drill was conducted by launching a joint attack on hypothetic terrorist camps along the Sino-Indian border.
“Development of military-to-military relations was an integral part of the overall improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said. “The focus of the exercise was on how to tackle the growing menace of global terrorism.”
The Chinese team demonstrated its skills in martial arts and other self-defence actions, while the Indian troops taught them yoga, Col Budhwar said. Defence spokesman Col Y.K. Joshi, who was part of the contingent, said China also arranged for a display of its arsenal. The weapons on show included the QB295 5.8mm automatic rifle used to kill hostile live targets and destroy light armour, the QS292 9mm pistol designed for commanders and special forces to destroy live targets in short distance, and the QJB95 5.8mm machine gun used by infantry squads. Also on display were the QS B91 7.62mm dagger pistol weapon used in person-to-person combat, the QL287 35mm automatic grenade launcher, the PF98 rocket launcher, the QBU 5.8mm sniper rifle, the PP89 60mm mortar and a special vehicle for troop mobility and logistical support. China’s openness, Brig Dadwal said, was a pointer to the improvement of ties between the two countries.
The next joint exercise will be held in India next year.
Centre may free 5 ULFA men by Jan 26 Nagaland page

GUWAHATI, December 27: The Centre may free 5 top Ulfa leaders from prison by Republic Day to revive the peace process in the state. Congress and state government sources have given hints about this amid hectic parleys in New Delhi over the resumption of dialogue with Ulfa.
CM Tarun Gogoi, too, does not rule out such a possiblity. "I am not ruling it (the release) out. This may happen but not right now. There is still a month to go," he said, without disclosing the details. Ulfa has made the release of its leaders as a precondition for its presence in future peace talks. "The Centre will take a decision. I can always press for the release of Ulfa leaders. I am not in two minds about it. They should be freed if it comes in the way of the peace process," the CM said.
What has made politicians and activists hopeful is the interest shown by AICC general secretary M Veerappa Moily in the peace process. Moily, who looks after the Congress's affairs in Assam, is close to writer Indira Goswami, who was the chief facilitator in the last round of talks between the Ulfa-nominated People Consultative Group (PCG) and the Centre that collpased in 2006. (TNN)
Kaladan deal awaits Myanmar seal Indo Burma News
Eagerly waiting for Myanmar’s foreign minister U Nyan Win’s New Year visit to Delhi for finalising the $100-million Kaladan multi-model link project. The project envisages building of roads and waterway links to ensure the landlocked states’ easy accessibility to the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar.
The detailed report of the infrastructure development project was discussed at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in January this year. The project had already been granted financial approval by New Delhi and Yangon, said senior officials of the border trade department of the Mizoram government in Aizawl. Sources pointed out that the alternative road, river and sea access via Myanmar’s southwestern flank had been extensively surveyed over the past six years by engineers of the two countries. The cabinet is likely to give a final nod to augmentation of the project once Win lands in India.
Dhaka’s vacillation on providing transit facilities to Indian goods through Chittagong port has prodded the Centre to look for an alternative route to the sea from the Northeast.
An agreement for development of roads and the port on the Kaladan river for transhipment of goods up to Sittwe port in Rakhine state of Myanmar was reached by delegations of the two countries when petroleum minister Murli Deora called on senior leaders of the junta in Yangon three months back.
Sittwe port in Myanmar is nearly 12 hours from the sea port of Haldia near Calcutta.
As the Kaladan river also flows through Mizoram, transhipment of goods from Mizoram, particularly the state’s bamboo products and fruits to Calcutta and nearby towns, will be a lot easier.
For that, the roads stretching from Paletwa and Tiddim in Chin state of Myanmar close to Mizoram have to be developed as highways by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a wing of the Union ministry of roads transport and highways.
That requires signing of a separate agreement between the BRO and the junta after the government of the two countries give the go-ahead to the broad modalities. of the project.



Frans on 12.28.07 @ 01:35 PM CST [link]


Thursday, December 27th

Year 2007: Nagaland witnesses remarkable efforts towards peace (UNI) Nagaland page



Year 2007: Nagaland witnesses remarkable efforts towards peace (UNI) Nagaland page

Kohima, December 26: The outgoing year was significant for Nagaland as remarkable efforts were made towards establishing a lasting peace in the state, which has been witnessing recurring violence for the past several years.
After years of yearning for peace and unity by the Naga people, the Joint Forum of Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation (GBs) and Do-Bhashis Association (DBs) were able to bring together all the underground organisations, which included the NSCN-IM (Kilonser Yanger Pongen), NSCN (K) (Kilonser R M Lotha), Naga National Council (NNC) (General Secretary Vizosielhou Nagi) and NSCN Unification Core Committee (Maj A Chuba Ao).
A 4-point resolution was jointly signed by these organizations which called for putting an end to the atrocities against the Nagas, to create a peaceful atmosphere, to pursue peace and unity among all the different groups of Nagas and extension of inter-factional ceasefire for a further period of six months at Kohima on December 7.
The year also witnessed the first Indo-Naga talks in the soil of Nagaland (Dimapur) on July 30, which also extended the ceasefire between the Indian Government and the NSCN-IM for an indefinite period from August 1, 2007.
A significant development was the coming together of cadres of both NSCN factions towards a broad-based unification of all underground groups in the name of NSCN Unification Core Committee, which has been the cry of the Naga people for decades.
On the contrary, the year also witnessed former Nagaland Chief Minister and present Governor of Goa S C Jamir narrowly escaping an attempt on his life for the fourth time from unidentified gunmen near Chanki village under Mokokchung district on November 24 which sent a shock waves throughout the state. Earlier, the NSCN-IM served Azha (Decree) to Jamir and senior bureaucrat Alemtemshi Jamir over the controversial booklet Bedrock of Naga Society published by the NPCC in 2002.
Inter-factional clashes, fratricidal killings, arson, looting and extortion became daily affairs, besides the maximum number of strikes, bandhs called by various organisations on different issues.
Amongst them, the arsons at Wungram Colony at Dimapur on April 22, and Jalukie-Jangdi village and later Inavi village by NSCN-IM, were pointers to the Government's inability to protect its citizens.
The Neiphiu Rio led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government will continue its full term in the month of February next year (2008), but in the ultimate year, it witnessed many defections from all its alliance parties, including the major alliance Nagaland Peoples' Front (NPF), JD (U), BJP and Independents. Altogether, 13 MLAs so far resigned from the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly and from the parties. While the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly ruled by the DAN was sailing smoothly, the ultimate Assembly Session on December 13 witnessed an uproarious scene when a Congress sponsored No Confidence Motion was voted. Some resigned and defected members also voted in favour of the motion. The Assembly Speaker did not count the votes of 12 members under the Anti-Defection Act and gave the ruling that the motion was defeated by 23 to 19 votes. However, the opposition Congress claimed that altogether 31 members voted in support of the motion. The Congress, which along with the JD (U), Independents and defected NPF Members formed the Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA), are still camping in Delhi demanding dismissal of the ''minority'' DAN Government. The Left parties in the UPA Government have reportedly rejected the demand. Meanwhile, all political parties are gearing the election strategy for the forthcoming Nagaland Assembly Elections, likely to be announced by the Election Commission by the second week of January next year. According to political observers, the elections are unlikely to be peaceful.
Albeit, the aspirations of the people for a peaceful Nagaland still continues.
A new dawn of peace emerging in Nagaland Cheers News Estonia


Nagaland is on the threshold of a new dawn of peace. The three warring Naga factions are poised to come together on a single platform to establish peace.

The dominant Naga factions -- National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issac-Muivah (NSCN-IM), NSCN (Khaplang) and Naga National Council (NNC), signed a peace pact recently.

Representatives of the three Naga factions, who were sworn enemies till recently, were sharing the table and smoking the peace pipe.

The peace pact is significant as it spells an end to the clashes between the cadres of the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) and NNC. It is expected that the people in the State will be benefited from the latest move and the focus will shift to ensuring the State's development and economic welfare.

The three main Naga factions met at the negotiation table in Kohima, after much persuasion from tribal chiefs and the state government.

The historic meeting took place under the aegis of the Joint Forum of Nagaland Gaonburas (GBs) and Dobashis (DBs). It is expected to end decades of internecine clashes between the Naga groups.

Joint Forum of Nagaland GBs and DBs Convener Taku Longkumer said: "The meeting has resolved to unanimously accept and assure peace among different groups in Nagaland, without discrimination on the basis of tribes or region."

Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner T N Mannen said: "It's a very positive step. We fervently hope that it will definitely lead to total peace."

More than 500 people have lost lives in the conflicts between the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) in the last five years. The State Government is also lending its support to bring all factions together.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said: "We want unity and that of all the Nagas, not just a section. While welcoming the unity moves, it should be ensured that all factions are brought under one umbrella so that Nagas can focus on a unified entity."

With the unification process on and the peace process between NSCN (IM) and the Central Government inching towards a positive outcome, the time is not far when Nagaland turns into an oasis of peace in the North East. By Vibou Ganguly (ANI)
NSCN Unification Camp cautions Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Dec 26 (NPN): Taking strong exception to the rise in cases of extortions, kidnappings and other anti-social activities, perpetrated by individuals in the guise of national workers, the NSCN Unification Camp Wednesday warned that it would take stern action against anyone, including national workers, who would vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of the ongoing unification process. A release issued by the publicity cell of NSCN Unification Camp appealed to the general public, law-enforcement agencies and other State machineries to cooperate and set up vigilance to curb the criminal activities. Further, the NSCN Unification Camp extended New Year greetings to the Nagas.
Naga officers dump bodies on border A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Dec. 26: Police stations and outposts along Karbi Anglong’s border with Nagaland are routinely saddled with unclaimed bodies of people killed by criminal gangs or militant groups in that state.
“We have complained about this to Nagaland police several times, but there has been no response from them,” the subdivisional police officer of Bokajan, Satyen Gogoi, said today.
Karbi Anglong shares nearly 10km of Assam’s border with Nagaland. Gogoi said Bokajan police station had earned a bad name because of unclaimed bodies being frequently found in the areas under its jurisdiction. “The police station has to register a case whenever a body is found, though the crime may have been committed across the border.”
Bokajan is around 15km from Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland.
Last week, a team from Bokajan police rescued three persons from the clutches of two Nagaland policemen who allegedly intended to kill them on this side of the border. The team arrested the uniformed duo and impounded the official Maruti Gypsy they were using. Apprising the home department of the incident, Karbi Anglong police said the involvement of police personnel from Nagaland in “crime in Assam territory” necessitated immediate intervention. It requested the government to take up the issue with Nagaland.
“Until recently, we thought only miscreants and militants outfits dumped bodies and committed crimes in our area. But it seems even police personnel from that state are using Assam territory for crime,” the police said.
Apart from bodies being dumped, Karbi Anglong is having to contend with a network of criminals originating in Nagaland but more active on this side of the boundary. Lahorijan, another Assam township bordering Dimapur, is known to be a haven for drug addicts and arms dealers. Most of the drug peddlers and arms dealers active in the area are from Nagaland.
Mukul Saikia, a former subdivisional police officer in Bokajan, said drug peddlers and addicts had long been converging on Lahorijan to strike deals away from the prying eyes of vigilante groups in Nagaland. “Most of the addicts and traffickers are from Nagaland. They use Lahorijan as a buying and selling point.”
Another police officer in the border affairs department said one of the proposals was to seal the state’s border with Nagaland. The former deputy inspector-general of police (eastern range), Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, had asked residents of the districts bordering Nagaland — especially Karbi Anglong and Golaghat — to be cautious since they were near a “criminal den” like Dimapur.
Mob attacks MLA home - Poll postponement triggers fury OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Dhubri, Dec. 26: Ethnic sentiments continued to grip panchayat elections in Assam with six policemen being injured today in a mob attack on a Congress MLA’s house over the postponement of polling in areas dominated by the Rabha Hasong tribe.
The attack on Abdul Rashid Mondal’s private residence at Basbari in Goalpara district was allegedly orchestrated by the Non-Rabha Co-ordination Forum, an organisation formed to protect the rights of other communities in the Rabha Hasong belt. The legislator, who represents Goalpara (West) constituency, escaped the mob fury along with two of his guards by slipping out through the backdoor. Basbari is nearly 50km from Goalpara town.
The injured personnel, including the officer-in-charge of Baguwan police station, Fazlul Hoque, were shifted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital after first aid at Goalpara Civil Hospital. The condition of one of them, constable Bichitra Das, was critical.
A police officer said the 400-strong mob converged on the legislator’s house in two groups and shouted slogans like “Rabha Hasong murdabad” and “Abdul Rashid Mondal murdabad”. The guards on duty tried to stop them, but a few of the protesters entered the visitors’ room and had an argument with the legislator.
The mob ransacked the residence and damaged two vehicles owned by the legislator. The bamboo fencing around the Assam-type residence and temporary sheds for visitors were uprooted. “The security personnel were outnumbered, There was little they could do,” the police officer said.
The mob targeted the legislator for allegedly backing the postponement of panchayat elections at the behest of Rabha Hasong organisations, who wanted polls to the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council to be held first. Leaders of the Non-Rabha Co-ordination Forum denied being involved in the mob attack, blaming a “third force” for the trouble. It said some people were trying to take advantage of the surcharged situation.
The same forum recently singled out Mondal as the “villain” responsible for the postponement of panchayat polls in the Rabha Hasong belt. The president of the forum, Shahjahan Ali, said the attack on Mondal’s house was “a manifestation of people's anger” at government policies. “We had nothing to do with the incident but when people are angry, such incidents are bound to happen.”
A source said a section of members in the district unit of the Congress, led by some disgruntled leaders, could also be “trying to fish in troubled waters”.
The announcement about elections being postponed was made on December 13.
Goalpara superintendent of police Abhijit Bora said the hooligans involved in today’s incident would be rounded up and punished. “Security has been beefed up and raids on hideouts of the suspects are under way,” he added. On December 18, a policeman was seriously injured in an assault by activists opposed to the postponement of elections at Mailapathar near Goalpara town.
India's role in Burma was below expectations' Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1141003
Q&A: Prof Larry Diamond wants India to be politically more proactive and spread democracy far and wide
Larry Diamond is Professor of Political Science and Sociology at Stanford University, and coordinates the Democracy Program of the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law. Diamond was invited by Condoleezza Rice to be an advisor to Coalition Provisional Authority on Iraq to advice on ways to bring democracy in the distressed country. He spoke to Sayandeb Chowdhury about Iraq, India's neighbourhood and why India must play a much bigger role in exporting it's democratic ethic than it is doing now.
You have a rare view of the Iraq War and its failures, in your capacity as an academic as well as an advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority on Iraq. What do you think went wrong?
The first mistake was going to war itself when there was no imminent threat to national security and no international consensus. And a faulty war was followed by bad management, abrupt disbanding of the army, needless efforts at total de-Bathification and an impression that it was an Anglo-American conquest. The condition was just right for insurgency.
You opposed the war but then supported the democratisation process. Aren't they linked?
Yes, I did oppose the war but once it was over I felt a system had to be put in place. Once an egg is broken, you must do something; you cannot leave it like that.
Do you think Islam is incompatible with democracy?
I can't say that. There are about 43 majority Muslim countries of which 16 are in the Arab Middle East. Of the 16 not one is a democracy. But elsewhere, in Africa and Asia, there are about seven Islamic democracies, including big ones like Indonesia and Turkey.
In fact, if Islam is the religion of peace, then it cannot be intrinsically incompatible with democracy. It is about how the political establishment wants to use its influence. For that matter, every religion has interpretations that go against the norms of democracy and an equal number that go for it. It depends on how they are interpreted politically.
How would you explain the democratic deficiency amongst India's neighbours?
You can take Sri Lanka as an exception but yes, it's an embattled democracy. Otherwise it is a sorry state of affairs. Much of the problem has to do with the beginning of each of them as a State.
India was greatly advantaged in having as its foundation the Indian National Congress and people like Nehru, his companions and Gandhi, men with vision and decades of democratic practice. In Pakistan, the Muslim League, had none of it, except Jinnah, who died early. Moreover, military intervention is a kiss of death for a democracy.
Once you allow the military in, it's difficult to get rid of them. Even otherwise in Pakistan, for example the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto regime was not a model of democracy. Like Pakistan, Bangladesh was born out of strife and trauma. That also contributed to weak and fragile protocol institutions and machinery.
You have argued for India's intervention to safeguard democratic processes.
Not intervention but a larger engagement. And that has nothing to do with any alignment with any country. I can understand that there are a lot of misgivings here about foreign policy choices but I am not saying that India must align with a country; at least geopolitically.
Rather, India must align with a cause like democracy. I can understand that India feels nervous about taking up a bigger role in the internal issues of its immediate neighbours, like Pakistan and Bangladesh. But it should engage with the others.
What about China's role?
Critical. China must play the role of, as someone said, an 'equal responsible stake holder' in global affairs. National security is primary for every country. But it does not mean that one cannot play a more responsible role. China will be as much affected by regional instability and border skirmish as any other country. But is it being responsible? No. Take the Burma example.
And here I must say that India's role was not fitting with the expectation. India needs natural resources. But should that always come in the way when a blatantly ruthless and corrupt junta regime in Burma is abusing its people and institutions? The US-like hypocrisy of turning a blind eye to the worst practices will not go down well now, in a changed world.
What role can India play?
India can leverage its lessons in running a successful democracy with other countries. It can invite all stake holders for dialogue, create institutions, learn and let others learn from its experience, its federal structure, its panchayat system, its popular participation. I am taking about exporting democracy as a soft power. If India can export its cinema, why not its democracy?
Have we heard the last word on democracy or are there more forms to evolve?
It's a vital question. The following are critical to democracy: regular, free and fair elections, adult franchise cutting across divides, participation of two or more political parties, an independent framework to supervise elections and free judiciary and press. Anything less than that or any experiment without them is a fraud. But democracy is also evolving fast trying to keep up with the technology race.
Children of Conflict Nagaland Post
"After my father's death, I learnt that he was a militant. At that time, I was too young to know who a militant was. But very soon I understood the meaning when my mother and the rest of my family began to face difficulties. Why does the army harass us? We are not militants. Can't they be stopped?" asked Manzoor Ahmad, 16.
This innocent question posed by a schoolgoing teenager from Srinagar silenced a packed audience in Delhi, which had gathered to interact with children from Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Assam and West Bengal - states affected by militancy, terrorism and communal strife. Even Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal, who was present at this unique initiative organised by Guild of Service (GOS), a Delhi-based NGO working for children, widows and women's empowerment, and the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), was taken aback.
But Manzoor wasn't about to leave without an answer. After all, this was what he and approximately 100 other children had come for. "The purpose of bringing the children here and giving them a platform to speak was that their stories be heard by a larger audience. We want them to have a normal childhood. We want to lessen their trauma and bitterness so that they can grow up to be normal citizens," said Mohini Giri, chairperson, GOS.
Although Jaiswal apologised for the trauma children like Manzoor underwent because of militancy, he said that people with vested political and social interests continue to fuel conflict. He added that the government was trying to wean back those who had lost their way and turned to militancy. But it is not just the families of militants that have a hard time. The loved ones of those who have surrendered suffer a similar fate. When Nikhat's father decided to give up militancy, things did not really change for the better for the family. "My siblings and I faced problems in getting admission in schools. Teachers viewed us with suspicion and we were discriminated against only because our father was a former militant," said the 16-year-old.
Fortunately for Nikhat and Manzoor, they were able to find a way to pursue their education, thanks to an intervention by GOS. "Many of these children have seen their fathers being gunned down and, in the absence of proper education, they can be misled by anti-social elements. So we set up Rahat Ghar (Relief Home), a shelter home in Srinagar, to ensure that these children do not miss out on education. We believe that it is much better to ensure their healthy and safe development right away, when they are at a vulnerable age, rather than gunning them down 10 years later as terrorists," said Giri.
Almost two decades of militancy in the Valley has led to an alarming rise in the number of orphans in the region. Although there are no official statistics, a 1996 survey conducted by Yateem Foundation, an NGO in Kashmir, enumerated 15,000 orphans. Now, the number is estimated to be over 50,000. Studies conducted by various NGOs have found that children in Kashmir suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), which arise from being witness to the killing of a family member and/or destruction of homes and property.
According to the Indian army website (www.armyinkashmir.nic.in), an ongoing independent research in PTSD by Dr Akash Yousf Khan, has found 64.28 per cent children between the age group of three and 16 years suffer from somatic complications like loss of appetite, altered sleep patterns or headache. These children have either witnessed a shocking incident, or have had it narrated to them. Further, 21.42 per cent of the 70 children that participated in the research performed badly in school, while 17.8 had lost interest in all activities. What has been disturbing is that 32.14 per cent displayed an increased outburst of anger. Zahida, who has been the supervisor at Rahat Ghar for six years now, knows what it's like to be homeless. Her house was burnt down during crossfire between the militants and the army in Sopore, in north Kashmir, many years ago. So she understands the psychology of the children that live at Rahat. She said that the children wanted to fight back. Zahida believes that the Rahat Ghar intervention has been able to channelise their anger and frustrations positively towards education. However, a long-term plan was needed as the children were on the threshold of adulthood.
Although the Council for Rehabilitation of Widows, Orphans, Handicapped and Old Persons (Victims of Militancy) in Jammu and Kashmir was created by the Centre and state government in 1996, there has been an inordinate delay in providing relief. The Council has several schemes like providing a monthly pension to widows and old persons, giving marriage assistance in the form of Rs 10,000 per case (US$1=Rs 39.5) to young widows and grown-up daughters of old widows; and creating scholarships for students to pursue professional studies. But to be eligible, a 'non-involvement' certificate from the police, absolving the parent of any association with militants has to be produced. And getting these certificates is far from simple.
Justice has been just as elusive for the victims, especially children, of the communal riots in Gujarat, in 2002. Zuber's father was killed in the riots. But the killers have not been punished. "Who will give me justice?" asked the 15-year-old. His mother, Sabina, who is bringing up five children single-handedly, is afraid her son will turn violent. She had hoped that the monetary relief promised by the government would help to distance her son from violence. But even five years on, no compensation has been given. Samin, 16, said he doesn't expect any relief from the government. After their house was burnt down in the Gujarat riots, cases were filed but there has been no outcome. Hearings have been postponed and they have been shunted from one courtroom to another.
Pranjal, 16, from Assam said that people were afraid to send their children to school because of the prevailing atmosphere of fear in his state. Jayanto, 14, whose brother was brutally murdered, wanted to know who would ensure that the killers would be brought before the law.
Sreerupa Mitra Chau-dhury, Chairperson, Institute for Gender Justice, and one of the national coordinators for the initiative, said that a special package was needed for the children, as they cannot file Public Interest Litigations (PILs). She said that the children had indicated their helplessness in understanding the legal complexities during their meeting with Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan, and 22 Supreme Court judges last month and the judges have promised to look into the matter. Giri believes that the government should prepare a special scheme to integrate these children into the mainstream. "I met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to request that conflict-affected children be granted admission and provided free education in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Sainik Schools. These schools should reserve three per cent seats for these children because they too have a right to education," she asserted. Several other suggestions for relief and rehabilitation have been put forth. These include the setting up of a national security scheme and a national surveillance team to counter the recruitment of children by militants a special welfare package per child per family to allow them to exercise their rights and to create a legal framework to ensure their protection. While the GOS initiative presented a rare opportunity for the children to voice their grievances to the people in power, who expressed their commitment to upholding their rights, only time will tell whether the promises made were merely words.
Swapna Majumdar (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service)
Security tightened at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati after rebel threat By ANI
Guwahati, Dec 26 (ANI): Security has been strengthened at the famous Shakti Shrine Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati after a rebel threat.
The alert comes over a week after a suspected Pakistani secret agency ISI's operative Mojibullah Alam alias Asfi Alam was nabbed in Guwahati, where the temple is located.
Declining to comment on the authenticity of newspaper reports of an al-Qaeda threat to the temple, the police said they are nevertheless taking precautions.
"I would not like to comment anything on the authenticity of the reports. We have got reports (of threats to the temple) and we have received such reports before. There is no need to comment on the authenticity of these reports but it is important we take enough precautions to avert any danger and we are doing it," said P. Hazela, Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup district.
The temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya who represents female fertility, receives devotees from across the country.A number of separatist outfits including the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) are active in the state. The ULFA says it is fighting for Assam's independence, which is rich in oil, natural gas and tea. It accuses Centre of taking away its mineral and forest resources while neglecting the local population.
Assam is one of seven states in northeast, a region racked by a number of insurgencies. More than 15,000 people have been killed since ULFA launched the revolt in 1979 in Assam. (ANI)
Chin women meet Indian MPs in New Delhi Indo Burma News
December 19, 2007 (Khonumthung News) A delegation of the Women's league of Chinland met Members of Parliament in India yesterday and gave a detailed account of the human rights situation in Chin state, Burma and the plight of Burmese refugees in Mizoram state, northeast India.
"We, the WLC, want the people of India to know the updated information about human rights abuses and military oppression which are still occurring in ethnic areas in Burma. Much of these do not appear in the media, especially after the 'saffron revolution' that occurred in September in Burma", said Cherry Zahau, coordinator of WLC, explaining the purpose of meeting the Indian MPs.
"We also want to expand our networking with political and civil society groups in India. Only after we get support from Indian people, will the Indian government pay heed to the voice of the people and change its policy of support towards the military junta in Burma," she said.
"The people of India are standing with you in the cause of democracy and promotion of human rights in Burma. Wherever there is injustice human beings suffer, it includes Indian citizens as well. Injustice causes economic, social and political problems everywhere. It is a matter of how exactly we will put our hands together", Nirmala Deshpande, a member of Rajya Sabha was quoted as saying by WLC's press release yesterday. Former Defence Minister of India Goerge Fernandez said, "The UNSC should take serious steps on Burma and the governments around the world should deprive the regime from everything. India does not want to discuss Burma and no one can question the policy on Burma in parliament".
WLC's press release expressed unhappiness over healthy ties between the Indian government and the Burmese military junta and urged India to review its economic engagement with the Burmese regime. WLC also called on India to discuss Burma issues with its neighbouring countries such as China and Thailand in the interest of long-term economic stability in the whole region, including India's North-East. Chin women blamed the Burmese regime for its refusal to usher in democracy, mismanagement of state economy and human rights abuses in ethnic areas in Burma. This is forcing the people to flee their own land. It urged the Indian government to adopt a proper policy that will help Burmese refugees in India.
The Campaign for Democracy Movement in Burma (CDMB) based in Mizoram state, northeast India on November said that around 80,000 unrecognized Burmese refugees are taking refuge in Mizoram as a result of the deteriorating social, political and economic situation in Burma.



Frans on 12.27.07 @ 03:30 PM CST [link]


Wednesday, December 26th

Naga neighbours heap bodies on Karbi Anglong A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph



Naga neighbours heap bodies on Karbi Anglong A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph

Guwahati, Dec. 25: Police stations and outposts along Karbi Anglong’s border with Nagaland are routinely saddled with unclaimed bodies of people killed by criminal gangs or militant groups in that state.
“We have complained about this to Nagaland police several times, but there has been no response from them,” the subdivisional police officer of Bokajan, Satyen Gogoi, said today.
Karbi Anglong shares nearly 10km of Assam’s border with Nagaland.
Gogoi said Bokajan police station had earned a bad name because of unclaimed bodies being frequently found in the areas under its jurisdiction. “The police station has to register a case whenever a body is found, though the crime may have been committed across the border.”
Bokajan is around 15km from Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland.
Last week, a team from Bokajan police rescued three persons from the clutches of two Nagaland policemen who allegedly intended to kill them on this side of the border. The team arrested the uniformed duo and impounded the official Maruti Gypsy they were using. Apprising the home department of the incident, Karbi Anglong police said the involvement of police personnel from Nagaland in “crime in Assam territory” necessitated immediate intervention. It requested the government to take up the issue with Nagaland.
“Until recently, we thought only miscreants and militants outfits dumped bodies and committed crimes in our area. But it seems even police personnel from that state are using Assam territory for crime,” the police said.
Apart from bodies being dumped, Karbi Anglong is having to contend with a network of criminals originating in Nagaland but more active on this side of the boundary. Lahorijan, another Assam township bordering Dimapur, is known to be a haven for drug addicts and arms dealers. Most of the drug peddlers and arms dealers active in the area are from Nagaland.
Mukul Saikia, a former subdivisional police officer in Bokajan, said drug peddlers and addicts had long been converging on Lahorijan to strike deals away from the prying eyes of vigilante groups in Nagaland. “Most of the addicts and traffickers are from Nagaland. They use Lahorijan as a buying and selling point.”
Another police officer in the border affairs department said one of the proposals was to seal the state’s border with Nagaland. The former deputy inspector-general of police (eastern range), Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, had asked residents of the districts bordering Nagaland — especially Karbi Anglong and Golaghat — to be cautious since they were near a “criminal den” like Dimapur.
Army foils Rajdhani blast The Telegraph OUR CORRESPONDENT


The five ANLA militants arrested from Tinsukia on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Dibrugarh, Dec. 25: A group of Adivasi militants that arrived in Tinsukia this morning to carry out another blast on the Rajdhani Express was arrested by the army from a tea garden.
Akash Tirkey alias Daniel Ekka, an area commander, Dhoni Oraon, Chandan Bhumij, Thomas Kerketta and Samanan Tanti alias Raju Tanti — all members of the Adivasi National Liberation Army — reached Dimapur by train last night. They got off at Naharkatia station, walked the whole night and reached the tea estate near Tinsukia town this morning. Three .38 revolvers, 30 rounds of ammunition, an improvised explosive device and some letterheads of the outfit were found on them.
Troops of 2 Bihar Regiment, who arrested the five, later handed them over to the police.
“The group was instructed by a senior leader of the outfit, Prem Kawar, who is the district commander in Karbi Anglong, to carry out another blast on the Rajdhani Express, for which they were carrying the IED. The bomb has been assembled in such a manner that it can easily be put into a briefcase,” a police officer involved in preliminary investigations said.
The outfit had claimed responsibility for the blast on the Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express on December 13 that killed five and injured four. During interrogation, the militants today said they had travelled to Tinsukia to carry out a recruitment drive and collect funds, the source said.
“The rebels also revealed that they had established alliances with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and Karbi Revolutionary Army and have received arms training from the two outfits,” he said.
Yuletide spirit casts a warm glow OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph
Shillong, Dec. 25: The night was chilly and stars twinkled in the sky as Christmas celebrations began here with midnight mass in churches. People singing carols with lamps in hand, a spatter of frost on the lawns during the early morning hours and majestic pine trees metamorphosed into ubiquitous Christmas trees set the perfect ambience for Christmas. The celebrations continued this morning with mass, prayers, special service, carols, feasting and exchange of greetings and gifts. Christmas and the cold, however, kept most Shillongites indoors during the day. Christmas being a religious festival, most people celebrated it indoors, either in church or at home.
Those who attended church service were clad in warm clothes with the temperature dipping to 6.4 degrees Celsius. The temperature has been hovering around 4 degrees Celsius for the past week. The Upper Shillong metereological department today said the weather would continue to be chilly and foggy till the end of January. The fog, however, added to the Christmas charm in villages and people came out to exchange greetings despite the cold.
The Yuletide spirit was just as evident in the Garo Hills with churches, houses. government buildings and trees decorated with illuminations and stars. The government establishments will remain closed for at least one week for Christmas.
However, the world’s tallest Christmas trees in Tura, headquarters of West Garo Hills district, went without decoration for the second consecutive year this time while the world’s oldest one stands illuminated in a church compound in Shillong, adds PTI.
The towering pine tree on the premises of the All Saint’s Cathedral here is kept decorated for almost a month before Christmas. “The tree is older than the church. You can imagine the age of the tree if the church was built in 1876,” church leader Rev. P.B. Lyngdoh said.
About 350km away from Shillong, there lies another tree in the Dobasipara locality of Tura which was featured in the international news of BBC in 2003 as being one of the tallest living Christmas trees in the world. The nearly 150-foot tree is not being decorated for the second consecutive year. Christmas celebration committee members said the terminalia (arjuna) tree was not decorated because the tree was ageing and a young fig tree has engulfed it. They said it would be redecorated in the coming years when the tree regains its lost strength.
People of Tura, however, have illuminated almost all the trees of the town like they had done in the past. In Nagaland, people attended midnight mass in large number to celebrate Christian. The weather was clear so the revellers could pour onto the streets in their best attire and exchange greetings. The peaceful atmosphere, which has prevailed in the state since three underground factions of the NSCN signed a peace deal last month, set the backdrop for a perfect Yuletide.
In Dimapur and Mokokchung, people attended the morning service in churches and visited their near and dear ones. Nagaland Governor K. Shankaranarayanan and chief minister Neiphiu Rio greeted the people on the occasion.
Arunachal Govt to hand over Wangcha murder case to CBI
Assam Tribune
ITANAGAR, Dec 25 – The Arunachal Pradesh Government has decided to hand over the investigation into the murder of former Congress Lok Sabha member Wangcha Rajkumar at Deomali in Tirap district last night to the CBI.

The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet reviewed the law and order situation in the State and decided to urge the Union Home Ministry to order a CBI inquiry into the murder of Wangcha, government spokesman Tako Dabi and Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin told a press conference after an urgent Cabinet meeting called by Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu.

As “neither the political angle nor the hands of underground elements active in the district could be ruled out” behind the killing of Rajkumar, so it was decided to hand over the case to CBI, they said. Gamlin said Wangcha as well as some other political leaders in the State, including the Chief Minister, have been receiving threats. Wangcha was given five police escorts and he had posted two each at Itanagar and Delhi.

Sunday night, when Wangcha was playing badminton in a hall at Deomali, two assailants armed with AK 47 rifles arrived and fired from close range. Another person was also injured. Wangcha was twice MP from Arunachal East seat.

Asked if the State Government will still press the Centre to withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Tirap and Changlang districts, adjoining Nagaland, for which the State legislature had adopted a resolution earlier, Gamlin said the proposal for withdrawal of the provision of the Act was sent to the Centre by the earlier regime.
“We have extended it for a period of six months in October last,” he said. – PTI
Bodo, Bengali populace urged not to fall prey to ‘political conspiracy’ By A Staff Reporter Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 25 – Taking exception to the directive of the Guwahati Development Department (GDD) to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) for use of Bengali and Bodo languages together with Assamese in signboards of shops and business establishments in select areas within the GMC area, public activist Prof Deven Dutta today said that the move was aimed at frustrating the Assam Official Language Implementation Act besides being an insult to the indigenous communities with the potential to create communal tension. “According to the Act, Assamese, Bengali and Bodo are the official languages of Brahmaputra Valley, Barak Valley and Bodoland Autonomous Council area respectively. However, since Assamese is also the State language which is understood by all the people, it would be wrong to interpret that Assamese cannot be used in Barak Valley or Bodoland areas, especially in the signboards,” Prof Dutta said.

“Under the circumstances, the directive for use of Bangla and Bodo languages in select areas of Guwahati is, on the one hand, communal appeasement, and on the other hand, a planned and deep-rooted sinister political conspiracy for creating confusion and communal flare-up,” he added. Questioning the role of the officials and ministers concerned in the matter, Prof Dutta said that their act had exposed that they had little knowledge or understanding of the State Official Language Implementation Act.

Prof Dutta said that the typical mentality of the bureaucracy bereft of any loyalty to the State as also the so-called nationalistic leaders of the State was at the root of such undesirable developments. He also called upon the Bodo and Bengali populace not to fall prey to the “political conspiracy” and to extend a helping hand in the implementation of the Official Language Implementation Act. Meanwhile, Samannita Yuva Tirtha, the youth wing of the Asom Sattra Mahasabha, has warned the State Government not to dilute the status of Assamese as the State’s official language. The organisation has also warned a ‘democraticic action’ to compel the Government to withdraw the instruction.
Resenting the latest instruction of the GDD Department to use any of Bengali, English and Bodo, besides Assamese on the signboards of the business establishments of the city, the youth wing of the Mahasabha said that this would affect the unity of the State’s society.

It also doubts a ‘political conspiracy’ in the said instruction and demanded withdrawal of the instruction issued through memo number GDD-2/2007/Pt 62 by the GDD Secretary to the Commissioner, Guwahati Municipal Corporation and to issue a fresh instruction honouring the State’s Official Languages Act giving effect from January 1 next.
UNLF threatens to execute traders Newmai News Network Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Dec 25 – The banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has warned two tobacco dealers to surrender to the outfit before December 30, failing which they will be awarded capital punishment. It may be recalled tobacco items worth Rs 12 lakhs were seized from a vehicle on National Highway 53 by the Central Special Forces (CSF) of the UNLF and the same was set ablaze few days back at Sagolband Thingam Leikai in Imphal West district. The owner of the confiscated items has been indentified as Jitendra Bihari of Thangal Bazar, Imphal and the goods were supposed to be delivered to one Khuma Kuki of Moreh in Chandel district, according to the outfit. An UNLF spokesman said that Jitendra had tried to bail out the seized items from the custody of the CSF by handing over Rs 2 lakhs through a third person. He said the amount sent by Jitendra Bihari has been seized by the outfit. Another underground outfit the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) has banned the using and selling of tobacco-related products like khaini, zarda, gutkha, etc, since some years back in the State. Recently, it added mithapatti (betel leaf) on the banned list. Individuals who defy the ban have been penalized by the outfit.
60 years of his life in jail without trial, man dies By Indian Express
Spending 60 years of his life in jail without trial, possibly one of the longest-ever prison terms for any undertrial, 80-year-old Machang Lalung died quietly at his residence at Nellei on Tuesday night. Lalung was sent to Guwahati Jail by the British colonialists in 1946 for involvement in a petty village squabble and spent the vital years of his life for six decades. He was enlarged on bail only last year. A hue and cry was raised when the National Human Rights Commission took up the issue with concerned judicial authorities after it was highlighted in a feature film and in the media. The jail authorities said he was behind bars since all relevant papers of Lalung's case were lost and no family member came forward to pursue his release. Lalung spent his one year of freedom with his brothers and their kins before he died of old age ailments.
Can the "Group of Friends" help Gambari? Dr. Sein Myint Mizzima News
December 23, 2007 - Last Wednesday, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon formed a "Group of Friends" of Burma to aide his special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari. Gambari is in close consultation with both the military generals and pro-democracy leaders in an effort to encourage democracy and human rights in Burma. The group is comprised of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the US, Britain, China, Russia and France); four ASEAN members (Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam); the EU representative (currently Portugal); plus three major regional players (India, Japan and Australia); and Norway.
To strengthen this noble cause it is worthwhile to analyze how this "Group of Friends" can help Mr. Gambari's mission to Burma. On the surface, there is no reason to doubt each country's friendship and sincerity towards Burma as Burma has maintained her long standing foreign policy of non-alignment since 1955, when the late Burmese Premier U Nu was one of founding signatories of the first Non-Aligned Movement Conference at Bandung, Indonesia.
However, if we dig deeper and carefully scrutinize the "Group of Friends," each member's "Friendliness" toward the current Burmese military government, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), falls into one of the two camps. The first camp, the "political and/or economic friends" of the SPDC camp, is led by two permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia, and includes regional giants Japan and India as well as the four ASEAN countries. The second camp, the "political friends" of the Burmese democratic opposition camp, is led by the US, Britain, and France, all three of whom are permanent members of the UN Security Council, and includes the EU, Norway, and Australia.
The "Group of Friends" is an informal group hoping to assist Mr. Gambari's mediation work in Burma, specifically in helping to find ways and means to persuade the recalcitrant junta leader, Senior General Than Shwe, and his hard-line loyalists, to release detained opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and commence a meaningful dialogue. Many countries in the first camp, led by China, have publicly stated their view on the matter of releasing Aung San Suu Kyi as an internal affair of Burma that only the Burmese can solve themselves. This camp wishes to leave the generals alone to decide Burma's fate without outside interference.
But the second camp, led by the US, believes that the international community cannot leave the SPDC's gross human rights abuses as an internal affair since the United Nations has a responsibility to protect the millions of people living under harsh military rule and arbitrary laws.
While the US and her group push for a tougher position in dealing with the junta, China and her group resist applying pressure, preferring instead to use gentle persuasion. So far, the junta has survived sanctions by the US and the EU as they have had little direct impact on the government, and the SPDC has also brushed aside the gentle "constructive engagement" initiated by ASEAN neighbors. With such diametrical views from the two camps, getting a consensus on how to persuade and pressure the junta to maintain direct talks with Aung San Suu Kyi will demand a high level of diplomatic skill by both the Secretary General and his special envoy.
A senior EU diplomat has said "at least these diplomats have a place to meet and a format to work together". The Japanese Ambassador has also given a somewhat positive note about the usefulness of the group, adding that the group is not against Burma, though perhaps he means it is not against the SPDC. With such diverse opinions and views amongst group members, one cannot help but wonder, how will the "Friends" of the junta find common ground with the "Friends" of the democratic opposition and provide a magic formula for Mr. Gambari?
In the end, if this magic formula fails to materialize, perhaps it is time for the "Friends" of the democratic opposition to start contemplating a more effective approach.
[Dr. Sein Myint serves as Director for Policy Development with Justice for Human Rights in Burma (JHB).]

Frans on 12.26.07 @ 02:55 PM CST [link]


Tuesday, December 25th

Guns rob Nagas of X’mas spirit OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph



Guns rob Nagas of X’mas spirit OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph

Kohima, Dec. 24: Guns are booming in Kangtsung village of Nagaland while carols herald Christmas in the rest of the state. The village, the biggest under Tuli Assembly constituency, has resembled a battle zone since Saturday evening because of clashes between supporters of two aspirants for tickets to the Assembly polls, scheduled for February.
Talinungsang Ao, a former minister, and Imti Jamir, both from the village, are aspiring for the Congress ticket.
Ao was a minister in the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government and had recently defected from the Nagaland People’s Front, a partner in the ruling coalition. Jamir, a Congress worker, was recommended as the candidate for the Tuli seat by the party’s Mokokchung unit.
A resident of Tuli sub-division, some 350km from here in Mokokchung district, told The Telegraph over phone that there has been heavy firing between the two groups over the past two days. Sources said both the groups are heavily armed and intermittent firing is still on. No deaths have been reported, but supporters of both sides have been injured. The number of the wounded could not be ascertained as no outsider was allowed to enter the village. At least three vehicles have been set on fire.
District administration officials could not be contacted as offices are closed for Christmas and the New Year. The sources said no official from the administration had visited the village and there were very few police personnel in the vicinity of the village.
The sources said the villagers’ patience was running out, as they were unable to celebrate Christmas. The constituency has the worst record in the history of Nagaland elections.
It has witnessed similar situations in all the past elections. At least five persons were killed and a woman was raped in election-related incidents in the village this year.
Cabinet defers decision on President's rule in Nagaland Earth Times London



New Delhi, Dec 24 - The union cabinet Monday discussed the issue of imposing President's rule in Nagaland following political instability in the northeastern state, but failed to arrive at any decision.
The subject of imposing President's rule came up during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Well-placed government sources told IANS that the issue was discussed briefly during the meeting but a decision was deferred to a later date as it was felt that imposing President's rule at this juncture will not benefit the Congress.
The political stability of the Nagaland government has come under a cloud with two Nagaland People's Front (NPF) legislators deserting the party to join the newly-formed Congress-led Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA).
The NPF is a major ally of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN). With two of its legislators defecting to the Congress-led alliance it has reduced Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's government to a minority.
Following the defections, the Congress on Dec 13 moved a no-confidence motion against the Rio government, but the speaker had ruled favouring the government and said that the votes of defected legislators could not be counted.
In support of his ruling, the speaker also submitted reports of some legal experts to assert that his ruling was perfectly legal.
Following dismissal of the no-confidence motion, the Congress legislators met President Pratibha Patil, seeking imposition of President's rule while Chief Minister Rio met union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, opposing the move.

ENPO endorses unification of all Nagas The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 24 (MExN): All the underground workers from the NSCN-IM, NSCN-K and FGN/NNC (non-accordists) in the “eastern” areas, endorses unification of all Nagas regardless of ‘territorial demarcation.’ This declaration was made on December 18 in a ‘summit’ held under the initiative of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO), Tuensang, where several resolutions were undertaken. The resolutions are to be implemented ‘sincerely’, adhered to and upheld in the common interest and commitment to the unity of Nagas, a copy of the resolutions stated.
“In principle,” the ENPO, the “Eastern Naga National Workers Union” of the NSCN-IM, “Eastern Naga National Workers Association” of the NSCN-K and the NNC/FGN (non-accordists) from the ‘eastern’ areas under the ENPO’s jurisdiction resolved to “support” unification of all Nagas regardless of “territorial demarcation.”
There should be no bloodshed, threat, intimidation or any form of violence within the ENPO’s jurisdiction, inclusive of Naga territories in Myanmar, the copy stated. “The ENPO shall not extend any public cooperation to any factions/group for non-compliance of the above and ENPO shall also question the same” the organizations stated. The same appeal is made to all Nagas.
Further consultative meetings among the said underground groups as well as the ENPO in the “eastern” areas will resolve to be held as and when the need arises. “We solemnly affirm and pledge to implement, abide and uphold the above resolutions in good spirit and faith” the copy stated. The ‘summit’ made a prayerful appeal to all Naga undergrounds from “eastern” Nagaland to earnestly deliberate on the issue of Naga unification and other related issues and to this effect, independently share views, opinions and endeavor towards the same.
No Delhi rule in Nagaland OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT |The Telegraph
New Delhi, Dec. 24: The Union cabinet today failed to reach a consensus on the proposal to impose President’s rule in Nagaland.
“The reference to impose President’s rule in Nagaland was considered and rejected by the cabinet,” a highly-placed source said.
Congress leaders from the state have been trying for the past week to convince the central leadership to dismiss the Neiphiu Rio-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government.
They held meetings with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union home minister Shivraj Patil, claiming that the state government had been reduced to a minority.
Sources said the cabinet members were so divided on the issue that the proposal was summarily rejected. A majority of the cabinet was of the opinion that it would be pointless to impose President’s rule in a state that was going to have Assembly polls in a couple of months.
The political crisis in Nagaland began after the DAN government survived a no-confidence motion on December 13.
The Congress that had moved the motion has since been contesting Speaker Kiyanielie Peseyie’s ruling in favour of the government.
The party, which recently formed the Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) with some disgruntled legislators of the Nagaland People’s Front, the Janata Dal (United) and three Independents, claimed to have majority support in the Assembly.
As the NPA leaders started lobbying in Delhi for imposition of President’s rule in the state, the BJP, which is part of the DAN, charged the Congress with playing the toppling game in Nagaland just months before the elections with a “sinister design”.
BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy alleged that the Congress had a “sinister design” to misuse the government machinery.
Rio also warned that any attempt to impose central rule in the state would derail the ongoing Naga peace process. “Any attempt to dislodge a democratically-elected government will have serious ramifications on the ongoing peace process,” he said recently.
Militant outfits defy truce norms By R Dutta Choudhury Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 24 – The failure of the Central and State Governments to strictly enforce the ground rules of the ceasefire agreements signed with militant groups, which have come forward for talks with the Government for political solution of their problems, has created fresh law and order problem for Assam. Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that the slow progress of the peace talks is one of the reasons for the fresh problems faced by Assam as members of the militant outfits under ceasefire agreements with the Government are allegedly indulging in anti-social activities. As per the ground rules of the ceasefire agreements, the concerned State Governments can take action as per law against any member of the militant groups under ceasefire agreement if he is involved in any illegal activity, but the same is not followed strictly.

Sources pointed out that the NSCN (I-M) signed a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India more than ten years back, but the members of the outfit are still extending helping hand to the militant groups active in the neighbouring States. Sources pointed out that the Adivasi National Liberation Army (ANLA), formed in 2004, received a big boost after it started receiving support from the NSCN. According to information available with the security agencies, the ANLA and NSCN came into an agreement last year, which gave a big boost to the Adivasi outfit. On the other hand, security agencies are of the view that the NSCN is still extending a helping hand to the DHD(J), commonly known as the Black Widow group, which is very active in the North Cachar Hills and it is believed that cadres of the NSCN also took part in a few major operations of the Black Widow group.

Sources said that the NSCN has been extending help to the smaller militant groups of Assam in an attempt to extend its cases for the creation of greater Nagalim and security agencies suspect that from time to time, leaders of these groups are given shelter in the designated camps of the NSCN. Sources revealed that the issue was raised by Government in the meetings with the NSCN from time to time and the leaders of the outfit simply deny the same. The Assam Government has also taken up the issue with the Centre, but that failed to prevent the Naga group from helping newly formed outfits.

Similarly, the ceasefire agreement with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) is also facing hurdles because of the slow progress of the peace talks and there have been allegations of members of the outfit indulging in unlawful activities like extortions. Sources said that though more than two years have passed since the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the Government and the NDFB, the talks on political issues are yet to begin and the Government has claimed that the failure on the part of the militant group to submit the charter of demands is the reason for the delay.

Security sources said that after the signing of the ceasefire agreement in 2004, the NDFB submitted a list of more than a thousand cadres and though as per the ground rules of the agreement, all the cadres should stay in the designated camps, majority of the cadres are still outside, which created problems and it is impossible to prevent them from indulging in any unlawful activity. The NDFB now has only three designated camps and it is not possible to keep all the cadres there. Sources said that the Government of India released funds to the State Government for construction of designated camps to keep all cadres of the NDFB as per the list submitted by the outfit, but the State has not yet been able to complete the camps, because of which majority of the members of the outfit are still outside the camps.

Same is the case with the DHD and UPDS as the members of the outfit were allegedly involved in several cases of unlawful activities in recent past and they were also involved in violent gun battle in the district of Karbi Anglong last year, which forced thousands of villagers to escape from their homes.

Sources admitted that the slow progress of the peace talks is the main reason for the present situation. “The suspension of operations is only the means for starting political talks, but it is not the end and the problems will persist till political solution to the problems is arrived at,” sources added. Security sources also admitted that the slow progress of the talks with DHD and UPDS also helped groups like the Black Widow and KLNLF to strengthen their bases in the districts of NC Hills and Karbi Anglong.
Peace prayers and celebrations in Northeast Hindustan Times
Thousands of Christians in India's northeast joined a midnight mass in churches across the region to pray for peace and well being of the human race.
With church bells echoing across the hills and dales of the region, and throngs of people packing churches to join in the festive prayer and song in celebration of Jesus' birth, the northeast was drowned in yuletide passion.
"Christmas is the day when people tend to forgive and forget everything and simply rejoice. This is also the day when people pray for peace and prosperity of the state, the nation, and for the entire human race at large," Thomas Menamparampil, Archbishop of Guwahati, told IANS.
Worshippers across the region lit candles, sang carols and organised festive feasts to celebrate Christmas. "We organised a small Christmas breakfast for the less fortunate, the homeless, distressed and lonely, for whom the festive season would otherwise be miserable," said Rumi Baruah, a college teacher in Guwahati.
Christmas across the seven northeastern states has always been different from the rest of the country with people from all faiths joining the celebrations, thereby strengthening the bond of mutual respect.
The states of Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland are predominantly Christian.
Christians accounts for about 15 per cent of the 40 million people in the northeast.
"We always make it a point to visit our Christian friends on Christmas day. We also join them in the festivities," said Harish Bhargav, a businessman in Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland. Christmas was also celebrated with gusto at camps of separatist guerrilla groups in the region - the northeast is home to 30-odd rebel armies. "We prayed for peace. Our cadres had a hearty Christmas eve dinner and they all were in very jubilant mood," a senior leader of a Naga separatist group said. Almost all churches in the region held special peace prayers with the northeast ravaged by decades of violent insurgency.
"People cannot rejoice unless there is peace. We hope our prayers are answered. We want an end to all forms of bloodshed and killings," Reverend N Pau, a Baptist church leader in Guwahati, said.
Blockade by tribal protestors hits Assam oil production The Morung Express
Guwahati, December 24 (Agencies): A tribal group in the northeastern state of Assam has held state-owned Oil India Ltd (OIL) to ransom with production of crude oil and natural gas being hit Monday following an oil blockade, the third this month, officials said. The 36-hour oil blockade by the All Assam Muttock Yuba Chatra Sanmelan (AAMYCS), which began 6 a.m. Sunday, has also seen acts of vandalism with protestors damaging two OIL vehicles, besides other stray incidents during the past 36 hours, a police spokesman said. AAMYCS has been pressing OIL to announce a Rs.10-billion ($253 million) economic package for the Muttock ethnic group, who dominate certain areas where the company operates in eastern Assam. 'Oil production has been hit and several operational sites were forced to shut down as we were unable to send our workers due to the strike,' Phanindra Dev Choudhury, an OIL spokesman, told IANS over telephone. 'We are yet to assess the production loss. It would be quite substantial,' Choudhury said.
The same group had resorted to a similar 36-hour oil blockade from the morning of Dec 9, forcing OIL authorities to shut down an oil collecting centre at Dikom, besides restricting movement of operation-related vehicles and machinery in drilling sites in eastern Assam's Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts. On Dec 6, the AAMYCS had its first oil blockade this year when miscreants had set an OIL vehicle ablaze, damaged several oil tankers and assaulted three officials working for the oil major.
The police had arrested eight youths on that occasion belonging to the minority Muttock community in connection with the vandalism. Public sector companies in industry-starved Assam have always been under pressure from local groups for jobs and contracts, but it is for the first time that a local organisation has come up with a demand for an economic package for a particular community.
'We are bent on pushing ahead with our demand,' AAMYCS general secretary Mintu Borpatra said. India produces about 30 million tonnes of crude oil annually, with Assam accounting for about 5 million tonnes. OIL produces about 3.5 million tonnes of crude in Assam annually.
28 Meitei passengers held hostage by Kuki ultras, freed Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Dec 24 – Armed militants of Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) took 28 Meitei tribals, including students, hostage for some hours before releasing them in Senapati district of Manipur following a feud with another rebel group, official sources said today, reports PTI. Sources said the militants abducted the passengers from two Guwahati-bound buses at Kangpokpi area, about 25 kms north of here on National Highway 39 yesterday, and took them to an isolated place.

The incident occured after a gunfight between KNF-P and banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the wee hours of yesterday in Thoubal district in which two PLA insurgents were killed, sources said. Reports said the Kuki militants held the passengers captive for some hours following reports that three KNF-P militants were picked up and in the custody of PLA insurgents who were mostly Meiteis.

The militants then released the passengers after getting information that the three KNF-P were freed by the PLA. Police rescued the passengers from an isolated area near Kangpokpi, sources said.Some of the passengers, who were freed last evening, told reporters that the KNF-P militants had threatened to kill them if three of their activists were not freed by PLA.

While PLA, armed wing of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), has been waging an armed struggle for an ‘Independent Manipur’ for over four decades, KNF-P has been fighting for disintegration of Manipur on ethnic lines. Official sources said security measures around Kangpokpi area were intensified to prevent recurrence of abduction of passengers by armed militants.

Assamese, tribal leaders condemn violence By ANI Peter Alex Todd
Guwahati, Dec 25 (ANI): Opposition is building up against violence perpetrated by various militant groups in the State. The tribals, for whose cause the violence is ostensibly taking place, feel that the incidents only results in alienating them from the rest of the country, and realise that violence is not helping in furthering their cause.
The bomb blasts that occur in Railway trains, they feel, only distance them from the rest of the country and not helping them to get the desired Scheduled Tribe status.
The blast on the train in Dibrugarh on December 12 only earned them a bad name. It is suspected that the powerful blast on the Dibrugarh-Guwahati-Delhi Rajdhani Express in which five people were killed and nine others injured was the handiwork of the All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA). Md. Islam, a taxi driver, said: "Whichever party has done it, has done a very wrong thing. These things would not benefit the nation. It would be a loss for all of us."
Phanenmo Rengma, a lecturer, said: "All of us are against it (violence). We are responsible citizens and should see that these incidents don't happen." Nihan Anglong Youth Association Secretary Benting Tero has appealed the AANLA to leave the path of violence and return to the negotiating table.Tribal leaders have condemned the violent acts.
All Assam Tribal Sangh Dhiren Ingti Joint Secretary said: "Violence is not the solution to any problem. Violence always has opposite reaction, which is nothing but violence."
The residents want that the Central Government to grant the promised Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the tribals in Assam. One of the main demands of the tribal groups in Assam is giving them the ST status, which they feel has been denied to them in 1951, while other tribal groups in the country were given that status.
Debeshwar Sonowal, a resident, said "Government is not doing right. It has said that it will provide the status to them and now they are not taking any step."
Union Tribal Affairs Minister PR Kyndia, recently, met tribal leaders from Assam on this issue and assured that the government will approach the issue with an open mind. Six tribal groups were invited for talks but only two turned up. They were critical of the Rajdhani train blast.
Tai-Ahom group Working President Nava Phukan said: "We are against all kinds of violence. Violence can't solve any problem. There has to be a dialogue process."
Koch Rajbongshi President Abhijit Talukdar said: "We don't have faith on violence. But everyone has a limit to tolerate. We condemn this incident and we believe that in future that they will remain away from these types of incidents."
The Assam government is thinking of banning the violent adivasi group very soon. Analysts feel that an outfit like, AANLA, which does not have strength of more than 100 cadres, should be dealt with firmly.
"These small groups can establish network with the bigger groups and emerge as bigger outfit," said Bibhou Prasad Routary, an analyst at the Institute of Conflict Management. Routary said that violence is the result of indifferent attitude towards these outfits since they have been formed. He suggested that the ceasefire method adopted for peace in the region must not end with the agreement, but should end the insurgent movement.
"You cannot have ceasefire and let these outfits carry out their operation as what has happened in Nagaland. We have ten-year-old ceasefire with NSCN-IM and six year with NSCN-K, but close to 150 deaths occur in Nagaland every year due to internal conflicts," said Routary. (ANI)
Do They Know It's Christmas? Nagarealm.com

For Christians--and many Muslims--the main reason to celebrate this Christmas is, of course, Jesus' birth. But there are also trends in the church worldwide that make this Advent season at once a time of especial hope and a time of great suffering and darkness.

In China, despite ongoing repression (in early December, 270 house-church pastors were arrested in the city of Linyi alone), Christianity is expanding at a rate that has few parallels in history. Estimates placing the total number at over 80 million are no longer considered outlandish. Similar growth has taken place in Africa, which is now majority Christian and is likely soon to have more Christians than any other continent.

In purely numerical terms, Christianity is the world's fastest growing religion. Two-thirds of Christians and four-fifths of active Christians live outside the West, so Christianity now may well be the world's largest non-Western religion.

But for probably hundreds of millions, Christmas is shadowed by pain and fear, since this is usually the peak season for anti-Christian attacks in Pakistan, India, Sudan, Nigeria, and beyond. It is also a time when the Chinese and Vietnamese governments are prone to arrest their unregistered believers. Violence continues in Nigeria, where tens of thousands have died in conflicts around the spread of Islamic law. Nigerian Christians are also often the victims when others produce allegedly blasphemous drawings. During the 2006 "Danish cartoon riots," Muslims rioting in Borno State killed 65 and destroyed 57 churches and 250 businesses. Persecution continues in Laos, India, Iraq, Turkey,
Ethiopia, Sudan, Belarus, and elsewhere. Some Christian leaders in Gaza have been murdered while others have had to flee. Even in Britain, newspapers are reporting threats to Muslim converts to Christianity: Many remain in hiding, and one has had to move 45 times.

Other examples could be given, but two of the worst, Burma and Eritrea, receive scant attention because their repressions do not fit any wider international political agendas, hence their victims are among the world's most forgotten people.

Burma made international news this year when, in August and September, thousands of courageous Buddhist monks led peaceful demonstrations against the military regime, which responded with mass killings, beatings, and arrests of monks. Equally brave democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest, still gains some attention. But the regime's destruction of its ethnic and religious minorities seldom receives coverage, though it rivals that in Darfur.

The government's program of "Burmanization" includes not only privileges for ethnic Burmans but also promotion of Buddhism in the name of "national solidarity." The Religious Affairs Ministry is on the grounds of the World Peace Pagoda (Kaba Aye) in Rangoon, the residence for senior Buddhist monks. As shown by the Buddhist-led demonstrations this fall, this campaign is not conducted by true Buddhist leaders: They too are monitored and repressed. In a country where almost everyone is persecuted, however, the religious minorities are more so.

The minority ethnic groups have significant Christian, Muslim, and animist communities. The Chin, Kachin, and Karenni are about 90 percent Christian. The Naga have significant numbers of Christians, and the Karen are about 40 percent Christian. The government's ethnic and religious cleansing of these groups verges on the genocidal, including destruction of villages, land confiscation, forced labor, use of human minesweepers, and rape and torture--especially in the Karen, Shan, and Mon states. More than 150,000 people, predominantly Karen and Karennis, are in refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border. A further 200,000 Shan refugees are thought to be in Thailand without recognition or camp facilities. At least 1,000,000 people are internally displaced. Since 1996, the army has destroyed over 3,000 villages in eastern Burma.

This repression has specific religious elements. Mosque and church construction is forbidden. Christians are forced to engage in destruction of churches, and Muslims of mosques. On pain of death they are conscripted into forced labor, including building pagodas and monasteries. There is forced conversion. In Chin State unmarried Buddhist government soldiers have been encouraged, with offers of higher rank and privileges, to marry and convert Christian Chin women. Torture is widespread, with reports this fall of prisoners being roasted over fires.

A rival to Burma's brutality is Eritrea which, since its 1993 independence from Ethiopia, has maintained itself as a militarily mobilized national security state. Only four religious groups--Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran, and Orthodox Christianity, and Sunni Islam--are allowed. Adherents of other faiths are viciously attacked, especially Pentecostals and other evangelicals. In compulsory military service, Bible reading and prayer are banned. Violators may be imprisoned and required to sign statements renouncing their belief as a condition of release. In one instance parents were asked to sign a document stating that their children would be liable to execution if taking part in forbidden religious activities. Unauthorized meetings of more than seven are forbidden: Entire wedding parties have been arrested.

The number of imprisoned evangelicals is probably over 2,000, some 10 percent of the country's total. Incarceration is brutal, with underground cells or metal shipping containers serving as especially severe punishment cells. The Bada detention center is more than 200 feet below sea level and can have temperatures over 130 degrees. People die or go insane. In
one incident in 2003, 57 teenagers found with Bibles at a summer military camp were held jailed in metal containers to force them to abandon their faith, and all but six died. In 2005, 161 young people were killed attempting to flee the harsh conditions.

Torture is commonplace, especially tying prisoners in painfully contorted positions for hours or days at a time. In October 2006, two Christians, Immanuel Andegergesh and Kibrom Firemichel, were tortured to death in a military camp. In February of this year, Magos Solomon Semere died under torture at the Adi-Nefase Military Confinement facility outside Assab. On September 5, a 33-year-old woman, Nigisti Haile, was tortured to death at the Wi'a Military Training Center for refusing to recant her Christian faith.

For those who celebrate Christmas and those who do not, this season is an excellent time to remember these and other forgotten people of the world. And New Year's is a good time to resolve that they shall be less forgotten. Paul Marshall is senior fellow at the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom. His World Survey of Religious Freedom will be published by Rowman and Littlefield in January. [Paul Marshall , weeklystandard]

BJP on a comeback trail: Advani (Agencies)

New Delhi, December 23: “BJP is on a comeback trail”, is what the party`s senior leader LK Advani had to say at the news of BJP’s triumph in Gujarat. Giving credit to Modi’s development policies, he said that Modi has disapproved the theory that “elections can’t be won on development plank”. “People have voted for his leadership,” he said.
However, surprisingly BJP’s first official response to the party’s stupendous win in the Gujarat assembly elections came not from the Man of the Moment, Narendra Modi, but from party chief Rajnath Singh.
Speaking at a hastily convened press conference Singh said, “I thank the people and the party’s cadre for working towards this victory. It’s the fourth time we have won and I believe our ideology has won and the leadership of Modi.”
Allaying fears that Modi would become too big a leader for the comfort of the central leadership Singh said, “There is no fear in BJP over Modi’s rise. Nobody is bigger than the party. He has done well in making Gujarat a model state in terms of development.”
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad while addressing the media termed the victory as the new milestone in country’s politics. “Our model of all inclusive growth has worked. The political ramifications of the win go much beyond Gujarat.”
Moreover, high on its success despite the dissidence in the party, BJP has decided to crack its whip on the rebels. Independent reports have suggested that senior party leader Keshubahi Patel and Kashiram Rana, who had been issued notices, would have to go if found guilty of anti-party work.
Predictably feeling proud over Modi’s achievement in Gujarat, the state in-charge and Modi’s chief spin doctor, Arun Jaitley said, “Modi has gained in stature, and it’s not just his charisma that’s at work but more importantly his immense credibility.”
On the other hand, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy analyzed the win by saying that Modi’s return has proved that development coupled with nationalist agenda works.
BJP terms Gogoi as ‘biggest failure’ By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Dec 24: Jubilant over its overwhelming victory in Gujarat, the Asom Pradesh BJP has rated Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi as the ‘biggest failure’ as a Chief Minister in the country and described him as the “merchant of corruption.” BJP State president Ramen Deka, while addressing the press here today to mark his party’s Gujarat victory, said the performance of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his Asom counterpart is beyond comparison.
“Modi wins against all odds and pseudo-secularist campaign, by providing corruption-free good governance and development in Gujarat,” he said. This is a positive mandate in favour of the BJP’s ideology, cultural nationalism and positive secularism, he claimed. He was flanked by former State president of the party Indramoni Bora among others.
Terming Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s remark describing Modi as the “merchant of death,” Deka said such a comment about a elected Chief Minister is unfortunate. He thinks the only objective of the Congress president was to appease the Muslims by passing such cheap comments.
Referring to the election result in the NC Hills election, the BJP State president claimed that a popularity wave in favour of his party is sweeping from the eastern part of the country to the west and it certainly will have an impact in the ensuing panchayat poll. “In the ensuing poll we will definitely do well and the BJP has decided to make corruption and price hike its main poll plank,” he declared.
He assures good governance and corruption free panchayat system if the party is came to power. Dismissing the Congress claim of economic development in the State, Deka said the Chief Minister has so far failed to provide any proper figure of the GDP growth in the State. On the other hand, demanding CBI inquiry into the economic offences like the Golaghat PDS scam and police battalion scam to unearth the culprits is yet to be addressed by Dispur, he said.
The State Government has also failed to prevent repeated ethnic clashes in the State, he said. However, he appealed to the organizations, which have given a boycott call to the panchayat election, for not to repeat the 1983 situation, which will only benefited the Congress, he clarified. The Congress has managed to form a “illegal Government” at Dispur that year uncontested, he added.
However, the BJP president, expressing satisfaction on his recent election tour to the tea belt in upper Asom, claimed that the party has made inroads among the tea tribe community, which was once considered as the traditional support base of the Congress.


Frans on 12.25.07 @ 08:15 PM CST [link]


Monday, December 24th

Unity move a 'crowd': Miuvah NDTV.com Press Trust of India



Unity move a 'crowd': Miuvah NDTV.com Press Trust of India

(Kohima) Against the backdrop of efforts to unify warring Naga rebel groups, the NSCN(I-M) today described the reconciliation move as a ''crowd''. Breaking his silence on the issue, NSCN(I-M) general secretary Th Muivah said ''a conglomeration of different kinds of people with different shades of opinion... is only a crowd which has nothing to do with the politics of unity''.

Muivah, who is the dominant rebel group's chief peace negotiator with the Centre, said in a statement unity meant ''unification of the whole Nagalim'' irrespective of ''artificial boundaries, not unity of a few sections of people''.

''It goes without saying everyone is for unity and no one is for division,'' he said adding that he did not believe in the ''policy of making a new friendship with unprincipled people at the cost of the steadfast old ones''.

Neither did he believe in the ''politics of negotiation with adversaries at the expense of one's own principle'', the statement said. NSCN (Isak-Muivah), NSCN (Khaplang) and the Adino group of Naga rebels signed a pact recently when the Nagaland Gaonburas (village chiefs) and Dobashis (interpreters) joint forum met here to put an end to killings, kidnapping and extortions in Nagaland.
Bloodletting between the factions has come down in the past few weeks as a result.
Let peace, goodwill prevail: Swu The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 23 (MExN): NSCN (IM) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu has stated that this year’s Christmas was going to be more meaningful to the Nagas than the past ones for “it is going to be more pertinent to the present situation in Nagalim”. In this regard, Swu in his Christmas message has called for peace and goodwill among the Nagas and called on the entire Naga population to exercise reconciliation, forgiveness and compassion pointing out that those who will go against this spirit of rejoicing will receive condemnation from God. Swu in his message stated that if Nagas were prepared to accept repentance and reconciliation, then “God’s compassionate scheme will find its fulfillment during this Christmas season”.
Pointing out that Christmas is the season during which time “God displayed His agape love to the whole of humanity”, Swu reminded that Jesus came from the “heavenly realms to bring reconciliation between God and man” and the concept of saving or redeeming people from their sin and death originated from God and was fulfilled by sending His Son Jesus Christ to this world on this occasion.
“Therefore Christmas is a special moment for all Christians in particular and the whole humanity in general”, Swu stated and urged Nagas to ponder this point very deeply pointing out that if there is no Christmas then there would be no salvation and that God through His redeeming love planned to reconcile with His children and through His compassionate perspective gave Christmas as a gift to all of us. “Let the message brought by the angels—Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men prevail in Nagalim today abundantly”, Swu stated.
‘Let us bury the past bitterness’ The Morung Express
Imphal, December 23 (NNN): The Kuki Students Organisation, General Headquarters (KSO) and All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) while sending out a joint Christmas greetings and New Year wishes, have appealed to both underground groups and the general public not to resort to any form of violence during Christmas time. The Kuki and the Naga students' bodies jointly appealed fervently to maintain peace and tranquility and so that everyone can enjoy the Christmas celebration with their near and dear ones. Christmas time is one special moment where the family members from far and near come together and share the joyous occasion.
Paul Langhu and P.Simte in a joint statement appealed all sections of the people to prepare to truly adhere to the teaching of Jesus Christ with the observation of Christmas. "Let us bury the past bitterness, hatred and vengeance in the name of Christ," stated the ANSAM-KSO statement. It appealed to everyone to imbibe the responsibility to follow the foot-steps of Jesus Christ; and to be the torch bearers of peace, humility, gentleness, compassion and serve to restore the truth and justice in the society.
Factional clash leaves two dead Newmai News Network
Imphal | Two militants, including a militant "sergeant" were killed in a clash with another armed underground group yesterday at around 6.30 pm at Nongpok Keithelmanbi village, 13 kilometres north-east of Yairipok police station in Thoubal district of Manipur. A police source said a long gun battle between suspected People's Liberation Army (PLA) cadres and combined forces of Kuki National Army (KNA) and Kuki National Front (KNF-P) took place yesterday at Nongpok Keithelmanbi which resulted in the death of two PLA cadres, including a sergeant of the outfit.
The corpses of the two militants have been retrieved by the police this morning from Utubi Lamkhai, near Thoubal Multipurpose Project area in Thoubal district. The dead bodies were deposited at Lilong mortuary. Locals heard the sounds of heavy gunfight among the militant groups yesterday at around 6.30 pm and lasted till 1.30 am today. Both sides have reportedly resorted to use of bombs during the gunfight. Stray bullets have also landed in the nearby villages. No civilian casualties have been reported however. The cause of the factional clash could not be established yet. Detail reports are awaited till the filing of this story to ascertain whether there are further casualties.
NSCN(I-M) rejects `politics of negotiation`



Kohima, DEC23 : The move to put an end to the internecine clashes between Naga rebels and bring them under a single platform received a jolt today with NSCN(I-M) terming it "politics of negotiation" and that it should have a common vision.

Going public for the first time since Nagaland Gaonburas (village chiefs) and Dobashis (interpreters) joint forum met, NSCN(I-M) general secretary Th Muivah questioned "whether a conglomeration of different kinds of people with different shades of opinion" could be termed unity. "Certainly not, that is only a crowd which has nothing to do with the politics of unity," Muivah, who is the dominant Naga rebel group's chief peace negotiator with the Centre, said in a statement.

He said unity of all Nagas irrespective of "artificial boundaries, not the unity of a few sections of people" and meant "unification of the whole Naga homeland". "It goes without saying everyone is for unity and no one is for division" but the "policy of making a new friendship with unprincipled people at the cost of the steadfast old ones" was something he did not believe in, he said.

Neither did he believe in the "politics of negotiation with adversaries at the expense of one's own principle", the statement said. As a first step towards unity, NSCN (Isak-Muivah), NSCN (Khaplang) and 'Federal Government of Nagaland' (Adino group) signed a pact here recently to halt killings, kidnapping and extortions in Nagaland, due to which factional fighting has come down in the past couple of weeks. Muivah, the chief peace negotiator for NSCN (I-M) with the Centre, however, questioned "as to whether a conglomeration of different kinds of people with different shades of opinion" could be termed as unity. "Certainly not, that is only a crowd which has nothing to do with the politics of unity".

The NSCN (I-M) general secretary insisted that any initiative for unity must carry the "message of common vision, common faith and common political agenda".

Muivah stated that "whether one likes it or not, unity among bretheren or people in principle for a common future is not an opinion but a must and therefore unity among the Nagas for their national salvation is a necessity and National Socialist Council of Nagalim stands for that'. "It goes without saying that everyone is for unity and no one is for division," the General Secretary asserted adding, "I can affirmatively say that no Naga hates unity". However, Muivah said he did not believe in the "policy of making a new friendship with unprincipled people at the cost of the faithful and steadfast old ones and neither did he believe in the "politics of negotiation with adversaries at the expense of one's own principle". [zeenews]

Monthlong celebrations in Nagaland OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Dec. 23: The countdown for Christmas has begun in Nagaland. With only two days left, people are busy with their last-minute shopping, exchanging gifts and even food packets.
All district headquarters, local civic bodies and district administrations have been directed to keep the shops open even on Sundays to enable the residents to wrap up their shopping.
Christmas in Nagaland is an impressive and a colourful affair. The state comprises mostly Christians and most of them are American Baptists. The celebrations, which begin from December 1, continue for the entire month. Even the non-Christians join in the celebrations, breaking the shackles of religious difference.
On December 25, the celebration starts with the church services. Carols are sung in both English and local dialects. Midnight masses are held in every church and attended by a large section of the community. Besides the traditional Naga dishes, the contemporary Indian and foreign multi-cuisine is also popular among the young generations.
With elections approaching, ministers and MLAs are also making the most of the festive season. They have rushed to their respective constituencies to celebrate Christmas. But 16 Congress legislators, two JD(U) and few dissidents of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland are determined to celebrate Christmas in New Delhi till the present Nagaland government is dismissed. The Leader of the Opposition, I. Imkong Ao, said they are ready to spend Christmas in Delhi to convince the central leaders to dismiss chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s government.
Stable, alive and kicking: DAN govt- Nagaland Post
1. For the past few days, the people of Nagaland have been bombarded by silly and mischievous information's propagated by the Congress, lead by I. Imkong. Leader of the opposition, polluting the political atmosphere of the state.
2. In order to clear the air, it is pertinent to retrospectively examine and analyse the murderous campaign of the Congress party, lest I. Imkong and his coterie may take the innocent general public for a joy ride.
3. The Congress party had exercised every available option to topple mandated and constitutionally installed DAN government for the past almost 5 (five) years, which was conformed by more other than I. Imkong, CLP leader while interacting with media persons outside Raj Bhavan on December 14'07.
4. The Congress party collaborated with arm elements, instigated some disgruntle NPF Legislators from disqualified and moved a Non-Confidence Motion (NCM) on 13th December'07 came and went. Non-confidence motion was out rightly rejected in the floor of the house with 23 members voting against the motion and only 19 members voting in favour of the motion.
5. The grounds on which Congress party and DAN defectors seek the dismissal of DAN government were:
a. Failure to maintain Law and order. b. Price rise in essential commodities.
The much acclaimed Hornbill festival 2007 and first ever Night Bazaar at Kohima went till 11 pm every night with not even a single incident. Can any sane person call this breakdown of Law and order in the state?
6. Just consider this! Nagaland ranks No.3 in Law and Order in the whole country much way ahead of Congress ruled states Viz Delhi, Manipur, Assam etc. according to a recent study conducted by an eminent economists Bibek Debroy, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Social and Economic Research, New Delhi and Laveesh Bhandari, published by India Today as a cover story (Vol:XXXII Number 38) released on September 17th '07.
7. Yes, no doubt, prices of essential commodities are rising within the permissible range. But let's not forget, inflation is not local phenomena, but national and international phenomena. Nagaland, been a consumer state, the rate of inflation depend upon many factors' such as transportation, inter-state taxes, political and economic situation of the producing states, unpredictable forces of the mother nature in the producing states etc.
As a matter of fact, the rate of inflation in Nagaland is much more below the National average.
8. Now, to fresh our memory, how about this! Huska Sumi and Deo Nukhu were elected in the general election 2003 from JDU and Samata party on strong Anti-Congress wave and till the other day, both were a member in the DAN government. Then, can we say they are leader for a change, as they claim or mere power-mongering elements! Huska and Deo Nukhu squarely fulfill the latter.
9. Now, for the lethargic Congress party, the resignation of Rokonicha, senior legislator and veteran politician on 16th December'06 from the membership of the 10th NLA and the Congress party speaks volume of their adulterous campaign.
10. In a press conference on 16th December'07 at Kohima I. Imkong CLP leader squarely blame Shivraj Patil, Union Home Minister and one of the senior most congress leader for unnecessarily applying delaying tactics, alleging that chief minister Rio and Shivraj Patil has a close link and I quote, "We do not understand why the home minister is unnecessary delaying. We should not allow the minority government to continue". This statement explicitly demonstrates the insatiable desire of the CLP leader to become the chief minister. Instead of blaming union home minister, CLP leader should take note that the union home minister is not unnecessarily delaying but endorsing the legality of the speaker and the government.
11. How on earth can the NPCC state that the DAN government is a desperate and minority government? Have the whole lot of NPCC lost their sanity? Let this be crystal clear: the DAN government is the only mandated and constitutionally installed government in the state with present effective strength of 24 members with 18 members in the opposition bench.
12. The so-called Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) claimed of enjoying the majority support of 30 members can be termed as "Joke of the year". The NPA percept that union government can be convinced by parading disqualified MLAs and defectors but the indefinite postponement of union cabinet meeting, which was about to discuss the Congress created political crises in the state doused the supposed political conflagration.
13. Members of the so-called NPA after confusing the innocent general public, are getting confuse and just to enjoy the luxury of seven star resort Hotel, they are staying back at Delhi.
The day, the adulterous campaign of the defectors and miscreants MLAs started, they, are afraid to face the electorates. May be, this is the reason why the members of the so-called NPA are enjoying the Christmas at Delhi away from loved and dear ones.
14. The Nagaland People's Front would like to state that DAN Alliances is absolutely intact; the DAN government is solidly stable, alive and kicking.
Shilumar, Associate press secretary, NPF.
Rise above narrow parochialism and tribalism: Rio (Page News Service)

Conveys Christmas greetings to citizens of Nagaland
Dimapur, December 23: Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, has called upon all to rise above narrow parochialism and tribalism, to broaden their outlook, and to walk taller than in the past.
Conveying his warmest Christmas season's greetings to the people of Nagaland, Rio wanted all Nagas to eschew violence, ill will, hatred and all negative thoughts in the same way as God sent His goodwill towards mankind through His son Jesus on that first Christmas night.
"May God give all of us a 'forgiving' heart, the wisdom and the vision so that Nagaland moves in the right direction, and towards the right destination," he prayed.
Calling upon all Nagas to introspect, and let Jesus be born in their hearts, Rio appealed to all to rededicate oneself to spread God's love and affection all round in the true Christian spirit of "forgive and forget" as Christ has forgiven all of us.
"Let us trust in the Lord and look forward to a better tomorrow for Nagaland," he added.
The chief minister also called upon all citizens of the state to reaffirm that "we will stand for peace, and that we will live and work for peace."
"Let us recollect what Jesus said: Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God. Let us uphold the Christian values. If we can do that, then, the Christmas celebrations will become meaningful," he added.
AANLA becoming major ultra outfit By A Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 23 – Emergence of the All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) as a major force is turning out to be serious cause of concern for the police and security forces, who are of the view that the recent clashes in the Beltola area of Guwahati would give more teeth to the outfit. Highly-placed police sources told The Assam Tribune today that according to information available, the commander in chief of the outfit- Nirmal Tarki alias David is now in Jharkhand and the State would have a much bigger problem in its hand if the AANLA manages to come in contact with the Maoist militant groups.

Sources said that the AANLA, formed in 2004 with the main aim of protecting the interests of the people belonging to the Adivasi community and to put pressure on the Government to grant the status of Scheduled Tribes to the Adivasi community, now has around 150 cadres and the assistance that it received from the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) and the NSCN (I-M) is transforming the outfit as a major force to reckon with.

Sources said that after its formation in the Singhashan hills of Karbi Anglong, the AANLA militants were first given training by the KRA and the outfit signed a formal agreement with the NSCN (I-M) last year, which added strength to the outfit. At the initial stages, the AALNA concentrated more on extortion and kidnappings, but in recent times, the outfit has started targeting passenger trains and it is believed that the outfit was involved in the recent blast in the Rajdhani Express in Golaghat district, which resulted in the death of five persons. The outfit has strongholds in the districts of Golaghat and Jorhat and Bokajan area of Karbi Anglong and the outfit is only maintaining temporary camps. Sources said that members of the AANLA also take shelter in the labour quarters of the tea gardens in the districts of Golaghat and Jorhat, while, the terrain in the Singhashan hill area of Karbi Anglong also puts the militants in an advantageous position.

On the support that the AANLA is receiving from the NSCN(I-M), sources said that only last year, the outfit signed a formal agreement with the Naga outfit, which is under a cease-fire agreement with the Government of India since 1996. Sources said that as per the agreement, both the groups would work together and would be able to enter into each other’s territory with prior permission. The tax collected would be shared and the AALNA would bear the expenses whenever the members of the NSCN are used for operations.

Police sources said that the NSCN , which is holding political dialogues with the Government of India, extended help to the AANLA with the aim of extending its area of influence to pave the way for creation of greater Nagalim.
Police foil Ulfa bomb plot OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Dibrugarh, Dec. 23: A police team today saved an oil and gas unit in Sivasagar from being blown up by Ulfa, known to target such installations in the weeks leading to Republic Day.
The team, led by subdivisional police officer Jayanta Sarathi Bora, found a powerful improvised explosive device in a roadside ditch at Habigaon Nepalibasti, under Geleki police station. The bomb was to be planted at a nearby unit of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, the police said.
“We had information about the movements of some Ulfa militants in the locality and their plan to plant the IED at the ONGC installation. We mobilised teams and one of them found the bomb concealed in a container around 6.30am,” Sivasagar superintendent of police Shyamal Saikia said over phone. Security forces have been on maximum alert since receiving reports of Ulfa teams, particularly from Bravo Company of the outfit’s 28 Battalion, sneaking into Sivasagar from Nagaland’s Mon district.
Another senior police officer said a 14-member team led by Dulu Bora was lying in wait to strike in a big way ahead of Republic Day and the panchayat elections on December 31, January 4 and January 9. “We have information about the outfit becoming desperate on not being able to continue its activities as freely as it had been doing. We have deployed all the resources at our disposal to keep the militants from committing acts of violence.”
The Abhaypur forest reserve in Charaideo subdivision of Sivasagar was until recently part of a corridor to Nagaland for Ulfa militants. They would execute hit-and-run operations and take refuge in neighbouring Mon.
A relentless operation by security forces has almost rid the forest of militants. “Right now, the smooth conduct of panchayat elections is our top priority. We will then have to focus on Republic Day. We cannot allow Ulfa to strike at will and get away with it,” the police officer said. Ulfa has triggered blasts at various places in Sivasagar district in recent months. The outfit even planted a bomb in front of the SP’s office in Sivasagar town.
On December 20, a patrol team foiled a second sabotage attempt by the Adivasi militant group responsible for the explosion that killed five Rajdhani Express passengers in Upper Assam in the previous week. A routine inspection revealed that 10 girders and roller bearings were missing from a rail bridge over the Doyang in Golaghat district half an hour before the Mariani-Guwahati special passenger train was to pass by.
Kuki militants gun down PLA men OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, Dec. 23: The Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA), a Manipur-based outfit, lost two of its cadres in a gunfight with Kuki rebels in Thoubal district last night as another PLA suspect was apprehended by the Assam Rifles in Bishnupur district yesterday. Police found the bodies of the suspected PLA members dumped by a roadside at Uttubi Khul, about 13km north of Yairipok police station in Thoubal district this morning.
One of them was in full combat gear while his comrade was wearing a jacket and black pants.
The villagers told the police that the seven-hour-long gunfight began at 6.30pm but the police are yet to find out if the bodies were dumped by the Kuki rebels or taken to the village by people staying nearby. The bodies have been sent to Lilong Hospital for identification and post mortem.
Troops of the 7 Assam Rifles apprehended a militant at Thanga on the fringes of Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district. A 9mm pistol and some live ammunition were seized.
The troops reported to Moirang police station this morning that he was a PLA cadre. A frisking team had reportedly asked him to stop at Thanga Chingjin Kom last night when the man fired at it to escape. In retaliatory firing, he suffered minor injuries in the right shoulder.
He was turned over to the police today. This morning, activists of the Manipur Peoples’ Army (MPA), the armed wing of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), had an exchange of fire with soldiers at Cheljang in the Dingpi area along the Indo-Myanmar border in Chandel district after the rebels had attacked a security post. The security forces had launched operation flush-out in the area on November 18. The UNLF, in a statement today, denied claims by security forces that six of its cadre had been killed and troops had busted its hideout on Friday.
Ops Samtal: UNLF presents its report By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 23: The MPA today launched a fresh offensive to drive out security forces from Dingpi village located in the highest and farthest range of Dingpi hills at about 9.15 am.
A statement issued by UNLF’s Senior Publicity Officer Ksh Yoiheiba informed that the exact figures on the part of the security forces cannot be ascertained as yet.
On the other hand, the outfit flatly rejected the Assam Rifles’ claim that its six cadres were killed in two near simultaneous gun fights at S Bongjoi and Tuileng village on December 21.
It also dismissed the report about busting an MPA hide-out in Chamol village and subsequent seizure of a large quantity of weapons, IED materials and stores.
Further, the UNLF maintained that Nasir Khan of Moreh arrested by troops of 24 AR on the charge of being a cadre of the outfit is an innocent civilian.
All these alleged fabricated and baseless reports being published by the security forces are aimed at covering up their increasing number of deaths and casualties in the ongoing Operation Samtal, asserted Yoiheiba. The repeated claims of success made by the security forces might be causing confusion to the people about the exact situation of the ongoing battle, it observed while maintaining that UNLF/MPA never tell falsehoods. Unlike security forces, it never covered up any death on its part nor deserted its deceased cadres in battle fields nor deceived families of deceased cadres, asserted the outfit. In the Tuileng gun fight of December 21, more than five security personnel were killed and many others injured, countered Yoiheiba. This was confirmed from the radio message of the security forces intercepted by MPA cadres, he added. In both the gun fights at Tuileng and S Bongjoi, there was no casualty on the part of MPA cadres.
Giving details of the confrontation at S Bongjoi, the Senior Publicity Officer conveyed that as a large number of security personnel approached S Bongjoi, only two fighting sections of MPA were stationed there to engage the advancing troops while other cadres moved to more secure positions.
The gun fight between the security forces and the two fighting sections of MPA lasted for about 3 hours, it informed while reiterating that there should be some fatal casualties on the part of the troops approaching in a large number. On Tuileng front, MPA cadres made first move firing all weapons in their arsenal just as the troops neared Tuileng. During the intense gun fight, five security personnel were killed besides injuring more than six, claimed Yoiheiba. Except for a minor injury to one MPA cadre on his hand, there was no other casualty, he conveyed.
Contradicting the claim of security forces that a large number of MPA cadres have crossed into Awa (Myanmar), the outfit disclosed that Myanmarese army, on the instigation of Indian armed forces, are now moving toward their boundary line with India. The existing situation has the potential of a direct confrontation between Myanmarese army and MPA cadres, Yoiheiba said. Yet, the MPA cadres with their superior knowledge of the terrain around Khengjoi, Dingpi and Dongyang marked by thick forests have been quite successful in their battle strategies against the advancing security forces. Reminding the people that the ongoing battle is a battle to save the indigenous people of the land or to perish under the alleged repressive rule of the alien power, the outfit recalled the atrocious cases of Chanu Rose, Manorama etc. The outfit further called upon the people to build a strong people’s movement against the excesses of security forces at the time when the MPA cadres are engaging security forces in the hill ranges of the land. “Prepare for Utoop Lan to oust all central security forces from Manipur”, exhorted the UNLF.
Former cadres blame ULFA for ills of Asom Sentinel
Guwahati, Dec 23: A number of cadres, who left the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) recently, blame the separatist outfit for many of the ills plaguing the State.
They say that the ULFA is no longer true to its own cause and that the outfit has turned barbaric. Over 300 ULFA cadres, who returned to the mainstream, claim to be working hard to be back on the normal track.
Jaleshwar Mushahari, a former rebel, after leading a nomadic life in the forests for over two years has now shunned violence and is delving into books, apart from acquiring computer skills. He said: “I like it here (at the rehabilitation camp). I am expecting to make a fresh beginning and I am acquiring skills in computer technology. Although, I can’t get a Government job, I will use the skill to survive on my own and make life better. That is my aim”.
Several others like Mushahari, who had deserted the outfit, have taken shelter at the rehabilitation camp. Arrangements have been made at the camp for training them in various professional and technical fields. Besides each one is being paid Rs 200 per month.
However, some former rebels complain about being charged for the food served at the camp. Anwaruddin Ahmad, a former ULFA cadre, said: “I have come back willingly. And arrangements have been made to provide us with training in various areas. But the facilities that we are getting are not as we were promised. We have to pay for food from Rs 200 that is being given to us. That is the only problem we are facing otherwise we are liking the new place”.
The former rebels realise that killing the people of Asom was like murdering their own relatives. Brajan Kalita, another former ULFA cadre, said: “I don’t appreciate the killings. I feel we end up killing our own people. So there can be no benefit from such cruel murder. ULFA has deteriorated and is corrupt. It has become cruel. That is why people don’t support the ULFA any more”.
The former ULFA cadres believe that the solution to the problems of the people should be found through talks and not through violence. “ULFA has become barbaric because they have been killing ruthlessly. ULFA is trying to find a solution by killing people.’’ (ANI)
Civilians made scapegoats in aftermath of UG clashes The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 24: Fifteen passengers of an inter-state bus heading for Guwahati, including students and teachers of a private school were abducted by armed militants near Sapermeina on NH-39 and detained for a few hours this afternoon. The abduction took place apparently as a consequence of a shootout between cadres of some underground groups last night near Nongpok Keithelmanbi, and the abducted persons were released reportedly after an understanding was reached among the groups involved.

The abducted passengers included eight students and a teacher of the Hundred Flowers School, Pangei, who were leaving on an excursion trip to Sikkim. All the abducted passengers belong to the Meitei community. According to other passengers travelling on the same vehicle, a tourist bus operated by GG Travels, the vehicle were stopped by armed gunmen at a lonely spot on NH-39 just beyond Sapermeina, and the Meitei male passengers singled out and detained at gunpoint.

The passenger bus was carrying 21 students of the Hundred Flowers School, Pangei along with two teachers, and 15 other passengers. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen, who were at least four in number, forced the driver of the vehicle to drive to a diversion road leading to Bungmual village. About half a kilometre from the main road, the bus was stopped and all the passengers were forced to get down.

All Meitei males were gathered together, and the rest of the passengers told to get back on the bus and leave the spot immediately. The gunmen openly told the other passengers that the Meiteis were being held because their fellow cadres were being detained by a Meitei-dominated underground group following a shootout last night, and they would be released only if their cadres were released.

After leaving the spot, the tourist bus returned to Imphal, and informed the authorities of the abduction.

In the meantime, after being detained for about two hours, the 15 abducted passengers were told by their captors that they were free to go and that an understanding had been reached with the other underground group involved in last night`s encounter. The passengers thereafter walked back to the main road, where they were soon picked up by a team led by minister N Biren and representatives of the UCM.

The abducted Hundred Flowers students were identified as Tomba, Hidesh, Punshiba, Rajesh, Inao, Bhagat, Prem and Rishikanta. The others abducted along with them included one Deven of Awang Khunou, Romesh of Meihoubam, Bonikumar of Thounaojam Yangdong, Thouba of Uripok Haobam Devan Leikai, and three others from Kangpokpi, namely Khamba, Kula and Sharat. Earlier, upon hearing of their abduction, minister N Biren and UCM president Lanngamba immediately rushed to the area. Police reinforcements from Imphal was also sent, but by the time they reached, it was learnt that the abducted passengers had already been released. The UCM president, speaking to IFP, in the meantime said victimising of civilians and students and using as human shield was condemnable, and appealed that such incidents should not be repeated in future. N Biren also stressed the need for all sections to avoid taking any actions that would result in heightening of communal tensions.




Frans on 12.24.07 @ 02:36 PM CST [link]


Sunday, December 23rd

Naga Cong in losing battle - Ao’s dismiss-Rio demand falls on Delhi’s deaf ears OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph



Naga Cong in losing battle - Ao’s dismiss-Rio demand falls on Delhi’s deaf ears OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Dec. 22: The leader of the newly-formed Congress-led Opposition coalition in Nagaland, I. Imkong Ao, is fighting a losing battle in Delhi and back home in his constituency. In Delhi, where Ao is camping at present, he has failed to convince central leaders, including President Pratibha Patil, to dismiss the Neiphiu Rio-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government. He claimed that it has been reduced to a minority.
In his Assembly constituency, Jangpethong, people have barred him from entering the villages for trying to “disturb the political peace in the state”.
They have even warned people not to vote for him in the February Assembly elections or face expulsion. His village Changki, which is one of the biggest in the constituency, has expelled him from the village. Khar, the biggest village in the constituency, has resolved to set up I. Longri Ao of the village as their official candidate. The electorate has decided that no one, other than him, will be allowed to stay overnight in the village.
Ao could not be contacted for his comments, but the development would give a fillip to his detractors in the Congress. However, leaders of the NPA, which comprises Congress legislators and some DAN dissidents, are still trying to convince the Centre to impose President’s rule in the state. They have already met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, among others.
Congress parliamentary secretary and legislator K.V. Pusa said over phone that they would try to convince the Centre to dismiss the Rio government on the grounds that it has been reduced to a minority. Besides, the law and order in the state is deteriorating and corruption is rampant.
The Congress had moved a no-confidence motion on December 13, which Speaker Kiyanielie Peseyie had declared defeated. On the question of President’s rule in Nagaland, Pusa said: “You have to wait and see. I don’t want to comment at the moment.” Now, the strength of the DAN government is 23 (excluding the Speaker). The Congress has 16 legislators and has the support of two JD(U) MLAs and three Independents. On December 13, the DAN government headed by Rio survived a no-confidence motion. moved by the Congress, some disgruntled legislators of the Nagaland People's Front (NPF) and three Independent MLAs.
30 days of unity move Nagarealm.com

DIMAPUR, DEC21 [NPN] : The NSCN Unification Camp Friday held ‘‘Thanks Giving prayer convocation” at the Camp to mark completion of one month of the “on-going peace and reconciliation efforts.”

Publicity cell, NSCN Unification Camp, in a press release informed that by the grace of the Almighty God, the peace and reconciliation efforts had been able to attain thirty days, bereft of hostilities and negative outcome, but positive response from various quarters to enhance the on-going unity and peace process.
“It is through His grace and the unceasing prayers of all the peace loving Naga people and their friends that blood-shed has been averted, thus far. It is further appealed by the unification team to all and sundry for your continuous moral and prayer support so that the Naga people can be unified as blood-shed in our land could cease,” the release said.

It also reminded that the ongoing process of unification of all Naga people had been undertaken through the initiative of the Western Sumi Hoho and Sumi Hoho, in consonance with the declaration for Naga unification made by Naga Hoho on December 20, 2001. Meanwhile, the NSCN Unification Camp has informed that some pseudo-national workers and anti-socials were taking advantage of the prevailing situation by indulging in kidnappings, extortions and other anti-social activities, which have been on the rise of late. The NSCN Camp informed the general public, business establishments and agencies to step up vigilance and remain cautious.
Left Front says no to PR in Nagaland The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 22 (MExN): The DAN government in Nagaland headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio got a boost with the Left Front, which is a major constituent of the Congress-led UPA Government in the Centre, writing to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi advising against any move to impose President’s Rule in the State. In separate letters addressed to Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson, the CPI (M), CPI and the All India Forward Block pointed out that with elections in Nagaland to be held in February 2008, imposition of President Rule just two months before the election will be wrongly construed and that the image of the Congress will also suffer.
CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat while pointing out to the political situation in Nagaland stated that there was “uncertainty about the future of the government” and that given the fact that Nagaland was scheduled to have Assembly Elections in February 2008 any move to impose President’s Rule at this stage will be inadvisable. “Given the sensitive security situation in the State, it would be better to be cautious”, Karat stated in his letter addressed to the Prime Minister and hoped that all these factors will be taken into account before the government takes a decision.
The CPI General Secretary AB Bardhan in his letter to Sonia Gandhi also advised against imposing President’s Rule and pointed out that with elections just two months away, “elections should decide who is to come to power”. “With your strong democratic sense I am sure you will not like such a thing to happen especially when Nagaland and the Northeastern States have severe problems of their own. Let us not add to the problems”, Bardhan stated pointing out that imposing President’s Rule just two months before the election will be “very wrongly construed”.
With regard to the no-trust vote on December 13 the CPI General Secretary stated that “the vote is being interpreted as a vote of no-confidence though according to the direction of the Speaker of the Assembly the votes of members who have defied the party whip issued earlier are not to be counted”. The CPI informed that this order was given by the Speaker in the year 2006 and was accepted by all the parties in the Assembly including the Congress.
The All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) in its letter to the Prime Minister alleged that defections were being “corruptly engineered” to bring down a duly elected government and that the local Congress leaders were attempting to put pressure on the Centre to impose President’s Rule.
The AIFB cautioned going against constitutional propriety and stated that the Congress will not gain anything but only malign its image. “It will be construed that in view of ensuing elections in the State of Nagaland in February 2008, your party is trying to manipulate the elections by imposing President’s Rule”. The AIFB reminded that Article 356 cannot be invoked for superseding a duly constituted ministry and dissolving the assembly which has not been defeated on the floor of the house. “So imposition of President’s Rule in Nagaland will bring disgrace to your party and will disturb the tranquility of the State”, the AIFB stated and hoped that the Prime Minister would prevent this with his wisdom.
On the no trust vote and the Speaker’s role, the AIFB stated that the Nagaland Assembly was like any other assembly governed by the rules framed by the Speaker in exercise of his powers under the constitution of India and pointed out that one such rule was passed on August 21, 2006 and approved by the entire house stating that the vote of any member who disobeys the whip and votes in violation thereof shall not be counted. “So when on a recent motion of no confidence, nine member of the ruling party voted against the government, their votes were not counted in accordance with the aforesaid rule and thus the motion failed in accordance with law”, the AIFB stated while adding that having been frustrated by the failure of their move, local Congress leaders were now attempting to put pressure on the Centre for imposition of President’s Rule.
Political fiasco warms up chilly Naga winter NPF dares Cong to approach Court The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 22 (MExN): Noting the confusion over the outcome of the December 13 no-confidence motion, the NPF today issued an elaborate numerical explanation to clear the air over the votes and the position of the house. NPF chief Shurhozelie’s statement received here, explained thus: As of today, the strength of political parties in the state assembly constitutes 21 NPF legislators (including the Speaker), 4 BJP and one Independent legislator, totaling 26. The NPF added here that if resigned members Tokheho and Tali votes against the government, their votes will not be counted in the result as per the Speaker’s decision, and the government’s strength will come down to 24.
The Congress has 16 and the JD (U) has 2 legislators totaling strength of 18 as against the government’s 26. The NPF added here that Independent members are barred from voting under interim order on petition for disqualification pending against them. On December 13 when the trial of strength took place in the assembly the NPF had 18 legislators (Excluding the Speaker). 9 votes cast contrary to the Whip were not included in the counting under the Speaker’s direction under the Anti-Defection Law. The BJP had 4 and an Independent, all totaling to 23. On the other hand, the Opposition Congress had 17 legislators (including Rokonicha who resigned on December 17) and the JD (U) with 2, all totaling to 19 as against the government’s 23. (3 Independents were barred from voting).
In regard to the directions of the Speaker, the NPF explained that votes of members who vote against/contrary to Whip without mustering two-thirds majority of the legislature party, will not be counted in the results under Rule 19 of the Anti-Defection Rules of Nagaland. This direction keeps in letter and spirit the Anti-Defection Laws intact and was issued on August 21, 2006 well before one year and four months of the day on which the no-trust vote was taken. The direction was republished in the bulletin on December 12, 2007 to remind the members, the NPF pointed out. Under this direction the votes of all the 9 members who voted contrary to the NPF Whip were not counted in the result. On the interim order of the Speaker, the NPF pointed out that 3 Independents namely P Chuba, Jongshilemba and Khutovi were barred from voting by the Speaker under an interim order on the petition of disqualification filed by the NPF president. “It was alleged in the petition that these independent members had joined the NPF first by signing the NPF legislature Party rolls for all these five years, then the Congress party by signing the notice of no-confidence motion as well as informing the Speaker that they are withdrawing support to the DAN and pinning support to the Congress” the NPF stated.
Court of Law The NPF stated “the Congress party which is making so much of noise over the Speaker’s decision and the interim order has so far not gone to the court to test their validity. Instead of going to court they are going to AICC, the home minister and the Union Cabinet which are not forums for judicial review of the Speaker’s orders.” The NPF stated that the Speaker’s decisions are final under paragraph 6 of the 10th Schedule and are subject only to judicial review by the High Court and Supreme Court. “Let the Congress challenge these orders in the court and they will get the truthful legal position” the NPF dared the Opposition Congress.
Further, the behavior of the Leader of Opposition and role of the opposition bench on December 13 were not in accordance with parliamentary procedures and constitution, the party stated. In fact, the NPF informed, I Imkong took over the house “by force” and announced the results illegally. “Instead of waiting to face elections, the Congress is in a great hurry to destabilize a democratically elected majority government and is trying to capture power by shortcut methods…to overthrow a constitutionally elected government which won against the no-confidence motion by a sufficient margin it added.
NPCC censures Speaker; says DAN govt in minority Dimapur, December 22 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has reminded Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio that it “may not be too far for DAN Government to remain in office” and that he should be prepared to accept defeat having lost the confidence of 31 members in the 55 member House. Stating this in a press note, the NPCC through its Media Cell pointed out that it was compelled to react to the statement of Rio accusing Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) of trying to topple the DAN Government and take power through the back-door.
The NPCC claimed that the DAN Government was reduced to minority on the No-Confidence Motion when the Speaker Nagaland Assembly declared the result of the voting that took place during the one-day session. “However, the Speaker defending the minority Government in the present political crisis with the objective of favouring the DAN is very unfortunate”, the NPCC stated while expressing that view that although the Speaker had supreme authority in conducting the proceedings of the House, yet his acts should not result in creating a mockery of the Constitution.
“The interim order of the Speaker does not grant any interim disqualification. In fact, the interim order permits the members to participate in the proceedings and gives right to vote on all other questions for decision before the House. This itself indicates that the rights of the members have not been taken away and there is no interim order of disqualification. Consequently, the numerical strength of the Legislature stands unaffected and their vote is required to be taken into account”, the Congress party organization stated.
The NPCC stated that it was apparent that there was not even a prayer for an ad-interim relief or interim relief, but mere prayer for disqualification. “The action of the Speaker in proceeding to issue an interim order on such petition, apart from revealing a bias attitude also exposes the malafide intention in passing such interim order”, it stated.
With regard to Rio’s letter to the Governor on December 14, 2007 and the point raised with regard to the Speaker issuing a Direction under Rule 19 of the Nagaland Assembly’s Anti-defection Rules that the vote of any one who votes contrary to whip issued by his political party, will not be counted until the number of such votes are two-thirds of the total strength of the Legislature Party, the NPCC clarified that the provision of Rule 19 was very clear as it is for removal of ‘doubt’ in regard to ‘implementation’ of the rules, and it does not speak for removal of voting rights of the MLAs.
Claiming that the NPA was enjoying the majority support of 30 members and confident to form the Government with the mandate of the people, the NPCC stated that the desperate minority DAN Government has been making a mockery of the Constitution by accusing NPA of trying to take the power through back-door and claiming to be running a mandated Government with just 23 members.
BJP hopes UPA will not ‘murder’ democracy Dimapur, December 22 (MExN): Notwithstanding the strong demand by the Congress-led NPA to form the Government in Nagaland, the state Bharitiya Janata Party today hoped that the UPA Government would not ‘murder’ the Constitution of India and that the parliamentary democracy in India just for the sake of a few ‘flexible MLAs from Nagaland’. The state political scenario has been witnessing a power struggle between the DAN government and the newly floated Congress led-NPA after the recent spate of resignation by DAN MLAs and withdrawal of support by independent MLAs and particularly the disqualification of 12 MLA votes by the Assembly Speaker on December 13.
“The UPA Government at the centre perhaps will not murder the constitution of India and the Parliamentary democracy in India for the sake of few flexible MLAs from Nagaland,” the Nagaland BJP said in a press release issued by its Spokesman, Jonny G Rengma. The state BJP pointed out that the objective of the anti-defection bill passed by a Parliament act, was to ensure the stability of any elected government both state as well as the at the centre. Similarly, the downsizing of the council of ministers including the rightsizing of surplus government employees has been in order to minimize unnecessary expenditure of the government.
This he added has been accepted as the popular decision of the central government by the people of this country and has been respected in letter and in spirit by al the states in India. However, the state BJP wondered why Nagaland, being a Christian state, the elected MLAs should try to defeat the wisdom of the Indian Parliamentarian. “As a Christian our faith foundation should not be that weak as have been demonstrating by our MLAs in Delhi for the sake of their individual benefit,” the release said.
In this regard, the State BJP unit, ‘joining all other NGO’s of Nagaland’, conveyed its strong felling to the Naga MLAs, ex-MLAs camping in ‘a luxury resort in Delhi’ to come back to the state and celebrate the Christmas with their family members as it is the biggest festival in the state.
“Even if you (Naga MLAs camping in Delhi) forget the electorates of your respective constituencies to whom you represent, Shri Neiphiu Rio led DAN coalition government will complete its full term in the office constitutionally as mandated in the last Assembly Election,” the release affirmed and added that the people of Nagaland has again prepared to vote the DAN Government to continue beyond 2008.
Imkong trying to capture power by force: Shurhozelie (Page News Service)

Dimapur, December 22: NPF president, Dr Shurhozelie today accused Leader of Opposition, I Imkong of trying to "capture Government by physical force." He claimed that on December 13 last, Imkong "took over the House by force" and announced the results on the no-confidence motion illegally.
"By hook or crook and by physical force, Governments are not formed in democracy. Governments are also not formed by backdoor methods. One has to win the majority on the floor, failing which, one has to face elections," he reminded the Opposition leader.
In a statement, Shurhozelie claimed that instead of waiting to face elections, the Congress is in a great hurry to destabilize a democratically elected majority Government and trying to capture power by short cut methods.
"People of Nagaland have already strongly disapproved the methods employed by the Congress party to overthrow a constitutionally elected Government which won against the no-confidence motion by a sufficient margin," he added.

A new dawn of peace emerging in Nagaland Nagarealm.com


Kohima, DEC23 [IANS] : Nagaland is on the threshold of a new dawn of peace. The three warring Naga factions are poised to come together on a single platform to establish peace.

The dominant Naga factions -- National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issac-Muivah (NSCN-IM), NSCN (Khaplang) and Naga National Council (NNC), signed a peace pact recently. Representatives of the three Naga factions, who were sworn enemies till recently, were sharing the table and smoking the peace pipe. The peace pact is significant as it spells an end to the clashes between the cadres of the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) and NNC. It is expected that the people in the State will be benefited from the latest move and the focus will shift to ensuring the State's development and economic welfare. The three main Naga factions met at the negotiation table in Kohima, after much persuasion from tribal chiefs and the state government.

The historic meeting took place under the aegis of the Joint Forum of Nagaland Gaonburas (GBs) and Dobashis (DBs). It is expected to end decades of internecine clashes between the Naga groups. Joint Forum of Nagaland GBs and DBs Convener Taku Longkumer said: "The meeting has resolved to unanimously accept and assure peace among different groups in Nagaland, without discrimination on the basis of tribes or region." Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner T N Mannen said: "It's a very positive step. We fervently hope that it will definitely lead to total peace."

More than 500 people have lost lives in the conflicts between the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) in the last five years. The State Government is also lending its support to bring all factions together. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said: "We want unity and that of all the Nagas, not just a section. While welcoming the unity moves, it should be ensured that all factions are brought under one umbrella so that Nagas can focus on a unified entity." With the unification process on and the peace process between NSCN (IM) and the Central Government inching towards a positive outcome, the time is not far when Nagaland turns into an oasis of peace in the North East. [Vibou Ganguly]

AASU observes black day - Students protest Rohmoria ‘atrocities’; bandh today OUR BUREAU The Telegraph
Guwahati/Dibrugarh, Dec. 22: The All Assam Students Union today unfurled black flags all over the state in protest against police atrocities on residents of Rohmoria who were demonstrating on Thursday against lack of anti-erosion measures.
Rohmoria is a cluster of villages in Dibrugarh district and comes under the Lahowal Assembly constituency. It is represented by labour, planning and development minister Prithibi Majhi.
The AASU has called a Dibrugarh district bandh tomorrow in protest against the police action in Rohmoria. A 12-hour bandh has also been called in Dibrugarh district on Monday by the Rohmoria Erosion Resistance Struggle Forum and the Flood and Erosion Struggle Forum.
Announcing this yesterday, the organisations had set a three-day deadline for Dispur to suspend three police officers over Thursday’s incident. The two organisations, which have been engaged in a campaign to save Rohmoria from perennial erosion by the Brahmaputra, have called a boycott of the panchayat polls and warned all political parties against entering the area.
AASU leader Bipul Rabha said they had unfurled black flags in Dibrugarh and other districts as well as sub-divisional headquarters in the state to protest against the “unjust means adopted by the Dibrugarh district administration to disperse non-violent protesters”.
The student organisation also put up black flags in public places in Guwahati this morning.
“We observed the day as a black day all over the state to protest against the atrocities committed by the police and the CRPF on unarmed and non-violent villagers of Rohmoria on Thursday,” Rabha added. AASU assistant general secretary Rituparna Baruah said: “What we have seen in newspapers and on television — CRPF personnel targeting villagers with stones and later with their weapons — is shocking. The government will have to answer for this.”
He came down heavily on the Dibrugarh administration for failing to handle the situation. He warned that the union would intensify its agitation if the culprits were not punished. The students union has also decided to approach the State Human Rights Commission over the incident. olice were on the alert today fearing trouble, but the AASU protest passed off peacefully in the state.
MP moves SC for CBI probe into ‘ULFA links’ The Morung Express
New Delhi, December 22 (Agencies): A Bihar MP has moved the Supreme Court seeking a CBI inquiry into the alleged links of Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with the outlawed ULFA and his involvement in the recent killing of Bihari migrants. Filing a PIL, Sukhdeo Paswan alleged that the Assam minister was facing TADA charges and several criminal cases but was using his political influence to subvert the law.
The petition, which primarily sought to highlight the alleged ULFA links of the minister, also talked about the minister`s suspected involvement in the killings of Bihari migrants in the state during the last one year.
According to the petition, filed through counsel C D Singh, the Assam Minister in one case had allegedly extorted over Rs 90 lakh for the banned outfit. For the said offence he was allegedly booked under the TADA on January 12 1991 at the Pan Bazar Police Station, Gauhati.
In another case pertaining to a similar extortion bid, the minister was caught “red-handed” while collecting Rs 10 lakh as extortion money from several persons for which he was booked again under TADA on March 28, 1991 at the Chandmari Police Station, the petition stated.
The state-level TADA review committee on May 8, 1997 also rejected Sharma`s appeal as there was prima facie evidence for proceeding against him on the charges, the petition said. The petition alleged that on January 8, 1997, the police in connivance with the Assam minister, ensured mysterious disappearance of files related to the said offences from the office of the Superintendent of Police.
The MP alleged that on a petition from the Assam minister a single judge of the Gauhati High Court stayed the criminal proceedings reportedly without giving an opportunity to the prosecution to present its view. The stay remained till February 2004 when the prosecution sought to withdraw the criminal proceedings on the plea that the complainant had withdrawn the case against the minister, the petition filed by the MP stated.
It further said that about 45 MPs had written letters to the President of India and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in March this year for a probe by the CBI or an independent investigating agency into the matter but no action was forthcoming till date. Hence the PIL sought appropriate directions to the Union Government for ordering a CBI probe into the minister`s activities.
Peace is free- Nagaland Post
The only thing available everywhere in abundance is violence. People hate it, yet how it comes to be in abundance poses a very serious question. Why to talk of this mighty world, when our small Nagaland has it in plenty. The most popular funny-fact is that great violence is committed so as to bring peace. Peace surely is not impossible for in the heart of heart, everyone yearns to live in peace. My fancy that at least 99.9% will opt for peace than unrest can be true if a survey on this is conducted. But how is that we observe a different situation in the present scenario? This clearly shows that people love peace only through lips, whereas in actual living they selfishness and un-forgiveness gain control over them. If this is not the case, our society's actions and its outcome would not be this bloody.
'Peace', so sweet and nice, yet so scarce is actually free. It is freely given to us and that too in abundance. The question is whether to accept this gift, value it, appreciate it and share it. Certainly there need not be any revolution or war in order to establish peace, though many prefer this way.
On the other hand, each and every individual's role becomes vital for either peace or violence in the society. Every society and any organization consist of individuals as members. So a very serious and urgent question stands: 'Do I like and love peace'?
Actually there is just one thing essential and i.e. to choose either peace or something else. When one had opted for peace genuinely with determination, even if the whole world turns against them, they can still be in peace and serenity. In the midst of all opposition their stand on truth gives them peace, clam and serenity of mind. Thus, we see here the powerful connection between truth and peace. Peace flows knowing and doing what is true. It is truth that sets one free from every bondage and when one is free, peace come. This truth again comes from the truth. There remains nothing to obstruct the freedom of peace when the truth is accepted and done. So, when everybody in the society lives the truth out, peace is established to reign.
Another important point to note is that peace is brought forth from within. It is first available inside not outside and therefore peace cannot be sought elsewhere when one is not in and at peace with oneself. If yes, live in peace and contribute to building peace. If no, there is no need of expectation for peace to flourish because violence is opposed to peace. The one who sees this peace within cannot but share and emit it everywhere. Similarly when one is peaceless within, the action done is always violent.Summarizing all these in just one line: 'Peace becomes very much impossible when absent is the prince of peace'. Kokto Kurian.
Does the country need another militant outfit? Nagarealm.com


Today, if Adivasis are taking up arms, it is the government that is responsible for it. If media reports about the involvement of an Adivasi outfit in the December 13 bomb blast of Rajdhani Express is true, it spells bad news for the state as well as the Adivasis of Assam and other places where Jharkhandi tribes exist.

It will add another undesirable chapter to militancy in this country. Today, if Adivasis have resorted to taking up arms it is because they have been betrayed by successive governments of Assam. Ever since the first batch of adivasis was brought to Assam during the British rule the community has been an exploited and neglected lot. One can understand the pre-independence exploitation and neglect by the colonial masters, but how can one excuse the continual exploitation and neglect of a community that has contributed so much for the economic prosperity of Assam, after independence. Today, the adivasis form the lowest strata of Assamese society.

Ethnic affinity knows no boundaries and that has been amply demonstrated umpteen number of times in the past. The very recent one being the sharp reaction of Tamils to the tough handling of Tamil demonstrators in Malaysia by the local authorities. In a country like India where political boundaries were drawn arbitrarily rendering people of one ethnicity divided between several states, the affinity is even stronger. Therefore, this Adivasi miltant outfit's arrival, which was much publicized by the local media, can
potentially distort peace in all the states where Adivasis exist. Already, this nation has bled enough. Do we need another militant outfit to inflict wounds at this great country of ancient people and cultures?

It is imperative for the governments in Assam and the Centre to recognize the danger and concede the justified demand of Adivasis. While it is true that the term Adivasi encapsulates within itself a conglomeration of Jharkhandi tribes, the fact is that the Adivasi community of Jharkhandi descent is essentially one ethnic block and shares a common dialect 'Sadri' though there may be minor variations in their culture. It should also be noted that though the state of Jharkhand was created recently, the Jharkhand movement itself dates back to the pre-independence era.

Some of them who are opposing the grant of ST status for Adivasis on the premise that it "would adversely affect the status of the state's indigenous people and would contribute towards further deterioration of their socio-political and economic condition", seem to go by the premise that the "well being of a community is only possible by domination of another". Such flawed logic is untenable. Also, perhaps, the indiginity clause itself needs some reconsideration. On the one hand these opponents talk about integration of the Adivasis with the Assamese society while on the other they want to deny them their basic citizenship rights. Ironically, they refer to the Adivasis, quite ignominiously, as Tea Tribes but they do not want the government to grant them Scheduled Tribe status.

If the governments decide not to grant ST status with full citizenship rights to the Adivasis of Assam, it would be akin to propagating apartheid rule, something that has almost vanished from the face of this earth, but is so reminiscent of the obnoxious colonial past. It would be an anachronism in an age when migrant people of Indian origin have grown to the level of heads of state in several countries. [Palash, indiainteracts]
6 UNLF cadres killed: AR By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 22: In a near simultaneous gun fight between security forces and UNLF cadres at S Bongjoi and Tuileng village yesterday, six UNLF cadres were killed, claimed Hqs IG AR (S) in a press release issued by its PRO. Five UNLF cadres were killed in S Bongjoi while another cadre was slain in Tuileng village encounter which took place at about 2 pm.
Moreover, AR and army troops busted a large hide out of militants in Chamol area in which a large quantity of weapons, IED materials and other stores were recovered yesterday.
One 9 mm pistol, one SLR, five magazines of AK rifle, three radio sets (Ken-wood), 100 pairs of combat dress, 200 combat belts, ten Sintex tanks, 30 Jerican, 40 blankets, three generators, two inverters, three battery, 50 litres of petrol, 50 lts of kerosene oil and a substantial quantity of materials for ma-king IEDs and also a large quantity of ration items we-re recovered from the busted hide-out, said the PRO.
With the Operation Sam-tal progressing speedily, the troops have reached within striking distance of New Samtal. Radio communication among the UG groups revealed that there have been several fatal casualties and scores of injuries on their (UG cadres) side,.
So far, a total of 170 IEDs have been recovered and destroyed, the PRO inform-ed while claiming that the lo- cal villagers are able to move around without fear of UGs or the IEDs planted by them.
Terrorism, migrants issue put up by state at CMs` conference; Role of intelligence, media also mulled The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 21: Strengthening of state machineries for gathering intelligence in respect of terrorism and suspicious elements, including outsiders and to enhance checking of illegal migrants and overstaying of foreigners in the state were among the issues taken up in the context of terrorism in Manipur at the chief ministers` conference at New Delhi on Thursday. Exploring the issues needed to be tackled by the state, the Manipur delegation led by state chief minister proposed to set up/strengthen anti-terrorism squads or special task force to deal with terrorist activities, an official source said Friday.

While stressing on the need to lay greater attention on verification of identity documents and background check on Bangladeshi migrants and overstaying foreigners, particularly Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, and suspicious movement of any outsiders in the Manipur, the delegation proposed for strengthening the state police and its special branches, the source said. A delegation from Manipur led by state chief minister O Ibobi Singh comprising of state chief secretary Jarnail Singh, principal secretary home and state DGP Y Joykumar participated in the conference of chief ministers on internal security on Thursday (December 20) at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The state needs to improve the network with private security agencies, NGOs and other vigilant public groups and proactively maintain a regular dialogue with community leaders at different levels so as to detect fringe local elements who provide logistical support and `foot soldiers` to the external elements in pursuing their terrorists agenda.

Apart from strengthening of the special branches, there is need for the revival of the traditional beat constable system to gather human intelligence in respect of terrorist and suspicious elements, including outsiders, the state proposed. "It is necessary that intelligence regularly flow not only between the Centre and the state but also between the states," the state delegation stated according to the source.

For effective implementation of the state proposal it will need to establish institutionalized arrangements to facilitate smooth inter-state sharing of intelligence, in coordination with intelligence bureau, IB.

The sharing of information obtained during interrogation of arrested terrorists by some states is also equally important with the concerned authorities in other states, the state proposed. Manipur needs a massive programme of installing access control systems, CCTVs cameras etc. at public places on a priority basis in the context of management of private establishments such as malls shopping complexes, cinema halls, public parks, etc. These places need to be looked after by professional private security agencies apart from physical security, the delegation stated.

Citing that it has not been possible for the state law enforcement agencies to successfully investigate many of the cases of terrorist violence particularly in the hinterland, the state also laid emphasis on the requirement for establishing concurrent jurisdiction of a Central agency to take up investigation of selected cases of terrorism and related crimes which have inter-state/external ramifications.

The state put up the proposal in view of the fact that such cases have variably inter-state/international linkages, the source said. The need for regular sensitization of the media about the role they can play in preventing and dealing with terrorist activities also focused in the conference, the source informed.

Kuki Inpi, UNC come together in rare gesture The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, Dec 21: Terming it as a historic moment, the Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) and the United Naga Council (UNC) have finally come together and pledged to "work hand in hand" for peaceful co-existence and communal harmony amongst all the communities. Both the important tribal social organisations have also agreed to "defend and develop the common tribal interest."

The KIM and UNC in a programme they called "Get-Together " on December 15 took a decision to work for the common cause.

Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) general secretary Thangkhosei Haokip and UNC caretaker Samson Remmei informed this development to Newmai News Network this evening while appealing to all the civil society organisations not to call any bandh, strike or blockade during the Christmas and New Year season. The two organisations also appealed to all the underground groups operating in Manipur not to carry out violent activities during this festive season.

"KIM and UNC send out the joyous greetings and wish all the people a merry Christmas and a happy New Year," stated the message of the two bodies while adding, "May this Christmas and New Year bring eternal peace, communal harmony and understanding amongst all the communities."
Three things Burmese can do against China By Deirel Cinzah Mizzima News
December 22, 2007 - China is the core supporter and the backbone of Burma's military regime. It is not a secret. The Burmese military regime might have long gone without the blind political and economic support of the Chinese Communist regime. China embraced the new formed State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), which was formed in the aftermath of the 8888 national uprising when it bloodied its hands by slaughtering innocent Burmese people. And China began giving economic and political support to the regime since early 1990s. In other words, China chose the military regime over the people of Burma.
Although the people of Burma are unhappy with China's foreign policy towards Burma, they have never taken any action against China. However, things have changed after the 'Saffron Revolution' in September, 2007. The people of Burma abroad along with their foreign sympathizers held demonstrations in front of the Chinese consulates and embassies in several countries for several days. On October 9, some unknown gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at the Chinese consulate in Mandalay , the second capital city of Burma .
It would be very unwise for China not take this message seriously. The end for the military regime is near. Thus, if China wants to maintain a healthy and warm relationship with the future democratic Union of Burma for its long term interests then it is time for China to review carefully its foreign policy toward Burma . China must cease selling weapons, all military equipment and all political and economic support to the regime altogether.
It would be foolish if China thinks the people of Burma can do nothing against it. I the future Burma can take steps without causing loss to the country. First by stopping trade with China and if it happens China would lose one of its important markets that would result in huge financial loss of billions of dollars. Burma can import all the goods that it may need from other countries and can export its goods to other countries as well. More importantly, it would be big problem for China if it cannot import its energy needs such as oil, natural gas and hydro power from Burma .

Secondly, Burma can close down all Chinese military bases in its territory. It may give the Chinese bases to India if the people of Burma decide that India is worthy of reward based on its performances during their struggle for democracy. if their bases are taken by India, it would be a serious threat to China's national security.
Finally, Burma can take political and diplomatic punitive actions. Firstly, Burma can recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state as some countries do today. It can support Taiwan in the United Nations to get recognition and get a seat in the UN. Secondly, if Burma wants to take more serious action, it can even cut off diplomatic relations with China and establish formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan .
Taiwan has taken smart action, especially after the 'Saffron Revolution. Taiwan quickly condemned the Burmese military regime for cracking down on peaceful demonstrators during the 'Saffron Revolution'. Taiwan has officially announced its willingness and readiness to help Burma when Burma regains democracy, and Taiwan has formed a task force in Thailand to help Burmese activists to usher in democracy in Burma . It would go down in history and the people of Burma will remember it.


Frans on 12.23.07 @ 05:08 PM CST [link]


Saturday, December 22nd

Muivah breaks silence over Niuland pact Source: Newmai News Network



Muivah breaks silence over Niuland pact Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, December 21: After a month of keeping silent over the “Niuland Unity Declaration”, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said tonight that no Naga hates unity but a conglomeration of different kinds of people with different shades of opinion in a place cannot be termed as unity.

Th Muivah in his statement said, “It goes without saying that everyone is for unity and no one is for division. I can affirmatively say that no Naga hates unity. Like it or not, unity among brethren or a people in principle, for a common future is not an option; it is a must.

Therefore, unity among Nagas in their National salvation line is a necessity and National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) stand for that”.

The NSCN leader then countered with the poser, “But can we say a conglomeration of different kinds of people with different shades of opinion in a place as unity ? Certainly not, that is only a crowd which has nothing to do with the politics of unity.

An initiative for unity must carry a message of common vision, common faith and common political agenda. Unity goes its own way. It comes from the law of cementing principle, without which it is an artificial edifice. It must therefore, address the politics of common future”.

The NSCN-IM tough talking leader then opined, “ I do not believe in the policy of making a new friendship with the unprincipled at the cost of the faithful and steadfast old one. Neither do I believe in the politics of negotiation with adversaries at the expense of one’s own principle”.

Th.Muivah then stated, “Some talk of unity devoid of common agenda, some talk of unity only for the sake of unity. And some other talk of it with ulterior motive behind to deceive the people.

Unity among the Nagas is a serious matter which can never be dealt with by any irrational, unauthorized and unmandated individual or group of individuals. We must always beware of false preachers who are out to do away with national issue in the sweet name of unity, peace, development and democracy”. He also said that “ours” is a political issue which is now increasingly capturing the attention and support of the international community.

Th.Muivah further stated that, indeed, it is the issue where the future of the present and the coming generations of “our people are involved”.

The NSCN-IM leader further opined that hundreds or even more may run away from the people to join forces with the adversaries, but “people” will never run away. “Thousands of spineless workers may be purchased with blood-stained money and tinsel status, but people can never be bought with money in the bank. Hundreds or thousands may be killed, but the issue can, in no way be murdered. India using her military might, divide and rule policy, collaborators, instruments of state terrorism and money has tried the best she could to wipe out the spirit of Naga nationalism, but all have ended in futile exercises. No matter how long it may take, we, the Naga people will stand our ground against aggression”, pledged Th.Muivah.

He then defines the term unity and said that by unity “we meant unity of all Nagas irrespective of the artificial boundaries, not the unity of few sections of people. By unification we also meant unification of the whole Naga homeland”.

The NSCN-IM general secretary concluded his statement by saying, “Now some Indian-state-backed unruly elements are attempting to create undesirable situations, to disturb the on-going peace process and the peaceful co-existence in Nagalim,” and cautions that before the “enemies of peace carry out their plot, I warn our people to be alert so that we do not become victims of the divisive forces.

This is the right moment to stand up against such socio-political evils”.



UNC critical of ‘unification’ move Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 21: Taking serious note of the recent move by the ‘Unification Team’ for initiating a unification process among the Naga armed outfits, the United Naga Council (UNC) observed that the whole process has demeaned the very purpose of Naga political struggle which is more than seven decades old.

A statement issued by UNC general secretary Azang Longmei informed that it is deeply concerned about the unification process as thousands of Nagas belonging to both small and big tribes have laid down their lives for this ‘noble cause’, particularly when responsible leaders have officially declared that the unification will be ‘exclusive’.

Stating that its statement should not be misconstrued, the UNC maintained that it should be viewed with due consideration for it concerns the Naga people and “the profound recollection of historical foundation laid down by our great pioneers, past leaders and the present leaders for their resolute determination to sustain our struggle for freedom thus far”.

The UNC was very much a part of the discussion of the consultative meeting of all Naga tribe Hohos, churches, women bodies, human rights organisations, youths and students’ organisations held under the aegis of Naga Hoho on December 2 at Kohima and also the subsequent proceedings which was published in the media on December 4 which declared that, “any kind of unification must be inclusive of all Nagas and that unification must be achieved in uniformity with the political aspiration of the Naga people and the ongoing political negotiations”, reminded the UNC.

It observed that collective understanding of the core issues confronting Nagas in many facets can be a milestone in the Naga struggle for just peace. However, at the given situation if some Naga leaders, intellectuals and organisation prefer to take the role of neutrality, then it will be negating the very essence of true healing and also the reconciliation process, alleged the UNC.

“We are firm and we stand by the unification of all Naga family with true healing and reconciliation, with accountability and transparency and inclusive process and in uniformity with the hard won peace and ongoing political talk, as it deals with out sacred struggle with clear common vision derived from the basis laid down by our pioneers, elders and leaders from generation to generation”, declared the UNC.
Muivah hits out at unification move Nagaland post
DIMAPUR, DEC 21 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th.Muivah has hit out at the ongoing unification move by describing those involved as “unprincipled” and “spineless workers”.
In a hard hitting statement, while affirming that unity among Nagas was imperative, Muivah said “unity among the Nagas in their national salvation line is a necessity” for which the NSCN (I-M) also stood for.
However, Muivah questioned the ongoing unification move saying that “a conglomeration of different kinds of people with different shades of opinion” was only a “crowd which has nothing to do with the politics of unity.”
He said any effort for unity must address the “politics of common future” through the message of “common wisdom, common faith and common political agenda” otherwise it would be an “artificial edifice.”
Rejecting moves for “making new friendship with the unprincipled at the cost of the faithful and steadfast old one” Muivah said he also did not believe in the “politics of negotiation with the adversaries at the expense of one’s own principle.”
According to the NSCN (I-M) general secretary, some talked of unity “devoid of common agenda”, some “only for the sake of unity” while some talk of unity “with an ulterior motive behind to deceive the people.”
He said unity among Nagas was a serious matter which could never be dealt with by “any irrational, unauthorized and unmandated individual or group.”
Muivah sounded a note of caution to beware of “false preachers who are out to do away with the national issue in the sweet name of unity, peace, development and democracy.”
According to Muivah, unity meant inclusion of all Nagas irrespective of artificial boundaries but “ not the unity of a few sections of people” adding it meant “unification of the whole Naga homeland.”
Asserting that the Naga political issue was “capturing the attention and support of the international community” as it was an issue dealing with the future of the present and coming generations, Muivah said though many may run away from the people to join forces with the adversaries, yet the people would not run away.
He said though “thousands of spineless workers” may be purchased with “blood stained money and tinsel status”, yet the “people can never be bought with money in the bank.” He also said the issue could never be murdered even if “hundreds or thousands may be killed”.
Muivah said though the Government of India was using military might, divide and rule policy, collaborators, instruments of state terrorism and money, to wipe out the spirit of Naga nationalism; yet it was all futile.
He said the Naga people would stand their ground, not matter how long it took.
Accusing “some Indian state-backed unruly elements” of trying to create undesirable situation to disturb the ongoing peace process and peaceful coexistence at home, Muivah warned that before “the enemies of peace carry out their plot”, the people be alert so as not become victims of “divisive forces” adding it was the right moment to “stand up against such socio-political evils.”
‘Unification’ group grateful to God The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 21 (MExN): The NSCN (unification) informed to have held a “thanksgiving” prayer service at the “unification camp for enabling the ongoing peace and reconciliation effort “to attain its 30 days process…”
A note from the ‘publicity cell’ of the NSCN (unification) said the period was attained without hostilities and “negative outcome.” Rather, a positive response from all quarters was prayed for to enhance the peace and unity process. The NSCN (U) stated that God’s grace and the unceasing prayers of all peace-loving Naga people that thus far “bloodshed has been averte” . The NSCN (U) also appealed to all for moral and prayer support “so that the Naga people can be unified and bloodshed in our land could cease…”
The NSCN (U) also mentioned kidnappings, extortions and likened anti-social activities have been on the rise, by, the group claimed “pseudo-national workers.” The NSCN (U) maintained that the miscreants are taking advantage of the “prevailing situation” to fill their coffers and smear the “image” of the underground workers. The NSCN (U) cautions the public and business community to be vigilant and take care that they are not victimized by the miscreants.
In support of unification- Nagaland post
I the undersigned would like to extend unconditional support to the current unification process and deeply appreciate the GBs, DBs, Naga Hoho and Western Sumi Hoho for taking the constructive step to bring the Nagas under one umbrella.
In fact, the step taking by the mentioned NGOs and sensible leaders of both the factions was indeed praiseworthy. The true Christian spirit and the spirit of brotherhood shown by the leaders of both factions deserve support by all sections of Naga society. In order to achieve our ultimate goal, positive attitude is indispensable. In this regard, I appeal to one and all to think positive to the present issue and most of all to follow the policy of forgive and forget, the highest code of moral conduct of all mankind, so that the full unification is achieved. I am convinced that this step can motivate and orient our society in a more positive way in every respect. I once again appeal to all right thinking Nagas to wholeheartedly support the ongoing process of unification.
Tokugha Zhimo, Brigadier cum Supervisor, Sumi Region FGN
Kukis, Nagas pledge to work for common cause The Morung Express Newmai News Network
Imphal | Terming it as a historic moment, the Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) and the United Naga Council (UNC) have finally come together and pledged to “work hand in hand” for the peaceful co-existence and communal harmony amongst all the communities. Both the top organisation also agreed to “defend and develop the common tribal interest.”
The KIM and UNC in a programme under the theme “Get-Together” held on December 15 took the significant decision to work for a common cause.
Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) general secretary Thangkhosei Haokip and UNC care-taker Samson Remmei informed this development to Newmai News Network this evening while appealing to all civil society organisations not to call any bandh/strike, blockade during the Christmas and New Year season. The two organisations also appealed to all the underground groups operating in Manipur not to carry out violent activities during this festive season.
“KIM and UNC send out joyous greetings and wishes to all the people a merry Christmas and a happy New Year”, stated the message of the two bodies while expressing hope that the coming Christmas and New Year would bring eternal peace, communal harmony and understanding amongst all the communities.

Heartland study tours for villagers The Telegraph
The 40 Assam Rifles recently organised academic tours to New Delhi and Jaipur under the aegis of headquarters, 5 Sector of the paramilitary force, and the headquarters of inspector-general of Assam Rifles (North). A 20-member team, accompanied by two guides, left Lotha in Wokha district of Nagaland on December 10. The event was flagged off by inspector-general Maj. Gen. K.S. Sethi. “The IGAR (N) has been organising tours for the youths and the elderly of Nagaland to enable villagers travel to places of historical and academic interest and broaden their outlook,” Gen. Sethi said. “I hope the inhabitants of Lotha derive maximum benefit from the tour and share memories and information with others back home.”
On December 4, a trip to Jaipur and New Delhi was flagged off by inspector-general, Assam Rilfes, (South) Maj. Gen. B.K. Chengapa. The tour was organised by the 1st Assam Rifles.
The team comprised 18 school students from Kuki and Tangkhul tribes of Manipur.
Friend in need The 18 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under the headquarters of inspector-general Assam Rifles (South) supplied drinking water to poor villagers of Saivom this year too. With the onset of winter, Saivom and its neighbouring villages face acute shortage of water for daily use. The unit has been helping the villagers by providing them medical aid, hygiene and sanitation besides monetary assistance. It also organises sports, cultural events and youth club meetings. The villagers appreciated the Assam Rifles’s endeavour to forge a bond between security forces and the people of the locality.
Medical camp A joint team of doctors of the 2 Assam Rifles and the 3 Rajputana Rifles of 27 Sector under headquarters of inspector-general Assam Rifles (South) held a two-day medical camp from December 8 for the villagers of Tipaimukh subdivision in Manipur who are prone to various types of diseases. The Assam Rifles has been concentrating on providing medical cover to these villages where healthcare facilities hardly exist.
The 2 Assam Rifles and the 3 Rajputana Rifles have been running hospitals at Thanlon, Aina and Leizangphai in Thanlon and Henglep subdivisions. The hospitals help people of the locality fight malaria and other diseases prevalent in the region. The 22 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector under HQ IGAR (South) based at Maram recently conducted a medical camp in Tuiyeng, one of the remotest villages in Senapati district. Located about 85km from National Highway 39 on Maram-Peren Road, it is the first medical camp for the villagers of Zeme, bordering Nagaland.
Clarion call to the Naga youth- Nagaland post
1. The Central Youth wing of Nagaland People's Front (NPF) extends our warmest greetings and best wishes to all the Youth of Nagaland. The NPF led Dan Government has completed almost 5(five) years with full of developments and activities. It's an achievement for all the loving Nagas. This is the time for the Youth of Nagaland to come together and retrospect the achievement and developments during the last five years with justifiable satisfaction and also to introspect our future plans to develop Nagaland into a modern state worth its name under the undisputed leadership of Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland. The NPF Party is the only political Party which represents the aspiration of the people, the only political party which sincerely works for the welfare of the people of Nagaland, where leadership is provided collectively with the people at the grassroots level as the high command
2. The government under the visionary leadership of Neiphiu Rio has given top priority to development of youth by successively declaring 2004 and 2005 as "Year of Youth Empowerment". The people of Nagaland have enjoyed peace, tranquility and progress under the present government.
3. The Congress party is 'confused' and fighting amongst themselves. We have tasted them enough. The Congress leaders are creating differences in the society. The Congress leaders in Nagaland are merely a puppet in the hands of the Centre, Regional party in Nagaland" has in history of 40 years or more. The Regional party is a gift of great leaders. Let us salute the great champions of this Regional party like late. A. Kevichüsa, late. Vamuzo, and Vizol etc. The fact is that they are now trying to paint the Regional party in wrong colours is a sign of the fear and the uncertain future that faces them which dearly indicates that this is a sign of weakness and not a sign of strength.
4. Some Congress leaders also said that some districts are neglected or discriminated by DAN government. No, these are totally false that some districts are neglected. All 11 (eleven) districts of Nagaland are the beneficiaries of the accelerated process of development, which the DAN government launched. If anyone looks at the developmental activities, we think all the districts in Nagaland are getting its due share and it will continue to get its due share. The DAN government has treated all the districts with the same yardstick .We repudiate the charge that some districts being discriminated against every inch and corner of the state are an equal beneficiary of the developing wave that is now sweeping all over the state. Some Congress leaders are making false promises and announcing big projects to be implemented by misleading the Naga Youths. They resort to the same lies as before.
5. The Regional Party ties with the people. Help NPF for another 5 years to effect a total changes which are yet to be fully developed. Give another chance. Vote for the NPF to bring in a change for al better future of the youth. If NPF come to power again; the people of the state will have a feeling that the government belong to them and that the government is there to protect their rights and liberty regardless of their political affiliation.
6. The series of MLA resigning from NPF as well as MLA's from the DAN conglomeration were an outcome of so many intending candidates seeking NPF party ticket in the forthcoming Assembly Election. They resigned because the N'PF could not assure party ticket to them. Now, it's good that all the complicated leaders are out of the part NPF, as of now, is facing the dissensions. Sooner or later, the Congress would face similar dissensions in their camp. Once the Congress party comes out with its list of candidates, every one of us will see a lot of defection into our camp.
7. It is time for the Naga youths to look beyond 2008 election under the Leadership of Neiphiu Rio, the darling of Naga youth to build a more strong state of Nagaland, to offer a more transparent and honest government.
8. God's willing, Youth of Nagaland have many more future and plans as our leaders did during the last 5 years. Now it's time for us to speak out the truth before our silence is misunderstood. "Therefore, today, the NPF Youth Wing Nagaland earnestly request the youth of Nagaland to go to the common people and let them understand the development achievements and future course of plans to develop Nagaland. Wishing all the youths that this Christmas brings peace and prosperous New Year to this blessed Land of ours.
Kakuto Shohe, President Moanungsang, Gen Secy, Youth wing, NPF
WSYF on unification- Nagaland Post
The Western Sumi Youth Front would like to express sincere appreciation to the cadres of different Naga Revolut-ionary Factions for deciding to unify in order to cease bloodshed and fratricidal killings in Nagaland. The Youth Front fully supports the initiatives undertaken by different Naga NGOs. The Youth Front would like to salute the GB's and DB's Forum of Nagaland, the Sumi Hoho and the Western Sumi Hoho for ushering in unification which had always been the dreams of every Naga citizen. The Youth Front is of clear conscience that the Herculean task undertaken by the different NGOs is purely to stop bloodshed and fratricidal killings in Nagaland and, therefore, should not be twisted into communal issue.
The Youth Front further appeals to all factions to maintain utmost restraint in order to prevent additional bloodshed in Western Sumi inhabited areas in particular and Nagaland in general. In this regard, the Youth Front urges every Naga to stay alert and ready to intervene and defuse in case of an emergence of any untoward situation that may lead to more senseless fratricide.
In clarification to the allegation published by the NSCN (I-M)that the WSYF is collecting arms and ammunition from arm dealers in Dimapur, the Youth Front strongly disown the baseless allegation. The Western Sumi Youth Front in an organization which is formed with a sole intention to protect and preserve our traditions and its heritage and to maintain cordial relationship with all tribes. Therefore, the Youth Front appeals to the authorities of the NSCN (I-M) not to issue such article to malign the good reputation of the Front. The Front would also like to assure the NSCN (I-M) that the WSYF is not an adversary of the NSCN (I-M) rather, the Youth Front has always upheld it as a responsible outfit.
Kakiye Zhimo, president, Mughavi Chishi, press secy, Western Sumi Youth Front
NPA expects 'speedy decision' from Centre (Page News Service)

Dimapur, December 21: The Congress led Nagaland Progress Alliance today met several Central leaders including UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Union Minister for External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee and Political Secretary to AICC President, Ahmed Patel and apprised them of the latest political uncertainty in Nagaland including the "unconstitutional actions" of the Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Leader of the NPA, I Imkong said that they also consulted legal luminaries.
"We intend to stay on till a decision is taken by the Government of India and we are willing to sacrifice spending Christmas with family members in the interest of the people of Nagaland particularly the Congress men and women in the State," Imkong said in a statement issued from New Delhi," adding, "We expect a speedy decision from the Centre."
The NPA also condemned the way in which the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has briefed the media yesterday that some Central leaders assured him that there will be no President's Rule.
This shows his lack of political responsibility and maturity and also his false assurance to those who have to sink with him, Imkong said adding, "As a responsible Chief Minister, he ought to have resigned on the Floor of the House on December 13, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. when he lost the confidence of 31 Members of the 55 Member House."

An Image of Nagaland - Pól Ó Géibheannaigh Artdaily.Org
LONDON.- Brunei Gallery SOAS, presents An Image of Nagaland - A photographic exhibition by Pól Ó Géibheannaigh, on view 17 January – 22 March 2008. The photographs included in this exhibition were taken in and around Kohima the capital of Nagaland in north-eastern India in December, 2000. They show the participation of tribes of Nagaland in the first Hornbill Festival celebrating the sacred bird of the Naga peoples, an annual festival that now takes place between the 1st & 5th of December every year. All of the Naga tribes unite to celebrate the occasion.

The Festival is named after the Hornbill bird which is a part of Naga identity that shows up in the folklore of most of the state’s tribes which is deeply embedded in their cultural history. The imagery, the costume, the enactment of totemic dance is all a part of an ancient ritual, but the circumstances in which these photographs were taken were far removed from a simple anthropological recording of a people’s past. These pictures celebrate a sense of identity which marks a period of optimism in north-eastern India after the difficult period of Naga history. The state of Nagaland boasts 16 major tribes; a number of these are presented here. The names of the tribes are not a typical recitation of Indian ethnic groups - Angami, Ao, Chakhesang , Chang, Khiamniungan, Kachari, Konyak, Kukis, Lothas, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sumi, Sangtam, Yimchungru, and the Zeliang.

In 1947, two-thirds of the land of the Nagas was apportioned to the Indian Federal Union and the rest of their territory fell within the borders of Burma/Myanmar. In the years following 1947, a sense of Naga nationalism arose with the generation of A.Z.Phizo, one of the nationalist leaders who emerged in the period of Indo-Naga war, even down to very recent times a troubled relationship has persisted between New Delhi and the Naga people.

When these photographs were taken in 2000 a ceasefire had just been arranged between the Indian government and the National Nagaland Socialist Council, the Issak-Muviah (NSCN-IM). The Nagas were able, almost for the first time since the establishment of the Indian Federal Union, to celebrate their culture. It is in this atmosphere that they celebrated in 2000 the Hornbill festival. For the photographer, to be at Kohima at the cessation of hostilities, as a guest of the Ao tribe of the Naga, was an honour. Pól travelled amongst the various tribes and regions and captured these and other images of Nagaland.
Hectic political activities on in Nagaland ahead of Feb polls PTI Times of India
KOHIMA: Hectic political activities are on in Nagaland as the insurgency-hit state goes to the polls in February. Seven legislators, including former finance minister K Therie, have already quit the Assembly as well as the ruling Nagaland People's Front (NPF), led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Cashing in on the growing intra-NPF differences, the opposition Congress recently formed Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) along the resigned NPF legislators and moved a no-confidence motion against the Rio government. The move fell through as the Speaker did not allow the resigned MLAs to vote.

Along with NGOs, the Neiphiu Rio government claimed to have played the role of a facilitator to the Naga peace process. But the Congress alleges that the government has failed to rein in warring underground groups by enforcing the cease-fire ground rules.

The cease-fire between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) has completed ten years. The truce was extended for an indefinite period in August. Although over 50 rounds of talks have been held since the process was started, so far no major breakthrough has come through.

The NSCN (I-M)'s demands basically revolve around a special federal relationship between the Nagas and New Delhi and unification of Naga-inhabited areas of the region into a single administrative unit, a demand other north eastern states have opposed.

Amid routine clashes between rival groups of NSCN, various civil society organisations and churches continued their efforts throughout the year to bring about some understanding and re-conciliation among the warring factions.

The Rio government intensified its development efforts in the election year. All district headquarters towns were recently connected with the state capital by introducing Pawan Hans helicopter service. The government declared 2006-07 as the year of farmers. The state also put serious efforts for generation of employment in the information technology sector. Similarly, Nagaland's potential as investment destination was showcased at various trade fairs, including the North-east Business Summit at Bangkok.
All-party delegation from Manipur meets PM
New Delhi, December 21 (PTI): An all-party delegation from Manipur on Friday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and requested him to stall the delimitation exercise in the state, saying revamping of constituencies is being carried out on the basis of the 2001 census report, which is "flawed". The 11-member delegation led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh urged the Prime Minister to take steps to maintain status quo in the constituencies as all political parties of the state are opposing the exercise. "The Prime Minister listened to our demands patiently and told us that he would look into the matter," the General Secretary of Manipur unit of NCP, Sarat Kumar, who was part of the delegation, told PTI.
Terming the 2001 census report as "flawed" and "bogus", he said no political party in the state would accept the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission.
"The 2001 census report is flawed and bogus as according to it the population growth rate is above 150 per cent in some areas and less than two per cent in many areas," he said. "We are for maintaining status quo in the constituencies," he said.
Asked about whether the law and order situation of the state figured in the meeting, Kumar said only delimitation exercise was discussed. The delegation also met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and requested him to suspend the delimitation exercise in Manipur until the 2001 census was "corrected". Representatives of the Congress, NCP, BJP, CPI, CPI(M), RJD and Manipur People's Party were part of the delegation.
Sino-Indian joint military exercise begins Assam tribune
KUNMING (China), Dec 21 – In a groundbreaking confidence building measure, India and China today launched their first-ever joint military exercise marked by a spirit of camaderie in this southwestern province, upgrading the ties between the two armies to a new high, reports PTI. After the five-day exercise focused on anti-terrorism operations kickstarted at the Kunming Military Academy here, ground forces of People’s Liberation Army and India demonstrated their tactics and skills, displayed weapons and equipment and test fired from each other’s weapons in a high point of the day’s drills.

The ball for the exercise codenamed “Hand in Hand 2007” reflecting the warmer relations between the two armies, was set rolling after the opening ceremony which saw the national flags of both nations being raised to the national anthems played by the PLA band in the presence of senior military officials from both sides.

Chinese and Indian soldiers were hawk-eyed as they closely watched the skills displayed by each other and responded with repeated rounds of applause admiring each other’s combat fitness. A highlight of the day was the standing ovation given by the Red Army men to Indian soldiers for the “Malkambh” exercise performed on a pole.

The day got off to the start with Chinese soldiers displaying their skills in “Hard Qigong”, a martial arts form, that put their robustness to the severest test, as the Indian troops watched it in awe and clapped in appreciation.
This was followed by Chinese troops clearing their way through explosions from bombs and hand grenades firing at short intervals and rocket launcher in an anti-terrorist drill.

After the manoeuvres by their men, the PLA displayed Chinese-made weapons including automatic rifles, machine guns, semi-automatic weapons, automatic grenade launcher, rocket launcher and transport vehicle for troop mobility, with Indian soldiers and officers taking a close look at them. It was the turn of the Indian troops in the afternoon to expose their Chinese counterparts to their skills, which began with display of weapons including automatic grenade launcher, rocket launcher, medium machine gun, sniper rifle and light machine guns developed by India under the Indian New Small Arms System.

The Chinese soldiers and military officials showed curiosity and interest in eliciting details of their characteristics from Indian armymen who explained the same to them with enthusiasm, winning nod of appreciation. Indian soldiers also demonstrated their skills in Yoga, which is spreading its wings in China, particularly cities, followed by “Malkhamb”.

As Indian personnel performed various acrobatics and even Yogasanas on the pole, they were greeted with loud cries of “Hoi, Hoi”, from the Chinese army in admiration and received a standing ovation with a deafening round of applause. In an anti-terrorist drill, Indian army cleared a building where terrorists were holding hostages in a rapid action and rescued them. Chinese soldiers watched with bated breath as two Indian army men on the move fired at targets with their other colleagues standing next to the targets. Such training is given to build confidence in the troops, an army official said.
New Kuki outfit floated Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 21 :A faction of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) called Kuki Revolutionary Army (Unification), in short KRA (U) has started its operation in Saikul area since August 21. The new faction has been floated under the leadership of founder member of KRA David Chongloi, Rocky and Sehkkam. Along with formation of KRA (U), a meeting of the Central Committee of the outfit has also unanimously elected David Chongloi as its president, W Lincoln as general secretary, Ch Rocky as defence secretary, Kh Hills as finance secretary and Ch Lenin as publicity secretary. Announcing this while talking to a group of mediapersons somewhere in Karbi Anglong area in Assam yesterday, KRA (U) president David Chongloi said the main objective of the outfit is to bring about unification and work towards achieving the common goal. He said that KRA (U) would work for the welfare of Kukis, Meiteis and other communities, and sought the co-operation and support of all the communities in the activities of the outfit.
Terrorism, migrants issue put up by state at CMs` conference; Role of intelligence, media also mulled The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 21: Strengthening of state machineries for gathering intelligence in respect of terrorism and suspicious elements, including outsiders and to enhance checking of illegal migrants and overstaying of foreigners in the state were among the issues taken up in the context of terrorism in Manipur at the chief ministers` conference at New Delhi on Thursday. Exploring the issues needed to be tackled by the state, the Manipur delegation led by state chief minister proposed to set up/strengthen anti-terrorism squads or special task force to deal with terrorist activities, an official source said Friday.

While stressing on the need to lay greater attention on verification of identity documents and background check on Bangladeshi migrants and overstaying foreigners, particularly Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, and suspicious movement of any outsiders in the Manipur, the delegation proposed for strengthening the state police and its special branches, the source said.

A delegation from Manipur led by state chief minister O Ibobi Singh comprising of state chief secretary Jarnail Singh, principal secretary home and state DGP Y Joykumar participated in the conference of chief ministers on internal security on Thursday (December 20) at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

The state needs to improve the network with private security agencies, NGOs and other vigilant public groups and proactively maintain a regular dialogue with community leaders at different levels so as to detect fringe local elements who provide logistical support and `foot soldiers` to the external elements in pursuing their terrorists agenda. Apart from strengthening of the special branches, there is need for the revival of the traditional beat constable system to gather human intelligence in respect of terrorist and suspicious elements, including outsiders, the state proposed.

"It is necessary that intelligence regularly flow not only between the Centre and the state but also between the states," the state delegation stated according to the source. For effective implementation of the state proposal it will need to establish institutionalized arrangements to facilitate smooth inter-state sharing of intelligence, in coordination with intelligence bureau, IB. The sharing of information obtained during interrogation of arrested terrorists by some states is also equally important with the concerned authorities in other states, the state proposed. Manipur needs a massive programme of installing access control systems, CCTVs cameras etc. at public places on a priority basis in the context of management of private establishments such as malls shopping complexes, cinema halls, public parks, etc.

These places need to be looked after by professional private security agencies apart from physical security, the delegation stated. Citing that it has not been possible for the state law enforcement agencies to successfully investigate many of the cases of terrorist violence particularly in the hinterland, the state also laid emphasis on the requirement for establishing concurrent jurisdiction of a Central agency to take up investigation of selected cases of terrorism and related crimes which have inter-state/external ramifications.
The state put up the proposal in view of the fact that such cases have variably inter-state/international linkages, the source said. The need for regular sensitization of the media about the role they can play in preventing and dealing with terrorist activities also focused in the conference, the source informed.
EU allocates 18 million Euro more to Burma Mizzima News
December 21, 2007 - The European Commission's decision to allocate another 18 million Euros (USD 26 million) on Thursday is welcome but it has to be ensured that the aid reaches the needy and not the ruling generals, an ethnic leader said. Harn Yawnghwe, director of Euro-Burma office in Belgium, said with the deteriorating economic and political system in Burma, the EU's humanitarian aid for the people of Burma is needed more than ever.
"But it must be ensured that the aid reaches safely to the people and not the generals, otherwise it will be meaningless," Yawnghwe said. The European Union on Thursday said the aid will be targeted for vulnerable rural people living in remote frontiers including Arakan, Shan, Mon, Karen states and Sagaing and Thanintharyi division.
Besides, the fund will also target 138,000 Burmese refugees living in camps along the Thai-Burmese border. The European Union has been providing humanitarian aid to Burma since 1994. It has allocated more than 100 million euros to the country since 2000.



Frans on 12.22.07 @ 03:26 PM CST [link]


Friday, December 21st

Our View on Unity Thuingalang Muivah


Our View on Unity

It goes without saying that everyone is for unity and no one is for division. I can affirmatively say that no Naga hates unity. Like it or not, unity among brethren or a people in a principle, for a common future is not an option; it is a must. Therefore, unity among the Nagas in their national salvation line is a necessity and National Socialist Council of Nagalim stands for that.

But can we say a conglomeration of different kinds of people with different shades of opinion in a place as Unity? Certainly not, that is only a crowed which has nothing to do with the politics of unity. Any initiative for unity must carry the message of common vision, common faith, and common political agenda. Unity goes its own way. It comes from the law of cementing principle, without which it is an artificial edifice. It must, therefore, address the politics of a common future.

I do not beleive in the policy of making a new friendship with the unprincipled at the cost of the faithful and steadfast old one. Neither do i believe in the politis of negotiation with the adversaries at the expense of one's own principle. Some talk of unity devoid of common agnda, some talk of unity only for the sake of unity. And some othet talk of it with ulterior motive behind to deceive the people. Unity among the Nagas is a serious matter which can never be dealt with by any irrational, un-authorized and un-mandated individual or group of individuals. We must always becawre of false preachers who are out to do away with the national issue in the sweet name of unity, peace, development and democracy.

Ours is a political issue which is now increasingly capturing the attention and support of the international community. Indeed, it is the issue where the future of the present and the coming generations of our people are involved. Hundreds or even more may run away from the people to join forces with the adversaries, but people will never run away. Thousands of spineless workers may be purchased with bloodstained money and tinsel status, but people can never be bought with money in the bank. Hundreds or thousands may be killed, but the issue can in no way be murdered. India using her military might, divide and rule policy, collaborators, instruments of state terrorism and money has tried the best she could to wipe out the spirit of Naga nationalism, but all have ended in futile exercises. No matter how long it may take, we, the Naga people will stand our ground against aggression.

By unity we mean unity of all Nagas irrespective of the artificial boundaries, not the unity of a few sections of people. By unifications we also mean unification of the whole Naga homeland.

Now some Indian-state-backed unruly elements are attempting to create undesirable situations, to disturb the on-going peace process and the peaceful co-existence in Nagalim. Before the enemies of peace carry out their plot, I warn our people to be alert so that we do not become victims of the divisive forces. This is the right moment to stand up against such socio-political evils.

KUKNALIM

Sd/-

( TH. MUIVAH )
General Secretary, NSCN.

Oking
December 21, 2007

Frans on 12.21.07 @ 07:49 PM CST [link]



The Nagas and their Nation By: Dr. Neivetso Venuh,Secretary General, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights,


The Nagas and their Nation

By: Dr. Neivetso Venuh,

Secretary General, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights,

Dated London: 10th December 2007.



The Nagas are indigenous peoples, belonging to the Tibeto-Burman stock with an approximate 4 million in population and live along the tri-junction of Burma (Myanmar), China, and India. From time immemorial, they inhabit the land lying approximately between 92.5 E and 97.5 E longitudes and 23.5 N and 28.5 N latitudes, measuring about 1,20,000 sq. kilometers.

In 1832, Captains Francis Jenkins and R.B. Pemberton entered the Naga country and led numerous “punitive” expeditions against the Nagas for their resistance which led to open confrontation till 1879 when a large area of the then Naga country was occupied and controlled by the then British-India. When the British left India in 1947, the tendered case of the Nagas to be left to them as an independent nation as hitherto enjoyed, was unattended, despite the fact that as early as 1929, the Naga Club submitted a Memorandum to the Simon Commission stating and requesting that they be excluded from the proposed ‘political reforms’ of British India, which arbitrarily generalized the Nagas as under India. The Naga representation clearly stated that “we should not be thrust to the mercy of the people who could not subjugate us. Leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times when Britishers first found us” was the expressed will of the Nagas.

By 1946, the Naga Resistance movement evolved into the “Naga National Council,” which, therein, federalized all the various Naga tribes. Under this “Council,” the Nagas declared their independence on 14th August, 1947, and a “Plebiscite” was conducted on May 16, 1951, reaffirming our inherent rights as a people in which 99.9 percent voted for an independent Nagalim. The nascent Indian nation responded by proclaiming the Assam Maintenance of Public Order (Autonomous Districts) Act, of 1953 upon the Naga country. This was followed by the imposition of the Disturbed Areas Act in 1955. In 1956, India dispatched two Brigades of her military and the Naga country is ever since then under their martial clutch. Later in 1958, the Government of India imposed The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, under which any Non-Commissioned Officer and above are empowered with full legal immunity to “shoot and kill” any Naga on mere suspicion. In the wake of the imposition of these “draconian laws” and murderous homicidal mechanisms, the Nagas have been since then experiencing a “black and senseless period,” to echo the then Prime Minister of India Nehru’s own confession or per se. Under such circumstances, “Nagas were left with no other option but to defend themselves with arms.”

Similarly, the arbitrary geo-political division of Naga homeland into India and Burma draws attention to an instance wherein even the house of the ‘Angh” (Chief) of the Konyak Naga community was divided between India and Burma into two halves. Using colonial policies of divide and rule, the Naga country was further divided into the present states of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. In 1964, the Government of India was compelled to enter into a ceasefire agreement with the leaders of the Naga National Council only for India to unilaterally abrogate it in 1972. Later in 1975, the Government of India orchestrated an accord with a few handpicked pro-Indian Nagas and made them sign the infamous Shillong Accord that envisaged enforced mass surrender and acceptance of Indian suzerainty over the Nagas. The post 1975 saw a more resolute and resurgent spirit in the assertion for resistance and defence of the Naga Nation.

Given the nature and the intermittent continuance of the conflict between India and the Nagas for so many years and the various appeasement politics or policies that were rejected by the Nagas, a pragmatic initiative with the view of re-negotiating the fragile and political contentions was mooted as early as the late 1980’s through diplomatic innovations. In 1995 the then Prime Minister of India, Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao, met leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Mr. Isaac Chishi Swu and Mr. Th. Muivah in Paris, which, consequently, led to the announcement of a formal political negotiation and facilitation of peace process between the two nations by the succeeding Prime Minister of India, which was informed to the Indian Parliament on 4th March 1995. On 25th July 1997, the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim jointly announced a three months’ cease-fire which come into effect from 1st August 1997 under the following agreed principles:

1. That the talks would be unconditional;

2.. That the talks would be at the highest level, i.e. at the Prime Ministerial level;

3. That the talks would be held in a third neutral country.

Here it may be worth mentioning, that although there has been no definite arrangement from the Indo-Naga political negotiation so far, yet a remarkable departure since the 1997-second Indo-Naga cease-fire is the writ of hope and anticipation amongst the Naga peoples after decades of war. The Nagas have taken the initiative of reaching out to the larger Indian public through a peoples’-to-peoples’ dialogue, wherein in the year 2000, a group of Nagas led by Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), visited New Delhi to share their stories of the struggles with the Indian civil society under the theme “Journey of conscience.” This journey continues both within India and the surrounding neighbours and also within the Naga country in reflection and retrospection. In response to this initiative, a group of Indian civil society consisting of former Parliamentarians, Jurists, Academicians, Writers and Journalists and mass-based social workers visited the Nagas and their land for the first time in the 55 years old Indo-Naga conflict, wherein they themselves admitted that Nagas are not Indians.

In the same spirit, during one of the Indo-Naga Peace talks which was held in Amsterdam at the Netherlands on 11th July 2002, the Government of India in writing – “acknowledged and recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas.”

Encouraged by this changed attitude and perception of India, the Collective Leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim accepted the invitation of the Government of India to visit New Delhi.. Wide-ranging talks were held, not only with the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Defence Minister, but also with the leaders of all political parties during their visit from 9th January to 24th January 2003.

However till now, after more than 10 years of Ceasefire and political negotiations, and the resoluteness of the Naga leaders to work out a peaceful solution to the more than 60 years of political conflict, the Government of India continues to drag its feet for obvious reasons. It is in this context, that we are appealing the international community and more importantly, today the British Government through distinguished personalities like you present here, to positively live up to the expectations of the Naga people in general, who, even after all these years of sufferings, still look up to Great Britain to have its say to the problem – which; “India apparently claim only to have inherited from the Britishers”.



KUKNALIM


Frans on 12.21.07 @ 01:49 PM CST [link]



Scars of a devastation, revisited Documentary - CHANDAN SARMAH The Telegraph



Scars of a devastation, revisited Documentary - CHANDAN SARMAH The Telegraph


A still from the documentary, Distant Rumblings
It was 1939. A funny-moustachioed general in Germany invaded Poland and triggered the deadliest war the world had known till then. It took another four years for the rumbling of that aggression to reach India’s Northeast.
Thousands of miles from Europe, the hills and vales that had seen bows and arrows suddenly became the storehouse of powerful bombs and the drone of warplanes became commonplace.
Sixty years after the great catastrophe, it is difficult to gauge why director Bani Prakash Das suddenly got interested in rummaging through the remnants of World War II in the Northeast. But his newest interest has given the war archives one of the finest documentary attempts on the effects of the war in the region — Distant Rumblings.
Hidden in the documentary’s name is the crux of the story — an attempt to catch the reverberations that hold the key to a ghastly past. Produced by Rongsenkala and co-produced by Gopendu Sarma under the banner of Aka Communication, the film not only delves into the past but also uncannily reminds one of the necessity of peace in the strife-torn region.
Distant Rumblings happens to be one of the five films from the region to earn the honour of being selected for the Mumbai International Film Festival, 2008.
The film begins with idyllic shots of Nagaland and Manipur and then jolts the viewer by swiftly moving to Kohima as the final battlefield. The editing of World War II footage is matchless. The “action” is followed by a haunting search for war wreckage lying in the jungles of Kohima, Tuensung, Chingmei, Noklak, Pongsha in Nagaland and Imphal, Ukhrul, Shanshek, Moirang, Bishenpur, Moreh and Tiddim Road in Manipur.
For researchers on World War wreckage in the Northeast, Distant Rumblings can easily be recommended as a ready reckoner. But what stays with the viewer long after the credits begin to roll is an acute sense of melancholy. Emotional recall of war horror by elderly local residents and brief interviews of European tourists visiting the war memorial in Kohima ensure a gut-wrenching effect. The film is all of 22 minutes, but is easily one of the most powerful documentations of blood-stained history.
Director Das, known for his From the Dawn-Lit Mountains — the Nishis, has done the research for Distant Rumblings himself. Filmmaker Pradeep Gogoi’s thought-provoking script and articulate background narration by Swapnanil Barua add to the piquant melancholy. But the documentary would not have come even close to its brilliance had it not been for the innovative camerawork by Pradip Sengupta and Sachin Das and the flawless editing by Manas Adhikary.
The background music by National Award-winning music director Sher Choudhury is haunting, as is the sound design by Akash Barman.
BJP’s charge against Congress in Nagaland Special Correspondent The Hindu
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party has charged the Congress with playing the toppling game in Nagaland just months before the Assembly polls.
In a statement here on Thursday, party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy accused the Congress of masterminding defections and desertions from the ruling coalition, of which the BJP is a part.
He charged the Congress with trying to do this just a couple of months before elections were due as it had a “sinister design” to misuse the government machinery. The Congress had “defied the floor test” and the “proven majority” of the State government. If the design was to somehow create instability and impose President’s Rule, the BJP would strongly oppose it and would use all avenues open to it under the Constitution to prevent it, Mr. Rudy said.
KIN lauds unification move- Nagaland Post
Since the historic declaration of unification between the NSCN (K) and NSCN (IM) at Hovishe village under Niuland sub division on November 23, 2007, the issue never missed front-page coverage in local dailies since then, yet there was negligence response from any quarter fro sometime. In fact, many organizations and civil societies opted silence over the issue. Slowly, diverse opinions had now flooded which is all worth- reading.
The short, yet significant declaration contains a line "with a view to end bloodshed and fratricidal killings" is most opt and impressive. The Kuki Inpi Nagaland (KIN) lauded the bold and timely initiative undertaken by the Western Sumi Hoho and Sumi Hoho for such a venture to end bloodshed and killings among brethrens in different camps who were in the service of Naga cause. Let’s take it as a steping stone not a stopping stone. The follow-up initiative under the aegis of ‘All Nagaland GBs and DBs join forum of the December 7’ 07, bringing different factions in a round table, resulting in the signing of "cease fire agreement" for six months, is equally laudable and most appreciable. Instead of finding the loopholes and pointing criticisms, the time has come that we all should join hands together, ponder over the issues being confronted by us and bury the past hatched for our better tomorrow.
Asat Doungel President Kuki Inpi Nagaland
Unification process ‘inclusive of all Nagas’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 20 (MExN): The NSCN (unification) has clarified to all Nagas that the ongoing unification process was not “exclusive but inclusive of all Nagas irrespective of arbitrary geographical boundaries” and that the unification process was not “intended to undermine the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks but to accelerate the pace and to strengthen the process”. “The present unification move aims to unify all the Nagas under one platform since disunity and disintegration of the Nagas has all along been a major stumbling block to the settlement of Naga political issue”, the NSCN (U) stated.
In a clarification issued by its Publicity Cell, the ‘unified’ NSCN stated that the “views and statements conveyed by the NSCN (K), NSCN (IM) or NNC/FGN did not reflect the views or policies of the unification team/camp and its process” and that its efforts at unification was being pursued with utmost transparency and sincerity encompassing all sections of the Nagas. It further stated that the unification initiative was being undertaken following the desire and clarion call of the NGOs, civil societies, Churches etc and “in the interest of the common welfare, peace, reconciliation and integration of the Nagas, so that solution to the protracted Naga political issue could be brought about”.
People want democratic government not PR: Rio Morung Express News
Kohima | Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who met several central leaders campaigning to save his government, besides, attending the NEC and NDC meeting, returned home with his morale boosted and said that people are not looking for President Rule or army rule but a democratic government. “Only selfish people are demanding for PR”, Rio said, expressing hope that the Central government or AICC will not take a decision which will antagonize the people at this juncture.
“What we did is right, I am sure the authority in Delhi will understand our position”, Rio said adding that the Congress-led UPA government should not take a wrong political decision. It is unfortunate that the Congress tried to take power through the backdoor, Rio said, asserting that the newly formed NPA was an illegal alliance because it included even NPF MLAs and independents.
Although Rio did not disclose details of his discussion with the central leaders including the Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, and the response he received from the latter, Rio claimed that the action of the Speaker during December 13 no-confidence motion was correct. Rio declared that DAN was still intact, in spite of the newly formed NPA claiming that his government had been reduced to a minority. “All the paper has been send to the Union Home Minister. What we did is 100% in regard to legality and anti-defection law”, Rio said. Rio on his part after getting to the state capital went straight to Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor K Sankaranarayanan. “I went to pay my respect to the Governor. He is a man of experience and integrity”, Rio said. The chief minister also thanked the people of Kohima and NPF workers for their solidarity and warm welcome accorded to him.
Rio also clarified that he actually went to Delhi to attend the NEC and NDC meeting, but since the Congress led NPA were meeting various central leaders to campaign for President’s Rule, he himself met central leaders including Home Minister and apprised them of the DAN government’s position.
Besides, Rio also met several legal luminaries, who in turn spoke and wrote to the President of India, AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister supporting the DAN government. Meanwhile, the 31 NPA members who also went to Delhi to appraise the central leaders of the political development are still campaigning in Delhi. They are likely to return home by December 22-23.
BJP cautions UPA against PR Dimapur, December 20 (MExN): With the Union Cabinet expected to meet soon over the recent political development in Nagaland, the Central BJP today issued a caution pointing out that as part of the coalition government in Nagaland, it will leave no stone unturned to oppose any unconstitutional attempt by the UPA government to impose President’s Rule and claimed that the people of Nagaland who have been watching these developments are all set to give a befitting reply “to the battered Congress in the ensuing election”.
BJP Spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy in a press statement described the recent move of the Congress in Nagaland as “an abortive and clandestine attempt” to dislodge the DAN coalition by “usurping all democratic norms and principles”. Rudy also alleged that defections and resignations are being mustered by the local Congress leadership at the behest of the UPA government at the Centre and reminded that even after “burning their fingers in Bihar and Jharkhand and the resultant harsh indictment by the highest court”, the Congress stood undeterred in indulging in the usual “government toppling game”.
The BJP Spokesperson claimed that the DAN government had successfully completed its term and with ensuing elections in February 2008 and that choosing to destabilize the DAN government on the eve of elections only reflected the sinister design to take over and misuse the official machinery “for purported electoral gains”.
“The contemptuous ganging up of Congressmen defying the floor test where the majority has been proven and thereafter rushing to Delhi is clearly proof of their insatiable desire to grab power”, the BJP stated.
The BJP also charged that the policy of the UPA government has already put the entire Northeast in “virtual political and social turmoil” including the Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh, spate of ULFA killings in Assam, rampant infiltration on the borders, strained ceasefire dialogues in Nagaland and now “striking the roots of democracy by attempting to dislodge the Rio led DAN government”.
Process on to disqualify 2 MLAs Kohima, December 20 (MExN): The two NPF MLAs, Tokheho and T Tali, who voted against the DAN government during the December 13 no confidence motion, are both likely to face disqualification under anti-defection law. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that the process and has been initiated against the duo. “Process is on. Notice has been served to them”, Rio added.
Rio warns against central rule Nagarealm.com


Guwahati, DEC20 [TI] : Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio today warned that any attempt to impose central rule in the state would derail the ongoing Naga peace process. “Any attempt to dislodge a democratically-elected government will have serious ramifications on the ongoing peace process,” he told reporters here this morning on his way to Kohima from Delhi.

Rio said in the event of imposition of central rule, the Nagas would seriously doubt the integrity of the Centre in upholding constitutional principles. Any abuse of Article 356, he added, would be struck down by the courts and also bring disrepute to the office of the President and the governor. The warning assumes significance against the backdrop of the fluid political situation in the state. There has been a spate of resignations from the ruling coalition and the Congress had moved a no-trust motion on December 13. Rio alleged that the defectors did not have the courage to face polls and wanted to capture power through manipulation. He challenged the Opposition to seek people’s mandate instead of gaining power through the backdoor. He also urged Assam to firmly tackle the illegal immigrants problems

NSCN-IM concerned over AIDS epidemic Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 20: Expressing deep resentment against the State Government for its failure to utilize the fund released by the Union Government for control of AIDS epidemic fairly and properly till date, the GPRN/NSCN (IM) Zeliangrong Region has accused the State Government of robbing the backward people of Tamenglong district.
The outfit also took serious note of the alleged misuse of fund meant for various development programmes and non-implementation of welfare schemes in Zeliangrong region.
A statement issued by the NSCN (IM) asserted that out of Rs 10-15 crores released by the Union Government to combat AIDS epidemic in the State, only Rs 6,30,000 was allocated for Tamenglong district.
Stating that the GPRN Zeliangrong Region will not remain a silent spectator any more as far as the welfare and development of the people is concerned, it warned all concerned not to misuse public fund in future but to utilise it properly for the welfare of the people.
Detailing various cases of fund misuse and swindling, the outfit has asked the concerned authority not to release the balance amount of Rs 2.25 crores out of the total amount sanctioned for construction of Tamei-Kunphung road.
Stating that the relevant work is far from complete, the NSCN (IM) Zeliangrong Region warned that the balance should not be released until and unless the work is completed satisfactorily. Defying the warning will result in stern action, it added.
As the fund (Rs 9 crores) for construction of Tousem-Kaiphundai and Tamenglong-Tamei road under SPA/ACA will be reportedly released shortly, the NSCN (IM) appealed to all concerned authorities to implement it in letter and spirit so that the long cherished dreams of the people of the areas are realised.
The outfit further alleged that the rightful people of the Zeliangrong region are not getting their due share with regard to the PMGSY (Bharat Nirman) schemes.
To avoid any fund diversion and misappropriation under any circumstances, the VIth and VIIth phases of this programme will be under strict vigilance of the GPRN Zeliangrong Region, it conveyed.
Maintaining that the two bridges over the Barak river along the Tousem-Tamenglong road and the Tamei-Tening road should be constructed within this season for these two roads are the only lines which connect Tamenglong district with rest of he other North Eastern States, the GPRN observed that any delaying tactics over these works will be a great loss to every one concerned.
It further appealed to all the right thinking people to stand united and fight for development in the service of the nation.PNSD Marks International Human Rights Day at Westminster
Ranjit Singh Srai, Parliamentarians for National Self determination The Panthic Weekly
London, UK - At a packed venue in the Houses of Parliament at Westminster, the cross party group 'Parliamentarians for National Self-Determination' (PNSD) marked International Human Rights Day 2007 by calling for the international community to put human rights at the heart of policy making and to adopt self determination as a key driver to resolve conflicts in a democratic and peaceful manner, in accordance with international law.
The ex-Prime Minister of Kosovo informed the gathering that Kosovo was on an irreversible course to secure independence in the very near future following the failure to agree a settlement with Serbia by the UN's deadline of 10 December 2007. He was given a warm welcome by all and Lord Ahmed, Chair of PNSD wished him and his people well in their dedicated and peaceful struggle for self-determination, adding that he hoped the next time he visited the UK he would be representing a fully independent sovereign state recognised by the international community.

The resolutions passed at the event stressed that respect for human rights is critical to achieving security, dignity and prosperity for all the nations and peoples of the world. Human rights defenders were praised for their courageous efforts and a call was made for the effective punishment of those who have carried out massive violations as a matter of state policy. Speakers presenting the perspective of Kosovo, the Kurds of Turkey, the Nagas, Kashmiris and the Sikhs set out how their peoples have suffered gross violations and been denied fundamental freedoms enshrined in international law and why they now sought international support for a peaceful resolution of those conflicts. Alex Salmond MSP and MP, First Minister of Scotland, in a message to the organisers wished the event success. Given the progress of the Scottish National Party, the successful independence of Montenogro and the imminent creation of an independent Kosovo, it is obvious that the right of self-determination has a key role to play in international affairs in the years ahead and PNSD shall continue to promote that right as a collective human right which offers a unique means of enhancing democratic values.

Bajram Rexhepi, former prime minister of Kosovo, Member of Kosovo's Parliament and Mayor of Mitrovica recalled the barbaric assault on his people by the Yugoslav armed forces which led to NATO's intervention and his own decision to join the Kosovo Liberation Army as a medical doctor. He said that such an open assault on his people had led to Serbia forfeiting any sovereign claim on the territory as the people would never accept that outcome. Independence was, for the Kosovars, an expression of their right of self - determination as well as a natural and lawful outcome which the vast majority of the international community had already come to acknowledge. He said the Kosovo Government would work with those who wanted an orderly transition to independence and, in response to a question, said all necessary measures would be taken to fully protect and enfranchise Serb and other minorities within Kosovo. He thanked the organisers for giving his cause a platform at Westminster from where he hoped the UK Government would not hesitate to recognise the new state his people were about to establish.

Sebahat Tuncel, a recently elected Kurdish Member of the Turkish Parliament from Istanbul spoke of the plight of the Kurds in that country and appealed for international pressure to be put on the Turkish Government to establish a meaningful dialogue with the Kurds, rather than to adopt a military approach which could never solve the Kurdish issue. She pointed out how the Kurds were subjected to gross violations as well as being prevented from using their language, restricted from promoting their culture, disenfranchised by the banning of their political parties and the artificial barriers aimed at stopping their leaders being elected to represent them. As a matter of human rights these violations should themselves be enough for the UK and the EU to intervene but the risk of regional instability raised by continued threats by Turkey to invade northern Iraq to attack Kurdish militant should certainly prompt international action if a humanitarian catastrophe is to be avoided. She emphasised that dialogue was the only lawful and effective means of securing peace. It was pointed out that the Kurds of Turkey have sought self-determination within the current borders of Turkey - self determination may be achieved in many forms provided the will of the people determine the form. PNSD urges both sides to use exclusively peaceful means in taking forward a process to resolve the conflict and urges the international community press home that message. A paper produced by PNSD's Kurdish Advisory Panel entitled ' "The EU, Turkey and the Kurdish Question" was officially launched at the event which sets out the back ground to the conflict, suggests an appropriate EU response and reiterates the call for genuine dialogue.

A Sikh perspective on the conflict between the Sikhs and India was presented by Dr Awatar Singh Sekhon, Managing Editor of the International Journal of Sikh Affairs. He contextualised the Sikh Nation's continuing struggle to secure freedom as the sovereign right of a proud nation based on the right of self determination. The territory of the erstwhile Sikh state had been unlawfully annexed by the British in 1849, unlawfully transferred to India in 1947 and the Sikhs had never accepted the loss of their statehood. Equally, their elected representatives had rejected the Indian constitution which, somewhat incredibly, continues to class the Sikhs as "Hindus" under its notorious Article 25. Punjab's vital water resources continue to be illegally appropriated by adjoining Indian states. The attack on collective Sikh political, religious and cultural rights and the theft of their territory and resources was compounded by the devastating abuses of their individual human rights, especially since 1984 which has left Indian controlled Punjab traumatised. The international community he said must itself punish those who have carried out those abuses as India, whilst claiming to be the biggest democracy the world has known, openly grants immunity to perpetrators of crimes against humanity. Dr Sekhon warned of Indian efforts to re-write history and malign the Sikhs by branding them as the aggressors.

The Naga delegation, which had travelled from the Naga homeland, included a cultural troupe whose superb rendition of freedom songs was warmly received. The cultural distinctiveness and "unique history" of the Naga Nation has been recognised by India itself but the Indo-Naga conflict is no nearer settlement despite ceasefires and formal talks which have continued for some ten years. Mr Rh. Raising of the NSCN referred to the refusal of his people to join the Indian Union or indeed the Union of Burma. His people have resisted unlawful de facto annexation and terrible oppression; they seek peace and an honourable settlement but this has been frustrated by "false promises and assurances" from the Indian establishment whose approach to peace talks appears to amount to no more than a ploy "to buy time in order to bury the peace process under the wrap of time". He called for the UK and the wider international community to step forward and assist the Nagas, who had contributed so valiantly for the cause of freedom in the Allied war efforts in both World Wars. Dr Neivetso, Secretary General of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights mapped out the history of the Indo-Naga conflict and echoed the call for the international community and especially the UK to "live up to expectations" and intervene to facilitate a just and peaceful outcome. The PNSD Naga Advisory Panel's position paper entitled 'Nagalim' was also officially launched at the event; it will be distributed within the UK parliament and beyond to apprise policy makers of the historic Naga struggle and its current status.

Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur of Tehreek-e-Kashmir made an impassioned plea for the restoration of human rights in Kashmir where his people have been subjected to terrible and sustained abuses by India in order to crush a legitimate struggle for self-determination which the UN itself has endorsed by demanding a plebiscite to determine the will of the people. He demanded that perpetrators of mass violations in Kashmir be held accountable by the civilised powers of the world; if men like Milosovich and Saddam Hussein could be dealt with, why should not the people who carry out the violations in Kashmir? On World Human Rights Day, we must he said ask ourselves these questions. The right to life, not to be subject to torture, raped, imprisoned without charge …..the right of freedom itself - all of these have been denied in Kashmir by a state that seeks to portray itself as a democracy and has aspirations for a permanent UN Security Council seat. He said the people of Kashmir would continue their lawful struggle for self determination and said that they would work with the Sikhs, Nagas and others who had been targeted by similar oppressive tactics in a bid to deny them freedom.

Amrik Singh Sahota, OBE, President of the Council of Khalistan endorsed those sentiments and said that oppressed nations should work shoulder to shoulder to their mutual benefit in the cause of human rights and justice.

Lord Ahmed thanked those who had contributed so constructively to an important reminder - on World Human Rights Day 2007 - of the centrality of human rights in making the world a better place. He pledged that PNSD would continue to promote this core message to the UK Government and beyond.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT PNSD CELEBRATION OF
WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2007
1. PNSD recognises the historic steps taken by the UN and the international community in adopting not only the Universal Declaration of Human Rights back on this day in 1948 but also the subsequent body of international humanitarian law, including the 1966 Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic and Social Rights, both of which put the right of self determination at the forefront of human rights. The primacy of the collective human right of self determination - upon which the protection of all individual human rights ultimately depends has been recognised by the UN itself. International Law offers hope and legitimacy to those nations, many of which are represented here today, who seek peacefully and democratically to determine their own destiny within the community of nations.
2. PNSD calls upon the UK Government and the wider international community to make human rights the centre piece of policy and decision making so that the security, dignity and prosperity of all the nations and peoples of the world is protected and so that civilised values can be translated in to real peace and progress for all of humanity. In particular, aid and trade programmes should be designed to promote those who comply with international humanitarian standards and to isolate those who do not.
3. PNSD congratulates the efforts of human rights defenders across the world whose courage who, often in the face of open threats to their very lives, aim to protect the weak and vulnerable against wanton repression; we salute those who have given their lives in the cause of human rights and justice. We further congratulate Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other NGOs which continue to put human rights at the top of the international agenda.
4. We urge the international community, in the interests of future generations as well the current victims of human rights abuses, to take action to end the immunity offered by various states to those who have carried out massive violations as a matter of state policy. We condemn those violations and see them as an unacceptable threat to international peace and security. If necessary, where the relevant states refuse to act, the international community should take direct action to punish the guilty in accordance with international law.
5. PNSD urges the UN as well as individual states and regional blocks such as the EU to adopt self determination as a key driver to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and democratic manner, in accordance with international law. Current conflicts and disputed territories such as those in Kosovo, Kurdistan, Kashmir, Nagalim, Punjab as well as many others cannot be resolved without the consent of the governed being freely determined and respected. Self determination represents perhaps the only orderly, lawful, peaceful and democratic means of resolving these long standing conflicts and it is incumbent upon the international community to take effective steps to implement that right as a matter of international law. The so called 'war on terror' is not and has never been an excuse to sideline those peoples who have a lawful claims to their national rights under international law and we call on all concerned to look at the underlying causes of conflict in order to take forward a collective desire for peaceful resolution.
Rebel crisis continues in Manipur The Morung Express
Imphal, December 20 (Agencies): Separatist rebel armies continue to keep Manipur under siege, leading to a sense of hopelessness among large sections of the State's 2.3 million people.
Manipur, bordering Myanmar, is the only state in India's restive northeast where none of the frontline separatist groups has entered into a ceasefire with the government as a prelude to the beginning of peace talks.
''People's frustration over continued violence in the State is increasingly getting reflected through plays and literature where the underlying theme is against violence and the quest for peace,'' said Pradip Phanjoubam, editor of Imphal Free Press, a local English daily.
Analysts attribute several reasons for the growth and sustenance of insurgency in Manipur. ''An ineffective civil society initiative towards brokering peace, the locational advantage that the rebels have by way of the area's proximity to Myanmar, and a nexus between the insurgents and politicians are some of the reasons why insurgency is thriving in Manipur,'' said Wasbir Hussain, director of the Guwahati-based Centre for Development and Peace Studies.
Militant groups seem to be involved in violent activities with impunity. On Monday, a day after a landmine blew up a packed passenger bus near Imphal, killing seven passengers and injuring 25 others, a rebel group simply regretted the incident while admitting its fighters had planted the explosive on the road.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) said in a statement the bomb was planted two days before Sunday's incident to target security personnel. Lily Leima, a spokesman of the rebel group, said 'enemies' picked up two of its cadres who had planted the bomb but did not remove the explosive deliberately to defame the group.
Statements or reasoning like these are what the rebel groups make to justify their violent acts. The bus bombing was the biggest incident in Manipur involving civilians in recent years.
Major groups like the PLA, United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) continue to be belligerent, showing no signs of entering a peace mode as some rebel groups did in adjoining Nagaland or Assam states.
The only success the government has achieved is bringing eight Kuki outfits under a cessation of hostility agreement in October 2005. This agreement has been subsequently renewed. However, the Kuki groups are rag-tag formations, if anything, and their entering a truce with the government has not really brought down the level of insurgency-related violence in the state.
The sustained counter-insurgency operations have at best been a deterrent to a more vigorous armed campaign or acts of violence by the rebels. It is time New Delhi came up with a strategy that works in a State where the stringent Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been in force for more than two decades now with hardly any visible impact on the rebellions.
Hornbill Fest out without Hornbill
Christmas Festival in with Liquor and Meat Jagdamba Mall The Morung Express
The people of Nagaland have witnessed the humble beginning of Hornbill Festival in 2001 in Kohima Local ground, the venue of which has been changed to Kisama now. The festival has been named after Hornbill bird (Dhanesh Chiriya) which is abundantly referred to in Naga customs and traditions. But this bird which signifies the Naga identity is almost extinct due to mindless killing and due to lack of thick forest-their breeding place. The Naga cultural troupes today use paper feathers and wooden Hornbill in cultural festivals since there is no living Hornbill easily traceable in Nagaland. If a Hornbill sanctuary is developed in the outskirts of Kisama along with all other colorful chirping birds found in Nagaland it will be an added charm to the festival. There are rare beautiful flowers-wild and domestic-found in Nagaland. Again, there are rare and precious medicinal plants still abundantly found in Nagaland. Refer the book – Medicinal Plants in Nagaland, written by S.C. Deorani, Principal Secretary to Govt. of Nagaland, Forest Dept. Kohima. Deorani has done a commendable job by writing this book. But due to rapid deforestation and resultant climate change these rare and precious herbs and shrubs with high medicinal value are slowly and gradually getting extinct forever. The whole world is now reverting back to traditional way of healing and Ayurvedic medicines because of the side effect syndrome of Allopathy. Baba Ramdev Maharaj of Patanjali Yog Mandir (Trust) of Hardwar, Uttarakhand has enlightened the world about the significance of Ayurvedic medicines, traditional healing systems and Yog for healing ailments and to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress and improve balance and posture. Again, the forest of Nagaland is rich in wildlife with variety of animals. I have seen a rodent – very beautiful and lovely, rolled itself like a small ball, sometimes like small wheel with blackish-brown hair at the body, being sold in Naga Bazar, Kohima for 40-50 rupees only.
It would hardly offer 200-250 grams of meat but this rare mammal is killed mercilessly without giving a mind to preserving wildlife in Nagaland. Though hunting of hornbills is banned in Nagaland but villagers kill this extincting bird also and sell it to VIPs for 500-1000 rupees to decorate their drawing rooms. If (i) a well-managed bird-sanctuary attached with a zoological garden for wildlife (ii) a botanical garden for rare and available medicinal plants (iii) flower garden with power-generated fountain show with focus of multi-colour beam of light on fountains are established in Kisama, these will attract the tourists and traders beyond imagination.
The Vrindavan Garden – a flower garden with colourful fountains with music near Banglore (Karnataka) is revenue-earning and tourist-alluring famous spot in Karnataka State. Kisama can also be developed in that way. Lucknow Zoo with its crocodile-rearing project is a tourist attraction of international significance. Why can’t Kisama have something of that kind? Rather, Kisama’s will be more charming because of beauty of hills and greenery with pollution free atmosphere. The indigenous crafts from Nagaland and NE region displayed in sale counters and indigenous fine arts created by local talents presented in befitting manner in Kisama Mela will focus on the indigenous talents from Naga society which will bring more money and find more markets outside the states. The valleys surrounding Ghashpani (Medziphema) can be developed into a lake by constructing dams and canals on the line of Barapani Lake near Shillong. It will serve as fishery, water reservoir for drinking, irrigation and breeding ground for lily and lotus flower. It will also attract seasonal migratory birds. Treking at Saramati Mountain in Tuensang and of Dzuku Valley near Kosama is of great tourist significance. Once explored, it will be seen that there are many more avenues and scope to develop tourism industry in Nagaland.
Hornbill festival is aimed at showcasing of rich cultural heritage of Naga society. This has moral and ethical bearing on the cultural aspects on contemporary society. It is not only fun and frolic but the meaning and significance behind these festivals, the mother of all festivals (Hornbill festivals), has to address. The young generation of Naga society needs to synergise contemporary life-styles with their cultural moorings and perhaps this would be the best way to achieve the objective of showcasing the Naga’s cultural heritage as well as to guide the young generation towards building a moral and ethical society as rightly pointed out in the editorial column in Nagaland Post dated 9/12/2007. If these steps are taken it is not necessary for Naga girls to bare their bodies and show their thigh-muscles in the name of beauty pageants and rock music to attract national and foreign tourists. Naga ladies have, unlike westerners, the chastity and sanctity of their personality. They are not household commodity for the use of men. The beautiful Naga girls are not a decorative material to give a charming look to the drawing rooms. But in white-men’s culture and Islamic culture-women are reduced to the level of the household commodity for the entertainment and service of men-folk. In Naga society, women and men are equal partners and supplement to each other in the family and society. This must be upheld. The spice-girls’ culture must be prevented from penetrating into Naga culture and heritage.
It is our experience in the tourist places like Jaipur, Udaipur, Varanasi, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Vrindavan (Mathura), Haridwar, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, Goa and dozens of other pilgrim places, the foreign tourists specially white men and women bring many bad traditions in our country. Their undisciplined life and spurious relation of men and women are very disgusting, stinking and injurious to just society. The Government of Nagaland and the Naga society are, therefore, required to move very cautiously on the path being opened for white tourists. Otherwise, the Government may earn revenue but Naga society will loose its precious culture as is now being felt in the case of change of religion which has caused rapid westernization and corresponding rapid degeneration of indigenous culture.
I was recently in Rajkot for attending a Seminar organized by Saurashtra University. That was the time of Navaratri Puja (Garva festival) which lasts for nine days. During this Garva festival men and women-assemble in the night and celebrate the festival by organizing Dandia dance upto late night. On having noticed the involvement of some boys and girls in immoral acts the Modi government of Gujrat banned this dance beyond twelve in midnight. Similarly, in Nagaland too, precautions should be taken now itself not very far from the beginning of Hornbill festival to check such negative developments. In Kumbh Melas, lakhs of Hindus assemble to have a holy dip in Ganga exhibiting pure heritage of the country. Thousands of Americans, Britons and other white men from every nook and corner of world visit Kumbh Melas not only to witness but to have holy dip in Ganga Mata. Similarly, Hornbill festival must present Naga heritage in unpolluted form and it should not deviate from the path leading to reach the goal.
There can be drama shows by local talents the theme being drawn from folk stories of Naga community. The Northeast Zone Cultural Council (NEZCC) Dimapur can play a significant role in breeding and bringing up Naga talents in collaboration with its counter-parts in other States. The Northeast region is very rich in variety of culture and people are very simple in thought and behaviour. The Hornbill festival can present the panorama of unexplored rich cultural heritage of Naga society and whole of the northeast region as well. For bringing an added charm Rasleela party from Vrindavan (UP), Ramleela party from Ayodhya (UP) and Kathakali from Kerala, Ravindra Nritya from Kolkata and several more cultural artists can be invited turn-by-turn. This will broaden the sphere of significance of Hornbill festival. Hornbill festival is out and Christmas festival is in. The fun and frolic started during Hornbill festival will uninterruptly continue till new years celebrations via Christmas revelry. Thousands of cows, buffalos, mithuns, pigs and birds will be killed for Christmas feasts. The varieties of wines have started flowing in dry-State of Nagaland. The freedom of mixing of boys and girls in late night liquor parties give rise to many social evils. The parents appear to have lost their control over their children. Slowly and gradually the Hornbill festival followed by Christmas and New Year celebrations are being transformed into breeding and mating season. The spiritual aspect of Christmas festival is nowhere to be seen. This is not a healthy trend surfacing in Naga society. This is because of rampant and rapid westernization of Naga society through English education and foreign religion. The Naga society should be aware of this fact and do the needful to bring back the society on correct path. In fact, the foreign religion has prepared ground for rapid westernization. It has prepared ground for violence also. These are required to be checked without any further delay. The westernization problem is also in Hindu society but in Hindu society, there is a strong resistance from the society put forth by revered Sanyasins and indigenous Hindu Organizations. Such resistance is lacking in Naga society. This is urgent need of the present times.
The Rengma Naga The Morung Express
Though the office of the Western Rengma Hoho has given a press release in the local papers regarding formation of Western Rengma Hoho, yet it is desirable to give more information in better detail for public consumption about Rengma.
Several centuries before the advent of Ahom (the Shan tribe of central China) into the present Assam, the Rengmas had already established their country with Serna in the east, Lotha and Sibsagar in the North, Nowgong in the West and north Cachar and Angamis in the South. The Ahom entered Assam during 1228 A.D under the leadership of Prince Sukapha and came in contact with Rengma,first in the Sibsagar area. The Rengma and the Ahoms exchanged gifts of elephant tusks by Rengma and sword by Ahom. The Ahoms settled down in the plain areas outside Rengma country. There is no traditional or written record of enmity between them at any point of time, rather extended mutual help to each other in time of necessity. The Rengmas and Ahoms lived side by side independent of each other. The country of Ahoms and Rengma Naga and other Nagas were demarcated with clear boundary lines by jointly constructing embankments known as Lodoigarh,the Nagas bunds and Dodhar Ali, especially in Savasagar (Sibsagar) and Lakhimpur districts.
The Rengma Nagas and the Ahoms jointly resisted Moamoria rebellion in 1789 during the reign of Gaurinath Singh. The Rengma Nagas who survived the rebellion after the war, settled down in Surupathar, Parpathar, Rengma Pathar areas. The Rengma Nagas and the Ahoms jointly resisted Burmese invasion of 1817, 1819 and 1821. The Ahom Rajas and their concubines were also given protection and shelter them by keeping in the Rengma Hills with hospitalities till 1826 i.e, "Treaty of Yandaboo". Because of the bravery and prowess in war , six Rengma warriors were conferred "PHUKAN" title by the Ahom Raja. The title "Phukan" been conferred hereditary even after British control over Rengma country, those six Rengmas were recognized and made them British Authority of revenue collectors. The Rengma who hold the title Phukan last was Pfukha Phukan of Phenchero Village under Bokajan Sub - Division of erstwhile North-Cachar and Mikhir Hills. There was enter-marriage among the Rengma Nagas and Ahoms. Thus the bond of relation and friendship was continuously maintained and strengthened.
The first British officia1 who came in contact with Rengma Naga was colonel Alfred Richards in the month of March in 1824at Nchiben-Habing (Rengma language) changed into Doboka-Dokmoka near Nowgong. After the concluded Treaty between the British and the Burmese -known as Treaty of "Yandaboo" on 24th Feb 1826, the British started to explore and conducted survey of the land. Thus in course of their official tour Mr.Grange came in contact with the Rengma Naga living at the Mohan Dohao (Manja) in 1839.Captain John Butler also met Rengma Nagas in Deopani area in 1845-46 and directed the influential chiefs to meet him in Nowgong which was done.Mt.. Masters to conduct survey of the Rengma country. There were hundreds of villages of Rengma Naga spreads across the Rengma country but because of successive famine during 1641 and 1665 fallowed by devastating effects of Moamorian war in 1789 and the epidemic diseases therefore, by the time the British set foot to conduct survey for assessment of house-Tax, there were only 52 villages existed. However, the British official could survey only 32 villages for revenue assessment but the rest were left un-assessed on account of wet and impassable jungle to reach the villages.
In 1841, under political proceedings on 18th April 1841; Nos. 79 to 80 "Rengma Hills" was created. This was followed by creation of 2 (two) Mauzas known as west Rengma Mauza and east Rengma Mauza in 1870 for collection of Revenue (House-Tax). It should be noted that this was excluding hill sector Rengma of present Rengma of Naga1and because the present Nagaland Rengma was surveyed in 1874 by Dr. Brown Wood after the creation of Nag a Hills District in 1866 with its Headquarters at Samaguting(Chumukedima). Before Naga Hills District was created in 1866, the Rengma Hills created in 1841 which covered plain sector only was under Nowgong Administration which was again brought under Asaloo (Halflong) Sub-Division Administration and subsequently merged with Naga Hills District in 1866 with its Headquarters at Samaguting (Chumukedima). But a portion of Rengma Hills was left behind and in the next political proceeding only the whole area of Rengma Hills was brought to merge with Naga Hills District. Thus in 1871, the Rengma Nagas of Rengma Hills submitted revenue amounting to Rs. 450/- at Samuguting. Again when the Administrative Headquarters was shifted to Kohima in 1878, the Rengma Hills Nagas' (plain sector) continued to submit their revenue (House¬Tax) at Kohima. The revenue amount submitted to Kohima in 1898 was Rs. 742/-.
However, on account of administrative inconvenience due to vastness of area under Kohima Administration, the then Deputy Commissioner Kohima proposed for transfer of Rengma Hills back to the adjoining District of Assam which was accepted by the Chief Commissioner of Assam who issued order to that effect. And so with effect from 1 January 1899, the Rengma Hills was again merged with Nowgong and Sibsagar. The West Rengma Mauza was placed under Nowgong District and East Rengma Mauza was placed under Sibsagar District of Golaghat Division and Naga Hills District Rengma was placed under Kohima. Thus, to meet the convenience of British Administration, the same stock of people in contiguous area were divided and brought under three administration Headquarters or Districts (Nowgong, Sibsagar and Kohima). When Naga Hills District was granted Statehood in 1963 with an additional area known as Tuensang District, Which was then known as NHT A (Naga Hills Tuensang Area), inspite of Rengma Hills Naga submission of memorandum for inclusion to Nagaland State, the Rengma Hills Nagas under Assam were left behind. It is to be noted that Nagaland before becoming a full-fledged State was under Assam Administration with Headquarters at Shillong.
It may be noted that "Rengma Hills" was created in 1841, merged with Naga Hills District in 1866, transferred back to the adjoining District of Assam in 1899, Changed the nomenclature to North-Cachar and Mikir Hills in 1952 and again changed into Karbi-Anglong in 1976. Therefore, Karbi-Anglong is the former area of Rengma Hills. Therefore, the plain sector Rengma residents had unanimously agreed to have one social organization known as "Western Rengma Hoho" for the welfare of Rengmas in particularI and other communities in general and work as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) like other community NGOs.
Khillo G Rengma, Dimapur
ULFA extortion drive in city By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 20 – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), in an attempt to boost its coffers, has launched a major extortion drive in Guwahati city and served notices on a number of traders. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Guwahati city, VK Ramisetti, admitted that a number of traders received extortion notes demanding sums varying from Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh from the ULFA and majority of the letters were signed by dreaded militant Hira Sarania. Interestingly, some of the traders received extortion notes by post and there have also been instances of traders receiving telephone calls from the ULFA with demands for money.

Ramisetti said that according to information available with the police, majority of the traders, who received demands from the ULFA did not pay anything and the flow of information to the police has improved considerably. He revealed that the city police has drawn up a comprehensive plan to foil the extortion bids of the ULFA and called upon the people to report any such attempt. He assured that confidentiality of information received from people would be maintained at all costs.

The SSP said that normally extortion bids by the militants increase during the winter season when the routes used by the militants to come down from their camps open up. He also did not rule out the possibility of the militants trying to indulge in acts of violence to terrorise the people to force them to pay the demanded amount as such attempts were made in the past. He revealed that a comprehensive security plan has been chalked out to prevent any sabotage attempt by the ULFA and a number of places vulnerable for explosions have been identified. He said that the counter-insurgency operations have been intensified and asserted that the police and security forces would not spare any militant or sympathiser of linkman. Ramisetti further said in recent times, the city police achieved considerable success in the operations against the ULFA and other militant outfits and only last week, a group of militants were nabbed when they entered the city for causing sabotage, while, one Achyut Rajbonshi, involved in a blast in the Athgaon area of the city, was killed.

Commenting on the recent arrest of militants belonging to the Adivashi National Liberation Army, the city SSP said that they had come to the city to establish their network and it is still not known whether they were planning any acts of violence.
Doc in dock for aiding Ulfa - Attack on Sulfa member in Dibrugarh OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Dibrugarh, Dec. 20: Tinsukia police today arrested a doctor who owns a nursing home in Doomdooma on charges of providing medical aid to Ulfa militants. Police said Dr B.C. Bora, owner of Rupai Bora Nursing Home, not only treated Ulfa rebels at his nursing home but also visited the outfit’s camps in Arunachal Pradesh to look after ailing militants. Bora was arrested following an interrogation session with Nagen Moran, an aide of Ulfa leader Jiten Dutta. Moran, who was arrested from Margherita last night, has confessed to his involvement in the car bomb blast at Debipukhuri in Tinsukia on November 26 that killed three persons. Moran had revealed during interrogation that Bora visited Ulfa camps at Lathua in Arunachal Pradesh and also sent nurses undergoing training at his nursing home in Doomdooma to treat ailing militants.
“The doctor was in charge of the medical unit of the Ulfa’s 28th battalion. He also supplied medicines to camps,” a senior police official in Tinsukia said. Bora was under the scanner of security forces for long but there was no clear evidence to pin him down, the police said. “We are sure he will provide us with more information,” the officer said.
In an unrelated development, suspected Ulfa militants attacked the house of a surrendered rebel, Tileswar Lahon, at Moran in Dibrugarh district late last night, injuring him and his wife. Around 12.30am, rebels lobbed a grenade into Lahon’s bedroom through a ventilator, critically injuring his wife Jyoti, who sustained splinter injuries in her chest. Lahon was also injured, but his condition is stable. The former militant had returned from a birthday party with his wife, 10-year-old son, Roni, and two personal security guards and was about to retire for the day when the grenade landed in his room. Police suspect that the attackers may had sneaked into his residential compound, located near Moran police station, when the family was out and had waited for them to return. Hearing the blast, the personal security officers, who had gone to sleep, rushed to Lohan’s room and took them to Assam Medical College and Hospital. Roni, who was in another room, escaped unhurt. Lahon was on the Ulfa hit list for quite some time. The outfit had accused him of aiding security forces to hunt down a senior activist of the outfit’s 28 battalion, Charan Majhi. Ulfa also alleged that Lahon had been assisting the security forces in a number of its operations against the outfit. Another senior Sulfa (the acronym used for surrendered Ulfa rebels) member, Srimanta Chetia alias Chinese, was killed by suspected Ulfa militants near Namsai in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese was also said to have been helping the security forces hunt down Ulfa militants.
Internal security meet Manipur particularly vulnerable, says PM Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 20 : Touching on a whole gamut of issues concerning the internal security of the country, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said that the problems of the North East States and Jammu and Kashmir are unique and stressed that the situation is vulnerable in Manipur and Nagaland.
Addressing the Chief Ministers’ Conference on internal security at New Delhi today, the Prime Minister said that the North East States and Jammu and Kashmir are unique and added that these regions suffer from poor infrastructure and communication facilities.
“It has been our sincere attempt to improve these facilities so that these States too can benefit from our booming economy,” said the Prime Minister.
However these States have vulnerabilities on the internal security front which needs to be discussed, said Dr Singh and added, “each Sate has its specific nuances and characteristics and we cannot generalise the problems. “There are many regional and tribal demands which need to be addressed systematically,” said Dr Manmohan Singh and added that if not done soon they can lead to disaffection and law and order problems. While the Prime Minister admitted that there has been an improvement in the overall situation in all these States, he made an exception and observed “Manipur and Nagaland appear to be particularly vulnerable.”
Pointing out one of the problematic causes for the situation in these two States as well as in the other North East States, the Prime Minister said, “Extortion seems to be a frequent occurrence. We need to put an end to this. We need to enforce the rule of law and create a respect for the State apparatus.
“We need much better leadership at all levels so that militancy is curbed and people feel secure. National considerations and requirements should take over- riding priority. I wish to hear from the Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States, their perception of the situation and how they propose to handle the delicate situation that prevails in some of their States.”
The Prime Minister also touched on the need to improve the police apparatus all over the country and asserted , “I believe that citizens should see policemen as their friends.
“It should be our common endeavour to improve routine policing, policing which affects the day to day life of our citizens, policing which gives them a sense of security and comfort.”
Four ULFA rebels surrender at Kamalpur, lay down arms Minor says his joining ULFA was an adventure By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Dec 20: The surrender of 17-year-old Bhun Kumar Boro alias Baikanto, along with three other United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants, at the Army’s Red Horns Division camp at Kamalpur in Kamrup district has punched holes in the claim of the rebel group that it is not using the services of minor boys and girls to further its cause. Bhun, who joined the ULFA last year (at the age of 16), is still a Class X student of Lampara Anchalik High School. It may be mentioned here that early this year, when a minor boy was caught by the police while planting a bomb in Dhubri district, the ULFA promptly said that it was against using minor boys and girls in its activities.
“I joined the ULFA not driven by any ideology of the outfit. It was just an adventure on my part,” Bhun said while interacting with reporters after the surrender ceremony.
Bhun, who has a skilled hand in using pistol and lobbing grenades, hails from a farming family of Ukiam village located along the Asom-Garo Hills border under Boko police station in Kamrup district. Son of Biliram Boro and Sabita Boro, Bhun has two sisters and one brother. While one of his sisters has already been married, the other two are students.
According to sources, the remote Ukiam village is used by the ULFA as a transit point for its militants who sneak into India from Bangladesh. “It’s Ukiam from where the outfit deploys its members to various parts of the State, including Guwahati. In intelligence parlance, Ukiam is better known as the sleeping cell for ULFA militants,” the sources added.
The ULFA suffered another jolt today when four of its 109 battalion militants active in its Ukiam cell surrendered with arms and ammunition before the Red Horns Division of the Army at Kamalpur in Kamrup district. The surrendered militants are self-styled sergeant major Anil Kumar Boro alias Ajit Brahmo (30) of Barpeta, sergeant Tuluk Gogoi alias Padum Hazarika (32) of Dibrugarh, lance corporal Ranjit Boro (24) of Boko and Bhun Kumar Boro alias Baikanto (17) of Ukiam. This group of militants was active along the Asom-Meghalaya border in South Kamrup and it used to facilitate the movement of ULFA militants who sneaked into Asom from Bangladesh and transferred weapons, explosives and extortion money to various places of lower Asom and Guwahati itself, Army sources said. Ajit Boro and Padum Hazarika had joined the outfit in 1997-1998 and undergone arms training in Bhutan and Myanmar. The ULFA cadres today laid down one 7.62 mm Chinese pistol and 12 live rounds with two magazines, one revolver, two Austrian grenades, three PTEDs, four kg gelatin explosives, nine electric detonators, one sophisticated programming device, two modified mobile chargers and incriminating documents. Commanding Officer of the 6th Rajput Regiment R Panikar, Brigadier Arun Gupta and the Rangia SDPO were present at the surrender ceremony.
UN Chief convenes first meeting 'Groups of Friends' on Burma Mungpi Mizzima News
December 20, 2007 - In a renewed International effort to push for changes in the military-ruled Burma, the UN Chief on Wednesday convened the first meeting of 14 nations that will assist him in his initiative to tackle problems in the Southeast Asian nation. While the formation of the loose forum, 'Group of Friends of the General-Secretary on Myanmar', is the latest move by the World body chief for changes in Burma, critics said, all plans and action must bring result.
Debbie Stothard, coordinator of Altsean-Burma, a network of regional campaigners, said, "For any forum or group working on Burma, the most important thing is to influence the military junta and to bring substantive result on changes." While welcoming the formation of the forum, Stothard said, the group should add to the increasing pressure and member nations of the forum should exercise its individual leverage to impress upon the Burmese junta.
"We will judge any group with the result that it produces," added Stothard. However, the forum which includes Burma's traditional supporters - China, Russia, Vietnam, and Thailand – is a progressive step as it will facilitate dialogue between the west and Asian neighbors on Burma, Dr. Thaung Tun, the UN representative of exile Burmese government – National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB) - told the BBC Burmese service. Dr. Thaung Tun said, the formation of the group, which will meet as and when needed, is an indication that the international community has realize the need to support Ban Ki-moon and his special advisor on their initiative. Debbie said, "It is important to show the regime that the international community is united on the cause of Burma."
The informal forum includes Australia, Indonesia, Russia, United States, China, Japan, Singapore, Viet Nam, France, Norway, Thailand, India, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Burmese workers issue highlighted on International Immigrant Workers Day
by admin — last modified 2007-12-21 10:41
21 December 2007: (Khonumthung) - The plight of Burmese migrant workers was discussed by Burmese and Mizos on the International Immigrant Workers Day falling on December 19 in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram state in northeast India.
Burmese democracy and social activists, Burmese Christian religious leaders and block leaders from Aizawl participated in the IIW day function organized by Ferrondo Integrated Women's Development Centre, a Mizoram based NGO that deals with immigrant workers issue.
"We are holding this function in an attempt to convince Mizoram authorities to acknowledge the situation of the Burmese immigrant workers in Mizoram, so that they will recognize them and provide the basic rights that migrant workers need to be access," Sister Rose, Director of FIWDC said.
"Though they (Burmese immigrant workers) are here temporarily, Mizoram should be the place where justice and safety is available to them," she added.
Most Burmese in Mizoram are engaged in domestic work, driving, wood cutting, road construction, weaving, and are goldsmiths. They get irregular and low wages from employers, sexual harassment from landlords and discrimination because of their weakness in being able to communicate in the local language and overwork among others according to a Burmese who attended the function.
"Another problem is when someone from Burma dies. It is very difficult to bury the dead in local cemeteries," he added.
The participants who attended the IIW day agreed to do whatever is needed to solve the problems that Burmese immigrant workers in Mizoram face.
Meanwhile, the participants also called on the Mizoram government to pay heed to the plight of Burmese immigrant workers and address their problems.
On Tuesday, a migrant worker from Chin state, Burma died due to lack of treatment in Mizoram. He could not afford medical attention as he was not paid by his employer.


Frans on 12.21.07 @ 01:43 PM CST [link]


Thursday, December 20th

UNC on Naga unity- Nagaland Post



UNC on Naga unity- Nagaland Post

The United Naga Council (UNC) issues this press communiqué in the interest of all concern.
In consonance with the declaration of Naga Hoho's motto "Nagas are One" and launching of the "Naga Reconciliation Day" on 20th Dec.2001 under aegis of Naga Hoho and the Churches, participated by all tribal Hoho, women, youths, students', Human Rights Org. state Government machineries, Naga National workers, Politicians and all individuals. UNC has been determined without any prejudice in pursuing for the unification and true reconciliation, in uniformity with the hard won peace process and the ongoing political talk for honourable solution to the Indo-Naga conflict. With all honesty, the UNC acknowledges the role of every Organisations and individuals for their quest for healing and reconciliation within the Naga family in our struggle for freedom and will continue to do so. We believe that bringing about justpeace to our people is within our reach and it is an integral part of our faith.
The UNC is aware of the recent move by the UNIFICATION TEAM'S effort for bringing about Unification and the process. However, we are concerned of the whole process, and feels that it demeans the very purpose of Naga political struggle which is now more than 7 (seven) decades and the martyrs of thousands and thousands of Nagas lives irrespective of small or big tribe that have been laid down for this noble cause, particularly when it has officially came out from responsible leaders that Unification will be exclusive. Our statement may not be misconstrued in whatsoever way but should be taken into account the concern of the Naga people and the profound recollection of historical foundation laid down by our great pioneers, past leaders and the present leaders for their resolute determination to sustain our struggle for freedom thus far.
UNC was very much part of the discussions of the consultative meeting of all Naga tribe Hohos, churches, women, Human Rights Org., youths and students' Organisation held under the aegis of Naga Hoho on 2nd December, 2007, at Kohima and the subsequent stand make known through the press on Dec.04, 2007 that "Any kind of unification must be inclusive of all Nagas and that unification must be achieved in uniformity with the political aspiration of the Naga people and the ongoing political negotiations"
UNC believes that collectively understanding the core issues that confronts us in many facets can be a milestone in our struggle for justpeace. However, at the given situation if some Naga leaders, intellectuals and organisation prefer to take the role of neutrality then we believes that such an act itself negate the very essence of true healing and reconciliation process.
Therefore, the UNC unequivocally re-affirmed;
"We are firm and we stand by on the unification of all Naga family with true healing and reconciliation, with accountability and transparency and inclusive process and in uniformity with the hard won peace and ongoing political talk, as it deals with our sacred struggle with clear common vision derived from the basis laid down by our pioneers, elders and leaders from generation to generation".
Samson Remei, Gen Secy cum Care taker. Azang Longmei, Speaker
United Naga Council (UNC)
Unification without ‘prejudice’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 19 (MExN): The United Naga Council, Manipur has stated that it was determined “without any prejudice in pursuing for the unification and true reconciliation, in uniformity with the hard won peace process and the ongoing political talk for honourable solution to the Indo-Naga conflict”. This it stated was in consonance with the declaration of Naga Hoho’s motto “Nagas are One” and launching of the “Naga Reconciliation Day” on 20th December 2001 under the aegis of Naga Hoho and the Churches, participated by all tribe Hoho, women, youths, students’, Human Rights Org. state Government machineries, Naga undergrounds, politicians and individuals.
“With all honesty, the UNC acknowledges the role of every organisations and individuals for their quest for healing and reconciliation within the Naga family in our struggle for freedom and will continue to do so. We believe that bringing about justpeace to our people is within our reach and it is an integral part of our faith”, stated a press communiqué issued by Speaker/caretaker UNC Samson Remei and general secretary Azang Longmei.
The UNC while pointing out that it was aware of the recent move by the NSCN (U)for bringing about unification however expressed concern that the “whole process” “demeans the very purpose of Naga political struggle which is now more than 7 (seven) decades and the martyrs of thousands and thousands of Nagas lives irrespective of small or big tribe that have been laid down for this noble cause, particularly when it has officially came out from responsible leaders that unification will be exclusive”.
The UNC stated that its statement “may not be misconstrued in whatsoever way but should be taken into account the concern of the Naga people and the profound recollection of historical foundation laid down by our great pioneers, past leaders and the present leaders for their resolute determination to sustain our struggle for freedom thus far”.
Clarification sought- Nagaland post
The statement issued in the press by 'so-called' NSCN unification camp on December 19 that the group stands for all Nagas irrespective of artificial boundaries. But while welcoming such statement they have not yet clarified to the people about the stand of some of their members who are all out against such move. I hope the unification group will clarify this to the Naga people.
We all know that Kughalu Mulatonu and Kitovi Zhimomi are strongly opposed to the idea of amalgamation of all Naga contiguous areas and so also against unification with Nagas of Manipur, Assam and Myanmar, though S S Khaplang is from Myanmar.
Even when some people and the organizations were hectic with the unification process, Kughalu had come out with a venomous statement that no unification with certain Naga tribe and asked Th. Muivah to leave Hebron Camp within 24 hours or face the attack.
They are also always against Naga organizations, church and Naga international support groups and countries. In the name of Almighty, I don't understand what they are doing.
Lieutenant Hukato Yeptho Naga Army, NSCN
Rio shares vision for Nagaland Kuknalim.com (With inputs from UNI)
DIMAPUR, DEC 19: Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio along with DK Bhalla Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House New Delhi today attended the 54th meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This was informed though a press note issued by Kuolie Mere, PRO Nagaland House, New Delhi. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who is also the chairman of the NDC. The meeting was attended by central ministers and chief ministers of all the states.

Rio in his written address emphasized on twelve key points including on the vision and thrust area for development of Nagaland. The other points highlighted included agriculture and allied sectors, Jhum cultivation, micro credit facilities and strengthening and widening the scope of existing good practice, bamboo, converting the bio-diversity of North east into economic benefits; infrastructure development such as roads, railways and airports; hydro power development; tourism and RAP/PAP; industrialization, trade and ‘Look East’ policy; youth empowerment and employment and lastly, promotion of border trade and construction of roads in border areas.
According to UNI, Rio said the plan to connect all the state capitals of the region through the North East Express should now be made a reality, even if it meant a private-public partnership. He urged the centre to expedite the construction of the railway line from Dimapur to Kohima and setting up of a new green field airport at Chethu (Kohima).

The Chief Minister said the region could be marketed as a common tourist destination and attractive tourist circuits should be worked out and publicized through the Internet. ‘’In this regard the proposed creation of North East Tourism Development Council is a welcome step,’’ he added.
Specifying another priority area of opening of trade with the South East Asian countries, Rio said it would not only boost economy but also remove the sense of ‘’isolation and neglect’’ felt by the people of the region. ‘’In this connection, the Look East Policy of the Government needs to be better defined and crystallised into specific action programmes so that it does not remain a mere policy statement or attractive slogan. This would require restructuring of the various policies of the country, including the foreign policy,’’ Rio said. Among other issues he spoke about were non-implementation of Prime Minister’s package for Nagaland like revival of a paper mill, four laning of NH 39 and employment opportunities. The Chief Minister also attended the 55th meeting of the North East Council yesterday at Parliament Annexure New Delhi along with officials Lalthara, Additional Chief Secretary and DK Bhalla, RC Nagaland House, New Delhi.
Chandel conference calls for peace The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 19: A one-day Chandel district peace conference was organised today by Rural Education and Action for Change, Manipur, at St Joseph`s School, Kuraopokpi. M Lunminthang Haokip, ADC, Chandel, attended as chief guest of the inaugural function of the conference. In his address, Lunminthang Haokip observed that restructuring of society is very much needed for mantaining peace in the region.

He said, peace must start from the self, and maintaining of peace of mind would not be possibile without first restructuring the existing deteriorating situation of society, and restructuring of society can only succeed when every individual of various communities follow the rule of law.

Apart from the effort being made from the government side for various aspects of development, and restoring peace in the region, it is the responsibility of the people to devote greater effort towards this end with sincerity and true heartedness if they truly wanted the restoration of peace in the region, he said.

He further suggested that in order to avoid contradictory thinking among different sections, such sharing of minds for common purposes need to be organised more often, where every individual regardless of caste, creed or sex could participate and share their ideals for bringing peace.

Rev Fr KC George, parish priest, St Paul`s Parish, Liwachaning, in his address eleborated on the word peace as reflected in the Bible and said the Cristians from various communities seem to have different concepts of peace, as a result of which there has been lack of peace within the Christian communities.

Ramesh, a social activist from Henry Martin Institute, Hyderabad, observed that solving of conflicts in the region cannot be termed as bringing of peace, and in order to maintain peace there is need of restructuring of existing society towards a common platform of understanding and peaceful coexistence by following the principle of forget and forgive. Representatives of Chandel Naga People`s Organisation, Kuki Chiefs` Organisation, Chandel, Kuki Students Organisation, Chandel, Naga Students Union, Chandel, Kuki Women`s Human Rights Organisation, Molnoi areas, Naga Women`s Union, Chandel, Hill Tribal Council, Moreh, attended the meet, and expressed their desire for living peacefully with understanding among various ethnic groups of the region.

A seven point declaration was finally adopted at the end of the discussion, agreeing that peace is the need of the hour, and every organisation and individual in the district should make all efforts for peace and communal harmony in the district, and in the state. It was also resolved that the conference should be considered a stepping stone for restoration of peace in the whole state of Manipur, that all should act as peace makers, in the Biblical sense of the term, and create a congenial atmosphere in the district for their children and generations to come. The meet was attended by about 200 people, including village chiefs, students, women leaders from Tengnoupal, Chandel, Chakpikarong, Khengjoi areas etc.
Nagaland Progressive Alliance submits memo to President Patil Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Dec 19: The Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) led by its leader elect, I Imkong yesterday called upon the President of India, Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum seeking her intervention into the constitutional crisis in Nagaland, stated a press release.
During the 30-minute long interaction, the NPA delegation apprised the President of the way in which the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had “undemocratically and unconstitutionally subverted the Constitution of India and the Rules and Procedures of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly,” which had given rise to a situation in Nagaland wherein the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution.
“Allowing the present Government to continue in office will be therefore subversion of the Constitution of India and it is therefore humbly requested to dismiss the illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional minority Government of Nagaland without further delay,” stated the NPA delegation in the memorandum.
The President, who gave a patient hearing to the NPA and after a careful study of the sequence of events, assured the delegation that as per the provisions of the Constitution of India, action would be taken.
Addressing a press conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan after meeting with the President, NPA Leader, I Imkong said, “We shall await the decision of the Government of India and I would like to appeal to the people of Nagaland, particularly to the Congress supporters to be patient and the rule of law should prevail in the State. The unconstitutional action taken by the Speaker has been ventilated to the highest authority in the country and we are hopeful of the President taking an early action in this regard,” Imkong said.
Earlier in the morning, the delegation met Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Oscar Fernandes at his office, who also gave a patient hearing. The Minister noted the views of each and every member of the delegation and assured that justice and the sanctity of the Constitution of India will be upheld at any cost.
The NPA delegation later met AICC general secretary in charge of Nagaland, Margaret Alva at her private residence.
The Congress leader told the delegation that the AICC is supportive of the State unit of the party and she is also deeply concerned about the matter and assured to take the matter to the highest level so as to ensure that justice is delivered.
Cong seeks PR as an alternative Morung Express News
Dimapur | Almost a week after cobbling together the Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) seeking claim to form an alternative government, the Congress-led alliance in Nagaland appears to have settled for demanding President’s Rule instead. This new development comes in the wake of a memorandum submitted to the President of India on December 18 by the Leader of the Opposition I. Imkong urging the President to exercise powers vested under Article 356 of the Constitution of India.
Interestingly Imkong in his memorandum to the President addressed himself as Leader of the Opposition and not the NPA. It may be mentioned that ever since the formation of the NPA and the subsequent demand calling for the dismissal of the DAN government and staking claim to form an alternative government, Imkong was projected as the leader of the NPA.
Imkong in the memorandum addressed to the President stated that “since such a situation has arisen in Nagaland that the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution of India” and “allowing the present Government to continue in office will be therefore subversion of the Constitution of India” and therefore requested to “dismiss the illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional minority Government of Nagaland without further delay”.
Related to this is the reported statement made by the Congress in-charge of Nagaland, Margaret Alva, pointing out that since elections were due in the State early next year, the legislators led by Imkong had come around to accepting President’s Rule as an alternative.
NNC committed to non-violence The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 19 (MExN): Bringing Christmas greetings to the people on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), it Kedahge Gen (Retd) Viyalie Metha has affirmed that the Naga National Council (NNC) upholds the policy of Non-Violence pointing out that this is the challenge and responsibility of the FGN and assured that it would endeavor to maintain peace and tranquility in our land. “Let every Naga come forward to this endeavor and build our Nation that may be acceptable to God the Redeemer”, the FGN leader stated, while expressing “heartiest warm greetings” ahead of Christmas.
Metha reminded that “God had made a commitment for the love of mankind that He would send a redeemer who would deliver the people from their sins and death” and that this “promise was fulfilled to us in the Bethlehem, about this time since two thousand years past”. Quoting the Bible verse John 3:16, the FGN leader stated that God is gracious even to the Naga people and that “we rejoice in Him”.The FGN leader expressed hope that this Christmas season, Naga people will also rejoice in God and prayed that “divine peace prevail in Nagaland”.
‘Remove regional imbalance to bring peace in Northeast’ Newmai News Network
Agartala | "Injustice and negligence" to the Northeastern region has been the root causes for the existence of militancy and the removal of the "regional imbalance” is the only way in bringing peace in the region, opines Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar while delivering a speech in the National Development Council meeting held on Wednesday in New Delhi, according to a report received here.
Prime Minster Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the meeting at Pragya Bhawan in New Delhi.
The Tripura chief minister while addressing the council has said that to wipe out the militancy from the northeastern states of India, regional imbalances should be removed immediately. Imbalance fosters the inequality which leads to intractable problems with feeling of isolation, alienation and frustration in the affected regions, stated Manik Sarkar.
"The Northeast in particular has been the victim of such imbalances and the growing sense of injustice and discontentment at times had led a section of youth to the path of violence and anti national activities," said the Tripura chief minister.
"This is so because of the poor infrastructure, roads, rails, power and telecommunication and we have already lost several precious years toying with such concepts", Sarkar added.
Demanding a massive amount of investment in the region to correct the disproportion, the chief minister urged the Union government to take a leading role.
He also spoke about the review of centre-state relation and said that 50 percent share of taxes be passed to states. He termed the present attitude of the centre as 'red tapism'. According to him, strengthening of the states instead of concentration of power at the centre will help in strengthening the country's integrity. Sarkar was not happy with New Delhi's economic policy regarding the liberalisation and said, 'our country still exists in our villages and countrysides".
‘Infrastructure could support Look East Policy’ The Morung Express
New Delhi, December 19 (UNI): Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga today said the major issue confronting the state is the famine-like situation due to bamboo flowering that causes increase in pests and rodents trigerring large scale damage to food crops. Speaking at the 54th National Development Council meeting here, the Chief Minister said the grain production which is likely to fall far below the 50 per cent mark has caused a huge jolt to productivity in the agriculture sector, especially rice production.
Drawing the attention of the Centre to the difficult terrain and strategic situation of the state, he said the biggest constraint in the northeast region has been the poor state of infrastructure, in particular roads, railways and power. ''Infrastructure and connectivity could support the Look East Policy and provide an impetus to trade with neighbouring countries. As the success of the eagerly awaited LE Policy lies on this, a big push in this regard is needed if the state is to receive more fruit from the policy,'' he said.
He further stated that Mizoram required more attention for increasing its per capita income. In order to achieve the growth at the national level, the states need special attention which automatically calls for more intervention of the Central Government, he added. He urged the Centre to develop a means for maximum utilisation of the resources within the state. Tourism sector should be developed taking the entire Northeast as one unit he said adding there should be easier access to tourist destination in Mizoram through air, road, rail and waterway.
Officials suspect pesticides killing fish in Brahmaputra Hindustan Times
Guwahati | Thousands of dead fish were found floating in the Brahmaputra river on Sunday, substantiating the claims by Assam officials for some time now that some fishermen were using toxic substances to catch fish during winter.
According to the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB) officials, the fish started dying mysteriously in a 'ghuli' or lagoon-like stagnant section of the river around 11 am. A drastic drop in the water level results in ghulis near the sandbars. "We have collected water as well as dead fish samples for study, but this seems to be a case of pesticide," said APCB official Deepak Barua. "From what we have gathered so far, pesticides must have been sprinkled the previous night, which resulted in a dip in the oxygen content in the river water killing the fish."
This particular ghuli, measuring approximately 300 sq ft and connected to the main flow of the river by a narrow stream, is ironically off a high-security zone that includes the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Senior Superintendent of Police and the CCF (Terrestrial).
Incidentally, HT had earlier reported how fish 'mahaldars', who take stretches of rivers on lease for commercial fishing, use pesticides to catch more fish. There had been instances of mahaldars using non-biodegradable pesticides such as Thiodan and Dialdrin, despite being banned.
According to wildlife activist Anwaruddin Choudhury, mahaldars in Assam and elsewhere across north India have a tendency to fish extensively before the rivers run dry in winter. "Up to 20 per cent of river fish sold in the markets during winter are high on pesticides," he said.
Flavours from North East set to tantalize foodies The Morung Express
New Delhi, December 19 (PTI): Tenga, Pitika, thupka and Rumba along with a host of other delicacies from the northeast are now making waves across the world. Though a piece of the pan-Indian cuisine, food from the Northeast is only recently making its presence gradually felt both in the country as well as in the global market. "The not-so-much-talked-about Northeastern food with its pristine flavors and pure taste of nature is slowly making inroads to global palates," Bakshish Dean, executive chef at a five star hotel in the capital, told PTI.
The eight Northeastern states has a very rich culinary heritage, says Dean who in joint collaboration with Institute for Environmental Management and Social Development (IEMSD), had organised a eight-day northeast food fest here recently.
To look at the diversity of NE cuisine is sometimes an unfathomable proposition. The cooking styles and flavors of each and every state in the region is unique and differs from each other with considerable influence of Bengali, Nepali, Thai, Bhutan, Tibetan, Myanmar and Chinese cuisine, he says. According to foodie, traveler, social scientist and filmmaker Dr Ashish Chopra, Assamese and Tripurian cuisine have adopted various nuances from Bangladesh. "The Bengali influence is strong and the ingredients and recipes are more or less similar. The only difference is that Assamese cuisine is much less spicy and less oily. The staples are rice and fish." "Bamboo is used extensively in cuisine of Tripura," says Dr Chopra who has also authored a book called 'NE Belly'. The traditional cuisine 'Mui Borok' and a key ingredient in Tripura cuisine is 'Berma', dried and fermented 'puthi' fish.
Rebel hunt for zarda traders Nagarealm.com

Imphal, DEC19 [TI] : The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today warned two zarda traders of Manipur that stringent punishment would be meted out to them if they failed to surrender by December 30.

The Central Special Force of the Manipur-based outfit seized several tin containers stashed with zarda worth Rs 12 lakh from a bus coming from Guwahati on December 12 from Koirengei, outside Imphal city. The truck, carrying the containers hidden under consignments of biscuits and footwear, was intercepted by the outfit's cadre. The zarda consignment originated from Guwahati and was transported to Moreh, Manipur's border township in Chandel district.

It belongs to one Jitendra from Bihar now residing at Paona Bazar in Imphal and Khumak Kuki, a resident of Moreh. The outfit's cadre today handed over the consignment to members of a club in Imphal West district. The youths set the consignment on fire in front of journalists. The Revolutionary Peoples' Front (RPF), the political wing of the Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA), had imposed a ban on sale and consumption of zarda, for many years.

The RPF has banned betel leaf, locally known as meetha patti, with effect from October 15 this year. The outfit even gunned down two traders for selling zarda and meetha patti. The UNLF is also campaigning against drugs and tobacco products, including zarda. A spokesman for the outfit told journalists that its cadre were looking for the two traders who had fled after the seizure. He appealed to transporters not to bring zarda and banned drugs in the state. The All Manipur Inter-state Tourist Bus Association has warned its member transporters that it would not allow them to continue services if they were caught transporting items banned by the RPF.

Govt to spell out steps to tackle Adivasi stir Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Dec 19 – Assam Government is likely to spell out the measures taken to tackle the situation arising out of the reservation stir launched by the Adivasis, at the meeting on Internal Security which will be chaired by the Prime Minister here tomorrow. The meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs to take stock of the internal security situation is being attended by Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, State DGP RN Mathur, besides top officials of the State Home Department. The MHA has already asked the States to furnish the strategy adopted to tackle the internal security situation. According to sources, the Chief Minister is likely to give an account of the measures taken to handle militancy and other law and order situation. The Adivasi agitation over scheduling is going to be touched upon, sources added.

A matter of concern for the State Government are reports of militant outfits like ULFA, NDFB and NSCN joining hands with the Adivasi militant outfits. The recent bomb blast at Rajdhani Express has shaken the State Government. Sources said State Chief Secretary, PC Sarma has been monitoring the Adivasi agitation on a daily basis. The effort of the State Government is to ensure that the situation does not get out of hand, like the Beltola incident. Security forces have been instructed to handle the situation with utmost care and resort to the extreme step only after clearance from Dispur.

Sources, however, blamed intelligence failure for the flare up involving the Adivasi agitation. “Even now there is very little intelligence input about their next move,” sources confided.

Meanwhile, the State Government would be hard put to explain the delay in recruitment of constables. The State Government bid to recruit the constables has been challenged in the court. Its attempt to hire ex-servicemen has also hit a road block following a demand for higher pay package. Meanwhile, sources in Home Ministry said that apart from the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern States, Naxalite violence and terrorism in the hinterland would be the main focus of the meeting. Among the measures to effectively deal with the threats to internal security, augmentation and modernisation of state police forces, training of police personnel, strengthening of the intelligence apparatus, and investigation of terrorism-related cases, security in mega cities, border management, bilateral and international co-operation would also figure in the day-long meeting.

Paranoia after Ulfa threat - Army steps up vigil in Upper Assam OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Dibrugarh, Dec. 19: The army has intensified operations in Assam, especially in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, in the wake of threats issued by Ulfa to some Congress candidates contesting the panchayat elections. Intelligence agencies have warned of a string of strikes by the proscribed Ulfa in the run-up to the three-phase panchayat elections in the state, slated for December 31, January 4 and 9. Ulfa would try to strike before the elections, basically to prove its existence and use the disruptions as publicity stunts, they warned.
The commander of the Charlie Company of the outfit’s 28 Battalion, Jiten Dutta, recently warned all Congress candidates, especially those who had deserted the party in the wake of the quit Congress notice issued by the outfit in February, but have rejoined the party ahead of the panchayat polls and are contesting the elections — of dire consequences. Dutta is also in charge of the Alpha Company of the outfit after the surrender of the commander of the company, Pranjal Saikia. Security has been beefed up in the light of these threats. “We have intensified operations in certain pockets like Tengakhat area in Dibrugarh district, Pengeri, Bordumsa, and Makum in Tinsukia district. The number of patrols has been increased and many columns are out at various locations. The intensity of the operations will increase in the days to come,” said Brig. Binoy Poonnen, commander of the Laipuli (Tinsukia)-based 181 Mountain Brigade.
Another senior officer based at Dinjan, the divisional headquarters of the 2 Mountain Division, said the 82 Mountain Brigade, headquartered at Tezu in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh, has been asked to intensify vigil. The aim is to stop militants from fleeing after carrying out hit-and-run operations. “The 11 Sikh Light Infantry Regiment and the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles, both of which are under the 82 Mountain Brigade, have been asked to carry out operations along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. After the considerable success against Ulfa militants, particularly the 28 Battalion, we cannot let the initiative go,” a senior army official said from Dinjan.
However, intelligence reports said despite heightened operations, Ulfa has managed to issue threats to some Congress candidates. An intelligence source said a five-member group, led by self-styled sergeant major from the Alpha Company of the 28 battalion Tete Bezbaruah, is operating in the Mohong, Dirak and Pengeri areas of Tinsukia district.
“Another 12-member group, led by Diganta Moran alias Rocket, is operating in the Kordoiguri, Philobari and Bisnupur areas of Tinsukia, while Madhurjya Gohain is leading a third group in and around Tengakhat in Dibrugarh district.” Some Congress candidates who have reportedly received threats have sought police protection. Dibrugarh superintendent of police Anurag Agarwal said adequate measures are being taken to provide them with protection.
Cops continue hunt for Dimasa hit force OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Nagaon, Dec. 19: A day after the police force lost two of its men to Dimasa rebel bullets, intelligence sources revealed that a 20-member team of the Jewel Gorlosa faction has been deployed by the outfit specifically to attack security personnel engaged in counter-insurgency operations in North Cachar Hills. Confirming the intelligence report, a senior North Cachar Hills police officer today said search operations were on to arrest the group belonging to the anti-talks faction of the Dima Halam Daogah that arrived here from Nagaland sometime in September.The police, however, refused to divulge whether this group was behind the series of attacks on security personnel and convoys of political leaders in the district in the recent past.
The faction killed two police officers and injured five others during an attack on an 8th Assam Police Battalion camp at Faiding, 4km from Mahur town, yesterday. “We retaliated well. But till now we are not sure whether any of them (the militants) died or were injured,” an officer said.Of the five injured, two are still undergoing treatment at Haflong civil hospital.
“The terrain of North Cachar Hills is not favourable for insurgency operations but it is a boon for the militant outfits. Withdrawal of 14 border outposts from the 50km inter-state boundary with Nagaland and Manipur has facilitated infiltration, making the situation even more critical,” an officer said. Dispur had deployed 14 companies of security forces just before the autonomous district council election, which ended on November 1. But the additional forces were withdrawn immediately after the polls. The police suspect that till about six months ago, the faction was not more than 250 members strong. In the past three months, its strength has crossed 500.
Opposition upset over stalled dialogue Mungpi Mizzima News
December 19, 2007 - Burma's main opposition party the National League for Democracy said the ruling junta should not prolong the process of dialogue but should start meetings with detained party leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the early initiation of the process of national reconciliation. Nyan Win, spokesperson of the NLD, Burma's main opposition party said by stalling the meetings between the government's Liaison Minister Aung Kyi and party secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, the national reconciliation process is being delayed.
Nyan Win said, "The preparation for the process of dialogue needs to conducted faster and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be given the opportunity to meet her party leaders to discuss the developments leading to the negotiation." Expressing signs of desperation, Nyan Win, however, said there are so far no signs from the ruling junta which hints at a meeting between pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Aung Kyi, the junta's Labor Minister. The 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate, who has spent 12 of the past 18 years in Burma in solitary confinement, on November 19, met for the third time the government appointed Liaison Minister.
While details of the meetings remain undisclosed, Aung Kyi during a press briefing in early December in Burma's new jungle capital, Nay Pyi Taw, said the talks were progressing.
"The first meeting was aimed at gaining an understanding between us. The second meeting was to discuss the framework for the future. The third meeting was to discuss the facts that should be included in the framework," Aung Kyi told a rare press conference on December 3. But Nyan Win said, with no indication of any meetings in the near future, the talks do not seem to show any sign of progress.
Ground Situation Despite the junta's claim of normalcy returning, critics said with the economic situation worsening, another protest could erupt anytime in the near future.

David Steinberg, Director of Asian Studies at Georgetown University, who visited Burma's news capital, Nay Pyi Taw in October, said the situation on the ground, particularly the economic situation, remains bad. "Unless there are changes in society, there will be other demonstrations at some time triggered by some incident but based on these deeper issues," Steinberg told Mizzima.
Following the September protests, activists, particularly youths, in Rangoon and other parts of Burma have formed satellite groups and have been conducting activities in defiance of the ruling junta. An activist in Rangoon, who wished not to be named told Mizzima, that they have urged the people to join them in a 'non-cooperation' movement against the ruling junta by boycotting the use of government run buses or buying things from stores run by the junta or its business cronies. Refuting the junta's claim that normalcy has returned in Burma, the NLD spokesperson Nyan Win said, "I do not believe things have changed on the ground. It is only getting worse with the rise in the prices of essential commodities."
Sean Turnell, Associate professor in the Department of Economics in Australia's Macquarie University, said, "Since the fuel rise, oil price has increased even more in international markets. There is nothing to suggest the [Burmese] regime's fiscal position has improved since the unrest." "Matters remain dire, and it's hard to be confident about Burma's immediate future," Turnell told Mizzima in an email interview.
Turning a deaf ear Despite increasing international and domestic pressure for changes, the Burmese military junta seems to be turning a deaf ear to the calls and is determined to continue with its planned seven-step roadmap, which critics said will enshrine the role of the military in the future constitution. The junta's Information Minister Kyaw Hsan during the press meeting on December 3, announced that work has begun by the 54 member committee, who were selected to draft the actual constitution based on the principles agreed at the National Convention.
Kyaw Hsan clearly indicated that the government is determined to continue with its planned road map and excluded opposition groups including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's party National League for Democracy (NLD), which flouts the suggestion of the international community including the United Nations. Gambari, the UN special envoy to Burma, who visited the country twice after the junta brutally cracked down on protesters in September, said during his meeting with government officials he had urged for an all inclusive process of dialogue that will include all political stake holders including the NLD and ethnic groups.
Win Min, a Burmese analyst based in Thailand, said "the Burmese junta is not interested in talks and are using the 'talks strategy' to ward off international pressure. So, we can expect the next round of talks will come about when there is another wave of pressure that hits the junta hard."
Meanwhile, the United States first lady Laura Bush, who met the United Nations special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, on Monday, said the Burmese junta has made no serious efforts to meet and talk with opposition groups to resolve the political crisis in Burma.
Mrs. Bush, in her statement released on Tuesday after her meeting with Gambari, said, "The junta has made no meaningful attempt to meet and talk with democratic activists. Instead it has continued to harass and detain them."
Forged normalcy The military junta, which suppressed popular protests led by monks in September resorting to violence, said peace and normalcy, had been restored after 'bogus monks' and 'destructive elements', showing dissidence, had instigated public unrest in September.
Kyaw Hsan, at the press conference on December 3, said normal life has returned in Rangoon and other parts of Burma and several monks and protesters, who were arrested in connection with the protests, have been released. However, with reports suggesting the closure of monasteries in Rangoon, a Thailand based activist group, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said, at least 700 monks and protesters still remain in detention.
Bo Kyi, secretary of the AAPP said, "Though the junta has released several monks and protesters, there are at least 700 or more who continue to be detained." "By releasing a few now and then, the junta is trying to show that it is responding to international calls," added Bo Kyi.
Talks still the best option Gambari, the UN special envoy to Burma, has urged the ruling junta to take 'bold steps' in implementing an all inclusive process of national reconciliation, which is the only genuine approach to solve the country's political, social and economic problems.
Gambari, speaking to reporters after briefing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, said it is very important for Burma not to slide backwards or stay still but to move forward and take "very bold steps" to address the political crisis in the country. "The crisis is real and must be resolved or mitigated before other violence breaks out for whatever ostensible reason," Steinberg said.


Frans on 12.20.07 @ 03:18 PM CST [link]


Wednesday, December 19th

Unification aimed to end bloodshed, says ‘NSCN’ The Morung Express



Unification aimed to end bloodshed, says ‘NSCN’ The Morung Express

Dimapur, December 18 (MExN): Pointing out that various approaches to end bloodshed under the emblem of ‘Nagaland for Christ’ in the spirit of ‘forgive and forget’ has failed due to one pretext or the other, the NSCN, Unification group, has stated that Nagas ‘obstinacy’ has ruled out any ‘unification point’ and questioned whether Nagas could afford “to continue fratricidal killing and remain in revolutionary turmoil without an end”. Expressing its stand that “everything should have an ending”, a press note issued by its “Publicity Cell, Unification Camp,” Vihokhu stated that Nagas should also unite in some way or the other to end the bloody feud.
The NSCN (Unification) stated that Nagas have suffered enough for decades due to their inability to ‘forgive and forget’ and to embrace each other and pointed out that it was “high time to embark towards amalgamation of all Nagas in which ever manner or opportunity”. “Our inflexible philosophies or principles should not lead us to further disintegration and self defeat”, it stated adding that further bloodsheds should not be “endowed to future generations anymore”. It called for allowing ‘conscience and wisdom’ to guide the Nagas to avert further self-annihilation. It urged that Nagas should march ahead with the slogan of peace and reconciliation and salvage “our freedom from alien dominance”.
On the “ongoing Naga people’s unification process”, the NSCN (U) stated that “varied views and opinions” had been expressed, some “constructive and supportive” and others remained “skeptical and negatively inclined”. Affirming the recent peace initiative, initially undertaken by the Western Sumi Hoho, the NSCN (U) stated that this was as a result of the clarion call given by the Nagaland GBs and DBs Joint Forum and that it was supported by the Naga Hoho and various civil societies, NGOs and peace loving ‘Naga national workers from different camps.’
It however regretted that the ongoing unification process had been misconstrued on tribal lines by certain section but that on the contrary, the unification move “began with the objective to end fratricidal killings amongst the Nagas encompassing the entire Naga-inhabited country”. “By disseminating distrusts, doubts or suspicions the Naga peoples should not be kept at the altar of fratricides and division”, it stated pointing out that without unity, solution to the protracted Indo-Naga and Burma-Naga political imbroglio will remain far-fetched.
While pointing out that the Naga people’s aspirations remains that of a ‘common goal’, it regretted that “skepticism and distrust has floundered” and that the Naga people’s political movement has been bogged down in the quagmire of divisions, isms and suspicions, thus inflicting deep wounds hitherto”. The NSCN Unification Camp stated that this ‘affliction’ has taken its toll thereby “relegating the Nagas political aspiration and deviating focus towards realistic inclinations”. Pointing out that various civil societies, NGOs, Churches, leaders have sacrificed their tireless efforts to unite different groups, it stated that “killing has been condemned and denounced through out the Naga tribal regions”.
Does the country need another militant outfit? Written by Palash

*Today, if Adivasis are taking up arms, it is the government that isresponsible for it. If media reports about the involvement of an Adivasi outfit in the December13 bomb blast of Rajdhani Express is true, it spells bad news for the state as well as the Adivasis of Assam and other places where Jharkhandi tribes exist. It will add another undesirable chapter to militancy in this country.
Today, if Adivasis have resorted to taking up arms it is because they havebeen betrayed by successive governments of Assam. Ever since the first batch of adivasis was brought to Assam during the British rule the community has been an exploited and neglected lot.
One can understand the pre-independence exploitation and neglect by the colonial masters, but how can one excuse the continual exploitation and neglect of a community that has contributed so much for the economic prosperity of Assam, after independence. Today, the adivasis form the lowest strata of Assamese society.
Ethnic affinity knows no boundaries and that has been amply demonstrated umpteen number of times in the past. The very recent one being the sharp reaction of Tamils to the tough handling of Tamil demonstrators in Malaysia by the local authorities. In a country like India where political boundaries were drawn arbitrarily rendering people of one ethnicity divided between several states, the affinity is even stronger. Therefore, this Adivasi miltant outfit's arrival, which was much publicized by the local media, can
potentially distort peace in all the states where Adivasis exist.
Already, this nation has bled enough. Do we need another militant outfit to inflict wounds at this great country of ancient people and cultures?
It is imperative for the governments in Assam and the Centre to recognize the danger and concede the justified demand of Adivasis. While it is true that the term Adivasi encapsulates within itself a conglomeration of Jharkhandi tribes, the fact is that the Adivasi community of Jharkhandi descent is essentially one ethnic block and shares a common dialect 'Sadri' though there may be minor variations in their culture. It should also be noted that though the state of Jharkhand was created recently, the Jharkhand movement itself dates back to the pre-independence era.
Some of them who are opposing the grant of ST status for Adivasis on the premise that it "would adversely affect the status of the state's indigenous people and would contribute towards further deterioration of their socio-political and economic condition", seem to go by the premise that the "well being of a community is only possible by domination of another". Such flawed logic is untenable. Also, perhaps, the indiginity clause itself needs some reconsideration.
On the one hand these opponents talk about integration of the Adivasis with the Assamese society while on the other they want to deny them their basic citizenship rights. Ironically, they refer to the Adivasis, quite
ignominiously, as Tea Tribes but they do not want the government to grant them Scheduled Tribe status.
If the governments decide not to grant ST status with full citizenship rights to the Adivasis of Assam, it would be akin to propagating apartheid rule, something that has almost vanished from the face of this earth, but is so reminiscent of the obnoxious colonial past. It would be an anachronism in an age when migrant people of Indian origin have grown to the level of heads of state in several countries.
Manoj Tirkey
*My sincere apologies if I have hurt anybody's sentiments unintentionally. Please pass it on to all Jharkhandi groups and other adivasi friends. * Shriprakash Jharkhand Forum A Global Network of Jharkhand
Dear Friends

Please extend solidarity with those fighting exploitation of Telangana and violation of fundamental rights
Condemn illegal arrest of media person of Telangana movement and widely circulate the appeal to all friends to protect freedom of expression In solidarity Bharath Bhushan
FGN leader refutes allegation Newmai News Network
Imphal | While strongly refuting to the allegation hurled against one Pingkiu of Langpram (Nheng) by Captain Pourang of the FGN/NNC appeared in newspapers in the December 17 editions, the former has today clarified that the allegations were totally false.
Pingkiu said that his name is not Joyson as alleged by Captain Pourang of the FGN/NNC. Pingkiu further clarified that he was not involved in any extortion activity, intimidation to the public and also did not carry out extortion spree along the national highways as alleged by Captain Pourang.
Expressing profound resentment over the manner Captain Pourang had tarnished his prestige; Pingkiu said that the allegation put forth in the press by the former was unfounded but an attempt to assassination his character.
Pingkiu also said that no proof or evidence could be furnished to support that he had been extorting or intimidating to the public.
Pingkiu then put the record straight that he had at any point of time never misused the name of FGN/NNC as alleged by Captain Pourang.
Urging to be more mature in dealing things, Pingkiu stated that unnecessary and unfounded allegations hurled against anyone from any quarter will not prove fruitful in the cause of the Naga nation.
Congress cries foul over Nagaland trust vote, MLAs meet Prez Zee News
New Delhi, Dec 18: Crying foul over the defeat of the no confidence motion against the Neiphu Rio government, Congress-led Nagaland progressive alliance on Tuesday claimed majority in the state assembly and paraded 30 MLAs before President Pratibha Patil.

AICC general secretary Margaret Alva favoured dissolution of the assembly in Nagaland where elections are due in February. She said the MLAs would not leave the capital till the Centre takes any action. The delegation of legislators from the northeastern state, led by leader of opposition I Imkong met Patil and demanded immediate dismissal of the Rio government claiming that its existence was "unconstituional".

"We demanded that the illegal Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government be dismissed," Imkong told reporters here. The comments came after the ruling DAN survived a no confidence motion moved by opposition parties in the assembly on December 13.

The Congress along with dissident members of the Nagaland People's Front (NPF), some of whom were ministers in the Rio government, have formed the NPA. The NPA claims that the DAN have lost majority in the state assembly following defection of nine NPF MLAs. Nagaland speaker had ruled the votes of nine NPF MLAs invalid citing defiance of party whip. Alva contended that the anti-defection law came into force only after votes were cast. Alva said Nagaland governor has sent two "very strong" reports to the centre and the cabinet may take up the matter at its next meeting.
Nagaland MLAs seek dismissal of Rio government Delegation, including 16 Congress MLAs, meets President Special Correspondent The Hindu
NEW DELHI: Thirty legislators from Nagaland met President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday evening to press for the dismissal of the Neiphiu Rio government in the State as it had lost its majority on the floor of the State Assembly.
The delegation included 16 MLAs from the Congress, nine members who crossed over from the ruling side when the motion of no-confidence against the Rio government was put to vote, two from the Janata Dal (United) and three Independents.
Though, according to the Leader of the Opposition in the Nagaland Assembly, I. Imkong, the total number of MLAs who voted against the Rio government was 31, one legislator — a Congressman — could not come to Delhi because of personal reasons.
While at first the 31 MLAs staked claim to form a government, Congress in-charge of Nagaland, Margaret Alva, said since elections were due in the State early next year, the legislators had come around to accepting President’s Rule as an alternative.
Briefing mediapersons ahead of the meeting with the President, Mr. Imkong said the Rio government had been voted out on December 13. However, he said, the Speaker refused to acknowledge the vote though 31 MLAs in a House with an effective strength of 55 had voted against the government.
“The Speaker refused to acknowledge the vote of the three Independent MLAs — who where among the legislators who moved the no confidence motion — and the nine MLAs who cross-voted. We demanded a fresh count but he refused. Immediately afterwards, all 31 MLAs went to the Raj Bhavan to inform the Governor that they had voted out the Rio government and stake claim,” Mr. Imkong said.
Meet Home Minister Pointing out that seven days had passed since the Rio government had lost its majority, Mr Imkong said the MLAs decided to come to Delhi to step up pressure on the Centre to take action against an unconstitutional regime. On Monday, they met Home Minister Shivraj Patil — who has already received a report from Governor K. Sankaranarayanan — and have sought appointments with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. During the day, they also met Ms. Alva and complained to her about the delay in action against the minority government .
Political crisis continues in Nagaland Our Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Dec 18 – Political crisis in Nagaland showed no sign of waning, even as newly christened Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) paraded its MLAs before the Centre.

With the blessings of the Congress Party, the NPA has exerted pressure on the UPA Government to dismiss Neiphiu Rio Government. The crisis has come to a boil and a delegation of the NPA met Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil here yesterday to immediately act and dismiss the DAN Government.

The delegation led by its leader I Imkong described the Nagaland Assembly Speaker’s decision as ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘undemocratic’ act taken with malafide intention. The NPA is planning to meet AICC president, Sonia Gandhi.

Not one to be out-maneuvered, the Nagaland Chief Minister has also rushed to the capital and is meeting Central Ministers to persuade them to save his government. Rio called on NCP leader, PA Sangma last evening. Today he called on Union Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar, besides BJP president Rajnath Singh.

While the Central Government is yet to make up its mind, the dissident MLAs met the President this evening and paraded 16 of the 17 MLAs before her to establish that Rio Government lost majority in the House of 55.

The Speaker has already disqualified seven MLAs. The Opposition MLAs claimed that Rio enjoys support of only 23 MLAs, while their effective strength is 31.

Talking to newsmen at the Congress head office, Imkong, who is also the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, said that they want the Centre to dismiss the Rio Government and invite the Congress to form the next government.

Nagaland significantly is scheduled to go to poll in February next year. However, Imkong said election was not the issue but constitutional propriety is.
Ex-rebel spills Dhaka beans: by E.M. JOSE Tangkhul Com
Shillong,: The surrendered chairman of a separatist group has revealed that he lived in Dhaka for several years, possibly the first time a militant leader has publicly contested Bangladesh’s claim that it does not host rebels. Julius Dorphang, the head of a group fighting for over a decade for an independent nation Khasiland carved out of Meghalaya, told The Telegraph in an exclusive interview that top leaders of many Northeast militant groups lived in Dhaka.
“It is true that for better communication with other militant groups and also with others, we, the top leaders, used to stay in Dhaka,” he said at the Mawiong rehabilitation camp, 7km from Shillong.
Dorphang, 44, who headed the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for several years, surrendered on July 23 after what he describes as ideological differences with his colleagues.
He gave the name of one apartment building where he had lived — Banani — “in Dhaka, close to the airport”. Meghalaya police have cross-checked that there is a building by this name.
“However, we used to change places every now and then. Maybe six months in one place and another six months somewhere else,” he said. Dorphang did not identify any other militant leader who lived in Dhaka. “We used to see each other either in hotels or other rented places.”
But he did say that like the HNLC, the NSCN(I-M) and the National Liberation Front of Tripura have camps in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. “I came to know that the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) had to disband a camp because of a misunderstanding with the locals,” he said. “We had relations with NSCN and other top militant groups. But we did not have any connection with the Ulfa.”
Although Northeast militants have spoken about acquiring training in Bangladesh at surrender ceremonies, Dorphang is the first top leader to say he lived there. “Why should I hide it? It is a fact,” he said. Ulfa’s Paresh Barua and Arabinda Rajkhowa, NDFB’s Ranjan Daimary, All Tripura Tiger Force’s Ranjit Debbarma and National Liberation Front of Tripura’s Biswamohan Debbarma are said to be holed up in Bangladesh.
Other top leaders of Dorphang’s own group, HNLC, are also there.
Bangladesh officially denies the presence of Indian militants or their camps on its soil. But privately, it has been making positive gestures to India on several issues, including fugitive insurgents, ever since the military-backed regime took over in Dhaka.
Declaration of Youth and Students in the Asia-Pacific Region on Education and Employment
Approved by all 30 participants of the Regional Youth Camp: You Act on Education and Employment held in Dhulikhel, Nepal on December 12-15, 2007
December 15, 2007

We, the young people from the Asia-Pacific region, gathering in solidarity with one another during the four-day (December 12-15) You Act on Education and Employment Youth Camp organized by the Asian Students Association (ASA) and host by All Nepal National Free Students' Union (ANNFSU) in Dhulikhel, Nepal recognize the impacts of globalization and neo-liberalism on the education and employment of the youth and students in our region.

We recognize the impacts of the social and political crisis being experienced by our countries that have aggravated the condition of the youth and students. These include the fascism and repression being experienced by the peoples of Burma, Malaysia and Pakistan from their respective countries, and the state of undeclared Martial Law in the Philippines and militarization of the Northeast region, India. We know that minorities and oppressed nationalities are experiencing discrimination in their countries from their governments. We demand that the national emergency be withdrawn with all democratic rights returned to the people of Bangladesh as well as a transparent and credible election to be held to transfer the power to a democratically-elected government. We strongly condemn the Malaysian government for its repressive crackdown on the democratic movement and the minorities struggling for their rights and freedoms.

We also have expectations on the government of Nepal to respect the demands of the people after the successful April Revolution which has led in the successful overthrow of their kingship and is in the process of nation-building and unifying their people for a future Democratic and Federal Republic of Nepal through the process of Constitution Assembly Election. We also demand that Burma saffron revolution led by Buddhist monks, students and people, democratization should be ensure through genuine dialogue. We demand that the suspended judiciary of Pakistan shall be restored and a free, fair and transparent election should be held under their supervision.
As we realize the political stability is vital in ensuring education and employment rights, we are strongly against the usage by the state of mechanism to crackdown on the youth and people movement.

On Education We have identified commercialization and privatization, both of which are dictates of capitalist powers and the trend of neo-liberal globalization as a major commonality and trend in our countries. Both of these have raised issues of accessibility and quality of education especially for the underprivileged and the poor, making education a privilege to be enjoyed only by the few and the powerful.

In most countries, more and more students are dropping out of school or are unable to enter schools because of the rising cost of education. Our governments are reducing the budget and subsidy of our schools leading to a loss of necessary facilities and infrastructures such as classrooms, textbooks, teachers for quality education. These necessary funds are instead being transferred to military funds which are being used to suppress the people.

The lack of state subsidy on education and the manipulation by military governments and religious fundamentalists of curriculums have also caused a problem in the quality of education. Our schools are being used to train docile and semi-skilled workers for foreign markets or to become submissive to the government instead of being critical thinkers and nationalists.
Gender and racial discrimination are prevalent in our schools. Women are neglected in schools. Indigenous youth are refused their right to be educated in their own language.

Academic freedom is being suppressed in our schools and universities. These include the right to establish and run an independent student council/union and student publication, the rights to organize, assemble, hold protest rallies and speak against the injustices that we see in our land. Besides, we believe that the “freedoms to teach, research, publish and to speak extra-murally” are the basics of academic freedom and should never be violated.

On Employment We, too, face great problems with regards to our right to decent employment. In most countries, there is a great lack of employment opportunities and so our graduates and professionals are being forced to work in another land. As stated, our schools, universities and institutions are used to produce labor according to the demands of foreign nations and multinational corporations.
Wages and salaries remain low and barely enough for the survival of families for their daily livelihood. In our countries, the increase in the minimum wage, if there is any, fails in comparison to our country’s inflation rate and the rising cost of living.

Job security is also a major problem that we face. As imposed by the World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Economic Forum and Asian Development Bank, contractualization has become a matter of policy for employers, be it the government, private sector or multinational corporations.
The predominance of the feudal mode of production in our countries causes underemployment. Many people are being hired to jobs lower than their qualifications. University degree holders become mere clerks or service men. It has also forced our professionals to work in the bubble economy of Business Process Outsourcing such as call center jobs which one day shall implode leaving thousands upon thousands jobless.
Forced labor migration is a growing problem caused by unemployment. Instead of ensuring employment by creating new jobs that would hire our people, our governments encourage the export of cheap-labor as a source of foreign remittances to boost our nation’s sinking economies rather than use these productive labor force for the benefit our people and our nation.

There is a lack of necessary agreements between our governments and those of receiving countries, and as a result, migrant workers face great hardships in foreign nations and do not receive protection and support from our governments. Their jobs are usually characterized by three Ds (dirty, dangerous and difficult). They face discrimination, extreme exploitation, physical and mental abuse and are paid extremely low salary when compared to local and workers from the first world working in the same jobs. More so, they do not receive protection from both sending and host governments.

The situation of women workers continues to worsen. Their rights in the workplace are ignored. They are not provided with equal job opportunities as those given to men. They usually receive less for the same amount and quality of work done. They face gender discrimination in the workplace, especially sexual and physical harassment from other employees and employers.
Because of extreme poverty, the practice of child labor continues. Children are being forced to work in sweatshops and garbage collectors, become domestic helpers instead of going to school to become educated.
In factories, shops and the workplace, the rights of workers and trade unions are intentionally being denied by multinational corporations and local exploiting industrialists. Some are being denied their rights to hold strikes and pickets and to negotiate their demands.

Our Commitment We, the participants of this camp, thereby express our firm commitment to advance and uphold the right of the people to education and employment.

We affirm our conviction that education is a fundamental right and not a privilege. It must be free, compulsory, scientific, practical, competitive, nationalist, people-oriented and must respond to the people’s needs and interests. We demand that the budget for the military, for the repression of our people, be channeled to the much more necessary and productive use of educating our people. We recommend the introduction of an education tax coming from high-income earning people and sale of liquor and cigarettes/tobacco.

We demand an end to the commercialization and privatization of education and other dictates of neo-liberal globalization. Education should not be used as a means of getting profit but to serve the nation and people.
To this end, we call for a curriculum that is scientific, secular, and knowledge-based and also adopt sound and scientific examination system. It should be a curriculum that shall teach students to become nationalists, critical thinkers and progressive-minded. It must serve not the demands of the foreign job market but the needs of our countries.
Discrimination of women, indigenous peoples, cultural and gender minorities should be ended. Mother language or mother tongue education should be promoted and protected to enrich our people’s culture and make education more accessible for them.
Our teachers should be given necessary and up-to-date trainings as well as reasonable and standard salaries. The appointment of education ministers, heads and officials should be based on their merit and qualifications, not political biases.
We call on the government and school administrators to end their intervention in student affairs. Students should be given full academic freedom, which means freedom to publish, organize, speak, hold rallies and assemblies. Student publication, councils and governments should be fully independent, without intervention and fully supported by school administrations and governments.
With regards to employment, we call on our governments that all capable individuals be given full employment according to their qualifications, regardless of their sex, gender and race. Differently-abled individuals should be given full social security including living allowances, health care, etc.
The capitalist dictate of contractualization should be stopped immediately. All workers and employees in the private and public sector should be given full job security.
We demand for food sovereignty and security and the protection of the ownership of seeds to the farmers.
The labor-export policy of the government should also be stopped while the rights of migrant workers should be ensured and protected. We demand the free movement of people. Overseas workers should be paid salaries equal to those of the local workers in the respective countries.
The rights of women should be respected in the workplace. They should be given equal treatment, opportunities and equal wage for an equal amount of work. Discrimination, abuse and harassment should be stopped and apprehended.
The government should ensure that child labor be stopped and that working children be sent to schools to study.
The rights of workers should be respected and upheld according to the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

We believe that the ultimate solution to these problems on employment and poverty is the end of feudalism along with autocratic, orthodox state and foreign intervention in our countries. Genuine and comprehensive land reform as well as national industrialization should likewise be realized. The process of industrialization and development should also be environmentally-friendly and sustainable. National sovereignty and the people’s right to self determination should be asserted and protected. All unequal treaties and agreements with capitalist nations should be ended and our countries should have an independent foreign policy.

In pursuit of these demands, we shall hold forums, symposia, rallies, demonstrations and peaceful mass movement to pressure our respective governments and involve more students and youth in our fight for our rights to education and employment.
These we declare in solidarity with all students and youth in the Asia-pacific region and the world who face, stand up to and unite to frustrate the onslaught of neo-liberal globalization.

Education is a fundamental right, not a privilege!
Employment for all!
Long live students and youth movements of Asia and the Pacific!
Long live international solidarity!

Lack of development generating extremism: Tarun Gogoi Times of India PTINEW DELHI: Pleading Central assistance for development programmes, the Assam government on Wednesday said inadequate distribution of funds and backwardness have generated insurgency.

"The population of two hill districts of the state is 10 lakh while the states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram, which were carved out of Assam, have a population of 23 lakhs, 20 lakhs and nine lakh respectively," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said at the National Development Council meeting.

"The plan assistance received by these districts of Assam (Rs 286 crore) is comparatively far less than the plan assistance received by Meghalaya (Rs 800 crore), Nagaland (Rs 685 crore) and Mizoram (Rs 620 crore). This has resulted in slow development of these areas, generating support for extremist activities and demand for separate state-hood," he said.

He said within the group of special category states, the allocation for Assam appears to be only 15.29 per cent while population-wise it should have been 41.84 per cent.

"This is in contrast to the allocation of the other special category states, which is more or less proportionate to their population," he said. Gogoi said his government was keen to work with the Centre to explore the natural resources available in the state, including oil and gas. "The 11th Plan document envisages continuation of the policy to encourage national and international oil companies to explore oil and gas in the country. New technology to extract more oil from known and depleted reserves is to be encouraged. Assam offers enough opportunities in this sector..," he said.
Drive against HNLC, NLFT Correspondent Nagaland Post
Shillong, Dec 18: Security forces launched a major offensive against HNLC and NLFT militants in Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, a senior police official said on Tuesday. The offensive was carried out jointly by Meghalaya Police, Special Operation Team and Border Security Force after the state police busted a joint transit camp of the two militant groups inside Narpuh Reserve Forest, bordering Assam and Bangladesh.
However, police failed to arrest any of the militants. "They managed to escape, but we are going ahead with our combing operations to nab them," Inspector General of Police B L Buam said.
Security forces recovered a large number of cartridges of 9mm and .22 pistols, four AK-56 rifle butts, one high frequency walkie-talkie, a dairy containing Bangladesh and Indian telephone numbers of HNLC and NLFT ultras, micro cassettes, photographs, incriminating documents, besides a medical prescription of Bangladesh-based doctor from the camp.
Earlier before raiding the camp, police arrested two top HNLC militants from Chiehruphi village in Jaintia Hills. The HNLC and the NLFT - fighting for a sovereign independent homeland for the Hynniewtrep people in Meghalaya and Tripuri people in Tripura - said to have planned to kidnap businessmen on ransom from Jaintia hills. The Jaintia Hills district has large deposits of coal and lime stones and other mineral resources. The coal mines are jointly run by locals and Marwari businessmen. At present, the district has three cement plants. Half a dozen more such plants would be set up soon.
"Extortion demands have gone up in Jaintia Hills district with the support of some coal-mafias and especially after cement companies decided to set up their plants," an intelligence official said.
"They (militants) are concentrating in Jaintia Hills mainly to carry out extortion demands after they failed to extort much from business houses in Shillong," the official asserted.The militants also extort from trucks passing through National Highway 44, the lifeline of Lower Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and parts of Manipur, he said. The HNLC suffered a major blow when its chairman Julius K Dorphang surrendered before Chief Minister DD Lapang.

Concern over dying fish in Brahmaputra NDTV Kishalay Bhattacharjee

(Guwahati) An unnatural phenomenon, marine life dying in the Brahmaputra in Guwahati leaves experts baffled and worse police had to intervene to stop people from making a meal of the dying fish.

''People are catching these fish. Later they will consume it and get poisoned, ''said a policeman.
The district administration has issued a warning against consuming fish dying unnaturally. But not before the big catches were gone. The smaller variety was still seen dying. None of the government agencies were seen at the site till we informed the pollution control department. But even experts are at a loss to explain the unnatural death of fish.

''This is an unnatural phenomenon which is happening, but without lab tests we cant say anything, for us also it's a new thing,'' said Dr D J Hazarika Department of Foresnic Sciences. A few weeks ago, NDTV had carried a report on the numerous vessels in this area licensed to run floating restaurants and discos, releasing pollutants into the water, affecting marine life. But no one seems to have taken notice yet. Earlier, after we reported how waste from Indian Oil's refinery was being dumped into the river, the PSU took immediate corrective steps.

But this apart, the river continues to get more polluted with each passing day. It is a lifeline of the entire region and a source of livelihood for thousands besides being the source of water supply to the state. But the Brahmaputra has been more abused then used. The effects are here to see. This phenomenon may be a localised case but it should act as a wakeup call.

Mass fish deaths baffle city A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Dec. 18: Is it a sign of an impending natural disaster, wondered shopowner Kamal Medhi as he stared at scores of dead fish floating in a pool at Kacharighat this morning.
Separated from the Brahmaputra by a sandbar, the pool, which is the dumping ground for local puja idols, became a graveyard for a variety of fish which died under mysterious circumstances, probably last night. Medhi had stopped in his tracks when he spotted some floating objects in the pool that he had been passing by everyday for the past three years.
“We have never seen anything like this,” he said. As more and more passersby gathered by the pool for a closer look at the “phenomenon” and speculated about the mystery, the Pollution Control Board, Assam, rushed its officials to the waterbody. However, they could not put a reason to it.
“According to our preliminary inquiry, the fish may have died last night. The possibility of reduction in the level of dissolved oxygen in the water cannot be ruled out. Though there is little chance of a drop in the dissolved oxygen level in a river like the Brahmaputra, organic load and toxic substances in this particular pool of water might have reduced the level. We will be able to ascertain the cause by Thursday,” deputy analyst of the pollution board, Deepak Barua, said. It was 10.30am when Medhi first saw the fish. “When we looked closer, we were shocked to see a large number of dead fish. We even saw some of the fishes dying in front of our eyes. There was a huge variety, both large and small,” he said.
“Some were discussing that such deaths are considered ominous and indicate the possibility of natural disasters like earthquake. I do not know how true it is. I am confused,” said Medhi. Dulu Das, who came to the deputy commissioner’s office at Kacharighat from Hajo for some work, went to the poolside after hearing about the dead fish.
“Someone must have poisoned the water so that they can sell the fish. People often do that in our village in winter when the water level in rivers and ponds goes down,” he said. The pollution control board, however, was not ready to hazard a guess about the cause till it had received results of laboratory analysis of the water samples it has collected from six different points of the river. Samples of dead fish have also been collected to examine whether they have died after consuming any toxic substance and any other pollutants in the water, an official of pollution control board said. As the number of curious onlookers increased and some even began plunging into the water for some of the “booty”, the administration deployed police to prevent people from taking away the dead fish.
Gandhi is applicable in today's Burma. By Dr. Sein Myint Mizzima news
December 19, 2007 - The question "Is Gandhi applicable in today's Burma ?" has been raised by a writer from the Shan Herald Agency for News. In the nonviolent struggle against the Imperial British colonists in South Africa and in British India, Gandhi told his followers not to take 'an eye for an eye' but to take 'blows from the adversaries, to make them feel guilty for their cruel actions.'
Shan Herald's author pointed out that Gandhi was not fighting against 'lawless power' as in present day Burma, for both South Africa's apartheid regime and the British were known as 'apostles to the Rule of Law.' And when Life's Margaret Bourke-White asked Gandhi if he believed that he could use nonviolence against someone like Hitler, Gandhi's response was, "When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and, for a time, they can seem invincible. But in the end they always fall. Think of it always." The Shan Herald's writer seems to have agreed. Certainly, the writer from Shan Herald is not the first person; this question has been on the mind of many people from the Burmese democratic opposition for quite some time now. The question is very relevant to our cause in the struggle for freedom from the military tyranny in Burma.
Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent struggle has always been an inspiration for all freedom fighters including Burma 's democracy icon, Daw Aung San Su Kyi, who is an ardent believer and practitioner of this doctrine. Her father, the late Bogyoke Aung San, however, relied on more conventional methods, using all or any available opportunities in his struggle for Burma's independence from the British and later from the Japanese.
In the movie, Thirteen Days, about the Cuban Missile crisis in October, 1962, the United States President JF Kennedy boldly applied a naval blockade on Cuba while confronting incoming USSR ships loaded with long range nuclear missiles. At the same time he pressured Soviet Premier Khrushchev to withdraw the existing short and medium range nuclear missiles from Cuba. The drama intensified as the Soviet ships approached the blockade and the prospect of the Third World War III increased. The world narrowly escaped from the brink of nuclear holocaust when the Soviet ships decided to turn around and avoided the confrontation. Nikita Khrushchev was the first to blink in this nuclear showdown with President Kennedy, and subsequently paid the price and lost his job. Next year President Kennedy was allegedly assassinated by a lone assassin, a communist sympathizer Lee Harvey Oswald, in Dallas, Texas.
The question is what might have happened if Khrushchev had not backed down but decided to order his ships to continue sailing into the American naval quarantine zone and ordered Soviet nuclear submarines accompanying the cargo ships to retaliate, once the US navy destroyers fired upon the Soviet ships. At the same time the Soviet medium and short range nuclear missiles were already aimed at the east coast of the United States, including Washington DC, the US was standing by at Defcon-2 level, with B-52 strategic bombers loaded with nuclear bombs up in the air, and the ICBM silos in the Midwest were opened-up ready for firing. It could have been the beginning of a nuclear war followed by a holocaust.
"Did President Kennedy make the right move by calling Khrushchev's bluff and ordering a naval blockade on Cuba ?" Everyone in the While House was extremely nervous and tense during the showdown and was quite relieved once they heard that the Soviet ships had turned back. Did meeting the 'force' with 'force' pay off?
It is a total reverse from offering the other cheek to your enemy. But to answer the question, first it is essential for us to examine and understand everything about our adversary; i.e. their strengths, weaknesses, culture, belief, attitude, mentality, up-bringing, and all other prevailing circumstances that are likely to change with time. And compare notes with all relevant historical background before we decide on the best possible action. For example, the attitude and mentality of the late 19th century Imperialist British Raj and 21st century Burmese military dictator cannot have been the same, although there could be some similarities on the methods applied to quell and control demonstrations against them. And in the prevailing political circumstances supporting and influencing the decisions of both regimes are not the same. Therefore the decisions by the Governor-General in British India against the nonviolent Indian Congress could not be the same as the decisions by the Burmese military junta against the nonviolent Buddhist monks and activists.
Hence, the short answer to the question of whether nonviolent methods will work against the hard-line military dictators in Burma is, 'yes' it will work in the end, but when is the end? This is an important question, for the end may come next year or in ten years. But, one thing for certain is that many people inside the country will have to endure much more suffering before they obtain the fruit of freedom. Anyhow, our Lord Buddha taught us that Life itself is 'suffering.'
[Dr. Sein Myint serves as Director for Policy Development with Justice for Human Rights in Burma (JHB).]
India, China to Strengthen Myanmar’s IT Capability Indo Burma News
December 18, 2007: (Chennai Centre for China Studies) India and China have been competing with each other not only in helping Myanmar’s military junta in the exploitation of its vast gas reserves in the Arakan area, but also in strengthening its IT capability. The Junta, which is keen to develop an IT capability, which will not be dependent on Western companies and which it can strictly control without letting it be exploited by pro-democracy elements, has sought the help of India and China. Both have responded positively.
2. On December 12, 2007, during the visit of U Kyaw Thu, Myanmar’s Deputy Foreign Minister, to New Delhi, India and Myanmar were reported to have signed a Memorandum of Understandg (MOU) under which India will help Myanmar to establish an India-Myanmar Centre for Enhancement of Information Technology Skills (IMCEITS) in Yangon (Rangoon). 3. On December 14, 2007, the Junta inaugurated at a place near Pyin Oo Lwin town in the Mandalay area, Myanmar’s second IT Park called the Yadanabon Cyber City. Myanmar’s first IT Park, which is called the Myanmar Information and Communication Technology (MICT) Park, is located in Yangon.
4. To start with, the Yadanabon Cyber City has a cross border fiber ink from China, which is already functional. The Junta is reportedly proposing to have a similar link from India and Thailand. Initially, the Cyber City will focus on the production of software, but will ultimately undertake the production of hardware too. The Junta is hoping to get the co-operation of Indian software companies for developing its software capability.
5. In the meanwhile, reports emanating from Washington DC indicate that President George Bush is likely to drop plans for an US-ASEAN summit in his Texan ranch.During the summit conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum (APEC) at Sydney in September, 2007, Mr.Bush was reported to have invited the leaders of the ASEAN countries to his ranch for a summit to discuss US-ASEAN relations. The US is since reported to have indicated to the ASEAN countries that in view of the recent brutal suppression of an agitation by students and monks in Myanmar by the Junta in August-September, 2007, the US may have difficulty in organising this summit. Myanmar is a member of the ASEAN and the US would find it difficult to invite Myanmar at any level. (18-12-07)
(The writer, Mr.B.Raman, is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute for Topical Studies, Chennai. He is also associated with the Chennai Centre for China Studies. E-mail:seventyone2@gmail.com">seventyone2@gmail.com)

Frans on 12.19.07 @ 05:35 PM CST [link]


Tuesday, December 18th

Nagas desire for homeland must be respected: Mani Aya Shimray The Morung Express



Nagas desire for homeland must be respected: Mani Aya Shimray The Morung Express

Ukhrul | Despite the creation of Nagaland State, the aspirations of the larger Naga communities scattered in the other parts of NE and Burma have never been honored, said Mani Charenamei, MP (Outer Manipur) while speaking as Chief Guest at the Cultural function of the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (Tangkhul Students’ Union) TKS Platinum Jubilee celebration being held at Ukhrul from 14-17th December 2007. He added that by separating the Nagas, the cherished wish of the Nagas has been betrayed and that until the ‘fragmented’ areas of the Naga ancestral land are brought under a single administrative roof, the Nagas can never be convinced that the GOI is genuinely concerned about the aspirations of the Nagas. Mani Charenamei while dwelling on the Jubilee theme “Our Future, Our Responsibility”, articulated that the Nagas have set a clear vision and that it was a perfect point of time to exhibit people’s determination and commitment to the cause. It is time we pursue an ‘inclusive’ policy towards our neighbours, he said.
Earlier, in his address, while terming globalization as an irreversible process, he called India’s Look East Policy (LEP) as its offshoot. He cautioned that unless we are prepared to consistently guard against its onslaught, our culture, our identity, our future could be at stake in the face of the grueling face of globalization. While expressing his happiness at the various efforts made by Nagas to preserve its art & culture, dresses and ornaments etc, he lamented at the fact that the old cultural values, virtues and ethos are diminishing, making it so vulnerable to cultural invasion. The 3 day long TKS 75 extravaganza ended this evening with the declaration and endorsement of ‘TKS Vision 100’. Later during the day, thousands throng in the Tangkhul Naga Long ground, Ukhrul to witness a variety of cultural items from various cultural troupes and folk renditions from the renowned Naga folk blue guru, Reuben Mashangva and a host of artistes. Brig PS. Mander, DIG, B Range, who turned up to attend the cultural regale urged the people to support and strengthen the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process. The Valedictory session, chaired by Artax A. Shimray, drew a huge convergence of people from various walks of life in an event marked by ‘Down Memory Lane’ - a rendezvous with music by K. Wungchan, (the name who not only ruled AIR but became everyone’s heartthrob), presentations to all the former student leaders of TKS and a special Recognition award to distinguished individuals who have made an impact on Tangkhul society in various fields.
However, the high point was the declaration of a vision statement, ‘TKS Vision 100’. The TKS 75 band, a collaboration of Tangkhul artistes continued to steal the show with its blend of music.
DAN, NPA leaves for Delhi Morung Express News
Kohima | As the political drama heightens in the State following the December 13 “controversial” no-confidence motion against DAN government, 31 members of the newly formed Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA), led by its leader I Imkong and the DAN government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio along with Home Minister Thenucho and Urban Development Minister, Dr Shurhozelie, left for Delhi today to make their respective claim before the central leaders.
Source said that the 31 NPA members, including the seven whose resignation has been accepted by the Speaker, will meet the President of India, Pratiba Patil, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and other AICC leaders and apprise them of the latest political status in the State. However, it was not known whether Rokonicha, who resigned as a MLA today, was also with the team.
The Chief Minister attended the Golden Jubilee of Chedema Village Youth Organization this morning and left for Delhi along with Home Minister and Urban Development Minister Delhi after attending a Cabinet meeting held in the afternoon. The NPA has been complaining that the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has delayed taking action against the DAN government whom they claim has been reduced to minority. Imkong said that they will demand the Home Minister to take immediate action against the Rio government and will stake claim to form the new government. However, with the resignation of its seven members being accepted by the Speaker and another member, Rokonicha, resigning today, it is not sure whether the Union Home Minister will agree to their claim. Rio is also reported to have a good influence over the Union Home Minister and other Ministers in the UPA government. That is why no action has been initiated against his government in spite of the NPA claim that the trust vote has been defeated, source said. With both the sides reportedly having its own influence over the central leaders, there is likely to be heavy tug of war in Delhi with claims and counter claims being presented.
Rokonicha resign as MLA Kohima, December 17 (MExN): Speaker Keyanilie has accepted the resignation of Congress MLA Rokonicha today. Rokonicha resigned as MLA due to some differences with the Congress party functionaries over distribution of party ticket in 5 Ghaspani-II Assembly Constituency from where he won in the last election. Although, Congress sources claimed that Rokonicha has not sent his resignation to the party office, speculation are doing rounds that he might join the NPF party and is likely to contest on NPF ticket in the forthcoming election. Meanwhile, following his resignation, a notification from the legislature’s secretary declared the MLA’s seat as vacant.
NSCN Unification Camp clarifies Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Dec 18 (NPN): The "NSCN Unification Camp" Tuesday lamented that though the move for unification was initiated with honest intention yet it was misconstrued on tribal lines by certain sections of the society. A press release issued by Vihokhu of the Publicity Cell, NSCN Unification Camp, said the move was aimed at ending fratricidal killings among the Nagas. "By disseminating distrusts, doubts or suspicions the Naga people should not be kept at the altar of fratricides and division. Without unity, solution to the protracted Indo-Naga and Burma-Naga political imbroglio is to remain far-fetched," the release added.
The Naga unification- Nagaland Post
On the on-going Naga People's Unification process, varied views and opinions are being expressed. Some have been constructive and supportive while some quarters have remained skeptical and negatively inclined. This peace initially undertaken by the Western Sumi Hoho following the clarion call of the Nagaland GBs and DBs Joint Forum, supported by the Naga Hoho and various civil societies, NGOs and peace loving Naga national workers from different camps. But the on-going unification process has been misconstrued on tribal lines by certain section. On the contrary, the unification move which began with the objective to end fratricidal killings amongst the Nagas inhabiting Naga country. By disseminating distrusts, doubts or suspicions the Naga People should not be kept at the altar of fratricides and division. Without unity, solution to the protracted Indo-Naga and Burma-Naga political imbroglio is to remain farfetched.
While the Naga People's aspirations remain to be a common goal, skepticism and distrust has floundered. The Naga People's political movement has been bogged down in the quagmire of divisions, isms and suspicions, thus inflicting deep wounds hitherto. This affliction has taken much of its toll, thereby relegating the Naga political aspiration and has deviated our focus towards tribal inclinations. Various Civil Societies, NGOs, Churches, leaders etc. have sacrificed their tireless efforts to unite different groups. Killing have been condemned and denounced through out the Naga tribal regions.
Various approaches to end bloodshed under the emblem of 'Nagaland for Christ' in the spirit of 'forgive and forget' have failed due to one pretext or the other. With our obstinacy ruling out any unification point, are the Nagas to continue fratricidal killings and remain in revolutionary turmoil without an end? Every thing should have an ending and so should the Nagas also unite in some way or the other to end the blood feud. Nagas have suffered enough for decades due to our inability to 'forgive and forget' and to embrace each other. It is high time we embark towards amalgamation of all Nagas in whichever manner or opportunity. Our inflexible philosophies or principles should not lead us to further disintegration and defeat. Further bloodsheds should not be endowed to future generations anymore. Let our conscience and wisdom guide us to avert further self annihilation. Let us march ahead with the slogan of peace and reconciliation and salvage our freedom from alien dominance.
Vihokhu , Publicity Cell NSCN Unification Camp
Grin and beer it at Decemberfest Rahul Karmakar, Hindustan Times
Guwahati, It's not a patch on Oktoberfest, and Dimapur is no Munich, but “Decemberfest” or the Rice Festival is time to cheer for the people of Nagaland. Ever since the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) declared a ceasefire in July 1997, Nagaland has been exploring ways to erase its image of a violent state. It found a winner in its prized varieties of rice and heady rice beer.

“What we brew is certainly superior to the Japanese sake,” ethnic food and beverages specialist Abeni Lotha told HT from Dimapur. “We have two-three choices in rice beer from at least 16 tribes in Nagaland.”
If the Angami tribe swears by Khekri, its foamy white Zutho fermented with locally made rice-based yeast, the Lothas have the milky Chumcho, a grainy-syrupy Suko-tssu and the clear-as-water Zu-tssu. Zu-tssu, Abeni pointed out, is more like rice wine in the category of Raksi, a traditional alcoholic beverage in Nepal and Tibet, or Handia brewed across the Chhotanagpur Plateau. “Nagaland rice beers are appetisers and stress-busters if taken in the right measure and with healthy local food,” she added.
The food ranges from the exotic Wokoso (pork) and Pyokhango-nkong (dry fish) to the hot Naga chutneys like Orho-hanbon (made of beans), Ngasu-khyonti (brinjals) and Rehukun-hanbon (bamboo shoots). All, of course, complement rice. According to the state’s agriculture production commissioner, Alemtemshi Jamir, rice helped three Nagaland districts figure in the top 10 Indian districts with the highest cropped area in the 2005-06 fiscal.
“We declared 2006 as the Year of the Farmer, and the Rice Festival at Dimapur was the culmination of the celebrations,” he said. Nagaland grows at least 12 varieties of indigenous, organic rice, the priciest being the aromatic Kajuli. The emphasis, however, is on the healthier brown rice like the Rukhagang, grown in Wokha district.
Governor Jamir Stresses on Bond among Asian Countries Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)from special correspondent
Panaji, Dec 18: Asian countries should strengthen their bonds with each other for mutual economic and cultural benefits, Goa governor S C Jamir said on Monday, while interacting with consul general of South Korea Dong Yern Kim.

The consul general had paid courtesy visit to Raj Bhavan. Jamir further said the 21st century was most likely to become the century of Asian nations and underlined the need for closer ties among the countries of the Continent, be it trade or culture. Jamir also told the consul general that Asian is proud of Korea which is fast becoming the most progressive countries of South East Asia.

The governor pointed out that though the government of India looks to the West for trade and commerce, it has, in recent years clearly chalked out its priorities with the introduction of Look East Policy, and that Korea being one of the economic giants of the Continent, it is inevitable that the two countries maintain better economic relations for mutual benefit.

Jamir, who originally hails from Nagaland, also stated that in Nagaland, the Korean cable TV channel Arirang has caught up with the Naga youths in a big way and that a Arirang Fan Club has been set up just the other week in Nagaland.
A Korean stall was set up at the Hornbill Festival for the first time at Kisama, the cultural village of the Nagas," the Governor mentioned. Kim expressed happiness that cultural, economic and diplomatic relations between India and Korea have always been good and hoped that he would be able to take the relations to greater heights. He also said that Korea has large presence in India in the fields of automobiles and electronic gadgets. "Trade between India and Korea is in terms of around 10 billion US dollars," the consul general said.

Kim revealed that though in earlier years, cultural ties were limited to Delhi and Mumbai, he hoped to spread the relations to others parts of India.
Rio meets leaders Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Dec 18 (NPN): With the battle of Kohima not having shifted to New Delhi, both chief minister Neiphiu Rio and the Congress-led Nagaland Progressive Alliance(NPA)are engaged in a series of hectic meetings with central leaders over the issue central intervention to the political crisis arising out of the December 13 Motion of No Confidence Motion in the state assembly.
State chief minister met with Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani and a 50-minute meeting with union home minister Shivraj Patil. He was also reported to have held a marathon one-hour meeting with CPI general secretary A.B. Vardhan and another scheduled meeting with LJP leader and union minister Ram Vilas Paswan besides NCP leader from Meghalaya P.A. Sangma.
The NPA delegation led by its leader-elect I.Imkong also met with Congress leaders to buttress claim for dismissal of the Rio-led DAN coalition and formation of an alternative government.Meanwhile, the political arithmetic following the resignation of MLA from 5-Ghaspani-II Rokonicha, now means that effective strength of the house has been reduced to 47.
The opposition which has 21, excluding the two rebel NPF legislators-Tokheho and T. Tali. The DAN coalition has 23(minus the speaker who votes only if there is a tie).The Centre is expected to decide on the fate of the Rio-led DAN coalition vis-ŕ-vis the demand for installation of an alternative government made by the NPA. Political observers believe that the Centre could possibly invoke provisions of Art 356 bringing the state under President's Rule.
Peace in Nagaland? Times Now TV(By Rajiv Bhattacharya)


A landmark moment in Nagaland's violent history has been achieved after delegates of three militant groups conceded to a six-month ceasefire agreement - yet another major step towards ending decades of violence in the state.

Nagaland is a state virtually ruled by private armies of some of the deadliest militant organisations in the region - a place where short bursts of automatic gunfire have been the easiest route to silence rivals and opposition.

But now in a landmark moment in Nagaland's violent history has been signed three militant groups have conceded to a ceasefire agreement at a point when violence between rival militants organistations have already claimed over 200 lives in recent years.

"I and my government wlecome any kind of move to unite the Nagas and to have a ceasefire to stop the fighting among the factions," Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Sunday (December 17). The warring factions

The National Socialist Council of Nagima led by Isak and Muivah; The Khaplang faction based out of Myanmar (NSC(K) an The Naga National Council led by led by Adino Phizo from LondoThese three groups found themselves at the negotiation table in Kohima, after much persuasion from tribal chiefs and the state government, even agreeing to talk out differences over the unification of Nagaland next week. Kiphire village chief Satongse who attended the meeting, told TIMES NOW that the people believed "Naga people should be one and there should be no quarrel between brothers. That's why we have come to this meeting."
Several attempts have been made in the past tp unify militant groups in Nagaland, but the desired results could never be achieved. What gives hope this time around are certain new features like a decision by all the three militants groups to sign a ceasefire among themselves and serious attempts made by the state government to extend the process to Myanmar.
With Myanmar in the equation the state has reached out to New Delhi urging the Centre to convince the Myanmar Hunta to broker peace with the Khaplang faction and after three failed attempts to achieve peace in Nagaland since independence, letting go of this one chance could prove costly to the government.
A Public Process towards Healing Editorial The Morung Express
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 that has witnessed much hurt and suffering. Hence it is essential to place the issue of healing in the dialectical interplay of reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction. These three processes 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 the legality and 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 not to 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 dignified existence that will be made possible through mutual respect and understanding.
Centre invites Assam tribal leaders for talks The Morung Express
New Delhi, (PTI): The Centre has invited tribal leaders from Assam for talks in the wake of recent violence at an Adivasi rally in the state and public stripping of a tribal girl leading to protests there. It will also look into other welfare measures demanded by the Aborigines that includes Scheduled Tribe status for them.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister, P R Kyndiah, said his Ministry has invited the groups for talks to discuss issues relating to their demands.
"Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, had sent me a letter requesting to look into demands of the tribal communities in the wake of violence at a tribal rally in Guwahati. Accordingly, we have invited the communities for discussions on Tuesday," Kyndiah said on the sidelines of a conference.
He said an all party delegation from Assam had also requested him to take steps for pacifying the communities.
Kyndiah said the Centre will do whatever it could for the uplift of the tribal people in the North-East. "We are committed to their welfare," he said.
Clashes between adivasi protesters and local public in Guwahati left one person dead and nearly 300 injured on November 24, where a young adivasi woman was publicly stripped by rioters leading to widespread outrage, prompting the state government to announce a judicial probe and also a CBI probe.
The violence at the rally also figured in the Parliament where Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, assured steps to improve condition of the agitating communities.
The National Human Rights Commission had also sent notices to the Chief Secretary and DGP Assam on the incident.
ULFA is split into two, says IAF commander The Morung Express
Shillong, December 17 (PTI): In a startling revelation, a top IAF commander today said a faction of the Ulfa is being supported by Pakistan’s ISI after the split of the banned outfit.
“One faction, operating in lower Assam, is in league with Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence and other fundamentalist forces, while the other, operating in Upper Assam has build up a nexus with NSCN (K),” outgoing AOC-in-C of Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal P.K. Barbora said.
The faction operating in lower Assam has camps in Bangladesh, he said, adding that this faction supported influx of Bangladeshis into Assam. The other faction, active in Upper Assam, is, however, not in favour of such influx. Air Marshal Barbora’s comments raising fresh fears came on the heels of the arrest of a suspected key activist of the ISI looking after its operational matters in the Northeast in the guise of running a coal and garment business. The activist was arrested from Hedayatpur area in Guwahati on Friday.
The 35-year-old S.M. Alam alias Mujbullah alias Asif was a Jamiat-e-Islami activist in Bangladesh and in 1993 joined the Harkatul Mujhadeen. He was trained in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, sources said.
He is the third suspected ISI man to be nabbed in Guwahati. Two others were caught earlier this year with one working as a rickshawpuller. Lauding former Punjab deputy general of police K.P.S. Gill for his “smart tactics” in curbing militancy in Punjab, the Air Marshal said, “similar changes are taking place in Assam and the recent spurt in the surrender of Ulfa militants proved it.” On the demolition of militant camps by Bangladesh, he said, “Such positive steps would go a long way in curbing insurgency in the Northeast.”
Air Marshal Barbora was of the view that the recent ceasefire agreement between the two factions of the NSCN would bring peace in Nagaland. He said militancy in the northeastern states, barring Manipur, was on the wane and insurgent outfits were on their last legs. “Sensing that the menace of insurgency will ruin them, people have begun to rise against these elements,” the officer said.
Air Marshal Barbora, however, said that the situation would normalise once the rail link connecting Southeast Asia and India materialised. “This will encourage the youth to make a living and live in peace.” The Air Force had been used in counter-terrorism operations in Nagaland and Mizoram, but not yet in Manipur where it carries out only air maintenance operations. “We are ready to help combat terrorists in Manipur if asked to do so by the government,” the Air Marshal said.
Heavy gunfight between militants and SF in Manipur Newmai News Network
Imphal | Heavy gunfight has been reported between combined security forces and militants early this morning at around 5.30 at Nongmaijing Ching under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district amid villagers running helter-skelter for safety in the adjoining villages. No casualties have been reported from either side.
Police said that after being tipped off about the movement and the presence of well armed militants suspected to be the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the area, a combined team of security forces comprising of Imphal East and West police commandos, 32nd & 39th Assam Rifles, 115 BSF, 4th IRB, 7th & 1st Manipur Rifles launched an operation in the area to identify the hide-outs of the militants and flush them out. They launched the operation from Terakhong village and Tusemphai village.
The security forces were attacked by the suspected militants using lathodes, according to the police source. The security forces have also retaliated to the fire and a heavy firefight between the two ensued for around half an hour, added the police source. Police suspected casualties from the militants but it could not be ascertained instantaneously.
Kuki villagers living in the vicinity fled to other safer villages and took shelter there for the day. They were arranged meals by the neighboring Takhel Mamang village.
Villagers of Nongmeipam, in the area spotted well armed militants numbering around 40 yesterday evening. The militants have also holed the night there and left the village early this morning, according to the police. The security forces have been hunting the area till noon today.
Human rights and selective amnesia Nagaland Post article Patricia Mukhim(The author is a Shillong-based columnist and activist, and can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com">patricia17@rediffmail.com.)
Nagaland's longest serving chief minister and currently governor of Goa SC Jamir had yet another brush with terror. He narrowly escaped a bomb attack on his convoy while returning from his village in Mokokchung to Dimapur on 24 November. There are no prizes for guessing who the perpetrators were. It was carried out with the precision that could only have been orchestrated by a trained assassin. Jamir's escape was providential and it only goes to show that life and death are not in the hands of mere mortals.
The NSCN (IM)'s deep-seated chagrin for Jamir is legendary. Apart from his political posturing vis-a-vis the Naga national struggle, what sticks in the NSCN (IM)'s throat is the governor's rather bold but possibly contentious soliloquy, The Bedrock of Naga Society. This booklet authored by the septuagenarian discounts the Naga sense of history as recalled by the current breed of freedom fighters. He states very forcefully what many scholars and historians would couch in scholarly jargon. Naga nationalism as perceived today is a refined version of the reality that existed during the British incursion in North-east India. The present territories inhabited by the Nagas were excluded by the British from their administrative jurisdiction because they were located in treacherous terrain and inhabited by people whom the imperialists considered creatures best left to their elements.
In a free country, Jamir enjoys the right to voice his opinions. He cannot be ostracized for articulating what he feels is the correct historical interpretation of the Naga past. As a politician he also cannot be faulted for playing politics. But there is in the booklet a distinct ring of reality bereft of populism. Like a sphinx, Jamir has stoically defended the meaning and metaphor of his script and is not apologetic about it. However, Nagaland is known for its intolerance for dissent. Both factions of the NSCN consider dissent a betrayal to the larger cause of Naga freedom. That the arbiters of Nagaland's sovereign future should be so intolerant of dissent should alert the Naga people about the fascist traits of their leaders. It is a paradox that the people of Nagaland can only enjoy "freedom" within the paradigm defined by the NSCN.
Also, a contradiction in terms is that none of the so-called defenders of human rights in Nagaland have condemned the attack on Jamir. This only lends credence to the allegations that the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights is a co-opted platform of the NSCN (IM). If the NPMHR has slipped up on its basic commitment, one would have expected that one other institution which had earlier cried hoarse about ending bloodshed would now speak up. Yes, I am referring of the Naga Mothers' Association. Alas! This otherwise sane and sensible institution that claims to work for peace and justice has also decided to remain silent. Is the silence an indication that the NMA, too, is no longer free to air its considered views?
If so, where is the civil society in Nagaland? The struggle for Naga nationalism has taken its toll on Naga society and the polity. Even today when victims recount how their village was burned 27 times by the Indian Army, the narratives still evoke a sense of outrage, not only for the narrators but also for those who listen to these tales of horror. But over the years the Naga soul has been more brutalized by fratricidal killings than by the cruelties inflicted by the Indian Army. During the decade-long ceasefire, more young men have been gunned down by rival camps than they have during the long period of combat. These killings are usually followed by virulent reactions from the tribe to which the victim belonged. The tribal Hoho, which is the apex body of a particular Naga tribe, usually condemns the arbitrary killings and demands a public clarification why one of their members is eliminated. But neither the NSCN (IM) nor the NSCN (K) considers it their moral obligation to answer for their crimes. The tribal Hoho, a subsidiary of the Naga Hoho, a body respected and looked upon as the bulwark of Naga civil society, therefore seems to have increasingly lost its voice.
Ironically, the NSCN (IM) does not seem to respect its slogan, "Nagaland for Christ". The outfit's actions defy the tenets of Christianity which are essentially founded on non-violence, justice and peace. How can an organisation fighting for a just cause justify the merciless killing of another human being? Not a day passes without one killing taking place. So much so people have learned to live with the violence. If Naga society is vocal about state violence as perpetrated by the Indian Army they seem to have suddenly lost the verve to speak up against similar violence inflicted by their own members against their own people.
Jamir, with all his fads and foibles, is a veteran politician worthy of the respect befitting his age. It would not be realistic to belabour the issue of corruption and condemn him alone for looting the coffers of Nagaland. Anyone occupying the hot seat finds it extremely difficult to steer clear of the malady. Managing a government in the North-eastern states is pretty much like being Humpty Dumpty. It requires the dexterity of a trapeze artist to keep from tumbling over. Chief Ministers keep their eyes and ears shut in the face of blatant corruption by their ministerial colleagues. In any case, corruption is a non-issue in Nagaland. As Nagas would argue, "We are only making use of money that India is pumping in to bribe us into compliance".
The Naga national workers, as the two factions of the NSCN are called, also collect regular taxes (read extortion) from business houses, individuals and government employees. This is "Indian" money coming as it does from New Delhi. How they utilise these funds is nobody's business. Anyone who raises a point of order is silenced forever. So as far as the use of money is concerned, no one can be accused of corruption. If at all anyone is to be blamed, it is the patron state (India) which is softening the people into insouciance.
It is unfortunate that the present government of Nagaland seems to have badly faltered in providing safety to Jamir although they were duly warned about the impending attack. How do we read this action of the government? Since chief minister Neiphiu Rio's proximity to one faction of the NSCN is no secret, could his government have slipped up on the security front? Is the attack on Jamir a coincidence or a clever stratagem at precluding his comeback to state politics? These questions rankle and deserve a fair and objective investigation.
Elect accountable leaders- Nagaland Post
India is the biggest democracy in the world and today India has earned recognition for its well established democratic norms and parliamentary democracy and it is appreciated all over the world. The democratic intuition headed by clean image personalities of the country has earned admiration in the world over. However, the country is still struggling to grow and free itself from individual's selfishness.
The Nagaland Assembly is going for fresh election in 2 (two) months time to seek fresh mandate from the people. The opposition leader I. Imkong, seeking to form an alternative Government with illegal formation of Nagaland People's Alliances consisting defected NPF, MLAs and resigned MLAs much against the provision of 91st amendments of the 10th Schedule to the constitution of India is a shame to Indian Democracy. As representative of the people one must devotes ones time and energy to bring peace developments unity and prosperity in the state.
Today Nagaland is one of the most peaceful states in the country and development is taking place in a desired manner. The most important of all is development and change of the mindset taking place amongst people have contributed development in much faster phase be it in the fields of infrastructure, roads and communication, trade and commerce, the human capacity building, health sector and above all the desire of the people to promote peace for a peaceful prosperous living.
The country cannot afford to throw away of democratic norms and parliamentary practices to fulfill and justify wrong doing of few individuals for their political survival. It is a shame on the part of I. Imkong, opposition leader to blame the union home minister for his wrong doing and illegal formation of NPA. Nobody in the country has stake claims to form the Government in any state with resigned members who have become a mere public.
The speaker's action and judgment passed on December 13' 2007 during the no confidence motion sponsored by the opposition is valid and as per the provision of the 91st amendment of the 10th schedule of the constitution of India and the rules frame there under. The Rules framed on August 26' 2006 was made in the presence of all the 60 (sixty) members in the 10th Legislative Assembly of Nagaland. If anybody is aggrieved of the Rules should have challenged. The opposition members and NPF defected members and the resigned MLAs and independent MLAs are all a party to the Rules framed by the speaker. It is not justified to call the speaker's judgment as outrageous, murder of democracy, manipulation and illegal wrangling. The Hon'ble speaker had only acted upon the Rules framed by the members themselves.
All elected members are going to seek very soon the mandate of the people. It is for the people to judge whether it is safe to send people who does not own their action. The people must elect members who shall be accountable and responsible for their action if Nagaland is to progress like any other state in the country.
Yitachu Parliamentary secretary, Law and Justice and Fisheries.
Pourabi blast toll rises to 8, bodies taken By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 18: With one more victim succumbing to injuries today, the death toll in the bomb blast at Pourabi under Lamlai Police Station on December 16 has risen to eight even as the corpses of the other victims have been taken after post-mortem examination amidst heart-rending cries of their dear and near ones. The latest blast victim who died at RIMS Hospital at around 1.45 pm today where he was undergoing treatment has been named as Singam Premanand (32) s/o late Ibopishak of Keibi Awang Leikai. The powerful bomb blast that ripped through a running mini bus plying along the road in between Pourabi and Huidrom had killed three passengers on the spot and wounded over thirty others. The three persons who were killed at the spot were identified as Soibam Bobby (32) s/o Bobo of Keibi Mayai Leikai, Phijam Thoi (20) s/o Bonjaoba of Sekta Mayai Leikai and Singam Inao (24) s/o Gunadhor of Tiger Camp.
Later on, four more injured victims passed away at the hospitals. They were Laishram Devika Devi (13) daughter of Gulapi of Huidrom, Oinam Bobi (25) son of Mani of Uyumpok Paning Leikai, Khagembam Ibemcha (43) wife of Sanayaima of Keibi Heikak Mapan and Sinam Subala Devi (22) d/o Thoiba of Keibi Tiger Camp. The post-mortem examination of all the eight victims was conducted at the mortuary of RIMS from 10 am to 2 pm today amidst heart-rending wailing of their family members, relatives and other mourners.
Angry over not mentioning the name of the UG outfit responsible for the blast, some of the grief stricken mourners were seen snatching and throwing away the placards brought along by some people who gathered at the morgue at the nearby ditch.
The condition of two injured victims including a woman who are currently undergoing treatment at RIMS and another victim at Shija Hospitals are stated to be critical.
RPF owns up, but says blast triggered by `enemy` The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 17: The proscribed Revolutionary People`s Front, RPF has acknowledged responsibility for planting the bomb that exploded last night at Pourabi, killing seven passengers of a Pukhao-bound Canter, and maiming dozens of others. The group however blamed `enemy forces` for actually triggering the blast, alleging that it was done deliberately to cause civilian casualties.

The group, in a statement issued to the press today, at the same time expressed its heartfelt regret over the incident, and extended its deep apologies to the public and the families of the dead and injured.

According to the release, the bomb was planted two days back by the outfit`s armed wing People`s Liberation Army (PLA). However, on Sunday morning two of the three activists involved in planting the bomb were caught by the `enemy`, it said. The statement claimed that though the location of the bomb was known from the captured activists, the enemy did not remove it, but deliberately triggered it targeting the ill-fated Canter and causing multiple casualties.

The statement further said there had been an earlier incident in 2002 wherein a bomb planted by the outfit along the Imphal-Ukhrul road had been detected by the Assam Rifles, but the latter deliberately made civilians vehicles park at the spot. Ultimately the remote controller of the bomb made it explode when no vehicle was nearby, it said. It said the RPF and its armed wing PLA considered the victims of the blast to be martyrs in the revolutionary movement, and rendered their revolutionary homage. The statement further said the RPF shared the grief and pain of the bereaved families.

Seven SF troops killed, claims UNLF The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 17: The proscribed UNLF has claimed that at least seven Indian security personnel, including an officer have been killed, and three others wounded in an attack by MPA cadres this afternoon around 3:45 pm near Old Somtal in interior Chandel district.

According to a statement issued by UNLF senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba, cadres of the MPA 293 Bn attacked a vehicle convoy of Indian security forces advancing along with a JCB near Old Somtal. Seven security forces personnel, including an officer, were killed, it said, adding that three were wounded. The advance was preceded by heavy shelling on the part of the Indian security forces, it said. It further added that MPA 293 Bn cadres also inflicted several casualties upon Indian troops heading towards Old Samtal.

The troops who had withdrawn earlier from the area were attacked at around 4:30 pm after they advanced again since yesterday morning, it said. The MPA cadres withdrew from the area after half-an-hour`s exchange of fire, but the Indian forces were still heard firing blindly till late in the night. It said there are indications of the security forces having suffered seven or eight casualties in yesterday`s incident.

It added that a helicopter marked with a Red Cross was for the first time seen evacuating casualties from Tuitung village. The statement also maintained that with increasing casualties, the morale of the Indian troops engaged in the ongoing operations was steadily going downIt also mentioned that the Indian forces were using unmanned spy-planes in the ongoing operations, in addition to making attempts to jam the UNLF`s radio communications. The statement also stated that the UNLF regretted the loss of life in the the Pourabi blast yesterday, shared the grief and sorrow of the victims and their families.
Outrage in Karenni refugee camp over youth's death Than Htaik Oo Mizzima News
December 18, 2007 - Over 3,000 agitated Burmese refugees on the Thai-Burmese border on Monday continued to stage protest rallies over the killing of a student in a camp by Thai security forces and set on fire two buildings and two vehicles.
The demonstration by students from No.1 refugee camp in Maehongson in Northern Thailand occurred following the killing of a refugee student by Thai security forces on Saturday.
"The students said that they would continue their agitation until their demands are met", Pho Re, Chairman of the Refugee Committee in No. 1 Camp told Mizzima.
The protest began at 9 a.m. and concluded at noon on Monday. The demonstrators demanded that the authorities ensure proper burial for the dead youth and withdrawal of all security forces from the camp. They also wanted restoration of the rights of refugees and the removal of the Thai Refugee Camp Security and Supervision Force, which was responsible for the death of the student. The demonstrators wanted justice to prevail.
"They shot dead a student living in the camp. The whole refugee community is outraged over the incident and they demand restoration of peace and tranquility, restoration of human rights, and the right to education in the camp. That's all", Ko Daylo, a demonstrator told Mizzima.
Angry mobs from the refugee camp set ablaze two buildings, two vehicles and motorcycles of the Thai Security Forces and demanded that the Thai army intervene for further security.
The refugees said, there is palpable tension between the refugees and the Thai Camp Security forces that boils down to hatred and refugees despising the security personnel.
"I feel extremely sorry for my fellow refugees, students and youths in the camp. No one wants to confront the Thai administrators and security forces because we still need their protection for the security of the camp for fear of being raided and fired upon by the Burmese Army as had happened last year," Ko Lawrence, who is resettled in Australia said. "The security forces are ever so slowly meddling and interfering in day-to-day affairs, even in the case of distribution of rice", he added. There are two Karenni refugee camps in Maehongsong with over 20,000 refugees living in No. 1 Camp alone.
Burmese monks in India forms a group to protect Buddhism Indo Burma News
December 17, 2007 (Mizzima) In a view to uplift the Buddhist Sasana (religion) Burmese monks on Sunday formed an organization at Buddhist sacred place of Gaya in India's Bihar state.
The new Monks' organization, 'Sasana U Shaung', is aimed to uplift the Buddhist religion in Burma, which according to the Monks, had been defamed and demoralized by the Burmese military junta by killing, arresting and torturing monks during a crackdown on protestors in September.
Sayadaw U Pyinyawara, Chair of the organization told Mizzima, "This group is apolitical, it is purely for religious matter. In accordance with the religious teachings, the group will seek for the peace of the people and protect the Lord Buddha's religion. Monks will only be worth calling sons of God only if we abide to the Lord's teachings. If we listen to the rulers we would only be sons of the rulers. So, we will preserve the Lord's teachings and work for expansion of the Sasana."
The group by following instructions from leaders of the International U Shaung organization including Penang abbot Sayadaw U Pyinyawuntha and Masoeyein abbot Sayadaw U Kovida will protect the Buddhist religion, and work for expansion of the Sasana, U Pyinyawara said.
The group formed with 11 monks at the foot of the great Bodhi tree in Gaya, will also serve the interest of Monks, and fight for freedom of publishing Buddhist teachings, and in cooperation with other organizations work for the peace of humanity, U Pyinyawara added.



Frans on 12.18.07 @ 09:52 PM CST [link]


Monday, December 17th

‘Tribalism’ uncalled for: NSCN (I-M) Nagarealm.com



‘Tribalism’ uncalled for: NSCN (I-M) Nagarealm.com

DIMAPUR, DEC15 [NPN] : Taking strong exception to rival statements that a particular community was in the way of Naga unification and reconciliation, the NSCN (I-M) has said it was unfortunate that in the name of Naga unification, the name of “Tangkhul” was used in a “very bad taste” since there was not an iota of truth in accusing the “Tangkhuls’ as standing on the opposite side of Naga unification.

“This is absolutely misleading and does not augur well for the healthy development of Naga unification. And Nagas in general should not be taken back by such unfounded and misdirected concept on the “Tangkhuls,” the NSCN (I-M) said in a press release issued by its MIP. Affirming that the NSCN/GPRN would always stand tall with all honesty and commitment in regard to Naga unification, the NSCN (I-M) also said the encouraging stand of all Naga tribes on unification and reconciliation should be translated into something concrete.

“In the campaign for Naga unification let us learn to be humanistic and not communally bombastic. Why spread tribalism venom while the unification process is being studied. This is uncalled for and smacks of unwarranted communal campaigns that only tarnish the unification process,” it added. Advocating maturity of approach and honesty of commitment in the search of lasting unity, the NSCN (I-M) said the complexities involved in the Naga problem demanded high moral attachment and transparency. The NSCN (I-M) further assured that it was committed to the people’s aspiration that “Nagas are one and led none divide us.”

Rongmei Council lauds unity move Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, DEC 16 (NPN): The Rongmei Council (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) has lauded the recent initiatives for unity and reconciliation by different organizations in support of the Naga Hoho's reconciliation move launched on December 20, 2001 at Kohima.
Rongmei Council president T.A. Rongmei in a press release said the initiatives and efforts of the Joint forum of GBs and DBs, Western Sumi Hoho and Sumi Hoho, corresponding to the call of the general public and cease-fire agreement reached among the different groups of the Naga National workers, were positive steps towards internal conflict resolution and also to bring about lasting solution to the Naga political problem.
Urging all sections of Nagas and factions to take the present development on a positive note, the council also felt that there should be transparency in all initiatives.
Konyaks, Tenyimi discuss unity move Minphong Konyak The Morung Express
Mon | In what can be termed as a historic event, the Tenyimi Central Union visited Mon for the fist time on December 15 and held a meeting with the Konyak Union and discussed topics regarding the ‘unification’ move and the Intangki Reserve Forest.
During the meeting, the Konyak Union made it clear about its firm stance on ‘Unity first and solution second’ to the Tenyimi Central Union delegation led by its president, which came as ‘information collection team’. On a more precise note, the Konyak Union said that it welcomes the present unification drive and that it will react as the situation unfolds in the aftermath of the unification move.
“We have always espoused the unification of Nagas and now that a dim ray of hope has been created, we will surely continue our support but having disillusioned many a times before, we will not hastily give any commitment. We will wait for the clouds to clear up and then will give our commitment,” a senior KU Official said. However, on the integration of the Naga areas, the Konyak Union said that the Konyaks would benefit the most since it will mean the reunion of Konyaks of Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and Assam, but that will come later. The KU opined that first it must be the unification among Nagas and then together the Nagas can realize it.
However, while welcoming the unification move, the KU also cautioned that for too long the Nagas have disillusioned themselves with false promises, therefore the KU hoped that this time, all would work with sincerity and genuine dedication for the interest of all sections of Nagas. It said that all Nagas must be consulted and taken into account regardless of size and population, for such a massive move will never materialize without the total and genuine participation of all.
The visiting Tenyimi Central Union delegation on their part, lauded the Konyak Union for its unwavering stance on ‘Unity first and solution second’. The TCU also opined that the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO), one of the largest organizations in Nagaland can play a vital role in the unification process.
On Intangki Reserve Forest, the KU said that at this present age when there is so much concern about global warming and the need for wildlife and forest preservation, all individuals and communities must care for the only Reserve in Nagaland. It said that Intangki, the pride of Nagaland, is one of the few Naga assets which must be protected at all costs.
“All sane Nagas must realize the enormity of the loss and environmental effects that will be created if Intangki, the only Reserve is destroyed or given up for the benefit of the few. It does not belong to one but it is the property, the pride of the Nagas in general, which must be protected,” said the senior KU official. The visiting Tenyimi Central Union delegation on their part, lauded the Konyak Union for its unwavering stance on ‘Unity first and solution second’. The TCU also opined that the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO), one of the largest organizations in Nagaland can play a vital role in the unification process.
Therie slams Speaker Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Dec 16 (NPN): Continuing with his attack on the action of the assembly speaker, former Minister K. Therie Sunday said he (Speaker) had buried alive the nine NPF and three Independent MLAs by rejecting their votes in the recent no-trust motion.
Describing the action of the Speaker as “murder of democracy and a blatant infringement upon the rights and privileges of the Members as ensured in the Constitution”, Therie said MLAs could not vanish into thin air.
Therie asserted that there was no law by which the Speaker could remove the privileges of a Member as enshrined in the Constitution of India. “The action (of the Speaker) is a crime against the Constitution of India, MLAs, people of Nagaland and democracy and is a grave sin in sight of religion”.
According to Therie, baring the three Independent legislators from voting was unlawful and worse than disqualification. “If a member is not allowed to vote what is the value of an MLA?” he asked.
Further, Therie claimed the “arbitrary, illogical and irrational notice orders” issued by the Speaker were without the mandate of the House. No law or rule had empowered the Speaker to make rules to overrun the Constitutional provisions of fundamental rights and privileges of the Members, he said. (Text on p-4)
Pointing out the fundamental rights and duties of citizens and privileges of legislators as enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution, Therie said distortion of the Preamble, if ignored by the Governor or President, would go down in the history as precedence.
Know that God is leading Naga nation- Nagaland Post Opinion
The Almighty God bestowed the sovereignty of Nagaland and therefore, the Nagas had never fallen into foreign domination in the human history. And He is protecting and leading the Naga nation up to date. Many Nagas however, do not understand that God is leading the Naga nation. Thus, the Nagas are facing trouble of internal crisis. To let our people know how God is leading our nation W. Shapwon had compiled the words of God in a book form entitled "God's Hand Upon Nagas and Nagaland" and published it in June 2007.
Some educated Nagas attempted to sell out God given sovereignty, and some attempted to lead the Nagas on his own will and tried to impose his own plan or ideology on the Naga people. During the last 27 years after the formation of the so-called NSCN, the Nagas have faced untold sufferings in the hands of NSCN cadres. Because, some imposters and renegade leaders tried to impose socialism on Naga people. The Naga leaders and civilian population who wanted to preserve the age-old Naga traditional democracy were eliminated by them. Thus, they destroyed hundreds of homes and killed thounsands of Nagas. Moreover, they are trying to barter out God given sovereignty with an autonomous state within the Indian Union, which they claimed "a special federal relationship with India".
Soon after they had formed the NSCN, God spoke to renegade leaders through an NSCN lady and also through Evangelist Athiu to stop killing and rejoin the Naga National Council. Even God warned them that; "if you failed to obey me I will work against you and more killings will take place among yourselves". As a result, the NSCN split into two factions in 1988 and killing among them is still unabated. Now, another split took place once again in November 2007 and more killing may happen at any time. This is the fact that God is truly working against them because they disobeyed the word of God.
The Indo-Naga war on the runs of more than fifty years, yet it is regrettable that many of our people do not realize that God is leading and protecting our nation. Many Nagas say Nagaland for Christ or God is leading the Naga nation. Even then, they do not accept that God is leading the Naga nation under the banner of the Naga National Council (NNC) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN). God brought Peace to Nagaland in 1964 and again in 1975, God restored peace in Nagaland when Indian Government resorted to destroy the Nagas with her armed might re-escalated war from 1972. However, the renegade leaders rejected God given peace and led the Nagas in the blood path.
It is our experience that some of our people ignored the way that God is leading our nation and rejected God given peace. More over, they committed heinous crimes, telling lies, false allegations against innocent people and involved in all kinds of evil activities. Instead of admitting their mistake, they are trying to justify their misdeed. So now, it is time for them to abandon such evil practices and to follow the path God is leading our nation. We should value God given peace and sovereignty. Then only we will have peace and work together for the achievement of our national goal. Unity and reconciliation is a must for the Nagas. But without the guidance and blessing of God we cannot have real peace and unity.
Thomas, NNC Member.
NPF is telling lies to Nagaland- Nagaland post
It is shocking that NPF General Secretary who is also Principle of Law College Kohima can stoop so low to interpret the Constitution in favour of himself and a moral-less Government. He cannot forget the basis of democratic principles upon which, the constitution, the law and the rules are founded. First of all we must acknowledge that no authority is greater than the principles of democracy. The fundamental rights provided in the Constitution guides all the laws in the land. No law or rule can be above the principles of democracy. In democracy each is at liberty to raise its opinion in debates on issues. Former Parliament Speaker G. S. Dhillon in his judgment said that the Party should strive to bring consensus decision if not the Members have the right to bring the matter to the House. The Presiding Officer of the party or the House is expected to strive to bring consensus decision. Through the process of democracy, the Constitution is developed. Laws and rules are framed to implement the Constitutional provisions and therefore, they are subordinate to the Constitution. No authority in the nation can over rule the Act of Parliament which is enshrined in the Constitution.
Nine NPF and three Independent MLAs were buried alive by the Honourable Speaker. It is commonsense that live MLAs cannot vanish into thin air. Love is blind is commonly said, perhaps the Speaker's love and affection for the directive of President NPF has made him blind. The ostensible or purported notice not to count the Honourable Members' votes is more than disqualification. It is murder of democracy and a blatant infringement upon the rights and privileges of the Hon'ble Members ensured in the Constitution. When these votes are counted as should be the case, the Opposition led No Confidence Motion has 31 votes against 23 DAN.
Perhaps the notice of Speaker nullifying the NPF Members' votes, is backdated. The Constitution guarantees the elected MLAs to represent the people in the House. The freedom of expression is guaranteed in the Constitution under Art 19 (a). In the matter of privilege of freedom of speech and vote for the Parliament Members and Legislators, the founding fathers of the Constitution attached supreme importance to two privileges which were deemed essential for the success of parliamentary democracy and therefore, they enshrined them under Art 105(1) and (2) respectively and Art.194(1) and (2) respectively. These privileges are those of freedom of speech and vote on the floor of the House and in Committees thereof; of freedom and full immunity from any proceedings in any Court in respect of anything said or any vote given by a Member in a House or any committee thereof. Further, Para 2 of ten Schedule provides that a Member is at liberty to vote in favour or against or abstain at the peril of disqualification. It does not forbid the Member from voting against the Whip if he feels it is wrong. A member cannot be disqualified without giving minimum 15 days to explain as to why he should not be disqualified as is provided in the Tenth Schedule (Disqualification Act.). The Speaker's action therefore violates equality before the law as is provided in Art. 14. Hence, there is no reason why the votes should not be counted.
There is no law that allows the Speaker to remove the privileges of a Member that are enshrined in the Constitution. The action is a crime against the Constitution of India, crime against Honourable MLAs, crime against the people of Nagaland, crime against democracy and is a grave sin in sight of religion.
In the case of Independent MLAs, Dr. Shurhozelie (Tenyidia) President NPF is said to have filed an application for disqualification petition. In my understanding Independent MLAs are outside the purview of Law of disqualification (Tenth Schedule). It is common sense that, they cannot become a member of a party. Knowing fully, their support was drawn to form the DAN Government. Whatever may be the situation today, it is the four Independent MLAs who first extended support to DAN giving a boost to NPF and DAN to form the Govt. They have associated with NPF in all functioning of the Government. Perhaps on the invitation of NPF and Leader of the House, they also have attended party meetings like many public who were not active or primary members but have attended the party meeting because they are well wishers of the party. They are free to do so. They are free to associate with anyone. If they could associate with NPF and not be disqualified, why cannot they also associate with others?
Barring them from voting is unlawful and more than disqualification. If a member is not allowed to vote what is the value of an MLA?
The arbitrary, illogical, and irrational notice orders issued by the Speaker are without mandate from the house. No law or rule has empowered him to make rules to overrun the Constitutional provisions of fundamental rights and privileges of Honourable Members. Maybe his ignorance has led him to this shame and if so, the responsible person should be held responsible and the orders withdrawn before the court dismisses the orders and further embarrasses the Honourable Speaker of Nagaland.
The fundamental rights and duties of citizens and privileges of Honourable Members are enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution. Therefore, distortion of the Preamble of the Constitution if ignored by the Governor or President would go down in the history as precedence and the people responsible will be referred hereafter.
K. Therie
Imkong awaits ‘call’ to form new government The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 16 (MExN): The newly formed Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) under the leadership of I. Imkong has expressed confidence that the Governor of Nagaland will uphold the Constitution and take immediate action in dislodging the present Government claiming that it has been reduced to a minority. In view of the recent political developments in the State and in response to the Chief Minister’s letter to the Governor, the NPA in a press note issued by its leader I. Imkong reaffirmed that on December 13, during the No-Confidence Motion, 31 Members had voted in favour as against 23 Members and expressed optimism that that the Governor will invite the NPA to form a new Government without much delay.
“In our view, the present Government no longer represents the majority of the people and cannot continue to remain in power merely by manipulation and legal wrangling. This has to be viewed with seriousness as the tenure of the Assembly is coming to a close”, Imkong stated while adding that any delay in resolving the issue will imply the emergence of a Constitutional crisis, “which is not so”.
Terming India as the biggest democracy in the world, the NPA stated that the Constitution is clear and well defined and that no political party should be allowed to take undue advantage in interpreting Rules and Regulations of the House to achieve its political goals.
Referring to the Chief Minister’s letter to the Governor, Imkong stated that the leader of the DAN legislature party had himself admitted to the failure of his party whip and claimed that Rio has no longer the moral ground to assert his position on the basis of the support of his partymen. Making its stand clear, Imkong stated that the “NPA has come forward, keeping in view the will of the people and the need of the land, to offer new leadership, and usher in a conducive atmosphere in the State for peace, justice and development”. “As we have the people’s mandate, we are sure that further political developments will come in our favor”.
Unhappy with Patil, NPA heads to Delhi to lay claim Our Correspondent The Morung Express
Kohima | The newly formed Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) has expressed unhappiness over the way Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, has been handling the present political crisis in the State following the December 13 no confidence motion against the DAN government. “We are going to seek redressal from the Home Minister himself for immediate action”, I Imkong leader of NPA said at a press conference held this evening, while informing he along with 30 others will leave for Delhi on Monday to present their claim.
Squarely blaming the Home Minister Shivraj Patil for the delay in initiating action against the DAN government in the aftermath of December 13 no confidence motion, Imkong said: “We do not understanding why the Home Minister is unnecessarily delaying. He should not allow the minority government (DAN) to continue”. He also said that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had a close link and that is why the latter could not take action against the DAN government, Imkong alleged.
On Many occasion Rio has told his cabinet colleagues that nothing will happen to the government as he had some “friends” in the Central UPA government, Imkong also alleged.
“It is clear that from such utterances that Rio is having some benefactors in Delhi to save/allow him to continue in spite of the defeat in the floor of the house. We are going to seek redressal from Home Minister himself for immediate action”, Imkong said.
Imkong also maintained that Nagaland Governor has sent his reports to the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on December 13, but so far the latter has not initiated any action against the Rio government.
Even AICC General Secretary, Margeret Alva, has briefed the Home Minister on the political development in the Nagaland, it was divulged.
The 31 members of the NPA (17 congress, 2 JDU, 3 independents and 9 NPF legislators including the seven whose resignation has been accepted) will be going to Delhi tomorrow to present their claim for formation of the new government before the central leader, it was learnt.
They will meet Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, President of India Pratibha Patil and other AICC leaders and to apprise them of the political development in the State and demand justice.
ISI links with 24 NE outfits revealed By Our Correspondent Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 16 — Hardcore ISI operator SM Alam alias Mojibullah Alam alias Asif Alam today revealed before the police that the ISI has links with 24 militant outfits, which are active in the entire North East region. Alam during questioning further revealed that he entered Assam exactly 25 days back and since then he was consistently on the move and even travelled to various parts of Northern India recently.

The Assam Police arrested Alam, who had been under surveillance of the police for some time, on December 14. Police has also recovered a fake passport from Alam’s possession. Sources in the police department further said that the ISI cadre also revealed certain valuable inputs regarding the jehadi activities in Assam and other parts of the Northeast.

However, the sources refused to go into details, saying, “It might hamper the process of investigation.”

The special court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, meanwhile, has granted ten-day policy custody to hardcore ISI operator.

Alam, son of Maidan Ali, is a resident of Azampur under Uttara police station in Dhaka.

Prior to his becoming an ISI operator in the North East, Alam was a Jamaat-e-Islami activist closely connected with the Chatra Shibir. In 1993, he joined Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, a Pakistan-based jehadi outfit. He also underwent training in the Pak-occupied Kashmir.
Bodo women’s body flays attack on Pramila From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
TANGLA, Dec 16 – The All Bodo Women’s Welfare Federation (ABWWF) has debunked and expressed dissatisfaction over the reaction of Tankeswar Rabha, president of AARSU.

A statement issued here by Rita Boro, general secretary of All Bodo Women’s Welfare Federation (ABWWF) and Nibha Boro, assistant secretary of UJBMKP on Wednesday, expressed its deep concern over the reaction by Rabha Mahila Parishad and Udalguri Zilla Rabha Mahila Parishad that supported president Tankeswar Rabha.

Reaction and counter-reaction followed the version of Tankeswar Rabha, who attacked Tribal Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma in a public meeting at Dudhnoi recently. The ABWWF took up the matter seriously and said insult to dwakhna (Bodo traditional attire used by Pramila Rani Brahma) was a humiliation only for the minister but also for the entire women community, the ABWWF pointed out.

The ABWWF said the manner of attacking should be political and that disrespect to a woman is condemnable. No slang, directed either at politicians or at common woman, is acceptable, the ABWWF asserted adding political criticism is always welcome.

Rita Boro, general secretary of ABWWF, further said that to enlist the Rabha Hasong into the 6th Schedule is a political matter and ABWWF too is not against the demand. Every community has a right to demand but it doesn’t mean that some one will make slang comment on a woman on her dakhnwa, ABWWF said.
Barbora alleges Ulfa-ISI nexus The Telegraph
Shillong, Dec. 16 (PTI): In a startling revelation, a top IAF commander today said a faction of the Ulfa is being supported by Pakistan’s ISI after the split of the banned outfit.
“One faction, operating in lower Assam, is in league with Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence and other fundamentalist forces, while the other, operating in Upper Assam has build up a nexus with NSCN (K),” outgoing AOC-in-C of Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal P.K. Barbora said.
The faction operating in lower Assam has camps in Bangladesh, he said, adding that this faction supported influx of Bangladeshis into Assam. The other faction, active in Upper Assam, is, however, not in favour of such influx. Air Marshal Barbora’s comments raising fresh fears came on the heels of the arrest of a suspected key activist of the ISI looking after its operational matters in the Northeast in the guise of running a coal and garment business. The activist was arrested from Hedayatpur area in Guwahati on Friday.
The 35-year-old S.M. Alam alias Mujbullah alias Asif was a Jamiat-e-Islami activist in Bangladesh and in 1993 joined the Harkatul Mujhadeen. He was trained in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, sources said.
He is the third suspected ISI man to be nabbed in Guwahati. Two others were caught earlier this year with one working as a rickshawpuller. Lauding former Punjab deputy general of police K.P.S. Gill for his “smart tactics” in curbing militancy in Punjab, the Air Marshal said, “similar changes are taking place in Assam and the recent spurt in the surrender of Ulfa militants proved it.” On the demolition of militant camps by Bangladesh, he said, “Such positive steps would go a long way in curbing insurgency in the Northeast.”
Air Marshal Barbora was of the view that the recent ceasefire agreement between the two factions of the NSCN would bring peace in Nagaland. He said militancy in the northeastern states, barring Manipur, was on the wane and insurgent outfits were on their last legs. “Sensing that the menace of insurgency will ruin them, people have begun to rise against these elements,” the officer said.
Air Marshal Barbora, however, said that the situation would normalise once the rail link connecting Southeast Asia and India materialised. “This will encourage the youth to make a living and live in peace.”
The Air Force had been used in counter-terrorism operations in Nagaland and Mizoram, but not yet in Manipur where it carries out only air maintenance operations. “We are ready to help combat terrorists in Manipur if asked to do so by the government,” the Air Marshal said.
Focus on ANLA outer ring - Cops mull crackdown on sympathisers after ban A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Dec. 16: A ban will help police crack down on the sympathisers of the Adivasi National Liberation Army (ANLA) and nip the outfit’s activities in the bud.
Home department sources said the basic objective behind the efforts to ban the organisation was to rein in the outfit’s sympathisers who were playing the role of a propeller by helping the outfit in recruiting cadre and mobilising mass support.
“If ANLA is allowed to grow, it can be a real threat, considering the socio-economic condition of the Adivasis or the tea tribes. Literacy rate among the community is low, so it will be easy for the frontal organisations of the outfit to garner public support,” said a home department official.
The police already claimed to have clinching evidence of close links between the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam and ANLA. It had recently arrested a few ANLA activists who had confessed to the police that several of the outfit’s members had come to attend the public rally convened by the student association in Beltola last month.
Police officials also claimed that unless the outfit was banned, it would not be possible for them to crack down on the sympathisers or the frontal organisations of the outfit. “Once the outfit is banned, we can arrest its sympathisers,” said inspector-general of police (special branch) Khagen Sarma. Reiterating that the process was on to ban ANLA, Sarma said the ban would help the police arrest any member of the outfit even without any case against him.
“To arrest members of an organisation which is not banned, we need some specific cases against them. As for sympathisers, they cannot be arrested just for being supportive to an organisation which is not outlawed,” said another police official.
The government is particularly worried because some influential Adivasi organisations, including some Jharkand-based ones, are overtly whipping up public sentiment in favour of the outfit. “ANLA should be first isolated from its support base,” the official said.
The official said though ANLA cannot be banned on the ground that it wants to secede, the state government would cite its “anti-national” activities such as attacking government property, targeting railways and disrupting traffic on national highways to make its case to ban the outfit stronger. After the state government presents its case before the Centre, Delhi would form a tribunal to consider the case, home department sources said.
Assam bandh The All Adivasi Students Association of Assam has called a 12-hour Assam bandh from 5am tomorrow to press for Scheduled Tribe status. A central executive meeting of the All Assam Tea Tribes Students Association in Sivasagar this evening decided against participating in talks with tribal minister P.R. Kyndiah in New Delhi.
“Rather the meeting suggested a tripartite talks between the Centre, state and the six communities struggling for ST status,” ATTSA president Prahlad Gowala said tonight.
Insurgency: The 'Cottage Industry' of Northeast India Pallavi Barua
Northeast India - covering an area of 2,55,168 sq km- is the home to more than 145 tribes and several non-tribal communities. A colourful region but, sans the blend of harmony. Since time immemorial, the region has been a meeting ground of races and cultures. But the tangles of history and geography, apart from divisive politics of the modern times, have robbed the people as much of the colours of their lives.
Roots of simmering dissension in the region: The signing of the Yandaboo Treaty in 1826 A.D. led to the inclusion of undivided Assam (comprising the hills and plains of the region as a whole) in the British Empire. That brought the people of the annexed area into contact with a host of migrants from Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan and Nepal. The floodgates of mass migration were thrown open and with the advent of railways, numerous new faces spilled all over the Brahmaputra Valley and many made inroads into the hills too. Such sudden gush of large scale migration is never feasible for assimilation. Moreover, unlike the new wave of migrants (in the form of petty officials, traders etc.), the indigenous population of the region lacked experience in aggressive mercenary activities. They were naive people, primarily engaged in agricultural activities. This created a feeling of suspicion amidst the natives and the thought of being over-ridden by migrants gripped them.
The seeds of dissension had been sown right in the days of the British regime itself. Just as the colonial rulers devised the policy of 'Divide and Rule' in other parts of India on the basis of 'Religion', the shrewd officials cashed on the issue of 'ethnicity'out here. If it was Hindu-Muslim divide in Central India, in Northeast India the ploy was to create a rift between the people living in the plains and those settled in the hills. Sir Andrew Clow, the last British Governor of (undivided) Assam, had secret parleys at Kohima and planned to turn it into a buffer state to have a foothold in the future. Being a shrewd British administrator, he made cautious moves to achieve his goal. He hinted at the establishment of a separate land for the Naga areas and never arrested him. On the other hand, a Naga queen by the name of Rani Gaidinliu could smell the rot and revolted against the British Regime. She was arrested and put in jail.
Rise of militancy in North-east India: Phizo formed the militant outfit 'Naga National Council', the first group to resent the inclusion of Naga hills into the Indian Union. That was in 1947. They went underground in the year 1956.
Post-independence era has seen numerous movements for 'separate' states in the entire North-Eastern region of India. The ethnic and religious differences provide a fertile ground for the growth of secessionist tendency in the minds of some youths. They emerge as the 'saviours' of their respective tribe or community and influence the vulnerable masses. After all, it's easier to make war than peace.
The politically motivated youths form a militant organization in no time and start speaking on the lines of 'separate state', 'autonomy', 'complete independence' et al. The later part of the last century has seen the carving out of a number of hill states from the once undivided State of Assam. The States of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland are the fall out of such ethnic demarcation.
Ironically, even the allotment of separate state status to these erstwhile hill districts of Asom have not led to the ideal space of existence as envisioned by the rebels. Recent years has seen the rise of other militant groups from smaller tribes who accuse the larger tribes of exploiting their limited resources.
For e.g., the 'Achik National Volunteer Council' (ANVC) was formed in 1995 with the aim of carving out 'Achikland' in the Garo hills of Meghalaya. Again, the 'Hynniewtrap National Liberation Council'(1992) aims to free the state from Garo domination. The state of Mizoram has always seen the dominance of the Mizos over the Reangs and the Hmars. The 'Hmar People's Convention Democracy'; HPC (D), formed in 1995 aims to establish an independent Hmar state. The 'Bru National Liberation Front' (BNLF), formed in 1997, came up to protect the rights and dignity of the Reangs.
Manipur, one of the most culturally developed states of India, has its own saga of insurgency. The most prominent of the insurgent groups are People's Liberation Army (PLA), United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and many more.
Tripura is the home to militant outfits like 'National Liberation Front of Tripura'(NLFT), which came into force in March, 1989. Then there is the 'All Tripura Tiger Force' (ATTF) formed in 1990 to oust the Bengalis who have usurped the native population of the state over
In the State of Assam (divided), militancy was triggered off with the formation of the 'United Liberation Front of Asom' (ULFA) on April 7, 1979 in the wake of the 6 years long 'Anti-Foreigners Agitation' of 1978-83, also known as 'Assam Agitation' or 'Assam Movement'. It was aimed at ousting the illegal migrants from Bangladesh who poured into the State in the aftermath of the Indo-Pak War 1971 which saw the rise of the new country called Bangladesh (i.e., East Pakistan). However, this organization has moulted into a rudderless front with no sense of conviction towards its founding principles.
The vexed problem of 'Influx' (illegal migration from Bangladesh) has created an identity crisis among the different sections of the native populace of Asom.
In order to protect their rights and dignity, various militant groups have come up. One of the foremost insurgent outfits in this regard is the 'National Democratic Front of Bodoland' (NDFB), which came into force in 1989. It was a result of dispossession of their land and the neglect of the rich Bodo culture by the non-tribal section of the people in Assam.
Most of the youths of the region are averse to manual labour. The inclination for easy money is quite high among the people (be it young or old) out here. While the 'leaders' of the numerous so called 'students' organizations covertly aim at gaining political mileage, the 'militant groups' overtly engage in demanding 'lands' ('land' being the favourite word left for the militants of Northeast India by the British).
Again, for many, the objective of acquiring formal education is basically aimed at landing up in a job in the corporate sector stationed in a metropolitan city, be it in India or abroad. At large, the 'degreed'(aka 'educated') section lack the conviction or commitment to work for the betterment of their native places.
Resources of insurgent groups in the region: One of the oft raised question is that, who provides funds for the militants to carry out such violent activities. The chief sources of income of these outfits are narcotics trade originating from Myanmar and extortion. Also, the needle of suspicion points to certain international terror groups, certain hostile neighbouring countries like China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and religious expansionists.
Conclusion: It would not be just to condemn militants alone for the violence and disharmony.
As long as identity politics dominate in the region, the ideology of the 'other' society would continue to breed insurgents of one kind or the other. No sooner one group lays down arms, another group pops up in the name of protecting their community interests. This peculiar scenario prompted P A Sangma, the noted parliamentarian of the region to say that, "Insurgency has become a cottage industry in North-east India."
Only when the people of the region shed their ethnic straitjackets and involve in common struggles for the elimination of poverty, unemployment and under-development, the region would see the light of peace and harmony. (Courtesy: The Sentinel)

Sanamahi Meeteis to demand Scheduled Tribe status Kangla on Line

IMPHAL, Dec 16: A demand for granting of Scheduled Tribe status to the practitioners of the Meetei Sanamahi faith has now come up among a section of the community Resolutions to this effect were adopted during a general discussion organised today by the Lainingthou Sanamahi Thougal Kanglup, Mayai Loishang, Imphal, on the theme of `finding an appropriate description for the people`s self-understanding and identity of Meitei Sanamahi believers`,held at the premises of Lainingkol Sanamahi Sanglen, Imphal. The meet, following intense discussions, adopted the view that Sanamahi believers, being practitioners of indigenous religious traditions that go back to antiquity, should be properly treated as tribals, and resolved to pursue their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list under the Constitution of India.
In this connection, it was also decided to submit representations to the President of India, the Prime Minister, and other concerned Central authorities, as well as the Governor of Manipur, the chief minister, and concerned state authorities.
An adhoc working committee has also been formed to pursue and coordinate efforts in this direction.

It was also resolved that in order to to spread awareness and build public support on the issue, various seminars, workshops and discussions should be organised. A people`s convention is to be also to be organised in this connection.
The discussions were presided over by O Menjor Khuman, luchingpurel, Lainingthou Sanamahi Thoubal Kanglup, while Ibotombi, amaiba ahal, Laishram Birachandra, donor, Foundation for University of Sanamahi Culture, Tongbram Wangambam, of Sanamahi Thougal Kanglup and L Umakanta, chief secretary, Foundation for University of Sanamahi Culture were also present on the dias.

Laishram Babloo of the University of Sanamahi Culture, gave the key note address, in which he noted that the north east region including Manipur is situated between two great traditions of Aryan Asia and Mongoloid Asia which is a major factor for the crisis of identity facing many of the communities.

He further noted that it was only since the British period that the region came to be associated with India politically, and lack of cultural relatedness, especially of ethnic culture, weakens the new political association, and racial and cultural differences have come to play a vital role in defining self identity.

Meitei Sanamahi believers are especially caught between the racial-cultural definition and the politico-administrative definition of their identity, being politically Indian and racially and culturally Mongoloid, and consciousness of the two differing identities is pulling on the people.

The problem of acceptance on the part of Aryan culture, and its socio-political system, and the problem of identitication on the part of the north easterners because of the underlying cultural diffrences underpin the identity problems, he said and asserted that Meetei Sanamahi believers may be rightly considered as tribals because of their cultural foreigness to Aryan cultural system. Kangjia Gopal, W Chandrakumar, S Tomba Luwnag, Nongren Khomba, Oinam Nabakumar, S Pari Ahan, M Doren and S Taibanganba among other speakers also addressed the changing scenario of Meitei Sanamahi religion in the state.



Frans on 12.17.07 @ 04:34 PM CST [link]



Nagalim Position Paper launched on 10 December 2007 by Lord Nazir Ahmed in the Houses of Parliament, London


Nagalim Position Paper launched on 10 December 2007 by Lord Nazir Ahmed in the Houses of Parliament, London

NAGALIM POSITION PAPER

Introduction

For over half a century, the Naga people have been seeking justice against human rights abuses perpetrated by their giant neighbours India and Burma who forcibly occupied their land. As the implementation of self-determination in an internationally accepted manner is perhaps the best means of peaceful conflict resolution available to the world today, the Nagas wish to resolve the current dispute via peaceful negotiation in accordance with international law. In recent time, self-determination has been successfully claimed by nations and peoples in the former Soviet Union, the former Yugoslavia, East Timor and Montenegro.

Nagas have been participating in all the wonderful endeavours of the Parliamentarians for National Self-Determination (PNSD) since its inception. They are happy to be associated with the PNSD, inasmuch as it is a cross-party group which aims to promote peaceful conflict resolution by implementation of the right to self-determination in accordance with international law. It recognises that self-determination is the most basic of human rights, without which other human rights can be readily abused. It also seeks to end human rights abuses which are often used as a means of crushing legitimate right to self-determination of peoples and nations.

Nagas present this paper to let the world know how their country had been occupied and randomly divided by the aggressors. Nagas firmly believe that all these injustices and cross violations of human rights committed against the Nagas by India and Burma will end soon. Nagas must fully exercise the right to self-determination.

Name and governance

The name of the Naga homeland is called Nagalim. It is a sovereign and independent country. The Naga people have been administering their government since time immemorial (IWGIA 1986: 236). They have their own socio-political system based on their political philosophy, social values and culture. According to some British anthropologists, the Nagas practice the purest form of democracy.

Geography

Nagalim, a contiguous area of about 120,000 sq. km., lies between the longitudes 92.5° E and 97.5° E, and latitudes 23.5° N and 28.5° N. It is a land-locked country bounded by China in the north, India in the west, and Burma in the east and south. Indian-occupied Nagalim is arbitrarily divided and placed in different administrative units, namely Asom, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland states whereas Burmese-occupied portion of Nagalim is divided into two parts and placed under Kachin State and Sagaing Division.

Some important towns in Nagalim are Chandel, Changlang, Dimapur, Homalin, Htamanti, Khamti, Kiphiri, Kohima, Lahe, Leishi, Longleng, Mokokchung, Mon, Namyung, Peren, Phek, Senapati, Tamenglong, Tirap, Tuensang, Ukhrul, Wokha, Zunheboto, etc.

Snow-clad Mount Saramati (3841 m) is the highest peak in Nagalim. Mount Shirui (2835 m) is famous for its Shirui Lily which bagged the prestigious merit prize in the 1948 Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show in London. The Dzukou Valley (2438 m), which remains covered with a carpet of wild flowers in summer, is considered a Trekker’s Paradise.

Though rains are heavy in summer, Nagalim is blessed with healthy climate throughout the year. It has a diversity of forest types, ranging from tropical evergreen to temperate evergreen and the coniferous. Nagalim constitutes a meeting ground for the sub-Himalayan, Indian, Chinese and Burmese type of fauna. Among the ritually most valued species is Mithun/Bos gaurus which is the national animal of Nagalim.

Economy

Nagalim is predominantly an agricultural country. Most of the people rely on agriculture for their livelihood. The Naga system of agriculture is quite elaborate and majority of their festivals have agriculture as their themes (Kaping 1998: 188). Nagalim possesses rich forest and mineral resources, including timbers of various types, petroleum, coal, limestone, marble, chromites nickel, uranium, etc.

Slash-and-burn cultivation and irrigated rice terraces are the most widely used forms of agriculture. Principle food crops include rice, maize, millet and tea. Nagalim is very rich in varieties of fruits and vegetables which are available throughout the year.

People

Nagas are a distinct people of Mongoloid stock. Though straddling the border between Hindu India and Buddhist Burma, the Nagas have remained aloof from both these culture-spheres (Kaping 2002: 10). They are democratic and socialistic people, with a free and independent outlook.

Nagas are brave, honest, industrious, humorous, self-reliant, community-oriented and God-fearing people. They believe in the principle of equality: apart from respect for age, there is no discrimination between the rich and the poor or the male and the female. Nagalim, with a population of about four million people, has forty-seven recognized communities.

Nagalim is of the Tibeto-Chinese family and Tibeto-Burman sub-family. Though each community has its own language, English is the official language of the nation. Nagamese is also widely used as the medium of communication.

Religion

Ninety-five per cent of the Nagas are Christians. The first successful American missionary, Rev E.W. Clark, arrived in Nagalim in 1872. He was followed by Rev C.D. King in 1886 and Rev William Pettigrew in 1896, and many other evangelists and teachers followed their footsteps. Nagas are deeply indebted to those Christian missionaries and pioneers, and the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) underscores this fact: “The propagation of Christianity by the American missionaries along with the imparting of education by opening missionary schools gave the greatest contribution to the rising of the Naga society. It was through them that the heathen Nagas learned of the existence of the Absolute Reality and the better way of living. Nagas could comprehend the meaning life has and they won’t anymore part with it. They now felt blessed though endless hurdles remained. Nagas would be forever grateful to them” (GPRN 1992: 2).

Brief political history

Naga political history may be divided into three periods:

Early period: It may be called the Golden Era during which every Naga village, like the Greek city-state, was sovereign and independent politically, economically, socially and culturally. Based on the same democratic and socialistic culture, the Nagas and their villages were closely interrelated in their socio-political system.

British period: The merit of this period is the spiritual and mental enlightenment. The demerit is the division of the Nagas under the British colonial policy of “divide and rule”, placing the Naga people in different administrative units. Nagas never consented to it, and this policy has been the root cause of the political conflict that exists even today.

Indian period: This period is marked with social unrest, armed resistance, violation of human rights, fighting, bombardment of villages and killings all over Nagalim. Sanjoy Hazarika, a prominent writer, broadly outlined three methods adopted by the Government of India in dealing with movements for self-determination like that of the Nagas. He writes, “Policies towards the Nagas and other pro-independent groups seem to revolve around three factors: brute force to crush the physical capacity to resist, a flood of funds to soften the resolve of indigenous groups and a fierce campaign to portray them as renegades and misguided elements” (Raising and Makunga 2006: 1).

It was in 1832 that the British colonial forces intruded into the Naga territory. The freedom-loving Nagas put up a tough resistance in defence of their rights, identity, culture, and territory for forty-eight years. However, the British forces finally occupied a part of Nagalim, but the rest remained uncontrolled and unadministered. Nagas are by nature loyal to their commitments and friendly with both friends and foes whenever they have entered into an agreement, but there are no written treaties or agreements by which the sovereignty of the Nagas was transferred to the British.

It is obvious that people who join the national independent movement are called freedom fighters. In other words, Naga freedom fighters are not terrorists; theirs is a resistance movement. They resorted to armed confrontation only in defence of their right, territory, culture, history, people and socio-political system. However, such fighting is confined only to combatants. Gen F.A. Vyas of the Indian army said, “Naga insurgents never adopted terror tactics” (Manipuronline 2006). Murkot Ramuny, the notorious Indian Security Commissioner who created a reign of terror in Nagalim for many years, stated in his writing, “Nagas do not kill civilians” (ibid.) No wonder, the Government of India had officially declared that the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, NSCN, is not a terrorist organization (ibid.).

The claim that India inherited Nagalim from British India has no historical basis at all. A people are not commodities to be inherited by others. Land and culture are part and parcel of a people. Only a part of Nagalim was occupied by the British, whereas the rest remained as free as ever. Besides, the occupied Naga area was directly ruled by the British Crown. No laws passed by the British India were applicable to the Nagas, who governed their land by themselves according to their own customary laws. Moreover, there was no treaty between the British and the Nagas wherein the Nagas had surrendered their self-determination. Nagas even declared their independence on 14 August 1947, a day ahead of the Indian independence. But the most significant event in the Naga National Movement is the rejection of the Union of India and the plebiscite conducted by the Nagas where 99.9 per cent voted in favour of a sovereign independent Nagalim. Thus, India or Burma has no authority or right to justify its illegal occupation of Nagalim.

The case of the Nagas is an invasion on their rights and territory by India and Burma. Nagas are the aggrieved party. The term ‘secession’ applies only to those who try to secede from the Union they have joined. Nagas are not a party to the Union of India. Jayprakash Narayan, a member of the Peace Mission on the Indo-Naga conflict, stated, “Naga people are unquestionably a nation” (Raising 2006). He was joined in his belief that “Nagas are not Indians” by other Indian leaders, including Balgovind Baboo who said, “Historical and legal documents show that, before the British rule, Nagalim was in no way part of India” (ibid.). Anthony Smith, an outstanding theoretician on ‘nationalism’, classified the Nagas as a ‘nation’ (ibid.). Hence, the question of secession or insurgency does not arise in the case of the Nagas.

The Naga national movement for independence is rooted in the solid ground of national decision. All sections of the Naga society from across the length and breadth of Nagalim, irrespective of communities, gender, age and religious denominations are involved in the liberation movement. The Nagalim Peace Mission declared: “The Naga struggle could not be regarded as a problem of law and order. It is a struggle for national freedom” (ibid.).

Nagas are one nation racially, culturally, historically and politically. All Naga organisations, such as the Naga Hoho/Parliament, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, United Naga Council Manipur, and members of Naga civil society have all unitedly taken a stand that unification of all the Naga areas is a must for any political settlement (NPMHR 2006: 8). Also, they profess one faith and have been hopefully struggling for their God-given right to self-determination under the banner of “Nagalim for Christ”. They have strong attachment to the land they belong to. The Naga national movement is based on their common political will, culture, history and geography. Thus, sanctioned by international covenants, the Naga people have every right to determine their own destiny.

The right to self-determination is a fundamental right enshrined in the Charter of the UN, the International Covenants of Human Rights and the Covenant of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. These principles stress that all peoples and nations have a right to self-determination and that, by virtue of that right, they are free to determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development without external interference. The right to self-determination has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the UN. For example, the UN World Conference on Human Rights meeting in Vienna in June 1993 reaffirmed that the right to self-determination is a part of international law of human rights.

Second Indo-Naga Talks

After years of bloody conflict, Indian political leaders and successive Army chiefs, including Gen Shanker Roy Chaudhury, declared: “(i) Naga problem is a political issue, (ii) treating the Naga issue as a law and order problem would be wrong, and (iii) military solution is not possible; it needs a political treatment apart from military treatment and it is time for India and the Nagas to talk across the table” (ibid.).

The declared principles of the NSCN are freedom from all kinds of bondages and independence from any foreign domination and close relation with other peoples and nations on the basis of mutual respect and recognition of rights.

One of the significant steps taken by the NSCN is the shift of policy and strategy from guerrilla warfare to mass warfare, from machine gun warfare to computer warfare and from armed confrontation to political negotiation. If otherwise dictated by circumstances, the Nagas are committed to political solution and they shall abide by that.

So when New Delhi sent messengers for political dialogues, the Nagas responded positively. Thus, the second ceasefire agreement was signed between the Government of India and the Nagas under the leadership of Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah on 1 August 1997 to start negotiations on three terms: (i) Talks without any conditions, (ii) talks at the Prime Ministerial level, and (iii) in third countries.

So far the peace talks have been held in different places, including Amsterdam, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Dimapur, Geneva, The Hague, Kuala Lumpur, Milan, New Delhi, New York, Osaka, Paris, Vienna and Zurich.

At the Amsterdam talks in 2002, the Indian government and the NSCN signed a joint communiqué which officially recognized the “Unique history and situation of the Nagas” (UNPO 2002: 4). It signifies that the Nagas are not a party to the Union of India.

With a view to have wide ranging consultations with the Naga people on the current Indo-Naga peace process, the NSCN has already conducted consultative meetings six times, where all sections of the Nagas from different places attended. At the 4th Consultative Meeting, held at the Hebron Camp on 20 and 21 January 2005, the Collective Leadership of the NSCN was reaffirmed and mandated for working out an honourable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue.

The Indian government and the NSCN are engaged in political talks. But there has been no tangible progress even after many years of negotiations. In spite of the assurances given to the NSCN, the Government of India has not taken any concrete political steps so far. The Naga team had tabled a number of points on substantive issues for solution, but there is no positive response from the Government of India till date. The Indian government, through its agents, is selling the idea of peace and development without justice and freedom. They are also propagating for non-territorial solution, which is an attempt to retain the status quo of states under the parameter of the Indian constitution. This kind of approach from the Indian constitutional perspective is an imposition of the Indian will upon the Nagas which is completely unacceptable.

Nagas contribution towards world peace

Nagas were friendly and co-operative with the British power. Four thousand Naga volunteers were sent to France in support of the British-led Allied Forces during the World War I and many Nagas sacrificed their lives in Europe and elsewhere.

During the World War II, the Nagas steadfastly supported the Allied Forces. Naga people extended their fullest support and cooperation to the Allied Forces, providing food, shelter, guides and other essential services inside and outside Nagalim and the same had been duly acknowledged by the army generals. Field Marshal Sir William Joseph Slim says: “The gallant Nagas whose loyalty, even in the most depressing times of the invasion, had never faltered. Despite floggings, torture, execution and the burning of their villages, they refused to aid the Japanese in any way or betray our troops. Their active help to us was beyond value or praise...they guided our columns, collected information, ambushed enemy patrols, carried our supplies and brought in our wounded under the heaviest fire, and then, being the gentlemen they were, often refused all payment. Many a British and Indian soldier owes his life to the Nagas, and no soldier of the 14th Army who met them will ever think of them, but with admiration and affection” (Slim 1961).

Speaking from the Viceroy’s House in New Delhi of the steadfastness of the Nagas in their support of the British, Field Marshal Viscount Wavell wrote, “I have most encouraging reports about the conduct of the Nagas…I have written to Clow asking what can be done to reward the staunchness of these people, both immediately and later” (Wavell 1944: 1007). Well, no any reward was given then or later.

Petition

Since Indian- and Burmese-occupied Nagalim was once ruled by Great Britain, the Naga people believe that the people of the United Kingdom have a moral obligation to help the Nagas in their search for justice and honourable solution to the long-drawn Indo-Naga and Burman-Naga political conflict.

How can the whole World look on while weaker nations like the Nagas, Kashmiris, Khalistanis, Karens, Kachins, Mons, Boros, Kosovars, Kurds, etc. are crying under the oppressive rule of the dominant peoples and nations? We view that it is the bounden duty of every civilized nation to come to the rescue of any oppressed people and nation.

Today, through this special platform offered by the PNSD, the citizens of Nagalim earnestly urge the international community and all the freedom loving people to come forward to help the Nagas solve the conflict through peaceful and democratic means.


Dated London: 10 December 2007

Members of the Naga Advisory Panel, PNSD

Mr. Rh. Raising (Leader)
Mr. A. Makunga
Mr. V. Sumi
Mr. M. Angami
Prof. T. Kaping

Nagalim’s Modern Timeline

1832: British forces intrude into Nagalim. (Nagas put up tough resistance for forty-eight years before the British forces finally occupied parts of Nagalim.)

10 January 1929: Nagas submit a memorandum to Simon Commission which is sent by the British Parliament. It states that the “Nagas should be left alone should the British leave India ” (Horam 1988).

June 1947: Nine-point agreement is signed between the Naga National Council and Akbar Hydari, the Governor of Assam as the Agent of the Government of British India. But it is not implemented.

15 July 1947: Naga delegates meet Mahatma Gandhi in Delhi where he states, “Nagas have every right to be independent. I believe in the brotherhood of man, but I do not believe in forced marriage and forced union. If you do not want to join the Union of India, nobody will force you to do that, the Congress Government will not do that” (Aram 1979: 11).

July 1947: Mr Rajapopalachari, the first Governor General of free India, tells a Naga delegation, “India wants to be friendly with the Nagas. Nagas are at full liberty to do as they like either to become part of India or be separated if it would be best for their interest to be isolated” (Maxwell 1980: 5).

14 August 1947: Nagas in the British-occupied area declare their independence and inform the UN and give a copy of it to India. It reads: “Benign Excellency (.) Kindly put on record that the Nagas will be Independent (.) Discussions with India are being carried on to that effect (.) Nagas do not accept the Indian constitution (.) The right of the people must prevail regardless of size”.

UN kindly sent its acknowledgement from Salt Lake, USA (ibid.).

1950: Nagas flatly reject the invitation of the Indian Constituent Assembly to join the Union of India. (Nagas are not a party to the Union of Burma either.)

16 May 1951: Nagas conduct a plebiscite wherein 99.9 per cent vote in favour of Sovereign Independent Nagalim. The result of the plebiscite is sent to the Government of India and the United Nations.

1952: Nagas boycott the first Indian general elections.

1954: India starts deploying hundreds of thousands of armed forces to conduct military campaigns all over Nagalim. These Indian occupation forces start harassing, torturing, killing, raping women-folk, burning churches, schools and villages, blazing forests, plundering and destroying properties in Nagalim. The Indian soldiers wantonly maim and kill thousands upon thousands of Nagas “in an orgy of murder” (Tagore 1986: 1) and turn the scenic mountains and beautiful valleys of Nagalim into terrible burning and killing fields (Kim 2007a: 18).

1957: Nagas boycott the second Indian general elections (and the subsequent elections in 1962, 1998 and 2000).

1 December 1963: As the Nagas refuse to accept the Indian constitution, the Government of India wins over some Naga traitors and opportunists to sign the “16-Point Agreement” that creates the so-called present Nagaland state. However, the agreement is totally rejected by the Naga people, and the situation aggravates.

6 September 1964: After the rejection of the 16 Point Agreement, the Government of India sends feeler for political negotiations and thus the first ceasefire agreement between the Nagas and the Government of India is reached.

23 September 1964: The first Indo-Naga peace negotiation starts. A three-member “Peace Mission” is formed, consisting of the Anglican missionary Rev Michael Scott, Mr B.P. Chaliha and Mr. Jayprakash Narayan.

20 December 1964: “The Peace Mission, in the circumstances appreciates and understands the desire of the Nagas for self-determination and their urge to preserve their integrity. The Peace Mission also appreciates the courage and tenacity, displayed by the Naga people in their endeavour to achieve this goal. The objectives which they have placed before themselves in their memorandum ‘Naga Peace Declaration’ dated the 17th December, 1964, and addressed to the Peace Mission namely their desire to find peace, their resolve to maintain their integrity and to resist entanglement in war, are all extremely laudable and should commend themselves to all peace loving people. The peace mission acknowledged that the Nagas are not part of India. The case of the Nagas is political, not law and order. The Naga people are advised to join the Union of India of their own volition” (Peace Mission 1964).

Tragically, the mission collapsed within a year due to India’s insincerity, and the armed struggle resumed. It was at this stage that Jayprakash Narayan said, “While both East and West Pakistan bore the impress of the Indic civilization, what we call Indian culture has not made an entry into Nagalim” and that “Naga people are unquestionably a nation” (Kim 2007b: 16). Also, he commended that, in order to resolve the Indo-Naga political conflict, the Naga people should give up foreign affairs, defence and currency to India.

11 November 1975: A delegation authorized by Federal Government of Nagalim and Naga National Council signs the infamous ‘Shillong Accord’ and accepts the Indian constitution of their own volition and thereby betrays the cause of the Nagas. This accord is rejected by the Naga National Assembly.

30 August 1978: Incited and engineered by the Government of India, the pro-Shillong Accord elements stage a military coup where hundreds of patriots are massacred.

31 January 1980: Armed confrontation between the two camps (those who accepted the Indian constitution and those who rejected it) erupts which leads to the formation of the NSCN to continue the liberation movement.

1988: The Indian state, through its various intelligence agencies and Naga collaborators, plots a conspiracy and stages an abortive coup attempt through S.S. Khaplang, Vice President, NSCN.

21 January 1991: In the 47th session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali officially acknowledges that “There is Human Right Situation in Nagalim” (United Nations 1991).

23 January 1993: NSCN becomes a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation, UNPO.

20-26 January 1995: In its Fourth General Assembly at The Hague, the UNPO recognises the sovereignty of the Nagas over their territory and the right to determine their future by themselves.

20 October 1999: Twenty-four US Congressmen wrote to US President, Clinton stating, “We urge you to use your influence to help support self-determination for the people of Nagalim” (MEX 2007).

March 2000: Benjamin Gilman, Chairman of the US Congress Committee on International Relations, sends a letter to Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, successfully calling for the speedy release of Nagalim’s principal negotiator Mr. Th. Muivah, General Secretary, NSCN when the Thai authority detained him in Bangkok during the Indo-Naga peace process. (He was joined by many Americans in this endeavour, including US Senator John Nimrod from Illinois and Menelaos Tselios, General Secretary of the International Federation for the Protection of Ethnic, Religious, Linguistic and other Minorities in New York.)

23 July 2000: Thai Friends of the Nagas, a group of human rights lawyers and activists, organizes a consultation meeting in Bangkok, bringing together a spectrum of participants from Thailand, India, Nagalim and various international groups to discuss the 1997 Indo-Naga peace process. (It was followed by another such meeting on 22 August 2000.)

17 October 2003: National Socialist Council of Nagalim commits itself to a total ban of the use of uncontrolled anti-personal mines by signing the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment.

11 May 2005: British Parliamentarians for National Self-Determination (PNSD) is born and Naga Nation finds a platform to announce its right to self-determination in the UK and beyond through peaceful and political means in accordance with the International Law.

18 June 2005: Former US President Jimmy Carter writes to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, with a copy to the General Secretary of the NSCN, Mr. Th. Muivah: “I am writing today to you and the NSCN leaders to express my appreciation to both parties for the initiative being taken towards a peaceful and lasting resolution. I encourage you to move ahead with your conversation to present an acceptable solution that will assure the rights of the Naga people and the security of India” (NISC 2005).

25 July 2007: British Parliamentarians for National Self-Determination unanimously recognises “the right of the Naga people to self-determination as enshrined in International Law” and requests India and Nagalim to “take forward the historic 1997 Indo-Naga peace process with due diligence” (Kim 2007: 17).

References

Aram, M. 1979. Peace in Nagaland. New Delhi: Arnold Heineman Publishers Institute Ltd.

GPRN. 7 May 1992. A Brief Political Account. Oking.

Horam, M. 1980. Naga Insurgency. New Delhi: Cosmo Publications.

IWGIA. July 1986. The Naga Nation and its Struggle Against Genocide. Document 56. Copenhagen.

Kaping, T. July 1998. The Southern Nagas: An Ethnoarchaeological Study. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Pune.

. 21 May 2002. Comparative Study of Naga and Korean Cultures from the Perspective of Ethnoarchaeology. Postdoctorate Report. Chungnam National University, South Korea.

Kim, T. November 2007. Nagalim-Part I. Devon: The Review (No. 705). URC.

. December 2007. Nagalim-Part II. Devon: The Review (No. 706). URC.

Manipuronline. 14 May 2006. Speeches of Nagas. Imphal.

Maxwell, N. 1980 (New edition). India, the Nagas and the North East. London: The Minority Right Group Publication.

MEX. 26 July 2007. British MPs Asked to Support Solution Outside Constitution. Dimapur: The Morung Express.

NISC. 16 August 2005. The Naga International Support Center lauds former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter, for praising the Government of India in its efforts to come to an honourable solution to the India Naga Conflict. Press Release, Amsterdam.

NPMHR. April 2006. Border that Violates Human Rights: We Demand Unification of Naga Areas. Delhi: NPMHR Quaterly Publication.

Peace Mission. 20 December 1964. Peace Mission’s Proposals. Number 12.

Raising, Rh. 11 May 2006. Speech at the Inaugural Conference of the British Parliamentarians for Self-Determination. Houses of Parliament, London.

Raising, Rh. and A. Makunga. 11 May 2006. Some Important Political Developments in the Naga National Movement. Houses of Parliament, London.

Slim, W. 1961. Defeat into Victory: Battling JapaniIn Burma and India 1942-1945. New York: D. McKay.

Tagore, D. 1986. Israel in India. Published by the Author.

United Nations. 1991. ECOSOC Resolution 296 (XLVI). Geneva.

UNPO. 2002. Indian Government Recognises the Uniqueness of Naga Case. The Hague: Civil Society Initiatives on the Naga Peace Process.

Wavell. 6 June 1944. Field Marshal Viscount Wavell to Mr. Amery. L/PO/10/21. The Transfer of Power, Vol. V

Frans on 12.17.07 @ 12:07 PM CST [link]


Sunday, December 16th

Nagas are one and let none divide us: NSCN (IM) Page News Service)



Nagas are one and let none divide us: NSCN (IM) Page News Service)

Dimapur, December 15: The NSCN (IM) today said that it shall always stand tall with all honesty and commitment in the name of Naga unification. Terming the Naga tribes' stand for Naga unification and reconciliation as encouraging, the NSCN (IM) said that it must be translated into something concrete.
It said maturity of approach and honesty of commitment should guide the Naga nation in search of lasting unity, adding NSCN is committed by the people's aspiration that "Nagas are one and let none divide us."
However, it said that in the name of Naga unification, the name of "Tangkhul" is used in a very bad taste.
"There is no iota of truth in accusing the 'Tangkhuls' as standing on the opposite side of Naga unification," the MIP stated in a release, adding this is absolutely misleading and does not augur well for the healthy development of Naga unification.

Nagaland caught in political crisis Bano Haralu NDTV
(Kohima) The NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland may have survived the no confidence motion on Thursday but the outcome is threatening dissident activity.

The Opposition Congress has accused the Speaker of being partisan for not admitting the votes of seven NPF MLAs, who defied the party whip and voted against the government. Three Independents, previously NPF supporters, were barred from voting. The action of the speaker was subverting the constitutional rights of the members. He had taken away the fundamental rights of the those members representing their communities I Imkong, President CLP.

But the government justifies the Speaker's actions.

''As per the 91st Amendment Act they have received the whip issued by the chief whip of party. Number one if they go against the rule their votes will not be counted their action will attract disqualification from the house since they have voted against the government. We still hold that we have defeated the motion,'' said Shurhozelie, Minister for Planning and Urban Development.

The MLAs whose resignations were earlier rejected by the Speaker have raised a storm over the decision. ''If you go by the constitution of India there is no such provision that you cannot vote against the whip. Yes, we will be disqualified if we go against the whip but there is no provision that our votes will not be counted,'' said I Kheto, former Minister for Forests and IPR

Faced with an unprecedented political situation, the Governor says the matter is being reviewed by constitutional experts in Delhi. It looks like its going to be along winter ahead for politicians many of them will be fervently wondering if winter is here can spring be far behind.
‘No real peace and unity without God’s guidance’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 15 (MExN): Unity and reconciliation is a must for the Nagas, but without the guidance and blessing of God, the Naga people cannot have real peace and unity in their land, opines an NNC member.
Espousing the need to follow the will of God, ‘Thomas, NNC Member’, in a press statement said that God is protecting and leading the Naga nation till date, however, many Naga people do not understand it, for which the Naga are facing an internal crisis.
“The Almighty God bestowed the sovereignty of Nagaland and therefore, the Nagas had never fallen into foreign domination in the human history,” declared Thomas. Giving the rationale of his thought, Thomas said that some educated Nagas attempted to sell out ‘God given sovereignty’ while some attempted to lead the Nagas on ‘his’ own will and tried to impose ‘his’ own plan or ideology on the Naga people.
In this regard, Thomas strongly asserted that during the past 27 years since the formation of the ‘so-called’ NSCN, the Naga people have suffered immensely at the hands of NSCN cadres as “some imposters and renegade leaders tried to impose socialism on Naga people”. “The Naga leaders and civilian population who wanted to preserve the age-old Naga traditional democracy were eliminated by them. Thus, they destroyed hundreds of homes and killed thousands of Nagas,” said Thomas. He added that ‘they’ are trying to barter out God given sovereignty with an autonomous state within the Indian Union, which they claimed “a special federal relationship with India”. Thomas claimed that soon after the formation of the NSCN, “God spoke” to ‘renegade leaders’ through an NSCN lady and also through Evangelist Athiu ‘to stop killing and rejoin the Naga National Council.’
Consequently, the NSCN split into two factions in 1988 and killing among them is still unabated, reasoned Thomas. In this context, Thomas asserted that “another split took place once again in November 2007 and more killing may happen at any time”.
“This is the fact that God is truly working against them because they disobeyed the word of God,” preached the NNC member.
Lamenting that the Naga people do not acknowledge that God is leading the Naga nation under the banner of the NNC and FGN, Thomas asserted that God brought Peace to Nagaland in 1964 and again in 1975, God restored peace in Nagaland when Indian Government resorted to destroy the Nagas with her armed might re-escalated war from 1972.
“However, the renegade leaders rejected God given peace and led the Nagas in the blood path,” he said.
The NNC member said that it has been their experience that some of the Naga people have ignored the way in which God is leading the ‘our nation’ and rejected the God given peace, besides committing heinous crimes and involving in all kinds of evil activities.
Saying that these people instead of admitting their mistakes are justifying their misdeeds, Thomas said that it is time for them to abandon such evil practices and follow the path of God.
Thomas said that God given peace and sovereignty should be valued so that the people can have peace and work together for the achievement of ‘national goals’.
“Unity and reconciliation is a must for the Nagas. But without the guidance and blessing of God we cannot have real peace and unity,” said Thomas.
NSCN-IM committed to unification The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 15 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has pointed out that as far as Naga unification goes it will “always stand tall with all honesty and commitment” and that it was “all the more exhilarated when all the Naga tribes stand for Naga unification and reconciliation”. Terming this as encouraging, the NSCN (IM) in a press note stated that this must be translated into something concrete.
It however termed as unfortunate that in the name of Naga unification the name of “Tangkhul” is being used in ‘very bad taste’ while pointing out that there was no iota of truth in accusing the “Tangkhuls” as standing on the opposite side of Naga unification. “This is absolutely misleading and does not augur well for the healthy development of Naga unification. And Nagas in general should not be taken back by such unfounded and misdirected concept on the Tangkhuls”, the NSCN (IM) stated.
It pointed out that in the campaign for Naga unification one must learn to be “humanistic and not communally bombastic” and that there was no point to spread “tribalism venom while the unification process is being studied”. The NSCN (IM) termed this as uncalled for and that it smacked of “unwarranted communal campaigns that only tarnish the unification process”.
The NSCN (IM) urged that maturity of approach and honesty of commitment should guide the Naga nation in search of lasting unity. “Because of the complexities involved it demands such level of moral attachment and transparency. NSCN is committed by the people’s aspiration that “Nagas are one and let none divide us”, it stated.
AZSU hails unification move Source: The Sangai Express
Dimapur, December 15: The initiatives of the joint forum of Nagaland Gaonbura Federation (NGF) and Nagaland Dubashis Association (NDA) in fetching ceasefire amongst the rival factions of NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and NNC has attracted wide appreciations from many Naga civil organizations.

The All Zeliangrong Students' Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) has also lauded today the move of the joint forum of NGF and NDA in reaching a ceasefire agreement among the warring factions of NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and NNC and termed it 'a hope of an end to the spate of fratricidal killings' and assumed that the outcome would surely pave way towards desired direction of peace and unity in all Naga areas in general and to Zeliangrong region in particular.

Though six months may not be a long time, the wishes of every Nagas have been rewarded, AZSU (AMN) general secretary Joshua Dangmei conveyed. Joshua also in the meantime warned that in case of any signatory party is reported of violating the truce in the Zeliangrong region, the Zeliangrong public will be compelled to withdraw cooperation to that particular group.
NPF fetes DAN for winning trust vote The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 15 (MExN): The NPF has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the DAN Government for smoothly sailing through the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition Congress without any hiccups. The party in a press note issued by Akang Ao, General Secretary stated that the NPF had full faith in the constitutional institutions of the State and the country that the law of the Anti-Defection Law will be upheld and will prevail and that the laws of the Constitution of India will be protected.
The NPF termed the formation of the so called Nagaland Progressive Alliance led by the Congress which includes dissident MLAs of the NPF as completely illegal under the Anti-defection Law. “The Nagaland Congress has lost all sense of direction as it has formed a new alliance against the laid down rules of the constitutional laws. It speaks volumes of the desperateness of the Congress leadership whose sole aim is to play backdoor politics”, Akang stated.
However the NPF stated that it was firm that the DAN Government enjoys the mandate of the people and it will not allow undemocratic forces to go against the will of the people. The NPF also alleged that the Congress was resorting to force with the help of armed elements to play defection politics and it is trying its best to make the NPF MLAs defect. “However the forces of democracy have ensured that such negative tactics cannot succeed”.
The NPF stated that the Neiphiu Rio led DAN government has emerged from the assembly session with flying colours and it has once again proved its majority to the people of Nagaland and that the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition was on flimsy grounds and the Chief Minister has given the most appropriate reply in the floor of the House. The NPF urged upon the guardians of the constitution to ensure that the anti-defection law is implemented and that those who violate the law be given appropriate judgment as per the law.
NSCNs on unity move Nagarealm.com
DIMAPUR, DEC14 [NPN] : The GPRN/NSCN has said that as much as Naga political aspiration was concerned, unification had always been the primary requisite and one that had been echoed by a cross section of societies including Government of India, International Organs and civil societies, Naga public and NGOs, over the years. Maintaining that the ongoing Naga unification move was, not an outcome of sudden particular phenomenon but a co-related political prerogative, a press release purportedly issued by the publicity cell, GPRN/NSCN, also said the November 23, 2007, unification declaration at Hovishe village was definitely a historical landmark and a step ahead towards ultimate political solution.
It said unification of Nagas had not only evolved a significant elevation of Naga’s political status but also set a precedence for the Government of India to prioritize the settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue. “The legitimacy of the ongoing truce between the GoI and NSCN groups, one led by Isak Swu and the other by SS Khaplang should not be jeopardized by any anti-peace elements and the GoI must honor the agreement,” the release said.

It also said the Naga unification was aimed at putting an end to bloodshed and fratricidal killings amongst Nagas and therefore, any individual, group, organization or community that went against the same spirit would be committing a “grave historical and political calamity.” The release further stated that since the partition of Nagas into several groups and factions, Nagas had been insisting on prior unification of the Sumis on the ground that Sumis comprises the majority in all the groups. “The Sumis has today proved their worth so as to pave the way for unification of all the Nagas, thus the question of any backdoor or clandestine affair on communal lines does not arise at all,” the release added.

NSCN (K) reacts : Reacting to various press statements issued by the MIP/NSCN (I-M) and one by its vice president Khodao Yanthan, on the recent unification move, the NSCN (K) has alleged that these statements were not written by the “so-called MIP” or Khodao but by some vested interest persons who were against unity and reconciliation groups. “All the statements are usually written by some subtle Tangkhuls to hoodwink and confuse the Nagas general public. The statements were all fakes and figments of imaginations of some Tangkhuls,” the MIP/NSCN (K) secretary in a press statement said, while advising the public not to be confused and swayed by such “make believes” statements.

The NSCN (K) also said that some “disinterested” persons with ulterior motives have questioned the present unity process by alleging that the move was through the back door and not through proper channel or approval of the appropriate authorities. “Then the question arises, that why no organizations or individuals had initiated the unity process even after shouting for peace and unity for the last more than a decade?? And what was wrong if anyone has taken the lead in the move?” NSCN (K) asked. Beckoning one and all to the unity and reconciliation move, the NSCN (K) said all other past differences should be thrashed out across the table.

Pledging to pursue the unity and reconciliation process with renewed strength, whether irrespective of ceasefire or not and the ways and means adopted, the NSCN (K) added “If unity comes at all, half sovereignty is achieved. The next goal will be pursued with united and collective wisdom.” Urging Nagas to beware of fakes and falsehoods, it further said “Let those who oppose the current unity and reconciliation process be cursed creatures. Let the blood of the innocent Nagas that has already been shed be on their heads.”
IM flays Tangkhul bashing Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Dec 15: The NSCN-IM has expressed resentment “for using the name of Tangkhuls in a bad taste”.
Harping deeper on the matter, the outfit has said to-day that in the name of Naga unification, the “NSCN/GPRN shall always stand tall” with all honesty and commitment. It stated that the NSCN-IM is all the more exhilarated when all the Naga tribes stand for Naga unification and reconciliation.
“This is encouraging and must be translated into something concrete. It is however unfortunate that in the name of Naga unification the name of Tangkhul is used in a very bad taste”, rued the NSCN-IM.
The outfit also added that there is not an iota of truth in accusing the ‘Tangkhuls’ as standing on the opposite side of Naga unification.
“This is absolutely misleading and does not augur well for the healthy development of Naga unification,” said the NSCN-IM while adding, “and the Na-gas in general should not be taken back by such unfounded and misdirected concept on the Tangkhuls”.
The outfit also called upon that in the campaign for Naga unification “let us learn to be humanistic and not communally bombastic”.
The NSCN-IM then asked, “Why spread tribalism venom while the unification process is being studied?” The outfit termed it as uncalled for and “smacks of unwarranted communal campaigns that only tarnish the unification process”.
The NSCN-IM statement then opined that maturity of approach and honesty of commitment should guide the “Naga Nation in search of lasting unity”.
“Because of the complexities involved it demands such level of moral attachment and transparency. NSCN is committed by the people’s aspiration that Nagas are one and let none divide us,” prayed the NSCN-IM statement.
Rio horse trading: NPA Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, Dec 15 (NPN): The Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) has charged Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio with indulging in horse-trading besides accusing him of trying to use underground leaders to threaten MLAs, who were supporting the NPA, in order to save the DAN government.
Briefing media persons here on Saturday, NPA Leader-elect I Imkong said, “We can give evidence that some of our underground leaders have been threatening some of our Members to back out from the NPA. All these five years, Mr. Rio’s actions have been to retain power by hook or by crook and indulge in rampant corruption. Even last night, his Ministers and his businessmen friends have been going around offering up to Rs 5 crores to those Members who will support Mr Rio.” Imkong claimed the 9 NPF and 3 Independent MLAs had voted in favour of the no trust motion against the DAN government on their own volition. Also present at the media briefing, former Minister I. Kheto decried the manner in which the Speaker had “arbitrarily and undemocratically” acted by nullifying 12 votes which were in favour of the motion. He ridiculed the Speaker by describing him as “immature” and one who did not know what he (Speaker) was doing.
Kheto questioned the intention of the Speaker behind serving the showcause notices on the three Independent MLAs – Khutovi, P. Chuba and Jongshilemba – at 10 pm of December 12 asking them for an interim reply latest by 9 am of December 13, half an hour before the commencement of Assembly session, when the first had withdrawn his support to the government in September and the other two in November. Kheto contested that if the 3 Independents were disallowed to vote (for the motion), the fourth Independent, Imkong L. Imchen, who is a Minister in DAN, should not have been allowed to vote (against the motion). He accused Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs, R. Kothandaraman of “misguiding” the Speaker, Chief Minister and the NPF by subverting the Constitution and Rules and Procedures of the NLA.
Kheto wondered as to how the Independent MLAs could vote for or against any Bill in the House when they had been prevented from voting for the motion. “Where is the logic?” he asked. Supplementing Kheto’s statement, Imkong said “A Member can vote against the whip. Disqualification is a subsequence to that action of going against the whip.” Kheto alleged that during a Working Committee meeting of the NPF held on October 26 Rio had declared that the “Collective Leadership” would support the NPF in the polls. Both Kheto and JD (U) MLA Deo Nukhu castigated the Cabinet decision on enhancement of superannuation age from 57 to 60. “There should have been certain conditions. This has been done with subjective motive to retain certain bureaucrats due to retire shortly because they are hardcore supporters of the DAN,” Nukhu stated. Jongshilemba said “By voting for a party, we are not joining it. Under Rule 17, the Speaker is not a supreme power to prevent a Member of the House from voting.”
Cry from the Street- Nagaland Post
Let us stop beating around the bush. Whether we like it or not Nagaland is in total chaos in every front. If we keep on denying and ignoring the reality we'll be doomed forever. So if we want healing, the bitter truth first. Please pay attention to this and let us start doing our own responsibilities and duties sincerely wherever we are.
To begin with - Does a Government exist in Nagaland? Or is the public the stumbling block in bringing about development? Please don't politicize this question but think and reason like an intelligent being if you are one. Whether we like it or not Kohima is the worst capital in India, which means, we are worst in the world! Simple logic. You don't need to refer to any academic book. At the first instant we welcome 'guests' with the filthy foully smell of garbage. Shock? No doubt she is beautiful but only at night that's also from a distance. Let us build Kohima to shine all the time from anywhere!
The roads of Kohima and Dimapur are beyond horrible now for quite sometime. Pot holes are deeper than 1 foot even in the main town. So you can imagine the conditions in the exterior areas. What about other villages and towns? Dear concerned MLAs, for your own good please fill up the pot holes before Election 2008 at least. Use your head as much as you want to become an MLA/ Minister. It won't cost much to fill up all the pot holes. Do it and see.
A drive around the town both in Kohima and Dimapur reminds one of war torn countries like Afghanistan. In fact we are worse and the worst part is we have not been bombed by any alien forces like them but it's because of our irresponsible backward corrupted mindset. We have a civil war at home but we can do better than this.
Let us construct 'hygienic-market-shed' for our 'daily bazaar'. It's so pathetic and embarrassing at the same time to see even fancy luxury vehicles with VVIP lights parked around our dirty, filthy, muddy, dusty daily markets while the 'mem-sahibs' shop. It's disgrace to imagine that even the cream of our society shop and eat from these filthy bazaars. We may be backward but at least we deserve to eat healthier.
Dear shops owners and private establishments, please don't throw your daily wastes in the roads as if it's your backyard. Dear Municipal/Town Councilors, think big! To become the next Chairperson is small thinking. Dream of building our town into a world class city. That's Big Thinking! Begin with keeping our towns gargabe clean and construction of footpath and Drainage system. It's high time we survey and construct bridges to ease traffic congestion in Dimapur. Actually we are far too late. We have only 2 bridges which serve as bottlenecks. Remember, a river flows through our town. [Excuse me if a project proposal is under consideration] Please place intellectually efficient traffic personnel at strategic traffic locations. Remember, everything works with the mind.
Dear Naga brethrens let us learn to live like humans consciously. We take great delight in talking about other peoples and places but don't think of building ourselves. This is our land and it's our responsibility [response - able] to build it. Don't expect anyone to come and perform a miracle. Let us also realize that 'development and peace' co-exist. Let us stop reasoning and arguing the logic - 'chicken or egg' first.
Nehemiah Jr., Dimapur
Double vision over Myanmar crackdown Brian McCartan The Morung Express
A consensus is gathering that Myanmar’s State Peace and Development Council’s (SPDC) official version of events of its violent crackdown on street demonstrations in late September, continued detention without trial of protesters and ongoing harassment and arrests of activists doesn’t square with the actual facts. The ruling junta said that 10 protesters were killed when its troops opened fire and that of the 2,927 people it detained, all but 80 have since been released. Two human-rights reports released in the past week, one by US-based rights group Human Rights Watch, the other by the United Nations Human Rights Council, highlight the ruling junta’s excessive use of force and contradict the junta’s official figures.
The SPDC in its characteristic fashion has downplayed the incidents, while trying to present a benevolent image by releasing prisoners it held in makeshift detention centers. It has also aimed to deflect criticism by assigning a liaison officer to meet with pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, while at the same time proceeding with its “Seven Step Road Map” to democracy which excludes her political party from any participation in the process.
The Human Rights Watch report, entitled “Crackdown: Repression of the 2007 Popular Protests in Burma”, was based on the testimony of over 100 witnesses to recent events inside the country, to which the junta has sharply restricted foreign journalists’ access. The UN report was the product of a November 11 to 15 fact-finding trip to the country by its special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, Paolo Sergio Pinheiro, which was presented to the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday.
Both reports found the regime’s official figure of 10 killed to be much too low. Human Rights Watch estimates at least 20 civilians were killed as a result of the military’s violent suppression of the protests; Pinheiro says at least 31 were killed. And both monitoring organizations indicated that the actual toll is probably still much higher.
The UN report also claims that at least 4,000 people have been arrested, of which 1,000 are still being held in detention, while Human Rights Watch says that hundreds of protestors remain unaccounted for. Such estimates are echoed by other groups, including the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thailand-based monitoring group composed of former Myanmar political prisoners.
The group has been able to document the location of 250 of those prisoners, but the whereabouts of at least 300 others remains unknown. They join the 1,200 political prisoners which were already languishing in Myanmar’s overcrowded prisons and labor camps. Many more activists have been arrested since the demonstrations were violently put down in late September, with security personnel continuing to sweep the country in pursuit of those involved in the countrywide protests.
The SPDC, meanwhile, has downplayed the scale and severity of its crackdown and continues to justify its violent actions as a proportionate and necessary response to uphold national security. In response to the UN report, Wunna Maung Lwin, the SPDC’s ambassador to Geneva, said, “Exercising its sovereign right to handle a violent situation should not be construed as a human rights violation.” According to the Myanmar ambassador, “Almost all those in detention in connection with the September events have been released.”
The December 4 edition of the state mouthpiece The New Light of Myanmar newspaper, meanwhile, stated that 8,585 prisoners had been granted amnesty between November 16 and December 3 “to mark the successful holding of the National Convention in September 2007, the commencement of the functions of the Commission for Drafting the State Constitution, the third stage of the seven-step Road Map, forging the national solidarity in the country and cooperation with international communities including the UN”. This figure, too, is highly debatable. While the number of released may include some of those detained in the wake of the September crackdown, most of those freed were petty criminals with no connections to politics - including 33 Thai nationals. According to the Association for Political Prisoners-Burma, not one of the leaders of the 88 Generation Student Group that initially organized the protests has been released, nor have any of the leading monks involved. According to Bo Gyi, the AAPP’s chairman, “Only seven of the released prisoners were political, but they were arrested in 2000 and 2001.” The tactic of releasing prisoners and tying the event to political statements has frequently been used in the past by the regime as a way of trying to appease the international community and deflect criticism. Bo Gyi said, “It is a tactic. When there is international pressure they show the world that they can release large numbers of prisoners.”

Well-worn tactic The SPDC has repeatedly been commended by the international community for its past release of political prisoners. Prior political prisoner releases have often acted to ease international pressure, under the misguided impression that the junta is loosening its restrictions on the opposition. The releases, often of low-ranking opposition figures, have to date never led towards genuine dialogue or a move towards national reconciliation.
Rights groups note that the release of non-political prisoners is a well-worn government tactic. In 1993-94, for instance, the military regime rounded up hundreds of people at a time, who were then released a few days later. Even pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi commented at the time that if the regime wished to arrest five of her National League for Democracy (NLD) members, they would arrest 105 people including the NLD members, then release the other 100 for which the international community congratulated it.
The releases now have the added benefit of focusing attention on the old capital Yangon and away from other peripheral abuses, such as the junta’s continued use of forced labor, growing internal displacement, food scarcity and human rights violations associated with the military’s ongoing counterinsurgency campaign along its borders. Recent reports from Karen State indicate that the army is flooding the area with military units as part of yet another dry season military offensive against ethnic insurgents. Meanwhile, liaison officer ex-Brigadier General Aung Kyi’s three meetings with NLD leader Suu Kyi have so far come to nothing. The only way real political dialogue can be achieved is through meeting with the SPDC’s senior leadership, especially with the junta’s chairman Senior General Than Shwe - which the appointment of such a low-ranking liaison officer was apparently designed to avoid. Aung Kyi’s appointment does, however, allow the junta the benefit of telling the international community that at least some discussion with the opposition is underway.
The duplicity of this was shown in the Myanmar National Day speeches of Information Minister Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan and Aung Kyi. While Aung Kyi claimed to have made progress in his discussions with Suu Kyi, Kyaw Hsan’s speech made it clear that opposition groups would not be included in the constitution drafting process. This presumably includes Suu Kyi and her NLD. Than Shwe in his National Day Speech reaffirmed support for the Seven Step Road Map and on December 3 the Constitution Drafting Commission began work on writing a new constitution, the third designation step in the process. Although details are unclear, what is certain is that any constitution that results will include provisions for a strong role for the military in any future “democratic” Myanmar. The international community, at long last, appears to be waking to the junta’s tactics. In a December 10 statement by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during a visit to Thailand, he said that “patience is running out” with Myanmar. Whether that means the UN might consider imposing its own set of economic or financial sanctions against the regime, as the US and European Union have imposed, seems doubtful so long as China and Russia use their veto powers to protect the junta from UN Security Council censure, as they did earlier this year. In the past when the international community’s patience has run dry, the UN and others have often turned a blind eye and moved on to making pronouncements about the next global hot spot. And the junta has proven in the past it has the patience to wait out international condemnation until international attention shifts elsewhere. Once the spotlight is off, the regime can revert back to form and continue the repression that has been a part of life in Myanmar since the military first seized power in 1962.

Brian McCartan is a Thailand-based freelance journalist.
ISI operative held in Guwahati

K An Suspected ISI man held in Guwahati
Guwahati, Dec 15: A suspected key activist of Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI, looking after its operational matters in the North-East in the guise of running a coal and garment business here, has been arrested. The police said the 35-year-old man, S M Alam alias Mujbullah Alam alias Asif Alam, was nabbed from the Hedayatpur area last night after a tip-off.
Alam was a Jamiat-a-Islami activist in Bangladesh and in 1993 joined the Harkatul Mujhadeen. He was trained in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), the sources said.
He was recruited by ISI in 2006 and was the key man in Assam, the sources said. According to documents seized, he was the son of Moidan Ali whose address was Azampur, Dhaka, the sources said. He is the third suspected ISI man to be nabbed here. Two others had been caught earlier this year with one working as a rickshaw-puller. (Agencies)
Villagers protest army ‘torture’ OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Dibrugarh, Dec. 15: Hundreds of villagers blocked the Moran-Naharkatia Road at Veterinary Tinali, 65km from Dibrugarh town, in Assam today to protest harassment by army personnel.
The villagers alleged that army personnel from the Rajgarh camp of 268 Field Regiment have been harassing them for allegedly having links with Ulfa.
On Thursday, army personnel picked up two activists of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Biplob Gogoi and Jayanta Das, and allegedly tortured them. They handed them over to police the next day. The police freed the duo after checking their credentials, a source said.
The villagers reached the end of their tether yesterday when nearly a dozen army personnel entered the Hatigarh, Diksam and Digholia areas under Tingkhong police station around noon, saying they were conducting search operations. Police said the army team did not take any police personnel or the gaonburah with them while conducting the search operation.
The armymen slapped and kicked some villagers and beat them with rifle butts. Bertho Aind, Alfred Lagun, James Aind, Babu Hemram, Samel Aind, Phani Gogoi, Debakanta Gogoi and his teenaged son Tralukya, a Class IX student, were among those beaten up.
“Samel, Debakanta and Phani were tortured by the armymen at the camp and had to be administered medical attention at the Naharani first referral unit. They have bruises all over their bodies and were possibly given electric shocks in their private parts,” a doctor said on condition of anonymity.
The army handed the three over to the police at Rajgarh outpost late last night. The police released Samel and Debakanta early today, while Phani was released later. The protesters lifted the blockade around 3pm after Phani was released, but threatened to resort to an agitation again if the guilty jawans were not punished. The villagers took Samel, Debakanta and Phani to hospital. Phani, who was in a critical condition, had to be admitted, while the others were discharged after treatment.
“These incidents are happening again and again. We need justice,” Prabhat Gogoi, a local villager said. The villagers submitted a memorandum to the Dibrugarh deputy commissioner through magistrate Brojen Das. Officials of the 268 Field Regiment could not be contacted.




Key man of ISI operation in NE police net Newmai News Network
Guwahati, Dec 15: The Special Branch of the Assam Police on Saturday produced before the media the key man of the Pakistan based Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) operating in Assam and other parts of the Northeastern region. Identified as SM Alam alias Mojibullah Alam alias Asfi Alam was arrested by members of the Special Operation unit of the Special Branch from a place in the city. The Special Branch sleuths hopes that detailed interrogation would give vital inputs regarding the ISI’s activities in the region. Giving the details of the Alam, IGP (SB) Khagen Sarma said that the hardcore ISI operative hails from Azampur village near Dhaka in Bangladesh and added that he was working with Jamaat-e-Islami.
“Alam joined Harkat-Ul-Mujahadeen, a Pakistan based jehadi outfit in 1993 and underwent training at the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK),” said Sarma while adding that he had joined Jamatul Mujahideen activist in Bangladesh. “Alam had been staying in Assam since 2006 and he has been looking after all the operational matters of the ISI in Assam and other parts of the region,” said Sarma.
The intelligence chief termed the arrest as a good catch and hoped that inter-rogation would yield in vital information regarding the ISI activities in the whole region including its links with the militant outfit of the region.
The history of the ISI activities in Assam and other parts of the region is not new.
In 2005 the city police had arrested one Hanif Khan from a city hotel for his alleged links with the ISI. Khan was a retired Indian Air Force personnel.
A five-member team of police went to Uttar Pradesh after Hanif Khan gave some specific information about the ISI operating in the country and the four other persons— Md Latif Khan (31), Md Yamin Khan (38), Mrs Kiran Chandra (46) and Mrs Rani alias Jogarani (50), were arrested from Goutam Budha Nagar in UP. Three days after Khan was arrested, police had also arrested his son Javed Khan, working in the capacity of Lance Naik with the 18 Grenadier brigade under the Army’s 4 Cor. based in Tezpur.
Sources informed that Javed used to procure the classified information about the movement of the armed forces in the region and hand those over to his father, who in turn used to pass those on to the ISI through various channels.

The price of patriotism Patricia Mukhim (Courtesy: North East Page, The Statesman)
Arunachal Pradesh has been in the eye of the storm because of alleged Chinese incursions into what is claimed as Indian territory. Of all the tribes in the Northeast, those in Arunachal Pradesh have been the most sanskritised. Their lingua franca is Hindi and, because of the vast dialectic differences between the tribes, their only common language of communication is also Hindi. This is due to the educational policy adopted in the state which makes Hindi the medium of instruction across the board. Almost two-thirds of the state's approximately 1.1 million population are non-tribal.
With a land area of nearly 83,000 square km, most of it uninhabitable mountain terrain, the Public Distribution System faces a peculiar challenge to reach food grains to interior villages. But this challenge was converted into an opportunity for money making through the very system that is aimed at providing affordable essential commodities to those living in the margins of development.
In India's Northeast the PDS has long been used as the milking cow by the government in power. It is used to siphon off funds into the coffers of the ruling party. State governments in collusion with officials of the Food Corporation of India at Guwahati devise the most innovative schemes to make money at the cost of the poor. Since large parts of Arunachal Pradesh are not motorable, food grains are transported up to the road head and from there by the system of headload. But the rates paid by the FCI for head-loads, at least on paper, is highly arbitrary. These range from Rs 2,100-15,000 per quintal, which is far in excess of the going rate. Simply put, this means the government was paying a carrying charge of Rs 21-150 for every kilogram of rice. It does not require much intelligence to understand that the entire PDS has turned into a major scam.
This Rs 200-crore scam is now the subject of litigation in Gauhati High Court following a public interest litigation. Several politicians, officials and contractors are involved and have been named in the petition. What is shocking is the consumption figure shown in the records of the State Food & Civil Supplies Department and the FCI. Each person was shown to consume 50 kg of rice and 50 kg of iodized salt per head per month. And the state government was paying carrying charges for this absurd amount for years together.
Maximum mileage was taken by officials of the department and the FCI from the Hill Transport Subsidy, whereby the Central government subsidizes the carrying cost to reduce the overall cost of essential commodities and make them affordable to the common man.
The PDS scam is not the only one that has beset this border state. The government-run Cooperative Apex Bank has also run into rough weather after huge loans taken by the rich and the powerful remained unpaid. The bank went bust and had to be closed down temporarily, even as small and medium depositors lost their hard earned savings. Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, a Congress party stalwart, announced in May this year that loan defaulters would not be given a Congress ticket. Here, too, the amount siphoned off totaled a whopping Rs 200 crore. He cautioned that defaulters should return the money by September of face serious consequences. Khandu has now extended the time for repayment of the loan to February next year.
Meanwhile, the Congress high command has come to Khandu's rescue. Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, who was also the general secretary of the Congress in charge of the Northeast, handed over a cheque of Rs 225 crore to the state government to rejuvenate the bank. This amount was paid as advance by the National Hydel Power Corporation, a government-owned public sector undertaking, which had earlier signed an agreement with the Arunachal Pradesh government for 3 power projects in that state. Arunachal has the potential to generate 60,000 MW. In a sense, the future of the state is already mortgaged to the PSU even before the power project has taken off.
The Arunachal Pradesh Cooperative Apex Bank has 32 branches and an overall defaulters' list of 150,000 debtors. For a state with such a small population, this is by all counts a huge number. In almost all Northeastern states, those who are politically connected can get away with all kinds of misdemeanours. Investigations have revealed that the defaulters are no small fries engaged in petty businesses but big fish, many of whom have invested in real estate in Delhi, Kolkata and other metros of this country. There are no qualms about squandering public money because the culture of impunity is so embedded in the whole system. In the smaller tribal states where the line between non-formal hierarchical tribal institutions and constitutionally mandated offices is blurred, patronage democracy becomes even more evident. Yet, because the people of Arunachal Pradesh profess undying loyalty to the tri-colour and speak their patriotism so convincingly, there is, in the corridors of power in Delhi, a proclivity to underwrite debts and cover up scams if only to retain this loyalty to the nation state. But this patronage has also created serious fault-lines in society. Those with access to the political system have creamed off everything, leaving those in the margins of development impoverished. Now how long this disparity can continue without serious social consequences depends upon the people themselves.
Corruption is second nature in the Northeast. They say practice makes perfect. Indeed, the practice of corruption is so well-oiled that it only gets better and more innovative with time. Just how blatant corruption has become in Arunachal Pradesh was documented by none other than Khandu himself in an interview with an Internet news portal. Immediately upon his assuming office, a chief engineer of the Public Works Department brought him a file to be cleared. When the Chief Minister opened the file he found Rs 5 lakh in cash. Unfortunately for the officer, there were a few other MLAs and Ministers in the Chief Minister's chamber. Naturally Khandu had to exhibit a sense of outrage. The officer was arrested and Khandu claimed he deposited the money in the Treasury. So while this sort of circus carries on unabated, the only sufferers are the common people whose lives are getting tougher by the day. (The author is a Shillong-based columnist and activist, and can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com">patricia17@rediffmail.com.)

Rebel MLAs leave for New Delhi The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 15: With a strong determination not to retreat from their campaign for regime change by replacing O Ibobi Singh as chief minister of the state, 12 MLAs of the rebel Congress left Imphal today to reopen their camp in New Delhi. Chief minister O Ibobi Singh who is also outside the state will fly to Delhi tomorrow. He attended a passing out parade of SI and jemandar today at Shillong and returned to Guwahati where he has been since Thursday last.

The camp at New Delhi will open from December 17 and they will halt at Kolkata till tomorrow. Manga Vaiphei who is among the rebel MLAs, but not together with the 12 MLAs, is likely to join them at New Delhi on the same day as MPCC president Gaikhangam who is still at Imphal.

The twelve MLAs who left Imphal today for Kolkata by Zet Airways were K Govindas, T Mangibabu, chief whip of the SPF government, Ratankumar, L Brajabidhu, I Hemochandra, L Nandakumar, M Hemanta, M Oken, Manindra, Meghachandra, Bijoy Koijam and Y Surchandra, the spokesperson said.

The MLAs left Imphal with a strong determination not to retreat from their campaign till their goal of ousting O Ibobi Singh from chief ministership be achieved, said Surchandra, the spokesperson when contacted by IFP.
However, ministers Y Erabot, DD Thaisii and the group`s putative leader Th Debendra were still in Imphal. Whether they too will proceed to Delhi to join the camp could not be immediately confirmed. But Th Debendra may not join the camp as of now as he is currently looking after the charge of chief minister.

If Debendra has to leave Imphal, he has to hand over the charge of chief minister to his next senior most cabinet minister as per Ibobi`s order who handed over charge except for financial matters.

Meanwhile, state chief minister, O Ibobi Singh who is also out of station from the state attended a passing out parade for the recently recruited sub-inspectors and Jamandar of the state police department today at Shillong in Meghalaya. Altogether 130 personnel including 54 SI and 76 jemandar completed their 10 months basic training course at the North Eastern Police Academy, NEPA, Shillong. The course was completed on December 10.

UNLF claims killing five security men The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 15: The proscribed United National Liberation Front, UNLF, claims to have killed at least five Indian security forces personnel and wounded seven others in an attack this morning on a security post at Aeiyang village in the Sajik area of Chandel district.

A statement issued by the outfit said the camp, which it claimed was a company headquarters, was attacked with rockets and 76 mm lethod shells, at around 11:30 am today by a fighting group of the MPA 292 battalion. This is the fourth attack on the post, the statement said.

It also stated that the dead and wounded were evacuated from the camp by helicopter, with another helicopter providing covering fire.
The UNLF`s claim could not be immediately verified.

The UNLF statement went on to say that fighting is going on between MPA cadres and Indian security forces near Molcham, at a spot located some 65 km from Moreh on the DC road since this morning.

Informing that the area is the MPA 292 bn C Coy base area, the statement said villages located in the periphery of the area are being progressively occupied by the security forces, aided by the UKLF as well as the KNA, and there is strong likelihood of more clashes in the days ahead.

The statement also charged that due to intimidation by Kuki armed groups, many more villagers in the area are fleeing their homes. Some 300 villagers who have fled from Old Somtal and S Bongjoy are still there at New Somtal and Laijang, it added, and reiterated its appeal to civil society to extend assistance to them.

The UNLF further stated that the Indian security forces have achieved some success in the ongoing operations as they have been able to push in more forces due to groups such as the NSCN(IM) and others going in for talks with the Indian government. However, evicting the MPA 292 bn from its base area will take a long time, and cost the security forces much, the group declared.
KYKL killed The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 13: Two cadres of the underground Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, KYKL, were killed by troops of the 21 Assam Rifles posted at Keirak village in an encounter at Elangkhangpokpi village last night at around 11:30 pm under Waikhong police station in Thoubal district, according to official reports.

Security forces reportedly recovered two Chinese made pistols, with 44 live rounds and Rs. 16,640 in cash from the slain UGs. According to Assam Rifles authorities, the incident took place when troops of the 21 AR who were manning a mobile vehicle checkpost at Elangkhangpokpi last night stopped two motorcyclists for checking

The two, who were approaching from the Wabagai side and heading towards Sugnu however fired at the Assam Rifles troops and attempted to turn back. Both were killed in retaliatory fire by the troops, according to AR sources.
After the shootout, the troops recovered two 9 mm pistols with altogether 44 rounds of ammunition, two mobile phones, and Rs. 16,640 in cash along with the Yamaha motorcycle in which the pair had come.

The bodies along with the recovered items were later handed over to the police, who in turn brought them to RIMS morgue for post mortem and identification.



Frans on 12.16.07 @ 02:15 PM CST [link]


Saturday, December 15th

After the US, IM lands at England on its global drive Newmai News Network



After the US, IM lands at England on its global drive Newmai News Network

Dimapur, December 11: After its United States of America leg last month, the NSCN-IM has, in quick succession landed in England embarking on a global campaign.

Steering Committee secretary of the NSCN-IM Rh Raising while highlighting the Naga issue at the House of Parliament, Westminster London on Dec 10, appealed to the British people to help in solving the vexed "Indo-Naga problem".

Steering Committee is the highest decision making body of the NSCN-IM.

Last, month another outfit leader VS Atem was in America for a high level lobby.

According to the MIP of the NSCN-IM, delivering a speech at the International Human Rights Day held at the House of Parliament, Westminster London yesterday, Rh Raising had expressed his resentment saying that perpetual extension of the terms of ceasefire on the pretext of commitment and assurances is clearly viewed as a ploy of the government of India to buy time in order to bury the peace process under the wrap of time.

The NSCN-IM leader also stated that the "Divide and Rule" policy of the government of India has made Naga brothers and sisters foreigners in their own land.

"We look forward with renewed hope that the British in particular and the international communities in general would remember the oppressed Nagas and help solve the long drawn Indo-Naga problem," said Rh.Raising in the House of Parliament in London yesterday.

Commencing his speech, the NSCN-IM leader said, "Respected Chairperson and honourable members present, I feel extremely honoured for giving me the opportunity to address this august house on the plight of the suppressed Naga people", according to the outfit's Ministry of Information and Publicity Raising mentioned that Nagalim is situated in the tri-junction of China on the north, India on the west and Burma on the south east with an area of about 120,000 sq km and a population of some four million people.

The Nagas have been living in their own country running their own government independently for thousands of years.

At no point of time, have they ever been subjugated by any alien power.

"It was in 1832 that the British colonial forces intruded into the Naga country.

The Nagas put up strong resistance against the aggression for 48 years.

The British forces ultimately occupied a portion of Nagalim leaving the rest as free as ever.

However, the Nagas, in the British occupied area declared their independence on 14th Aug.

1947 and merged themselves with the free Nagas.

The declaration was intimated to the United Nations and all embassies in Delhi," said the NSCN-IM leader while adding, "In 1950 the Indian Constituent Assembly invited the Nagas to join the Union of India, but it was rejected outright.

The Nagas were not a party to the Union of Burma too.

As government of India levelled wild allegations stating that the rejection of Union of India was the work of a few Naga leaders and not that of the people, a plebiscite was conducted on 16th May 1951 wherein 99.9% voted in favour of Sovereign Independent Nagalim.

Consequently, Indian state invaded on Nagalim with an eye to imposing its will upon the Nagas, which resulted in horrible violation of human rights – massacre, mass rape, and mass detention in concentration camps, mass torture, and destruction of villages, granaries, educational institutions, relics, churches and so on," he asserted.
DAN-Cong face-off reach Raj Bhavan Rio says Cong move ‘unconstitutional’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 14 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has voiced out to the Governor that the Opposition Congress which could not remove his ministry on its own majority, was attempting to reduce the Government’s majority by resignations and increasing its majority by impermissible defections and expressed his belief that the Constitution and his Government would be safe in the Governor’s hands.
Rio in a letter to Governor K. Sankaranarayanan expressed that the Congress was flouting all democratic methods by engineering resignations and defections. Rio stated that if the Opposition wanted to change the Government on the floor of the Assembly as per canons of justice laid down by the Supreme Court for change of Governments in a democratic set-up, the Opposition was welcome to do so. “Nevertheless, it is my sincere feeling which I desire to express to you that these democratic methods are being flouted by the Opposition by engineering resignations and defections which do not have protection of the Anti-defection law”, Rio stated in his letter.
Drawing attention of the Governor to what he termed as “unconstitutional methods” being adopted by the Opposition to change the Government, Rio stated that by en masse resignations and openly joining hands with defectors who do not have the sanction of legitimacy under the anti-defection law, the Congress was seeking to break the house and the Government. “The spirit of article l64(1B) and 361B which ban the appointment of defectors as ministers and to remunerative political posts will stand gravely violated if any encouragement is given to these defectors and the promoters of defections and en masse resignations”, Rio stated in his letter to the Governor.
Rio informed the Governor that during the No-Confidence Motion yesterday in the House, 9 members of the ruling NPF voted contrary to the whip issued and maintained that under the anti-defection law, whip violation is defection and whip violators are punished with disqualification. “If the whip violators are two-thirds in number of the total membership of the Legislature party, then, the whip violation is not deemed as defection and they are protected from disqualification provided first they merge with another political party and follow the whip of the party in which they have merged”, Rio stated.
Continued on page 10
He maintained that at no point of time, the Anti-defection law envisages a situation where members of political parties are freed from the obedience of whip. “Only independents are not controlled by whip”, Rio told the Governor in his letter.
Defending the action of the Speaker, Rio stated that in order to promote the scheme of the anti-defection law and to preserve its pristine goal of attaining political morals and values, the Speaker had issued a direction under Rule 19 of the Nagaland Assembly’s Anti-defection Rules that the vote of any one who votes contrary to whip issued by his political party, will not be counted until the number of such votes are two-thirds of the total strength of the Legislature Party. Rio informed that this direction was not issued by the Speaker on the eve of the No-Confidence Motion on the 13th December, 2007 but was issued on the 21st August, 2006 and re-issued for reminding the members on the 12th December, 2007. “The 9 members who voted against my whip, since did not constitute two-thirds of the total strength of my party (28), their votes were not counted in accordance with the direction of the Speaker and the scheme and goal of the anti-defection law. They are all liable for disqualification proceedings”, Rio stated.
Meanwhile, Rio informed the Governor that the Speaker has accepted the resignation of 7 members and therefore only 2 of them will face disqualification proceedings. Rio also claimed that the “whip violators, on the other hand, intended to bring down the Government first and then face disqualification proceedings but the Speaker’s direction issued a year before sought to nip the mischief in bud but advance the noble objectives of the anti-defection law”.
With regard to the petition filed by one of its member for disqualification in relation to three Independent members, Rio stated that the petitioner had sought an interim order against these members since items which involved voting in the House were coming up on the 13th December, 2007 in the House. “After receiving the respondents’ interim replies, the Speaker made a very reasonable interim order giving absolute liberty to them to participate in proceedings and vote in the House except voting on Confidence and no-Confidence motions until the petition is finally decided”, Rio explained while referring to similar interim orders passed by the Speakers of other Assemblies and even the Supreme Court. In this regard, Rio referred to what the Supreme Court has said in Special Leave Application (Civil) of 1991 against the order of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly against some members under the Anti-defection law and that the Supreme Court’s interim order in that case, allowed the member to draw only salary but without right to speak and vote in the House.
As such Rio drew the attention of the Governor that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker’s interim order issued on 13 December, 2007 in relation to the 3 respondents namely, Mr. P. Chuba, Mr. Jongshilemba and Mr. Khutovi, all Independent members, was totally reasonable with minimum restraint on the members’ rights and maximum protection to the Constitutional scheme contained in the anti-defection law.
Rio maintained that the DAN Government under his leadership had been providing governance on the basis of a Common Minimum Programme aimed at peace, progress and development and that the tasks accomplished so far by the Government have been well documented in the publication recently brought out by the Department of Information and Public Relations.
Pointing to the Constitution of India, Rio stated that it provided for a democratic polity and all Governments are popularly elected and answerable to the lower Houses of Legislatures as per Article 164 (2).
Governor admits Rio Ministry in minority: Imkong Our Correspondent The Morung Express
Kohima | Leader of the Nagaland Progressive Alliance, I Imkong along with the 31 MLAs who voted against the DAN Government today met Governor K. Sankaranarayanan at Raj Bhavan and submitted a representation citing the “unconstitutional, outrageous, arbitrary, malicious and murderous attempt on Democracy” undertaken by the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Addressing media persons outside Raj Bhavan this afternoon, Imkong, flanked by other MLAs including AICC Secretary in-charge of Nagaland, Ranji Thomas told media persons that this was the last representation they would be submitting to the Governor. On his part, the Governor has already recommended the case to the Centre and is awaiting the Centre’s directive, Imkong said. The Governor has also admitted that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was heading a minority Government, Imkong disclosed.
“The Governor gave us a patient hearing and we have explained the facts to him. The Governor also admitted that Rio is heading a minority Government. He has recommended the case to the Centre and we are now waiting for the Centre’s reply,” Imkong told media persons.
Imkong further pressed for immediate dismissal “with retrospective effect” of the Rio ministry and said that the Speaker should resign for violating constitutional norms. Imkong further stated that they would take up their democratic protests in the event the decision was not taken soon enough.
Replying to a query as to how the NPA would form the Government as it had claimed, MLA Hukavi said that their resignations were accepted only after the voting in the No Confidence Motion and after the session. “Once the Government is voted out of power, all decisions are null and void. We have a overwhelming majority. They have no right to decide on anything since they are a minority. We have received the acceptance letters only this morning,” Hukavi said and expressed amazement over the way in which the Speaker has acted.
In the representation submitted to the Governor, the NPA alleged that the Speaker in a “most undignified and unconstitutional manner” disallowed and declared that 3 Independent MLAs cannot participate in the voting of the No Confidence Motion while they were allowed to sit in the House and participate in other proceedings.
They stated that apart from this, the Speaker also “clandestinely, arbitrarily, unethically and in a partisan manner did not count the votes of 9 NPF MLAs who participated and voted in favor of the No Confidence Motion” and charged the Speaker of behaving like an agent of the chief minister and the ruling party.
Stating that the Rules of the Assembly Proceedings allow and entitle any Member of any political party or Independents to take part in voting inside the House as per their conscience, the signatories said that the Speaker cannot flout the Rules and the Constitution of India especially the 10th Schedule in which the procedures and rights of the Members are clearly enshrined regarding voting. If the same is against the whip issued by their political party or any authority concern there is a separate procedure to be adopted subsequent to the result of the voting, the representation stated.
Meanwhile, the acceptance of the resignation of 7 NPF legislators by the Speaker, Keyanilie Peseyie, yesterday night has apparently dampened the morale of the newly formed NPA which had staked claim to form a new government, as they have been reduced to 24 members now, although they still claim to command majority and is demanding for the dismissal of the DAN government. Besides, the fate of two NPF legislators, Tokheho and T. Tali who cross voted in the Thursday no confidence motion is still not known. Except for the 2 JD (U), Huska and Deo Nukhu , three independent legislators, Jongshilemba, Khutovi and P Chuba, who have joined the NPA is also liable for disqualification under the provisions of the anti-defection law if they decides to join any party.
Reacting to the opposition charge that he had acted unconstitutionally Speaker, Keiyanilie, said that he have taken decision according to the provisions of the law and now the ball is in the court of the law. Dr Shurhozelie also asserted that the DAN government will function smoothly and there is no chance of imposing PR.
Besides the NPA led by Imkong, Chief Minister along with his cabinet colleagues also met the Governor and apprised him of yesterday’s proceeding. Speaker, Keyanilie also appraised the Governor on what happened on the floor of the house yesterday.
Meanwhile, constitutional expert point out that the decision of the Speaker on the floor of the house is final and binding, unless he went against the Constitution of India. Even if the Governor was to recommend for President’s Rule it has to be based on a solid ground and it is now the prerogative of the Parliament whether to not to accept the imposition of PR in the State.
Hohos rally for Naga unity The Morung Express

Seen here is a section of the leaders at the rally in support of unification, organized by the Naga Hoho at City Tower junction, Dimapur. (MexPix)
Dimapur, December 14 (MExN): Strongly endorsing the ‘unification’ of Naga underground factions, the Naga Hoho today declared strong support to the unification move which was initiated by the Western Sumi Hoho and a group of Naga underground leaders from both the factions on November 23 at Niuland in Dimapur.
The Naga Hoho president, I Bendangmayang, speaking at a rally organized by the Hoho at the City Tower Junction here today, said that the Naga people have been crying for unity for a long time. He said that the Nagas are one and that the Naga Hoho is working for achieving that end. He asserted that the hoho, since from 2001, has been advocating that the policy of ‘forgive and forget’ and reconciliation needs to be adopted by the Naga underground factions.
Bendangmayang said that some people might view that the Naga Hoho is against the Naga people and that it is not working for the interest of the Naga people. However, he rebuffed that opinion and said that the Naga Hoho has never committed any acts against the interest of the Naga people. In this context, the Naga Hoho president maintained that the Naga people should appreciate the unification of Naga underground factions initiated by the Western Sumi Hoho. He asserted that the people should not criticize the “unification” move since real peace cannot come in the land unless there is unity.
Naga Hoho speaker, HK Zhimomi expressed strong hope that the coming together of the two NSCN factions would be the beginning of Naga unity. Former Sumi Hoho president and present advisor, Vitokhe declared that the present “unification” move is initiated by like-minded underground leaders and not by the Sumis, as thought by the people. He said that the ‘unification’ process happened at Sumi area and that the Western Sumi Hoho is just the felicitators.
Vitokhe declared that this present ‘unification’ of Naga underground faction is a God given opportunity and the people should accept it even if it is ‘back-door or front door’ since ‘unification is only one’ and this is the last opportunity, he said.
Other prominent NGO’s like Naga Mothers Association (NMA), NPMHR, Eastern Nagaland People Union Dimapur (ENPUD), The Joint Forum of GBs and DBs, the Naga Council Dimapur spoke at the rally and they fully endorsed the unification of the Naga underground factions and pledged strong support to the unification move.
Today’s rally is surely expected to boost the morale the initiators of the ‘unification’ of Naga underground factions since a barrage of mixed response has been aired out from various quarters with some fully supporting the unification move, while some expression apprehension and the NSCN (IM) totally rejecting it.
NSCN (IM) Deputy Kilonser, V Horam, who was at the rally, commented that the initiative of the Naga Hoho was very good and he said that it was a good encouragement to see people coming out to express their desire for Naga unity. He said that since the all people are for peace and unification, there would be no problem to bring about Naga unity.
On being asked directly how far the recent unification move has affected the NSCN (IM), Horam confessed that the recent initiative surely would leave a bad precedent on the faction since the cadres have refused to ‘subject’ themselves to the ‘Government’. However, Horam termed the apparent crisis in the NSCN (IM) as an internal matter which will be resolved very soon.
He said that the NSCN (IM) has not declared its leaders and cadres who have joined the ‘unification team’ as deserters and that they are still holding their respective posts in the organization. Nonetheless, Horam said that the NSCN (IM) leadership has been handling the situation very carefully showing a lot of restrain and maturity in order not to aggravate the situation.
‘Unification, a step towards solution’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 14 (MExN): The “unification” move of the NSCNs is not an outcome of a sudden, particular phenomenon but a “co-related political prerogative” the unification group of the NSCN has stated adding that the “23rd November 2007 unification declaration at Hovishe village is definitely a historical landmark and a step ahead toward ultimate political solution”. Unification of the Nagas has not only evolved a significant elevation of Nagas’ political status but has also set precedence for the GoI to prioritize the settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue”, a note from the “publicity cell, GPRN, NSCN” stated while asserting that unification had always been the prior prerequisite of the entire Naga spectrum over the years. “The legitimacy of the ongoing truce between the GoI and NSCN groups, one led by Isak Swu and the other by SS Khaplang should not be jeopardized by any anti-peace elements and the GoI must honor the agreement” the NSCN (unification) further stated.
The “NSCN” explained that the Naga unification is aimed at putting to stop the bloodshed and fratricidal killings between the Nagas. For this, any individual, group, organization or community that goes against the “same spirit” and attempts to derail it will be committing a grave historical and political calamity, it stated.
Pointing out since the partition of the Nagas into several groups and factions, “Nagas have been insisting on prior unification of the Sumis on ground that the Sumis comprises of majority in all the groups”, it stated that the “Sumis have today proved their worth so as to pave way for unification of all the Nagas and thus the question of any backdoor or clandestine affair on communal lines does not arise at all”.
Stating that “where there is peace people provoke war, where there is war peace is desired”, it pointed out that it was “crystal clear what the Nagas aspires and what we have and will achieve with this unification”. With concerted effort, the NSCN group urged to build a united “Nagaland for Christ” and “for all.”
Self-Determination key to resolving political conflicts The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 14 (MExN): ‘Parliamentarians for National Self-Determination’ (PNSD) marked International Human Rights Day 2007 on December 10 by calling upon the international community to put human rights at the heart of policy making and to adopt self determination as a key driver to resolve conflicts in a democratic and peaceful manner, in accordance with international law. A press note received here and issued by Ranjit Singh Srai, Administrative Secretary, PNSD informed that a number of resolutions were adopted on the occasion with particular attention being focused on the need to respect human rights which was acknowledged as “critical to achieving security, dignity and prosperity for all the nations and peoples of the world”. Human rights defenders were praised for their courageous efforts and a call was made for the effective punishment of those who have carried out massive violations as a matter of state policy, it was stated.
Speakers presenting the perspective of Kosovo, the Kurds of Turkey, the Nagas, Kashmiris and the Sikhs set out how their peoples have suffered gross violations and been denied fundamental freedoms enshrined in international law and why they now sought international support for a peaceful resolution of those conflicts.
Alex Salmond MSP and MP, First Minister of Scotland, in a message to the organisers wished the event success. “Given the progress of the Scottish National Party, the successful independence of Montenogro and the imminent creation of an independent Kosovo, it is obvious that the right of self-determination has a key role to play in international affairs in the years ahead and PNSD shall continue to promote that right as a collective human right which offers a unique means of enhancing democratic values”, the press note stated.
It was further informed that the Naga delegation, which had traveled from the Naga homeland, included a cultural troupe whose superb rendition of freedom songs was warmly received. “The cultural distinctiveness and “unique history” of the Naga Nation has been recognised by India itself but the Indo-Naga conflict is no nearer settlement despite ceasefires and formal talks which have continued for some ten years”, the PNSD stated. The PNSD Naga Advisory Panel’s position paper entitled ‘Nagalim’ was also officially launched at the event. It was informed that this will be distributed within the UK Parliament and beyond to apprise policy makers of the historic Naga struggle and its current status.
Rally support for peace, unification Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, DEC 14 (NPN): Far from the earlier turnout, the rally organized by the Naga Hoho in support of the ongoing peace process and unification, attracted barely two to three hundred people at the City Clock Tower Junction here Friday. The poor turnout was attributed largely to hectic festive programmes and other engagements.
Scores of those who attended carried banners and placards that read “We Want Peace” and “United We Stand.Divided We Fall” etc.
In his address, Naga Hoho president, Bendangmayang Jamir said that peace will never be found if Nagas do not unite as it would only lead to continuation of suffering for another century.
Bendangmayang reminded all organizations that the hoho has been working in earnest towards unity but lamented that Nagas continue to be divided by administrative umbrellas.
He also welcomed corrections if there has been any mistake in the ongoing process of unification while reiterating the imperative need for unity.
Naga Hoho speaker, H. K. Zhimomi disclosed that the intention of the Naga Hoho was to broaden the unification of all the national workers and appreciate and provide a backing to the ongoing unification move.
While appreciating the positive response of the national workers, he urged people not to misinterpret but to take it as a first step towards the process of the unification of all Nagas.
Speaking on behalf of the Sumi Hoho, its former president and present advisor, Vitokhe clarified that the unification move was not the initiative of the Sumis but “right minded underground organizations” which happened to be within the Sumis.
He said the Western Sumi Hoho only acted as a facilitator. Clarifying allegations that the current process was a “backdoor unification” Vitokhe pointed out that various organizations including the Naga Hoho failed in their efforts to achieve peace while entering through the front door. “So let us not blame backdoor unification because backdoor unification was the only option for Naga unification”, he added.
He said Sumis had resolved not to fight because Naga people always held the view that Nagas would unite if Sumis first unite and expressed hope that other tribes will follow suit.
Also speaking at the function, Eastern Naga People’s Unit Dimapur (ENPUD) president, Henuh said that the Nagas must go ahead with unification unitedly. Clearly stating that the ENUPD supported the unity, he urged the gathering to leave all isms.
Representatives from NPMHR, NMA, Joint forum of GBs & DBs and Naga Council also spoke on the occasion in support of the unification process..
NSCNs on unity move Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, DEC 14 (NPN): The GPRN/NSCN has said that as much as Naga political aspiration was concerned, unification had always been the primary requisite and one that had been echoed by a cross section of societies including Government of India, International Organs and civil societies, Naga public and NGOs, over the years.
Maintaining that the ongoing Naga unification move was, not an outcome of sudden particular phenomenon but a co-related political prerogative, a press release purportedly issued by the publicity cell, GPRN/NSCN, also said the November 23, 2007, unification declaration at Hovishe village was definitely a historical landmark and a step ahead towards ultimate political solution.
It said unification of Nagas had not only evolved a significant elevation of Naga’s political status but also set a precedence for the Government of India to prioritize the settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue.
“The legitimacy of the ongoing truce between the GoI and NSCN groups, one led by Isak Swu and the other by SS Khaplang should not be jeopardized by any anti-peace elements and the GoI must honor the agreement,” the release said.
It also said the Naga unification was aimed at putting an end to bloodshed and fratricidal killings amongst Nagas and therefore, any individual, group, organization or community that went against the same spirit would be committing a “grave historical and political calamity.”
The release further stated that since the partition of Nagas into several groups and factions, Nagas had been insisting on prior unification of the Sumis on the ground that Sumis comprises the majority in all the groups.
“The Sumis has today proved their worth so as to pave the way for unification of all the Nagas, thus the question of any backdoor or clandestine affair on communal lines does not arise at all,” the release added.
NSCN (K) reacts Reacting to various press statements issued by the MIP/NSCN (I-M) and one by its vice president Khodao Yanthan, on the recent unification move, the NSCN (K) has alleged that these statements were not written by the “so-called MIP” or Khodao but by some vested interest persons who were against unity and reconciliation groups.
“All the statements are usually written by some subtle Tangkhuls to hoodwink and confuse the Nagas general public. The statements were all fakes and figments of imaginations of some Tangkhuls,” the MIP/NSCN (K) secretary in a press statement said, while advising the public not to be confused and swayed by such “make believes” statements.
The NSCN (K) also said that some “disinterested” persons with ulterior motives have questioned the present unity process by alleging that the move was through the back door and not through proper channel or approval of the appropriate authorities. “Then the question arises, that why no organizations or individuals had initiated the unity process even after shouting for peace and unity for the last more than a decade?? And what was wrong if anyone has taken the lead in the move?” NSCN (K) asked. Beckoning one and all to the unity and reconciliation move, the NSCN (K) said all other past differences should be thrashed out across the table.
Pledging to pursue the unity and reconciliation process with renewed strength, whether irrespective of ceasefire or not and the ways and means adopted, the NSCN (K) added “If unity comes at all, half sovereignty is achieved. The next goal will be pursued with united and collective wisdom.” Urging Nagas to beware of fakes and falsehoods, it further said “Let those who oppose the current unity and reconciliation process be cursed creatures. Let the blood of the innocent Nagas that has already been shed be on their heads.”

CF a Christmas gift: NBCC Nagarealm.com
DIMAPUR, DEC14 [NPN] : Welcoming the six-month ceasefire agreement signed by various Naga underground factions at the joint meeting held under the aegis of the Nagaland GBs and DBs Joint Forum on December 7 last at Red Cross Complex, Kohima, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Friday said the Church has accepted the Cease-Fire as a “Golden Christmas Gift” from the “National Workers.”

Director, Peace Affairs, NBCC, Rev. L Kari Longchar in a press release said the stoppage of bloodshed and cessation of hostility among different groups of Naga national organizations, had been the “heart tearing prayer and cries of the Church and the people.” Giving praise to God for answering the prayer of the Church, NBCC also conveyed its gratitude to the GBs and DBs forum for their tireless efforts in bringing the different groups to a common table. NBCC further appreciated the positive response and bold decision on the part of the NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K), NNC (P) and Unification Core Committee, for signing the ceasefire agreement. “May this precious historic declaration of the renunciation of bloodshed and the herald of oneness in Christ be blossomed into eternal harmony and ultimate Shalom,” NBCC added.
NSCN (K) cautions against ‘fake’ rejoinders The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 14 (MExN): The NSCN (K) has claimed that statements emanating from the NSCN (IM) on the issue of the recent unification move as reported in the local dailies are “fake” and that the Nagas should not be confused. The NSCN (K) in a press note issued by its MIP informed that some vested interest persons who are against unity and reconciliation among the Naga groups have written in the name of the “so called MIP and also in the name of Khadao Yanthan.”. “All the statements are usually written by some subtle Tangkhuls to hoodwink and confuse the Naga general public”, the NSCN (K) claimed adding that the statements were all fake and figment of imagination of some Tangkhuls and that the Naga public should be advised not to be confused and swayed by such “make believe” statements written by “bogus persons” but to “search out the truth and origin of such write-ups”.
Responding to the allegations that the present “unity process has not been initiated through proper channel but through the back door without approval of the appropriate authorities”, the NSCN (K) then questioned, as to why “no organizations or individuals had initiated the unity process even after shouting for peace and unity for the last more than a decade?” “And what was wrong if any one has taken the lead in the move?” it stated.
The NSCN (K) as such appealed to all to come for unity and reconciliation and advised that “all other past differences should be thrashed out across the table through the unity process in calmness”. The NSCN (K) affirmed that it will pursue the unity and reconciliation process with renewed strength, “whether there is ceasefire or no ceasefire and no matter whether the move has been initiated without proper channel or canal or tunnel”. The NSCN (K) also stated that “no matter whether it was through backdoor or bypass or over bridge, if unity comes at all, half sovereignty is achieved”. The NSCN (K) affirmed that “the next goal will be pursued with united and collective wisdom” and that those who oppose the current unity and reconciliation process “be cursed creatures”. “Let the blood of the innocent Nagas that has already been shed be on their heads. Beware of fake and falsehoods”, it stated.
DAN’s vision for development of Kohima: Rio Chizokho vero The Morung Express
Kohima | Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today asserted that the DAN government has a big vision and plan for development of the state capital, Kohima.
Speaking on the occasion of the Kohima civic body Golden Jubilee celebration here this evening, Rio said that development of the old secretariat and old assembly complex into a City Centre with modern facilities, construction of multi-storeyed car parking facilities, improvement of roads, drainage, solid sewage disposal system, water and power supply system, including telecommunications, construction of outer ring road around Kohima and Inter- State Bus Terminus, Star hotels, convention centres, cultural halls, music academy etc. are some of the projects which are already in the offing. “In order to enable us to carry out our visions and plans, we need the active cooperation and participation of the citizens of Kohima through their elected civic body, the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC),” Rio said.
Rio also stated that the high mast street lighting at various points, pedestrian foot-bridge at Razhu Point and Phoolbari junction, and the Night Market recently experienced during the Hornbill Festival etc. were examples of good cooperation and active participation of the citizens in the government’s programme through the elected body, the KMC.
Rio also recalled that it was under the present DAN government that the municipalities and town councils were established for the first time in Nagaland after successful conduct of municipality elections in these towns.
“Although the municipalities and town councils are still in the nascent stage, the DAN government has been taking keen interest in strengthening the municipalities and councils, so that they may become more effective institutions for civic planning, development and administration,” Rio said.
With this end in view, he said, the government has recently transferred all subject matter relating to development and administration of the towns from home department to urban development, and things are beginning to take shape now. There is already a visible positive transformation in the mindset of the people, which is the most powerful force for any development, Rio said adding “And we are happy that we are able to serve as a catalytic agent in bringing about such positive transformation in the people’s mindset.”
Kohima is located in Angamis’ land. But Kohima Town being the capital of the state, it equally belongs to every Naga. So every Naga should take pride in its development and also try to contribute something towards it, the chief minister added.
Kohima town is approximately 140 years old, counting from the year 1866, when the British government made it the headquarters of the then Naga Hills district. However, the first civic body in Kohima was established only in 1957. Dr. Neilhouzhu Kire became the first vice chairman of the Kohima Town Committee for a long period of ten years from 1957 to 1967.
Also stressing on the need to maintain peace and harmony in the city, Rio challenged the people to maintain cleanliness and create conducive atmosphere to live in. We should make Kohima the best place so that the people would look forward to visit the city, Rio said.
Also congratulating the people of Kohima and the KMC on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Kohima Civic Body, Rio said” “May Kohima shine; and may it continue to shine brighter and brighter as the years go by.”
Maintaining that many changes have been witnessed in the last 50 years, minister for planning and urban development Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu stressed on the need adopt a concrete plan so as to progress further. Earlier, Dr. Liezietsu inaugurated the pedestrian footbridge at the Old Assembly Complex junction. In his remark, the KMC chairperson appealed to the people to come forward and give the best for the capital city and make the Kohima a better place to live in.
Angami Public Organization (APO) president Mhiesizokho Zinyu and Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) general secretary Hetoi also delivered greeting messages. Cultural presentations, music, bonfire, and jubilee feast also marked the occasion.
ISI operative held in Guwahati K Anurag in Guwahati





The Assam police on Saturday claimed to have arrested a hardcore operative of the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence in a special operation carried out in a Guwahati locality on Friday night. A senior police official of the Special Operation Unit of the Assam police informed that the arrested ISI operative was identified as S M Alam alias Mujibullah Alam alias Asif Alam.
He hails from Ajampur under Uttara police station in Dhaka in Bangladesh. The ISI operative has been active in Assam and the north-east since 2006 and used to look after all operational matters of the ISI there. He has been under surveillance of the Assam police for sometime and is currently being interrogated by the special branch of Assam police in Guwahati.
The arrested 'ISI operative' was a member of Jamati Islami and Chatra Sibir in Bangladesh and joined the Pakistan-based Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in 1993. He underwent training in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the police claimed
The police further informed that S M Alam then joined Jamatul Mujahideen in Bangladesh in the year 2005 and had been active in Assam and the north-east since 2006.
The Assam government, the police and the army have been engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the state and have been maintaining that the Pakistani ISI has close links with north-east militant groups including the proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom.
Adivasis call Jan. blockade - Token strike on Monday OUR BUREAU The telegraph

File picture of a blockade in Duliajan by Adivasi students demanding ST status
Dec. 14: The Joint Adivasi Action Committee today announced an indefinite economic blockade from January 27 to put pressure on Delhi and Dispur to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the community.
The announcement, however, also revealed a rift within the Adivasi leadership as the forum sought to distance itself from Justin Lakra, an influential Adivasi leader in the state and president of the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA).
The committee claimed that Lakra “unilaterally withdrew (from) the indefinite blockade” earlier slated from December 17. Lakra was unavailable for comment. The committee is a conglomeration of several organisations, including the AASAA, and was floated after the Beltola violence.
The announcement was today made by the leadership of Adivasi Cobra Militants of Assam, All India Adivasi Youth and Students’ Union and Jharkhand Disom Party. They will now enforce a token daylong economic blockade on Monday.
A statement issued by the three organisations said the indefinite blockade would be enforced simultaneously in Jharkhand, greater Jharkhand and Assam and has the support of Birsa Commando Force of Assam. “The modalities for enforcing the indefinite blockade will be taken at a meeting of all Adivasi leaders in Guwahati on December 27,” the statement said.
The committee said the Adivasis of the entire country have come together after the “inhuman assault on Adivasi rallyists and the stripping of a woman in Beltola on November 24”. It called upon all Adivasi MLAs and MPs to come together to take the fight to its logical conclusion — ST status for the community. The Purbanchal Nagarik Samity, which is opposed to the demand for Scheduled Tribe status by migrant tea labourers, today said it “cannot and should not be met by the state and central governments”.
Samity president Jyotish Chandra Baruah said the demand was unrealistic as “this section of people are a completely heterogeneous lot and cannot be defined as a homogeneous tribe. Placing the industrial labour force (migrant tea labourers) within the ambit of the Sixth Schedule would adversely affect the position of the indigenous people of the state, he added.
Op Burma Tour By H Francis Sangai Express
Media has dubbed the ongoing fight between SFs and UGs in Samtal area of south Manipur as ‘Operation Burma Tour’. There are claims and counter claims of killing and recoveries by either side. When bullets are fired and bombs explode, losses on either side are inevitable.
The UGs can take advantage of a porous border and sneak into Burma with ease and strike at will. Anyway. No one wants to kill one’s own people but the Non-State Actors are playing into the hands of vested interests.
It is learnt that Samtal area has been cleared of more than 120 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Hundreds more lie planted in villages and tracks where the poor suffering hill tribes live in perpetual fear of terror. So many innocent lives have been lost in IED blasts planted without pity and remorse by the UGs. Though they have suffered some casualty, SF has been able to remove many IEDs whilst quite a few still remain buried.
And surprisingly now some of the groups are questioning the very validity of SF operation as if to suggest: why disturb the UGs,? Why don’t we leave them alone? Why don’t we let them extort the poor tribal in Samtal, kill and injure them? Indeed why? And who is asking these questions?
Friends of militants whose own families, mothers, sisters and daughters are safe and not subjugated in remote areas; people whose families have accommodation, food, shelter, jobs and entertainment.
Such people have now become vanguard of human rights. Would these champions like to live under the shadow of some other tribes? Would Nagas like to live in areas mined by Meiteis or Kuki groups and be under their control? Would Kukis or Meiteis like such equations? The answer is NO.
Once the Samtal area has been cleared of the militants , it will help both, the local population and the government. The locals can attend to their fields without the fear of being maimed or killed by IEDs. About 30 persons have already lost their limbs in the past due to IEDs. Some time back local inhabitants had also staged a protest in Delhi against planting of IEDs by the militants.
People who have been displaced due to fear of IEDs can hope to come back and plough their own land. State government can initiate steps to construct roads which will help develop the remote area along its way.
It will also help in reopening of government offices in the area. Government can successfully start much needed Public distribution System (PDS) for the benefit of the locals.
So many human rights cases keep coming up against SF. At least the SF and the Government take action and book most if not all the culprits.
Who is booking the militants ? They are caught and go on bail immediately as if it is their birth right and start the dubious activities once again.
As responsible citizens we need to get together under one forum for PEACE. We want and pray constantly for peace. God give us peace and His blessings. But how will the peace come? People, i.e., Hill tribes and Valley people need to reconcile with each other, create bond, trust and faith.
Who is stopping this? Can the Army and Assam Rifles be held responsible for this grand reconciliation to materialise? God give us moral courage to accept the truth because truth is God and unless we accept truth we are nowhere near God. I therefore wish and pray for that time when all of us Manipuris will get together and clear areas like Samtal ourselves. May be then both militants and SFs will leave us alone to get on with our lives. May be then we will live in peace blessed by God. Amen
Burmese activist honored in Taipei Indo Burma News
December 14, 2007 (Mizzima) Dr. Cynthia Maung, the well chronicled founder of the Mae Tao Clinic, has received the 2007 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award. Sponsored by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, the honor was bestowed upon her yesterday by Taiwanese President Chen Shuibian.
The Clinic, nestled a few kilometers from Burma between the Thai town of Mae Sot and Myawaddy, Burma, has served as both a health and education provider since Dr. Cynthia's arrival from Burma in the late 1980s. In conferring the award, Chen told the audience that the struggles of Dr. Cynthia and the Burmese people serve as a stark reminder for his, and Taiwan's own, sacrifices made along the arduous road to democracy.
Drawing the ire of Burma's generals, Dr. Cynthia has proactively used the Clinic as a center for disseminating information and education about not only health, human rights and democracy, but also in related disciplines such as conflict resolution. The "Myanmar military junta is the source of the problem," she said, holding no punches during her acceptance speech. "There is no opportunity for improvement or change under the military regime."
Dr. Cynthia proceeded to say that the pursuit of political dialogue between the military regime and opposition leaders is a lost cause, with the military firmly set to act in the prevention of political reform. International agencies, she further argued, should shun connections and operations with and through the ruling junta and instead focus their attention on the plight of democratic organizations and their ongoing struggle to see human rights and democracy installed in Burma. By virtue of its services provided to many patients from across the border in Burma, the Mae Tao Clinic head spoke of continued and systematic rights violations in Burma. Trafficking in drugs and humans, in conjunction with incidences of rape and forced labor are all said to persist under the general's watch.
From humble origins in 1989, a single, small building and a handful of staff, the Mae Tao Clinic now sprawls over a sizeable tract of land, treating an average of some 200 patients a day and utilizing the services of over 200 employees and support staff. Receipt of this award is but the latest in a long line for Dr. Cynthia, as she is commonly known. Other awards conferred upon the activist include the John Humphries Freedom Award (Canada), Jonathan Mann Health and Human Rights Award (USA) and Magsaysay Award for community leadership (Philippines).



Frans on 12.15.07 @ 04:06 PM CST [link]


Friday, December 14th

Sumi hohos lament on ‘unification’ move The Morung Express



Sumi hohos lament on ‘unification’ move The Morung Express

Dimapur, December 13 (MExN): The Sumi Hoho and the Western Sumi Hoho laments that “unknown” organizations and individuals including the NSCN-IM have been continuously charging the Sumi bodies of having an agenda in the “unification” move. Stating that the allegations are unfounded, unwarranted and “concocted with ulterior motives” the WSH claimed that “hitherto unknown” organizations and individuals are out to derail the “unification” process. The “unification” process was brought about by “like-minded” factional leaders in response to the call of the “Nagas” the Sumi Hoho and the WSH claimed in a note issued by Sumi Hoho president Hokishe Yepthomi and WSH general secretary Akavi Zhimomi. However, the Sumi bodies also expressed support the unification process initiated by the Nagaland GBs and DBs as endorsed by the Naga Hoho. Appealing to all in concern irrespective of “tribal affiliation,” region and political affiliations and churches to “grasp” the move, the hohos advised not to be “bogged down by silly assumptions” and narrow considerations. “…let us not (stoop) so low so that our adversaries take advantage of us; let us not create suspicion among ourselves and let us stand tall in our resolve to face the future challenges” the hohos stated.
Eastern Nagas appreciate Rio’s approach on border issue The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 14 (MExN): Referring to Rio’s recent approach to the Indian Government to pressurize the Junta government of Myanmar for a truce with Naga rebels in Eastern Naga homeland, the Eastern Naga Students’ Association expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for “lengthening his tent towards the Naga across Indo-Myanmar border” and called it a promising effort. “When half of the Naga brethrens are enjoying peace and truce, should we be a war victim always?, they question.
The press release form the association said that A.Z. Phizo had reached out to the Nagas of the East however there had been a gap and some silent period after the demise of Phizo. After this passage of time, Rio had taken the bold step to strengthen the bond of Naga family and the ENSA said that his name would go down the history of their struggle. The association lauded the Chief Minister that when people were busy building their own paradise and fearful of losing their chairs, Rio had done a great thing for them which was unexpected.
The release from the president, Michael Kaita and general secretary Y. Khomong Khiamniungam, said that ever since the clash between the students’ community and Junta government in 1988, the word ‘students’ had become more and more negative for the Junta government. As a result, it said that education, which is supposed to be a priority, was a distant dream for the Eastern Naga society. Therefore, it stated that while perusing basic education, the association looks forward to some more Naga leaders who are mission minded. Extending thankfulness to the Naga people as a whole, the ENSA also urges all Naga citizens to ‘look’ and ‘understand’ to root cause of their suffering instead of showing pity.
The ENSA has also thanked the Council of Naga Baptist Churches (CB\NBC) for its relentless service and initiative to bring Naga brothers under a single tent through mission network from wherever they are. It also expressed hopes that the Eastern Naga students would benefit through ‘Naga Restoration Cord’.
Khiamniungan region on ‘unification’ move Newmai News Network
Dimapur | The Khiamniungan Region of the NSCN-IM has said that under the circumstances where the Nagas are being put in a confusing situation "we the Khiamniungan people refused to be guided by such rumours planted by the so-called unification team desperately trying to create conflict of interests between chairman Isak Chishi Swu & gen secy. Th. Muivah in the name of Naga struggle; time tested leaders like these two leaders will never betray the trust the Naga people repose on them".
The Khiamniungan region said that the statement issued by Isak Chishi Swu on December 3 wherein he said 'firmly committed to the Naga national cause, we are working hand in hand as has been our culture and commitment', "we are very much comforted and inspired by such faithful leaders who have gone through fire and water to lead the Naga people".
The statement further stated that in return "we shall never stay away from the path shown to us by chairman Isak Swu and gen secy. Th. Muivah". It also said that more then anything else "we feel ashamed to read the false propaganda" of the “unification team” that the mantle of the Naga movement is with Khaplang and Isak Swu alleging that Swu had shifted allegiance to the “unification team.” "This was without foundation and only reflects the vested interest with chauvinistic minded of Azheto Chophy and his group members", alleged the Khiamniungan region of the NSCN-IM statement issued by its “Central Administrative Officer (CAO)” Shangchio. "In retrospect the Western Sumi Hoho is yet to prove its true standing vis-ŕ-vis the Nagas unification by not being a party to the members of NSCN who are just acting is an 'overbearing Manner' without being given the green signal by NSCN/GPRN. This is the crushing issue invited by the WSH and they are yet to wriggle out of the mess to re-establish its reputation after having attempted to handle the issue that is too big for its size", criticised the statement of the Khiamniungan region, NSCN-IM.
It then stated that given the nature of the situation in "Nagalim where some people are going through sleepless nights to sow the seed of discord between Isak Chish Swu and Th. Muivah, NSCN chairman strongly reacted that such an act is a crime. Let the God of Nagalim for Christ, who will definitely not allow such criminal to go Scot free do justice to the Naga people and punish them accordingly".
The statement also said that more than anything else "we are enlightened by the write up of Lieut Hukato Yeptho, Naga Army, NSCN-IM pointing out the true identity of Mr. Kitovi Zhimomi and his brother in law Mr. Kughalu Mulatuno who according to him are poles apart from other Naga nationalists".
"May we ask the WSH if they consider these two persons as true Naga nationalists. Don't take a step further WSH before you clarify your stand on these two controversial persons who have misled many Naga for too long. Show your commitment and morality and don't attach yourself with these destructive elements. Don't led Sumi's name be contaminated by these two notorious Sumis," cautioned the Khiamniungan region of the NSCN-IM.
NNP suggests alternative to achieve “unification” The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 13 (MExN): Welcoming and supporting the “any unification move that will benefit the Nagas, the Naga National Party (NNP) of Manipur offers suggestion if the idea of Unification under one banner becomes impractical. The NNP says that any move to stop fratricidal killings, bloodshed and hatred by any underground groups would be welcomed by all Nagas without raising any objection and apprehension. “Someone need to start to complete the unification process so long as the movement does not exclude any Naga tribe”, the party asserted and said that it had been working for the unification through reconciliation “preferably on a Common Platform or a Banner”.
Affirming that the NNP was willing to go to any extent inorder to bring about cordial relationship and understanding among all concerned, the joint press statement from the president, Ng. Hungyo, vice president, Th. Raphei and general secretary, S. Muinao suggested an alternative if the idea of unification under one banner becomes impractical. It said that the other option may be to have “equal representations in the negotiating committee while maintaining their respective groups status-quo and reasoning together with mutual understanding and trust, talk with the Government of India inorder to achieve our long cherished common goal”. It added that it feels such round-table negotiation maybe the positive alternative modality or formula to the present reconciliation and unification effort.
While conveying its belief that unification may not be the prerequisite for talks, the NNP says that nevertheless it was very essential at this juncture. “It is important to explore and identify the most capable leader from among all the groups to lead in the talk with the Government of India so that peace-process will see light at the earliest” it sated and further re-iterated its stand that unity, peace and solution of the Naga issues lie within the Nagas alone.
Rio govt survives no-trust vote - 9 NPF legislators vote against DAN OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio with his cabinet colleagues. File picture
Kohima, Dec. 13: The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, today survived a no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition Congress, some disgruntled legislators of the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) and three Independent MLAs.
Seventeen Congress MLAs and two Janata Dal (United) members in the 60-member House voted for the motion and 23, including 19 MLAs of the ruling Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) and four from the BJP, voted against it.
The two JD (U) MLAs who voted for the motion are Huska Sumi and Deo Nukhu. Ignoring the three-line whip issued by the NPF, nine of its MLAs voted against the government, but Speaker Kiyanielie Peseyie nullified their votes according to 91st Amendment of the Constitution. The nine whom Peseyie disqualified are Hukavi Sema, Nkao Lotha, Kipili Sangtam, Hewoto Awomi, Tarie Zeliang, Kihoto Hollohon, Kheto Sema, Tokheho Yepthomi and Talinungsang Ao.
Three Independent members, Khutovi Sema, Jongsilemba Ao and P. Chuba Chang were barred from voting on the ground that the Tenth Schedule strictly prohibits Independent members from indulging in party politics.
When Peseyie announced that the motion had been defeated, angry Congress MLAs, led by leader of the Opposition I. Imkong Ao, stormed to the Well of the House shouting anti-government slogans and demanding the immediate resignation of Peseyie.
They accused him of depriving the members of the House of their fundamental rights.
Governor K. Sankaranarayanan will take a final decision on the fate of the three Independent MLAs who have withdrawn support to the government but were not allowed to vote. Earlier in the morning, when the House assembled, the Congress MLAs disrupted the proceedings demanding that the Speaker’s letter that barred the three Independents from voting be withdrawn.
“The Congress is desperate to pull down the government that enjoys people’s mandate, through undemocratic means and muscle power,” Rio said. “Armed groups are threatening ministers with dire consequences if they do not withdraw support or resign from the government.”
Yesterday, Kihoto Hollohon, Kipili Sangtam, Nkhao Lotha, Tarie Zeliang, Kheto Sema and Hewoto Sema of the NPF called on Sankaranarayanan and reportedly urged him to accept the no-confidence motion in the Assembly. In October, the JD (U) withdrew support to the DAN government. Sources in the JD(U) then said that the party was disillusioned with what it termed as step-motherly treatment meted out to the party by Rio.
31 MLAs form NPA Nagaland post
In a significant political development, a group consisting of 31 legislators, who had voted against the government in the Assembly, formed an alliance called “Nagaland Progressive Alliance” (NPA) headed by the Leader of the Opposition and later staked claim to form the government.
Addressing a press conference at his official residence following formation of the NPA, Imkong disclosed the NPA had already submitted a memorandum to the Governor and paraded all the 31 legislators before him (Governor) at Raj Bhavan on Thursday afternoon.
The leader-elect also disclosed that they were awaiting a reply from the Governor as he (Governor) sought time to consult the matter with legal experts. “Now the ball is in the court of the Governor,” Imkong said.
He demanded that all decisions taken after the motion should be declared as “null and void”. Imkong also disclosed that NPA would move a resolution for impeachment of the Speaker.
The memorandum signed by the 31 members pointed out that Neiphiu Rio and DAN government were voted out by a “No Confidence Motion” brought on the floor of the House on Thursday after an overwhelming majority of 31 members voted for the motion as compared to 23 by DAN MLAs who voted against the motion.
Accordingly, the memorandum claimed, the present government had been reduced to minority and therefore, the government and the Chief Minister had no right to continue in office for a single minute. In the memorandum, members of the NPA urged the Governor to invite the leader of the group to form the government immediately.
On Naga unification- Nagaland Post
Under the circumstances where the Nagas are being put in a confusing situation, we the Khaimniungan people refuse to be guided by such rumours planted by the so-called unification team desperately trying to create conflict of interests between Chairman Isak Chishi Swu & Gen Secy. Th. Muivah in the name of Naga Struggle. Time tested leaders like these two leaders will never betray the trust the Naga people repose on them.
The statement issued by Isak Chishi Swu on 3rd December wherein he said "firmly committed to the Naga National cause, we are working hand in hand as has been our culture and commitment", we are very much comforted and inspired by such faithful leaders who have gone through fire and water to lead the Naga people. In return we shall never stay away from the path shown to us by Chairman Isak Swu and Gen, Secy. Th. Muivah. More then anything else we feel ashamed to read the false propaganda of the unification team that the mantle of the Naga Movement is with Khaplang and Isak Swu alleging that Swu had shifted allegiances to the unification team. This was without foundation and only reflects the vested interest with chauvinistic minded of Azheto Chophy and his group members. In retrospect, the Western Sumi Hoho is yet to proved its true standing vis-ŕ-vis the Nagas unification by not being a party to the members of NSCN who are just acting is an 'Overbearing Manner' without being given the green signal by NSCN/GPRN. This is the crushing issue invited by the WSH and they are yet to wriggle out of the mess to re-establish its reputation after having attempted to handle the issue that is too big for its size.
Given the nature of the situation in Nagalim where some people are going through sleepless nights to sow the seed of discord between Isak Chish Swu and Th. Muivah, NSCN chairman strongly reacted that such an act is a crime. Let the God of Nagalim for Christ, who will definitely not allow such criminal to go Scot free do justice to the Naga people and punish them accordingly.
More that this we are also enlightened by the write up of Lieut Hukato Yeptho, Naga Army, NSCN pointing out the true identity of Kitovi Zhimomi and his brother in law Kughalu Mulatuno who according to him are poles apart from other Naga Nationalists. May we ask the WSH if they consider these two persons as true Naga Nationalists. Don't take a step further WSH before you clarify your stand on these two controversial persons who have misled many Naga for too long. Show your commitment and morality and don't attach yourself with these destructive elements. Don't led Sumi's name be contaminated by these two notorious Sumis.
C.P.Y. Shangchio, C.A.O. Khiamniungan Region (Through MIP) GPRN/NSCN (IM)
Issue of the present Naga unification has become as hot as Christmas cake. So far it has drowned many heads and minds. To which some appreciates and some denounces according to what they assume right in their observation. Genuinely rationalizing reasons for unity requires reexamination and reevaluation to create common political policy for future. Perhaps, it is important to know that conglomeration of political and social issues or any such accumulation would certainly emit complicated result, no doubt. And obviously in a situation of like ours where there is diversity of tribes and clans such prejudices cannot be ruled out completely. However, any good move made for restoration, protection, preservation and unification, which are our core common vision, is to be appreciated without reasoning and doubting. For the fact, that we all disagree bloodshed, hatred, and disunity and agrees peace, love and unity. We thought alike in humanitarian perspective, so did labor for sixty years without grumble. But at the same time we do also have leamed how disunity has distorted our Naga Christian society.
A need of the hour is to communitize unification issue since it is a Naga common issue by burying tribalism spirit, factional ambition and personalizes aspiration, which communalizes and spiritualizes the Naga political issue to a sheer local problem. Unification of different entity is an adventures venture as difficult as the task like that of belling the cat by a mouse. It requires lots of investment of time, wisdom, ideas, policies and layers of negotiations to draw final line. Remember friends, unification is a technical issue hence, it has to transact scientifically, and deal effectively and positively otherwise it will reduce to a mere endless discussions on histories giving negative notion of personal stories, living no room for common vision. Such trend within us is hampering and delaying peace process rather than fetching solution. Lets unite together to disagree together to agree together for solution and act now.
Dr. Hesheto Y. Chishi, Director, Indigenous Cultural Society (Centre) Nagaland, Dimapur.
On the current development of the "unification" of different Naga factions coming under one umbrella and entity, much have been discussed, deliberated making assessment and expressing their opinions, while others have let known their views through media etc other than that the majority of the Nagas are absorbed in speculation and prediction, perhaps, on the course and consequences of our destiny What more do we ask for? For decades the Nagas have been shouting and praying for unity, reconciliation, forgiveness and stopping fratricidal killings among our own people and condemning each other through press and other means. Enough memorandum, ultimatum, decrees, azhas etc have been served. What did we gain? Leading us nowhere but only self destruction. A shame for our freedom struggle, making a mockery of ourselves The unification of our different Naga underground is one of the most cherished dreams of the Nagas which has finally come true, and I am the happiest person, because, even few days back I thought it was not possible. But the wishes of the people with their sincere prayers and untiring efforts and the bold and noble efforts of the Sumi Hoho and Western Sumi Hoho and other organizations have finally been answered by our God almighty. Hats off to them, because as the tears shed by our people was not in vain. Now is the time for all the Nagas to come forward without any reservation and doubts, but be a part of this historic event which will go down in the annals of the Nagas struggle for freedom from bondage. But I doubt the Naga Hoho and some frontal organization like the Maram and Thangal Hohos etc for their stand on this historic Naga Unification. It was rather, unfortunate that the statement of the above organizations, dubbing the unification drives as a "Sectarian move" and the NISC questioning and accusing the unification move "as a move by the Sumi to grab land and power", without ascertaining the facts and the moods of the masses. Which is ignorance on their part, and regrettably, harsh and divisive statement, no doubt, this historic event was initiated by the Sumis without any hidden motives or agendas, but for the wishes and aspiration of the Naga people i.e. unification of the Nagas. Thus, the Naga Hoho, and NSF etc are requested and urged to cooperate and support positively for this unification move without any suspicions, so that the dreams of the Nagas are fulfilled. The move for the unification is one of the most significant events in the history of Naga struggle for freedom from alien occupation of our motherland. Therefore, this is a rare opportunity for every section of Naga people, which should be grabbed positively and make it the launching pad for the Nagas to march forward in every field unitedly and be aware of any dirty and negative policies to sabotage and further divide the Nagas and be vigilant in order to thwart any ploy to bring obstacles and destruction in our noble quest for unity. We must remember that all section of our society are equal, none high-none low. We must establish a justified social order which should be the aim of every Naga tribes. We must also embrace a society which is dependant on morality, a society which is the embodiment of equality, political social and economical, devoid of any classification or isms. Rather we should cultivate a spirit of tolerance and reconciliation which will ultimately bring true unification among the Nagas. Once again, I plead to all organizations to extend full support and cooperation to the unification process underway so that our brethrens in different camps are united in one and only entity because we Nagas cannot achieve our goal if we are divided, but instead lead us to more killings and hatred among ourselves. But if we are united we can march forward and achieve our goal because in unity we have strength. Therefore, stand united so that inimical elements are kept at bay and save ourselves from further division and self destruction. Lastly, let this process of peace and unity leads us to greater height and glory so as to live practically to our slogan of "Nagaland for Christ". A house divided will fall, and there can be no solution without unification. May God bless the Nagas in our quest for unity and appeal to all Nagas to pray for the success of this historical event and noble cause of our nation.
Vikaho Chisho, New colony, Zunheboto
Pre-Merger Status Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS
One of the proposed formula for a settlement of the Naga issue in the ongoing peace talks between the NSCN(IM) and the Government of India is interesting for one other reason than the hope for peace in Nagaland and other Naga inhabited areas. Although not many have given it a serious thought, it is indeed amazing that the formula, which incidentally the Government of India had at one time seemed inclined to concede to, was almost a ditto of the pre-merger status of Manipur. That is, before the Merger Agreement which made Manipur a part of the Indian Union was signed in 1949, albeit under controversial circumstances in Shillong. Manipur then had already signed the Standstill Agreement which gave the then princely state sovereignty rights, except in areas of foreign affairs, military and currency. Although these substantive attributes of sovereignty were to be handled by the Union government, it could still retain many others, including its own flag and constitution. That short chapter ended with the Manipur Merger Agreement. India at the time, fresh from the trauma of the Partition and still insecure if it would be able to hold together under a single banner all the 500 plus princely states that constituted much of its territory, had we suppose its own compulsions to forge a unity using any means necessary. Sixty years down the line, it is a much more confident nation, with a vibrant economy that is growing at 9 percent, commanding an influence in the international comity of nations that would be the envy of even the most powerful. The changed circumstance, we suppose again is behind the seeming relaxation in its idea of unity and its new interest in further liberalising its federal structure with its different constituent provinces wherever necessary.

This being so, the Government of India’s show of willingness to concede to an asymmetric federal relationship with Nagaland (Nagalim), should throw in hopes for a resolution to Manipur’s protracted problem of insurrection as well. In fact, what those behind the Naga insurrection are asking for, are conditions which Manipur has had a lived experience during the few years that spanned from the Standstill Agreement to the Manipur Merger Agreement. Hence reversion to the pre-Merger status for Manipur should neither be too much of an affront from the point of view of the Government of India, and at the same time amount to an important halfway house offer for the insurgents to consider. Since the controversial manner in which the Merger Agreement was extracted from the then Manipur king by the Government of India has been a pivotal source from which most of the valley insurgents draw their moral legitimacy and inspiration for their campaign for secession, a proposal to give Manipur its pre-Merger status, should be food for thought for a possible final reconciliation.

Of course, even if such a settlement were to be agreed upon on this line, other problems would remain. Manipur cannot possibly return to a monarchy or to a-single-ethnic-group hegemony. A model for democratic power sharing would have to be worked out in which different ethnic groups and their disparate aspirations are accommodated within the new formation in the true spirit of democratic compromises. This internal arrangement too would have to be aimed at a liberal federal structure similar to the one sought in the equation between the state and the Indian Union. We have sketched merely a very rudimentary picture of what a resolution to the vexed problem of seemingly irreconcilable nationalistic aspirations in the region could look like. It will however be up to the concerned parties to accept or reject it. If it is considered a worthwhile idea, it can be developed and polished to be given a final shape that can look into, and address the finer points of agreements and differences. Manipur’s historical links with India cannot be denied so easily by anybody, just as its historical independence cannot be brushed aside without doing injustice. A lasting reconciliation hence, in our opinion, must factor in both these without treating them as mutually exclusive. This formula probably would apply to most other northeast states, although many have learnt to be happy with much less. To each its own we suppose.

The Pen is mightier than the AK-47 Written by WSN Bureau


As armed rebellion in Kashmir, Manipur, Nagaland and Panjab is on the ebb, activists from these war-torn areas assembled in Chandigarh to force the right to self-determination on 8th December to commemorate World Human Rights Day. Organised by the Dal Khalsa, the seminar saw the participation by activists from these areas and the notion of coming together oozing from all corners of the jam-packed room.
With ethnicity as the core issue, one after the other, speakers emphasized the need to pursue the right to self-rule. Setting up a co-ordination committee to regularly focus on the deteriorating human rights situation was the achievement of the day. The issue of death penalty too was discussed and a moratorium on capital punishment in India was sought.
The father figure of the human rights movement in Panjab, Justice (retd) Ajit Singh Bains reiterated the role of the Ninth master, Guru Tegh Bahadur in spearheading the human rights thought. He said that, “working for human rights means, working for the rights of people with whose ideology you do not agree with.” This is what Guru Tegh Bahadur did when he laid down his life for another community’s right to religion.
Senior Advocate and author of "When A Tree Shook Delhi", Harvinder Singh Phoolka Advocate spelt out that the state was the biggest terrorist when it kills innocent people and does not pursue the cases judicially. He said that the experiments with state terrorism made in 1984 have been repeated ad nauseam in other parts of the country. The impunity enjoyed by politicians and the police has become so gross and flagrant that it has almost become a hopeless situation.
Sharing experiences about his recently released first book, he said that there is no doubt that the pen is mightier than the AK-47. In his inimitable never say die spirit, he highlighted the unbiased role of civil society and independent-minded citizens as the key to stopping the wanton mass violence in the country. As his wont, Phoolka did not stop at merely alluding to the problem. He enumerated many steps as solutions. The police and administration should be made accountable and the judiciary must expedite the judicial process. Political interference must be buried.
Prof. S.A.R Geelani of Delhi University in his brilliant Urdu diction adequately dwelt on his travails as a convict on the death row and demonstrated the inadequacy of the criminal justice system in dealing with not only his case but that of Afzal Guru, who is presently on the death row. Prof. Geelani, an expert in Arabic literature said that his popularity with students provided him solace and fortitude in the wake of protests against him and his co-accused by the right wing Bharatiya Janta Party.
Er. Ghulam Rasool Dhar, General Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and leaders of the All Party Hurriyat Conference Haqeem Abdul Rasheed and its Human Rights wing head Mohammed Ashraf Lone, Advocate dwelt at length on the issue of freedom for the people of Kashmir. It was interesting to note that some leaders desire annexation to Pakistan whereas others yearn for complete freedom for Kashmiris. Haqeem Rasheed called for humanism as the core issue for all social and human relations.
Mr. Joyson of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights decreed the manner in which Indian and Burma delineated the international borders in the early fifties, annexing parts of Nagaland. He mentioned that the people of Nagaland are reeling under the jackboots of the Indian state machinery. Dal Khalsa leaders Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib and Harcharanjit Singh Dhami elaborated on the struggle in Panjab and avowed to fight for a separate Sikh state. Navkiran Singh appealed to activists from all organisations to ensure continuity in coordination, not allowing the seminar to be yet another exercise in observing another Human Rights Day.
Death strikes on the rail tracks The Morung Express
Guwahati, December 13 (PTI/AP): Suspected Adivasi insurgents exploded a powerful bomb in the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express, killing five passengers and injuring nine, four of them critically, in upper Assam’s Golaghat district early today. The blast took place in a compartment attached to the luggage van of the Dibrugarh-Guwahati-Delhi Rajdhani Express, two km ahead of Sungajan railway station at 1.06 am, North-East Frontier Railway CPRO Trikal Rabha said.
Five passengers died on the spot and the four critically injured were admitted to a hospital at Dimapur in neighbouring Nagaland. The five others who received minor injuries were discharged after first aid. The 30 other passengers in the compartment were accommodated in the three-tier AC compartment of the train that continued with its onward journey to Delhi via Guwahati at six am, Rabha said. The explosion also damaged the luggage van just behind the engine and two sleepers of the track, he said. The 2423A dn is the link train of the main 2423 dn Rajdhani Express starting from Guwahati, the CPRO said.
Meanwhile, a little-known militant group claimed responsibility for the attack. “Our fighters triggered the blast through remote control to force the government to grant special rights to our community,” Dilip Beg, a leader of the Adivasi National Liberation Army (ANLA) told reporters by telephone. Ethnic Adivasis, who make up the majority of the workers on tea plantations in Assam, have been demanding that the government recognize them as a separate tribal group.
A high-level central team will visit Assam tomorrow to assist in the investigation. Home Minister Shivraj Patil has strongly condemned the blasts in which five passengers were killed, an MHA spokesman said. The Home Ministry is closely monitoring the situation. Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta has spoken to the state Chief Secretary to take stock
Rebels step up violence in Assam, shoot two By Reuters
GUWAHATI (Reuters) - Rebels in Assam shot dead a local politician and wounded another, hours after bombing a passenger train in the region, police said on Friday.
The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), a militant group fighting for an independent homeland for Assamese people, was suspected to be behind the attacks on Thursday.
Police said a local leader was gunned down near Guwahati, the state's main city, while a state lawmaker was wounded in a separate ambush.
The ULFA is among more than two dozen armed groups in the region, either fighting for an independent homeland, or more political autonomy.
They accuse New Delhi of plundering the region's mineral and forest resources, neglecting local economy and giving them back nothing in return.
On Thursday, a bomb exploded under a passenger train in Assam bound for Delhi killing five people.
UNLF cautions against SF’s covert warfare By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 13: Referring to the recovery of 17 IEDs from Litan area and Samram Lamkhai and subsequent neutralisation as reported in local dailies today, the proscribed UNLF noted that the twin incident was just a part of the continuing overt and covert warfare of the security forces aimed at subduing the liberation movement. A statement issued by UNLF Senior Publicity Officer Ksh Yoiheiba asserted that the top brass of the security forces have acknowledged the inability to contain the liberation movement by military might alone.
Under such circumstances, the security forces have been scheming to keep away the people from the liberation movement by killing, injuring and causing hardships to the people through various overt and covert means, the outfit alleged.
Guided by such malicious programme, security forces have been indulging in the vile propaganda warfare of charging insurgent groups with planting bombs in civilian areas not only in the hill districts but also in the valley. Under cover of such false propaganda, there have been many incidents of security forces of planting bombs and hurling hand grenades in civilian populated areas in the past, Yoiheiba asserted. Pointing to the latest propaganda about recovery of a large number of bombs allegedly planted by UG groups so that they can continue with their alleged malicious secret warfare without being indicted, the UNLF cautioned the people against such activities of the security forces.
The outfit also listed some extra-judicial activities of security forces but covered up by false propaganda but well known to the people including killing of innocent civilians after picking them up from their homes and subsequently covering up their act by making false allegation that the deceased (whom they dressed up in combat dress-es after killing) was killed in encounter, that arms were recovered from him and that he was an insurgent.
They (security forces) are also indulging in random killings of civilians by dressing themselves in civilian clothes and posing as UG cadres. One such party of AR troops dressed in civilian clothes was taught a befitting lesson by the people of Sangai Yumpham, it remarked.
The act of using civilians as human shield while going for operations against insurgents, luring youths to pose as surrendered UG cadres with the false promise of giving them jobs.
Causing large scale ca-sualty by setting off bombs in crowded areas at times of festivals for which UG gro-ups are falsely indicted the- reby making it a part of international terrorism are some of the extra-judicial activities perpetrated by security forces through overt means, alleged Yoiheiba.
In addition, the security forces have been accusing the UNLF for the casualties and deaths caused by land mines planted by them (security forces) along jungle roads used by villagers in hill districts and around remote villages.
Besides using innocent villagers as mine sweepers and human shields in their offensive against insurgents, the security forces deliberately shot dead many villagers only to blame the UG groups for the crime with the false propaganda that the villagers were killed in firing by UG groups. In their vile warfare backed up by a malicious propaganda machinery, the security forces are being assisted by some armed and unarmed groups of hill districts who could be reportedly utilised by giving them some money. The same practice is being employed in the ongoing operation at Dingpi and Somtal area, asserted Yoiheiba.
The near simultaneous recovery of 17 IEDs yesterday is a part of a conspiracy hatched by the security forces to kill several numbers of innocent people by setting off bombs in the valley too and to blame the insurgents for their criminal act.
The outfit cautioned the people of the land to be alert against the alleged conspiracy of security forces who are exploiting the existing Manipur-India armed conflict situation to victimise the indigenous people in every possible manner. The outfit also called upon all the revolutionary organisations of the land to unite together in order to fructify the ongoing movement for restoration of the lost sovereignty.
Adivasi outfit claims hand in blast Sangai Express
Guwahati, Dec 13: The All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) has reported to have claimed responsibility for the blast on the Thursday’s blast on the New Delhi bound Rajdhani Express that killed five people and injured about 12 others, report NNN.
In a telephonic conversation with some of the media persons in Guwahati, AANLA Commander-in-Chief David Kirki told from Jharkhand that the outfit had triggered the blast in the Rajdhani Express.
‘‘The blast in the Rajdhani Express on Thursday was triggered by our cadres. The violence would continue, even more intensely, in future if the demands of the Adivasis are not fulfilled by the state and the central government,” said Kirki while talking to some media persons.
Kirki had also claimed responsibility for the recent blasts in Bokajan and Srirampur. Security agencies here have however, confirmed the blast to be perpetrated by the AANLA as the modus operandi matched with the recent blast at Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district, which the AANLA had claimed responsibility later. It is also said that the AANLA has been trying to avenge the Beltola violence on November 24 last by triggering blasts in various pars of the state. Chief of Assam Police intelligence Khagen Sarma said that the explosion was triggered possibly by a grenade.
“The grenade was being lobbed on the running train from outside. We suspect the hand of banned outfit AANLA behind this incident,” he said.
AR guns down two KYKL cadres By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 13: Two suspected KYKL cadres were killed in an encounter with troops of 21 Assam Rifles at Yelang Khangpokpi, about 5 kms South West of Waikhong police station at around 11.30 last night.
A press release issued by the PRO of Hqs IG AR (S) informed that troops of 21 AR, based on a specific information, established a mobile check post in yelang Khangpokpi area last night. At about 11.30 pm, two individuals on Yamaha motorcycle approached the check post from Wabagai side. On being challenged, the individuals fired upon the troops which was retaliated resulting in the killing of the two.
Two Chinese made pistols, 44 live rounds, two mobile phone handsets along with extra SIM card, a Yamaha motorcycle (MN-1M 0226) and Rs 16,640 in cash were recovered from the slain youths., it added. According to the report given by AR to police, the AR troops were frisking vehicles at Yelang Khangpokpi at about 11.30 pm yesterday when two youths approached the spot on a motorcycle (Enticer).
However, when the AR personnel signalled them to stop, they opened fire and tried to make their escape. As the AR troops retaliated, both of them were killed on the spot.
The two deceased have been identified as Takhellambam Gyane-shwar alias Jutin (27) s/o T Birkumar of Wangoo Hodam Leirak and Laishram Surchandra alias Loya (32) s/o late Bhubon of Nungoo Chingyapat.The family members have confirmed that both Gyaneshwar and Surchandra were cadres of the proscribed KYKL.
T Gyaneshwar was a married man having a son and a daughter. It is reported that he joined KYKL after his marriage. Yet he did not always stay away from home.
L Surchandra too joined the outfit just about a year back after marriage. He left behind a daughter and two sons. According to family members, Surchandra stayed at home most of the time. With the registration of a case in connection with the incident in Waikhong police station, the corpses have been handed over to respective family members after post mortem at Lilong PHC this afternoon. Gyaneshwar was hit by several bullets on chest, armpit, left shoulder and left abdomen. A bullet which hit Surchandra on the left side of face exited through the neck. Two other bullet marks were also observed on the waist.
EU envoy to engage Asian neighbors over Burma Mungpi Mizzima News
December 14, 2007 - Burma's main opposition political party, the National League for Democracy, said the European Union's Special Envoy to Burma's scheduled visit to China is an important step in building regional consensus on promoting change in military-ruled Burma.
Nyan Win, spokesperson of the NLD, told Mizzima that the planned visit to China by Mr. Piero Fassino, the EU Envoy to Burma, "is necessary" and hopes to see meaningful results.
In what is a renewed effort by the international community, Fassino on Wednesday declared that he will embark on a regional tour to Asia, beginning with China, to facilitate support for political change in Burma. The EU Envoy, who is expected to be in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday, said he will continue traveling to India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam after a Christmas break. Nyan Win said, "Countries where he [Fassino] plans to visit are influential countries." The NLD spokesperson, however, did not elaborate on the party's stand and view on the EU Envoy's Asian trip.
Fassino said that while other Asian countries have key roles to play in the region, China, an emerging world power, has an increasing role to play in resolving the problems in Burma. Harn Yawnghwe, director of the Euro-Burma office in Belgium, said Fassino, whose task is to strengthen the UN initiative and the process of dialogue initiated by UN Special Envoy to Burma Ibrahim Gambari, will likely make EU-China dialogue on Burma a reality.
"I believe Fassino will be able to discuss on how China can best help Burma to start a process of national reconciliation," Yawnghwe said.
The European Union, which along with the United States has tightened sanctions against the Burmese generals in response to the brutal crackdown on protestors in September, has warned the Burmese junta that it will further reinforce restrictive measures if things worsen on the ground. Meanwhile, sources in Rangoon and other parts of Burma suggest that while the situation seems to be calm on the surface and normalcy returned, authorities continue a search and arrest campaign of dissidents.
Members of the 88 generation students, who initiated the first protests in August, told Mizzima that they remain on the run. Photographs of them are being posted at several junctions with an order to local authorities to arrest them on sight.The UN rights expert, Paolo Sergio Pinheiro, who visited Burma in early November on a fact finding mission, during his report to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), said more than 70 protestors are still missing and between 500 to 1000 monks and protestors continue to be detained.
While the Burmese Ambassador to the UNHRC, Wunna Maung Lwin, refuted Pinheiro's report, saying it is based on misinformation provided by dissidents and opposition groups, none of the 47 member states of the HRC supported his allegation and called on the president of the HRC to form an independent commission to be sent on a comprehensive fact finding mission to Burma.
Junta's response Following the international outcry over the brutal crackdown on protestors, the Burmese military junta made a few concessions, most notably by allowing three meetings between the junta's appointed liaison minister and detained opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta also released about 8000 prisoners in October and November. But activists said most of the released were mere criminal prisoners and only a few prisoners of conscience have been released. Pinheiro, during his report to the HRC in Geneva, said, while the junta released several prisoners, those arrested in connection with the recent protests remain under detention. He further said the number excludes the more than 1000 political prisoners that have been detained prior to the September protests.
Gameplay While the junta's move in allowing talks between Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese labor minister Aung Gyi was initially widely seen as a progressive step, skepticism ruled once again as the junta indicated its determination to continue with its planned road-map to democracy. Win Min, a Burmese analyst based in Thailand, told Mizzima, "the junta seems to be using the 'talks' to ease pressure."
"Whenever they are faced with stiff pressures, they will restart the talks, but nothing seems to be materializing. So, the next talk can be expected only if there is increasing pressure," Win Min added.
International efforts Along with the European Union, the United States has enforced stricter measures against the Burmese junta by introducing the JADE Act, which was unanimously approved in the House of Representatives earlier this week. The JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act, a supplementary sanction bill that will close loopholes in previous legislation, will effectively ban the import of all Burmese gemstones. However, with the effectiveness of sanctions on the Burmese military junta being questioned by Burma's immediate neighbors, including China, India and ASEAN, the Burmese generals seems to have found a way around sanctions driven policy. Yawnghwe said Fassino's Asian trip is a good start in engaging Burma's neighboring countries, including China, which has a strong influence on the Burmese junta.
"The visit of Fassino to China is a good start. Though we still cannot predict how much he will achieve, we are hopeful there will at least develop an EU-China dialogue on Burma," added Yawnghwe.
Sein Win Meets The Irrawaddy Indo Burma news
December 13, 2007: (Irrawaddy) The Burmese prime minister in exile, Dr Sein Win, says that the release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is the first necessary step to start any “meaningful dialogue” with the military junta toward the restoration of democracy in Burma.
In an exclusive interview with The Irrawaddy on his return from Europe, where he had gone to seek support for the pro-democracy movement in Burma, Dr Sein Win alleged that the present regime did not appear to be serious about moving ahead toward a national reconciliation process and was simply killing time. A first cousin of Aung San Suu Kyi, Dr Sein Win has been the elected but exiled prime minister of Burma in his capacity as the chairman of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma since 1990 when elected delegates of the People’s Assembly formed a government in exile. Though he says he would rather live in India, Sein Win is based in Washington DC from where he runs a global campaign against the Burmese military regime, which he says “has to go” sooner or later.
“When it comes to dialogue (with the military regime), we are not at all satisfied; the military is dragging its feet,” said Sein Win, who will turn 63 on December 16. He noted that, on the one hand, the junta leaders say they are interested in talking, but on the other hand, they are going ahead with their own program—the “road map” to democracy.
“What is the use?” he asked rhetorically. “The first step is that we want the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi. They have to release political prisoners. Then they have to start—what we call—a meaningful dialogue,” he said.
Sein Win confirmed that his government in exile supports the continuation of the initiative and mediation of the UN special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari. “Gambari has proposed several good things to the military. There has not been any response to those. Instead they have announced that they will go ahead with their own ‘road map for democracy’—their seven-point program. In such a scenario, there is no basis of dialogue,” he said.
Dialogue, the exiled premier explained, means “meeting together, understanding the views and perspectives of each other; talking and trying to arrive at a solution, a compromise. This is nature of dialogue.” Nothing of this sort is visible under the present circumstances, he observed.
On the current situation inside Burma, Sein Win said, “The repression in Burma is still going on. There is no improvement in the other situations either. The reasons for the crisis are still there. “People (in Burma) are very angry,” he added. “It won’t go away so easily, although you might not see large demonstrations in the street.”
Referring to the recent statement of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Bangkok earlier this week, Sein Win concurred that the patience of the international community and the people of Burma—both inside and outside the country—is running out. The military regime has got a chance to quit and exit, he said.
“After the ‘Saffron Revolution,’ in September, response from the Western world—especially the US, Canada and the European countries—was very good. Everybody now knows what the nature of the military regime is,” he said. Asked why the government in exile was not very active in leading the pro-democracy movement from the front, Sein Win said that his government had been working in its own way to reach its goal—to mobilize people inside Burma and galvanize the support of the international community toward exerting pressure on the military junta.
The developments in September and October, he observed, were the results of more than a decade’s work of his government both inside and outside the country. With regard to his government’s relations with other countries, including India and China, he said: “You know… sometimes countries have difficulties in dealing with us, because they recognize the military.”
While the United States and several European countries have official relationships with the regime, at the same time they entertain the pro-democracy leaders too. “In the thinking of our neighbors, maybe that is not the point—they have an ‘either/or’ situation,” he explains.
The exiled premier went on to say that, for him, India had been the biggest disappointment. “India, which proclaims itself as the world’s largest democracy, has failed very badly. We were elected by the people of Burma in the 1990 elections. We are advocating a peaceful transition. We are advocating dialogue. We are advocating human rights. Why [the Indian government] can’t let us visit India to meet our people, I can’t imagine this thing from India, a democratic country.”
Expressing disappointment that a visa to visit India has not been granted to him, despite several applications, he said, “You have to ask the Indian government why they do not give visas to us; after all, we are the democratically elected people of Burma. We are the true representatives of the people of Burma, but still we are not given visas.
“It is not easy to meet the Indian leaders,” Sein Win added. “I would like to meet the Indian leaders to present our point of view. But no one in the Indian government is willing to give us a patient hearing. The last time I met an Indian leader was in 1992; then I said the same thing—if India is willing to accept us, we will come to India and we will not stay in the US,” he said.
China is much the same case, according to Sein Win. “Like India, it is very difficult for us to meet with higher Chinese officials,” he said. “Actually, they do not want to anger the (Burmese) military. That is my opinion.”


Frans on 12.14.07 @ 05:03 PM CST [link]


Thursday, December 13th

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT PNSD CELEBRATION OF WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2007


RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT PNSD CELEBRATION OF
WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2007

1. PNSD recognises the historic steps taken by the UN and the international community in adopting not only the Universal Declaration of Human Rights back on this day in 1948 but also the subsequent body of international humanitarian law, including the 1966 Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic and Social Rights, both of which put the right of self determination at the forefront of human rights. The primacy of the collective human right of self determination - upon which the protection of all individual human rights ultimately depends has been recognised by the UN itself. International Law offers hope and legitimacy to those nations, many of which are represented here today, who seek peacefully and democratically to determine their own destiny within the community of nations.

2. PNSD calls upon the UK Government and the wider international community to make human rights the centre piece of policy and decision making so that the security, dignity and prosperity of all the nations and peoples of the world is protected and so that civilised values can be translated in to real peace and progress for all of humanity. In particular, aid and trade programmes should be designed to promote those who comply with international humanitarian standards and to isolate those who do not.

3. PNSD congratulates the efforts of human rights defenders across the world whose courage who, often in the face of open threats to their very lives, aim to protect the weak and vulnerable against wanton repression; we salute those who have given their lives in the cause of human rights and justice. We further congratulate Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other NGOs which continue to put human rights at the top of the international agenda.

4. We urge the international community, in the interests of future generations as well the current victims of human rights abuses, to take action to end the immunity offered by various states to those who have carried out massive violations as a matter of state policy. We condemn those violations and see them as an unacceptable threat to international peace and security. If necessary, where the relevant states refuse to act, the international community should take direct action to punish the guilty in accordance with international law.

5. PNSD urges the UN as well as individual states and regional blocks such as the EU to adopt self determination as a key driver to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and democratic manner, in accordance with international law. Current conflicts and disputed territories such as those in Kosovo, Kurdistan, Kashmir, Nagalim, Punjab as well as many others cannot be resolved without the consent of the governed being freely determined and respected. Self determination represents perhaps the only orderly, lawful, peaceful and democratic means of resolving these long standing conflicts and it is incumbent upon the international community to take effective steps to implement that right as a matter of international law. The so called 'war on terror' is not and has never been an excuse to sideline those peoples who have a lawful claims to their national rights under international law and we call on all concerned to look at the underlying causes of conflict in order to take forward a collective desire for peaceful resolution.

Frans on 12.13.07 @ 02:10 PM CST [link]



PRESS RELEASE PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION (PNSD) MARKS INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY )


PRESS RELEASE
PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION (PNSD)
MARKS
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
AT WESTMINSTER ON 10 DECEMBER 2007

At a packed venue in the Houses of Parliament at Westminster, the cross party group 'Parliamentarians for National Self-Determination' (PNSD) marked International Human Rights Day 2007 by calling for the international community to put human rights at the heart of policy making and to adopt self determination as a key driver to resolve conflicts in a democratic and peaceful manner, in accordance with international law. The ex-Prime Minister of Kosovo informed the gathering that Kosovo was on an irreversible course to secure independence in the very near future following the failure to agree a settlement with Serbia by the UN's deadline of 10 December 2007. He was given a warm welcome by all and Lord Ahmed, Chair of PNSD wished him and his people well in their dedicated and peaceful struggle for self-determination, adding that he hoped the next time he visited the UK he would be representing a fully independent sovereign state recognised by the international community.

The resolutions passed at the event stressed that respect for human rights is critical to achieving security, dignity and prosperity for all the nations and peoples of the world. Human rights defenders were praised for their courageous efforts and a call was made for the effective punishment of those who have carried out massive violations as a matter of state policy. Speakers presenting the perspective of Kosovo, the Kurds of Turkey, the Nagas, Kashmiris and the Sikhs set out how their peoples have suffered gross violations and been denied fundamental freedoms enshrined in international law and why they now sought international support for a peaceful resolution of those conflicts. Alex Salmond MSP and MP, First Minister of Scotland, in a message to the organisers wished the event success. Given the progress of the Scottish National Party, the successful independence of Montenogro and the imminent creation of an independent Kosovo, it is obvious that the right of self-determination has a key role to play in international affairs in the years ahead and PNSD shall continue to promote that right as a collective human right which offers a unique means of enhancing democratic values.

Bajram Rexhepi, former prime minister of Kosovo, Member of Kosovo's Parliament and Mayor of Mitrovica recalled the barbaric assault on his people by the Yugoslav armed forces which led to NATO's intervention and his own decision to join the Kosovo Liberation Army as a medical doctor. He said that such an open assault on his people had led to Serbia forfeiting any sovereign claim on the territory as the people would never accept that outcome. Independence was, for the Kosovars, an expression of their right of self - determination as well as a natural and lawful outcome which the vast majority of the international community had already come to acknowledge. He said the Kosovo Government would work with those who wanted an orderly transition to independence and, in response to a question, said all necessary measures would be taken to fully protect and enfranchise Serb and other minorities within Kosovo. He thanked the organisers for giving his cause a platform at Westminster from where he hoped the UK Government would not hesitate to recognise the new state his people were about to establish.

Sebahat Tuncel, a recently elected Kurdish Member of the Turkish Parliament from Istanbul spoke of the plight of the Kurds in that country and appealed for international pressure to be put on the Turkish Government to establish a meaningful dialogue with the Kurds, rather than to adopt a military approach which could never solve the Kurdish issue. She pointed out how the Kurds were subjected to gross violations as well as being prevented from using their language, restricted from promoting their culture, disenfranchised by the banning of their political parties and the artificial barriers aimed at stopping their leaders being elected to represent them. As a matter of human rights these violations should themselves be enough for the UK and the EU to intervene but the risk of regional instability raised by continued threats by Turkey to invade northern Iraq to attack Kurdish militant should certainly prompt international action if a humanitarian catastrophe is to be avoided. She emphasised that dialogue was the only lawful and effective means of securing peace. It was pointed out that the Kurds of Turkey have sought self-determination within the current borders of Turkey - self determination may be achieved in many forms provided the will of the people determine the form. PNSD urges both sides to use exclusively peaceful means in taking forward a process to resolve the conflict and urges the international community press home that message. A paper produced by PNSD's Kurdish Advisory Panel entitled ' "The EU, Turkey and the Kurdish Question" was officially launched at the event which sets out the back ground to the conflict, suggests an appropriate EU response and reiterates the call for genuine dialogue.

A Sikh perspective on the conflict between the Sikhs and India was presented by Dr Awatar Singh Sekhon, Managing Editor of the International Journal of Sikh Affairs. He contextualised the Sikh Nation's continuing struggle to secure freedom as the sovereign right of a proud nation based on the right of self determination. The territory of the erstwhile Sikh state had been unlawfully annexed by the British in 1849, unlawfully transferred to India in 1947 and the Sikhs had never accepted the loss of their statehood. Equally, their elected representatives had rejected the Indian constitution which, somewhat incredibly, continues to class the Sikhs as "Hindus" under its notorious Article 25. Punjab's vital water resources continue to be illegally appropriated by adjoining Indian states. The attack on collective Sikh political, religious and cultural rights and the theft of their territory and resources was compounded by the devastating abuses of their individual human rights, especially since 1984 which has left Indian controlled Punjab traumatised. The international community he said must itself punish those who have carried out those abuses as India, whilst claiming to be the biggest democracy the world has known, openly grants immunity to perpetrators of crimes against humanity. Dr Sekhon warned of Indian efforts to re-write history and malign the Sikhs by branding them as the aggressors.

The Naga delegation, which had travelled from the Naga homeland, included a cultural troupe whose superb rendition of freedom songs was warmly received. The cultural distinctiveness and "unique history" of the Naga Nation has been recognised by India itself but the Indo-Naga conflict is no nearer settlement despite ceasefires and formal talks which have continued for some ten years. Mr Rh. Raising of the NSCN referred to the refusal of his people to join the Indian Union or indeed the Union of Burma. His people have resisted unlawful de facto annexation and terrible oppression; they seek peace and an honourable settlement but this has been frustrated by "false promises and assurances" from the Indian establishment whose approach to peace talks appears to amount to no more than a ploy "to buy time in order to bury the peace process under the wrap of time". He called for the UK and the wider international community to step forward and assist the Nagas, who had contributed so valiantly for the cause of freedom in the Allied war efforts in both World Wars. Dr Neivetso, Secretary General of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights mapped out the history of the Indo-Naga conflict and echoed the call for the international community and especially the UK to "live up to expectations" and intervene to facilitate a just and peaceful outcome. The PNSD Naga Advisory Panel's position paper entitled 'Nagalim' was also officially launched at the event; it will be distributed within the UK parliament and beyond to apprise policy makers of the historic Naga struggle and its current status.

Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur of Tehreek-e-Kashmir made an impassioned plea for the restoration of human rights in Kashmir where his people have been subjected to terrible and sustained abuses by India in order to crush a legitimate struggle for self-determination which the UN itself has endorsed by demanding a plebiscite to determine the will of the people. He demanded that perpetrators of mass violations in Kashmir be held accountable by the civilised powers of the world; if men like Milosovich and Saddam Hussein could be dealt with, why should not the people who carry out the violations in Kashmir? On World Human Rights Day, we must he said ask ourselves these questions. The right to life, not to be subject to torture, raped, imprisoned without charge …..the right of freedom itself - all of these have been denied in Kashmir by a state that seeks to portray itself as a democracy and has aspirations for a permanent UN Security Council seat. He said the people of Kashmir would continue their lawful struggle for self determination and said that they would work with the Sikhs, Nagas and others who had been targeted by similar oppressive tactics in a bid to deny them freedom.

Amrik Singh Sahota, OBE, President of the Council of Khalistan endorsed those sentiments and said that oppressed nations should work shoulder to shoulder to their mutual benefit in the cause of human rights and justice.

Lord Ahmed thanked those who had contributed so constructively to an important reminder - on World Human Rights Day 2007 - of the centrality of human rights in making the world a better place. He pledged that PNSD would continue to promote this core message to the UK Government and beyond.

Ranjit Singh Srai,
Administrative Secretary,
Parliamentarians for National Self determination.
email: pnsdsecretariat@aol.com">pnsdsecretariat@aol.com.

Frans on 12.13.07 @ 02:09 PM CST [link]



Press Release Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim Ministry of Information and Publicity


Government of Nagalim
Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim
Ministry of Information and Publicity

Press Release
On 13th December 2007


Under the circumstances where the Nagas are being put in a confusing situation we the Khaimniungan people refused to be guided by such rumours planted by the so-called unification team desperately trying to create conflict of interests between Chairman Isak Chishi Swu & Gen Secy. Th. Muivah in the name of Naga Struggle. Time tested leaders like these two leaders will never betray the trust the Naga people repose on them.

The statement issued by Isak Chishi Swu on 3rd December wherein he said “firmly committed to the Naga National cause, we are working hand in hand as has been our culture and commitment”, we are very much comforted and inspired by such faithful leaders who have gone through fire and water to lead the Naga people. In return we shall never stay away from the path shown to us by Chairman Isak Swu and Gen, Secy. Th. Muivah. More then anything else we feel ashamed to read the false propaganda of the unification team that the mantle of the Naga Movement is with Khaplang and Isak Swu alleging that Swu had shifted allegiances to the unification team. This was without foundation and only reflects the vested interest with chauvinistic minded of Azheto Chophy and his group members. In retrospect the Western Sumi Hoho is yet to proved its true standing vis-ŕ-vis the Nagas unification by not being a party to the members of NSCN who are just acting is an ‘Overbearing Manner’ without being given the green signal by NSCN/GPRN. This is the crushing issue invited by the WSH and they are yet to wriggle out of the mess to re-establish its reputation after having attempted to handle the issue that is too big for its size.

Given the nature of the situation in Nagalim where some people are going through sleepless nights to sow the seed of discord between Isak Chish Swu and Th. Muivah, NSCN chairman strongly reacted that such an act is a crime. Let the God of Nagalim for Christ, who will definitely not allow such criminal to go Scot free do justice to the Naga people and punish them accordingly.

More that this we are also enlightened by the write up of Lieut Hukato Yeptho, Naga Army, NSCN pointing out the true identity of Mr. Kitovi Zhimomi and his brother in law Mr. Kughalu Mulatuno who according to him are poles apart from other Naga Nationalists. May we ask the WSH if they consider these two persons as true Naga Nationalists. Don’t take a step further WSH before you clarify your stand on these two controversial persons who have misled many Naga for too long. Show your commitment and morality and don’t attach yourself with these destructive elements. Don’t led Sumi’s name be contaminated by these two notorious Sumis.


Issued By:-
C.P.Y. Shangchio
C.A.O. Khiamniungan Region
(Through MIP)

Frans on 12.13.07 @ 02:02 PM CST [link]



Unification’ process must reflect ‘national sanctity’ The Morung Express Dimapur, December 12 (MExN):



‘Unification’ process must reflect ‘national sanctity’ The Morung Express Dimapur, December 12 (MExN):

The NSCN (IM) has stated that an issue like Naga unification with its magnitude cannot be done in a haphazard manner and that the issue itself requires a strong foundation. “The undeniable fact that there is an undercurrent of resentment towards the new move on unification is not without a solid validity based on impropriety and travesty of trust. When somebody in NSCN authority dared to go for an audacious plan on Naga unification giving a sanctimonious impression, it naturally become an overbearing proposal that is bound to face disqualification when placed before the Nagas for the mandatory stamp of approval and acceptance. Anything short of national scrutiny will only invite NSCN/GPRN interpretation in accordance with its avowed principle”, stated a press note issued by the MIP.
The NSCN (IM) stated that the “pragmatic approach in the context of the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks cannot be taken apart in any move towards Naga unification” and that “any Naga civil society keen enough to bring Naga unification should exercise this propriety and be in the right place if it has the single target of Naga unity and reconciliation”. It also stated that “timing of unity effort may be right and this right timing could have been initiated and processed in the manner that carries the weight of national sanctity”.
Pointing out that “under the situation where the government of India is not showing any sense of political expediency in handling the Indo-Naga issue”, the NSCN (IM) stated that “it would be invidious for the Nagas to make any adventurous attempt on Naga unification without following a well-meaning system”. The NSCN (IM) also stated that since it is the “overriding desire for Naga unity being the priority agenda of every single Naga individual and society, transparency and respect for certain protocol that binds GPRN could have make a big difference in the eye of the Naga people who yearns for unity and peace”.
The NSCN (IM) stated that sending a wrong signal to India through “our highly disorganized approach is to be considered a very disturbing episode in the Nagas’ search for unity” and that “such overbearing approach in the name of Naga unification is best forgotten lest it create more confusing and disunity”.
Pointing out to what it termed as “in the hurry to serve individual interest”, the NSCN (IM) stated that its Chairman Isak Chishi Swu’s name had been used unceremoniously without considering his well established personality as a Naga leader who has stood the test of time under the pressure of heavy crisis. “This is unfortunate and this reflects something to do with communal prejudice and communal antagonism which is far from what the unification team projected”, it stated. “Lack of political wisdom in the craze for some individual interests gives the so-called unification team a blind eye that anything of the magnitude of Naga national interests should be projected through the front door and not from the back. Nagas’ sense of judgment should not have been underrated in such manner. Let us not stigmatize ourselves in the name of Naga unification. Let us not give room to government of India to further delay the Indo-Naga peace process and let us not create room for antagonism among ourselves. But let us be magnanimous enough to bring Naga unification base on correct principle that should find reflection by being debate at national level”, it stated.
Unification on correct principle- Nagaland Post Opinion
With the magnitude of Naga unification issued, a very strong foundation is needed, and not in the haphazard manner. The undeniable fact that there is an undercurrent of resentment towards the new move on unification is not without a solid validity based on impropriety and travesty of trust. When somebody in NSCN authority dared to go for an audacious plan on Naga unification giving a sanctimonious impression it naturally become an overbearing proposal that is bound to face disqualification when placed before the Nagas for the mandatory stamp of approval and acceptance. Anything short of national scrutiny will only invite NSCN/GPRN interpretation in accordance with its avowed principle.
Pragmatic approach in the context of the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks cannot be taken apart in any move towards Naga unification. Any Naga civil society keen enough to bring Naga unification should exercise this propriety and be in the right place if it has the single target of Naga unity and reconciliation. Timing of unity effort may be right and this right timing could have been initiated and processed in the manner that carries the weight of national sanctity.
Under the situation where the government of India is not showing any sense of political expediency in handling the Indo-Naga issue, it would be invidious for the Nagas to make any adventurous attempt on Naga unification without following a well meaning system. The overriding desire for Naga unity being the priority agenda of every single Naga individual and society, transparency and respect for certain protocol that binds GPRN could have make a big difference in the eye of the Naga people who yearns for unity and peace. Sending a wrong signal to India through our highly disorganized approach is to be considered a very disturbing episode in the Nagas' search for unity. Such overbearing approach in the name of Naga unification is best forgotten lest it create more confusing and disunity.
In the hurry to serve individual interest, NSCN Yaruiwo Isak Chishi Swu's name has been used unceremoniously without considering his well established personality as a Naga leader who has stood the test of time under the pressure of heavy crisis. This is unfortunate and this reflects something to do with communal prejudice and communal antagonism which is far from what the unification team projected. Lack of political wisdom in the craze for some individual interests give the so-called unification team a blind eye that anything of the magnitude of Naga national interests should be projected through the front door and not from the back. Nagas' sense of judgment should not have been underrated in such manner.
Let us not stigmatize ourselves in the name of Naga unification. Let us not give room to Government of India to further delay the Indo-Naga peace process and let us not create room for antagonism among ourselves. But let us be magnanimous enough to bring Naga unification based on correct principle that should find reflection by being debate at national level.
MIP, GPRN/ NSCN (IM)
Peace pact hailed Nagarealm.com
Imphal, DEC12 [TSE] : While lauding the signing of ceasefire among the Naga militant groups for six months, the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) has said such encouraging effort would definitely benefit the whole Naga society in every respect.


Ajinbou Abonmai, president of the LNC opined that the peace and reconciliation initiative taken up by the Gaonburas and Dobashis organisations of Nagaland will definitely minimise violent activities. The Liangmai body also expressed happiness over the reported comment of CAO of the Zeliangrong Region, NSCN-IM Lungchaibi who was said to have pledged to stick to the six months ceasefire agreement among the Naga militant groups signed in Kohima few days back. Further expressing optimism on the development, Ajinbou Abonmai said that the Kohima agreement will give immense impact in the positive note.
Rally in support of unification on Dec 14 at Dimapur (Page News Service)

Dimapur, December 12: The Naga Hoho is organizing a public rally at the City Tower Junction, Dimapur, on December 14 next, from 9 a.m. onwards on the theme 'Rally in support of unification of all Nagas & the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks.'
According to NH president, I Bendangmayang Jamir, the decision to organize the rally was decided in a special emergency meeting with tribal councilors of Naga Council in the office of Naga Council Dimapur today.
The NH president said the rally is being held with a view to reiterate Naga aspiration of unity and solution to the long standing Indo-Naga impasse and to express solidarity to the peace talk initiated by the collective leadership and endorse by Naga people in consultative meetings.
Meanwhile, the NH has entrusted the Naga Council Dimapur, the Dimapur Naga Women Hoho and the DNSU to carry out all necessary arrangements for the rally. The NH also requested all tribal hoho presidents and GBs/DBs to mobilize respective tribes, besides all citizens in & around Dimapur, business community of Dimapur and well wishers, to attend he rally to demonstrate solidarity and support to the ongoing peace process.
Rio faces no-confidence motion today Our Correspondent The Morung Express
Kohima | The Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio-led DAN government will face a no-confidence motion tomorrow as the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly sits for the sixteenth session. Initiated by the opposition Congress, the no-confidence motion is likely to evoke keen interest and rock the one-day session, perhaps, which could be the last session of this tenure.
One and a half month are barely left for the next general election, but the Congress are adamant with their demand for sacking Rio’s government and imposing President’s Rule in the state, accusing the NPF-led DAN government of failure to contain law and order, corruption, nepotism etc. The speaker is reported to have admitted the no-confidence motion, and the Congress will not backtrack.
“We are going ahead with the no-confidence motion. The speaker has admitted the motion”, said senior Congress legislators, KV Pusa, this evening. Both the DAN alliance and Congress were engaged in a series of meeting till late into nights as they prepared for Thursday’s showdown in the floor of the house. But, the mood in the NPF camp appears unruffled by the Congress threat of no-confidence motion. Senior NPF functionaries beamed confidence, when queried whether the government will pass the test of strength, stating that it will sail through the storm as they still have the numbers to keep the government intact. Rumors have also been doing rounds that four more legislators are likely to desert the government, but it was not confirmed.
With the resignation of 6 legislators, which included four parliamentary secretaries and two MLAs, today, the 60 member house has been reduced to 48 now. Out of 48, Congress has 17 legislators. The DAN alliance is supposed to have 31 legislators, but 2 JDU legislators, Huska Sumi and Deo Nukhu, and another member, Jungshilemba, had earlier withdrawn their support to the Neiphiu Rio government. So now the DAN has only 28 members, but they still command majority. DAN needs 25 legislators to pull through the storm. Even if the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio fails to withstand the no-confidence motion, the Congress still doesn’t have the magic number to form an alternative government. So, the state may come under President’s Rule if at all Rio fails to sails through the no-confidence motion. Those who resigned from the assembly as well as from the NPF party today includes parliamentary secretaries Hewoto Awomi, K Hollohon, Kipili Sangtam and Nkhao Lotha, and two MLAs, Hukavi and Tarie Zeliang.

Reasons for resigning Giving reasons for their resignations, Hukavi said “as we are aware that there is corruption, nepotism and self-style of governing as far as DAN government is concern,” said Hukavi. Equality and transparency should be there in governance, he said while addressing media persons at the official residence of opposition leader, I. Imkong this evening. “We are not happy with this government,” he said adding that for this reason that they have taken a decision to quit. Hukavi also condemned the equi-closeness policy saying that the policy was ‘good, but lacked in implementation.’ Also referring to their resignation, Hewoto said that they had done it knowing fully well the situation and they have no regret. On being queried whether they have any plans to join the Congress, Hewoto said “we have not yet decided.” Also alleging that there was lack of coordination, Kipili said “Our vision is for better,” claiming that their move will bring a “better change.”
BJP reaffirms support to DAN Dimapur, December 12 (MExN): The BJP Nagaland has reaffirmed its full support to the DAN coalition government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Following the uncertainty over the recent spate of resignations, the BJP in a press note issued by Johny G. Rengma, national Council Member and Spokesman stated that the BJP was committed to fulfill the mandate given by the people of Nagaland to the DAN coalition in the last assembly election to serve the welfare of the people.
The BJP appealed to the general public not to panic and be misled by the resignation of “some vested selfish Legislatures” who have betrayed the mandate given by the electorates. The BJP assured the people of Nagaland that the DAN coalition will not only complete its full term in office but also continue even beyond 2008.
Congress using armed elements to topple DAN Government: Rio Dimapur, December 12 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has alleged that the Congress was using force and help of armed elements in trying to play defection politics and that MLAs of the DAN alliance have been put under tremendous amount of duress by the armed elements to defect from the DAN and oppose the DAN leadership. Rio as leader of the DAN Legislature Party issued a statement pointing out that using the force of armed elements, the Congress has hoarded the MLAs in the official residence of the Opposition Leader in their game of trying to dislodge the DAN Government.
Rio stated that the DAN was compelled to issue this press release in order to inform the people on the negative tactics of the opposition Congress in Nagaland. Rio stated that the Congress has tried to play the toppling game using negative force and armed elements in their unsuccessful attempt. Rio pointed out that this was not the first time that the Congress has used such undemocratic means in their desperate attempt to oppose the people’s mandate.
“The DAN coalition will not allow such negative policies to dictate terms and we are confident that the people will not accept any politics that is through the backdoor”, Rio stated adding that the DAN Government enjoys the mandate of the people and that it will continue to uphold and protect the people’s mandate under any means. Rio stated that this latest episode was another reminder to the people of Nagaland that the Congress has completely lost any hope of winning the people’s support and in its desperation it has found no other option but to resort to use of force and negative tactics for its survival. “The people must reject such policies that have no place in democracy where the will of the people is supreme”, Rio stated.
Nagas must unite- Nagaland Post Opinion
The recent unification move initiated by some organizations is a welcome step and that all sensible Nagas must extend support and cooperation towards this mission. We have had enough bloodshed in Naga family and we can't afford to continue with this anymore. But in doing so Nagas should not succumb to the plans of our adversaries who are trying to divide Naga family and subdue our Naga nationalism.
As a sensible and a concern Naga, I am sure there is no question why Nagas can't unite and fight for our common cause. The unification between the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) should not be a problem in any case. But the problem will be by Kitovi Zhimomi and his brother-in-law Kughalu Mulatonu who are poles apart from other Naga nationalists. Their contributions toward Naga nationalism are fairly different from others and therefore they will not be in a position to come to the terms with other fellow Nagas immediately. Therefore people who are initiating the unification move must keep this in mind in the larger interest of Naga people. Here are some of the contributions and achievements of Kitovi and Kughalu towards Naga nationalism:
1. Killing of hundreds of Naga patriots and innocent Nagas; including children, women, church workers and students
2. Accepting unilateral ceasefire offered by government of India in 1997
3. Imposition of economic blockades on Zunheboto
4. Nexus with all anti-Naga organizations and outfits
5. Opposed to Naga integration
6. Against all organizations and nations who are in support of Naga nationalism like Naga Hoho, Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, Naga Mothers' Association, Naga Students' Federation, church, Tribal Hohos, and several other Naga organizations. They are also against international Naga support groups and nations vis-ŕ-vis serving death threat to them.
7. Serving 'quit notice' to a certain Naga community
8. Several bomb blasts in Dimapur
9. Fooling and misleading the innocent Konyak brothers and S S Khaplang chairman of NSCN (K)
10. Nexus with Assam Rifles, Indian security forces and intelligence agencies
11. Kidnapping and extortions in Nagaland in the name of Naga nationalism etc etc.
These are only some of the few contributions and achievements of Kitovi and Kughalu towards Naga nationalism. But whatever their contributions and achievements may be, but Nagas must forgive and forget and come for the unification to avoid further bloodshed in Naga family. I also would like to remind the Sumi leaders to be pragmatic in their approach as Nagas are closely watching and monitoring the situation.
Lieutenant Hukato Yeptho Naga Army, NSCN (IM)
NNC to meet on ‘national unity’ The Morung Express

Dimapur, December 12 (MExN): The Naga National Council (NNC) while affirming that it stood for “Naga national unity” pointed out that it was reiterating its “stand for the whole and all the Naga-inhabited areas of Sino-Mongoloid Race between tri-junction of China, Myanmar and India”. Mhasi Angami, Information & Publicity Wing, NNC in a press note has also summoned all the central executive council members as well as the “regional authorities” for a very important meeting on December 18, 2007 at “Oking.” “Therefore all the regional authorities and the central executive council members are to attend this meeting of importance positively to take certain decision for the larger interest of the Naga nation and the NNC in particular”, it stated.

Six Naga MLAs quit Assembly OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kohima, Dec. 12: Six legislators of the Nagaland People’s Front, the major constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), resigned from the Assembly this afternoon, ahead of a crucial session tomorrow.
Nagaland Speaker Kiyanielie Peseyie said he had received the resignation letters of Kihoto Hollohon, Kipili Sangtam, Nkhao Lotha, Tarie Zeliang, Kheto Sema and Hewoto Sema.
Peseyie, however, said there was no threat whatsoever to the ruling DAN government and that it would complete its full tenure. The Assembly polls are slated for February. “There is no threat to the government. We are comfortable,” the Speaker said.
With the resignation of the six legislators, the total strength of the DAN government has been reduced to 27 (NPF 22, BJP 4 and one Independent).
The legislators later called on Governor K. Sankaranarayanan and reportedly urged him to accept the no-confidence motion in the Assembly tomorrow. The motion will be initiated by the Opposition Congress. None of the six MLAs could be contacted as they were reportedly holed up at an undisclosed place. But Congress secretary and MLA Medokhul Sophie said all of them are with the party. The DAN this evening charged the Congress with using muscle power to dislodge the government.
Imkong rebuts Rio’s charges Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Dec 12 (NPN): Reacting to the allegations made against him by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, that he (Imkong) was using armed underground activists to force some NPF legislators to resign besides keeping them in his house under guard, leader of the opposition Congress, I. Imkong has dismissed the allegations as “baseless and unfounded.”
He told the Post over telephone from Kohima, that the NPF legislators had gone to his house “with the intention of resigning and also joining hands together” against the failure of the DAN government and its leadership. “If Rio was describing my police bodyguards as armed underground elements, then I cannot help it”, he said.
Imkong instead charged Rio of being the one who was using armed underground activists for his political interests, adding the fact was known by all.
Imkong further disclosed that the “crisis-ridden DAN government was getting desperate” when the assembly speaker on Wednesday, issued show cause notices to three Independent MLAs who had withdrawn support to the DAN government two weeks ago.
Imkong said the threat of disqualification after so many days had elapsed but which was being used now, was a travesty of constitutional norms. He said the Independent members were free to decide which party to support or not to support.
Stage managed?- Nagaland Post
1. New Delhi 1993-S.C Jamir was seriously wounded when he was attacked by assailants in the Nagaland house, Delhi. Doctors in one of the most reputed hospitals in the world would know how miraculous it was for S. C Jamir to survive the attack. Yet, the NSCN (IM) implied that the attack was stage-managed. Meanwhile, the Delhi police managed to arrest two of the assailants who happened to belong to a particular Naga community doing hit job for a certain organization.
2. Kohima, 1995-Gunman sprayed AK bullets from close range at the car in which S.C Jamir was returning home after visiting his daughter's house. The impact of the bullets threw the car down below the step slope. The car rolled down about thirty metres until it dashed against a pine tree and stopped. Inside, S. C Jamir and wife were found alive with only minor bruises. The NSCN (IM) said that the attack was stage-managed. 3. Piphema, Kohima 1999- Nine powerful bombs were detonated simultaneously, followed by a hail of AK bullets from three sides, when the chief minister of the state, S.C Jamir's convoy was passing through a narrow stretch of NH 39 which is topographically one of the most dangerous road spots in the state. Even if the bombs missed Jamir's car, a violent swerve of the vehicle due to the impact of the explosions would have hurled it thousands of metres down the extremely steep terrain. Besides, a hail of bullets from sophisticated weapons killed two security personnel's on the spot and wounded several more. Again, S.C Jamir escaped miraculously. Yet, again the NSCN (IM) denied its involvement in the ambush even after the state police and intelligent agencies had established beyond doubt that the attack was carried out by the faction. The faction even went to the extent of saying the attack was staged managed. Ironically, the then BJP government at the centre engaged in political negotiations with the faction remained silent over the incident, thereby giving the impression that it was fine even if the NSCN (IM) physically eliminated the chief minister of an Indian state as long as Indian soldiers were safe in Nagaland with the cease-fire in force. 4. Hebron camp, Dimapur- The NSCN (IM) declared S.C Jamir as anti-Naga, traitor and so on. It ordered S.C Jamir not to enter Nagaland or else. The chief minister of Nagaland and his colleague in the state government, who had all sworn to abide by the constitution, uphold the sovereignty and defend the territorial integrity of India, shockingly remained silent when the NSCN (IM), a separatist organization, banned the entry of the governor of an Indian state into Nagaland, an Indian state. One could understand the policy of the DAN government vis-ŕ-vis the position of its political benefactor. But the incomp-rehensible silence of the union government over the development indicated that it had come to terms with the supremacy of the insurgent groups over Na- galand matters. Is the day of India formally agreeing to independent Nagaland close at hand? 5. Changki, Moko-kchung, 24-11-07- Goa Governor S.C Jamir was ambushed while he was returning to Dimapur after visiting his home district. Five IEDs exploded on the spot of ambush followed by firing from two sides directed at the governor's vehicle. Two-inch mortars thrown at the governor's vehicle miraculously failed to explode. Besides, the police found another five IEDs, which had not been triggered off because the attackers apparently pani-cked and fled the scene in the face of swift reaction from the security per-sonnel's accompanying the governor S.C Jamir escaped unhurt for the fourth time. As anticipated, the NSCN (IM) promptly came out with the oft-repeated "stage-managed" yarn. But what else can we expect from an organization which obvi-ously takes delight in insulting the intelligence of the people of Nagaland? Not the least surprising, the Rio-Led DAN government see-ms to have brushed off the latest ambush as just ano-ther minor matter under the 'political problem' category. As for the SIT constituted by the impotent state gove-rnment, it is expected to come out with a report not entirely inconsonant with the 'stage-managed' doc-trine for obvious reason. As for the Indian government, it has once again sent the message that it does not care a fig what happens to the patriotic Naga leaders and the common men of Naga-land as long as Indian officials and soldiers can remain safe and sound in Nagaland.
T. N Emjen, Upper Chandmari, Kohima
Clues on Adivasi militant leader A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Dec. 12: The arrested Adivasi militants have told their interrogators that the chief commander of the Adivasi National Liberation Army (ANLA), David Tirkey, is hiding somewhere in Jharkhand.
Tirkey figures on the most-wanted list of Assam police.
A police official today said the interrogation of ANLA activists who were arrested in the city on Monday had revealed that Tirkey was orchestrating the unlawful activities of the outfit from Jharkhand.
“Assam police will seek help from their counterparts in Jharkhand to track down Tirkey,” he added.
The police official said they have learnt that Tirkey left for Jharkhand a couple of months ago apparently to forge ties with Maoist rebels active in that Adivasi-dominated state.
He said arrested ANLA leader Raj Munda has confessed that the outfit was planning a massive recruitment drive in the Adivasi-populated areas of the state.
“According to him, at present ANLA does not have more than 200 members. He also said ANLA members are being provided arms training and logistic support by the Manipur-based militant group, the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), at Singhasan Hill in Karbi Anglong district,” he said.
ANLA reportedly has strong links with a Naga insurgent group, which is currently in ceasefire with the Centre.
“The tea gardens in Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts are the prime targets of ANLA militants for extortion. Several tea garden managers were abducted by ANLA for not paying up. The Adivasi outfit shares the extortion money with the other militant groups which are providing them with arms training and logistic support,” the police officer claimed.
He said though the outfit does not have a large number of armed cadres, it is planning to increase its strength to carry out attacks in different parts of the state and make its presence felt.
The weapons available with the outfit include AK series rifles, carbines, pistols and SLRs.
“They (ANLA) still do not have much knowhow about sophisticated explosives. But it is only a matter of time before they master the art of explosives when they are trained by the Maoists,” the police officer said.
17 IEDs found in Manipur - Bombs ‘welcome’ Assam Rifles DG OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Imphal, Dec. 12: Seventeen bombs were recovered from two busy Manipur roads during a search operation by security forces this morning. The number is being pegged as the highest recovered by security forces in the militancy-ravaged state on a single day. The immediate spur of the search was the visit of the director general of Assam Rifles, Lt Gen. Paramjit Singh, to Manipur.
Early this morning, troops of 34 Assam Rifles fanned out into Thoubal district for a routine search when they stumbled on three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the Imphal-Moreh road at Wangjing.
The bomb squad of the police safely exploded the IEDs later in the day. The paramilitary force informed the police that they also recovered 14 IEDs laid by militants along Imphal-Ukhrul Road between Litan and Sangai and had destroyed them. Recovery of the explosives held up traffic for several hours on both the roads. “Had the IEDs exploded, they would have caused immense disaster, as both the roads are always busy,” a source said.
The director general of Assam Rifles, who arrived here yesterday to review the law and order situation in the state, today visited Chandel, where the security forces have launched a rebel flush-out operation. The Assam Rifles officers used a chopper to reach Chandel. Combined forces of the Assam Rifles and the army launched an operation on November 18 to flush out United National Liberation Front militants from Somtal along the Indo-Myanmar border.
After having captured the UNLF-dominated Khenjoy and Sehlon ridges, the army is busy clearing Somtal of improvised explosive devices. More than 68 IEDs were destroyed last month and the troops will continue their search till the area can be declared free of bombs.
The Assam Rifles source said the director general visited Sajik Tampak, once a rebel stronghold but now occupied by the security forces, and Somtal.IG (South) Assam Rifles Maj. Gen. B.K. Chengapa accompanied the director general to Chandel. Before leaving Imphal tomorrow, Gen. Singh will visit Tamenglong and meet Governor S.S. Sidhu.
Chauhan ‘interview’ AICC general secretary Prithviraj Chauhan, who is in charge of Manipur, did nothing to ease the legislators’ tension today after even after interviewing all the 31 MLAs a day before.
Chauhan has been sent by AICC president Sonia Gandhi in the wake of a no-holds-barred move by dissident Congress legislators to replace Ibobi Singh. After the “interviews” were over, Chauhan addressed a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party at Hotel Imphal here. However, he did not give any indication of the decision likely to be taken by the party high command on the dissidents’ demand for a change of guard.
Chauhan is returning to Delhi tomorrow after inspecting the progress of the construction of the high court building and Assembly secretariat here. He will submit his report to Sonia Gandhi.
New Delhi, DEC12 [IANS] : India Tuesday said it will continue supporting development projects in Myanamar, but cautiously underlined the need for stability and inclusive political reforms in the military ruled country that acts as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

India to continue assistance to Myanmar Nagarealm.com
"India is committed to extend assistance to Myanmar on various developmental projects of mutual benefit, including the Kaladan multi-modal transport project," the external affairs ministry said in a statement after talks between Myanmar's Deputy Foreign Minister U. Kyaw Thu and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon. Myanmar's minister also called on External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and updated him about the evolving political situation in Myanmar, which was rocked by massive pro-democracy protests, led by monks, nearly three months ago. "The discussions covered all areas of mutual interest, including bilateral, regional and international issues, and were marked by the friendship and cordiality that mark relations between India and Myanmar as close neighbours," the statement said.

A memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the India-Myanmar Centre for enhancement of information technology skills at Yangon, to be built with the Indian assistance, will be signed by the two sides Wednesday. India reiterated its position on the need for broad-based and inclusive political reforms and pushing the process of national reconciliation in Myanmar, official sources said. India is engaged in the construction of key transportation projects in Myanmar, including the Kaladan project, which will provide much-needed transit access between the northeastern states and the rest of Southeast Asia.

The two countries have quietly finalised $100 million Kaladan link project, which is expected to link Sittwe port in Myanmar via Paletwa to Mizoram in India by road and inland water. The project is expected to be completed by 2010. India was guarded in its response to the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Myanmar in September and was criticised for its extremely circumspect attitude to the situation in Myanmar by some Western countries.

The US and the European Union had urged India, China and Russia, the three big Asian countries with substantial stakes in Myanmar, to use their influence with the junta to nudge it towards real political reforms. Even as India has sought to do a tightrope walk on its diplomatic response to the Myanmar crisis, it has made it clear that there are real economic and strategic imperatives that have necessitated its continuing engagement with the junta, as the military rulers are known.

India's substantial stakes in Myanmar's oil and gas sector and China's increasing influence in the southeast country have been two principal reasons driving India's policy towards its neighbour. Besides, India needs the junta's help to control anti-India insurgent groups which have infiltrated from its northeastern states like Nagaland into the neighbouring country. This explains New Delhi's hesitation in supporting the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar with which it shares a border of more than 1,600 km. Bilateral trade between the two sides is estimated to be around $1 billion.
Five killed in Rajdhani blast, rebel group owns up By IANS
Guwahati, Dec 13 (IANS) At least five people were killed and four injured Thursday in a blast on the super-fast Rajdhani Express bound for Delhi from this Assam city. A shadowy adivasi insurgent group has claimed responsibility for the terror attack.
'Our cadres triggered the blast using a remote system and we shall continue with such attacks in the coming days,' Dilip Beg, a top leader of the rag-tag Adivasi National Liberation Army (ANLA), told IANS by telephone from an undisclosed location.
A railway official said the blast took place around 1.05 a.m. at the Rajdhani Express near Chungajan in Golaghat district, about 270 km east of Assam's main city of Guwahati. 'Five people were killed and four others injured with the impact of the explosion hitting a portion of the luggage van of the train,' T. Rabha, chief spokesperson of the Northeast Frontier Railways, told IANS. The ANLA leader said his group would not remain quiet until the government conferred Scheduled Tribe status to the adivasis in Assam that would bring in more rights and privileges for the community in the state.
'We have been forced to take up arms by the government and we shall not rest until our community gets special recognition like a scheduled tribe status,' Beg said. The train was not derailed and all other passengers were safe. The train originating from Dibrugarh in eastern Assam has since arrived in Guwahati, on way to New Delhi. The blast, that rattled sleeping passengers, created panic.
'I presume the bomb was planted in the toilet of the parcel van. People started screaming and crying when the explosion took place,' said Rajinder Singh, an army trooper, travelling in the train.
Bimla Singh, another passenger, is still dazed. 'I was two coaches behind and am really scared.'
There was partial damage to the tracks with just two sleepers affected. The damaged track was quickly repaired. The injured were shifted to a hospital in Dimapur, the commercial hub of the adjoining Nagaland state. Police suspects the bomb could have been planted inside the non air-conditioned section having a capacity to carry some 40 passengers along with cargo.
'Preliminary investigations and a look at the extent of damage caused to the tracks indicate the bomb could have been placed in the luggage van itself although a final report is awaited,' Golaghat district police chief P.C. Haloi told IANS. All the dead passengers were Hindi-speaking migrant workers from Bihar, the police official said. The ANLA is a little-known rebel group active in Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts of eastern Assam and fighting for special rights for the adivasis, one of the 120 tea-plantation workers' communities.
On Dec 4, a powerful explosion hit the engine of a passenger train in the same area, although it failed to impact the coaches. The Kamrup Express was bound for Tinsukia in eastern Assam from Guwahati when the blast took place.
Voices against Black Laws raised By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
Shouting the slogans of ‘Liberate Manipuri women’, ‘Do not suppress Manipuri women’, ‘Stop State sponsored terrorism’, ‘Repeal AFSPA’, ‘Anti-people policy and governance, down, down’, etc, the 68th Nupi Lan Ningshing Thouram was held along with a rally at Moirang today.
Hundreds of slogan shouting women participated in the rally which was taken out from Mukta High School to the venue of the observance function organised at Chingei ground, Moirang under the aegis of Nupi Lan Observation Committee formed jointly by Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba, Manipur (PLMPAM); Meira Paibi Welfare Association, Kangleipak (MEPWAK) and All Manipur Women’s Voluntary Association (AMOWOVA).
The main observance function commenced after the rally with PLMPAM president Longjam Memchoubi, MEPWAK president Moirangthem Keinahanbi and AMOWOVA president Nongthombam Chaobi taking the dais as presidium members.
Giving the key note address of the observance, AMAWOVA advisor S Leirangtombi said that the first Nupi Lan which broke out in 1904 was not just to oppose forcing the people to fetch timbers from Kabow Tampak to reconstruct the Bungalow of the British which had been set on fire by some miscreants nor the Nupi Lan of 1939 to oppose import of rice from Manipur. In fact both the uprisings were against the oppressive colonial rule of the British.
Similarly, today’s function was also not just to commemorate an event that took place in the past, but an extension of the ongoing public movement against oppressive rule, she observed, adding that although the Britishers have left, the people are still being subjected to oppressive rule of similar nature. Speaking as one of the resource persons, president of Irabot Foundation, Manipur Thounaojam Ibo-yaima said along with their struggle for day to day survival, Manipuri women have been contributing their mite to various causes of the society.
Without the Meira Paibi movement, half of the male population in the State would have been annihilated long ago, he maintained. He also deliberated on the role of Irabot duing Nupi Lan.
Advisor of AMUCO Dhanabir Laishram and Associate Professor of Mani- pur University Chinglen Maisnam were also among other resource persons who spoke at the occasion.
At the ground of AYDA at Awang Khunou Mayai Leikai, the 68th Nupi Lan Ningshing Thouram was organised by the Imphal West unit of ACOAM-Lup, Kangleipak.
A race for women which was flagged off from Awang Khunou Lamkhai and offering floral tributes to all those women who fought against the oppressive rule of the British colonialist were the main highlights of the observance.
Advisors of ACOAM Lup Kangleipak RK Rajen-dra and H Kulla, president of Imphal West Unit of the Lup H Manichand Singh, member of Awang Khunou Zilla Parishad N Pramo Devi and member of Yurembam Zilla Parishad Ch Bijenti Leima attended the observance function as presidium members. All Manipur Nupi Marup observed Nupi Lan Ning-shing Thouram at Kangla Hall here today with Health Minister Ph Parijat as president, president of All Manipur Nupi Marup Y Ibeni Devi and patron member of AMNM K Kadambini Devi as presidium members and MLA U Deven, MLA Dr H Borajao, principal of DM College of Science Th Bedamani Devi and president of TG Higher Secondary School S Damenti Devi as guests of honour. BJP Mahila Morcha Ma-nipur Pradesh also observed Nupi Lan at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of BJP Headquarters here today.
State Mahila President of BJP Manipur Pradesh Th Promila Devi presided over the commemorative function attended by president of BJP Manipur Pradesh Dr H Borobabu Singh as chief guest. In commemoration of the Nupi Lan, Manipuri Literary Society, Imphal organised a poetry recitation session for women writers and poets only at the hall of Manipur Hindi Parishad. Chairperson of Manipur State Women Development Co-operation AK Mirabai Devi and president of Manipuri Literary Society Dr Ng Akashini Devi attended the commemorative function as chief guest and functional president respectively. On the occasion of observing Nupi Lan memorial day, Kasturba Gandhi Kendra, Imphal organised a discussion session on the topic of ‘Women empowerment through economic and social development’ with lecturer of Economics, MB College Dr Th Roben Singh and lecturer of Political Science GP Women’s College Dr Th Binarani Devi as main speakers. The Jananeta Irawat Charitable Trust, Manipur began its 68th Nupi Lan memorial observance from today at Irabot People’s Museum at Lokchao Santipur, Tinsid Ching. The main highlights of the observance which would continue till December 29 would concluding unveiling Nupi Lan statue, inauguration of Nupi Lan Gallery, release of souvenir, book exhibition and launching of eco-campaign.
Junta yet to come clean over crackdown Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
December 12, 2007 - Reporting in Geneva yesterday, the United Nations appointed Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, told the Human Rights Council that the Burmese government's official version of the recent crackdown on protestors falls well short of what actually took place.
To date, Pinheiro said he can confirm the deaths of 31 persons at the hands of state security forces, along with 74 "disappeared" and 653 remaining in detention. The junta's official death toll stands at ten. Pinheiro went on to say that he believes up to an additional one thousand civilians, monks and nuns, over the junta's figure of just fewer than three thousand, were detained in the course of the regime's violent crackdown.
Accusing the generals of violating international law, the Special Rapporteur told the assembly that the wrongs of the Burmese regime are not limited to recent events.
"By severely restricting the right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, the government has prevented over many years the emergence of a platform for genuine public dialogue," said Pinheiro. Decades of mismanagement on the part of junta authorities have led to virtually the entire Burmese population being endangered.
He also described reports from residents of Rangoon claiming that security forces, from September 27 to 30, burnt the bodies of several dead protestors in an attempt to cover-up the true gravity of the situation.
Pinheiro asks the Burmese government to immediately announce an unconditional amnesty of those wrongfully detained in the wake of the protests, and to permit the conduct of an independent investigation into the fate of those unaccounted for.
His remarks met with concern and warnings from officials in the United States.
"We must continue to send a clear message to the regime: It is time to unconditionally release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, cease arrests of all democracy activists, and establish a meaningful, time-bound dialogue with the democratic opposition and ethnic minorities," according to a State Department spokesperson. Meanwhile, President Bush responded to Pinheiro's briefing by saying: "Should the regime continue to ignore calls for a true democratic transition and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, the United States is prepared to lead international efforts to place more sanctions on the regime."
The junta's representative in Geneva, U Wunna Maung Lwin, refuted the claims of Pinheiro, saying that Burmese authorities, in conducting their crackdown, were only exercising the sovereign right of any independent nation.
Monks flee to Bangladesh to evade arrest Nyein Chan Mizzima News
December 11, 2007 - A Buddhist monk from Rangoon's Zathilaryama monastery, who took part in the September protests, fled from the manhunt launched by the Burmese military junta and arrived in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh. Ashin Panyathami, a young monk from the Zathilaryama monastery in Rangoon, fled to Bangladesh along with more than 20 fellow monks, following the junta's relentless search to arrest and detain monks and protesters.
"As the authorities launched widespread search operations, more than 20 monks, had to hide near the Moe Yeik River for three days. After that we returned to our monastery but there the soldiers called more than 20 of us for interrogation," Ashin Panyathami, who arrived Cox Bazaar on December 5, told Mizzima during an interview.
"They took our photographs and asked us whether we had joined the protests. They told us not to join up again and threatened that we would be arrested if we did," added the young monk.
After arresting the abbot of their monastery, U Zarthila at the end of September, soldiers had continued their rampant crackdown by conducting raids in monasteries and had come to their monastery several times. The young monk, who is an ethnic Arakan, said he left the monastery in Rangoon for his native home town in Arakan State for fear that authorities would continue raids and arrests. Along with Ashin Panyathami, several monks went back to their native hometowns. However, authorities were reportedly looking for him to arrest as he possess photographs, which he had taken at the Maha Wizeyatheindaw monastery in Rangoon.
The young monk said, he finally left Burma for Bangladesh as authorities were conducting raids in several monasteries in Arakan searching for him. The monk said, he had to hide himself for five days and nights along Kin Chyaung River , and finally crossed the border to Bangladesh.
Similarly, on October 29, U Indra Panya and U Magindar from the Alodawpyih DamaSariya monastery, who had actively participated during the recent protests, fled to Bangladesh after authorities came in hot pursuit of the duo.
House of rape accused vandalized Indo Burma News
December 13, 2007: (The Sangai Express) On the charge of raping a Myanmarese girl, the house of the accused was vandalised by the local people here today.
The irate local people has also decided to block Imphal- Moreh in case the accused is not produced by the family by noon tomorrow, reports our Moreh correspondent. The man accused for rape is identified as Md Yunus (22) s/o late Md Anwar of Moreh ward no 5, Muslim Basti.
A 14 year old Myanmarese who came to Moreh to trade in rice was reportedly raped by Yunus at about 11.30 am today. The accused has gone hiding. As the news of the rape spread in the border town, the local people led by the Kuki Women Union on Human Rights (KWUHR) built up a mob and vandalised the house of the accused.
In connection with the incident, a joint meeting of the Meitei Muslim Council Moreh and KWUHR was held at the office of the Hill Tribal Council here. According to the resolutions of the meeting, the family of the accused should produce Yunus by noon tomorrow and to take up punitive actions in line with the Kuki customary law. In case the family members fail to produce Yunus, the family will be ousted from Moreh and their properties will be confiscated. Moreover, a bandh will also be imposed along Imphal-Moreh road, resolved the joint meeting.


Frans on 12.13.07 @ 01:58 PM CST [link]


Wednesday, December 12th

Speech of Rh. Raising at the International Human Rights Day held at the Houses of Parliament, London, on 10 December 2007.


Speech of Rh. Raising at the International Human Rights Day held at the Houses of Parliament, London, on 10 December 2007.



Respected Chairperson and honourable members present,



I feel extremely honoured for giving me the opportunity to address this august house on the plight of the suppressed Naga people.



Nagalim is situated in the tri-junction of China on the north, India on the west and Burma on the south east. It has an area of about 120,000 sq km and a population of about four million people. Nagas have been living in their own country and running their own government independently for thousands of years. At no point of time have they ever been subjugated by any alien power.



It was in 1832 that the British colonial forces intruded into the Naga country. Nagas put up strong resistance against the aggression for forty-eight years. The British forces ultimately occupied a portion of Nagalim, leaving the rest as free as ever. However, the Nagas in the British-occupied area declared their independence on 14 August 1947 and merged themselves with the free Nagas. The declaration was intimated to the United Nations and all the embassies in Delhi.



In 1950 the Indian Constituent Assembly invited the Nagas to join the Union of India, but it was rejected outright. Nagas were not a party to the Union of Burma either. As the Government of India levelled wild allegations, stating that the rejection of Union of India was the work of a few Naga leaders and not that of the people, a plebiscite was conducted on 16 May 1951 wherein 99.9% voted in favour of Sovereign Independent Nagalim. Consequently, Indian state invaded on Nagalim with an eye to imposing its will upon the Nagas, which resulted in horrible violation of human rights – massacre, mass rape, and mass detention in concentration camps, mass torture, and destruction of villages, granaries, educational institutions, relics, churches and so on.



We have been resisting the aggression of the Indian and Burmese states since day one, because we know for sure that our national survival lies in resistance to the aggressors, never in submission to them. The Government of India, with a view to dampening the spirit of Naga nationalism and physically dividing the Nagas, created the so-called Nagaland state which is only one-seventh of the Naga area. It was, however, rejected by the Naga people.



Nagas have been placed to live in war situation for over sixty years. Most of the Nagas of the present generation were born and brought up in horrible war situations. This war has produced thousands of widows, orphans and childless parents in Nagalim. We resist this war because it has destroyed everything of us both materially and spiritually. We know war never builds anything. This war of aggression must be uprooted so that there is peace and prosperity on earth. We really want peace and we are for peace. But we do not see the meaning of peace without freedom, truth and justice. Our stand is that our long cherished peace is to be founded on the solid ground of freedom, truth and justice, never on subjugation and capitulation.



The long history of the Naga national movement for independence bears witness to the fact that we have always believed in political solution and taken every opportunity to enter into dialogue with the Government of India, but each time we have been betrayed by the Indian leaders with false promises and assurances. The Collective Leadership has explicitly made it clear to India that Nagas want to be friendly with India and resolve the issue on the basis of federal relation between India and Nagalim. India has not responded to any of the core proposals made by the Naga leaders despite holding sixty rounds of talks. Perpetual extension of the terms of ceasefire on the pretext of commitment and assurances is clearly viewed as a ploy of the Government of India to buy time in order to bury the peace process under the wrap of time.



Nagas are forcibly divided into six parts and placed them in six different administrative units (four in the Indian States and two in the Burmese States). This kind of perpetual ‘divide and rule’ policy has made the Naga brothers and sisters foreigners to each other in their own land. Since the Nagas were politically divided, they should be politically united.



India’s claim of inheriting Nagalim from the British is the greatest lie. If at all Nagalim was part of India, why did India invite the Nagas to join the Union of India? At no stage of history were the Nagas under the rule of any Indian kings. Nagas declared their independence on 14 August 1947, before India and Burma declared their independence. Ours is a case of invasion by India and Burma. Nagas do not believe in forced marriage and forced union.



Human memories are short, but the great events that shook the world in the 1st and 2nd world wars, where Nagas were deeply involved, ever linger in their minds. Four thousand Nagas were sent to France as labour corps in support of the British-led Allied Forces where a good number of them died in distant shores. In the Second World War, the Naga people extended their fullest support to the Allied Forces. However, the international community has not done anything when the Naga people are in trouble.



We look forward with renewed hope that the British in particular and the international community in general would remember the oppressed Nagas to help solve the long drawn Indo-Naga problem.



Frans on 12.12.07 @ 04:27 PM CST [link]



The Nagas and their Nation Dr. Neivetso Venuh Secretary General, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights,


The Nagas and their Nation
By: Dr. Neivetso Venuh,
Secretary General, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights,
Dated London: 10th December 2007.

The Nagas are indigenous peoples, belonging to the Tibeto-Burman stock with an approximate 4 million in population and live along the tri-junction of Burma (Myanmar), China, and India. From time immemorial, they inhabit the land lying approximately between 92.5 E and 97.5 E longitudes and 23.5 N and 28.5 N latitudes, measuring about 1,20,000 sq. kilometers.
In 1832, Captains Francis Jenkins and R.B. Pemberton entered the Naga country and led numerous “punitive” expeditions against the Nagas for their resistance which led to open confrontation till 1879 when a large area of the then Naga country was occupied and controlled by the then British-India. When the British left India in 1947, the tendered case of the Nagas to be left to them as an independent nation as hitherto enjoyed, was unattended, despite the fact that as early as 1929, the Naga Club submitted a Memorandum to the Simon Commission stating and requesting that they be excluded from the proposed ‘political reforms’ of British India, which arbitrarily generalized the Nagas as under India. The Naga representation clearly stated that “we should not be thrust to the mercy of the people who could not subjugate us. Leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times when Britishers first found us” was the expressed will of the Nagas.
By 1946, the Naga Resistance movement evolved into the “Naga National Council,” which, therein, federalized all the various Naga tribes. Under this “Council,” the Nagas declared their independence on 14th August, 1947, and a “Plebiscite” was conducted on May 16, 1951, reaffirming our inherent rights as a people in which 99.9 percent voted for an independent Nagalim. The nascent Indian nation responded by proclaiming the Assam Maintenance of Public Order (Autonomous Districts) Act, of 1953 upon the Naga country. This was followed by the imposition of the Disturbed Areas Act in 1955. In 1956, India dispatched two Brigades of her military and the Naga country is ever since then under their martial clutch. Later in 1958, the Government of India imposed The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, under which any Non-Commissioned Officer and above are empowered with full legal immunity to “shoot and kill” any Naga on mere suspicion. In the wake of the imposition of these “draconian laws” and murderous homicidal mechanisms, the Nagas have been since then experiencing a “black and senseless period,” to echo the then Prime Minister of India Nehru’s own confession or per se. Under such circumstances, “Nagas were left with no other option but to defend themselves with arms.”
Similarly, the arbitrary geo-political division of Naga homeland into India and Burma draws attention to an instance wherein even the house of the ‘Angh” (Chief) of the Konyak Naga community was divided between India and Burma into two halves. Using colonial policies of divide and rule, the Naga country was further divided into the present states of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. In 1964, the Government of India was compelled to enter into a ceasefire agreement with the leaders of the Naga National Council only for India to unilaterally abrogate it in 1972. Later in 1975, the Government of India orchestrated an accord with a few handpicked pro-Indian Nagas and made them sign the infamous Shillong Accord that envisaged enforced mass surrender and acceptance of Indian suzerainty over the Nagas. The post 1975 saw a more resolute and resurgent spirit in the assertion for resistance and defence of the Naga Nation.
Given the nature and the intermittent continuance of the conflict between India and the Nagas for so many years and the various appeasement politics or policies that were rejected by the Nagas, a pragmatic initiative with the view of re-negotiating the fragile and political contentions was mooted as early as the late 1980’s through diplomatic innovations. In 1995 the then Prime Minister of India, Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao, met leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Mr. Isaac Chishi Swu and Mr. Th. Muivah in Paris, which, consequently, led to the announcement of a formal political negotiation and facilitation of peace process between the two nations by the succeeding Prime Minister of India, which was informed to the Indian Parliament on 4th March 1995. On 25th July 1997, the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim jointly announced a three months’ cease-fire which come into effect from 1st August 1997 under the following agreed principles:
1. That the talks would be unconditional;
2. That the talks would be at the highest level, i.e. at the Prime Ministerial level;
3. That the talks would be held in a third neutral country.
Here it may be worth mentioning, that although there has been no definite arrangement from the Indo-Naga political negotiation so far, yet a remarkable departure since the 1997-second Indo-Naga cease-fire is the writ of hope and anticipation amongst the Naga peoples after decades of war. The Nagas have taken the initiative of reaching out to the larger Indian public through a peoples’-to-peoples’ dialogue, wherein in the year 2000, a group of Nagas led by Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), visited New Delhi to share their stories of the struggles with the Indian civil society under the theme “Journey of conscience.” This journey continues both within India and the surrounding neighbours and also within the Naga country in reflection and retrospection. In response to this initiative, a group of Indian civil society consisting of former Parliamentarians, Jurists, Academicians, Writers and Journalists and mass-based social workers visited the Nagas and their land for the first time in the 55 years old Indo-Naga conflict, wherein they themselves admitted that Nagas are not Indians.
In the same spirit, during one of the Indo-Naga Peace talks which was held in Amsterdam at the Netherlands on 11th July 2002, the Government of India in writing – “acknowledged and recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas.”
Encouraged by this changed attitude and perception of India, the Collective Leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim accepted the invitation of the Government of India to visit New Delhi. Wide-ranging talks were held, not only with the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Defence Minister, but also with the leaders of all political parties during their visit from 9th January to 24th January 2003.
However till now, after more than 10 years of Ceasefire and political negotiations, and the resoluteness of the Naga leaders to work out a peaceful solution to the more than 60 years of political conflict, the Government of India continues to drag its feet for obvious reasons. It is in this context, that we are appealing the international community and more importantly, today the British Government through distinguished personalities like you present here, to positively live up to the expectations of the Naga people in general, who, even after all these years of sufferings, still look up to Great Britain to have its say to the problem – which; “India apparently claim only to have inherited from the Britishers”.



Frans on 12.12.07 @ 04:26 PM CST [link]



IM's olive branch to 'Unity Team Nagarealm.com



IM's olive branch to 'Unity Team Nagarealm.com

Dimapur, DEC10 [NNN] : After days of maintaining silence over the Niuland declaration, the NSCN-IM today said that the door is still kept open for Azheto Chophy and company to "come back to the mainstream".

NSCN-IM Kilo-Kilonser (home minister) Azheto Chophy and NSCN-K's external affairs minister C Singson had led in signing the declaration for unification of the two NSCN factions on November 23 at Niuland near Dimapur. "Twenty days is a long period for any revolutionary group to forbear the deliberate violation of the national code of conduct and policy, but for the spirit of patience in forming a wide-based unity process the NSCN/GPRN avoided going for any drastic action to discipline the wayword national workers.

The room is however still open for them to come back to the mainstream for no mistake shall be considered too big in the name of Naga unity," said the NSCN-IM note. It stated that under the prevailing situation "that is now disturbing" the conscience of every Naga the Biblical saying "Know ye the truth and the truth shall make you free" comes all the more relevant to set at rest the Naga people's conscience by knowing the truth of the ongoing turmoil that has erupted in the name of Naga unification and unfortunately taking the name of NSCN by breaking the rule and official code of conduct that binds all national workers.

"The initial move of Mr.Azheto Chophy, Kilo Kilonser and others was indicative of something against the honesty of approach towards initiating a genuine search for unity among the Nagas. Quite aware of the sinister move the NSCN was magnanimous enough to leave the space open for Azheto and his group to convince the Joint Council of NSCN on their proposals to form the basis of Naga Unification," said the NSCN-IM.

The outfit then asked that the story, however unpleasant it may be has to be unfolded in order the guide the Naga people to pass their judgment and to identify who is doing what in the name of Naga unification and what process are they adopting to establish their credibility before the Naga people and whether such process goes nothing sort of undermining the whole Nagas?. "The Nagas cannot be taken to be that naive to be hoodwink by propagating such high sounding agenda but which failed to find any reflection in the ground reality and the language that emanated from those persons behind the move.

The public, therefore, has to be enlighten on the truth of the situation and Naga unity is still the priority of the NSCN but on the basis of following the correct approach and never a backdoor policy that demean the national pride and against Nagas ethos," asserted the outfit. It also stated that with the honesty and sincerity of hammering out the basis for Naga unification the "Joint Council of NSCN requested Azheto and his group members to come and brief the house to prove their commitment and conviction in the matter of Naga unification".

During the Joint Council meeting that was held for as many as four times no positive response was forthcoming despite repeated calls, added the NSCN-IM. "Placed under such predicament the house expressed regret over the malicious attitude of the defectors taking advantage of the patience of the NSCN/GPRN. The house was also made to understand the response of those misled who are hell bent to bring down the repetition of the NSCN/GPRN under the firmed and principled leadership of Isak Chishi Swu, Khadao Yanthan and Th.

Muivah sensing the uncalled for approach of the said group the Yaruiwo's statement out-rightly rejected the move of the so called reconciliation and unity through the backdoor," continued the outfit while adding, "Significantly, the four Joint meetings of the Steering Committee, Council of Kilonsers, Tatars, Head of Department and Naga Army Authorities with the Collective Leadership Chaired by Qhevihe Chishi Swu, Convener, Steering Committee even endorse the Sumi National workers who were kept in the dark on the agenda of unity and reconciliation to mediate and convince the misled brethren to respect and follow the practical principled based on peace and reconciliation among all the Nagas". It said that the most alarming development that negates their agenda is the "secret message passed on to the members of certain community to desert their camp in (the outfit's) Council Headquarters (CHQ), General Headquarters (GHQ)with their arms and uniforms".

"This is conspiracy and conspiracy has no place in the Naga's search for unity and reconciliation. Collection and piling up of arms from the local arms and ammunition shops in Dimapur and adjoining place indicates no good will mission for unity. Formation of Western Sumi Youth Front with these arms in readiness is never a good sign for Naga unity interests. But this is the painful reality behind the move for Naga unity," disclosed the NSCN-IM.

The outfit then stated that in the name of Naga unity, the respected name of Yaruiwo (Prime Minister) Isak Chishi Swu is being repeatedly misused. "But Yaruiwo was upto his true image by passing a statement to clear the air of confusion wherein he mentioned that at no time he gave green signal to those self style team of the so called reconciliation and unity, and which carries no NSCN/GPRN stand of endorsement. For the same reason the Yaruiwo's name that appears along side Khaplang on yesterday's local papers dated 10th December 2007 bears no Isak Chishi Swu's knowledge and approval," added the NSCN-IM.

It further stated that given the situation where the NSCN-IM's name was misused by some of the "unauthorized persons the NSCN/GPRN" shall never deviate from the principle that has guided the nation for all these years, and will not be subject to the so called unification team that sought to bring unity on communal line and through such means 5that bears no semblance of peaceful desire for unity. "And anything that comes short of official scrutiny and endorsement shall not be acceptable under any circumstances. With the magnitude of Naga problem the process of Naga unity should be correct and must be endorsed by the NSCN/GPRN.

Not withstanding the short sightedness of the unification team the NSCN/GPRN will be welcoming any genuine proposal," stated the outfit. "NSCN's stands on unity is based on the moral principle that in the name of unification and reconciliation defectors cannot represent NSCN and therefore, unification cannot be processed through defectors. Obviously, NSCN cannot be a part of such illegal and immoral process that bears no national sanctity," concluded the NSCN-IM statement issued by its MIP tonight.

After the US, IM lands at England on its global drive Nagarealm.com
Dimapur, DEC11 [NNN] : After its United States of America leg last month, the NSCN-IM has, in quick succession landed in England embarking on a global campaign.

Steering Committee secretary of the NSCN-IM Rh Raising while highlighting the Naga issue at the House of Parliament, Westminster London on Dec 10, appealed to the British people to help in solving the vexed "Indo-Naga problem". Steering Committee is the highest decision making body of the NSCN-IM. Last, month another outfit leader VS Atem was in America for a high level lobby.

According to the MIP of the NSCN-IM, delivering a speech at the International Human Rights Day held at the House of Parliament, Westminster London yesterday, Rh Raising had expressed his resentment saying that perpetual extension of the terms of ceasefire on the pretext of commitment and assurances is clearly viewed as a ploy of the government of India to buy time in order to bury the peace process under the wrap of time. The NSCN-IM leader also stated that the "Divide and Rule" policy of the government of India has made Naga brothers and sisters foreigners in their own land.

"We look forward with renewed hope that the British in particular and the international communities in general would remember the oppressed Nagas and help solve the long drawn Indo-Naga problem," said Rh.Raising in the House of Parliament in London yesterday. Commencing his speech, the NSCN-IM leader said, "Respected Chairperson and honourable members present, I feel extremely honoured for giving me the opportunity to address this august house on the plight of the suppressed Naga people", according to the outfit's Ministry of Information and Publicity Raising mentioned that Nagalim is situated in the tri-junction of China on the north, India on the west and Burma on the south east with an area of about 120,000 sq km and a population of some four million people.

The Nagas have been living in their own country running their own government independently for thousands of years. At no point of time, have they ever been subjugated by any alien power. "It was in 1832 that the British colonial forces intruded into the Naga country. The Nagas put up strong resistance against the aggression for 48 years. The British forces ultimately occupied a portion of Nagalim leaving the rest as free as ever. However, the Nagas, in the British occupied area declared their independence on 14th Aug.

1947 and merged themselves with the free Nagas. The declaration was intimated to the United Nations and all embassies in Delhi," said the NSCN-IM leader while adding, "In 1950 the Indian Constituent Assembly invited the Nagas to join the Union of India, but it was rejected outright. The Nagas were not a party to the Union of Burma too. As government of India levelled wild allegations stating that the rejection of Union of India was the work of a few Naga leaders and not that of the people, a plebiscite was conducted on 16th May 1951 wherein 99.9% voted in favour of Sovereign Independent Nagalim. Consequently, Indian state invaded on Nagalim with an eye to imposing its will upon the Nagas, which resulted in horrible violation of human rights – massacre, mass rape, and mass detention in concentration camps, mass torture, and destruction of villages, granaries, educational institutions, relics, churches and so on," he asserted.

No peace without freedom, truth and justice- Nagaland Post Speech Raising
Respected Chairperson and honourable members present, I feel extremely honoured for giving me the opportunity to address this august house on the plight of the suppressed Naga people.
Nagalim is situated in the tri-junction of China on the north, India on the west and Burma on the south east with an area of about 120,000 sq km and a population of some four million people. The Nagas have been living in their own country running their own government independently for thousands of years. At no point of time, have they ever been subjugated by any alien power.
It was in 1832 that the British colonial forces intruded into the Naga country. The Nagas put up strong resistance against the aggression for 48 years. The British forces ultimately occupied a portion of Nagalim leaving the rest as free as ever. However, the Nagas, in the British occupied area declared their independence on 14th Aug. 1947 and merged themselves with the free Nagas. The declaration was intimated to the United Nations and all embassies in Delhi.
In 1950 the Indian Constituent Assembly invited the Nagas to join the Union of India, but it was rejected outright. The Nagas were not a party to the Union of Burma too. As government of India levelled wild allegations stating that the rejection of Union of India was the work of a few Naga leaders and not that of the people, a plebiscite was conducted on 16th May 1951 wherein 99.9% voted in favour of Sovereign Independent Nagalim. Consequently, Indian state invaded on Nagalim with an eye to imposing its will upon the Nagas, which resulted in horrible violation of human rights - massacre, mass rape, and mass detention in concentration camps, mass torture, and destruction of villages, granaries, educational institutions, relics, churches and so on.
We have been resisting the aggression of the Indian and Burmese states since the day one, because we know for sure that our national survival lies in resistance to the aggressors, never in submission to them. The government of India, with a view to dampening the spirit of Naga nationalism and physically dividing the Nagas, created the so-called Nagaland state embracing only one fourth of the Naga area. It was, however, rejected by the Naga people.
The Nagas have been placed to live in war situation for more than sixty years. Most of the Nagas of the present generation were born and brought up in horrible war situations. This war has, in fact, produced thousands of widows, orphans and childless parents in Nagalim. We resist this war because it has destroyed everything of us both material and spiritual. We know war never builds anything. This war of aggression must be uprooted so that there is peace and prosperity on earth. We really want peace and we are for peace. But we do not see the meaning of peace without freedom, truth and justice. Our stand is that our long cherished peace is to be founded on the solid ground of freedom, truth and justice, never on subjugation and capitulation.
The long history of the Naga national movement for independence bears witness to the fact that we have always believed in political solution and taken every opportunity to enter into dialogue with the government of India, but each time we have been betrayed by the Indian leaders with false promises and assurances. The Collective Leadership has explicitly made it clear to India that Nagas want to be friendly with India and resolve the issue on the basis of federal relation between India and Nagalim. India has not responded to any of the core proposals made by the Naga leaders despite holding 60 rounds of talks. Perpetual extension of the terms of ceasefire on the pretext of commitment and assurances is clearly viewed as a ploy of the government of India to buy time in order to bury the peace process under the wrap of time.
Nagas are forcibly divided into six parts and placed them in six different administrative units (Four in the Indian States and two in Burmese States). This kind of perpetual 'divide and rule' policy has made Naga brothers and sisters foreigners to each other in their own land. Since Nagas were politically divided, they should be politically united.
India's claim of inheriting Nagalim from the British is the greatest lie. If Nagalim were part of India, why did India invite the Nagas to join the Union of India? At no stage of history were Nagas under the rule of any Indian kings. The Nagas declared their independence on 14th August 1947, before India and Burma declared their independence. Ours is a case of invasion by India and Burma. The Nagas do not believe in forced marriage and forced union
Human memories are short, but the great events that shook the world in the 1st and 2nd world wars where Nagas were deeply involved, ever linger in their mind. 4000 Nagas were sent to France as labour corps in support of the British led-Allied Forces where a good number of them died in a distant shore. In the Second World War, the Naga people extended their fullest support to the Allied-forces. However, the international community has not done anything when the Naga people are in trouble. We look forward with renewed hope that the British in particular and the international communities in general would remember the oppressed Nagas to help solve the long drawn Indo-Naga problem.
MIP, GPRN/ NSCN (IM)
NPC, FGN unit laud unification move Nagarealm.com
DIMAPUR, DEC10 [NPN] : The Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC) and the FGN Chakhesang Region have welcomed the recent unification move initiated by the Western Sumi Hoho.
NPC chairman N Theyo and executive director Lhusi Haralu in a press release, said the unity move depicted a living demonstration for redeeming the long sufferings of the damaged Naga society in order to wipe out tears from every eye and pain from the heart of the Nagas. The NPC expressed the hope that the unification move would materialize to ensure the rights, privileges and equality in Naga society. It said the consent given towards the unification move by the three warring factions of NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K) and NNC and agreement for extension of inter-factional ceasefire for a period of six months, as proposed by the Joint Forum of GBs and DBs, were highly commendable as these would pave the way for mutual trust, forgiveness and goodwill. “Let us pray that this unity move reckons to be a symbol of healing touch,” NPC said.

In a separate press release, FGN Chakhesang Region said the unification by warring factions of NSCN (K) and NSCN (I-M) in Sumi Region, has given a ray of hope not only to Sumi region but all Nagas as well. It said this would help leave the ‘shameful and destructive path of bloodshed’ towards fulfilling the aspiration of the Nagas for peace and unity. FGN Chakhesang Region ‘midan Peyu’ KL Kronu in a press release also said FGN Chakhesang Region was committed to the Plebiscite of May 16, 1951, where “our forebears had pledged to uphold and defend Naga Sovereignty.” Further, Kronu said the FGN believed that when Nagas come together under the banner of the NNC, it would be a case of “each and every one coming to the mainstream of the Nation for a cause which we are bound to uphold.”
‘Armed conflict crippled Nagaland’ Rio receives National Human Rights & Duties Award The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 11 (MExN): While the ceasefire has provided a welcome respite, it is a reality that the Indo-Naga armed conflict with its human rights’ violation, has also strained the economy of Nagaland, seriously handicapping development, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said. Rio was conferred the National Human Rights & Duties Award by the Indian Institute of Human Rights in New Delhi at the 9th World Human Rights Congress, Human Rights Day, December 10.
“The five decades of active armed conflicts between the UGs and the Indian armed forces, the State had suffered heavily in terms of violation of human rights and in terms of loss of properties and thousands of precious lives. This armed conflict had also stressed out the economy of the State, seriously handicapping the developmental efforts of the Government” Rio told the Human Rights Congress. However, he added that there has been a ceasefire since 1997, which “has been holding good continuously for the last 10 years.”
Rio reiterated that rights are never absolute and rather, they are accompanied by duties or responsibilities, without which, rights can never be enjoyed in their true sense. Rights without a sense of responsibility and duty can only be anarchy, Rio reminded. “In such a situation, Democracy often turns into Mobocracy. Therefore, if we are to safeguard peace and order in the society, it is necessary that people are made to be equally aware of their duties, as much as they are aware of their rights” he said.
The chief minister exemplified the virtue: “During my recent visit to Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, I was informed that Turkey and some other European countries (that) recently broke away from Russia, had applied for membership of the European Union, and to enjoy the facilities of Euro. But the European Union did not grant them admission, until they improve to satisfactory level some of the critical development indicating, such as per capita income, crime rate, corruption and integrity level etc. I cite this as an example where duties come first before certain rights can be enjoyed.”
Within this context, Rio informed the congress of the suffering Nagas and their state. Elaborating the history of the Naga people, he said that prior to the advancement of the British in the middle of the 19th Century, the Nagas were known as ‘head hunters’, for their practice of taking the head of the vanquished enemy as a trophy. After their subjection by the British in the later part of the 19th Century, the Nagas embraced Christianity, and head-hunting became a thing of the past. “However, unfortunately for the Nagas, the British had kept the Nagas under different administrative set ups, by creating artificial geographical boundaries between them. Now, approximately 6 lakh Nagas, are in Myanmar, occupying about 75,000 sq km of territory, while more than 2 million Nagas are in India.
Even those who are in India are further divided in the four States of Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam” Rio said.
He told the Human Rights’ Congress of the now-increasing desire of the Nagas to remove these artificial administrative boundaries, and live together under one administrative dispensation. “In Nagaland, the State Assembly, the Naga Hoho, various NGOs, and civil societies have, on several occasions, expressed in unequivocal terms this desire for integration through several organizations and platforms. Although the (British) had divided us under different administrative units for their administrative convenience, nevertheless, they had recognized the uniqueness of the Nagas, their culture and history, and dealt with them as one ethnic group, under the generic name of ‘Nagas’” the chief Minister explained. He also enlightened the assembly the Inner Line regulation more popularly known as the ILP system, to safeguard and protect the Nagas’ culture and identity. However, “The (successive) Indian Government not only continued with the ILP, but introduced further protection measures, such as Article 371 (A) of the Constitution and RAP/PAP for the protection of the Naga culture and way of life.”
Nonetheless, after five decades of armed conflict, the ceasefire and the resultant peace process has given the people a welcome breather, enabling the government and the people to start moving away from the gun culture to work culture, he said. Rio further explained that the Nagaland Government came out with a new policy slogan “Peace for development and development for peace”, to drive home the point that peace and developments are inextricably linked, and inseparable. Through this, village communities, the NGOs, the civil society and the churches are now being emboldened to come out openly against all forms of killing, and to raise their voice in support of peace, he conveyed.
Rio explained that “the whole state is now agog with hope for a permanent peace” for, the Nagas desire an honorable settlement, acceptable to the people. “And I am happy to be a part of this positive process of transition” he acknowledged.
Sumis endorse “unification” move Merina Y. Chishi The Morung Express

Sumi public leaders from all districts at the Sumi emergency general public meet on Naga “unification” at the DDSC, Dimapur on December 11. (MExPix)
Dimapur | In a significant move aimed at affirming the recent initiative for unity of the various undergound factions, thousands of Sumis in a clear demonstration of mass support to the unification move converged at the DDSC Stadium Dimapur and resolved to support the ongoing “unification” move of the Naga underground factions under one banner.
“It is the desire of every Naga to have peace in our land and this desire is proposed to be materialized through like likeminded citizens of our land. The Sumi according support the “unification” process and also appeal to all the Nagas to support the unification,” stated the first resolution passed today through a voice-vote. The leaders, who spoke at the meeting, asserted that the “unification” move was not only for the Sumis but for the Nagas as a whole.
Reminding the people of the bloodshed that has taken place during the past decades, the leaders said that people must leave the past behind and look towards a better future for the Naga people. “The Sumi people wholly supports and repose confidence on current Naga unification proSumis endorse “unification” move
The Nagas and their Nation- Nagaland Post Speech Venuh
The Nagas are indigenous peoples, belonging to the Tibeto-Burman stock with an approximate 4 million in population and live along the tri-junction of Burma (Myanmar), China, and India. From time immemorial, they inhabit the land lying approximately between 92.5 E and 97.5 E longitudes and 23.5 N and 28.5 N latitudes, measuring about 1,20,000 sq. kilometers.
In 1832, Captains Francis Jenkins and R.B. Pemberton, entered the Naga country and led numerous "punitive" expeditions against the Nagas for their resistance which led to open confrontation till 1879 when a large area of the then Naga country was occupied and controlled by the then British-India. When the British left India in 1947, the tendered case of the Nagas to be left to them as an independent nation as hitherto enjoyed, was unattended, despite the fact that as early as 1929, the Naga Club submitted a Memorandum to the Simon Commission stating and requesting that they be excluded from the proposed 'political reforms' of British India, which arbitrarily generalized the Nagas as under India. The Naga representation clearly stated that "we should not be thrust to the mercy of the people who could not subjugate us". "Leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times when Britishers first found us" was the expressed will of the Nagas.
By 1946, the Naga Resistance movement evolved into the "Naga National Council," which, therein, federalized all the various Naga tribes. Under this "Council," the Nagas declared their independence on 14th August, 1947, and a "Plebiscite" was conducted on May 16, 1951, reaffirming our inherent rights as a people in which 99.9 percent voted for an independent Nagaland. The nascent Indian nation responded by proclaiming the Assam Maintenance of Public Order (Autonomous Districts) Act, of 1953 upon the Naga country. This was followed by the imposition of the Disturbed Areas Act in 1955. In 1956, India dispatched two Brigades of her military and the Naga country is ever since then under their martial clutch. Later in 1958, the Government of India imposed The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, under which any Non-Commissioned Officer and above are empowered with full legal immunity to "shoot and kill" any Naga on mere suspicion. In the wake of the imposition of these "draconian laws" and murderous homicidal mechanisms, the Nagas have been since then experiencing a "black and senseless period," to echo the then Prime Minister of India Nehru's own confession or per se. Under such circumstances, "Nagas were left with no other option but to defend themselves with arms."
Similarly, the arbitrary geo-political division of Naga homeland into India and Burma draws attention to an instance wherein even the house of the 'Angh" (Chief) of the Konyak Naga community was divided between India and Burma into two halves. Using colonial policies of divide and rule, the Naga country was further divided into the present states of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. In 1964, the Government of India was compelled to enter into a cease-fire agreement with the leaders of the Naga National Council only for India to unilaterally abrogate it in 1972. Later in 1975, after the Government of India orchestrated an accord with a few handpicked pro-Indian Nagas and made them sign the infamous Shillong Accord that envisaged enforced mass surrender and acceptance of Indian suzerainty over the Nagas. The post 1975 saw a more resolute and resurgent spirit in the assertion for resistance and defence of the Naga Nation.
Given the nature and the intermittent continuance of the conflict between India and Nagas for so many years and the various appeasement politics or policies that were rejected by the Nagas, a pragmatic initiative with the view of re-negotiating the fragile and political contentions was mooted as early as the late 1980's through diplomatic innovations. In 1995 the then Prime Minister of India, Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao, met leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Mr. Isac Chishi Swu and Mr. Th. Muivah in Paris, which, consequently, led to the announcement of a formal political negotiation and facilitation of peace process between the two nations by the succeeding Prime Minister of India, which was informed to the Indian Parliament on 4th March, 1995. On 25th July, 1997, the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim jointly announced a three months' cease-fire which come into effect from 1st August 1997 under the following agreed principles:
1. That the talks would be unconditional;
2. That the talks would be at the highest level, i.e. at the Prime Ministerial level;
3. That the talks would be held in a third neutral country.
Here it may be worth mentioning, that although there has been no definite arrangement from the Indo-Naga political negotiation so far, yet a remarkable departure since the 1997-second Indo-Naga cease-fire is the writ of hope and anticipation amongst the Naga peoples after decades of war. The Nagas have taken the initiative of reaching out to the larger Indian public through a peoples'-to-peoples' dialogue, wherein in the year 2000, a group of Nagas led by Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), visited New Delhi to share their stories of the struggles with the Indian civil society under the theme "Journey of conscience." This journey continues both within India and the surrounding neighbours and also within the Naga country in reflection and retrospection. In response to this initiative, a group of Indian civil society consisting of former Parliamentarians, Jurists, Academicians, Writers and Journalists and mass-based social workers visited the Nagas and their land for the first time in the 55 years old Indo-Naga conflict, wherein they themselves admitted that Nagas are not Indians.
In the same spirit, during one of the Indo-Naga Peace talks which was held in Amsterdam at the Netherlands on July 11, 2002, the Government of India in writing - "acknowledged and recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas."
Encouraged by this changed attitude and perception of India, the collective leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim accepted the invitation of the Government of India to visit New Delhi. Wide-ranging talks were held, not only with the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Defence Minister, but also with the leaders of all political parties during their visit from January 9 to January 24, 2003.
However till now, after more than 10 years of Ceasefire and political negotiations, and the resoluteness of the Naga leaders to work out a peaceful solution to the more than 60 years of political conflict, the Government of India continue to drag its feet for obvious reasons. It is in this context, that we are appealing the international community and more importantly, today the British Government through distinguished personalities like you present here, to positively live up to the expectations of the Naga people in general, who, even after all these years of sufferings, still look up to Great Britain to have its say to the problem - which; "India apparently claim only to have inherited from the Britishers".
"KUKNALIM" Dr. Neivetso Venuh, Secretary General, Naga peoples Movement for Human Rights
Raising knocks on Britain The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 11 (MExN): Secretary of the NSCN (IM) Steering Committee Rh. Raising has voiced out to the international community that the Collective Leadership had explicitly made it clear to India that Nagas want to be friendly with India and resolve the issue on the basis of federal relation between India and Nagalim. Raising, who was speaking at the International Human Rights Day held at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster London on December 10 however expressed regret that India has not responded to any of the core proposals made by the Naga leaders despite holding 60 rounds of talks. “Perpetual extension of the terms of ceasefire on the pretext of commitment and assurances is clearly viewed as a ploy of the government of India to buy time in order to bury the peace process under the wrap of time”, Raising told the international gathering while adding that the long history of the Naga national movement for independence was witness to the fact that Nagas have always believed in political solution and taken every opportunity to enter into dialogue with the government of India. “But each time we have been betrayed by the Indian leaders with false promises and assurances”, the NSCN (IM) leader said.
Drawing attention of the British law makers, the NSCN (IM) made a mention of Naga people’s contribution during the war and that “though human memories are short”, Nagas were deeply involved and that 4000 Nagas were sent to France as labour corps in support of the British led-Allied Forces where a good number of them died in a distant shore. “In the Second World War, the Naga people extended their fullest support to the Allied-forces. However, the international community has not done anything when the Naga people are in trouble, Raising lamented and said that the Nagas looked forward with renewed hope that the British in particular and the international communities in general would remember the oppressed Nagas to help solve the long drawn Indo-Naga problem”.
Pointing out that Nagas have been “placed to live in war situation for more than sixty years”, he said that most of the Nagas of the present generation were born and brought up in horrible war situations. “This war has, in fact, produced thousands of widows, orphans and childless parents in Nagalim. We resist this war because it has destroyed everything of us both material and spiritual”. Saying that “war never builds anything”, Raising pointed out that this war of aggression must be uprooted so that there is peace and prosperity on earth. Expressing the view that Nagas really want peace, he however said that Nagas “do not see the meaning of peace without freedom, truth and justice”. “Our stand is that our long cherished peace is to be founded on the solid ground of freedom, truth and justice, never on subjugation and capitulation”. Raising in his address also gave a brief but comprehensive update on the Naga issue while raising the point up front that Nagas have been living in their own country running their own government independently for thousands of years and that at no point of time, have they ever been subjugated by any alien power.
On the British colonial forces intruding into Naga country as early as in 1832, the NSCN (IM) leader mentioned that the Nagas put up strong resistance against the aggression for 48 years. Raising further informed the gathering that the Nagas, in the British occupied area declared their independence on August 14, 1947 and merged themselves with the free Nagas and that this declaration was intimated to the United Nations and all embassies in Delhi.
With regard to the Indian Constituent Assembly inviting the Nagas in 1950 to join the Union of India, Raising said that this was rejected outright and that the Nagas were also not a party to the Union of Burma. Stating that the government of India leveled wild allegations that the rejection of Union of India was the work of a few Naga leaders and not that of the people, the NSCN (IM) leader informed about the plebiscite conducted on May 16th 1951 pointing out that “99.9% voted in favour of Sovereign Independent Nagalim”. “Consequently, Indian state invaded on Nagalim with an eye to imposing its will upon the Nagas, which resulted in horrible violation of human rights – massacre, mass rape, and mass detention in concentration camps, mass torture, and destruction of villages, granaries, educational institutions, relics, churches and so on”, Raising informed while adding that Nagas have been resisting the aggression of the Indian and Burmese states since the day one, “because we know for sure that our national survival lies in resistance to the aggressors, never in submission to them”.
Raising said that the government of India, with a view to dampening the spirit of Naga nationalism and physically dividing the Nagas, created the so-called Nagaland state embracing only one fourth of the Naga area. “It was, however, rejected by the Naga people”, he said. The NSCN (IM) leader also informed that the Nagas were forcibly divided into six parts and placed them in six different administrative units (Four in the Indian States and two in Burmese States). “This kind of perpetual ‘divide and rule’ policy has made Naga brothers and sisters foreigners to each other in their own land. Since Nagas were politically divided, they should be politically united”, he said. On India’s claim of inheriting “Nagalim from the British”, Raising said that this is the “greatest lie”. “If Nagalim were part of India, why did India invite the Nagas to join the Union of India? At no stage of history were Nagas under the rule of any Indian kings. The Nagas declared their independence on 14th August 1947, before India and Burma declared their independence. Ours is a case of invasion by India and Burma. The Nagas do not believe in forced marriage and forced union”, he said.
The great drama of Naga politics- Nagaland Post
The great election of Nagaland is just around the corner. Political gurus, think-tanks and the public are doing the usual rounds of politicking. The main agenda is always centering around the future victor or victors. Political soothsayers talk about the collapse of the DAN government though they also have a critical list of the inadequacies of the opposition.
To give a very unprejudiced view of the last election is necessary, because, there has been a paradigm shift of policies and techniques applied by the NPF and the conglomerate in particular. The last election has been a successful amalgamation of different methods and strategies depicting that Naga politicking is also coming of age.
After a thorough sizing up of the degree of political consciousness among the Nagas in the last elections, the political strategists operated-their fool-proof plan and eventually succeeded in cornering the indomitable Congress govt. to humble submission.
So even this year , like all keen observers , I have been waiting for another novel strategy to unravel by the ruling govt. to pull the same tricks again but still no signs of it .Is the ruling govt. apprehensive to proclaim its programs because of their inability to fulfill their election promises made before? Or is the internal turmoil within the DAN stopping the strategist to weave the same magic? Was their earlier promises just momentary eye candy to grab votes? Being a democratic place, the citizens have the right to question the govt. whether they have delivered the goods to the Nagas as promised in their last election according to their illustrious election manifesto.
A dissection of the strategy and the election manifesto adopted by the concerned political parties is necessary.
(1) The first plan unfolded as a blow giving by the scathing attack on the infamous, "Bedrock of Naga society" authored by the man himself. Overnight he became a traitor, an opportunist who made the Himalayan blunder of selling Nagaland to India. This propaganda managed to fan the patriotic zeal of my father's generation and confuse the already perplexed younger generation. His credibility began to be questioned and public opinion swayed like the sword of Damocles. The man was crucified for using the freedom of thought and expression.
(2) Their next card was to grab the most burning need of Nagaland and use it to decorate their manifesto. True to anybody's guess, "The peace card" was heralded. A precise eulogy of Congress' misrule was exposed that was supposedly jeopardizing the peace train. The people desiring peace were irrationally ready to pay any price for the reward of peace and therefore hungrily embraced the party.
(3) Right behind the peace card, came the crucial and emotional card of "Greater Nagaland". History teaches us the efficacy of using ethnicity and territorial isssues caused by an emotional dress to get people's support. Our strategist also exploited this sensitive issue and shouted from the roof top, the new Naga dream of a "Greater Nagalim".
(4) The strategist had the brilliance of sending attractive feelers to the eastern Nagaland; sympathizing on their backwardness yet screaming of Congress' double standard from the sidelines.
(5) Moreover, Mr. Rio appeared in the sky like a Sun among the 'lesser stars'. The Nagas were ready to embrace a dynamic leader. His articulateness was a boon, savvy, educated and also media friendly. They used the media to get maximum publicity in all their programs, which applied to both young and the old. Rio proved to be the perfect ambassador for a dynamic Nagaland. Coming to the present scenario, history is repeating again. They have pulled out the skeleton of the 'Bedrock of Naga Soceity' again Naga style fatwa has been imposed on Dr. S.C Jamir, though not by them. However, this trick has become stale and reeks of cheap adulterated politics. All these development gives away their desperateness. So, now the Nagas should decide whether this govt. is legitimate to come to power the second time.
Focusing on the Congress of Nagaland, a complete facelift to their organization is necessary. An eloquent, practical manifesto is needed, for, it always seems as the best vote catcher. The media should be befriended; and understand to use their powerful medium to their advantage. Burning issues like HIV AIDS, saving nature and culture, IT, saving Dzukou, permanent border solutions, look east policy etc. are good to be included in their election manifesto. Indira Gandhi had the 'Garibi Hatao', BJP had the 'Hindutva Card' and the 'India is shining slogan'. UPA has the 'Aam Admi', Rio is having 'equi-closeness, greater Nagaland & permanent settlement of Naga issue'.
Then, what are the attractions of the Congress and other political parties?
Political parties vying for the hot seat should start marketing these programs and structure their election manifesto. Extreme focus in archaic campaigns and hushed politicking might boomerang adversely. Amongla N. Jamir Mokokchung.
WSH's effort for peace- Nagaland Post
Where are you when factional gun battle were reverberating and killing in the heart of Kohima town? Where were the Naga Hoho hiding when a fatwa against Alemtemshi Jamir IAS Officer of Nagaland Government was declared and issued by Manjpur Nagas. What crime has Alemtemshi Jamir committed in Nagaland? Where was the Naga Hoho hiding when Dr. Rev. Shishak was thrown out of Tangkhul community for apologizing for mistake committed? What do you mean by unification taking place under Sumi community (a single) is objectionable? What moral rights do Naga Hoho has to suppress the CIY for peace by Sumi's?
4. We Nagas have refused to join Indian union in (1929 & 1947) and for this we have paid heavy price. The blood spilling started in 1950 and after is till non-stop flowing. This we did by our forefathers and past leaders who had sacrificed their lives because of the truth. The truth is Nagas have not been subjugated at any point of time by any neighbour or distant nation either by conquest or by consent. After more than 50 years of blood shed, thanks to sensible and intelligentsia people of India that Government of India has come forward and admitted that Nagas issue is unique one and Nagas has right to live as separate equal entity. This is our point and cherished goal, but do we have right to split the union of sovereign India which is lawfully constituted by agreement and consent under the UN chatter of sovereign nation? It is absolutely hue that Nagas in Manipur are Nagas and will continue to be so, but the truth is they are a part of Indian union by consent and agreement during the declaration of Indian Independence in 1947 by refusing to join Naga movement for sovereignty during 1929-1958. We should claim whatever that is bound by law but should not claim that can not be uphold by rule of law. Even in 1964-66 talk by Lt. Kughato Sukhai with PM Emissary, there was no talk of Indian constitution. Why Nagas should now insist for revised edition of Indian constitution? India a sovereign nation will not be in a position of obligation to re-edit its constitution frame by law of sovereign nation. Isak and Muivah should give up this or otherwise give way for other leadership for which if it is to be believed, there is a talks that lsak will be replaced by either Q. Tuccu or Qhevihe Chishi and for which both of them are very busy and happy to shuttle between unification camp and Hebron with powerful backing of Manipur Nagas and some T.C.U. Member in NSCN (IM).
Hence, settlement of Indo-Naga issue is supreme goal of Nagas and integration issue comes later for settlement in its own time and the last but no least is whichever states/country he/she may be Naga National Workers should he treated with equal honour and respect without discrimination in free Nagaland after the final settlement with Government of India.
A lot of critical comments, expression of different thinking and views, and some outright rejection of the unity effort initiated by Westem Sumi Hoho recently in Niuland have been read in the daily news media. Many have failed to address the key issue of vexed Indo-Naga issue resolution but to all out assault for killing the still born baby that is unification of Naga waning factions of National workers. While it is a fact that everyone has a right to express his/her own perspective views and ideas, some critical comments and outright rejection of unification move seems too harsh loaded with baseless fantasies and tribalism of highest degree which requires clarification whatever available facts and evidence so that the matter is understood in right perspective and placed on record for the cause of Nagas' brighter future. Hence, in response to these critical comments and rejection of unity move spearheaded by Western Sumi Hoho, the following views and counterview has been put forward for the Naga people to ponder seriously. 1. Nagas have been fighting for free nation since 1947 till 1980. However since 1980, after NSCN split into two factions, Nagas has been wagging war against Nagas. Killing and bloodshed between factions has been daily affair since 1988 till 2007. But war between factions of Naga National Workers and killing non-stop between factions has been for the cause of integration of Nagas of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Burma. Countless round of talks with Government of India at Prime Minister level around the world and many Naga peace and reconciliation conclave has been held in Bangkok, New Delhi and Hebron (Nagaland) since 1997 for only integration of Naga people living in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Burma. Fratricidal killing is non-stop, killing of innocent people on suspicion, killing in the heart of town and villages where innocent youths and minor children are killed in the frenzy of factional cross fire. Even on most joyous and sacred Christmas Day, they gleefully killed our innocent, unsuspecting mothers and minor children by triggering bomb blast. These happened in the land of Nagaland for Christ for the integration of Nagas of 5(five) different places. Should not Nagas unite and stop this bloody integration war through unification?
2. The fear and Suspicion of some tribe and the memories of Revolutionary Government of Nagaland in 1968 rose by Abraham Lotha in his "Consensus still alludes road to unification" must not be left out without clarification with facts and evidences. Nagas were under the siege of Indian Military onslaught which necessitated negotiation with Government of India. India saw that only negotiations with Naga Nationalist Underground leaders could bring an end to genocide like civilian Nagas causalities in the hands of army. Hence, PM level talks between PM Indira Gandhi emissary and Lt. Kughato Sukhai Ato Kilonser of Revolutionary Government of Nagaland took to 6th round and was ready to sign an accord for giving Nagas self rule outside Indian Constitution except defence and currency with India. But a certain tribe vehemently opposed Sumi Leadership and refused to endorse the settlement and thus killed the accord, leading to mass surrender as well as arrest of many nationalists who refused to surrender and these were jailed in Nowgaon jail for more than 5 (five ) years.
This narrow, selfish nationalist in the name of tribalism and hatred of Sumi leadership was the main reason of disastrous collapse of negotiation which latter culminated to underground representative signing the Shillong accord 1975. Our only one House where we all live is burning and all are raising voices to stop it, then, who sparked the fire to burn our house? Yes, Naga history is alive, and fresh in the mind of people.
This time also because of unity effort by Western Sumi Hoho, there is a ramblings of ism raising its head, but whatever comes in this land of Nagaland for Christ, we Sumi's will stand for unity of Nagas of all shades and unification of Naga national groups for achieving a single goal spearheaded since 1929. For us Sumi's from 1st World War in France in 1917-18 to Naga Club 1920 to Simon Commission 1929 to Naga delegate meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in Delhi June 1947 to plebiscite 1951 to giving safe hiding and sojourn of our undisputed departed leader A. Z. Phizo (1956-58) at Pughoboto and funding of A.Z. Phizo's escape to London by contributing Rs. 35,000/- and bore the causality of heaviest Military brutality such as killing, torture, starvation death, raping of our beloved mothers and sisters by the Indian Army among Naga tribes. However, we believe that only God whom we worship and fear alone is the author of our nation in making. We commit our faith in Jesus Christ alone, to Him we submit and bow and for His kingdom and glory alone. We are not the master of any tribe. No tribe is superior to other or inferior to other among Nagas. There is no specified unit of measuring scale and consensus scale for national cause in making unity and peace. If one love truly his land, his people, his younger generation, then that is the beginning to give up, ism, hatred, greed, self pride, selfishness to give way for deeper reasoning, longing for reconciliation, need for unity, and finally unification for common goal.
3. Once again, Naga Hoho, as it used to, turned out to be the road block backed by Tangkhuls for unity move by Sumi community. I will therefore appeal to Sumi Hoho to cut off all relationship with Naga Hoho like ENPO. Naga Hoho scheme of plan is throw out TMPO and take South Nagalim (Manipur). The fact is ENPO is Naga Hohos creation. Will Nagas in Arunachal Pradesh and Burma join Nagalim minus ENPO? Where are you Naga Hoho? When factional gun battle was raging Zllnheboto town for months killing innocent people and children? When factional gun fire was burning and killing in the heart of Chakhesang villages?
N. K Swu Pughoboto town
Nagaland CM calls for initiating talks with Myanmar for peace in State (Re-issue) Gautam and Vibou Thai Indian Bews
Kohima, Dec 11 (ANI): India should initiate dialogue with rebel Naga leaders and Myanmar to ensure peace in Nagaland, according to Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio .
Various separatist groups in the State have been demanding a ‘Greater Nagaland’ comprising of the territory in India and contiguous areas in Myanmar inhabited by the Nagas.
Rio wants the Government of India to take up the issue with the Myanmar government. He said once the ceasefire is called, peace will prevail and India ’s “Look-East” Policy will benefit Nagaland, and the entire country.
The Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) is fighting for the rights of Nagas, particularly those on the Myanmar side of the border.
“The demarcation (the India-Myanmar border) we made without consulting the Naga people and even their villages were cut. Half of the buildings are in Myanmar and half in India . So it does not make any sense. There has to be some recognition given to the Nagas in Myanmar and only then peace and prosperity will be ensured,” said Rio .
Due to the differences, no infrastructure like road, healthcare or even schools have come up in the areas inhabited by Nagas in Myanmar Rio said.
The Central Government has held parleys with the rebel Naga groups many a time, but without any concrete results.
One of the Naga groups, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) has a key demand for creation of a new state combining all Naga dominated areas, which is opposed by other tribal groups. (ANI)
Body formed to push for right to self-determination Kashmir Media Service
Chandigarh, December 11 (KMS): The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and Dal Khalsa, have announced to form a joint body to wage struggle for common goals, including the right to self-determination.

A declaration issued at the end of a meeting held in Chandigarh said, “This body will make consistent and coordinated attempts to wage a determined and joint struggle to ensure that ethnic, religious and cultural minorities are able to maintain their distinct identity.” The declaration came at the end of daylong deliberations amongst activists and leaders from occupied Kashmir and Indian states of Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab on the occasion of the World Human Rights Day.

The Kashmir-Punjab coordination body will actively exchange and disseminate information of human rights violations and arrange for media exposure on a regular basis. We have also resolved to provide moral, legal and logistic support to each other”, a participant told media after the conference.

Several resolutions were also adopted at the meeting demanding the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir, Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab; signing of the Optional Protocol of Civil and Political Rights by India and allowing scrutiny by international forums; formulation of a mechanism to control state-sponsored mass violence against ethnic minorities; and the immediate withdrawal of immunities currently granted to Indian police, paramilitary forces and the military, including the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

Frans on 12.12.07 @ 04:09 PM CST [link]


Saturday, December 8th

No dull moment in Nagaland By M Rama Rao - Syndicate Features Asian Tribune



No dull moment in Nagaland By M Rama Rao - Syndicate Features Asian Tribune

With elections due in February, 2008, there is going to be no dull moment in Nagaland. Some even say it is killing season in the border state. An extremely high-profile political figure S.C.Jamir, former Chief Minister and currently Governor of Goa, was attacked while he was on his way to his hometown Mokukchung. Six remote-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were exploded as his 30-vehicle convoy drove past a culvert and there was an exchange of rifle fire between Mr Jamir's bodyguards and the attackers. That none of the attackers was injured or killed retains the mystery of their identity, giving free rein to allegations that it was the handiwork of the NSCN faction led by Issak Swu and T Muivah.
The NSCN (I-M) on its part has denied involvement in the attempt on Jamir's life and has dubbed it as a "stage managed affair" intended to generate sympathy wave in the run upto the elections. Yet its statement does reveal an apprehension -- that the threat perception generated prior to Mr Jamir's visit was intended to facilitate a full-scale police protective shield that would enable Jamir to conduct what it calls "free-wheeling movement to campaign during the forthcoming election in the state, expected in February, 2008". The statement dubbed the incident as an attempt by Jamir to ‘hoodwink the Nagas’ in order to serve his own election interest.
There were other incriminating factors that point to the NSCN (I-M) extreme discomfort over Jamir's presence in Nagaland at this juncture (he entered Nagaland by road via Assam instead of flying into Dimapur). One was the “Azha” -- a kind of Naga fiat -- issued on September 28 by the NSCN (IM) council of kilonsers against Jamir, and Alemtemshi, an IAS officer not to step on the soil of Nagaland. According to Ungma Senso Mongdang (USM) a rival political entity, the “Azha” is “in utter disregard and violation of the birth right and settled customary practice and norms of the Nagas”. The other is the publication of a pamphlet titled ‘16-Point Agreement-Bedrock of Naga Society’ considered to be Jamir’s defence of himself with regards to issues related to NSCN, and the ominous statement issued in Dimapur that the thing "be put at rest sooner than later” is being quoted a proof of intention of "putting Jamir to rest".
At the root is S.C. Jamir's unflinching adherence to the belief that Nagaland's future lies best with the rest of the people of India. He has always proudly proclaimed that he is Indian and would do all he could to keep the Nagas within the four walls of the Indian Constitution --something anathema to the NSCN (I-M) that is trying to fashion a new arrangement that is seen to be the slenderest of thread connecting the future "Nagalim" to the Constitution of India with most of the linkages hollowed out and practically rendered infructuous. For this Jamir has had to suffer four attempts on his life, the most serious being in Nagaland House in New Delhi when a bullet meant for his heart was stopped by something kept in his shirt pocket.
As it was to be expected the assassination attempt raised the political temperature to an immediate high and the Nagaland Congress Party was quick to demand the resignation of the Neiphiu Rio-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government and the imposition of President's Rule in advance of the February elections. Amalgamation of all Naga-inhabited areas on Nagaland's periphery is an emotive issue both within Nagaland and in the neighbouring states and when the BJP led NDA government appeared to suggest during the talks with the NSCN (I-M) that amalgamation was possible Manipur went up in flames, literally.
Something similar has happed to the NPCC. The Manipur Congress has been extremely agitated by the 10-point resolution adopted by NPCC at its Annual General Session held at Congress Bhavan, Kohima. The resolution decided to urge upon the Centre to implement in toto, Clause 13 of the 16 Point Agreement of 1960 calling for the integration of Naga contiguous areas. It pointed out that the integration clause had remained elusive and unfulfilled for the last forty seven years. “The NPCC resolves to urge upon the Government of India to implement the agreement in toto”.
The Congress led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) Government of Manipur denounced the resolution as "provocative". Communist Party of India, CPI, Manipur unit, a constituent of the SPF, pointed to the contrariness of the resolution when it said that the Centre will never heed to the move as the UPA is committed to safeguarding the existing state boundaries of the North-eastern states. The opposition Manipur Peoples' Party (MPP) urged both the AICC and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) to clarify the position, "failing which, MPP will take that the Congress has been playing a key role in breaching the boundaries of the NE region".
Politically, the NPCC resolution puts the Nagaland Congress on the same side of the fence as the NSCN (I-M) and that is where the S.C. Jamir incident takes a murky turn. He has been the Chief Minister of Nagaland for more than a dozen years and while his tenure had been marked by assaults by insurgents of several hues there was no doubt that he was firmly on the side of India. In fact the NSCN (I-M) accuses Jamir of creating and nurturing the rival NSCN led by Khaplang who belongs to Nagas from the Myanmar side of the border--a factor that feeds on a Greater Nagalim encompassing not just the contiguous Naga-inhabited areas within India but also those lying in Myanmar -- a potentially irritating factor that could undermine Indo-Myanmar relations at a time when China is wooing that country. Already Beijing is providing economic and military assistance to Yangon in return for military bases like for instance the electronic listening post it has set up on the Cocos Island in the Bay of Bengal.
DAN Chief Minister Rio has had his hands full trying to control dissidence within the ranks of the coalition. He inducted a member of the NPA constituent into his government to balance out the resignations and withdrawal of support by two Independent MLAs. The working president of the NPA resigned on health grounds. The current position in the State Assembly is that the DAN has a strength of 33 in a House of 55 after five members resigned from the House in protest against the policies of the DAN government. The coming elections, therefore, portend drastic changes.
Victory for Nagas Factions resolve to ceasefire for six months The Morung Express Karaibo Chawang
(From left) NNC General Secretary V Nagi, NSCN (IM) Kilonser Yanger Ponger, NSCN (K) Kilonser RM Lotha and Maj Chuba Ao of Unification Core Committee member signing the joint peace agreement on Friday. Also seen are Commissioner, TN Mannen and Convenor of the Joint Forum A. Taku Longkumer as witness. (MExPix)
Kohima | In a major and politically significant development, the three warring factions—NSCN (IM), NSCN (K), NNC and the newly formed Unification Core Committee—today formally agreed to “extend inter-factional ceasefire for a further period of six months as proposed by the Joint Forum of Nagaland GBs Federation and Nagaland DBs Association”.

The ceasefire agreement was made during a historic and commendable peace meeting, convened by the GBs Joint Forum today at the Red Cross Conference Hall, which was well represented by all the groups. Besides, resolving to ceasefire for six months, the factions also agreed to appreciate the initiative taken by the Joint Forum of GBs and DBs for stopping the senseless killing amongst the Nagas and to render support for further effort to bring real reconciliation to create peaceful atmosphere. It was also unanimously resolved to accept and pursue peace and unity move amongst all the different groups of the Nagas without any discrimination with regard to tribes or places and to organize the next meeting at the earliest to thrash out the differences on unity initiatives.
The peace resolution was jointly signed by NSCN (IM) Kilonser, Yanger Pongen, NNC General Secretary, Vizosielhou Nagi, NSCN (K) Kilonser, RM Lotha and newly formed Unification Core Committee member ‘Maj’ Chuba Ao. Besides Kilonser Yanger, the NSCN (IM) side was represented by its Steering Committee members, Venuzo Zholia, DT Lincoln, Lima Ao, Deputy Kilonser, Dr P Mor and CFMG member Zeneituo. The NNC besides its General Secretary, V. Nagi, included other members, Zasilhoubi, Zieseu and Youth Wing General Secretary, N Yanremo. The newly formed Unification Core Committee and NSCN (
K) was represented by Shikato Chishi, ‘Maj’ Chuba and RM Lotha. The resolution was signed with Rtd. Addl. Chief Secretary and Commissioner, TN Mannen as the witness. Convenor of the Joint Forum A. Taku Longkumer chaired the function while Lungrahei Herie was the session secretary. President Nagaland DB Association T Siyang Chang tendered the vote of thanks.
Five representatives each of GBs and DBs from all the districts of Nagaland state attended the meeting. Mannen, who spearheaded the meeting after signing of the peace treaty, termed it as a ‘historic’ one. He said that this was the first time the Joint Forum of GBs Federation and DBs Association managed to bring all the factions to one platform for a talk since they started the initiative to stop bloodshed and fratricidal killings amongst the warring factions of the Naga National workers groups. Mannen also added that the Joint Forum had taken time to bring all factions together, as the factional feud was a teething problem.
After the meeting there was an apparent bonhomie and camaraderie amongst the representatives of the different groups as they shook hands and filled the conference hall with laughter. They also shared lunch together provided by the GBs and DBs.
It may be mentioned here that the Joint Forum of the Nagaland GBs Federation and Nagaland DBs Association convened a meeting on June 6 last this year at the State Academy Hall and adopted a five points resolutions, which aimed at bringing cessation of factional fights amongst the warring groups.
Among the other important resolutions, was the call for ceasefire for periods of six months amongst all groups with immediate effect and if any factions refuse to abide with the appeal it resolved not to co-operate with that particular group. It was learnt that all groups accepted the resolutions in written, however, the factional clashes continued unabated despite of this resolutions and several cadres of both the factions had been killed.
However, today’s deliberation among the factions was seen as extremely positive and there is now hope generated that this latest development will help usher in a new era of peace and unity, after nearly two decades of fratricidal killings.
NBCC on unity drive The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 7 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has described the recent unification movement launched by the Western Sumi Hoho as a “positive step in the direction towards ultimate Naga unity”. “It is not a total one yet and the process might lack design, but any effort to bring people together and cease fighting is welcome”, stated a press note issued by NBCC General Secretary Rev. Zhabu Terhuja and Director, Peace Affairs Rev. Kari Longchar.
In this regard, the NBCC felt that “one particular tribe or one Church alone working for peace for all Nagas must not be despised” and cited examples of other countries where a few concerned individuals got together, prayed and sought God’s will and “wrought national reconciliation and peace”. As such, the NBCC urged every tribe to work towards ultimate peace in Nagaland “in their best level”. The NBCC also welcomed the “near unanimous view expressed so far by diverse public bodies that “unification must aim to bring all Naga tribes together whatever differences may have divided us”. The NBCC stated that it was its prayer that by “God’s grace and guided by Him we will begin to dismantle the obstacles blocking the path to our future.
Factions agree to pursue peace Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, DEC 7 (NPN): Efforts towards peace and reconciliation among various factions received another boost Friday at the meeting organized by the Joint Forum of GBs and DBs here at the Red Cross building.
Close on the heels of the recent unification process by armed cadres of both NSCN factions, representatives of the various Naga factions expressed appreciation to the efforts of the Joint Forum of GBs and DBs to stop senseless killings among Nagas and the need for a sincere direction in this regard.
This was among the four-point resolution adopted at the meeting organized by the Joint Forum of GBs and DBs with the various groups of Naga National Workers here at Red Cross building on Friday.
It was also resolved to express support for further efforts at bringing true reconciliation for creating a peaceful atmosphere.
It was also resolved to unanimously accept and pursue peace and unity move amongst all groups of the Nagas without any discrimination in the line of tribe or places.
All the participating groups also agreed to extend the inter-factional ceasefire as proposed by the Joint Forum for another six months.
It was also decided to organize the next meeting at the earliest to thrash out differences against initiative for unity.
The resolutions were made available to the media in the form of a joint press statement issued after the day-along meeting, signed by NSCN (I-M) kilonser Yanger Pongen, NNC general secretary Vizosielhou Nagi, NSCN (K) kilonser RM Lotha and NSCN Unification Core Committee ‘Maj’ N Chuba Ao, with additional chief secretary and commissioner, Nagaland, TN Mannen, as witness.
Hewoto’s plea on unity Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, DEC 7 (NPN): Parliamentary Secretary for CAWD, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Y. Hewoto Awomi Friday said the unification door must be opened to all community and not only to a particular community, in regard to the ongoing process for unification of the Nagas.
Addressing mediapersons here at his private residence, the parliamentary secretary called upon the leaders to identify the real meaning of unification and at the same time called for support from all tribes in the progress for unification.
He reiterated that killing among brethrens and differences among various communities could be reduced only when one knew the responsibility and true meaning of unification.
On the political front, Hewoto affirmed that NPF-led coalition would form the next government since the coalition had brought in much development and that the general public were witness to these developmental activities.
Whereas, the Congress leaders were “confused” and fighting among themselves, Hewoto said.
“The Congress is not ready for election, we have tasted them enough,” he said and added that leaders would only come back when they present themselves their true identity, sincerity and honesty.
Accusing the Congress leaders of creating differences in the society, the parliamentary secretary also said Congress was a mere puppet in the hands of the Centre. On the recent ambush on Goa Governor Dr. SC Jamir, Hewoto claimed “the ambush on S.C. Jamir was his own tactics, he used it too early, Jamir misfired,” while stating that “Nagas cannot be fooled.”
The parliamentary secretary also said the ministers and parliamentary secretaries who had resigned from the DAN government were “doubtful persons” and that their resignation had in fact “re-strengthened” the NPF party.
He further said that such legislators had betrayed the party, government and the people after completing their five-year term. On the coming assembly elections, Hewoto expressed his confidence of contesting on NPF ticket, but at the same time said he would contest even if the party ticket was not allocated to him.
ENNWA on Naga Unification The Morung Express
•Sir-The Eastern Nagas strongly support and appreciate the present unification move initiated by peace loving leaders from both the NSCN groups. Such a bold step would definitely and gradually pave way for peace and reconciliation amongst the Naga family and would put to an end bloodshed and fratricidal killings. Nagas would have been united had Th. Muivah and his Tangkhul followers respected and reciprocated the Nagas clarion call for reconciliation. It is becoming obvious as to who are the anti-unification and anti-peace elements, there cannot be any room for suspicion and apprehension on the ongoing unification effort, since it is the desire and aspiration of not only the National workers of different groups but of the Naga people as a whole.
However, quite unfortunate is the policy of certain underground section attempting to subjugate and derail the unification in order to perpetuate their satanic sway over the Nagas by further division of Nag a families.
The Eastern Nagas have had bitter experience with Th. Muivah and his ruthless communal ideologies for the last several decades, the ENNW A while extending fullest support to the unification of Nag as would express reservation should Th. Muivah and his gang are to be assimilated into the Naga’s fold. Our precaution should not be interpreted as unification on communal basis, rather to ensure durable and peaceful unification in the interest of the Nagas as whole and for the posterity to come.
The Nagas have realized of our failure to ‘nip in the bud’ the very seed of discord and bloodshed that has cost us thousands of precious lives and decades of enslavement but still it is never late to unify, reconcile and live as one family. It is our advice to the Nagas to be on guard against any inimical and anti-peace elements working tirelessly to disrupt the present process and as expected these elements are emerging from Th. Muivah’s gang.
Lt.Gen. (Rtd.).Mohpa Konyak , Chairman ENNWA
Capt.Yangsiba Sangtam , Vice Chairman, ENNWA
Muzeh Yimchunger , Secretary, ENNWA
Birth of Naga movement in Tuensang- Nagaland post
As per the Leangnyu village resolution
adopted on August 14' 1954, some more than give hundred (500) strong warriors at Y. Anner village (Valley) voted with voice vote to M. Lakhum Yimchunger to be the war leader. Therefore, all the scholars, educationist, historians, journalists, authors, bureaucrats, human rights, tribal elders, reverends, pastors, churches, association, Naga Hoho and all the elders of the state of Nagaland should wisely open you eyes and be clarified thereof:-
In fact as per the resolution adopted as stated above, the freedom for Naga independent was not started in the form of society or union or in false allegations, but it is through the conscious of war elders that it was form for the Naga independent through the bloodshed. So, why the people of Nagas are going in the wrong direction?
1. The first NNC meeting was held on July 25' 1954 at Tuensang town, in the meeting the important discussion was resolved to collect the NNC fund in which the collector in charge was given to M. Lakhum Yimchunger under Yimchunger region to mobilize fund rising. As per the meeting resolution, the fund was collected from (23) twenty three villages and the amount was handed over to Imkongmeren Ao, the vice president of NNC on July 31' 1954, only the NNC official setup in free Naga in the Tuensang area declared the 'Sovereign Republic Free Land Colony' in September 1954.
2. In the second round, A. Z. Phizo's intervention to Yimchunger land reached on August 8' 1954. He crossed the Huker village to Shiponger village and took rest overnight there. On the next day he proceeded to Sangmutong village and took rest overnight and from there he proceeded to Leangnyu village (under Khiamnyugan area) there he called for NNC meeting on August 14' 1954, where all the Tuenasang Free Area respective authorities gathered at Leangnyu village. In the meeting many important things were discussed and some resolutions resolved, but the very important issue that A.Z. Phizo appealed to Tuensang regional authorities was that the Kohima and Mokokchung area is under the clipped of Assam state. For which, said, Tuensang is free area and "they" (you should move the Naga independent movement, we ask to be taken under "Unclipped wings". And lead by your warriors, we will free from Indian Tyranny. He reputedly said, open the gate for (Kohima and Mokokchung) because Tuensang is only free to do any cause. Thereby, the NNC officially advocated that in order to stop bloodshed for the Naga independent one warrior village should be selected and they unanimously selected from Yimchunger land which is a warrior and courageous village and there is a strong and capable person by name M. Lakhum of Tsasher village, to which A.Z Phizo recorded for the same and he declared that M. Lakhum will be the war leader for Naga independent struggle.
3. However, a crucial question arose out of meeting that the bloodshed (war) the Tyranny Indian troops may turn the Tsasher village to more ashes and the bloodstained area (Yimchunger) will face a great tribulation and the name of Naga sovereignty. To which, A.Z. Phizo replied, exactly, in future this responsible village will be reward "city crown" and "victory and throne of crown" will be given in the first bloodstain area (tribe).
4. So, as per the resolution passed in August 14' 1954, M. Lakhum Yimchunger led in break out of war against Indian Tyranny. The war took place at four (4) different places at the same day/hour; the actually appointed date was fixed on March 25' 1955. but we did it before the actually appointed date, one day ahead of at March 24' 1955 at 6:30pm (that is the first Indo-Naga war took placed in the history of Naga independent movement) in the following places such as:- Huker village, Kiphire town, Shamatore town and Pang village.
M. Lakhum Yimchunger, War lord-cum president Naga National Council, Bloodshed No. 1
5. After war broke out in March 24' 1955. In the month of September 1955 and October 1955, above one lakh of Indian troops entered into the bloodstained area under Yimchunger region and charged as worse than animals and people fled to unknown places for there lives. Many people died out of starvation, many women and girls were raped to death and so many innocent public were tortured inhumanly and many death and many were captivated as prisoners. Under my command, we bravely fought against the Indian tyranny and hundreds and thousands of Indian army were killed by us with 40 number of action rifle, more than 40 number of cartridge and uncountable bows and arrows along with spears, daos, we had used during the war time.
6. Although, they (Indian troops) had used sophisticated weapons by (4) four battalions like 8th Assam Rifles Gurkha 9th Gurkha rifle/Rajput rifle. They had used 10 nos of cannon tops which is unlawful act according to United Nation universal human rights resolutions No. 10 on October 1948 at Naga army headquarter Haphu village (now which is called Longtoker village). This cannon tops killed two person spot died, namely Zhelo, age 70 and Throngkhiamla, age 40, this cannon tops were fixed and fired from Kuthur village to Naga army headquarter and drove away the Naga army headquarter, which is 30 km from Kuther village to Longtoker village in 1961. in fact, after the war broke out, the Huker village was attacked (3) three times consecutively Tsasher village (6) six time consecutively, follow by Y. Anner village, Shiponger village, Rururu village (2) two times attacked by Indian army.
7. Mobilization: For further mobilization in the first ever M. Lakhum Yimchunger took (40) forty soldier with full arms entered into Chakhesang area, as we reached the village called Phokomi and held there for a night and this Phokomi villagers questioned us as to why we were there, to which we answered them that we were there is to fight with Indian soldier, but at the hearing of this word, they resisted and ordered us to leave their land. And we moved to another place to educate them in fighting against Indian army. But the same manner as Phokomi the Naga brothers did not accept us and we moved from one place to another, wandering from North to South and east to west, no acceptance, no hospitality was found, but our hard labour did not go in vain since they had seen our arms and ammunition, our ability and smartness of Naga army. As a result, we returned to our land on January 8' 1956.
8. In the second round, we continually mobilized and assigned as "High command operation" and under the command of S. Thsanphu, Major general and Bumba brigadier, in this mobilization the war took place at Longsa village and Longkong village. Right after the war these two villages were burned down by Indian army successively. We could mobilize and enter into the province of Assam state via Amguri and penetrated up to Marani, Sorpathur and Bokajan. There we fought with Assamese and Indian army inside tea garden. From Bokajan we returned to Wokha and as we mobilized the Wokha area under Lotha region, there we proclaimed, "Naga people, arise and join us, fight for the freedom of Nagas".
9. From there we mobilized and entered into Angami area, in the mean time A.Z Phizo's wife and children were arrested by Indian government to retaliate against us. S. Thsanphu met A.Z Phizo and broke the news to him, adding that they would kill the enemy to protect his family, in which, Phizo replied, "certainly not, don't bring such battle sin to our land". Thereby, we left the remaining intervention. While returning we reached Kohima town and learned that India Assam Rifle are camped at Kohima. Therefore, S. Thsanphu wrote a warning letter to army camp and as soon as they (Indian army) received the warning letter, they emptied their camp. From Kohima we moved towards our home destination and while returning on the way, we fought with Indian army, as we attacked their camps and they counterpart attacked and imposed us, thus we killed numerous of Indian army and we hardly reached our Naga army headquarter.
10. In the third round, we constantly set out and mobilized to the side of Khimaniugan area, for chance to kill Indian army. On that day a big number of Indian army troops imposed us and there we fought big war and unfortunately Tomukam of Sangkhumkiu village was killed by Indian army. M. Lakhum took another group of Naga army in targeting to attack Indian forces at Pongro town, but failed to conquer due to inadequate ration and back support of Naga army, rather, one of our Naga soldiers Muzung, son of Lachim was killed by India army.
11. In the year 1970's during the reign of Hokishe Sema as the Chief Minister of Nagaland, he empowered the disturbed area act; the Indian army operation was so alarmed to flash out the Naga underground. During his government regime all the Indian government, administrators investigated and harsh the Naga army had event up to Naga army family.
12. The Indian army ceaselessly came to operation in all Yimchunger jungles/forest jurisdiction and got the Naga army and many surrendered to the Indians, even the innocent public denied as worse and there was no place to hide. Nevertheless, despite all these terrible situation, M. Lakhum and few of his comrades did not surrendered to the government of India. A few people remained as the "Fighter of Naga Freedom".
13. Proclamation of first Naga independent by A.Z. Phizo:- With the proclamation of Tuensang free area, the people of this area fought with the Indian soldiers along with the four battalions and top cannon. Several houses along with granaries were burned down into ashes in as many as three villages and the villagers chased out into the jungles. Many priceless traditional ornaments and other worthy things were also burned down, while many villagers died of hunger in the jungles. At the same time, girls were also raped to death and the boys beaten to death. Thus with the proclamation of Tuensang area free by A.Z Phizo, many lives and wealth were lost and the future of Tuensang free area eastern Nagas vision seemed lost in all corners. Such as the backwardness in the field of education, entry into government service and many youth lives had been spoiled by working for the nation led by A.Z Phizo, but A.Z. Phizo secretly signed the Shillong Accord in 1975 to his brother Keviyaly and went back to Delhi, leaving the people into darkness especially the "Tuensang free area people".
14. Thus we want to ask or pray to our almighty God and goddess and all the Naga leaders including intellectuals and philosophers as below:-
" Who will repay the live and wealth to the people of Tuensang free area (NHTA) prior to March 24' 1955 to 1964?
" Who will repay the jungle/forest burnt in this area for nearly nine years?
" Can we abolish the agreement signed on August 14' 1954, or who can rub that agreement for the freedom of Naga?
" For the cause of Naga freedom, many Naga armies had been formed by giving as many as arms and ammunitions, can that be abolished or rubbed by any one?
" As many as (500) five hundred strong warriors gathered at Y. Anner valley and selected M. Lakhum to lead the bloodshed with the Indians should be abolished or rubbed by anyone, which was held on October 9' 1954?
" As per the agreement on August 14' 1954, the first bloodshed with the Indian that areas should be declared as "City crown" when such name should be declared?
" As per the agreement of August 14' 1954, a particular tribe, can be given or called as "Victory the throne of crown" should be declared by which tribes the first bloodshed with Indian, so that agreement can be abolished or rubbed by any person or any manner?
" Those people who died in the war of "Haphu" now called as Longtokru village, where should this memorial stone be placed, where and when?
" Where a person interfere in this case and keeps mum on the statement as stated above, who knows very well, where was it hidden?
Therefore those leaders and national worker who had been surrendered to the mighty Indian for some reason and all those reason different faction for the cause of Naga independence are willingly waiting for your response and join under the banner of Naga National Council Bloodshed No. 1. Non-accord, non-violence, democracy manner, to strengthen for the upliftment and the future generation of our Naga nation as a freedom country.
M. Lakhum Yimchunger, War lord-cum president Naga National Council, Bloodshed No. 1
Chopper service in Nagaland Zee News
Kohima, Dec 08: A chopper service has been started in Nagaland to enhance tourism in the remote north-eastern state.

“Because of a lack of connectivity, it takes a lot of time by road to reach this place. With improved air connectivity, more and more tourists will visit Nagaland,” said Bhavesh Kumar, the Chief Vigilance Officer of Pawan Hans. Captain Sambhu, GM Operations, Pawan Hans Helicopters, added: “A lot of people will come over from the mainland, and if there is connectivity, people will travel to this place.”

The hilly terrain of the state poses an immense challenge as far as road and railway links are concerned. The State Government is trying to improve connectivity in order to invite more investors from outside. Lunana Patang, a tourist, said that since it is going to be introduced all over the state, it would be beneficial in the long run.

There is a fresh ray of hope after a gap of eighteen years as the aim is to give a fresh impetus to burgeoning trade and entrepreneurial activities in the state. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had flagged off the chopper service at the Assam Rifles helipad in Kohima. According to sources, a helicopter service, was available in the early 1990s, but was discontinued later. Nagaland is the fourth North Eastern state to have a chopper service after Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya. Bureau Report with ANI Inputs
India urged to act against Myanmar junta Indo Burma News
December 7, 2007: (Earth Times) New York, Human Rights Watch has urged India and other countries to take the lead in imposing a UN arms embargo and financial sanctions against the Myanmar junta for its crackdown on democracy activists. In a new report issued Friday, Human Rights Watch has called for greater international action, including by the UN Security Council, to press the Myanmar government to undertake major reforms.
It criticised the lack of action by countries with good relations and influence on Myanmar such as China, India, Russia, Thailand and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations members.
'It's time for the world to impose a UN arms embargo and financial sanctions, to hurt Burma's leaders until they make real changes,' said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
'Countries like China, India and Thailand have the responsibility to take action to help hold the generals accountable and to end this long nightmare of military repression.' Human Rights Watch said many more people were killed and detained in the government crackdown on monks and other protestors in Myanmar in September than the government has admitted.
Since then, the military regime has brought to bear the full force of its authoritarian apparatus to intimidate all opposition, hunting down protest leaders in night raids and defrocking monks, the report said. The 140-page report, 'Crackdown: Repression of the 2007 Popular Protests in Burma,' is based on more than 100 interviews with eyewitnesses in Myanmar and Thailand.
Human Rights Watch research determined that that the security forces shot into crowds using live ammunition and rubber bullets, beat marchers and monks before dragging them onto trucks, and arbitrarily detained thousands in official and unofficial places of detention.
In addition, many students and other civilians were killed, although without full and independent access to the country it is impossible to determine exact casualty figures.
'The crackdown in Burma is far from over,' said Adams. 'Harsh repression continues, and the government is still lying about the extent of the deaths and detentions.'
Human Rights Watch found that the crackdown was carried out in part by the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), a 'mass-based social welfare' organisation with more than 23 million members the Myanmar military is grooming to lead a future civilian government.


Frans on 12.08.07 @ 04:35 PM CST [link]


Friday, December 7th

Support to Isak-Muivah affirmed Nagaland Post



Support to Isak-Muivah affirmed Nagaland Post

DIMAPUR, DEC 6 (NPN): The Yimchungru (YMC), Pochury and Shepoumaramth regions of the NSCN (I-M) have reaffirmed their commitment to the collective leadership and the declaration of NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu on reconciliation, unity and peace.
Asserting to adhere to Swu’s declaration, the NSCN (I-M) YMC region in a press release issued by its CAO said that though the long-cherished dream of all Nagas for unity was a must, any move towards unification should be broad minded, sincere, honest and in proper manner in the interest of all Naga communities, and not through “backdoor policies.”
The NSCN (I-M) Pochury region in a press release issued by its CAO, K Atalu Chugho informed that the region members at a meeting held on December 3, condemned the “sectarian motive of unification spearheaded by the Western Sumi Hoho” and said “such divisive design, originated and aided from the external agencies, to further create fissures in the already fragmented Naga society should not be tolerated by every conscious Naga.”
The Pochury region however resolved to support genuine effort for wholesome unification of the entire Naga family by any organization under the “time-tested and able leadership” of Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah.
In a separate press statement, CAO, Shepoumaramth region NSCN (I-M), LD John said the region in a meeting held Thursday, while reaffirming that unification of Nagas was a must, however felt that any unification move should be broad-based and inclusive.
“The long Naga political struggle and hard earned peace should not be allowed to go in vain. It should be nourished and helped to bear fruit. For this to happen, we need understanding amongst ourselves. To bring more understanding, discrimination and hatred prevailing among the oganizations and societies should be removed,” the release added.
Rongmeis are part of Naga community’ The Morung Express

Rongmeis ladies dancing to their traditional beat during the inauguration of the Namgonlong Rongmei colony council hall, Dimapur. (MExPix)
Dimapur, December 6 (MExN): Reiterating that ‘Rongmeis are a part of Naga community’, Atomi Zhimomi, MLA today said that the DAN government is seriously looking into the issue of indigenous inhabitants status for the Rongmeis. “I have raised the issue with the chief minister and even as we speak, the matter is being discussed. We cannot give you a dead line but the issue will hopefully be resolved in the next few months.” He also added that, “The DAN government does not want to leave any tribe behind.”
Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the Namgonlong Rongmei colony council hall, Dimapur, Atomi said, “I am not here just to inaugurate the council hall but to show support and solidarity to the Rongmei community. The construction of this hall is a collective effort and the credit goes to you all too.” Atomi who had donated a sum for the construction of the newly inaugurated council hall said that the public should demand for collective development, “It is not possible for an MLA to consider only individual benefits, but it is a duty to look into collective development,” he said. He also lamented on the dark side of the so called ‘business hub’ of Dimapur, his constituency Dimapur I, saying that, “Behind the tall building and walls lies the lack of basic amenities. As an MLA I am trying to build on it but the time is less and the funds are also not sufficient.” He also added that all works carried out are done with transparency and accountability. Highlighting that the NPF party has a vision to develop not only Dimapur but the whole of Nagaland into ‘an Island blooming with flowers’, Atomi, in a promotional statement said, “We are able to do this because we are in the ruling party. We still need to do much more and for that, we need co-operation from you in the days ahead. If you continue to extend your support and we come back to power, there is nothing we can’t do.”
The young MLA reminded the people that when DAN came to power in 2002, people had little faith in its governance, “But we have proved them wrong and DAN government has done so much for its people in theses five years. Therefore we have the support of the Naga intellectuals, bureaucrats and people form the grass root level,” he said. Atomi hoped that the new council hall will be used for the welfare and benefit of the entire Rongmei community in Dimapur.
Hornbill festival grand finale today Chizokho Vero The Morung Express
Kisama | The week-long Hornbill Festival of Nagaland will conclude December 7, with the organizers is all set to organize a befitting function here at the Dancing Arena from 4:00 pm onwards with minister for Works & Housing and Tourism, Kaito Ayeh as the chief guest.
Smoking peace pipe: Smoking in various form was always treated as part of the Nagas’ tradition. A Naga elder smokes a traditional pipe at the ongoing Hornbill Festival at Kisama. The weeklong annual festival will come to an end for the year on Friday. (Pix/Pradeep Pareek)
The government has prepared a special programme to mark the wrapping up of the week-long festival in a traditional style, said K. Khekiye Sema, Commissioner & Secretary of Art & Culture and Tourism while talking to media persons. The minister will light a giant bonfire to mark the event. 16 smaller bonfires will also be lit in the arena for the performing cultural troupes.
Also, in recognition of the active participation of cultural troupes, the government will give away certificates, Christmas cakes and token cash awards of Rs.10,000 each to the troupes apart from serving light refreshment. He also said that the Hornbill National Rock Contest will also continue. The programme will conclude with a time of get-together for all revelers around the bonfire and mass singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, to be led by a reputed band. Meanwhile, pleased by the overwhelming response from locals as well as domestic and foreign tourists at the festival, Sema attributed the success of the festival to excellent teamwork and support and cooperation from all departments and the public.
He also admitted that this year’s festival has attracted an unprecedented number of visitors, adding that the inflow of both domestic and foreign tourists was amazing, more than double compared to the previous years.’ However, the figure is yet to be ascertained. He also disclosed that the government will continue to upgrade the festival.
India: Marching in step with Burma’s generals [Human Rights Features, HRDC] Nagarealm/com
It must have been a proud moment for India’s representative to the UN Human Rights Council, Ambassador Swashpawan Singh, when on 2 October 2007 he valiantly voted in favour of a resolution condemning Burma’s repression of pro-democracy protests and calling for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release. Then again, his courage lasted all of two hours.

Most Indian citizens feel that India owes the Burmese people an explanation for its long silence while monks were being shot and arbitrarily detained by the military government next door. Instead, the Indian Ambassador’s explanation took the form of a qualifying statement intended to soften his vote, clarifying, ‘“we regret that the text of the resolution adopted is not fully in conformity” with India’s stance for a “forward-looking, non-condemnatory” approach’.

September’s silence: predictable While India should be commended for voting in favour of the resolution rather than against it like China and Russia, it is hardly surprising that it has failed to meet the demands of Indian public opinion to pressure the Burmese military junta. After all, India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Murli Deora, himself witnessed protests in Burma’s streets when he signed a $150 million deal with the state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise in September 2007. The Shwe gas project is expected to yield between $12 billion and $17 billion for the Burmese government over a period of 20 years. With the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) spending over 40 percent of its annual budget on military expenses, the project is sure to provide the junta with plenty cash for its needs.

India’s own National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), established to investigate human rights issues, recently participated in the annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions where it expressed disagreement over a statement calling for Asia Pacific governments to negotiate with Myanmar to bring an end to human rights abuses. The Indian NHRC was outnumbered 16 to one. Clearly, even India’s supposedly autonomous institutions have chosen to echo the State’s apparent disregard of democratic struggles in the region.

The Indian government’s countenance in the last few months has paralleled its stance on Burma’s human rights abuses during the past 15 years. Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee defended military aid to Burma explaining: “We have strategic and economic interests to protect in Burma. It is up to the Burmese people to struggle for democracy, it is their issue.” These “interests” take the form of significant arms deals that are anything but neutral investments. In a December 2006 report entitled “Military Aid to Burma Fuels Abuses,” Human Rights Watch noted, “India’s Air Force chief, S. P. Tyagi, offered a multimillion dollar aid package to Burma’s military… This aid package includes counterinsurgency helicopters, avionics upgrades of Burma’s Russian- and Chinese-made fighter planes, and naval surveillance aircraft. This followed recent pledges in early November by then Indian Army chief of staff, General J. J. Singh, to help train Burmese troops in special warfare tactics.”

India’s about-face In the past, the world’s largest democracy’s relationship with Burma was not quite so hypocritical. Prime Minister Nehru and Burmese leader U Nu were said to be close friends and maintained cooperative relations between the two nations. After U Nu’s ouster by a coup d’état in 1962, he was given refuge in India. In 1988, during the pro-democracy uprising, thousands of political activists found refuge in India and received aid from the Rajiv Gandhi government. India supported the popularly elected National League for Democracy (NLD) and even bestowed upon Aung San Suu Kyi the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding.

India’s about-face took the form of a mid-1990s strategic policy of “pragmatic engagement” in which it warmed relations with the SPDC in order to gain a foothold on the region’s large oil and gas reserves. Indian defence analysts justified the move, claiming that by supporting the pro-democracy movement in the 1980s, China gained an economic and political stronghold in Burma. India cemented its new relationship with the military junta in 1994 by sending thousands of refugees back to Burma, where they suffered imprisonment and unfair military trials. So began India’s custom of placing ostensible geo-strategic interests over the Burmese desire for democracy.

Indian decision makers’ choice to engage with a government that commits arbitrary arrests, recruits child soldiers, and tortures pro-democracy activists is publicly justified by a number of military and economic interests. Foreign Minister Mukherjee made it clear that business interests take precedence over human rights when he firmly opposed any suggestion of economic sanctions in early October 2007, asserting, “Sanctions from the Security Council should be the last resort”. His buzzwords over the last month: engage, urge, and dialogue demonstrate that genuine economic pressure on India’s behalf is not an option when dealing with torturers next-door. Despite global pressure and Burma’s well-documented human rights abuses, General Singh had brazenly declared, "We value our growing military relations with Burma".

Indian army officials and politicians rationalise their collaboration with the dictatorial regime by noting that arms deals and donations keep India’s own northeast territories stable. Indeed, India recently offered to train Burmese Special Forces in counterinsurgency tactics. Cooperation between the two armies dates back to the time when India stopped demanding Aung San Suu Kyi’s release and completed a joint operation to squeeze Nagaland and Manipur insurgents out of base camps in Burma. The Burma Campaign UK writes, “There are serious concerns that once the regime has finished the crackdown on insurgents it will use the weaponry in its war against ethnic civilians”.

Weapons are not the only support provided by India. Its most recent contribution to the junta’s revenue is “a very happy development and augurs well for expanding the cooperation between two neighboring countries”. At least that was the feeling expressed by Mr. Deora after his approval of the oil exploration deal. The state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and the Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) are large investors in Burma, as is the privately owned Essar Group.

India’s growing energy needs, which are estimated to climb to 400 million standard cubic meters per day by 2025, significantly influence India’s foreign policy in Burma. As pointed out by the former secretary general of the Indian Chamber of Commerce: “India and not China should be getting this gas. It is vital for the economy of eastern India.” Competing with behemoth China for regional power, India continues to pump money into Burma by participating in joint projects like road construction and telecommunications, and even encouraging tourism between the two countries.

Shortsighted policy a mistake The allegedly realist dimensions of India’s policy cannot be ignored. India’s security concerns are real, as are its energy needs. Further, the half-hearted measures taken by the US and the EU are scarcely a benchmark for countries wishing to show support for democratic rights in Burma. Companies based in the US and the EU continue to operate in Burma, enriching the junta and negating the impact of sanctions imposed by their governments (see Human Rights Features – HRF/175/07). China and Thailand, non-democratic countries themselves, can scarcely be expected to issue determined calls for human rights and democracy in Burma.

Indian foreign policy pundits also privately argue that in the absence of a strong government in Myanmar, it will descend into fratricidal ethnic conflict with all the concomitant consequences for its neighbors. Despite having called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi in the last fortnight, the Pundits in South Block are not sure if her National League for Democracy can fill the political vacuum if the generals are out of the picture. New Delhi still hopes Ms. Suu Kyi and the generals can work together notwithstanding an earlier failed attempt by former chief of intelligence and prime minister Khin Nyunt. India is also not impressed with the leadership of the so-called Burmese exile groups, although it has allowed some of them to operate from India, where they mainly carry out publicity work.

India’s nightmare is that Burma will join the other unstable states on India’s frontiers. The refrain in the corridors of power is: Nepal and Sri Lanka are adequate worries, why add Burma to this list? Coupled with this is the long-term uncertainty of the situation in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and even the Maldives, which is adding to the grey hair of the exalted in New Delhi.

India needs to be less myopic and more cognisant of long-term gains that will accrue to it if there is a democratic government at the helm in Burma. Long-term political stability is a much better guarantor of India’s interests than a rapacious military government that governs on whim and rules by fear. Moreover, the moral high ground is nothing to scoff at. As India strives to make its mark as a responsible, reliable world power, it must know that extensive dealings with a military government will blot its copybook. When the SPDC finally folds and a representative government takes power, India might be stuck with a lot of explaining to do.
Two injured in Assam militant attack Special Correspondent The Hindu
Guwahati: Suspected militants of Black Widow — the anti-talk faction of the militant Dima Halam Daogah(DHD) — made an abortive attempt on the life of Dibendu Langthasa, son of senior Congress legislator and former minister Govinda Chandra Langthasa, in southern Assam’s North Cachar Hills district on Thursday. A police constable and a civilian driver were critically injured in the attack which occurred around 12: 30 p.m.
The police said that the militants fired on the convoy from vantage points on both sides of the hilly road at Sontilla while Dibendu Langthasa was on his way to Guwahati. An escort vehicle came in the line of firing resulting in bullet injuries to a constable and the driver of the vehicle. The injured constable Arun Sonowal and the driver Ritesh Boro were admitted to the Haflong Civil Hospital. The police said that despite his injuries the driver sped the vehicle to save other security personnel from being hit by militants’ fire.
Militants had earlier assassinated two sons of Mr G.C. Langthsa—Purnendu and Narmendu and abducted Nirmalendu. Dibendu Langthasa had as a Congress candidate contested from Mahur constituency in the just concluded North Cachar Hills District Council (NCHAC) elections. He, however, lost the election to Bokul Boro of the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP). Militants of Black Widow had assassinated Purnndu Langthsa, who was also the Chief Executive Member of the outgoing NCHAC, and the Congress candidate from Mahur, and his cousin Nindu Langthasa in June this year leading to postponement of the council polls. The Autonomus State Demand Committee and the BJP alliance has wrested the power from the ruling Congress by wining 21 seats while the Congress could win in only three and independents in three. The Congress attributed its defeat to militants’ attack on party candidates and threat. In May 2003, militants had gunned down another brother of Dibendu--Narmendu Langthasa in Halflong town.
Rebel turf falls, partially - Forces inch into UNLF-dominated Somtal KHELEN THOKCHOM The Telegraph
Somtal (near the Indo-Myanmar border), Dec. 6: The army has secured control of one-third of Somtal, a 1,000 square km tribal belt along the Indo-Myanmar border, after flushing out militants in the ongoing operation.
Two Assam Rifles battalions and an army battalion jointly launched Operation Somtal II under 26 Sector of the Assam Rifles on November 18 to flush out militants of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and its military wing, the Manipur Peoples Army. “We have been able to clear militants from 70 per cent of Somtal. Nine villages have been cleared and the rest would be secured in a fortnight,” operation commander Brig. Raymond Noronha told a group of visiting journalists at Zoupi, a frontline post nearly 170km from Imphal, yesterday.
He said the UNLF had been occupying the area for the past 15 years and the operation was launched to re-establish civil administration. There were only a few casualties on either side.
The commander said his troops killed four UNLF members while six of his jawans were wounded while removing IEDs laid by the militants. “Now we have reached Old Somtal village and within 15 days, we will be able to clear the whole of Somtal Salient of militants,” the brigadier said. This is the second operation launched by the security forces in this Kuki-dominated belt since last year. Operation Somtal I launched last year was abandoned because of the February Assembly elections, the monsoon as well as paucity of troops.
“The militants used three-inch mortars. We used the same weapon to fire back. But we exercise maximum restraint so that there is no civilian casualty or damage to property,” he said.
Brig. Noronha said the progress of the operation was slow because of the IEDs laid by militants along the road and forestland. The troops recovered and destroyed 115 IEDs since November 18. The army is using bulldozers to clear the IEDs on New Somtal Road which connects New Lazang, a border village, with Imphal-Moreh road. The brigadier said nearly 250 UNLF militants, active in the area, retreated towards the Indo-Myanmar border. “They did not fight back.”
He said the troops did not find any permanent rebel camp. He, however added that the UNLF had headquarters in New Lazang. “Important leaders of the UNLF are present at the headquarters,” he said. Brig. Noronha could not say whether the militants present at Somtal retreated to New Lazang or fled to some other place.
The security forces and Chandel district administration are planning to reopen the BDO’s office at Khengjoy later this month. Somtal Salient comes under Khengjoy block.
Arson stalls OIL activity - Denied package, Muttocks revolt OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Dibrugarh, Dec. 6: Another restive Assam community went the Adivasi way today, targeting Oil India Ltd property and blocking drilling operations in two districts for being denied a development package by the petroleum company. Activists of the All Assam Muttock Yuba Chatra Sanmelan set a Tata Sumo ablaze, damaged around a dozen oil tankers and beat up three OIL employees in the twin districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, police said.
The incidents occurred during the course of a 24-hour “oil blockade” to protest the Navaratna company’s reluctance to accede to the community’s demand for a Rs 100-crore development package for areas inhabited by the Muttocks. Like the Adivasis, who went on the rampage across Assam in the wake of a mob attack in Guwahati, the Muttocks have been hankering for Scheduled Tribe status. The series of attacks on OIL property began around 7.30am, when between 30 and 40 Muttock youths attacked parked oil tankers at Dikom in Dibrugarh district. “We saw some youths approaching us and they started throwing stones at our vehicles without warning. We had no option but to flee,” a tanker driver said.
Members of the youth organisation also set fire to a Tata Sumo at the Tengakhat oil-collecting station near Nandanban tea estate. The driver of the vehicle, Abdul Islam, said around 10 youths were involved in the attack. Islam and the five passengers barely escaped unhurt.
In the third incident of the day, OIL employees Bhuman Dutta, Diganta Goswami and Kamal Singh were attacked while at work in an installation in Lahowal. All three were admitted to Duliajan OIL Hospital with injuries. Muttock activists blocked OIL operations at Tengakhat, Bokpara, Udalguri, Ciringhulla, Makum, Gondhia, Barekuri, Dikom, Rajabari, Pulunga, Rangamati and Wilton. The police rounded up around 20 of them. They were in detention till late in the night and could be arrested, a senior official said.
The general secretary of the youth organisation, Mintu Borpatra, said the agitation would be intensified if the police did not free the detainees. On what was the trigger for the violence, he said “betrayal” by the OIL management had left the Muttocks frustrated. “OIL has betrayed the community not once but on numerous occasions. We have been repeatedly asking the company to do something for the socio-economic development of the people of the areas where it operates.”
The Muttock organisation announced a 36-hour blockade from 6am on December 27 if the company did not announce a development package by then.
OIL spokesman Phanindra Kumar Devachoudhury said his company filed an FIR at Tengakhat police station and spoke to senior officials of the administration about the need to rein in the Muttock activists. “An organisation might have some demands but that does not mean it has the right to attack our people and damage our property. We are taking this case very seriously.”
A source said employees of the company were reluctant to work night shifts for fear of more attacks.
Wungnaoshang hits back at rebel MLAs, Rishang The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 6: Wungnaoshang Keishing, Independent MLA representing Phungyar Assembly constituency has reacted fiercely to criticism from the dissident Congress MLAs over the supposed Opposition interference in the internal crisis in the state Congress, asserting that they have every right to speak their minds concerning the state government.

Wungnaoshang, addressing a press conference today at the state Assembly secretariat however clarified that the recent trip by Opposition MLAs belonging to the Hill Area Committee of the state Assembly to Delhi had nothing to do with Congress internal crisis, nor was it at anyone`s behest.

The HAC members had discussed the situation in the hill areas, and the problems faced by the hill people with the Central leaders, Wungnaoshang said. He however admitted that they had praised the initiatives taken by Ibobi Singh for the development of the hill areas.

`Eikhoidi apha mibu phei hairamba phattababu phatte hairamba adu khaktani` (`All we did was make it clear who is good and who is bad`), he asserted. `We have every right to do so, and no one can gainsay this,` he said.

Wungnaoshang went on to say that no other chief minister of Manipur has till now taken as much initiative for the development of the hills. There has been no other chief minister who has as much respect for the hill people as Ibobi, he said.

Wungnaosang reiterated that the MLAs from the hill areas were only doing their duty, and asserted that as MLAs, they had every right to make their opinions and concerns known, whether it concerns the state government or any other issue. Ibobi Singh is the chief minister not just for the Congress party, but for the state as a whole, he maintained.

He also attacked dissident MLA M Oken for his press statement issued yesterday, charging that the latter was biased against the Nagas, and acted as if he alone loved Manipur. If Oken genuinely wishes to save Manipur he should stop seeing particular peoples as enemies, and trying to alienate them, he warned.

Attacking the veteran Congress leader, Rishang Keishing as a troublemaker, he said Rishang was the actual leader of the dissident group and the others are only following him. This is no surprise, he asserted, maintaining that he is the one who has been fomenting the trouble.

Chauhan likely to visit Imphal Sunday; rebels to return home a day ahead The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 6: The campaign to replace chief minister, Okram Ibobi as chief minister by the rebel Congress MLAs who are now camping in New Delhi continues unabated despite the unexpected turn of events in which 10 opposition MLAs including the six sponsored by United Naga Council, UNC, professedly coming out in support of the chief minister. The rebels have in fact, seemingly succeeded in advancing another pawn on the political chessboard, predicted to cause another serious threat to the chief minister`s defence. At 11.15am this morning, the man projected as a possible replacement for Ibobi, Th Debendra met the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at his office room at the Parliament House. Although the details of what transpired are not known, the meeting presumably had to do with the campaign to remove Ibobi as Congress Legislature Party, CLP leader.

Interestingly, the rebel MLAs also met with the PM at 3.30pm again in his room in the Parliament House. Mayang Imphal legislator, Kh Ratan who was among those who met the PM said the latter gave them a patient hearing, claiming that the indications were encouraging for them, although the PM said nothing categorically on the fate of the Ibobi government.

Sources also said Lok Sabha MP from the Inner Manipur constituency, Dr T Meinya, was instrumental in arranging the second meeting. Promising further intensification of the political drama in the state, the AICC secretary in charge of Manipur, Prithvi Raj Chauhan indicated he may come to the state on Sunday.

One day ahead of his possible visit, the rebel MLAs now camping in New Delhi would also be returning to the state on Saturday.
It may be recalled that the ongoing Parliament session is scheduled to conclude on Friday.

While it is uncertain what the ultimate outcome of the tussle would be, the rebels now claiming 18 physically present in their camp, and two more likely to join in soon, are confident they cannot but succeed. The Congress commands an absolute majority in the state Assembly with 31 legislators, and if the claims of the rebels are true, they do command a comfortable majority in the CLP.

Under the circumstance, observers are of the opinion that they do have a very strong lever to influence even central Congress leadership to oblige their demand. "Even if they decide in desperation that they would leave the Congress and form another party, their act would not attract the anti-defection law" the observers said. Ahead of some crucial Assembly elections early next year, this would be a consequence the Congress would want to avoid under any circumstance, they added.

Two captive truck drivers rescued from KLA militants after gunfight The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Dec 6: Two truckers who had been detained in the custody of a Kuki militant group since December 2 were rescued safely by a strong team of the Thoubal district police commandos, from Seljang village, under Yairipok police station yesterday afternoon after a fierce encounter with Kuki militants.
The hijacked truck was also recovered intact at Nongpok Keithel Manbi on the bank of the Thoubal river.

Informing mediapersons of the incident during a press conference called at his office today, the SP, Thoubal, Th Radheshyam informed that reports had been received yesterday of the presence of many armed underground cadres and detention of some kidnapped persons in the areas of Nongpok Keithel Manbi, Bungbang Khullen, Kamuching, Itham, Saitang and Saijang villages.

In this connection, a strong team of the Thoubal police commandos was sent to Kamuching yesterday morning at around 8:30 am but found nothing in a search of the area.
The commandos were however informed by villagers of the presence of many armed UGs in the area of Itham and Saitong, and subsequently, four commando teams were sent to these areas, while another four commando teams were detailed at Nongpok Keithel Manbi for further search operations.

According to the SP, the first group came under heavy attack from well armed Kuki militants at a spot between Itham and Saitong Kuki villages, whereupon the second group of commandos, along with personnel of the 115th BSF posted at Moirangpurel rushed to their assistance and engaged the militants.

There were no casualties among the police and security forces personnel in the encounter, which lasted for an hour, the SP said. The militants later escaped taking advantage of the hilly terrain and thick jungle, he said. With additional reinforcements rushing to the area, massive search operations were carried out at Itham, Saitong and Saijang village in the course of which the truckers, namely Nongthombam Nanao, 24, of Kiyam Siphai Babu bazar, and his younger brother, N Robin, 19, were rescued from a house at Saijang at around 2:30 pm. The pair, it turned out, were being held for ransom by militants belonging to the Kuki Liberation Army, KLA, according to the SP. Acting on their revelations, further search operations for the missing truck were carried out in the Nongpok Keithel Manbi area and at around 3:30 pm, the hijacked truck was found abandoned, but emptied of its load among bushes at the river bank.

In the meantime, narrating their ordeal to the assembled mediapersons, the brothers disclosed that they were waylaid and abducted by the Kuki militants while returning from Guwahati on their truck, registration no MN01-6315 with a load of CGI sheets and tyres on December 2.

They disclosed that they had reached Mantripukhri on the outskirts of Imphal, and were taking a brief rest when they were accosted and hijacked by three persons at gunpoint. They said they were forced to drive on towards Imphal, and after passing through North AOC, Minuthong, Hatta, Wangkhei, Kongba, Irilbung, Ngariyan hills, and Yairipok Tulihal, they finally ended up near the Dolaithabi dam site
There, they were blindfolded and taken on foot to a place in the nearby hills, though they were brought down to a plain area for their daily meals. They also said there was no harassment from the side of the militants, who, they also learned had contacted their truck owner for payment of ransom.

The SP, Thoubal, in the meantime, has conveyed gratitude to the personnel of the 115 bn BSF for their full support to the district police in the operations yesterday. He said the Kuki militants were armed with lethal weapons and used lethode bombs, M16 and G-3 rifles in the encounter yesterday.
The police on their side expended some 700 rounds of ammunition in the gunbattle, he said. He also informed that the rescued truck drivers will be handed over to their families after taking their statements.
Indo-Burma border trade mired in controversy Indo Burma News (Khonumthung News) To break the monopoly of a trade union in Mizoram in transporting goods from Burma to India's northeast state, locals in Zokhawthar village halted a procession of trucks heading to pick up cargo from the neighbouring country. On December 4, the trade union based in Champhai district in Mizoram despatched 60 trucks to Tio stream to pick up goods from Burma stacked on the Indo-Burma border trade road No (2) despite the Champhai District Council having issued an order banning import of goods from Burma for two months from November 19. However, locals from Zokhawthar in Mizoram state who have been demanding the rights to transport goods from Burma to Mizoram in India stopped the trucks. Zokhawthar locals are not allowing any trucks to cross Zokhawthar to Tio.
The police and members of Youth Mizo Association (YMA) from Champhai rushed to the Zokhawthar to resolve the problem between the locals and trade union members.
Yesterday, the police, YMA members and Zokhawthar locals held a meeting to discuss the right to transport goods, but apparently, the issue has not been resolved.
"There is no agreement yet from yesterday's meeting. We will continue the meeting today", a local in Zokhawthar said. Impatient traders from Burma have hired carriers at high costs and are smuggling the goods from Tio to Aizawl. "Instead of losing their investment by keeping the goods for such a long period on the border, some traders are trying alternative means to smuggle their cargo to Aizawl. I think, most of the goods have already been transported through foot paths to Champhai", said a trader from Burma in Aizawl. A local who attended the meeting in Zokhawthar said there is a hint to lift the ban on transporting goods from Burma to Mizoram, "The situation will continue like this for this week, but I don't think the ban will carry on for two months as stipulated".
The trade union from Champhai district charges Rs. 2,000 from passenger buses but the charges they collect from trucks that transport goods on the 29 kilometre stretch from Tio to Champhai road ranges between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000.

Frans on 12.07.07 @ 11:31 AM CST [link]


Thursday, December 6th

PEACE: Need of the Hour CNBC reaches out to Nagas outside Nagaland The Morung Express Longrangty Longchar



PEACE: Need of the Hour CNBC reaches out to Nagas outside Nagaland The Morung Express Longrangty Longchar
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Rev Nuh and Rio’s wife Kaisa Rio, during the unveiling of the monolith of the Naga Restoration Cord of CNBC, at Toulazouma village, Dimapur on December 5. (MExPix)
Dimapur | Reaching out to the Nagas living beyond the borders of Nagaland state, appealing for bonds of brotherhood and oneness in Christianity and renewing the call of unity among the Nagas, the Council of Naga Baptist Churches today inaugurated the ‘Naga Restoration Cord’ at Toulazouma village here today with state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as the chief guest.
Drawing inspiration from Isaiah chapter 54 in the Bible, (Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch out its curtains wide, do not hold back lengthen your cord, strengthen your stakes) the Restoration Cord, as conceived by the CNBC, envisages inviting Nagas living in Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh and even in Myanmar to come and stay in Toulazuma village under the care of CNBC and receive education and other trainings.
“The aims and objects of the NRC is to extend Christian love and humanitarian services to help restore life from the breakdown of social fabric, to develop the untapped talents and potentials of young people, facilitate common concern for human rights and dignity, peace and justice,” said Rev L Bizo, president of CNBC in a handout that explained the Restoration Cord.
Rev Bizo said that the need of the hour is not violence and bloodshed but restoring peace and reconciliation; not mutual suspicion or prejudice and hatred, but mutual understanding, thinking and reasoning. “It is not reaction and rejoinders but interaction and repentance, not recrimination but restoration. We do not propose to do everything but if the journey of a thousand miles begin with the first step, then this is one step in that direction, and it is a hopeful beginning,” said Rev Bizo.
Today’s inauguration, as one sees it, would be a step to bringing spiritual unity among the Nagas, who are today divided by political boundaries that placed them not only in different states but also in different countries.
“We feel that we are not divided we feel that we are under one administration,” said ENSA president Michael Khaite while speaking at the inauguration. He thanked the CNBC, especially the so-called “western Nagas,” for accepting the Nagas living in Myanmar and taking the initiative to reach out to them and educate them by way of renewing the bond of Naga brotherhood.
He said that though the Nagas are divided into two countries, India and Myanmar, yet the “eastern Nagas” never think that Nagas are divided. Khaite requested Toulazouma villagers to take care of the “eastern Nagas” who would be staying in the Restoration Cord receiving education and other trainings, and categorically requested the people not to refer to the “eastern Nagas” as ‘Myanmarese Nagas.’
Chief Minister, Nephiu Rio, speaking at the function, asserted that there is an increasing desire amongst the Nagas to remove these artificial geographical boundaries, and live together under one administrative dispensation. He said that the Nagas in the present state of Nagaland has advanced and progressed socially, educationally and economically; however, he pointed out that this should not make the people in Nagaland to forget about the other Naga people in other states.
His words gain significance, since the Nagaland State Assembly has passed four resolution in the past endorsing the demand to integrate the Naga areas in different states to be brought under the present state of Nagaland. Civil societies like the Naga Hoho other NGOs and even the underground faction are demanding the integration of the Naga areas; a demand which cannot be fulfilled due to strong opposition by the neighboring states of Nagaland and also the growing feeling of tribalism among the Naga people.
Strongly lamenting that some Nagas resort to violence and killing despite the call for peace and reconciliation by the Naga masses, Rio asked, “Why are the Nagas finding so much problems in forging that oneness or unity? “Apart from our oneness in Christ, are we not all related through the ethnic Naga blood? Are we going to sacrifice the Naga nationalism and unity (for which we have struggled for many decades), at the alter of tribalism and selfish divisiveness,” Rio questioned and asserted that to push forward and sustain the Naga movement is to sustain the struggle for integrity, the foremost requirement is unity.
“The time has come for us now to raise up the banner of peace by forsaking the path of hatred, misunderstanding, suspicion and narrow tribalism,” said Rio and at the same time assured that the efforts put in by the CNBC to bring the Naga people together for better understanding and harmony would not go in vain but bear fruit in the days and years to come.
The PRO of CNBC, Adahe Neli, informed that those people will to stay Restoration Cord would have to fill up a form issued by the CNBC and have to be recommended by the ‘convention’ that is in the different states. Already 12 students are there in the Restoration Cord; who are sent to secular colleges during day time and given spiritual training through bible study, singing etc.
Rev L Bizo also expressed hope that the Cord would be equipped with study and research programme facilities in the near future.
‘Unity drive not linked to State politics’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 5 (MExN): Refuting the several political permutations been speculated following the recent ‘unity’ drive initiated under the aegis of the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH), convener of Council of Kilonsers, NSCN (K) AZ Jami has appealed not to ‘mix’ State politics with “national sovereignty.” Jami in a press note received here stated that the recent unity drive at Nuiland had nothing to do with either bringing KL Chishi to the chief-ministership in the coming Assembly Elections nor was it to grab lands in the Intangki Reserved Forest.
Jami also refuted speculations that the Angamis “are playing to retain Neiphiu Rio as Chief Minister of Nagaland…or the Aos playing to bring either Imkong or SC Jamir to the post of Chief Minister of Nagaland”.
Terming all these permutations as a big “no”, Jami appealed that one should not mix State politics with the goal of “national sovereignty” while adding that the question of chief minister is the responsibility of the State legislators and that after elections, the majority party will themselves elect their leader to be the chief minister. “Let it be KL Chishi or Neiphiu Rio or Shurhozelie or Imkong or SC Jamir or Chingwang Konyak”, Jami stated.
Expressing regret, the NSCN (K) Kilonser stated that some “Nagas are suspecting the Sumis in one way or the other” and termed this as an unhealthy development. Defending the recent unity drive of the WSH, Jami stated that Sumis had been more or less equally divided in the two NSCN factions and that the Nagas from every corner have been accusing and criticizing the Sumis in one way or the other or at one point or the other for not being able to unite the two factions of NSCN because of them. “The Sumis, as I assume have been tired of receiving such accusations and criticisms”, Jami stated adding that this time they have “taken up life and death venture risking their lives and welfare” and regretted that now ‘some Nagas are suspecting the Sumis.’
Giving a historical perspective, Jami pointed out that in the later part of 1968, most of the Sumis isolated themselves from the FGN/NNC and formed the so-called Revolutionary Government of Nagaland (RGN) but that the Sumis alone could not to anything and so they surrendered to the Indian government in 1972.
Stating that the remaining Nagas tried to carry on the movement even without the Sumis, Jami questioned: “But what could the other Nagas do without the Sumis?” “They could do nothing rather the leaders of other Nagas signed the infamous Shillong Accord in 1975. This was no other than surrender accord”, Jami stated.
As such the NSCN (K) Kilonser advised that “our past mistakes and failure should be our guide and master”. “Division means defeat and unity means victory. Now the leaders of different factions of Naga national workers should humble themselves and seek the unity and reconciliation with humility”, Jami suggested. In this regard, Jami pointed out that when the unity and reconciliation move was initiated in 2000 by the Sumis and Konyaks, he had declared in the NSCN (IM) Council meeting that if at all unity could be brought about, he would be the first man to step down to accommodate others in other factions. Jami also disclosed on what General Khole of PAN says that “if at all unity comes, I will go on retirement and give chance to younger people”.
Jami suggested that instead of “murmur and talk of this or that”, Nagas should plunge wholly into the unity process without any reservation adding that in “unity lies peace, pleasure, strength and goodwill”. Jami urged Naga intellectuals to exert their influence to the unity process in order to heal the land from bloodshed and cautioned to beware f the Indian intelligentsia pointing out that they may be playing “different subtle games to sabotage the unity move”. The NSCN (K) Kilonser also stated that Nagas do not want any more widows and orphans through useless armed clashes between brothers and reminded that if one comes across a helpless widow or children orphaned by the killing of their fathers in fratricidal fighting’s, one would certainly be overwhelmed with emotion and sympathy if one had a human heart.
Nagaland town rises from ashes Rahul Karmakar HINDUSTAN Times


Mokokchung has risen from the ashes to claim its place on India’s trade map in 13 years. The town’s commercial hub was set ablaze in December 1994 by the army in retaliation to a rebel ambush that killed a colonel. But today, Mokokchung is an important point in India’s trade with Myanmar.
Former MLA R Lisen Ao shudders recalling Mokokchung’s “trial by fire”, but he, like others in the town, would rather dwell on the “brighter side” of this 117-year-old town. More so, because it is the golden jubilee year of Mokokchung district. The district was carved out of the centrally-administered Naga Hills Tuensang Area on December 1, 1957.
Dominated by the Ao tribe, Mokokchung was the launch pad for Baptists in the Northeast. Christianity entered Nagaland through Mokokchung in 1872, but it was not until 1937 that the first Baptist church was established here.
“The church here organised the first Christian Naga marriage, triggering a craze for western fashion in Nagaland,” Ao said.
Most of Nagaland’s top officers and politicians are products of schools here. The town also became a centre of the Naga nationhood movement with A.Z. Phizo and Imkongmeren laying the foundation for sovereignty that the NSCN championed later.
If the district had given birth to Naga militancy, it also resisted militants “who cross the line”. In August 2003, residents of Mokokchung revolted against “overbearing” NSCN (Khaplang) members and flushed them out.
Neither faction of the NSCN, the other being the Isak-Muivah faction, has been able to gain a toehold here. “Mokokchung is returning to its old glory,” said former district magistrate Imkongtemsu Ao.
Lyngdoh plays to the gallery OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Children in traditional attire at the Hornbill Festival in Kohima on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Kohima, Dec. 5: The ongoing Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage village in Kisama near Kohima entered the fifth day today with a special attraction. Meghalaya minister for higher and technical education R.G. Lyngdoh not only graced the festival as the chief guest, but also entertained the crowd.
The special attraction of the festival on the fifth day was the performance by Lyngdoh. The minister entertained the gathering by playing the didgerido — an Australian Aboriginal wind instrument. Brazilian artiste Rosier Vlelra de Souza, participating in the Rock segment of the festival as a judge, accompanied Lyngdoh.
The minister appreciated the endeavours of the government of Nagaland for organising the festival, which allowed the northeastern states to showcase their rich culture and heritage. The festival is also a forum to garner unity among the states.
The other highlights of the fifth day’s programmes included performances by Sangtam, Sumi, Zeliang, Lotha, Khiamnuiungan, Kuki, Rengma and Chakhesang cultural troupes. The Assam Rifles presented a Bhangra dance.
In the afternoon, Konyak, Ao, Kachari, Angami, Pochury, Chang, Yimchunger, Phom and Sangtam groups presented cultural items. Ted Osius of the US embassy and US consul-general Henry V. Jardine are currently in Nagaland to attend the Hornbill Festival. “Our main motive to come here is to get more familiar with the people,” Jardine said.
CVC demands apology from NSCN (K) Tisary Region Secy NSCN (K) Tisary Region demands clarification The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 5 (MExN): The Chomi Village Council today declared that the press statement issued by the secretary Tisary Region NSCN (K), R. Kiusangthong as totally unwanted and asked Kiusangthong to tender his apology to the Chomi Village Council at the earliest.
A press statement issued by the CVC Chairman, Kiusumong and Head GB Tomuku, while strong condemning the press statement issued by the Secretary of NSCN (K) Tisary Region that appeared in the local dailies on October 5 and 24 last; said that it is only to bring bad image to Chomi Village, which is purely a Yimchunger village with no other tribe existing in the village.
“The claim made by him is totally betrayal of the Village. We are Yimchunger by Blood, Word and Deed. Hence forth, his claim is null and void,” said the Village Council.
The release also asserted that Chomi Village is the largest Village under Pungro Sub-Division, which purely falls under Yimchunger Region NSCN (K).
However, the release said that the Chomi Village Council does not posses the slightest knowledge of R Kiusangthong joining any faction and therefore, condemned the claims of Kiusangthong.
“The Chomi Village Council on behalf of all bonafide citizens condemn his treacherous claim, and further ask Shri. R. Kiusangthong to tender his apology to the Chomi Village Council at the earliest,” stated the release.
Furthermore, the release appealed to the Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC), the apex body of Yimchunger Tribe to consider this clarification of CVC as genuine and factual and the claims made by R Kiusangthong Secretary Tisary Region NSCN (K) is to be treated as totally baseless.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of NSCN (K) Tisary Region today expressed shock at how ‘Captain Tsapise Sangtam’ took the name of the Region in a press statement issued on November 30 that appeared in a local daily and therefore demanded a clarification from the ‘Captain’ so as to avoid misunderstanding in the future.
A press statement issued by the NSCN (K) Tisary Region, ‘Maj Kurichu’, asserted that he is the chairman of the Tisary region and also the senior-most army officer of Tisary region and declared that ‘we’ strongly support the ‘present unification of Nagas’. However, the release expressed shock at a certain press statement issued by ‘Captain Tsapise Sangtam’ and announced that there is no captain by the name as Tsapise Sangtam. The release stated that Tisary is a conglomerated region; “whereas the Sangtam has been detached with the knowledge of GPRN”. “Therefore without bearing any ill feeling I (Maj Kurichu) demand clarification from Captain Tsapise Sangtam so as to avoid misunderstanding in the future,” the release stated.
Nagas of Chandel have always been Nagas The moring Express letter to the editor
•Sir— With regard to the news item ‘United old Kuki army aligns with KNO’ that appeared in this newspaper on the 5th of December 2007, I want to make few points. It is not a new case that some organization or the other tend to stir up the issue that the Nagas of Chandel belong to the so-called old Kuki group and so they should be considered as Kukis and not Nagas. The term ‘Old Kuki’ which has now been wielded enthusiastically by these organizations, was introduced by few of the colonial writers and the people of Chandel at no point of time had considered themselves as belonging to this strangely invented category called ‘Old Kuki’. The Nagas of Chandel have always been Nagas and they will always be. I find it ridiculous to hear the argument that they were induced to become Nagas. The Nagas of Chandel on their own consent sent their representative to take part in the plebiscite called by AZ. Phizo and also they were a part of the NNC led movement and they continue to wholeheartedly support the Naga Struggle to this day. Those who try to impose the term ‘Old Kukis’ on the Nagas of Chandel can go and see for themselves and also listen to the sneering response of the people when they hear this strange term. As a piece of valuable information to those organizations, the land of Chandel has always been the ancestral land of the Nagas. The erroneous claim and attempt to create confusion by these organizations will not alter the reality in any way.
Instead of engaging in pointless display of ignorance, political fantasies and immaturity, these organizations should look beyond the immediate horizon. Instead of trying to stir the ‘Hornet Nest’ by antagonizing the Nagas with baseless and erroneous claim, they should try to understand that their interest would be best served by working and collaborating with the Nagas.
Samuel, Chandel.
Jami lauds Sumis for unity move Nagarealm.com
Dimapur, DEC05 [NPN] : Senior NSCN (K) leader AZ Jami has lauded the Sumis for the ongoing process for unification of the Nagas. Dismissing the various allegations against the move, Jami in a statement said earlier in the past the Sumis had been criticized for their failure to unite the Nagas despite having a larger representation in both factions of the NSCN. But, when they took an initiative recently towards this perspective braving life and death, the people began to suspect them one way or the other.

He dismissed speculations that the current process for unification spearheaded by the Sumis was to make KL Chishi the chief minister or grab lands in the Intangki Reserved Forest. Jami said speculations that Angamis were “playing” to retain Neiphiu Rio as the chief minister and that Aos were making a similar effort for Imkong and SC Jamir had no base because state politics could not be mixed up with national sovereignty politics. He said at the moment what the Nagas needed most was unity and not bloodshed.

Jami recalled that in the later part of 1968, most of the Sumis isolated themselves from the FGN/NNC and formed the Revolutionary Government of Nagaland (RGN). But as the Sumis alone could not do anything, they surrendered to Indian government in 1972. Later, though the remaining Nagas tried to continue with the movement, they could not do anything without the Sumis. He said the “infamous” Shillong Accord signed by the other leaders was in fact a “surrender accord”.
In light of this, Jami said the past mistakes and failures should be the guide and master of the Nagas as division meant defeat and unity meant victory. He called upon the leaders of different factions and also Naga intellectuals to work for unity and reconciliation with humility but without any reservation. At the same time, Jami advised them to be wary of the Indian intelligentsia as they could sabotage the unity move.
“In 2001, the unity and reconciliation move was initiated by the Sumis and Konyaks and I declared in our council meeting (NSCN-IM) that if, at all unity could be brought about, I will be the first man to step down to accommodate others in other factions. Now, Gen. Khole of PAN says, if at all unity comes, I will go on retirement and give chance to younger people,” Jami added.

Azo supports unity : Agriculture Minister Azo Nienu said if statements by the underground leaders that the move for unity was not confined to one single tribe alone but unification of all Nagas and not aimed at involving in state politics, then all sections of the Nagas should welcome it. In a statement, Azo said “we should also encourage our brothers and sisters to take part in this unification front, for all practical purposes because this is one step forward to a new era and a new beginning for all the Nagas to settle the difference and hammer out a solution which will be acceptable to all the Nagas”. He urged the factions to show sincerity by refraining from factional clashes and not involving in state politics in order to gain the popular support of the general public.
By the villagers, for the villagers The Telegraph
- Residents run & maintain tourism hotspots in Nagaland hamlets SAMIR K. PURKAYASTHA


Khonoma green village in Kohima
Kohima, Dec. 5: Communitisation — a term Nagaland gave the world — is adding a new dimension to the state’s tourism sector, tailormade to promote eco and cultural tourism.
For the uninitiated, communitisation was coined by joining the words community and decentralisation, meaning devolving powers to villagers.
Tourism commissioner and secretary Khekiye K. Sema said the Nagaland government has designed a unique model whereby under the guidance of the village tourism boards the tourist hotspots in the state will be maintained and run by the villagers.
Three tourist centres — Touphema tourist village and Khonoma green village, both in Kohima, and Benrue village in Peren — are running successfully. The government is also creating tourist infrastructure in Aizeuto in Zunheboto district. On completion, it will be handed over to the villagers.
“Once a tourist enters these villages, the tribal code of honour provides hospitality and protection to the tourist, who turns into a guest of the village,” Sema said.
He said at Touphema — some 41km from Kohima — the government has created a tourism village modelled on ethnic lines wherein visitors are offered modern and hygienic accommodation in traditional huts.
“This entire infrastructure is managed and maintained by the villagers,” Sema said. They even cook traditional dishes and brew local drinks for the visitors.
Similarly in Khonoma — 20km west of Kohima — it is the villagers who preserve the Khonoma Nature Conservation Tragopan Sanctuary, which is home to a large variety of rare species of plants, animals and birds. And it was the very villagers who made it possible to implement a ban on hunting, one of the favourite pastimes of the Nagas, inside the sanctuary.
In Nagaland, every village has a traditional administrative structure called a village council with a development wing to look after the welfare of the village called the village development board.
The villages where the government is “raising” tourist infrastructure, a tourist development committee has been formed to look after these set-ups.
The system is being governed by an agreement between the village and the government. According to the agreement, in the initial period, the villagers would not have to pay anything for the use of infrastructure to the government, Sema said.
“After a few years we will review the tourist inflow. If we find that inflow is good, we will charge minimal revenue from the village for using the infrastructure,” he said.
The need of introducing Naga history Nagaland Post
There are many books written on Nagas by foreigners, Indians and Naga scholars. However, it is quite bizarre that Naga history is still not written even for school and college textbooks. The Nagas want to be an independent country but whether it is really desired or not, it is high time to write Naga history and introduce in schools, colleges and universities textbooks.
Today one of the main reasons of not being active in mass participation in Naga National Movement (NNM) is due to people's bankruptcy in Naga historical background. If we know the Naga history, we cannot resist from supporting the NNM. I have got lots of questions that rise in my mind when I think the need of writing Naga history and introducing Naga History as school and college textbooks. Some of the most important questions are - Is there any nation in this world without any written history? Why Naga history need to be written and included in schools, colleges and universities syllabus in Nagalim? Why is it important to know Naga history? Do you think there is less mass participation and support in Indo-Naga talks due to lack of knowledge in Naga history? How many of our Naga educated people know in details about the Naga history? Why many educated Nagas are poor in Naga history? Do you ever come across any word mentioning about the Naga history in Indian history? Do you think it is high time to write Naga history for school and college textbooks? What is our government, Naga historians and scholars were doing in last 50 years? Why none of our Naga historians, scholars and leaders realizes the importance of introducing Naga history in school and college? What are the main obstacles that we the Nagas could not write the Naga history and have Naga history in school and college textbooks?
In this article, I may not be able to answer all the above questions. However I believe that the government, Naga philosophers, thinkers, writers and leaders would answer all the above questions. We, the Nagas have enough historians, philosophers, scholar and writers. Nevertheless, it seems the Nagas are so callous to write Naga history. I am sure that it would not be an easy task to write Naga history but there are copious of documents and books, which we can write the Naga history. We the Nagas study Indian history, but do we study Naga history in school or college level? I personally feel that if the Naga history had been introduced in school and college textbooks in 1950's or at least by 1980's, it would have awoken the hearts of the educated Naga people with alacrity to participate and extend more solidarity to Naga National Movement or Indo-Naga peace talks.
Today, many educated Naga people have no inspiration and conviction and not ardently supporting the NNM due to lack of Naga historical knowledge. There are many foreigners and Indians who know Naga history better than the Nagas in Nagalim. Unless we know the Naga history, it will be difficult for active mass participation in Nagas struggle for integration or sovereignty. There are many educated Naga people who are dithering to participate in NNM because they have not even browse the Naga history; they are not aware of the Nagas right to self-determination. How can we anticipate the layman to know the Naga history when the educated people do not know the Naga history and are bewildered?
In the present scenario, the urgent need in Nagalim is to impart the knowledge of Naga history to the mass. There is not any specific written Naga history book. However we can read from different books and we need to have lots of seminars on Naga history among the educated Naga people also along with the laymen. The Naga Civil Society (NCS) are actively involved in spreading the Naga issue to many civil societies in India through documentary movies and printed books especially to the non-Nagas. I am sure that it would definitely a help to the civil societies to understand more about the Naga issues and problems.
Recently I got a VCD (documentary movie, Naga Story-the other side of silence?) from Shekho George (a civil society active member) and I have screened that documentary movie in Interdisciplinary Discussion Group, University of Pune and a discussion based on that documentary movie was discussed. There were lots of responses from imminent Professors, Research scholars and other students. I personally feel that all the educated Naga people should have thorough knowledge on Naga history or whatever we know about Naga history, we should pass on to the Naga friends and non-Naga friends.
There is little written Naga history for school textbooks in Nagaland State but that is not enough and we need to include more even for school level and include the whole history in college level. It is very late by now to introduce the Naga history in school and college level. However, 'Better late than never'. We do not know how long it will take to solve the Naga political problem. But I am optimistic that Naga problem will be solved in our life time or generation. Even if the Naga problem is solved and Nagalim becomes an independent country or what ever it may be, the Naga history cannot be snubbed and throw into dustbin. It is high time that we the Naga scholars need to write Naga history for school and college textbooks. If our senior Naga writers and government of Nagaland would have taken the initiative to write the Naga history earlier, by now all the educated Naga people might have good historical background.
Today, if we ask the graduate or Post Graduate student about the Nine Points Hydari Agreement, s/he may say, "I am not aware of that Agreement".
Recently, the Naga Students Union, Pune (NSUP), held their 24th Annual Literary and Cultural Meet on 26th January 2005, and in that Quiz Competition, a question was asked, "When was the Shillong Accord made?", the quiz participants answered, in 1962, 1963, 1972 etc. Finally the question was passed to the audience. Then some of us raised our hands and I said, "It was in 1975". However the Quizmaster said "Sorry, it was in 1965". Then I was little bit embarrassed. I went home to check again from the book and I found that the Shillong Accord was made on 10-11 November 1975. See - this is how some of our educated people have the knowledge about the Naga history. I doubt that many of us know when the British first came to Naga Hills, Formation of Naga Club, NNC, Nine Points Agreement, Shillong Accord, Breaking up of NSCN, ongoing peace talks etc.
There are many books written on Nagas, however only the Naga writers, scholars, leaders and very few people who are interested in Naga struggle for sovereignty read the books. On of the important reasons or attributes that the school or college going students do not read the Naga book is that all the books are not easily available to all the people; it is mostly confined in some good institutes or Universities in India. I am from a remote village, Senapati District Manipur and I was not aware of the Naga history before I take up my PhD research work. And like me there are more than 90% of the total populations of Nagas who do not get the facility to read the books on Nagas, which is written by foreigners, Indians and Naga scholars. The price of the book on Nagas or any book on Tribal is relatively costlier than the school or college textbooks. We the Nagas or Indigenous people are poor and there are many students who do not have money to purchase their school or college textbooks so there is no question arising to buy and read book on Nagas.
I think the best way for all the Nagas to know or read the Naga history is to write the Naga history and introduce in school and college textbooks, so that all the books are available, affordable and accessible to all the people. I can confidently say that unless, we know the Naga history, we cannot expect active mass participation in Naga National Movement. As a Naga, it is a great shame incase we do not know anything about the Naga history.
In conclusion, I would like to suggest the Government of Nagaland, Naga Hoho, NSF, Naga Mother's Association, UNC and all the Naga leaders to consider the importance and need to write and introduce in school textbooks. Secondly, I would like to suggest conducting lots of seminars on Naga history with the Nagas and non-Nagas in different cities, towns and villages. If the government of Nagaland, Naga Hoho, NSF, UNC, etc feels the need to write and introduce the Naga history in school and college textbooks, I am sure there will be some people like me who would love to invest their knowledge, time and energy to write Naga history for school and college textbooks.
Note: (This article was earlier published in www.kuknalim.com in Feb. 2005)
R. B. Thohe Pou
Peace initiatives by AASU at Jamugurihat Correspondent Assam Tribune
JAMUGURIHAT, Dec 5 – In the backdrop of the Beltola incident in Guwahati an November 24, a joint meeting of Jamugurihat unit of AASU, Unnati Sabha, Asom Sena, Naduar AATSA, Jamuguri AAGSU, Mahmora AAGSU, Trimilan Yubak Sangha, Mundarigaon Unnayan Sami District Adivasi Kavi Sanmilan was held on December 1 at Jatiya Swahid Bhavan, Jamugurihat, the headquarter of All Jamuguri Students’ Union (AJSU).

The meeting organised by AJSU, conducted by Abhijit Nath, president AJSU and presided by Golap Baruah, president, Jamuguri Unnati Sabha was addressed by Siben Das, president, district Unnati Sabha, Mohendra Hazarika coordinator district Asom Sena, Brajen Das district member Asom Sena, Bipul Borah general secretary, Jamuguri Unnati Sabha, Dipmani Bhuyan joint secretary AJSU among others.

All the speakers recalled the age old unity, friendship and fellow feeling prevalent among the people of Naduar area, and appealed to maintain it at all costs, though divisive forces and political interest may try to embitter the same.

The meeting also criticised the role played by the State government in handling the situation on November 24, and paid homage to all the martyrs including the ones who had lost their lives on that day. The meeting decided to form a central coordination committee and to submit an memorandum to the Governor of Assam requesting him to interfere in proper handling of the situation by the State government, on December 7 next.

On the other hand, the CPI(M) unit of Jamugurihat had also sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Assam through the BDO Naduar. After a huge silent procession displaying various slogans on maintaining peace and friendship among the people and inaction of the State government, it had handed over the memorandum to the BDO. More than ten Adivasi girls also took part in the silent procession.
Council poll defeat spells danger for Assam Congress By IANS
Guwahati, Dec 6 (IANS) The ruling Congress in Assam has been routed in a little-noticed election to an autonomous tribal council, halting the party's 10-year victory run at all polls held in the state in a decade. The debacle has caused concern within the Congress leadership as it gears up to face the staggered panchayat elections starting Dec 31. The Congress lost the just-concluded elections to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous District Council to a coalition of the local Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It managed to win just three of the 27 elective seats. The results were declared Tuesday.
The ASDC-BJP combine is all set to rule the council, a politico-administrative structure set up in accordance with the constitution's sixth schedule, covering the militant-infested district in southern Assam, dominated by the majority Dimasa ethnic group. The margin of defeat has shocked the Congress, which was in control of the council for all but two terms since it was set up in 1954. Moreover, the party's mascot in the district, former Assam cabinet minister G.C. Langthasa, who was himself in the race to head the council, lost to an ASDC candidate.
The ASDC, a party pressing for the elevation of North Cachar Hills district as well as the adjoining Karbi Anglong district to an autonomous state within Assam, won 12 seats while its partner BJP bagged nine. Independents won three seats, a tally that cannot help the Congress in any way. The stakes were obviously high for the Congress because it had been winning successive elections in Assam - the Lok Sabha poll in 1998 and in 1999, the assembly poll in 2001, panchayat elections in 2002, the 2003 civic polls, and again the assembly elections in 2006. However, the Congress in the district has been at the receiving end of a rag-tag militant outfit called Black Widows since the beginning of this year. The rebel group, formed after breaking away from the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), had openly threatened voters not to support the Congress. The DHD, a militant group fighting for maximum autonomy for the area's Dimasa tribe, is currently on a peace mode, having signed a ceasefire agreement with the centre.
A Congress minister and Assam government spokesman, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said the party's defeat was caused by the assassination of three top leaders in the district, including outgoing council chief Purnendu Langthasa, son of G.C. Langthasa. 'Our party cadres were certainly demoralised by the killings,' Sarma admitted. The Congress is also bound to take note of the BJP's inroads into the hill district. At a time when the Congress' traditional vote bank, the tea garden community, is agitated over the demand for Scheduled Tribe status, the party is gearing up to work overtime to regain the lost base ahead of the panchayat polls.
After debacle, blame game - Cong seeks probe into NC Hills ‘rigging’ OUR BUREAU The Telegraph
Guwahati/Nagaon, Dec. 5: The Congress today pointed a finger at the government it heads in trying to find reasons other than declining popularity for its defeat in the elections to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council. State Congress chief Bhubaneswar Kalita led the blame brigade, ascribing the debacle — the party won three seats out of 27 — to “malpractice” and demanding an independent inquiry into the two-phase poll process.
Kalita said militants forced polling officials at gunpoint to rig voting. “Without malpractice, how can it be possible that not a single vote was rejected in the entire district, and that, too, after such a high percentage of voting (over 80 per cent)?” he asked.
The Congress accused the Autonomous State Demand Committee-BJP combine, which won 21 seats, of using militants to prevent its candidates from campaigning. “The elections will go down in history as a black chapter in the history of a district with peace-loving people,” Kalita said.
The state party chief had a word of caution for the ASDC-BJP combine. He said the two parties would not be able to run the council independently after having hobnobbed with militants.
All 21 elected members of the victorious alliance met at Haflong Circuit House this morning to discuss how to go about forming the next council. The head of the joint co-ordination committee of the alliance, Dibulal Hojai, presided over the session.
The swearing-in is slated for Friday. The BJP said it saw in the election results the beginning of the end of Congress rule in the state. A party leader said the Opposition would replicate this performance in the panchayat elections. A source in the joint co-ordination committee said the chief executive member of the council would be from the ASDC and the deputy chief would be from the BJP. The president of the North Cachar Hills unit of the ASDC, Prakanta Warissa, and his BJP counterpart Kulendra Doulogapu will most likely get the top posts.
Hojai was secretive about whether the allies had already arrived at an agreement on who would head the council. “Till now, the issue of who will be the chief executive member and the deputy has not been discussed,” he said just after the meeting. Doulogapu said the alliance was clear about its priorities. “Our priorities are peace and harmony, a people-friendly administration and development of the district, which remained an unfulfilled dream for the people during years of misrule by the Congress.”
Some central leaders of the BJP, including Northeast organising secretary Chandra Sekhar Reddy, will visit the hill district in a day or two. Elections to 27 seats in the autonomous council were held on November 26 and December 1. The ASDC won 12 seats and the BJP got nine and Independents three. A source in the election office today clarified that Warissa won only in Gunjum. He had been initially declared the winner in Harangajao, too. That seat actually went to the Congress
Bodos oppose ST demand A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


A demonstration in Duliajan to demand ST status for tea tribes. A file picture
Guwahati, Dec. 5: A conglomerate of Bodo organisations today threatened to revive the demand for a separate Bodoland if the Adivasis were granted ST status.
The organisations, which met at Kokrajhar Girls’ College, said they were opposed to Dispur’s attempt to pressure Delhi into granting ST status to the Adivasis and that an eight-member delegation would soon apprise Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, home minister Shivraj Patil and tribal affairs minister P.R. Kyndiah about their stand.
The Bodoland Citizens’ Forum, Bodoland Peace and Integration Committee, Tribal Sangha, Bodo Writers Academy and Boro Samaj were among the organisations which met at Kokrajhar today.
“We have strongly opposed any move to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Adivasis who have migrated to Assam. The government should not try to compensate the Adivasis for what had happened in Beltola by granting them ST status, diluting the rights of the indigenous tribal people of the state,” Daorao Dekhreb Narzary, a former Absu leader, said after the meeting. The eight-member delegation, formed at today’s meeting, will soon leave for New Delhi to submit a memorandum to the Centre.
The state government had yesterday hinted at a new formula to accommodate the six communities that were demanding ST status, without affecting the rights of the existing tribals.
According to the new mechanism, the government proposed to enhance the reservation quotas for the Scheduled Tribes by reducing the quota for the Other Backward Classes.
Narzary said such an arrangement would not be acceptable to the Bodos as it would dilute the political rights of the tribals. “If the Adivasis are given ST status, they will get the rights to contest elections from the constituencies now reserved for us,” he said.
The former Absu leader said if the state government supported the Adivasi demand for ST status, there would be fresh unrest in Bodoland for a separate Bodo state.
“The mood at the meeting was that under no circumstances will we accept granting of ST status to the Adivasis and if need be we will resort to agitation to protect out rights,” he said.
Aditya Khakhlari addressing the Press. (Sentinel)Aboriginal tribals disheartened From our Correspondent Sentinel
KOKRAJHAR, Dec 6: A section of Bodo intellectuals and former Bodoland movement leaders observed that the voice of Asomiya intellectuals in support of Adivasis has been disheartening for the aboriginal tribals of the State, such as Bodos.
In an interview with The Sentinel, former ABSU leader and co-worker of Bodofa UN Brahma, DD Narzary said the Asomiya intellectuals always claimed the outsiders and immigrants of other countries as “Asomiyas”, forgetting the indigenous people of the State. He said the successive State Governments have sympathized wish of outsiders overlooking tribes like Bodos. The intellectuals of the State are not serious about the killings of indigenous people, human rights violations, gang rape on tribal women and molestation for which justice has not been done. He questioned why leaders like AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya refrained from calling Bodos and other indigenous people of Asom as Asomiya whereas they do not hesitate to call a Santhali girl as Asomiya. He expressed fear and apprehension that the State Government and Asomiya intellectuals would be bound to lend their voice to the new ST demand.
Narzary strongly opposed the granting of ST status to six communities saying that the communities are well advanced in all respects and they have been enjoying political rights and advantages. He said both Adivasis and Rajbongshis have Cabinet ministers and good number of legislators in the Assam Assembly since long, but the indigenous tribals do not have such advantages. He also cautioned both Delhi and Dispur that the tribal would not be responsible for another unrest in the region.
MP SK Bwiswmuthiary, while speaking The Sentinel from New Delhi, said the granting ST status to outsiders will not only affect the Bodos and other tribals, but also the Asomiyas as a whole will lose their rights.
“There will be a new power equation in the State politics if new communities are included in the ST list. Political power will not go to the hands of genuine Asomiya people because power sharing by outsiders will bring a drastic change in the political scenario of the State,” Bwiswmuthiary said.
The MP asked the Government of India and Government of Asom to announce the policy of reorganization of the State on a “federal” plan before granting ST status to the six-communities, saying that the process of “Balkanization” is yet to be completed.
Former president of KDC, ABWWF, Ms Maloti Rani Narzary, in an interview with The Sentinel, said the tribals of the State are deprived of all facilities and rights. Both the Centre and the State Government, instead of fulfilling the demands of the tribal people, are going to accord ST status to the six communities ignoring strong opposition from indigenous tribal groups. She also attacked the AGP saying that the party opposed the inclusion of more communities in the ST list during PK Mahanta’s rule, but the party is now favouring ST status to the six communities. This is political opportunism, she said.
President of All Assam Tribal Sangha (AATS) Ranjit Kumar Borgoyary told The Sentinel that the Sangha had no option other than launching a vigorous movement comprising all tribal people of Asom. He accused the State Government for its failure to protect the tribal belts and blocks, without filling the back log posts lying vacant for many years.
Working president of Federation of Bodo Youth (FBY) Jangshisu Brahma told The Sentinel that the federation would oppose the inclusion of six communities into the ST list at any cost and that the tribals would be adversely affected by the new ST formula for six communities.
ABPF welcomes NDFB’s move to place demands By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
The political will and sincerity on the part of the Government would be the key factors in the ensuing process of negotiation. Otherwise, the submission of the charter of demands for political dialogue would also prove to be meaningless

GUWAHATI, Dec 6: The All Boro Peace Forum (ABPF), which has finally decided to rechristen its nomenclature as the Boro People’s Forum for Peace and Rights (BPFPR), has welcomed the extension of ceasefire agreement between the Centre and the NDFB on November 30. The forum also hails the, what it called, landmark decision on part of the NDFB leadership to place its core issues of political dialogue before the Government in February.
It may be mentioned here that, the non-acceptance of Centre’s demand for submission of the outfit’s charter of demands by the NDFB prior to the beginning of the negotiation had become the main hurdle to the much-awaited peace talks between the Government and the outfit. “Now, we hope the decision taken by the NDFB leadership will finally pave the way towards lasting peace and solution of the vexed problem,” said Bhromon Baglari, ABPF adviser in a statement here today.
However, he has warned that the political will and sincerity on the part of the Government would be the key factors in the ensuing process of negotiation. Otherwise, the submission of the charter of demands for political dialogue would also prove to be meaningless, he added. It has been learnt that, the NDFB general council which met last month after a long gap has decided to accept the Centre’s demand for submission of its charter of demands for the sake of the peace process, and the decision was conveyed to the Centre accordingly in a meeting held in New Delhi last month to formalize the six-month extension of the ceasefire.
On the renaming of his organization, Baglari informed The Sentinel that the executive meeting of the ABPF held at Dhekiajuli on November 29 has decided to come out with a new identity as the BPFPR. The meeting also decided to hold its 2-day second annual conference at Dhekiajuli starting December 20, where the new nomenclature of the organization would be approved formally, he added.
Rumors of Burmese military head facing psychological problems Mizzima News
December 6, 2007 - Burmese junta supremo Senior General Than Shwe is reportedly suffering from strain and psychological problems and has sought an appointment at a hospital in Singapore for treatment, sources close to the military establishment said.
"Senior General Than Shwe has suffered a sudden attack and is now seeking an appointment with a psychiatrist in Singapore," the source told Mizzima.
While the information cannot be independently confirmed, Htay Aung, a Burmese military analyst based in Thailand said, "It is likely as he [Than Shwe] is getting old."
The Burmese military Supremo today met a Chinese official, who pressurized him to conduct economic reforms to solve the socio-economic crisis in the country, the source said.
"After the meeting he [Than Shwe] was so angry at having to listen to instructions from the hated Chinese that he fainted," the source added.The source, however, did not elaborate on details of the general's plan to go to Singapore for treatment.


Frans on 12.06.07 @ 08:13 PM CST [link]


Wednesday, December 5th

Nagas question Delhi’s stand on democracy, peace The Morung Express



Nagas question Delhi’s stand on democracy, peace The Morung Express

Naga students along with well-wishers taking out a peaceful protest march near Parliament Street, New Delhi on Tuesday. Dimapur, December 4 (MExN): The Naga Students Union Delhi (NSUD) today organized a peaceful protest march to express its dissatisfaction with the Government of India (GoI) for its indecision with regard to the Naga peace process. This protest rally from Mandi House to Parliament Street saw hundreds of Nagas and Indians marching shouting slogans “Long live Naga people! Long live Naga Movement!”
The gathering witnessed a play appropriately titled “We are no more free” portraying the long supression of the Naga people by the Indian State making known that “taking the Nagas into confidence and allowing them to inherit what is rightfully theirs will only free the conscience of the Indian democracy”. The rally ended with the affirmation that the “beat of resistance will never stop”.
Among the list of speakers were Nandita Haksar, a prominent Human Rights Lawyer, Mani Charanamei, Member of Parliament, Outer Manipur, Dr. Venkatesh from Lok Raj Sangathan, Shankar Gopalkrishnan from Campaign for Survival and Dignity, Chaya from Purogami Mahila Sangathan, Dawa from Affected City of Teesta, Lalremlian Neitham from Hmar Students’ Association, Saurabh Bhattacharjee from the other media, Ritupan from Democratic Students’ Union, Moses from Forum for people Right. ‘Guru’ Rueben Mashangva enthralled the crowd with his instrument playing a piece for Peace and Justice. Thejasenuo the President of NSUD read out the demands from the memorandum the same which was submitted to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO). It may be mentioned that the NSUD wants the Government of India to spell out its political decision in clear terms on the genuine aspiration of the Naga people. The NSUD also expressed concern that the sincerity as claimed by the GoI had put a big question mark as nothing concrete could be seen even after 10 years of peace talks.
Hoho push to unity OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Dec. 4: The Naga Hoho today said the unification of Naga groups must take into account all Nagas, irrespective of tribe or faction.
Hoho president Bengdangmayang Jamir said the unification must take into account the political aspirations of the Naga people and the ongoing political negotiations.
Jamir added that the top brass of all the Naga outfits should endorse the unification. The outfit is currently meeting representatives of other Naga organisations like the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Mothers’ Association and several other tribal Hohos to push forward the ongoing unification process initiated by the Western Sumi Hoho.
The Naga Hoho lauded the efforts of the Sumi Hoho and the Chakhesang Public Organisation, which shared its experience of a similar initiative taken several years ago in the Chakhesang Naga area.
The outfit also expressed its gratitude to all the federating units and participants for the confidence they reposed in the Naga Hoho.
Joint meeting of all factions on Dec 7 Nagarealm.com
DIMAPUR, DEC03 [NPN] : The Joint Forum of Nagaland GB Federation and Nagaland DB Association has organized a joint meeting with all groups of Naga National Workers on December 7 at Kohima, starting 10 a.m.

The Joint Forum convenor A Taku Longkumer and secretary Lungrahei Herie in a joint press release said the scheduled meeting was as per the five-point resolution passed by the Forum on June 6 last at Kohima. The Forum has appealed all peace-loving Naga citizens, prayer groups and churches, irrespective of denominations, to hold special prayer and fasting on December 7 for success of the meeting.
CM, Minister for broad-based unity Our Correspondent The Morung Express
Kidima, Dimapur | Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, today said that his government fully endorses any unity move that will benefit all Nagas. “We fully endorse any unity move. But it should be for all Nagas. We welcome unity move that are taking place”, Rio said without directly referring to the ‘unity move’ that is going on at Niuland. Speaking on the sidelines of the foundation stone laying ceremony of Kidima village Panchayat and a play ground today Rio said that opposition to the unification move doesn’t make sense. “It is just starting. Let’s first formulate. We should not give too many suggestion, it will confuse the issue”, Rio also added.
Nagaland Agriculture Minister, K Azo Neinu has also extended support to the ‘unification’ move and said that Naga brethren should extend support to the movement so long as “the movement is not confined to one single tribe alone, and also that it is a movement for unification of all Nagas and not NSCN faction alone, and also not aimed at involving in state politics”.
Azo maintained that for all practical purposes, this is one step forward to a new era and a new beginning for all the Nagas to settle their differences and hammer out a solution which will be acceptable to all the Nagas.
However, Azo asserted that in order to show their sincerity, there should be no more fratricidal killing and that the undergrounds (be of any faction) should not involve in State politics whatsoever, so that they may gain the popular support of the Naga people.
All tribes should be in unification drive: TCUDimapur, December 4 (MExN): The Tenyimi Central Union reminds that the ongoing “unification” move should not be confined to a singular section of the people but should include all the Naga tribes, leaders and organizations. The TCU also refuted a news report in a local daily that it rejects the “unification” move of the Naga undergrounds. Stating that the news item was inaccurately reported, the TCU in a rejoinder from its executives said it will only create confusion and mistrust between the various communities.
The TCU welcomes any move that aims to unite Nagas, the Tenyimi organization stated. All sections of the Naga society should work towards wholesome unity, TCU stated through its general secretary Keku Zeliang and press secretary Tshela Pochury. However, it clearly reminded all in concern that the unity drive should encompass all the Nagas and not confined to a singular tribe or entity, or as the TCU put it, “sectoral.”
“While welcoming the unification move, we urge all sections of the people and the leaders of Naga society to work towards wholesome unity that encompasses all sections of the Nagas. The unity drive should not be sectoral but rather it should cover all tribes and organizations” the TCU stated. The organization hopes for a reality of lasting peace through unity, reconciliation and “forgive and forget.”
Give me another chance, says Rio Our Correspondent The Morung Express
Kohima | Asserting that five years is not enough to prove his real mettle Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today pleaded to the people to support NPF for another tenure to run the government so as to allow him to take the State to a new height of development. “Five years is not enough. I am seeking your support for another tenure”, Rio said, at an interaction with some pressmen at his official residence this evening. He said that the regional party is becoming very strong because it protects the rights of people and addresses regional issue.
Rio promised to take Nagaland to a new height of development if the NPF party is given another chance to rule the State. “We are not the enemy of BJP or Congress. Our two MPs also are giving issue-based support to the UPA government at the Centre”, Rio said.
He also said that if the NPF is voted to power again they will amend the Village and Area Council Act according to Naga tradition. “We respect our women. They are well placed in the society. We want to develop women through entrepreneurship”, Rio also stated.
The Chief Minister further said that NPF has not changed it policy on Naga politics.
US officials to trek Dzukou valley The Morung Express
Kohima, December 4 (MExN): Ted Osius, Minister Counselor for political affairs, Embassy of the United States of America and Henry V. Jardine, Consulate General of United States of America are currently in Nagaland to witness the Hornbill Festival. “Our main motive of coming here (Nagaland) is to get more familiar with the people,” said Henry while talking to media persons today. Nagaland is unique- culturally and historically. It is refreshing to see retained culture, he added. “It is a nice opportunity to be here,” said Ted adding “We feel marvelous”.
The duo said that they will also encourage friends and colleagues to come and visit Nagaland. It is learnt that the two had already met various NGOs, civil bodies, various institutions including the Governor K. Sankaranarayanan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. They will be undertaking a trekking to Dzukou valley tomorrow.

American Consulate General at Kolkata Henry V.Jardine and Theodore Osues, official from US Embassy, New Delhi pit their steps with members of one of the participating troupes at the ongoing Hornbill festival at Kisama on Tuesday. (Pix/Pradeep Pareek)
United old Kuki army aligns with KNO The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 4 (MExN): Strongly asserting that the Kuki National Organisation has begun the process of unifying the Kuki people to preserve the territorial integrity of Zale’n-gam, the ancestral Kuki lands, the united old Kuki army, comprising the Maring people, today solemnly pledged to align with the Kuki national organisation.
A press statement e-mailed by the “united old Kuki army”, said that the Maring people, belong to the categorization ‘old Kuki’, coined by the British to divide Zale’n-gam, between British India and British Burma; as a means to carry out ‘divide and rule’ policy among the indigenous ethnic Kuki people. The asserted that the same policy of the British was carried out by the “Tangkhul missionaries”, who, instead of being faithful to preaching the gospel of Christ among the ‘old Kuki’ groups in Chandel, focused on dividing the Kukis and influenced the ‘old Kuki’ people to be identified as Naga after converting them to Christianity.
The release asserted that after the role of the “Tangkhul missionaries”, the NSCN (IM) created further division among the Kukis through the use of gun-power. “They threatened the people of Chandel to identify as Naga or else face their guns. Their policy is to divide the Kukis so that their ancestral lands can be included to ‘Nagalim’,” the release maintained.
The release stated that since Chandel is populated one hundred per cent by the Kukis, the Tangkhul missionaries and NSCN (IM) have been determined to perpetuate division among them. The release in this regard, said that, instigated by false propaganda and use of force to make the Kukis say that they are Naga; many Kuki youths, women and children and many more have died from 1992-1997, ‘when NSCN (IM) carried out the Kuki genocide’.
In this connection the release stated that just like the British, who dividied the Kukis to rule over them, the Tangkhuls and NSCN (IM) have done the same.
In the same vein, the release said that the valley based militants, such as UNLF, plans to include our ancestral lands to Kangleipak so that they may continue to dominate the Kukis.
In this connection, the release expressed strong supported the KNO in their quest to unite the Kuki people under one umbrella.
“A new dawn is upon us because the Kuki National Organisation has begun the process of unifying our people, which will also preserve the territorial integrity of Zale’n-gam, our ancestral lands,” the release stated. The release therefore said that in their determination to achieve the political ideology of Zale’-gam to create Kuki statehood; one in India and another in Burma, the united old Kuki army, comprising the Maring people, solemnly pledge allegiance to the Kuki national organisation. The united old Kuki army comprises the eleventh armed wing of the Kuki national organisation, the release stated. In this regard, the united old Kuki army, strongly urged each and every ethnic brethren in Chandel, such as Anal, Moyon and Monshang, Chothe, Chiru, and Lamkang to return to their Kuki roots and join the noble task of preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Zale’n-gam, the ancestral lands of the Kukis.

Angami, Khurmi region of NSCN (IM) for broad based unity The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 4 (MExN): The Angami Region of the NSCN (IM) expressed their whole hearted support to the declaration made by Chairman Isak Chishi Swu. Issuing a statement, Angami Region CAO KK Angami and Secretary MS Rokonuo pointed out that its members strongly reiterated the statement that the “independent unity move, deliberately by the backdoor shall not be acceptable”. The statement informed that the members thoroughly discussed and deliberated that unity, reconciliation and peace is a long cherished desire of all the Nagas and as such it should be done in a broad based, sincere, honest and proper manner in the interest of all the Naga community.
“Further, any deliberate attempt to sabotage the ongoing peace talk by a single community or unauthorized persons without the mandate of the Nagas between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) to find out an honourable and acceptable solution cannot be compromised at any cost”, it stated.
The Angami Region NSCN (IM) members also appreciated and thanked the Almighty God for bestowing wisdom, courage and strength to the Chairman Isak Chishi Swu for his press statement dated 3/12/2007 wherein he had clarified the stand between the collective leadership to the effect that there is no misunderstanding between them and both the leaders firmly committed to work hand in hand for the Naga national cause despite the numerous rumors spread within the Naga nation by some vested interested persons. The members also reaffirmed their unflinching support to the collective leadership and committed to work and act on the principle of the GPRN for the interest of the Naga nation.
In a separate press note, the NSCN (IM) Khurmi region informed that its national workers and the general public of Khurmi region will adhere to the November 25 declaration of the Chairman on reconciliation, unity and peace of all the Nagas. HB Rungkhel CAO, Khurmi region stated that under the collective leadership of Isak Chishi Swu, Khadao Yanthan and Thuingaleng Muivah, the NSCN (IM) had been sacrificing in sweat and in blood for a honorable solution with clear conscience thus far. “The people have no confusion on the back door declaration of unity by some vested interest while ignoring and discriminating a majority of Nagas. Hatred, discrimination, enmity etc. among the Nagas has no room in Khurmi region as all are prepared to handle it without delay”, it stated.
Motley crowd at Naga peace rally Nagarealm.com
New Delhi, DEC04 [TI] : Scores of “plains manuh”, as the people from the plains are called in the Naga hills, walked the streets of the national capital today carrying the blue NSCN flag and loads of misconception about the Naga struggle.

The rally, organised by the Naga Students’ Union, Delhi, to demand a speedy solution to the peace talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), was joined by several Delhi-based organisations. The activists later submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office. Non-Naga support for the Naga cause is not new. There are even rumours that people from Punjab and Kerala “work” for the NSCN (I-M).

But today’s support came largely from ignorance rather an informed decision to back a movement for self-determination. Take Anand for instance. A student of Bhagat Singh College, Anand is under the impression that people in Nagaland dare not venture out of their homes lest the police kill them branding them as terrorists. Hence, his strident support for the Naga cause.

“Our organisation, the Lok Raj Sangathan, has been supportive of people fighting against state terrorism. We support freedom for the Nagas,” he said. His organisation had also joined protests against the killing of Thangjam Manorama by Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur. Strangely, Anand has not even heard about the NSCN (I-M), unlike Sahitya Akademi employee Neeraj Kumar who stood nearby, a Naga flag pinned to his blazer. Kumar could not pronounce the names but said the fact that the two leaders (Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah) lived abroad while the residents “lived in penury” amounted to injustice to the people. [NISHIT DHOLABHAI]
Support for unification process Nagaland post
Dimapur, Dec 4 (NPN): The Ao Region of NSCN (K) and the Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (DDADU) Tuesday affirmed their support to the ongoing process for unification of the NSCN factions. A statement issued by the chairman of Ao Region, NSCN (K), L.J. Wati Imsong appealed to all its members to stand by the “long-awaited unification”.
Imsong said peace and unity were the two sides of a coin. He further lauded the leaders of both factions of the NSCN, especially Sumi Hoho, for initiating “such a positive event in the history of Naga struggle for freedom” despite several difficulties.
The NSCN (K) Ao Region chairman further appealed to all sections of the society to extend their fullest support towards restoring peace in the State. In a separate statement, the Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union has also extended its support to the process for unification. The statement issued by DDADU president Akaho Kiba urged every Naga leader to “move forward in the process, discarding isms, selfish gain and political motives”.
Further, the release urged the underground factions to come under one banner for peaceful co-existence among the Nagas.
Consensus still eludes road to “unification” Abraham Lotha perspective The Morung Express
Nagas have grown weary of factional killings in the name of independence and a longing for peace. There are no words in recent Naga vocabulary that have sounded so empty as forgiveness, unity and reconciliation. So it was natural that last week, when some members of the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) factions from the Sumi community announced a “unification” of the two factions, Nagas’ responses to it have been mixed.
There are certain anomalies to this “unification” and Nagas have every reason to be apprehensive about it.
The Sumi Hoho has given a thumps-up to it while other Hohos such as Thangal and Maram have called it an unfortunate move of misleading the Nagas “by sectarian group with vested interest”. The Western Yimchungru Hoho and Western Yimchungru GBs’ Union too have stated the need of all the Nagas to be a part of the unification.
There are also dissenting voices among the IMs and Ks. The Angami, Chakhesang, Ao, Lotha, Tisari and “Kuki region” regions of the NSCN-K are alleged to welcome the “unification” of the “NSCN.” The Ao national workers have affirmed to stand by the Collective Leadership and called for unity without discriminating any Naga tribe. Victor Angami and Neiba Kire of IM Angami Region alleged, “the move is being made not for the actual purpose of unification of the Naga underground workers but for the benefit of only a particular tribe” (MExN 28/11). Dr. Mor of the same region even alleged that the “unification” initiated by Western Sumi Hoho is with the ulterior motive of excluding the Nagas of Manipur and to lay a claim on the Intangki forest. Very strong and dangerous statements if such allegations are true.
The fear and suspicion of Nagas in general and Angamis in particular are not unfounded because the memories of Revolutionary Government of Nagaland in 1968 and the settlements of Niuland are fresh in Naga people’s memory. History is alive and sacred to Naga people.
The first question Nagas should ask is whether the “unification” leaders, Singsong, Hukuhvi Yeptho, Azheto Chopy, Shikato Chishi Swu, Mulatonu and Hothrong Yimchunger were authorized by the leadership of their respective factions? If yes, what proof do they have of such authorization? How did such novel intentions come about?
Even though leaders of the “unification” team claimed they were “doing it with the knowledge of Isak Swu and Khaplang,” NSCN (IM) Chairman Swu, in his statement on this “unification” said that any “independent unity move, deliberately by the backdoor, shall not be acceptable”. The Zeliangrong Region quoted Isak Swu’s statement appealing to the Nagas not to be confused by “unprincipled unity move with ulterior motive by some imposter”. Khaplang, on the other hand, has maintained his silence. This silence does not necessarily mean yes.
Leaders of the “unification” team allegedly told the Morung Express (27/11) that the rank and file of the NSCN (K) has been aware of the move to unify the warring NSCN factions. At the same interview Mulatonu, a senior NSCN (K) Kilonser, even added, “for the NSCN (K), it (unification move) is complete from top to bottom.” Yet, according to a Nov. 28 PTI report, two NSCN (IM) cadres – Asang Tangkhul and Huketo Sema - were killed in a fight with suspected NSCN (K) ultras in Mon district on Wednesday 28th November, the day after the declaration of the “unification.”
AZ Jami’s alleged statement that Naga civil society such as Naga Hoho, NSF, NMA are against Naga unity and his call to the Nagas “to bring unity and reconciliation among the factions without involving the Naga Hoho, NSF and NPMHR” is very telling that this “unification” is not well thought-out. Any intelligent Naga will vouch that this is absolute nonsense. In this day and age, how do they even envision working for Naga self-determination without the collaborative work of the civil society?
IM Chairman Isak Swu, in his statement, “Clarification on Sumi unity” says, “other tribes cannot be discriminated because of Sumi unity.” On the other hand, according to Morung Express news report (27/11), the leaders of the “unification” team are alleged to have said that the fate of the Tangkhuls and the issue of the “Quit Notice” would be taken by the Naga people themselves. I wonder which Naga people these leaders are talking about. Tangkhuls are as Naga and as related to other Nagas as any other Naga community. In fact, culturally, the Tangkhuls, Sumis, Aos, Lotha, Angamis, Chakesang, Sangtam, Rengma, and Yimchuger belong to the same linguistic group.
According to a news report, the Eastern Nagaland People Organization is reported to have said that it will support the “unification” move made by some section of NSCNs leaders only if it is for the unification of all Nagas. Expressing a concern that the “unification” team wants to exclude some communities, Phowang Konyak, the president of ENPO is reported to have said, “We will also support if all Nagas are to be united under the unification move.”
A reliable source who was present at the Naga Hoho emergency consultation meeting at Japfu on Sunday, Dec. 2nd 2007, through a telephone interview, said Hoho representatives were of the opinion that unification by one community is objectionable. Members at the Hoho meeting agreed that any unification minus the civil society and Tangkhuls was not accepted. They reiterated that all Naga communities should be involved. Hoho representative also expressed suspicion about the motives of the “unification” team headed by one particular community. “There is some kind of game plan going on by those with vested interest. Their intention is very clear. All support unification of the Nagas but this so-called “unification” is not for the cause of the Nagas and therefore is very objectionable. Any genuine unification move should be done through the proper channel,” the source added.
There are many intelligent and well-meaning Sumis, but in the context of all the contradictions and controversies related to the “unification” by a few people of both factions belonging to the Sumi community, when HS Rotokha, president Sumi Hoho and Hokiye Yeptho, president Western Sumi Hoho issue a press note saying, “Sumi public has appreciated and extend its strong support towards the unification of NSCN faction,” what are other Nagas expected to conclude? With their best intentions to initiate unity, the Sumis, including the Sumi Hoho have become a suspect of conspiring with the “ulterior motives.” The Western Sumi Students’ Union termed the “unification” as a “prayer finally answered”. But, whose prayer? And, prayer for what?
If anything, the “unification” looks like a coup attempted by few individuals. But this time around, Nagas are wise not to be dissuaded by such shortsightedness. Whether Intangki Forest is the objective or not, this time around, it is like the case of the black crow. It steals but everybody knows it because it betrays itself by its raucous croaking. For some time, Nagas in Nagaland have become suspicious that one community is trying to control both underground and overground politics. Hopefully this is not the case. As Nagaland Post editorial (29/11) rightly pointed out, “tribal or territorial dominance would create the biggest impediment towards any peace process.” Ultimately, as a member of the Naga Hoho commented, “the truth will reveal itself.”
There is a story of Naga independence doing the rounds in Nagaland. It seems, like the Three Wise Men in the Bible, the Nagas went in search of independence. The elder Angami reached London and assumed he had got independence. He was so happy that he went into a deep sleep. But as he slept soundly, independence was snatched away from him.
The Ao was one of the early birds; he sold independence for Rs. 30/-. With that money he went to school to learn Hindi and the language of the Indian Congress and now speaks only Hindi and doesn’t want to speak the Naga language.
The younger Angami was traveling with the Sumi. Somebody had dropped Rs. 5/- on the way. Wanting to take that money, the Sumi farted to distract the Angami. As the Angami covered his nose with his hand, the Sumi took the money. Feeling cheated, the Angami took a vow never to go behind the Sumi and parted ways. The Angami, however, lost the way and came back home to make a shrine for the elder Angami.
In the meantime the elder Sumi reached Dimapur and realized it was the land of milk and honey. “This is independence! Alhoshe! Oshikimthi! (Praise the Lord! Thank you!)”, he said. Since then he has bought many goods and positions.
The elder Lotha started out well and reached London. Like the Angami, he thought he had independence but he was mistaken. He cooked too much bas tenga (bamboo shoot) and people did not like it so he had to change course. He took another direction and reached all the way back to Lakhuti, the village in Nagaland from where he started the search. The younger Lotha headed in the right direction but one day in a daze he lost his way and reached Mon. There in Mon he got intoxicated with opium and now he is in a la la land.
The Tangkhul found some treasures on the way and he claimed, “this is mine, this is also mine, this is also mine, this is also mine.” When his companions asked him why he was taking everything, he kicked them and said, “You are also mine.” And so the companions are still grumbling.
The Konyak was taught by the Ao and he has been a faithful student all the time. The Ao told him, “Say halleluia” and he said “halleluia”. Say “poisa”, and the Konyak said, “poisa.” But the Konyak had a habit of having opium and has not gotten over the hang-up. He thinks he is searching for independence but has not started from Mon yet.
This time in Niuland, the younger Sumi undergrounds initiating the “unification” have farted again and the smell of akhuni is too strong and many Nagas find the smell repugnant and are covering their noses and turning away in disgust.
You see, this was a drama and the audience was India. He enjoyed the drama so much that he has not stopped clapping and laughing. He is paying more money for an encore performance.
NESO to turn ‘aggressive’ against illegal migrants Newmai News Network
Guwahati |
The North East Students’ Organization (NESO), an umbrella organisation of students’ bodies of northeastern states, has decided take up ‘aggressive’ agitation against the governments in the Northeastern states over the issue of illegal immigrants residing in the region.
The decision was taken on Monday during the NESO's executive committee meeting, said NESO chairman Samujjal Bhattacharyya while addressing the newsmen here on Tuesday. “Besides we have also decided to take up strongly the issues relating to education, employment and economy of the region,” he said.
“We are reiterating our demands for Special education commission for the northeast and declaration of northeast as special economic zone and special employment zone,” he said and added that to improve education sector the organization has decided to press the respective state governments and the central government for introduction of new courses in various universities and colleges of the northeast.
Apart from this we have also decided to press the central government for having a boundary commission to settle the inter states boundaries of the region. “We would also demand special constitutional status for the people of the northeast region with right over land and natural resources.
esides these demands we are also going to press the governments for implementations of inner line permit in each states,” he said. NESO Secretary General Gunjum Haider said that implementation of Inner Line Permit is very important for Assam and most of the immigrants enter the region through Assam.
He said that the NESO has decided to observe December 17 as NESO Northeast Demand Day in each state and added that all the member student bodies of the region would place their demands before the respective state Governors on the day addressed to the President of India.
NESO seeks special status for NE States By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Dec 4 – The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has demanded special constitutional status for the NE states and their peoples. It has also demanded introduction of the inner line permit system for all the region’s states.

Addressing a press conference here today, NESO chairman Samujjal Bhattacharyya, its secretary general Gumjum Haider and vice president Lalmuampuia Punte apprised the mediapersons that the new executive committee of the students’ body in its first meeting here yesterday, had also demanded an economic commission as well as a special education commission for the region. The NESO, which is a confederation of the students’ organisations of the indigenous peoples of the region, has also demanded a technical university in each of the region’s states and to resolve the boundary disputes among the region’s states, it has also demanded a boundary commission, said the NESO leaders.

They further apprised the mediapersons that the federating units of the NESO would observe December 17 as the demand day and send memorandums addressed to the Prime Minister, through their respective Governors that day listing the above demands.

The memorandums will also include the demands for an effective mechanism to deport the foreign nationals from the region; updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC); treating region’s flood and erosion as a national problem and steps to develop NE region as a special employment and economic zone. The demands for scrapping the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act; utilisation of all natural resources of the region, except uranium; dealing the region’s political issues politically; re-opening the Stillwel Road and reserving the C and D categories of jobs in the region’s Central Government establishments for the local jobseekers will also feature in the memorandums, they said.

They resented the tagging of Tripura with Kolkata in matters of passport. The passport facilities for the Tripura people should be made available either at the Guwahati Regional Passport Office or each of the region’s states should be provided with a passport office, they demanded. Moreover, the NESO leaders demanded restoration of democracy in Myanmar to ensure return of its around 70,000 Mizo refugees from Mizoram. They also demanded immediate removal of the present NERIST head Kalyan Kumar for his alleged involvement in plagiarism and restoration of the provision of reservation of 31 per cent of the seats in the Tripura NIT for the tribals. Resenting the practice of keeping vacant a large number of seats meant for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in the NERIST, Itanagar, since its inception, the NESO leaders demanded that the quota of reservation for ST students in the institute should be raised to 46 per cent.

Foreign nationals: The NESO leaders resented the way the Assam Chief Minister declared the foreign nationals expelled by Arunachal as Indian citizens. If the NESO demands on foreign nationals are not met, it will take ‘very very aggressive steps’ against the foreign nationals, they warned. Constitutional status: To save the peoples of the region from being uprooted, they said a special constitutional status to these peoples and their states was needed with the rights of these peoples over their own land and natural resources entirely protected. They also need the protection of the inner line permit system to save themselves from the unabated influx of outsiders, said the NESO leaders. The peoples of the region are being marginalized and their rights over their land and resources are under serious threat due to influx of people from other parts as well as outside the country.

Chakmas: The NESO leaders also demanded relocation of the Chakma refugees of Arunachal Pradesh in other parts of the country in case the Indian Government wanted to grant them citizenship. The Chakmas are propagating in a rapid pace and it is feared that they will outnumber the aboriginal peoples of Arunachal in 2020, said the NESO leaders.
Blast on passenger train in Assam, no casualties By IANS
Guwahati, Dec 4 (IANS) A major disaster was averted early Tuesday in Assam when a powerful explosion rocked the engine of a passenger train but failed to impact the coaches, officials said.
A railway spokesman said the blast took place around 1.35 a.m. near Kathkhati in the eastern district of Karbi Anglong, 260 km from Assam's main city Guwahati.
'The locomotive of the Kamrup Express was partially damaged although there were no casualties. It was a narrow escape,' chief railway spokesman T. Rabha told IANS.
The train with about 400 passengers was bound for Tinsukia in eastern Assam from Guwahati.
'The blast did not damage the rail tracks. We changed the engine and the train departed for its destination after about two hours,' Rabha said.
Police suspect that tribal Karbi militants may be involved in the blast.
Threat to revive ‘Bodoland’ demand From our Correspondent Sentinel
KOKRAJHAR, Dec 4: A section of former Bodo leaders today said they will revive their original demand of “separate State of Bodoland” if the Government provides ST status to the six communities who have been demanding their inclusion in the ST list. They warned the State Government of another unrest in the State if it goes ahead with its decision to accord ST status to the six communities.
The six communities that have been demanding their inclusion in the ST list are the Mottocks, Morans, Koch-Rajbongshis, Chutias, Tea Tribes and the Tai Ahoms.
Talking to The Sentinel today, former senior Bodo leader Daorao Dekhreb Nazrary, who is also the treasurer of the BPPF(H), said both New Delhi and Dispur should remember that the existing tribal communities, who are the sons of the soil of Asom, must not be affected by granting of ST status to more communities of the State. He said the Government is going ahead with its decision to accord ST status to the Adivasis — who hailed from Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh a century ago as tea workers— after the recent Beltola incident is not acceptable. “It is a matter of shame for the State Government that it has succumbed to the pressure from Jharkhand leaders to grant ST status to the Adivasis,” Narzary said, and added: “The Government shouldn’t forget that thousands of Bodos and other tribes of the State lost their lives in the name of creation of the territorial council, script issue, the medium of instruction and other issues, but nobody in the State raised his or her voice in favour of the demand of the Bodos.” He said Bodo women were gang-raped at Bhunka in 1989, Baghmara (Barpeta) in 1991, and at Ultapani many of them were molested by security personnel, but neither the media highlighted all those incidents nor the administration brought the culprits to the book. He urged the State Government to review its decision to send fresh recommendations to the Centre for ST status to the six communities.
Talking to The Sentinel, All Assam Tribal Sangha (AATS) president Ranjit Kumar Borgoyary said the Sangha will not be a mute spectator it the Government goes ahead with granting ST status to the six communities. He said the AATS will launch a massive agitation in the State within the next few days to register its protest against the move to include more communities in the ST list. Borgoyary held the State Government responsible for its failure to protect tribal in the State.
BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary said nobody has objection to ST status to the Adivasis and other five communities, but the move should not affect the interest of the existing tribes. “The six communities, if included in the ST list, should be categorized separately,” he added. Former senior Bodo leader A Daimary, while talking to The Sentinel, said the Bodos and other tribal people of the region have no alternative but to revive their demand of separate “State of Bodoland” if the Government accords ST status to the six communities.
China Wins Rights to Myanmar's Gas, Beating India Indo Burma News
December 5, 2007:(Bloomberg), China won the rights to buy natural gas from Myanmar's biggest field, beating stakeholder India in the race for resources among the world's two-fastest growing major economies. Daewoo International Corp., the operator of the field, said it picked a Chinese company as the preferred bidder. State-owned Indian companies own 30 percent in the area, which holds as much as 7.7 trillion cubic feet of gas. India has lost out to China in more than $10 billion of oil and gas assets in Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Canada in the last two years, depriving the resource-scarce nation as crude oil prices rose to a record. China's planned construction of a pipeline underscored its commitment to win the latest contest.
``The Indians showed interest but they haven't been so aggressive,'' said Tony Regan, a consultant for U.S. Nexant Ltd. based in Singapore. ``The Chinese were showing much more interest and they were looking at how to get it to China and they got a pre-approval from Beijing for a pipeline to China.''
China, India, Thailand, South Korea and Japan are competing for a share of Myanmar's gas supply as discoveries increase. The Southeast Asian country had about 19 trillion cubic feet of reserves last year, BP Plc said in its annual energy report.
Planned Pipeline The gas will be transported via pipelines, Daewoo said in a regulatory filing in Seoul today, without identifying the buyer. The Korean company is the operator of the A-1 and A-3 offshore blocks, in which it has a 60 percent stake. Korea Gas Corp. owns 10 percent of the areas, GAIL India (Ltd.), the nation's biggest gas distributor, holds 10 percent and Oil & Natural Gas Corp., the biggest explorer, owns 20 percent.
``Gas from the field has to be sold and if Daewoo has chosen China, in-principle, I see nothing wrong with it,'' said R.S. Sharma, chairman of Oil & Natural Gas. ``GAIL was dealing with the bit relating to getting the gas to India.''
Energy consultant Gaffney, Cline & Associates certified that Myanmar's A-1 and A-3 areas hold as much as 7.7 trillion cubic feet of gas.
State-Owned Bidders Daewoo International is in talks to sell the gas to PetroChina Co., the Korea Economic Daily reported on Nov. 27, citing Daewoo International's Chief Executive Kang Young Won. Daewoo and PetroChina are in discussions over the price and may reach an agreement soon, Kang said in an interview with the Korean-language newspaper.
``Daewoo and Myanmar government had agreed to put the first priority on profitability when it comes to the gas project, and the selection of a Chinese company is in line with the basic principle,'' said Kim Sang Ook, director at Daewoo International's public relations department.
China is Myanmar's closest ally and one of its biggest trading partners. As a permanent, veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, its support is essential for any international effort to bring about change in the Southeast Asian country. Myanmar's military, which has ruled the country formerly known as Burma for 45 years, was condemned around the world for deploying soldiers Sept. 26 to crush the biggest anti-junta protests in almost 20 years.
Energy Consumption China, the biggest contributor to global growth, last year consumed 1.96 trillion cubic feet of gas, according to BP Plc's Statistical Review of World Energy released in June this year. India, the second-fastest growing economy in the world after China, estimates its demand for gas will more than double to 14 billion cubic feet a day by 2025. Natural gas is the largest source of revenue for Myanmar, according to the New York-based Human Rights Watch. Myanmar earned $2.16 billion by selling gas, mainly to Thailand, in 2006, Human Rights Watch estimates. And that amount accounted for half the country's total exports, it said.
Cnooc Ltd., China's biggest offshore oil company, in 2006 bought a stake in a Nigerian oil field for $2.7 billion after India's government blocked Oil & Natural Gas's plan to buy the share.
China National Petroleum Corp., or CNPC, in August 2005 won $4.2 billion bid for PetroKazakhastan Inc. A month later, the Chinese company won a $1.42 billion bid for Encana Corp.
``They go in with a sovereign mandate,'' Oil & Natural Gas's Sharma said in an interview in October. ``We have commercial considerations and need to do due diligence.''
Army tanks patrol Myit Kyina town: KIA Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
December 4, 2007 - In a show of military muscle, a number of military tanks have been spotted doing the rounds of Myit Kyina town, capital of Kachin State in northern Burma, an officer of the Kachin Independence Army, an armed ceasefire group, said.
"I was told by our headquarters [on the Sino-Burmese border] that several tanks are seen doing the rounds in Myit Kyina town, particularly in front of the KIA office in Shatapru quarter," the KIA officer, who requested anonymity, told Mizzima.
While the reason for the sudden show of strength by the Burmese Army is still unclear, the KIA officer said it could be a warning to the KIA, which has been fighting the Burmese military dictators for over 40 years, for failing to comply with the junta's request. The Burmese military junta has pressured the KIA to sign a pre-written statement that refuted the declaration made by detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in early November.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on November 8, issued a statement through the visiting UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, stating her willingness to cooperate with the ruling junta to kick-start a process of national reconciliation in serious consideration to the interest of ethnic nationalities.
Following the statement, the junta sent its Minister for Culture to area along the Sino-Burmese border and pressured ethnic cease fire groups to issue statements countering Daw Suu's statement.
"May be the junta wants to show its strength to us and wants to give us some kind of warning," added the KIA officer. Meanwhile, a source in Myit Kyina town confirmed that he had seen several army tanks doing the rounds of the town.
"I think it was in the last week of November, when I returned from work I saw a few tanks in the centre of the town," said the source, who does not wish to disclose his identity.



Frans on 12.05.07 @ 03:06 PM CST [link]


Tuesday, December 4th

“Unification” must include all Nagas The Morung Express



“Unification” must include all Nagas The Morung Express

Dimapur, December 3 (MExN): Following the emergency consultation meeting of the Naga Hoho held at Kohima on December 2, which was well-attended by federating tribes, various constituent bodies and mass-based civil society organizations and social institution, the Naga Hoho is furthering the expressed wishes and aspirations of the Naga people through the deliberations of the consultative meeting. It has come out with a two point resolve stating that any kind of unification must be inclusive of all Nagas, and secondly that unification must be achieved in uniformity with the political aspiration of the Naga people and the ongoing political negotiations. The Naga Hoho also conveyed its understanding that for any meaningful unification to take place amongst the various Naga groups there should be clear-cut endorsement from the top leadership of all the Naga underground groups, stated a press note issued by Naga Hoho president Bendangmayang Jamir and general secretary Neingulo Krome.
Besides tribal Hohos, it was informed that the meeting was also attended by Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Mothers’ Association and the Naga Council of Dimapur, which deliberated at length, the prevailing situation with particular reference to the recent move for “unification” amongst the Naga underground groups in a spirit of “heart to heart talks”.
In this regard, the Naga Hoho expressed its deep appreciation to the Sumi Hoho for explaining some of the compelling reasons and circumstances under which the recent unification move was launched, so also, to the Chakhesang Public Organization, for their generosity to share their experience of a similar initiative several years ago in the Chakhesang Naga country, and the subsequent unanimity to say that, “unifications of any tribe should not minus any other Naga tribe”. At the same time, the Naga Hoho also took the opportunity to express its profound, but unqualified, gratitude to all the federating units and participants for the confidence reposed on Naga Hoho, as the competent body to take up any unification move, while “fully aware of our many weaknesses and limitations”.
NSCN (K) leaders endorse ‘unity move’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 3 (MExN): Convener of the Council of Kilonsers, NSCN (K) AZ Jami has cautioned that the recent unity drive initiated by the Western Sumi Hoho may well be the last and only chance for the Nagas towards reconciliation and unity under a single umbrella. Jami in this regard clarified that as far as the NSCN (K) is concerned, “the consent and blessings of the senior leaders like SS Khaplang and General Khole had been unambiguously obtained”. As such Jami stated that for the NSCN (K) leaders and cadres there are no different opinions, “but only one consensus opinion that there should be unity and reconciliation among the different factions”.
“So, please do not talk that it is for the Sumis or Konyaks or Aos. It is for all the Nagas to stop fighting against each other and to accuse each other to show our nakedness before the world”, Jami stated adding that it was high time that different sections of the Naga people from every walk of life should come to an “understanding point”. Jami in a press note pointed out that Nagas from every corner have been talking of unity and reconciliation among the different Naga factions but stated that no one had the courage to start it and acknowledged that this time the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) had initiated the move and that the senior Kilonsers of Sumis in the NSCN (IM) had responded positively with their cadres. Jami stated that the WSH was supported by all the frontal organizations of the Sumi community. Jami however regretted that “people from some corners, who do not know the gravity of the problem, are misleading the Naga people by saying that the unity process has been initiated by some vested interest” people. Jami stated that the chance provided by the recent unity drive may never come back and if today’s chance is missed who will take up the move again. “Tell the Naga people who will have courage to take up the initiative before the barrel of guns of the reactionaries”. Jami appealed and urged the Naga people to “plunge into the unity move and let God help in reconciliation and forgiveness among the Nagas” in order to allow “the land to be healed of bloodshed and hatred”. He also appealed not to “pretend, give excuses and not to nurture ill feelings against anyone…nor suspect anyone”.
Pointing out that Nagas goal of sovereignty was long overdue, Jami called for positive thinking citing the instance of Kosovo which will be an independent nation very soon although their movement is of very recent origin and whereas the Naga movement is about three quarters of a century old now. The NSCN (K) leader urged the Naga tribal units, students and Churches to have courage and give full support and cooperation to the unity move. “Where are you now NBCC? Where are you now GBs federation? Where are you now DBs Association? Where are you now, who are dreaming and talking about unity and reconciliation? Come out openly. Don not go to the adversary’s camp. Do not miss this last chance”, Jami stated and encouraged the Sumis to keep courage and strengthen their hands and to be patient working hard till the goal of unity is fully achieved.
Naga Hoho discusses unification move Nagarealm.com
Dimapur, DEC03 [NPN] : Against the backdrop of the current unity move, the Naga Hoho Monday said any kind of unification must be inclusive of all Nagas and that unification must be achieved in uniformity with the political aspiration of the Nagas and the ongoing political negotiations.

An emergency consultation meeting of the Naga Hoho held at Kohima on December 2 deliberated at length the prevailing situation with particular reference to the move for unity among the Naga underground groups and maintained that there should be clear-cut endorsement from the top leadership of all Naga national groups for any meaningful unification. The Naga Hoho in a statement issued jointly by its president Bengdangmayang Jamir and general secretary Neingulo Krome expressed appreciation to the Sumi Hoho for explaining some of the compelling reasons and circumstances under which the recent unification move was launched.

The Hoho pointed out that a similar initiative taken several years ago in Chakhesang area ended with the unanimous decision that “Unification of any tribe should not minus any other Naga tribe”. The Naga Hoho expressed gratitude to all the federating units and participants for reposing their confidence on it as the competent body to take up any unification move, “while fully aware of our many weaknesses and limitations”. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Mothers’ Association and Naga Council of Dimapur.
Support for unification process Nagarealm.com
UNIFIED CAMP (KUHU-BOTO), DEC03 [NPN] : Leaders of the erstwhile NSCN (K) from Phom, Chakhesang and Kuki regions have dispelled apprehensions that the ongoing process of unification was for the benefit of certain tribes alone.
The leaders insisted that the process was itself a “people’s mandate” and that the core issue still was sovereignty of the Nagas.

Speaking to a select group of journalists here at Kuhuboto, ‘Kilonser’ C. Singson, ‘Tatars’ Thepuvezu Chakhesang, Langtok Phom and Haolim Kuki, were univocal in their stand against tribalism in NSCN and instead appealed to all sections of Naga society to support the unification move. Haolim Kuki said that after several attempts to bring about unification by various NGOs and even the DAN Government, the NSCN today was sitting across the same table due to the maturity of the leaders from both factions to unite under the same banner.
On the other hand, Langtok Phom said the unification move had come a little too late as many lives had been lost due to factional feuds.

Expressing his happiness over unification of the two NSCNs, he however warned that certain groups were still averse to the unification process and urged Nagas to repel these forces. Thepuvezo Chakesang questioned the silence of the Church and the NGOs saying the process of unification was in line with the long-desired wish of the Naga people. He said that no section of society or groups should cast any suspicion on the Sumis at this point but instead appreciate and support the move initiated by Sumi leaders. Asked on whether the move would invite any backlash from any quarters, Singson said any such move would go against the wishes of the Nagas. He said unity of the Nagas should be irrespective of Northern or Southern Nagas, tribes or regions.

Meanwhile, in a statement, senior NSCN (K) leader AZ Jami appreciated the Western Sumi Hoho for the unity move but criticized some sections of the society for “misleading” the Nagas that the process was initiated by some vested interests. Jami clarified that the process was not initiated by a single community as alleged but that it had the consent and blessings of senior leaders including NSCN (K) Chairman SS Khaplang and “Gen” Khole. “It is for all the Nagas to stop fighting against one another,” Jami said. He urged all sections of the Naga society to come to the point of understanding.
Rio’s plea to Centre Nagaland post
Dimapur, Dec 3: In the aftermath of the reported drive by Myanmerese military junta to drive out activists of India’s north-eastern States holed up in that country, the Nagaland government has purportedly requested the central government to prevail upon Myanmar to declare a ceasefire with the NSCN (K).
Talking to a national daily on the sidelines of ongoing Hornbill Festival at Kisama, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio cited “economic” reasons for recommending the opposite of what any State government would be expected to do.
Rio insisted that Government of India pressurize the neighbouring country to make peace with Nagas living across the border in order that they could participate in economic activities as envisaged under the “Look East” policy of the Centre. “Peace in the Naga areas of Myanmar is essential to develop trade with Myanmar through Nagaland,” he said.
According to a report filed by the national daily, Rio made the request to Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee. He also desired to speak to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in this regard.
This was for the first time any State government suggesting that a neighbouring nation be asked to go easy on a militant outfit.
The NSCN (K) along with ULFA and some militant outfits of Manipur has a dominating presence in the Naga-inhabited areas of Myanmar’s Sagaing division.
Rio said unlike other groups of the north-east, the NSCN (K) was engaged in a “political conflict” with Myanmar.
“India should take the initiative in making the military junta in Myanmar recognise the Naga issue as a political problem,” he had insisted.
Protest rally to push GoI on Naga talks The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 3 (MExN): The Naga Students Union Delhi (NSUD) has informed that in view of the impending political solution even after more than 60 rounds of talks since 1997, it plans to organise a peaceful protest rally to express its dissatisfaction with the Government of India for “shilly-shallying” the political peace process. This peaceful protest rally will march from Mandi House to Parliament Street on Tuesday, December 4 at 1.30 pm, informed Thejasenuo Meyase, president of NSUD and Yaronsho Ngalung, media incharge.
The NSUD wants the Government of India to spell out its political decision in clear terms on the genuine aspiration of the Naga people. In this regard, the NSUD strongly urged the GoI to take matured political steps that will help implement the core aspiration of the Nagas to preserve and nurture their unique political identity, and that, “un-turning the GoI’s recognition of unique history and situation of Nagas on July 11, 2002, in Amsterdam into a reality is a political sham”.
The NSUD also pointed out that the Nagas’ aspiration for their politico-cultural and territorial oneness in the North Eastern region is a sine qua non towards transforming the conflict, and that, NSUD wants the GoI to get rid of its old and traditional method of managing the conflict through adhoc measures devoid of political content and meaning.
The NSUD wants the GoI to overcome “its incorrect understanding and narrow perception of the conflict as merely internal or domestic issue in nature” and that the GoI should be aware that such traditional mechanism has never helped in transforming the Indo-Naga politico-military conflict. As such it urged Delhi to have a more holistic approach that takes into consideration the external relevance which it stated needs to be contextualized.
The NSUD states that the sincerity as claimed by the GoI has a big question mark given the fact that nothing concrete result is being seen even after 10 years of peace talks. The NSUD therefore urged the GoI to be more sincere and honest while keeping in mind the Nagas’ aspiration. The NSUD informed that it was organising this peaceful protest rally to strengthen fostering positive transformation of the conflict informed of principles of human rights, dignity, freedom, liberty, equality, natural justice and democracy.
NSCN (K) refutes ‘blatant lie’ on ambush The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 3 (MExN): The NSCN (K) has termed as “nonsensical” the allegation leveled against its Ato Kilonser N. Kitovi Zhimomi by the NSCN (IM) relating to the November 24 armed ambush on Goa Governor SC Jamir and also refuted the charge that Kitovi had a meeting with Jamir in Goa and Mokokchung. Terming such allegations as a “blatant lie”, the NSCN (K) through its MIP stated that Kitovi never ever went to Goa and had also not even stopped “a single minute at Mokokchung after the August 2003 ugly incident”. The NSCN (K) stated that the question of Kitovi taking part in the alleged stage-managed ambush was nothing but “a talk of mentally imbalance persons and blasphemy against God” and that Kitovi as a Naga leader would never ever “stoop too low as Th Muivah to commit such sins”.
Making serious allegations, the NSCN (K) alleged that Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had given Rs 10 crores to Th Muivah on October 14 by sending his official vehicle to Hebron and the conspiracy was hatched with the help of that money. The NSCN (K) charged that the Naga people were “rejecting Muivah’s leadership because of his unfaithfulness and falsehoods” and that such a person should be ashamed to claim himself as a leader. The NSCN (K) also pointed out that the NSCN (IM) had actually issued an order banning Jamir to enter Nagaland and that Jamir had defiantly visited his home town. “Therefore, thousands of statements will not absolve them (Th Muivah) from the charges of attempting on the life of Dr SC Jamir”.
The NSCN (K) alleged that Muivah had the guts to instruct “his gangs to concoct and fabricate such evil allegations against his opponents and his men have the guts to commit such heinous crimes against anyone and throwing the blame on others”. “But how long, they will be able to do such abomination as real devils cannot be measured. But Naga people should not be swayed by such hypocritical acts”, it stated.
Pointing out that every time the NSCN (IM) killed or hurt any one was termed as stage managed by them, the NSCN (K) stated that the shooting of Dr Maongwati at Dimapur some years back was also stage managed according to the NSCN (IM). “But Dr Maongwati is in the wheel chair now and some of the criminals are still in jail. We think no one on earth will inflict serious injury to himself in as stage managed act”, the NSCN (K) stated while adding that according to the NSCN (IM) the four life attempt on Jamir “were all stage managed”.
Nagaland wants Myanmar to recognize NSCN (UNI) Nagaland Page

Kohima, December 3: The Nagaland government wants the Myanmarese junta to recognise NSCN(K) group of militants, holed up in that country, for early solution of the Naga peace process.
Talking to a group of visiting newspersons last night at Kohima, Chief Minister Neiphu Rio said he had raised the matter with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukharjee.
''I am going to write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to pressurise the military junta to recognise the NSCN(K) on their side of the border so that we can push forward with the case,'' Rio said.
The NSCN(K), or Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland(NSCN), has been largely based at Myanmar since they split with the Issac-Muviah faction of the NSCN.
As the peace process has entered a crucial stage with the Union Government, there are efforts to cover all the Nagas under the possible solution. But that is not so easy as the political boundary of India and Myanmar have separated many Naga villages on the edge of Mokukchang and Mon districts of Nagaland, but inside Myanmar.
The Nagaland government wants the Myanmarese government to recognise the presence of Nagas and NSCN(K) so that Nagaland can play their part in helping Nagas, living in the remotest part of the world, as well as involve them in the peace process.
Those Nagas are still far from the modern world as they are not governed by Myanmar and the Nagaland government could do nothing because of the international boundary. It was for this reason that both factions of the NSCNs are fighting for a sovereign Nagalim, involving Nagas scattered over Nagaland, Manipur, Myanmar, Arunachal Pradesh and some parts of Assam.
This new move of Nagaland is being seen in political circles as aimed at keeping the Khlpang faction in good humour before the February Assembly election, as both sections of NSCN are trying to forge unity.
''If they get united then it is the best thing for peace solution. But sectoral unity on the ethnic line may produce more bloodbath,'' Rio warned.
There are reports that Sema people of both militant groups are trying to unite, which has triggered a series of political moves in Nagaland.
There are reports that, after 19 years of fratricidal killings, the Nagas are finally coming under one banner - the NSCN - leaving aside past bitterness. It was mainly through the efforts of the Sumi frontal organisations, specially the Western Sumi Hoho, Western Kukami Hoho, Western Sumi Youth Front, Western Sumi Students' Union among others.
Rio further said he was observing the movements very keenly and recent resignations of some of his Sema ministerial and party colleagues have been due to 'vested interest'.

LOKSHREE DR. S.C. JAMIR AS I SAW HIM Jagdamba Mall Nagaland Page

The situation in Nagaland in the mid-nineties was very volatile and violent. The mindless killing, kidnapping, robbery and extortion had threatened the peace, prosperity and communal harmony of the people in Nagaland and also in neighboring states. The Merapani incident of 1985 added salt to injuries. During Merapani uprising scores of innocent people were killed and the disturbance continued for several months. It was during those days I first met Shri S.C. Jamir then Chief Minister of Nagaland at his official residence when I led a delegation of Central Government Employees as General Secretary of All Nagaland Central Government Employees Coordination Committee Nagaland. The delegation included Manoj Biswas and Ranjit Paul from Accountant General's Office, D.C. Rout and Gulabi Singh from Telephone Exchange, H.K. Endo and Neisakulie Angami from Census Operation and few more from different Central Govt. Offices stationed at Kohima. The office bearers of the said coordination committee submitted a memorandum to Shri S.C. Jamir - the Chief Minister of Nagaland, with a request to provide security in the premises of Central Government Offices and in residential area as well. Because Central Govt. employees were targeted and were more vulnerable. Three of employees of AG Office were lifted during office hours from office premises and taken to unknown destination which led to a weeklong strike in the office. I was then Secretary of Audit and Accounts Association, Nagaland.
The delegation discussed the security problem in detail with Shri Jamir who gave a very patient hearing to us. We returned with a sigh of relief because of assurances offered by him. Though we were not fully satisfied with what were done by the State Government it provided much succour to Central Government employees during those turbulent days. The day and night CRPF patrolling started in residential areas where Central Govt. employees lived and CRPF security guards were posted in most of the major Central govt. offices stationed at Kohima and Dimapur. Chief Secretary K.S. Puri and DGP Nagaland came to AG Office and addressed General Body meting of AG's employees assuring possible security arrangements.
The second time I met Shri S.C. Jamir was in 2004 at his Chumukedima farmhouse. I took a team of office bearers of Hindu Mandir Society Kohima and met him to invite grace Shree Shree Ram Katha Utsav in State Academy Hall, Kohima. Shri Jamir thoroughly inquired about the identity of each member of the team. He asked about the activities of Hindu Mandir Society, Kohima and then had a very free and frank discussion with us while sipping a cup of tea. He then said that he would let us know about his decision within two three days. Though we were much pleased on his hospitality and befitting reception and response we had doubt that he would accept our invitation. Only after two days I received a telephonic call on his behalf conveying that he had consented to grace Shree Shree Ram Katha Utsav and that he had asked for details of the programme. We were jubilant on Shri Jamir's acceptance of our invitation. Hindu Mandir Society had ventured to invite Shri Shyamal Dutta, then Governor of Nagaland and all the four former Chief Ministers viz. Shri J.B. Jasokie, Shri S.C. Jamir, Dr. Hokishe Sema and Shri Vizol alongwith many former and sitting political leaders and public leaders from Naga society. Shri J.B. Jasokie could not attend the function on health grounds. All the three former Chief Ministers - Dr. Hokishe Sema, Dr. S.C. Jamir and Shri Vizol shared the same sofa-set alongwith the Governor Shri Shyamal Dutta. The veteran social worker and a noted educationist Shri Manik Bhattacharjee and Shri N.C. Zeliang also were happy to share the VIP row in State Academy Hall. Swami Yatindrananda Saraswati - the Sanyasin from Roorkie, U.P honoured the Governor and all the three former Chief Ministers with Kashmiri Shawal and Shrifal (coconut) and blessed them with Veda Mantras. Shri Manik Battacharjee and N.C. Zeliang were also honoured for their selfless social service to the society. This function was of great significance for bringing Nagas and Hindus closer to each other. The venue of utsav was jam-packed with almost one third of audience from Naga society. The venture was appreciated. The idea was to enthuse mutual trust in every section of human society. This could be achieved to a certain extent. All these could happen because of encouraging response we received from Dr. S.C. Jamir. The speech he delivered in the function was another encouragement towards bridging the gap between Nagas and non-Nagas. Some fanatics later criticized Shri Jamir in the media for attending this Hindu religious function. They questioned Jamir's propriety of his Christian faith. But he preferred to remain quiet.
Except on these two occasions I had no other opportunity either to meet Shri Jamir or interact with him. But as a keen observer of the developments in Nagas society - political and non-political both, I have been reading the views expressed by Dr. S.C. Jamir in the media including his most talked of booklet - Bedrock of Naga Society. I have also been reading the views expressed by Governors and top ranking political leaders, underground leaders, student leaders, Church leaders and leaders of other social organizations. As a resident of the capital city-Kohima, I have been watching the various political activities and cultural functions for last thirty-two years from 1975 onwards.
What strikes most to my mind is the lack of vision, the lack of ability to peep into near and a future and their crave for carnal pleasure in most of the Naga leaders - over ground and underground both. When I say Naga leaders it includes Church leaders also who are supposed to be spiritual in approach and pious in behavior.
Before and after the publication of Bedrock of Naga Society, the top ranking Naga leaders - political and non-political both admitted in private the facts narrated in that booklet. The armed section of Naga society blamed Shri Jamir of putting sovereignty movement into reverse gear.
Now, if the opinions/proposals are analysed objectively and subjectively put-forth by several Naga leaders at different point of time right from Shri V. Sakhrie - the first NNC General Secretary, R. Suisa, Dr. Imkongliba, signatories of Shillong Accord 1975, Dr. Hokishe Sema, J.B. Jasokie, Shri Vizol till day's Naga leaders, it will be seen that Dr. S.C. Jamir is not alone in his view point about vexed Naga problem. The silent majorities from Naga society have similar views. The only difference is that Jamir speaks out while others not.
The national and international scenario have been changed to the advantage of our country. The countries like USA, UK and China - once sworn enemies of Bharatvarsh have drastically changed their perception and approach towards Bharatvarsh. They have become partners in economic deals and international commerce and trade. They have shared defence deals and entered into agreements to contain cross - border terrorism.
At home, Nagas stand fragmented not only today but from the beginning. One many not admit but I have been noticing from last thirty-two years. They are killing each other. It is not only Dr. S.C. Jamir whose head is wanted by whom (?), not by any non-Naga but by a section of armed Nagas, but the heads of all the top-ranking Naga leaders - over ground and underground both without even a single exception, are wanted by rival armed factions. Who is safe here in today's Nagaland? Can any top-ranking underground Naga leader claim that he is safe in Nagaland whose sovereignty, they claim, they are fighting for? No. They can't claim because situation is such. It reminds me the phrase-hate begets hate.
Because of assassination of dozens of giant geniuses from Naga society by their own people, the Naga community stands today starved of intellectual class who can match geniuses at national and international fora. In fact, people in other parts of the country are bemused to witness the mad killings here in Nagaland.
Dr. S.C. Jamir has been attacked almost half a dozen time the recent being at Changki village on 23rd November. God knows what will happen to him tomorrow. But frankly speaking, I admire him not for any other reason but for his wisdom, his all-embracive behaviour and his contribution to Naga society and the country risking his own life.
Not that those who are manning the high ranks in underground organizations are not wise. In my opinion, they also possess high degree of wisdom. But their wisdom is not being used for the welfare of the society because they are working opposite to each other. As of today, there is no hope even in distant future that all these Naga intellectuals will come closer to each other. In the present crisis in Naga society, if Dr. S.C. Jamir is assassinated, it will be a great loss not only to Naga society alone but the nation as a whole and for that matter, to whole of the humanity. It will not be possible to fill up the void so created in Naga society for long.
The great leaders are born not always but at a given point of time with God-assigned duties to perform for the good of human society. I would, therefore, like to avail this opportunity and appeal not to kill the rivals but to settle their differences through meaningful dialogues. Let the forthcoming Christmas festival deliver a dawn of peace, prosperity and harmony in Naga society.
I am a Central Govt. employee and I am fully aware of provisions of CCS (Conduct) Rules which do not permit to write such article but I am unable to withhold the idea which I am nursing in my mind about Naga society. That is why this small write-up. But let me make it clear that this is neither to glorify anybody nor to downgrade somebody. This is my personal opinion which I am sharing with the society.

NDA walkout over Adivasi ST status Our Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Dec 3 – A walkout by the Opposition BJP-led NDA notwithstanding, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil steered clear of making any firm commitment on the long-pending demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Adivasis, and sought to pass the buck on the State Government for the impasse. The much-awaited Calling Attention Motion on the violence in Guwahati involving the Adivasis and the locals turned into a political blame game, with the ruling Congress party MPs locking horns with the Opposition BJP and AGP. After sustaining repeated hits from the Opposition during the last couple of days, the Congress’ State MPs retaliated with all guns blazing.

The Congress party dug into old records and sought to pin down the AGP and the BJP for having rejected the demand for ST status, when they were in power at the State and the Centre, respectively. SK Bwiswmutiary, however struck a different note when he opposed the demand for scheduling of the six communities without the consent of the existing tribal groups. A breather for the UPA Government also came in form of Sibu Soren, who restrained himself from attacking Tarun Gogoi Government, like other tribal leaders. Instead, he concentrated on the demand for ST status and payment of adequate compensation to those affected particularly the girl who was disrobed.

In his opening statement, Patil informed the House that the Chief Minister has written to him informing that the cost of the girl’s education would be taken care of by the State Government and promise of a government job, thereafter.
The Union Home Minister also sought to take shelter on the recommendations of the previous State Governments to justify the Centre’s stand on the issue of scheduling. “I am sorry to say Government of Assam has given different recommendations,” he said.

“The recommendations given by Government of Assam are not consistent. In 1997, they said don’t include them. In 1999, they said if the tea tribes were included in the List, other tribes in the area would object. Then they said even though they don’t fulfil the criteria, the communities should be included,” Patil said to a loud protest by AGP and BJP members.

The Union Home Minister was also refrained from making any commitment on the demand for CBI inquiry, mentioning that the Agency was over worked and may take a long time in taking up the probe. The inquiry report may not come as soon as desired, he added.

Despite Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee’s repeated attempts to prevent the MPs from slamming Assam Government, Opposition MPs paid little heed. “This is not Assam Assembly,” Chatterjee kept reminding the agitated MPs. Later, the BJP along with its NDA partners staged a walk out in protest against the Home Minister’s unsatisfactory reply’.

Replying to the questions raised by the MPs, Union Home Minister admitting that the problem was complex, said the Centre and the State Government would apply their mind to resolve the problem in a fashion that their conditions improve.
Referring to the violence on the streets of Guwahati, Patil commented that what happen in Assam was condemnable and should not happen to anyone, anywhere in the country.

The Union Home Minister, however, startled everyone by admitting that the extremists’ outfits in Assam have tried to take advantage of the turmoil to start fresh trouble. According to available information some terrorist outfit are trying to find out the issues on which agitation could be started. “We will not be surprised if the terrorist outfits tries to exploit the situation to start a new agitation in the State,” observed Patil.

On the critical issue of the demand for ST status raised by majority of the MPs, the Union Home Minister explained the procedures involved in scheduling. The Lokur Committee that was appointed by the Centre laid down the criteria for accepting a tribe as ST. The criteria are: primitive traits, geographical isolation, shyness and economic backwardness, Patil informed. These criteria have to be applied to see whether they fulfil them, the Union Home Minister said. In his first statement in the Parliament, Patil has said the demands for scheduling was rejected because the communities tend to loose their status in new surroundings, besides some of the adivasis were not even STs in their native States.

Patil also pointed to the opposition by other tribal groups. If they are included then other tribal groups object. “We have to take a balanced stand,” he said.

About the demand for inclusion of the six communities, an upset Patil clarified that 97 tribes were seeking entry into the ST List. “It is going to create a problem,” he cautioned.

It is also the recommendation of the State Government that they should be included only if they don’t affect the interest of the tribal groups. Hinting that it was the economic conditions of the advisasis that concerned the government most, the Union Home Minister, who faced frequent interruptions from opposition said that they were economically most backward. It is this situation that Government of India and Assam are concentrating. They need help the most and we shall have to find a way out,” he said.

In his opening remarks, the Home Minister said the State Government has instituted a judicial inquiry, while three persons involved in the incident of disrobing has been arrested. All districts have been asked to take adequate measures to control the situation and mobile patrolling has been started in those districts with mixed population. The Ministry of Home Affairs is keeping a close watch on the situation, he added.
Blast on passenger train in Assam, no casualties By IANS
Guwahati, Dec 4 (IANS) A major disaster was averted early Tuesday in Assam when a powerful explosion rocked the engine of a passenger train but failed to impact the coaches, officials said.
A railway spokesman said the blast took place around 1.35 a.m. near Kathkhati in the eastern district of Karbi Anglong, 260 km from Assam's main city Guwahati. 'The locomotive of the Kamrup Express was partially damaged although there were no casualties. It was a narrow escape,' chief railway spokesman T. Rabha told IANS.
The train with about 400 passengers was bound for Tinsukia in eastern Assam from Guwahati.'The blast did not damage the rail tracks. We changed the engine and the train departed for its destination after about two hours,' Rabha said. Police suspect that tribal Karbi militants may be involved in the blast.
Firing on youths fuels Adivasi anger OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


The Adivasi activists who laid siege to the OIL installation on Monday. Picture by Amrit Sarma
Dibrugarh, Dec. 3: Assam’s already restive Adivasi community exploded in protest once again after police opened fire on a group of youths who were protesting against retrenchment by Oil India Ltd.
Hundreds of Adivasis, most of them tea garden workers, laid siege to an OIL installation at Makum in Tinsukia district this morning to demand action against the police team that fired on the youths last night, injuring two of them. They also demanded that the contractual workers who had lost their jobs be reinstated.
Superintendent of police Prasanta Bhuyan said the firing was provoked by a mob armed with sharp weapons. “About 50 of them charged at the police team that was deployed at the OIL installation only yesterday. The security personnel had no option but to open fire.”
The two youths injured in the firing — James Tanti and Bharat Patra — were taken to Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh. “James, who was admitted with a bullet in his chest, had to be operated on. Bharat’s injuries were mostly inflicted with bayonets. Both are stable,” the principal and chief superintendent of the medical college, Dr T.R. Borborah, said.
Tinsukia deputy commissioner K.K. Dwivedi announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident, but the Asom Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) demanded a judicial probe instead.
The protesters who faced bullets were all residents of Betjan tea estate. Bhuyan said most of them were drunk when the incident occurred. The trigger for the protest was the OIL management telling 11 Adivasi contractual workers who had been employed as guards at the company’s Betjan installation that their services were no longer required. Personnel from the Makum camp of the 2nd Assam Police Battalion took charge of security at the site.
“We have demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident because we do not have any faith in an executive inquiry. The state government will have to bear all the medical expenses of the injured and properly compensate them. We also want the policemen involved in the firing to be put behind bars,” the secretary of the Doomdooma circle office of the ACMS, Rupesh Gowala, said.
The ACMS also demanded payment of a day’s wages by OIL to the 1,200 workers of Betjan tea estate who lost their day’s earnings because of today’s protest.
The Tinsukia administration deployed a large contingent of police and paramilitary forces, led by additional superintendent of police (headquarters) Bir Bikram Gogoi, to keep the unrest from going out of control. “The army too has been requested to stand by,” a senior official said.
Myanmar back on a roadmap to nowhere Bertil Lintner is a former correspondent with the Far Eastern Economic Review. He is currently a writer with Asia-Pacific Media Services
With the opposition subdued and the authorities vigorously hunting down the organizers of the September demonstrations - and the international community held at bay with promises of more ineffectual talks mediated by United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari - Myanmar's ruling junta has put back on track its so-called "Seven-point Road Map" which it says will lead the country towards "national reconsolidation".
A newly formed 54-member State Constitution Drafting Commission was set to meet on Monday for the first time to "coordinate matters relating to the drafting of a new state constitution", according to a recent article in the state mouthpiece newspaper The New Light on Myanmar. That is supposed to represent the third step on the Road Map - but a closer look at the proceedings shows clearly that they are not a blueprint for democratic reform, but rather a plan to make military rule constitutional.
After general elections were held in May 1990, the junta suddenly - and to the dismay of many - announced that it would not convene the democratically elected 485-member Pyithu Hluttaw, or National Assembly, but rather planned to launch a "National Convention" entrusted with drafting a new constitution. For three years nothing happened, but in 1993 the convention was eventually in session. It was suspended in 1996, after the National League for Democracy (NLD) - which had won a landslide victory in the 1990 election - walked out, branding the process a sham and a farce.
In August 2003, intelligence chief General Khin Nyunt was appointed prime minister, and shortly afterwards he launched his seven point Road Map plan, which survived his ouster on corruption charges a year later. According to official documents from Yangon, the first step of the plan was "reconvening the National Convention", which had been adjourned since 1996. When that was done, however, of the 1,080 delegates only about a dozen were actually elected by the people in 1990.
About 200 represented former rebel groups that had entered into ceasefire agreements with the government, and the rest, or more than 800, were handpicked by the military to represent "workers", "peasants" and other social groups. Despite the breadth of the convention, no serious discussions were allowed. The delegates were required to sit in their national costumes and listen to endless speeches by military officers. One of the few who dared to raise any important issues, and suggest some new clauses to the draft that the military had prepared, was Hkun Htun Oo, leader of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, SNLD.
The party had emerged as the second biggest in the country after the National League for Democracy, capturing 23 seats in the never-to-be-convened National Assembly. The NLD got 392 seats, while the military-sponsored National Unity Party had won in only 10 constituencies. On February 9, 2005, Hkun Htun Oo was arrested along with 30 other Shan leaders, charged with "defamation of the state" - and sentenced to 93 years' imprisonment. Sai Noot, the SNLD general secretary, was sentenced to 85 years on a similar charge, while the rest received 75-year sentences.
The National Convention wound up in September, ending step two on the Road Map: "After the successful holding of the National Convention, step by step implementation of the process necessary for the emergence of a genuine and discipline-flourishing democratic system." The third step now underway will be the "drafting of a new constitution in accordance with the basic principles laid down by the National Convention."
Little is known of those basic principles, as to date they have never been made public. But gleaning from occasional announcements in the government-controlled media, the following appear to be some of the parameters:

• The president of the country must have at least 10 years of military service.
• Establishment of a bicameral system with an indirectly elected Upper House and a Lower House, which in theory will be elected by universal suffrage. However, 25% of seats in both houses will be filled by non-elected military officials.
• The minister of defense and the minister of border areas development will be appointed by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, not by the parliament or the prime minister.
• In case of emergency the military will have the constitutional right to seize power and that seizure should be considered legitimate.

Legal experts familiar with certain provisions of the draft have said it is not based on basic democratic principles. However it is clearly designed to bar NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi from holding any office in a future Myanmar. The draft constitution stipulates that a member of the assemblies should have no connection with any foreign government, or children who are not Myanmar citizens. Suu Kyi is a Myanmar citizen who was married to a recently deceased British citizen and her two sons Alexander and Kim Aris, who were stripped of their Myanmar citizenship in 1989 and have since become British nationals.

Democratic missteps
It is still uncertain how long the Road Map's step three will take, but given that the first two steps took 14 years to complete, it seems evident that the junta is in no hurry to implement even its own version of what it has referred to as "disciplined democracy", which to most others is synonymous with a continuation of military rule dressed up as democracy. When the draft constitution is finally finalized, step four states that the charter will be "adopted" through a "national referendum".
There seems little chance that regardless of what the charter says that it won't be adopted. In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation on October 18, 2006, Tun Aung Chain, an alternate chairman of the National Convention, was asked what kind of referendum it will be, he said: "In my opinion, it may be like the one in 1973, a referendum by voting."
That was a telling reply: In December 1973 - when Myanmar was still ruled by General Ne Win and his Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP) - a referendum on a new constitution was held, but the voting hardly met any acceptable democratic standards. Due to various polling irregularities, including a lack of privacy for voters which allowed supervising authorities to easily see whether they case a "yes" or "no" vote, it was hardly surprising that 90.19% approved that constitution. It was promulgated on January 3, 1974, and abolished when the military stepped in to assume direct state power after crushing a nationwide uprising for democracy in September 1988.
Assuming as some analysts do that the referendum on a new constitution will be held some time next year, step five would follow: "Holding of free and fair elections for the legislative elections according to the new constitution." This would in theory lead to step six: "Convening of hluttaws [legislative assemblies]," and then the final step seven: "Building of a modern, developed and democratic nation by the state leaders elected by the hluttaw, and the government and other central organs formed by the hluttaw."
The roadmap has so far and could still take ages to travel as long as the military continues to control all organs of the state while the so-called nation-building exercise is in process. And, if anyone - Buddhist monks marching down the streets, students demonstrating for democracy, or ethnic leaders demanding their rights - challenge the new order in the making, the military will have the constitutional right to resume direct power.
This is definitely not what Myanmar's people expected when they went to the polls in May 1990. And it is highly unlikely that the international community - other than Myanmar's allies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, and perhaps India - would accept the final goal of the Road Map as something even vaguely resembling a truly democratic system.
On the other hand, it is still possible that there will be another popular uprising similar to this year's protests before the military junta even gets to step five on it Road Map. Discontent is simmering all over the country as protestors are harassed and arrested - and many Myanmar citizens say they feel that it is now or never to push for political change. They realize that once the junta's new constitution is in place - and the international community and media lose interest in the story - it will be that much harder to put an end to military rule because which the new charter is specifically designed to perpetuate.
SF claim killing three UGs in Chandel operations; UNLF counterclaims, says four SF killed The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 3: Security forces today claimed to have killed at least three militants in a firefight in the vicinity of Old Samtal in the ongoing military operations in the border areas of Chandel district, even as the proscribed UNLF has claimed that four Indian security forces personnel were killed in the same incident, and several others wounded.
Neither the claim nor the counter-claim could be independently verified at this time.

A statement issued by the PRO, HQ, IGAR (South), said troops of the 44 Assam Rifles gunned down three militants in a firefight today in operations in the Old Samtal area. The bodies could not however be recovered as the remaining militants manged to drag them away under cover of heavy fire, the statement said, without giving more details. A spokesperson of the UNLF, on the other hand, informed media houses in Imphal four Indian soldiers were killed and some others wounded in a heavy exchange of fire with MPA cadres this evening in the vicinity of Old Somtal village.
The spokesperson also claimed that there had been no casualties among the UNLF/MPA in the firefight.

In the meantime, the Assam Rifles statement went on to say that success is being achieved at all steps in the operations by the AR against the UGs in the Samtal area. As of today, the security forces have secured and consolidated areas upto Tuitong. 26 more IEDs have been recovered and destroyed, bringing the total number of IEDs recovered so far to 115. Road till Changjal village has been opened using dozers and till now nine villages have been cleared of the UG presence, it said. The inspector general, Assam Rifles (South), along with commander 26 sector Assam Rifles visited Sehlon village on November 30, and besides personally directing the operations interacted with the locals.

The locals were surprised and happy to interact with the general officer and expressed their joy and gratitude at the efforts of the AR to rid them of the menace of the militants, the statement said.

Chandel villagers fleeing due to SF shelling, says UNLF The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Dec 3: The proscribed United National Liberation Front, UNLF, has charged that indiscriminate shelling by Indian forces in the ongoing operations in the border areas of Chandel district have caused hundreds of villagers to flee their homes. A statement issued in this connection by Ksh Yoiheiba, senior publicity officer, UNLF said some 350 villagers of Old Somtal and S Bongjoy villages have fled their homes, and are living in appalling conditions. The statement said Indian forces in their current offensive have not been able to progress beyond Tuitung. Instead, they have concentrated at Tuitung and commenced shelling surrounding jungle area with heavy weaponry at the rate of over 200 a day.

This has resulted in local villagers abandoning their homes amidst the harvesting season, it claimed, stating that this was one of the Indian forces` objectives, in order to coerce the locals into giving up support for the UNLF by making them suffer hardship.

250 villagers from Old Somtal area have taken refuge at New Somtal, while another 100 villagers belonging to S Bongjoy have fled to Tuileng village, it said. The villagers, including women and children, are suffering considerable hardship due to the cold and lack of adequate food.

The MPA is extending whatever aid it can, but this cannot be sustained, the statement said, and urged civil society and humanitarian groups to come to the assistance of the refugee villagers.

The statement also reminded that when, last year, villagers of Dingpi and Khengjoi were similarly driven out from their villages due to indiscriminate bombardment by the security forces, the MPA had selflessly extended assistance to them, but this was deliberately misprotrayed by some Kuki groups with the accusation that the UNLF/MPA had kidnapped the villagers.

In this context, the UNLF reminded Kuki groups and organisations that at times of distress, past misunderstandings must be set aside, and each brethen community must come to the aid of the other.


Frans on 12.04.07 @ 02:47 PM CST [link]


Monday, December 3rd

Nagaland bowls Khaplang googly SAMIR K. PURKAYASTHA The Telegraph



Nagaland bowls Khaplang googly SAMIR K. PURKAYASTHA The Telegraph

Kohima, Dec. 2: Nagaland has turned conventional counter-insurgency policy on its head by requesting Delhi to prevail upon Myanmar to declare a ceasefire with the Khaplang faction of the NSCN instead of trying to flush out the militant group.
Articulating his government’s stand on the sidelines of the Hornbill Festival in Kohima last evening, chief minister Neiphiu Rio cited “economic” reasons for recommending the opposite of what any state government would be expected to do.
Rio said India must pressure Myanmar to make peace with Naga people living across the border so that they can participate in the economic activities envisaged under Delhi’s Look East policy. “Peace in the Naga areas of Myanmar is essential to develop trade with Myanmar through Nagaland.”
He made the request to external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee and intends to speak to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, too. It is the first time any state government has suggested that a neighbouring country be asked to go easy on a militant outfit that has been operating from there.
The NSCN(K) has a dominating presence in the Naga-inhabited areas of Myanmar’s Sagaing division and shares camps with other militant groups, including Ulfa and the United National Liberation Front of Manipur. Assam and Manipur have been asking for a sustained crackdown by Myanmar on these militant bases, just like Bhutan did through Operation All Clear in 2003.
Rio said unlike other northeastern militant groups that were using Myanmarese soil to wage war on India with the junta’s “overt or covert support”, the Khaplang group was engaged in a “political conflict” with that country. “India should take the initiative in making the military junta in Myanmar recognise the Naga issue as a political problem.”
The chief minister offered another explanation why there should be “peace” in the Naga-inhabited areas of Myanmar. Unless there is peace and development of the contiguous Naga areas of Myanmar, there will be no peace in Nagaland. Opium and other contraband substances will continue to be smuggled into the state from across the border, he said.
On the recent declaration of militant leaders from the Sumi community about the Khaplang and Isak-Muivah factions uniting, Rio said “sectoral unity” would not help the Naga cause. “I hope it (the unity move) will not be restricted to one community.”
Union minister of state for commerce Jairam Ramesh, who attended the Hornbill Festival, said Delhi was focusing on making the Northeast more accessible and would do away with the Restricted Area Permit system for foreigners.
“Such a restrictive mindset has not helped in increasing accessibility to the region,” he said of the system.

No differences with Muivah: Swu Nagarealm.com
Dimapur, DEC02 [NPN] : NSCN (I-M) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu Sunday reiterated that he had no differences whatsoever with General Secretary Th. Muivah.

Reiterating their commitment to the Naga national cause, Swu in a statement said “It has come to my knowledge that hordes of rumours are being spread back home of me and Th. Muivah by some people with selfish motives to sow seed of discord between us”. The NSCN (I-M) Chairman said such acts were a crime and should be stopped forthwith. Swu also declared that both he and Muivah were working hand in hand as according to their culture and commitment.

Out of Isolation: Exploring A Forgotten World - by Frans Welman
Review - on Naga Culture and the Indo-Naga conflict - By a journalist

Naga International Support Center, NISC *
Out of Isolation: Exploring a Forgotten World written by Mr. Frans Welman, who is a Photojournalist, writer and documentary filmmaker based in Amsterdam , The Netherlands. He has written three books in relation with the Nagas and many books on other indigenous groups of people. This is the third book that really needs appreciation for his work and in-depth research he has done for the Nagas.

A sense of Deja vu mingled with a quite rage vied with each soul within me as I remember reading books written by outsiders on Nagas. The astute outsider’s critics on Nagas culture have brewed a bad impression on many people including the Nagas themselves. Mr. Bhattacharya Birendra Kumar, a distinguished Assamese novelist and won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1961 for his first novel on Nagas. The famous writer, who claim to know the Nagas from a close range fail to understand and explain the beauty of the Naga culture and the people as a whole. Perhaps the award was given to him for his sheer contribution in distorting the facts of the Naga history and culture.

Yes there are many more books on Nagas written by Indian writer with similar motive and blur vision on the whole perspective of the Nagas. To cite a few of those plebeian write up are like Nagaland(People of India, Vol34) by K.S.Singh, The Beautiful India-Nagaland by Balraj Verma and Syed Amanur Rahman, Conflict to Reconstruction; Some Observation on Nagaland and Manipur by R.Gopalakrishnan and Nagaland:Darling of the North-East by Kiran Shankar Maitra, which puke the technique of distortion and superficial in their work.

Cover pages for "Out of Isolation"

The books like Naga of Burma: Festivals, Customs and Way of Life by JD Saul, The Nagas: Hill Peoples in Northeast India by Julian Jacobs, The Hidden World of the Naga: Living Traditions in Northeast India and Burma by Aglaja Stirin, Peter Van Ham, From Head-Hunters to Church Planters by Paul Hattaway, An American in Nagaland by Tom Farrell are all a bunch of pictures. If you are looking for serious information one should go for gold instead of pewter.

The information that one can gain out of this book is neither nugatory nor exaggerated by the writer. Such eminent epistolarians are hardly second bananas. But especially important is what Frans does with all these research and documentation on current issue: he provides copious amplifications and explanations, cultural aspect and background history. The result is a first-class essay right up there. There is also a lot of juicy gossip with interview, some of it documented, some speculative, such as narrative part and the interview with Tia Longkumer an Ao and Mangkhap a Konyak.

Frans divides his book neatly into twenty eight (28) parts, each subdivided into chapters, most of them with clever titles derived from his previous writings. Especially apt are sections labeled “Intermission,” where special relationships are examined in greater detail, sidestepping the chronology of the rest of the book.

What made the book “Out of Isolation” so special is that — unlike Nagas of Burma, Hidden world of the Nagas and The Naga: hill people of the Northeast India — he is also a human rights activist and a photo journalist, and as he reminds us, a splendid one. This book is worth reading with fewer pictures unlike others which do not resemble the gallery of Louvre. The book cover from cultural background to the present conflict situation and straddling both areas are such notable art that one need to acknowledge.

As you will flip through the pages of Out of Isolation, you will come across that the write up on meaning and important of head hunting and colonialism from prelude. The beauty of Log drum, shaman and hunters are beautifully captured on page 15. The list of the animals and birds that the Nagas are restricted to eat are also mention on page 28 of third para. Page 32 display the hard truth that Hottest chilly in the world belongs to the Nagas despite the fact that many claims were made by the Assamese.

The explanation on the formation of ties leading to Naga unity can be dug out from page 35. If you are looking for names of the activist who have contribute to the Naga society today better flip the page to chapter six. Some of the eminent activist that are mention in his book are Ningalo Krome (present Naga hoho General Secretary), Artex and Vikeho Swu.

Just pick any current issue on Nagas, you will find it in the book. If you want to know about human rights violation or AFSPA (Armed Forces Special power Act) and the related topic, “Out of Isolation” is a mini guide book for you. It’s mention in the book in detail specially the in-famous case of Oinam on Chapter Eighteen (18). Turn to page 215 and you will come face to face with the write up of Kekhrie Yhome “Struggle against Tyranny”, who is one of the best political writer among the Nagas.
Interviews with Leaders you name it and you will not be disappointed to know that you will find it in the book of Mr Welman. On Page 282 an Interview with Adinno Phizo is stamp on the pages after pages. Flipped through the page again and you will notice the interview of Mr.Th.Muivah General Secretary of NSCN. Chapter 25 “The Manipur Snag” exposed the Chauvinistic nature of the Maiteis and nexus in regards to the hidden agenda they indulge in collaboration with the Government of India.

It mentioned the detail chronicle of the Naga history and the present peace talks. Talk of Nagalim economy and you can zoom off to page 326 Chapter 22. The Dutchman cornered up the GOI (Government of India) in dramatic way on page 309, Chapter 21. The vex Meitei-Naga Controversy in written eloquently on page 483, tracing it to the roots and history for the Meiteis as well as Nagas. The book end with a sumptuous heading “Prospects for an Honorable Solution” contributed by Imna and Moala, July 9, 2004 .

In all, Frans has done us a great service by reminding us why Nagas need to up hold their beautiful culture and traditions. This fascinating book presents an interesting explanation of how the Deluge of cultural erosion and conflict might have occurred. Every Naga and people who could become affected by conflict situation and cultural erosion and identity crisis, every spouse, brother, mother, cousin, co-worker or friend, should read this book. Every politician who claims to be on the front of the fight for justice for people, every police officer who IS on the front lines, and every judge hearing cases of possession, distribution, and the manufacture of these substances, absolutely need to read Out of Isolation: Exploring A Forgotten World. One person at a time can again alter the course of history.

Out of Isolation: Exploring A Forgotten World, Frans Welman 508 pages

Published by HPC Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd. Contact Person: Mr. Subodh Jain (CEO) Address: P-18, Green Park Extension New Delhi, Delhi - 110016 (INDIA)
‘Nov 21 encounter stage managed by Assam Rifles’ John K. Kaping The Morung Express
UKHRUL | In the backdrop of the encounter between the Assam Rifles and an underground faction on the night of November 21, a fact finding team comprising of ZKL (Eastern Tangkhul Students Union), TKS (Tangkhul Student Union), TSL(Tangkhul Women Union),TMNL(Tangkhul Youth Council) & Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR, South) after visiting Ramphoi (Nambishi) Village November 29 to 30 2007, came out with their finding that the attack was stage managed by the 1st AR just to create an atmosphere of fear psychosis among the innocent villagers and justify their acts of Forced Labour to get the road sides cleared of the bushes for their own security.
Giving details of their finding, Alung Rungsung, Co-Ordinator of the NPMHR (South) in a press communique’ today alleged that the said attack was carried out at around 11.30 pm by the UG at the Ramphoi (Nambisha) 1st AR Post. Even though no casualty on either side was reported, one innocent minor (12 years), Master K. Thotngam s/o Mr.K.Chihanpam was shot at on his knee and is being hospitalized at Regional Institute of medical Science (RIMS), Imphal. Following the attack, at about past mid-night, the AR troops came to the village and started harassing the local people. One ST. Peter was picked up and beaten black and blue before he was taken to the AR post. He is said to have been admitted at RIMS. Some women were manhandled by the AR troops by dragging them out of the safe place they were hiding. One of the AR soldier even kicked the village Headman. However, the Post Commander made him apologise on the spot. The source also asserted.
In the aftermath of the above incidents, the villagers narrated that the Post Commander came to the village and asked the women if they could identify the personnel who had manhandled them if they were paraded in front of them. But when the women folks told him that they could, he refused to parade the troops.
This particular incident of alleged militant attack at 1st AR outpost, Ramphoi (Nambisha), Kamjong Sub-Division of Ukhrul District is supposedly by the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) according to the newspaper reports but so far, no outfits have claimed any responsibility.
This particular incident arouses interest to be further probed into. The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of AR, in their report dated 23rd November 2007 published in the Sangai Express, said that the UG attackers fired at the post from the Pastor’s house.
The UG used Lethode bombs in the attack. But the AR troops came to the village within minutes and unleashed a reign of terror. The question that arises is how did they know or make sure that the attackers had left the village? Did the underground inform them of their departure?
Another interesting point to be noted is that, according to the villagers, they were warned by the AR of militant attack which was to be carried out from the Church premises 3 days ahead of the incident. Hence, they were ordered to evacuate their residents and stay at lower areas for safety. The logical question is how they know of the time and place of the impending attack? Did the UGs inform them exactly when and where would they launch the attack? If they knew of the attack very well why did not the AR take pre-emptive steps? It is also strange that the AR would terrorise the villagers after they themselves informed them of the attack and even instructed them to move to a safer place. The source further added.
These plain truths indicates that this particular incident is stage managed by the 1st AR just to create an atmosphere of fear psychosis among the innocent villagers and which also justify their acts of Forced Labour to get the road sides cleared of the bushes for their own security.
The fact finding team members of the Tangkhul Civil Society organisations of Ukhrul District seriously view this act of the 1st AR on the innocent civilians as abuse of law of the land. Further, such an action is totally uncalled for at a time of ceasefire. And in the meantime the team strongly demanded the following charter of points.
They demanded the immediate withdrawal of 1st AR post from Ramphoi (Nambisha) village; payment of wages to the villagers whom the AR has used as forced labours; penalisation of the AR personnel according to the Bonded Labour Act of the Constitution of India; immediate compensation to the victims and setting up of a judicial enquiry commission and dispense justice within 30 days.
Nagaland has great potential to prosper: Jairam (Page News Service)

Dimapur, December 2: Union Minister for Commerce, Jairam Ramesh on Sunday asserted that Nagaland has great much potential to prosper taking into consideration the rich natural resources available as well its thousands of great enterprising people.
However, pointing out that only when there is complete peace and tranquility, the state would be able to prosper, Jairam called upon all Nagas to do away with old mindsets and people who disturb peace.
Addressing the gathering on the 2nd day of the Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Complex, Kisama, the Union Minister expressed happiness to see a number of foreign tourists in the venue and hoped that the tourists would act as ambassadors of peace for Nagaland as well as for India and carry the message of peace and enterprise to their respective countries.
Jairam said the Center is very concerned about the State of Nagaland and its people. He also assured that he is in his own position working for improving the horticulture sector, medicinal plants, infrastructure and trade with the neighbouring countries in order to improve the economic status of Nagaland. He hoped that peace and harmony will come to Nagaland very soon.
On the occasion, the Union Minister also released a book on the 'Medicinal Plants of Nagaland,' written by the Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Dr SC Deorani and former Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, Dr GD Sharma. The Union Minister was accompanied by the State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and his Cabinet colleagues, senior bureaucrats and Government officials.
AR adds attractions to Hornbill festival Our Correspondent The Morung Express
Kohima | Assam Rifles has added attractions to the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, which also was the statehood inauguration day, with their scintillating dog shows, pipe band display, spectacular ‘Dare Devils’ Raider and colourful Bhangra dance at the Indira Gandhi Stadium for two days.
Christened the ‘Silent Warrior’, the dog shows was presented by Assam Rifles Dog Breeding and Training centre. The Pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers, and was presented by the 11 Pipe Band Platoons of Inspector General Assam Rifles.
The Corps of Signals Motor Cycle Rider Display Team, popularly known as the ‘Dare Devils’ also presented a spectacular bike stunts much to the cheers to of the spectators. Besides, colourful Bhangra dance presented by the 5 Sector was also an added attraction to the shows.
Governor K Sankaranarayanan and his wife and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and a host of high ranking civil and military officials witnessed the show. AR show was conducted under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N) from December 1 to 2. This was the maiden occasion where AR in conjunction with the state government organised a mega event with a spirit of Adventure and Fun with the local populace to give them a glimpse of some exclusive feats and performances credited to Security Forces. The team lived up to its reputation of its unmatched courage and precision in motorcycle group formations and rarest of the stunts depicting a unique combination of man and machine. The music lovers of Nagaland was then mesmerized by the ensemble of eleven Pipe Band Platoons of IGAR(N) and the sweet melody of the pipers and drummers echoed the whole stadium with thundering applause greeting them with change of every tune.
A presentation ceremony was organised where HE the Governor gave away prize to all the team for their excellent performance. The entire event was planned by AR in conjunction with the state administration to give a boost to the success and colour of Hornbill which has been declared a national event this year.
More desertions from Ulfa RIPUNJOY DAS The Telegraph
Tinsukia, Dec. 2: Police dealt another blow to Ulfa’s 28 Battalion today, getting six members of its core group to lay down arms in Tinsukia.
The six were among the members handpicked by Jiten Dutta, one of the top leaders of the battalion.
Part of the Alpha and Charlie companies of the 28 Battalion, the rebels surrendered at the Tinsukia police guest house.
Security forces and intelligence agencies say that Ulfa would continue to remain a potent force in Upper Assam till the militants — around 50 to 100 of them — working are under Dutta, remained active.
“Corporal” Diganta Moran alias Sanu Rangpi, “corporal” Dadul Dowerah, alias Dhilon Dowerah, “private” Pranab Rajkhowa, “private” Dalit Moran, “private” Kula Moran and “private” Danny Bora are the rebels who surrendered today.
They deposited an AK-56 rifle with two magazines, a Belgium-made 12 bore pump action gun with seven rounds of ammunition, a .56 pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition, a .36 high explosive grenade, 7 kg of TNT and two coils of flexible wire.
“Although, the 28 Battalion had lost much of its strength, it was very important that we get the hardcore ones who are under the command of Jiten Dutta. It took a lot of effort from all our officers and particularly the officers-in-charge of various police stations and outposts to get them to surrender,” Tinsukia superintendent of police, Prasanta Bhuyan, said.
“All the six were closely associated with Jiten Dutta and had undergone special training in handling explosives. Today’s surrender will be a major setback for the outfit,” Bhuyan said.
Pranab Rajkhowa, one of the surrendered rebels, said that the grassroots rebels were concerned over the fact that many of their senior leaders have either been arrested or surrendered or being eliminated by the security forces in the past few months and hence, decided to surrender.
Assam criticises J’khand politicians’ role in Adivasi violence The Morung Express
Guwahati, December 2 (UNI): As Jharkhand simmered over Adivasi violence in Assam, the Assam government today criticised Jharkhand politicians for playing politics at the cost of inciting further communal unrest in the state.
The Opposition here also came under the government’s scathing attack for its 'failure' to respond in a responsible manner to the tension created in the aftermath of November 24 clashes between Adivasi protestors and locals in Guwahati.
Addressing a press conference here, Assam government spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma said, ''Competitive politics of Jharkhand should not affect law and order in Assam. But leaders of that state are trying to win favour back home by displaying sympathy for the Adivasis in Assam.'' He underlined the fact that the Adivasi community in Assam traced their origins not only to Jharkhand, but also to Chattisgarh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
He said, ''The other states are maintaining restrain and Assam appreciates their gesture. But Jharkhand politicians are playing up the events in Assam.'' He also claimed that the situation of the Adivasis was far worse in Jharkhand than those who migrated to Assam more than 150 years ago to work in tea plantations.
Dr Sharma accused some Jharkhand leaders, who had visited Assam after the clashes, of provoking the Adivasis to present a 'coloured picture' of the day’s happenings.
Pointing that the BJP-led NDA government had included 142 new communities in ST list in 2002, he said former Jharkhand chief ministers Arjun Munda and Babulal Marandi(who had visited Assam) did not take up the case of Assam Adivasis during their tenure. Referring to the main opposition party of the state Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Dr Sharma, quoted a then-AGP state government letter to the Centre in 1999 which said the AGP had opposed granting of ST status to the Adivasis.
He said when the AGP had actually opposed such a move during their time, they had no moral right to criticise the present government, which had all along been advocating the cause of the Adivasis. He alleged that the AGP had failed to discharge its duties as a responsible opposition and remarked, ''They should have worked for restraining the situation rather than inciting further trouble.''
Media has to be restrained in certain situations: Gogoi Guwahati, December 2 (Agencies): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi charged the national and local media with attempting to project the state as ‘chauvinistic’ during the coverage of the Adivasi-public clash here last week, while terming the attack on a tribal girl as 'shameful'.
"The media should show responsibility. I don't know what procedures you are asked to follow. If you are not responsible as media then, ofcourse, I have nothing to say," Gogoi said. "The attempt to project Assam as chauvinistic is most condemnable. Though the local and national media attempted to do so, but I am happy they have not been successful," he said.
"The media showed only one side of the November 24 violence with a particular TV channel showing only one side...I will take it up with them. The media has to be restrained in such a situation. They have to verify before giving news," the chief minister said. "The truth is in Assam a large number of people from outside have been living for generations and the local people have accepted them and they are living in harmony," Gogoi pointed out. When the journalists stated that no officials were available for verifying the facts and the exact death toll in the clash, Gogoi said, "Government machinery may try to hide or have no access to information immediately. In such a situation, there should be extreme restraint, otherwise the situation may flare up and create communal violence."
Extremism in NE has lost relevance: Sabhapandit The Morung Express
Panaji, December 2 (PTI): The extremist movement in North East has lost its relevance and has destroyed the social fabric of Assam, feels Assamese director Sanjeeb Sabhapandit. Sabhapandit, whose film `Jaatinga Ityadi' is being screened at IFFI 2007, says the Assamese film is a comment on the current scenario of militancy in the state.
It depicts how militancy has created a psychosis of deep fear among the people there while militants lure innocent young men and women into their fold. "Militancy has now become an easy and profitable business .... The moment money entered the extremist movement through extortions and kidnappings, the ideology began to erode and today the common man no longer sympathises with them," Sabhapandit said from Guwahati.
"This film is an attempt to showcase the real face of militancy which has destroyed the social fabric of Assam. We wanted to show the world the real face of militancy in North East through the film," Sabhapandit said. Speaking about the significance of the film title, Sanjeeb informs that Jatinga is a small place in Assam where birds are said to commit suicide. But this is not the case - birds do not actually commit suicide, they are lured to death. At night, people hold bamboo torches to attract these birds and when they fly close, they are clubbed to death. However, the general folklore says that the birds come here to commit suicide, he said. "In the guise of a revolution the boys are lured into a death trap," Sabhapandit said. Drawing a similarity between the birds and the youth, he chose name for his movie. Sanjib's first film "Juye Poora Hoon" (The Gold That Has been Burnt), based on environmental preservation received the National Award for best film in 2004.
"We are making a very strong statement as it is the youth, who have dreams of leading a good life, that are getting killed. This mindless mayhem has to stop. This is our message," Rajkamal Bhuyan, the film's producer said. "Ultimately in the name of liberalisation, they are killing the same people they claim to be fighting for. We are losing our brothers. Be it a security personnel, civilian or an extremist, ultimately it is our countrymen whose blood is being shed in this violence," he said.
The movie depicts extremisim all over the world, with Assam serving only as a backdrop, Sabhapandit said. "While the world is becoming a global village, the issue of terrorism today affects everyone. In this changed scenario, the ideologies of Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro no longer hold relevance as there is no common enemy state today," he said.
Buyan added that it was difficult to screen the film across theatres in Assam and other northeastern states as most of them were either in poor shape or were not receiving enough viewers due to fear of militant attacks. "Therefore, effort was being made to reach maximum viewers through VCDs/DVDs. A good response has been received from overseas markets, especially Australia and US for the film's VCDs/DVDs," the producer said adding the film was shot in a period of three weeks at a cost of Rs 40 lakh.
Manipur No end to Despair Bibhu Prasad Routray Research Fellow, Institute for Conflict Management
On November 22, the Manipur Cabinet approved the extension of the ‘disturbed area’ status of the State for another year (from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008). The Cabinet meeting accepted that the law and order situation in the state had progressively worsened and asked the security forces to neutralise the gains made by the militant outfits by intensifying counter-insurgency operations.
With 361 deaths (till November 30) in the current year, Manipur remains the second most conflict ridden state in the northeast, behind Assam with 388 fatalities. With another month to go before the end of the year, fatalities in 2007 have already surpassed the 311 militancy-related fatalities that occurred in Manipur in 2006. While fatalities among the militants in 2007 have remained more or less comparable to the previous year, it has certainly worsened among the civilians and the security forces. According to the currently available data, civilian deaths have already increased by over 42 per cent and those of Security Forces (SFs) by 39 percent.
Stir launched against Delimitation By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 2: Even as various political parties have raised strong objections to delimitation of the existing Assembly Constituencies of the State on the basis of the controversial Census report of 2001, agitation has been launched along with formation of a Joint Action Committee (JAC) against partition of villages in the delimitation process.
To oppose any move against partition of Kairang, Khomidok and Khabeisoi which are under Imphal East District in the delimitation process of the existing Assembly Constituencies, a JAC formed by the people of these three villages today staged a mass protest demonstration from 1 pm to 4 pm at Khomidok Bazar.
In connection with the protest demonstration which would continue for five days, JAC secretary Md Ayub Khan said even as the people have been raising the demand for amalgamation of Kairang which is presently under Heingang Assembly Constituency with Khomidok and Khabeisoi which are presently under Khurai Assembly Constituency, the attempt being made by the Delimitation Commission to bring Khomi- dok under Heingang Assembly Constituency and Khabeisoi under Khundrakpam Constituency is objectionable.
A memorandum would be handed over to the Chief Minister to stop the Commission from partitioning the three villages along with launching various intense agitation until and unless withdrawal of the move, the JAC secretary stated.
It may be noted here that Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has convened a meeting of all political parties to discuss the issue of delimitation on December 5. Based on the outcome of the meeting, a delegation of the political parties would go to New Delhi on December 7 to meet the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to exert pressure on them not to effect delimitation in the whole of North East. Delimitation Commission has also convened a meeting of all its associate members on December 10 in this regard.
Tea tribes tag to exploit Asom Adivasis: AASAA By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Dec 2: The community named ‘tea tribes’ is a “unique creation” done to keep Adivasis from getting ST status, and to continue exploiting them by using them as vote banks, the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) said today. This is part of a “shrewd game” being played by successive Asom Governments, particularly the Congress Governments, the Adivasi body further stated.
“If other States in the country, following this example, start naming tribal communities on the basis of the work they do, an endless list — coal tribes, coffee tribes, sugarcane tribes, orange tribes, banana tribes, brick tribes, steel tribes and petroleum tribes — would descent on the scene,” stated AASAA president Jastin Lakra and general secretary Joseph Minj in a joint statement here today.
The two AASAA leaders said, “Consecutive Asom Governments have been opposing the demand made by the Adivasis of the State for ST status”. Quoting reports of the Debhar Commission (1960-1961), Lokur Committee (1965) and the AK Chandra Commission (1966), they said that they were not only stripped of their ST status, which they enjoyed during British Raj, after India gained independence, but no “genuine” recommendations were made to the Centre for granting Adivasis ST status.
The students’ body said although Dispur, under pressure, finally sent a recommendation to the Centre, it did so listing them as “tea tribes” to make the proposal weaker, both politically and constitutionally. Such an attitude on the part of the Government machinery of the State clearly shows the lack of a political will to provide ST status to the Adivasis.
The AASAA also vehemently opposed the statement recently made by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in the Parliament that the Adivasis have lost their tribal character after migrating to Asom from other States. “The Union Home Minister, it seems, is trying to justify and cover up the mistakes made by successive State Governments thereby creating hurdles in the path of the hopes and aspirations of the Adivasis,” Lakra said.
He mentioned that the AK Chandra Committee constituted by the Centre had clearly stated that there has been no change in the social condition of communities which had migrated from one State to another and finally settling in that State. The Adivasis, who had migrated to Asom in large numbers years ago, have not only carried along with them the tribal character, they have also retained the characteristics. Their way of life remains the same, the committee had further stated.
Referring to the Adivasis of West Bengal, the AASAA office-bearers said when Adivasis working in tea estates of West Bengal, who share a similar background with the Adivasis of Asom, can be recognized as STs, why are their counterparts in Asom being deprived of the same status, they further questioned.


Frans on 12.03.07 @ 04:43 PM CST [link]


Sunday, December 2nd

NSCN (IM) responds to KNO Morung Express



NSCN (IM) responds to KNO Morung Express

Dimapur, December 1 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) while responding to the news item “KNO president hails Naga unity move, slams Muivah” appearing in an Imphal based daily paper, has stated that it was not surprised to read of the reaction of PS Haokip, the President of Kuki National Organization (KNO) who hailed the Niuland declaration. The NSCN (IM) in a press note from its MIP stated that any professed leader would have exercised a sense of maturity by not giving any comment on the issue till it transformed itself into something that reflects the genuine thinking and endorsement of all the national workers, cadres and civil societies. “Such premature observation and outburst only expose the hollowness of KNO’s political philosophy implanted on the line of communal parochialism”, the NSCN (IM) stated while maintaining that the Nagas had never considered the Kukis as the enemy of the Nagas despite the unpleasant records of clashes during the pre-Indian independence.

“The Kukis were however put into big trouble when they were misled by some Kuki political leaders who conspired with the Indian intelligent agencies and Indian security forces to go against the Nagas. The enlightened Kukis soon realized the game plan of ‘divide and rule’ policy of the government of India and started working with all honesty to forge Naga-Kuki unity. The changed Naga-Kuki relation has been visibly demonstrated in the form of various Kuki organizations whose ideological commitment stands for Naga-Kuki unity”, the NSCN (IM) stated. The NSCN (IM) pointed out that the KNO’s allegation against its leadership appeared to come in heaps. “But the real face of Northeast revolutionary uprising to have shaken the consciousness of the government of India cannot be credited to any other revolutionary groups but to NSCN whose charismatic leadership has drawn the attention of the world”, the NSCN (IM) stated. The NSCN (IM) stated that “to speak the language with parochial mindset is not in people’s interest, be it Nagas or Kukis” and that the ground reality will never be carried away by such emotional outburst that is bereft of any good prospect for Naga-Kuki relation to grow to greater height.
“Fishing in trouble water of its neighbor is not a good revolutionary practice. And KNO’s style of functioning and leadership will leave much to be desired by the Kuki people and Nagas. It is best to be realistic and temperamental by learning where to draw the line under any given situation that does not warrant going hypercritical on NSCN”.

Sumis to disown cadres against unity move Eastern Mirror

Dimapur, Nov 30: The Sumi Hoho has resolved to disown any Sumi underground cadres of any faction if he/she does not co-operate and join ‘the unification move’ and that the Hoho will not recognize his/her rank and file nor can he/she represent Sumi tribe as a whole on any platform.
The Sumi Hohos have also appealed to the Naga Hoho, various Tribal Hohos, NPMHR, the student bodies, churches and all the ‘right thinking Nagas’ to extent support to this effort in order to strengthen the unification.
The decision in this regard evolved following an emergency meeting of the Sumi Hoho on November 27 and the Western Sumi Kukami Hoho during a meeting held at Vihokhu village under Kuhuboto area of Dimapur district on November 28. According to a release, the meeting was attended by representatives from all Sumi NGOs and more than 380 GBs.

“The Naga Hoho in its pursuance of the unification of various factions of the Naga national workers have conducted a 'Reconciliation Meet' on December 20, 2001 and adopted a resolution of 'Forgive and Forget'. In pursuance of the same policy, the Sumi Hoho and the Western Sumi Hoho like other Naga civil societies have always been trying its best to bring about unification amongst the Naga national workers at its own level,” WSH president Hokiye Yeptho and general secretary Akavi Zhimo stated in a release.

Thanking the God Almighty for giving the opportune moment in its endeavor in bringing unity among the factions, it has also thanked the various Naga factional leaders ‘for the wisdom, far-sightedness and magnanimity that they have displayed in bringing understanding among them.’

Book review "out of Isolation" by R.S.Mayori


Out of Isolation: Exploring A Forgotten World, By Frans Welman.
Page : 508 Price: RS.550 Publication: HPC Imprints, New-Delhi.

Out of Isolation: Exploring a Forgotten World written by Mr. Frans Welman, who is a Photojournalist, writer and doc'umentary filmmaker based in Amsterdam , The Netherlands. He has written three books in relation with the Nagas and many books on other indigenous groups of people. This is the third book that really needs appreciation for his work and in-depth research he has done for the Nagas.

A sense of Déjŕ vu mingled with a quite rage vied with each soul within me as I remember reading books written by outsiders on Nagas. The astute outsider’s critics on Nagas culture have brewed a bad impression on many people including the Nagas themselves. Mr. Bhattacharya Birendra Kumar, a distinguished Assamese novelist and won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1961 for his first novel on Nagas. The famous writer, who claim to know the Nagas from a close range fail to understand and explain the beauty of the Naga culture and the people as a whole. Perhaps the award was given to him for his sheer contribution in distorting the facts of the Naga history and culture.
Yes there are many more books on Nagas written by Indian writer with similar motive and blur vision on the whole perspective of the Nagas. To cite a few of those plebeian write up are like Nagaland(People of India, Vol34) by K.S.Singh, The Beautiful India-Nagaland by Balraj Verma and Syed Amanur Rahman, Conflict to Reconstruction; Some Observation on Nagaland and Manipur by R.Gopalakrishnan and Nagaland:Darling of the North-East by Kiran Shankar Maitra, which puke the technique of distortion and superficial in their work.

The books like Naga of Burma: Festivals, Customs and Way of Life by JD Saul, The Nagas: Hill Peoples in Northeast India by Julian Jacobs, The Hidden World of the Naga: Living Traditions in Northeast India and Burma by Aglaja Stirin, Peter Van Ham, From Head-Hunters to Church Planters by Paul Hattaway, An American in Nagaland by Tom Farrell are all a bunch of pictures. If you are looking for serious information one should go for gold instead of pewter.

The information that one can gain out of this book is neither nugatory nor exaggerated by the writer. Such eminent epistolarians are hardly second bananas. But especially important is what Frans does with all these research and do*entation on current issue: he provides copious amplifications and explanations, cultural aspect and background history. The result is a first-class essay right up there. There is also a lot of juicy gossip with interview, some of it do*ented, some speculative, such as narrative part and the interview with Tia Longkumer an Ao and Mangkhap a Konyak.

Frans divides his book neatly into twenty eight (28) parts, each subdivided into chapters, most of them with clever titles derived from his previous writings. Especially apt are sections labeled “Intermission,” where special relationships are examined in greater detail, sidestepping the chronology of the rest of the book.

What made the book “Out of Isolation” so special is that — unlike Nagas of Burma, Hidden world of the Nagas and The Naga: hill people of the Northeast India — he is also a human rights activist and a photo journalist, and as he reminds us, a splendid one. This book is worth reading with fewer pictures unlike others which do not resemble the gallery of Louvre. The book cover from cultural background to the present conflict situation and straddling both areas are such notable art that one need to acknowledge.

As you will flip through the pages of Out of Isolation, you will come across that the write up on meaning and important of head hunting and colonialism from prelude. The beauty of Log drum, shaman and hunters are beautifully captured on page 15. The list of the animals and birds that the Nagas are restricted to eat are also mention on page 28 of third para. Page 32 display the hard truth that Hottest chilly in the world belongs to the Nagas despite the fact that many claims were made by the Assamese. The explanation on the formation of ties leading to Naga unity can be dug out from page 35. If you are looking for names of the activist who have contribute to the Naga society today better flip the page to chapter six. Some of the eminent activist that are mention in his book are Ningalo Krome(present Naga hoho General Secretary), Artex and Vikeho Swu.

Just pick any current issue on Nagas, you will find it in the book. If you want to know about human rights violation or AFSPA (Armed Forces Special power Act) and the related topic, “Out of Isolation” is a mini guide book for you. It’s mention in the book in detail specially the in-famous case of Oinam on Chapter Eighteen (18). Turn to page 215 and you will come face to face with the write up of Kekhrie Yhome “Struggle against Tyranny”, who is one of the best political writer among the Nagas.

Interviews with Leaders you name it and you will not be disappointed to know that you will find it in the book of Mr Welman. On Page 282 an Interview with Adinno Phizo is stamp on the pages after pages. Flipped through the page again and you will notice the interview of Mr.Th.Muivah General Secretary of NSCN. Chapter 25 “The Manipur Snag” exposed the Chauvinistic nature of the Maiteis and nexus in regards to the hidden agenda they indulge in collaboration with the Government of India.
It mentioned the detail chronicle of the Naga history and the present peace talks. Talk of Nagalim economy and you can zoom off to page 326 Chapter 22. The Dutchman cornered up the GOI (Government of India) in dramatic way on page 309, Chapter 21. The vex Meitei-Naga Controversy in written eloquently on page 483, tracing it to the roots and history for the Meiteis as well as Nagas. The book end with a sumptuous heading “Prospects for an Honorable Solution” contributed by Imna and Moala, July 9, 2004 .

In all, Frans has done us a great service by reminding us why Nagas need to up hold their beautiful culture and traditions. This fascinating book presents an interesting explanation of how the Deluge of cultural erosion and conflict might have occurred. Every Naga and people who could become affected by conflict situation and cultural erosion and identity crisis, every spouse, brother, mother, cousin, co-worker or friend, should read this book. Every politician who claims to be on the front of the fight for justice for people, every police officer who IS on the front lines, and every judge hearing cases of possession, distribution, and the manufacture of these substances, absolutely need to read Out of Isolation: Exploring A Forgotten World. One person at a time can again alter the course of history.

Oh Unification- Nagaland Post Opinion
We as a layman take this very opportunity to pen down a few lines regarding the recent move for unification among different factions of NSCN spearheaded by western Sumi Hoho. We as a concern Nagas citizen have been watching over a year regarding the unification move among various Naga underground factions spearheaded by various Naga NGOs. . Today, the WSH taking the initiative for unification among different factions at Dimapur was a welcome step but the Naga mass NGOs like Naga Hoho, NSF, NPMHR GBs and DBs union have remained silent spectator and some vested Naga under the aegis of various NGOs and factions have come out against the unification.
We are wondering regarding the press .release issued by the president of Maran Hoho Hinba Thomas and Thangal Hoho President Kangba on November 28 terming that it was initiated by " sectarian group with vested interest" to mislead the Nagas and against working principles of Naga unification. Now, what is sectarian? Do you mean its unification is only among the Sumi's NSCN and not Nagas?
The two responsible tribal bodies reaffirmed that the Naga Hoho should spearhead the peace process towards attaining the unification of Nagas. Yes! We agree but how long? Another decade or two?
We have waited for so long, where are they now when their responsible sub-ordinate bodies are trying to do so? Which factions are the Naga NGOs trying to unite when it is not NSCN (K) and (IM)?
Being a responsible Naga Tribal body you yourself should try the same (as WSH) trying to unite various faction which is headed by various Naga leaders, the WSH did not refer to any Naga tribe of NSCN (K) or (IM) but Nagas as a whole. We wanted to know from the two apex tribal Hohos, what are the working principles of Naga unification? When the mass Naga NGOs (the like of GBs and DBs Union) could not succeed the unification move.
Come on, it is not a matter of joke, just by writing through press media and calling or appealing various Naga underground factions to unite cannot help, wake up! Come to reality, accept reality, otherwise the Naga factions cannot unite in near future. At least be a supportive NGOs when other responsible NGOs are trying to unite various underground factions.
Phew!!! Learning from NSCN (IM) Angami region regarding their press statement dated November 29. A statement by a responsible person (leader) like K.K. Angami (CAO) , Dr. P. Mor Dy. Kilonser , Lt. Col (Rtd) Victor Angami member steering committee and Neiba Kire Tatar as a benefit of doubt regarding their capability of being a leader of responsible Naga tribe.
The unification spearheaded by WSH does not mean it is only in the interest of the Sumi tribe, nobody have excluded the Manipur Nagas or the Nagas of Nagaland.
Come on, the WSH initiated the unification does not meant only in the interest of Sumi tribe alone, or for that matter if Angami Public organization (APO) takes the initiative regarding the unification of various underground Factions does it mean only in the interest of Angami's alone. Be positive; think positive and the result will be positive.
The allegation leveled by Dr. P. Mor regarding the ulterior motives of grabbing or claiming the land at Intanki forest by Sumis. It is just your own illusion and not as a responsible leader.
For Gods sake, don not mix up the unification move with the issue of land claiming or grabbing. Be a responsible leader so that the Nagas next generation respect and remember you and your sacrifice for the nation.
Zarenthung Yanthan Imlisunep Samuel Sumi Concern Naga citizen Purana Bazar, East Dimapur, Nagaland E-mail: nagacitizen@yahoo.com">nagacitizen@yahoo.com
Zeliangrong and Wung regions affirm support Morung Express

Dimapur, December 1 (MExN): The Zeliangrong and Tangkhul regions of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim, NSCN (IM) have in separate statements affirmed support to the Collective Leadership in the wake of the recent developments including the recent unity drive initiated under the aegis of the Western Sumi Hoho. The office of the Zeliangrong Region in a press note gave the opinion that “at this very juncture any unity move is important, but the more important is the Indo-Naga political solution”. It stated that ‘unity’ is a social solution where as the later is the national political solution of the entire Nagas.
Terming the recent ‘reunification move’ as controversial issue, the Zeliangrong Region made its stand firm on the statement and the clarification issued by the Yaruiwo, Isak Chishi Swu dated, 25th November 2007 and appealed to the Naga people not to get confused by “unprincipled unity move with ulterior motive by some imposter” but to rather stand firm on the national principle and defend the ongoing peace process for smooth sailing.

The Wung Tangkhul Regional Council meanwhile held its emergency meeting on December 1 over what it termed as “the prevailing controversial unity move by a section of people”. In a statement issued by Ngaranmi Jagoi, CAO of Wung Tangkhul Region, it was informed that the meeting had resolved to fully support the collective leadership of the NSCN (IM) and that it stood on the statements of the Yaruiwo of the People's Republic Of Nagalim, Isak Chishi Swu, dated 25th November 2007.
The Council further acknowledged that no Naga community, either big or small exist on the mercies of others and that all have contributed for the common cause of the Naga Nation in their own way and therefore no community or section of our people should be discriminated. “Any attempt that undermines this principle is the abiding agenda of the adversaries aimed at dividing the Naga family”, it stated and therefore appealed to the people to give concerted effort in bringing unity among the Nagas.
Nagaland minister, parliamentary secy resign from govt Newmai News Network

Kohima, Dec 1: The Nagaland People`s Front (NPF) led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government in the State today suffered yet another bluster as one of its ministers and a senior parliamentary secretary resigned from their assigned duties as well as from the membership of 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) with immediate effect.

Sources revealed that Minister for Information & Publication Relations (IPR) and Forest, Kheto Sumi and Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare, Hollohon, both NPF members of in the 54 member House of NLA tendered their resignation today.
Nevertheless, the confirmation of their resignation could not be immediately received from themselves as they had switched off their phones and also not responding to their landline phones.

With today`s development, two ministers and two Parliamentary secretaries have resigned from the Neiphiu Rio led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government in the last one week.

Simon brings England to Nagaland Morung Express News
Kohima | British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India, Simon Wilson, brought England nearer to Nagaland as he enthusiastically joined the first day of the Hornbill Festival, which also coincided the Statehood day, mesmerized by the hues of festivity.
“This morning I was really enthralled by the sheer colour and magnificence of the dances and song performance, crafts, parades, and the handicrafts and artwork on show”, Simon admitted latter in the evening, while addressing the launched of the Hornbill Music Festival.
He said that the ‘pure magic’ of Nagaland’s culture has been its ability to nurture both its traditional culture while imbibing modern influences. “Today is an important day for Nagaland being also the state inauguration Day. I must admit that though it has been a little more than 24 hours since I have come to Nagaland; I have had the opportunity to savour a great deal of the rich Naga culture within a very short span of time”, Simon said.
Simon also said that In UK, people from Nagaland are admired for their martial prowess, their skilled weaving and rich repertory of folk dances and songs.
“I am keen for more students from Nagaland to choose the UK as their preference for education outside India. I have been asked and I will definitely see the prospects for more cultural and educational involvement between the UK and Nagaland and explore the possibility of the British Council having programmes in Nagaland’, Simon added.
Rio for one big Naga family The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 1 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio hopes that the ongoing political dialogue will bring the cherished dream of peace of the people and bring to end the protracted Naga political struggle. The CM was expressing his hopes in his message on the 44th anniversary of Nagaland’s statehood.
In a copy of his speech received here, Rio stated that after a long struggle and bloodshed, statehood was achieved. “But that was not the end. Our struggle for realization of our political aspirations is still on. The ongoing political dialogue is expected to bring the cherished dream of peace leading ultimately to the final solution to the long-drawn Naga political struggle” Rio stated.
Still, the state has undergone a sea change in the last several decades, he stated. “In these 44 years of our existence as a state, we have slowly and steadily covered a vast canvas of development in the state” the chief minister said. Highlighting the achievements of the NPF-led DAN government, Rio appealed for peace and in the spirit of “forgive and forget.” “Let there be no more dividing lines between brothers and brothers, sisters and sisters. Let us bury our past, and in true Christian tradition forgive one another for creating a new Nagaland” the chief minister appealed to all.
Support for Naga struggle finds voice in peoples’ meet The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 1 (MExN): A Peoples’ meeting held at Chennai on November 24 organized by Tamil based organizations adopted a six-point resolution emphasizing the right of self determination and liberation struggle of the people of Nagaland. The meeting which was chaired by K. Kesavan Joint Secretary of Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties (CPCL) and attended by five organizations including social scientist Koval Easwaran endorsed the Naga peoples struggle and their right of self determination and liberation. This was informed in a press statement issued by N. Venuh, Secretary General Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR). A Naga delegation also attended the conclave it was informed. The meeting resolved that the Government of India should recognize the Nagas right to self determination and declare Nagaland as a separate country. It further resolved stating that Delhi should change its narrow attitude in viewing the various struggles of the people of Nagaland as an internal problem and that it should immediately withdraw government forces while pointing out that this was creating a sense of insecurity and fear in the minds of the people of Nagaland. The conference also strongly condemned the Sri Lankan government which recently killed the leader of the LTTE’s political wing SP Tamilchelvan and conveyed best wishes for the success of the struggle of Ealam Tamils. It resoled that the Government of India should immediately stop all economic, political and military assistance being extended to Sri Lanka. The meeting was attended by Anti Imperialistic Movement (AIM), Indian Association of Peoples Lawyer (IAPL), Revolutionary Youth Front (RYF), Tamil Nadu Oppressed Peoples Liberation Movement (TNOPLM), Tamil Nationalist Liberation Movement (TNLM) and social scientist Koval Easwaran.
Meanwhile, the meeting on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu and democratic forces also resolved to uphold the struggle of the people of Nagaland and to support all national struggles. In a separate letter to the people of Tamil Nadu, the Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties—Tamil Nadu informed of the Naga peoples struggle stating that they had declared their Independence on August 14, 1947 and that Delhi never permitted the struggle to grow and that in the name of peace efforts entered into a ceasefire in 1997 and extended the same for 10 years The letter also stated that during this ceasefire period, Delhi poured in its armed forces and approached the Naga issue as a mere law and order problem bent upon crushing the Nagas right to self determination. “By deputing heavy forces it is waging a psychological war on the people of Nagaland”, the CPCL letter stated.
‘Let peace prevail in Nagaland’ Our Correspondent The Morung Express
Mokokchung | Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industries, Jairam Ramesh, today on his maiden visit to Nagaland, while addressing the people of Mokokchung district during the culmination program of the year-long celebration of the District’s Golden Jubilee at Imkongmeren Sports Complex as the chief guest said, “This is my first trip to Nagaland, and I hope I will be coming here more frequently… there is so much to be seen and learned. I come here in a spirit of humanity, not to give but to take. I come to take the spirit of Nagaland,” and expressed belief that peace, amity and brotherhood will prevail in Nagaland.
Of the six hundred districts in India, the Union Minister regarded Mokokchung a ‘unique district’, and added that the foundation of a modern Nagaland was laid here fifty years ago. He also expressed admiration to the district to have produced luminaries and architects of the state, and particularly mentioned the names of the State’s first Chief Minister P. Shilu Ao and the present Governor of Goa SC Jamir, making special comment on the latter as, “Jamir is a great institution” and regarded him as the “greatest nationalist in India” and expressed that it was his honor to be in Jamir’s hometown.
Earlier, the Union Minister began his speech by emphasizing on the principle of freedom of religion. “Last Saturday I was in Tawang, the land of Buddha. Today, I am here in Mokokchung, the land of Jesus Christ. But I am still in India. That is the greatness of India… where we follow different faiths and different religions, but we are all united as Indians.” Later during the function, the chief guest after delivering his speech descended from the dais and walked out to the galleries and interacted with the students, elders, women and the cultural troupes who had turned up for the function. The Union Minister was also adventurous enough to join in the folk dances during the celebration. The day-long culmination program of the Mokokchung District Golden jubilee celebration was also graced by Imkong L.Imchen, Minister for School Education, Nagaland as guest of honor.
Hornbill Festival: ‘Unity and Oneness of Nagas’ Hornbill Festival: ‘Unity and Oneness of Nagas’ Chizokho Vero

Hornbill Festival had a spectacular opening this morning at Kisama as groups of people from various regions converged to celebrate the seven-day festival. Here, Angami men and women are seen in their finest ornaments and headgear to signify the beginning of the festive season. This year’s edition begins on December 1 and will continue till the 7th.
Kisama | The week-long Hornbill Festival of Nagaland made a colorful start today with the display of various cultural traditions of the Nagas in the presence dignitaries and tourists from different parts of the world. “As Nagaland marches towards an era of peace and development, Hornbill festival symbolizes the new Nagaland,” said Governor K. Sankaranarayanan in his inaugural speech at Naga Heritage Complex.

“Visitors and tourists visiting Nagaland will realize that Nagaland is peaceful and it is vibrant. Nagaland is colourful and youthful. We have modernized but we have kept our cultural heritage intact,” he said and termed the Hornbill festival as an opportunity where “we showcase the best of our dances, music and culture.” Saying that Hornbill festival represents the fusion of the traditional and the modern, the Governor stated that it is also special for it is named after the great Hornbill which is not only the most revered of all birds for the Nagas but also symbolizes Nagas’ cultural heritage. It is a distinct part of the traditional folklores, customs and dresses, specially the headgear of the Nagas.
It also represents the inherent unity and oneness of all Naga tribes, he said.
He also stated that the festival has definitely grown in stature by figuring the Hornbill National Rock Contest, Hornbill Motor Rally, Food Festival and other activities. Also singing sweet tune on the scenic beauty of Kisama, the Governor also stressed on the need to invest in infrastructure in order to sustain tourism. He also stated that Kohima can be planned into a modern city with good traffic systems and parking bays in order to create convenience for the tourists and urban population.Also referring to the re-introduction of Helicopter service from today in Nagaland, Sankaranarayanan said that it will open up the nooks and corners for the state for tourism.
The Governor also stated that when all tribes and people from all districts get together in this festival of Nagaland, and pray for peace and development, “we are sure to be blessed.”
Also referring to Colours and Rhythms of Nagaland in the cultural exposition, he urged upon all the guests and tourists from outside Nagaland to specially observe the traditional dances and songs and notice how the community gets involved in almost all Naga dances and music.
“Naga culture is about joining hands, it is about working together, in true resonance and shows the true spirit of community participation in almost all facets of Naga social life. It is unique, it is distinct and it is remarkable,” he said and hoped that the same spirit continues in all walks of life and helps Nagaland embark on a journey of growth and development, which preserving its cultural heritage and traditions.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed that the Government of India has now recognized the Hornbill festival as one of the national events. “Over the years, the organizers and participants have gained in experience, and the reputation of this annual festival has also spread far and wide –both within and outside the country,” he said adding that the festival has gained its own unique position in the calendar of festivals in the state and the country as a whole. “It has been rightly termed as the ‘festival of festivals.’ It is a mega event, as it is a combination of all the tribal festivals put together,” Rio said. Over the years, he said, this event has gained in stature and vision. It has now become a unique platform for the tourists to witness the cultural diversity of not only the Nagas, but also the seven other sister states of the North East India, in all their wonders and glory. “Our vision is to make it a self sustainable festival, so that, in the long run, the government’s role would be gradually minimized, and limited to only playing a facilitating or regulatory role, and that this event should become an economically viable proposition,” Rio said.
In order to let sustainable tourism to take place, he said “we need continuing peace and tranquility” adding that in an atmosphere of fear and violence, no worthwhile development or progress can take place anywhere. “Therefore, we should all make concerted efforts to maintain and promote the peaceful atmosphere which we have cultivated and nurtured over the years,” he said. Rio also stated that if tourism is to forge ahead and take its rightful place on the state, “we need private investors to come and invest in our land.” We are working in that direction to make our land and its people more investor friendly, he said.
Also stating that, today, tourism along with IT and mass communication, are the three largest growing sectors in the country with an annual growth of over 8 per cent each, he said “ Let us not miss this bus on our journey to development and prosperity.”
Yakimung Sangtam the guest of honour pronounced a traditional blessing to signify the beginning of the festival. Kaito Ayeh, minister for works and housing, tourism chaired the function while vote of thanks was proposed by Khekiye K. Sema, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Tourism, Art and Culture. The inaugural programme was followed by songs and dances, visit to traditional houses of different tribes, exhibition, stalls, etc.
DAN Govt under threat; Kheto, Hollohon resigns (Page News Service)
Dimapur, December 1: Two high profile leaders in the NPF-led DAN Government in Nagaland, including a Minister and a Parliamentary Secretary, resigned from their respective positions in the Government on Saturday giving rise to speculations among political observers in the state that the DAN Government will ultimately not complete its full term in office.
The 2 DAN leaders that resigned today are Minister of Forests, Information & Public Relation, Kheto and Parliamentary Secretary for Social Security & Welfare, Kihoto Hollohon. The Governor of Nagaland has also accepted both the resignations with immediate effect, informed State Cabinet Secretary, Lalhuma.
The resignation of the 2 NPF legislators came on expected line, as there had been much speculation that they would, sooner than later, resign from the Government.
The speculation was fueled by the November 27 resignation of 3 DAN legislators, including Minister, Tokheho Yepthomi of NPF and 2 Parliamentary Secretaries, both Independent, namely P Chuba Chang and Jongshilemba.
There are also many speculations among top political circles in the state that at least another 2 DAN legislators are likely to resign from the DAN Ministry in the next couple of days, with others to follow in a week's time.
Meanwhile, with today's resignations, the number game to keep afloat the NPF-led DAN coalition on power comes into play.
As of now there is no real threat to the continuation of the DAN Government in the state considering that the numbers are loaded much in favour of the DAN coalition. But another round of resignations, which has recently become a frequent affair much to the discomfiture of the ruling coalition, will likely change the equation.
The strength of the NPF-led DAN Government has now been reduced to 31 out of the sitting 53 legislators in the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Before today, 5 legislators had already resigned from the Assembly reducing its strength to 55 out of a total strength of 60.
The latest position in the state Assembly comprises of NPF - 26, Congress - 17, BJP - 4, JD (U) - 2 and Independent - 4.
Road blocks in ‘Look East’ policy Vinod Vedi - Syndicate Features Asian Tribune
Even as a Group of Union Ministers (GOM) was meeting with Chief Ministers of the north eastern States in the first week of November to give content to India's Look East policy, roadblocks to the overland gateway were coming up. The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah group) decreed that no construction would be allowed to be carried out in Naga areas without first securing permission from it.
A militant group walking into an establishment and demanding “taxes" that are non-negotiable is not new to north-east. Non-payment usually means a closure of the establishment and/or beatings and shootings. But the I-M diktat has raised the level of extortion to an insult to Indian nationhood.
The GOM and Chief Ministers agreed that looking beyond India's borders mandates good road and rail connectivity through the North East. However, given its location and terrain these connections will need to be made through Bangladesh.
The Union Minister for north-east affairs Mani Shankar Aiyar has organized the conclave that brought about a synergy between the Ministries of External Affairs, Defence, Home, Finance and foreign trade with the Chief Ministers of the "seven sisters" creating an internal-external ambiance intended, as Mr Aiyar hoped, to "help spring the north-east region from the geo-political trap".
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had this to say of the new arrangement: “What we are looking at here is a new paradigm of development whereby our foreign policy initiatives blend seamlessly into our national economic development. Given that we have, over 15 years of pursuing our Look East policy, put in place certain diplomatic and political structures, there is need now to makes these structures work for our north-east region. Diplomatic initiatives urgently need to be converted into commercial opportunities”.
In this scheme of things the NSCN (I-M) caveat is clearly intended to be a stumbling block. The militant Naga group, which has signed a ceasefire arrangement with the Government, is seeking to create a separate Naga nation covering all areas where Nagas reside in the contiguous States of Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Assam as also Nagaland. On the face of it such a State would entail a Naga ethnic monolith that currently encompass not only the large segments of the Indian Union but also parts of Myanmar where ethnic Nagas reside.
The reality is somewhat different: The overall “Naga" ethnicity is sundered by many sub-cultures which too are contending violently with each other undermining whatever territorial framework Isak Swu and T. Muivah are basing their nationhood. Thus Nagaland with its capital in Kohima is a politically settled entity with its internal security, defence, trade, foreign affairs and every other avenue of intra and inter-national connectivity firmly embedded in the Indian Union.
While the NSCN (I-M) slogan of amalgamation of all Naga ethnic areas into one unit called Greater Nagalim does resonate among the Naga masses there is also great awareness that pandering to such ethnicity could encourage even more virulent demands of the kind that the Gujjars unleashed in Rajasthan recently.
New Delhi has handled all insurgencies on the basis of the touchstone of territorial integrity of the Indian Union as enshrined in the Constitution. This has already been made amply clear to the NSCN leadership at various stages of interactions between delegations of the two sides. In a recent interview its General Secretary Muivah indicated that his group is studying the Indian Constitution to ascertain what parts would be acceptable to it.
The offer of a federal relationship he made it clear has envisioned a separate federation of Nagalim which implies a loose confederation arrangement. One clause states that Nagalim will not be bound to come to the assistance of India if it is attacked. The implication is that the Naga Regiment of the Indian Army, would, as in the case of the Gorkhas of the British India Army have to make a choice between India and Nagalim. This kind of splintering can hardly been seen to be good governance by any government in India.
The diplomatic and political structures referred to by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee include efforts to get the military junta in Myanmar and the Army-supported regime in Bangladesh to institute joint military operations against bases and sanctuaries used by Indian insurgent groups. If and when that fructifies -- already with Myanmar that has happened albeit fitfully over the decades -- it could ring the death-knell for the Naga insurgency which depends largely on this external factor for it sustenance.
The threat held out by the NSCN (I-M) to the Jiribum-Toupul rail link intended to connect Manipur to the rest of India by destroying construction material, "arresting" the labourers and the unstated collection of "taxes" from the contractors will have to be seen as a violation of the ceasefire arrangement and dealt with accordingly.
For an India set to Look East far beyond its own horizons it is pertinent to ask if it can afford not to look closely at the ground below its feet and deal with the insurgencies in the north-east more effectively either to bring them into the mainstream of political life or crush them like it did the Khalistan separatism in Punjab.
Insurgent groups like the NSCN (I-M) must read the writing on the wall. There is no doubt that it will be able to assert some kind of dictation within areas of its operations in the Naga segments of some of the "seven sisters" but over time the NSCN (I-M) will find its area of operations and influence shrinking given the kind of international ambiance that has been created through diplomacy and politics.
NSCN (I-M) leaders will have to give up their pipedream of a federation outside the Indian Union if for no other reason than that the Nagas themselves would see in India's dynamic growth an attractive proposition to co-exist. - Syndicate Features -
Flying start to Hornbill Fest OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Dec. 1: Governor K. Sankaranarayanan inaugurated the annual Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage village in Kisama near Kohima today, setting the stage for the seven-day cultural extravaganza which unites all Naga tribes. The governor lauded the organisers for their efforts in promoting Naga culture, saying that the rich heritage of the state has not been fully explored by the world. Hundreds of foreign and domestic tourists are participating in the festival, which will include a stall of Korean cuisine to tempt food lovers. Arirang TV, Korea, will also cover the festival.
The state government organises the festival every year to promote tourism and highlight the fusion of elements that comprise Nagaland. All Naga tribes unite to celebrate the occasion, which is also a tribute to the hornbill, the most revered bird of the Nagas. It is closely associated with the social and cultural life of the Nagas, as reflected in tribal folklore, dances and songs.
The admiration for the bird is symbolically displayed on the traditional tribal headgear worn during the festivals. For visitors, the festival is a means of understanding Naga culture.
Over the years, this event has gained in stature and vision, becoming a unique platform for tourists to witness the cultural diversity of the Nagas and the seven other northeastern states.
Several troupes from the neighbouring states will also take part in the festival. This year’s festival is expected to draw over 400 foreign tourists.
Peace pitch The Naga people’s struggle for realisation of their political aspiration is on and the talks process is expected to usher in peace that will end the almost six-decade-old Naga problem, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said today. While greeting the people of Nagaland on the occasion of the 44th Statehood Day, Rio in his message appealed to all sections and groups to eschew the path of violence and work unitedly for the masses.
“Let us sincerely try to become one big Naga family. Let us bury our past and in true Christian tradition, forgive one another for creating a new Nagaland,” he appealed. “In these 44 years of our existence as a state, we have slowly but steadily covered a vast canvas of development.”
Rio attributed the “progress” to the unstinted support his government has received from the Naga Hoho, the Church and civil society and requested them to stand by the government. His government had tried its best to unite all to achieve a durable peace in Nagaland, he claimed.
Copter service: Rio flagged off helicopter services at the Assam Rifles helipad in Kohima. The services were re-introduced in the state today.
Gogoi Govt wants CBI to probe Guwahati violence Samudra Gupta Kashyap Financial Express Indianexpress com Expressindia
Guwahati, December 1: Exactly a week after an Adivasi rally in Guwahati turned violent and led to large-scale trouble across the state, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday announced his decision to ask the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the incident.
Gogoi told a press conference that though he had earlier announced institution of a judicial probe headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, the decision to hand over the probe to CBI was taken in view of demands by various organisations, including the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU). “I have no problem in asking the CBI to investigate the incident. It is, however, up to the CBI to decide whether it will take up the case or not,” Gogoi said. He, however, said he would try to get the CBI to probe the incident.
Gogoi also announced the setting up of a Committee of Experts to look into the demands of the six communities, including the Adivasis for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list, and said the organisations representing these communities were also welcome to suggest names of experts to be members of the committee.
“My Government is also prepared to meet the expenses of the best lawyers in the country if the organisations want to hire them to argue their cases,” Gogoi said. Gogoi also criticised the role of a section of the media in projecting an “incorrect and incomplete” picture of the November 24 incident.
UNLF salutes, details Khengjoi battle By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 1 : The proscribed UNLF has offered revolutionary salutes to Sgt Maj Ngangom Khuntakpa alias Dorendro son of Lukhoi of Kiyamgei Maning Leikai who was killed in a shoot out with the Indian security force near Tuitung village in Dingpi area on November 30.
Saluting the slain MPA cadre, the outfit in a statement said that Khuntakpa was a disciplined and brave soldier of the MPA. He was involved in many battles earlier and apart from his military expertise he was also a man who could inspire the others. He was with the medical team of the outfit but he heeded the call of duty and was more inclined towards military action, said UNLF and added that he was leading a platoon when the incident occurred. Sgt Maj Khuntakpa was killed when the Indian security personnel waylaid his team, said the outfit. It also shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.
The security personnel also suffered casualties with one of them getting killed while some others were injured, claimed the outfit. Giving a brief account of the battle going on at Khengjoi, Dingpi area and Sajik, the statement said that a huge force of security personnel has been pressed into service under the 57 Mountain Division. At present the 9, 26 and 27 AR Bns under 10 Sector, 21 Field Regiment, 17 JKLI, 10 J and K Rifles, 5/8 Gorkhas, 6 Jat Regiment, 11 Mahar Regiment, 22 MLI and Rajputana Rifles are in the said areas to confront the MPA cadres, it said.
Other than the AR Bns and 10 J and K Rifles, the others were brought to the said areas for the operation which has been dubbed, “Operation Burma Tour,” said the outfit and added that the strength of the Indian security force pressed into service for the offensive must be around one Division.
Though the MPA cadres are outnumbered with only two Bns, they are bravely and defiantly holding back the security forces.
Another advantage that the Indian security force has is the help extended to them by one Kuki armed group. This has been confirmed by listening to the radio sets used by the security personnel, said the outfit and added that the said Kuki armed group is instigating the Kuki villagers to turn against the UNLF. The MPA cadres have been exercising maximum restraint in using bombs, to avoid hurting the villagers, said the statement. On the other hand the Indian security force have been using bombs recklessly and at least about 200 bombs are being used every day, it asserted. On the side of the MPA, they have been using about 30 bombs a day which include 2 inch, 3 inch and 81 mm mortar. Admitting that the advancing troops have been able to wrest some post of the MPA, the statement said that the situation is being reviewed. Till date, the UNLF has not suffered much set back, other than the death of Sgt Maj Khuntakpa, said the statement and added that the Indian security force have suffered heavy casualties with more than 8 killed while many others have been injured. It will not be easy for the Indian security force to over run the 293 Bn of the MPA, said the statement and added that it would greatly help the armed struggle, of the other revolutionary groups start hitting out at the Indian security force.


Frans on 12.02.07 @ 07:02 PM CST [link]


Saturday, December 1st

NISC asks Khaplang to speak out on unification The Morung Express



NISC asks Khaplang to speak out on unification The Morung Express

Dimapur, November 30 (MExN): While wholeheartedly supporting reconciliation to achieve unity among the Naga peoples, the Dutch based Naga International Support Center (NISC) however made it clear that unity cannot be achieved by way of excluding any Naga tribe or any civil organization, but by looking into the cause of the bitter feud which had led to the split in the first place.
The NISC while terming the recent unification drive as a “coup” by the Khaplang group/Sema leaders, it wanted to know whether Khaplang himself had ordered the unity team or whether it was people like K. Mulatonu and AZ Jami who acted on their own “in collaboration with Sema with their agenda on Intangki Forest”. Pointing out that Khaplang has no reason to keep quiet, the NISC requested Khaplang to speak out on unification through reconciliation. “Khaplang you are accountable for your actions, or does your silence means you agree with the conditions your men spelled out for unification?” the NISC stated.
The NISC claimed that the unification drive was declared without the knowledge of the leaders of both NSCN’s and that it was a serious mistake to exclude social and civil organizations from reconciliation. The NISC stated that to exclude any tribe from the unity process was an anachronism and to exclude parts of the Naga Homeland a scam.
The NISC further alleged that the “Sumis bonded with the Khaplang group to occupy Intangki and Cachar” and that “acting on behalf of Khaplang and Mulatonu, a Sema, tried to grab power and land”.
Consequently the NISC gave a five point suggestion and called on all Nagas to strive for unification on the basis of equality and accountability for all; to include civil society of all walks of life and in all Naga lands of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Burmam so not just Nagaland State; to condemn the greed for land of the Semas concerning Intangki Forest Reserve which has been their underlying motivation to join forces with the Khaplang group, sans Khaplang; to counter fake unification attempts which really are intended to undermine Naga Society and divide the Nagas all for personal greed, land grabbing and subservience to the Indian Masters and lastly to stand together as one to achieve the ultimate goal the Nagas have been fighting for so long already, “your right to determine your own future”.
The NISC also called on the NSCN-IM to show restraint and statesmanship when coming down on the village where the ‘peacemakers’ have their quarter and to try to solve any conflict through dialogue and peaceful means.
Revoke Quit notice, Azha: Sumi Church leaders The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 30 (MExN): The Sumi Concerned Church Leaders appreciated the unification efforts and stated that it is believed to be an answer to the prayers of the Naga for Peace and reconciliation. The press release received here today from the Sumi Concerned Church Leaders, stated that the decision was arrived at during the consultative meet on Dimapur, Sumi Baptist Church on November 29 and while it stated that the unity move was in line with the Peace and Reconciliation move taken by the Nagaland GB’s and DB’s Association, they appealed to the concerned bodies to revoke the quit notice issued to the Tangkhuls and the Azha served against S.C Jamir and Alemtemshi Jamir.. The 13 leaders are Rev. Phughoto Aye, Rev. Dr. Khehovi Shohe, Rev. Vitoi Kappo, Dr. Hesheto Y. Chishi, Rev. Dr. Vikheshe Chishi, Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo, Rev. Dr. Shiwoto Sumi, Rev. Dr. Yehevi Jimo, Mr. Vihokhu K. Zhimomi, Dr. Hukashe Zhimomi, Rev. Helkath Kappo, Mr. Pitoyi Chophy and Rev. Inaho Swu.
‘All Nagas must be part of unification’ The Morung Express
In the backdrop of the so-asserted “unification” of the “NSCN,” Western Yimchungru Hoho and Western Yimchungru GBs’ Union have stated that all the Nagas must be a part of the unification. A meeting was held on November 29 at old Showba under the initiative of the Western Yimchungru Hoho and Western Yimchungru GBs’ Union where the “factional unification” from the two NSCNs was deliberated upon. While the meeting resolved to encourage and support the efforts initiated by members of both the NSCNs for “unification” to end killings and bloodshed and misunderstanding amongst the Nagas, the meeting also resolved that all Nagas must be a part of the unification process. This was stated in a joint press note appended by WYH president S Tokiu, general secretary H Lakiumong and chairman of the WYGBU Rejang.
Attempt on life: Jamir 'hurt' by Centre's silence, TNN Economic Times


MUMBAI: A former Nagaland chief minister and a veteran Congressman gave vent to his feelings while talking to newsmen in Panaji. He said he was “anguished, frustrated and disillusioned” over the stoic silence maintained by the central government over the recent attack on his life in Nagaland. Governor Jamir’s vehicle was ambushed in Mokokchuna district of his homeland, Nagaland, on November 24.

“Even after their own man is attacked they maintain silence, I feel there is something wrong,” visibly upset state governor said. He was terribly hurt as centre has not reacted to the attack. “If anything happens to your relative don’t you react?,” he questioned. “I don’t know why there is a silence. I am part of the whole establishment being representative of president of India in Goa,” said Nagaland’s longest served chief minister. NSCN-IM, a local militant group in Nagaland had issued ‘fatwa’ against Mr Jamir on September 25 this year banning him from entering the north-eastern state. This was the fourth attack on Mr Jamir’s life since 1990, the earlier occasions being in February 19, 1990, November 19, 1992 and November 29, 1999.

The governor said that he had written to the president about it, but “there was no reply and no response. Union home minister had told me that fatwa would be discussed during the negotiation meetings with the extremist group.”
According to him the attack was “direct challenge to the Indian constitution.” The governor, claiming there were some strange incidents during the recent attack on him, said, “the portion where there was an attack was not patrolled by police.”

Mr Jamir has ‘Z’ plus security cover. The attack took place at the area where there was a landslide and vehicles were moving at slower pace. “There were two dummy VIP cars. How could the attackers know exactly in which car I was sitting?” he questioned again. “Only few top level officers knew which route I was going,” he said. The governor was under the protection of India Reserve Batallion (IRB), which is equipped to deal with such situations.

Lambasting the Nagaland state government, the leader said that the state is run by these separatist groups with law and order thrown out of gear. Reacting to the allegations of NSCN-IM that the attack was stage-managed, the governor said that “no normal human being would believe this allegation.”
Naidu slams Jamir for playing politics BJP demands removal of Goa Governor The Morung Express

BATTLEMODE: Former BJP President and sitting MP Venkiah Naidu (in shawl) addressing party memebrs at the BJP political camp at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur today.
Dimapur, November 30 (MExN): Former BJP President and sitting MP Venkiah Naidu today slammed Goa Governor, Dr SC Jamir for playing politics in Nagaland and strongly opined the Indian President should dismiss the Governor from his job.
“The BJP takes strong exception of the words of SC Jamir. A serving Governor has no business in politicking, if he is interested then he should come to the court,” said Naidu during a press conference here at Tourist Lodge today. “President should dismiss him. This is the view of the BJP,” added Naidu who is on a two-day visit to the State to attend a BJP political workshop held at Tourist Lodge.
He opined that if Jamir is interested in politics then he should give up his chair as a governor and return to Nagaland to ‘do something for the people.’ Also, virtually kicking off the election campaign for the BJP in Nagaland, Naidu urged party man to start and carry on a sustained election campaign.
Focusing his speech on the ‘concern’ shown by the last NDA Government headed by AB Vajpayee towards the Naga people, Naidu said that it was Vajpayee who took the initiative and signed the peace talks with the Naga underground groups with the objective to bring peace in the State. Naidu affirmed that the UPA government at the Centre is not sincere about the peace talks and is neglecting the talks.
In this regard, Naidu exhorted BJP workers to spread the message among the Nagas that the BJP Government at the Centre will take much bolder steps than the Congress to find a lasting solution to the protracted Naga problem. However, he asserted that the approach of the BJP will be to bring peace in Nagaland, but it has to be solved within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
About the prospects of the BJP in the next assembly election, Naidu expressed strong hope that a non-Congress coalition government would come back to power in Nagaland. He asserted that the BJP will definitely improve its position in the State and fare well in the next election since there is a tremendous amount of sympathy for the previous NDA government by the Naga people and added that the people are not satisfied with the UPA Government. He also said that the performance of the DAN government is better than that of the previous Congress government.
Rio renews peace appeal Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, NOV 30 (NPN): On the eve of the 44th anniversary of Nagaland statehood, chief minister Neiphiu Rio has renewed his appeal to all sections and groups to eschew the path of violence and to come under one umbrella for ensuring a safe, peaceful and violence-free society.
“Let there be no more dividing lines... Let us bury our past, and in true Christian tradition, forgive one another for creating a new Nagaland,” the chief minister said in a message.
Rio said that after a long struggle and bloodshed, Nagas were recognized as a separate people and given a statehood with a special position under article 371-A of the Constitution of India.
“But that was not the end. Our struggle for realization of our political aspirations is still on. The ongoing political dialogue is expected to bring the cherished dreams of peace leading ultimately to the final solution to the long drawn Naga political struggle,” he said.
Rio also said the ongoing festival at the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama was an attempt to bring together all tribes in Nagaland for the sake of “celebrating our unity in diversity” and added that the festival would try to showcase the best of Naga culture, tradition and Naga food.
On the development front, Rio said the state has come a long way in its 44 years of existence.
He further claimed that the speed with which the state has been touching upon new areas of development including the farm, empowerment of women and youths, addressing the problems of underdevelopment in backward districts, sports and youth activities, in the past four years had never been equaled in the past.
Rio said faster development was possible on all fronts due to unstinted support his government received from the people at large, the civil societies, the Naga Hohos and the Churches.
On the occasion of statehood hood, which also coincides with World AIDS Day, Rio urged the young and old alike to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS till the menace was completely eradicated from the state.
“Our vision of creating a new Nagaland, full of peace, development and opportunities for the Nagas enabling them to fully realize their full potential, is no more a distant dream. I seek your continued cooperation for this noble endeavour,” the chief minister said.
Sumi bodies plea on ‘unification’ Nagaland post
DIMAPUR, NOV 30 (NPN): The Sumi hohos have appealed to the Naga Hoho, tribal hohos, the NPMHR, student bodies, churches and Nagas in general to extend their support in order to strengthen the ongoing efforts to bring about “unification” among the Naga national workers.
Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) in a press release issued by president Hokiye Yeptho and general secretary Akavi Zhimo reminded that the Naga Hoho had earlier, in pursuance of unification of various factions of the Naga national workers, conducted a ‘Reconciliation meet’ on December 20, 2001, and adopted a resolution of ‘forgive and forget.’
WSH said that in pursuance of the same policy, the Sumi Hoho and WSH too, like any other Naga civil societies, had always been trying their best for unification of various Naga national workers at their own level.
While thanking God for giving an opportune moment in the Sumi Hoho and WSH’s endeavour to bring about unity among factions, WSH also thanked leaders of the various Naga factions for the wisdom, far-sightedness and magnanimity displayed in “bringing understanding among themselves.”
Meanwhile, WSH informed that the Sumi Hoho in its emergency meeting held on November 27, had resolved to disown ay Sumi underground cadre of any faction if he or she do not cooperate and join the “unification move”.
The hoho also cautioned that in such cases, the hoho would neither recognize the “rank” of the cadre nor would the cadre be allowed to represent Sumi tribe as a whole on any platform.
WYH, WYGBU support
The Western Yimchungru Hoho (WYH) and the Western Yimchungru GBs Union (WYGBU) at a meeting held Thursday resolved to support the efforts initiated by the members of both the NSCNs for unification to end killing and bloodshed amongst Nagas.
A joint press release issued by WYH president S. Tokiu, general secretary H. Lakiumong and WYGBU chairman Rejang urged all the Nagas to be part of the unification.
Unity discourse continues Support unity drive, Sumis to Naga Hoho The Morung Express
Dimapur, November 30 (MExN): Pointing out that the Naga Hoho in its pursuance of the “unification” of various factions of the Naga undergrounds had conducted a ‘reconciliation meet’ and adopted a resolution of ‘forgive and forget’, Sumi hohos have appealed to the Naga Hoho, various tribal hohos, the NPMHR, student bodies, Churches and all right-thinking Nagas to extend support to the effort in order to strengthen the unification drive initiated recently. This was stated by Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) president Hokiye Yeptho and general secretary Akavi Zhimo in a press note received here.Pointing out that in pursuance of the same policy, the Sumi Hoho and the WSH like the other Naga civil societies have always tried its best to bring about unification amongst the undergrounds at its own level “We thank the God Almighty for giving us this opportune moment in our endeavor in bringing unity among the factions which has been the dream and aspiration of the Nagas.” The WSH also thanked the various Naga factional leaders for their “wisdom, far-sightedness and magnanimity” that they have displayed in bringing understanding among themselves.

Sumi Hoho resolves The Sumi Hoho in its emergency meeting held on November 27 resolved to disown any Sumi underground cadre of any faction ‘if he or she did not cooperate and join the unification move’ initiated recently and cautioned that the Hoho shall not recognize his or her rank and file nor can he or she represent the Sumi tribe as a whole in any platform. This was stated by the Western Sumi Hoho president and general Secretary in a press note.
Senior Citizens reaffirm Nagas as one The Nagaland Senior Citizens Forum (NSCF) held its 3rd consultative meeting today at Red Cross Conference Hall and reaffirmed that Nagas are one and decided to appeal through a three-point resolution, informed H. Hesso, president and Dr R. Zinyu, secretary. The NSCF expressed appreciation on the call for unity of the Naga factions and agreed that this is in the right direction. For the success of this unity movement, the NCSF appealed that there should be no more killings, infightings, “quit-and anti-Naga notices”. The NSCF also appealed that the senior citizens of the respective tribes across the Naga homeland should work towards this goal actively for unification. The NSCF also expressed gratitude for the steadfast work done by the churches to bring healing within the Naga family.
“Eastern Naga National Workers” resolve Dimapur, November 30 (MExN): The “Eastern Naga National Workers” held a meeting on November 30, 2007. In the said consultative meeting the Eastern Naga National Workers reaffirmed to fully support the leadership of chairman Isak Chishi Swu and the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process under his leadership. The meeting also discussed and resolved to stand firm on the pronouncement of a meeting of the chairman on the present controversial unity move. The “Eastern Naga National Workers” appealed to the Naga people not to be confused but rather stand on their mandate “given to the collective leadership,” stated a press note from the “Eastern Naga National Workers” issued through the MIP.
Naga Hoho emergency consultation informs The Morung Express
Dimapur, November 30 (MExN): In view of many queries and enthusiastic response from various tribal and civil society organizations, concerned individuals and public, the Naga Hoho has informed all concerned, that, only the president or official delegate of the various Naga tribes will be allowed to attend the December 2 emergency consultation. With regards to the mass-based civil society organizations and Churches, only the president and secretary will be allowed to attend the same.
Informing of this, Neingulo Krome, general secretary of Naga Hoho stated that this was being done with conscious consideration of the fact, that the situation confronting the Naga society cannot be more volatile as of now, and which calls for maximum vigilant and restraint from every perspective. The meeting will also be a “close-door discussion”, for which, no press or journalists will be allowed.
At the same time, the Naga Hoho requested all the organizations and federating units and other tribal organizations to consider this Press handouts as the official invitations, as no personal or official letter has been given out to any one in this regard, due to paucity of time and nature of the meeting.
The truth about ambush must come out: NSCN (IM) The Morung Express
Dimapur, November 30 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has come out with serious charges alleging that Goa Governor SC Jamir and NSCN (K) General Secretary Kitovi were working together to create a situation of breakdown of law and order in Nagaland so as to demand the imposition of President’s Rule in the state. The NSCN (IM) in a press note issued by its MIP section alleged that with such scheme of things both Jamir and Kitovi had worked out the plan in their meeting in Goa and Mokokchung.
The NSCN (IM) alleged that the game plan was set into motion in the evening of November 23 at 7 pm in Mokokchung when Jamir was picked up by two MLAs in two black Scorpios and proceeded straight to Dimapur to his residence at Chumukedima. “As planned, the next morning the convoy of vehicles with IRB moved out giving the seeming presence of Jamir in one of the vehicles. At the appointed hour of the ambush Jamir was already seated in the comfort of his house in Chumukedima and never on the spot as made out to be”, the NSCN (IM) claimed while adding that “such was the temerity of Jamir to blame” the NSCN (IM). “The truth must however come out if the investigation into the ambush is to be processed in true spirit and honesty”, the NSCN (IM) stated.
In this regard, it may be mentioned that the State government had on November 26 constituted a three member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into the ambush on Jamir on November 24 to be headed by CP Giri, IPS, Additional DGP (Operations). The SIT has been mandated to inquire into the circumstances leading to the ambush on November 24 and was to ascertain the identity of the perpetrators of the act and related matters thereof.
Subsequently, the NSCN (IM) claimed that the “unfolding events” went as per the game plan and pointed out to the Congress legislators in Nagaland demanding President’s Rule under the pretext of “deteriorating law and order’.
It further went on to allege that what was happening in Niuland under the “professed NSCN unification” was part of Jamir’s scheme of things and that this reflected “something destructive and not constructive for the ultimate political benefit of the Nagas”.
The NSCN (IM) stated that when the “political game plan is fixed there follows an unholy nexus between the politicians and underground elements scheming for the programme that defile human value attached with high profile public leaders”. The NSCN (IM) in this regard pointed out that Jamir who holds the gubernatorial post of Goa Governor “exercised no moral restraint to go to the extent of resorting to the dirty scheme of organizing a stage managed ambush in connivance with his brain child underground elements in the Khaplang group with the covert backing of some political leaders whose only thinking is to grab power by hook or by crook and begin a sort of war against the present set up under the Indo-Naga ceasefire”.
The NSCN (IM) in this regard asked the Government of India not to be too naďve to act in hurry “keeping in view the illogical observation of incident pointing the finger at the NSCN”. “The fact that SC Jamir comes all the way from Goa to execute this schemingly planned ambush is a fitting case of defiling the honor and respect that goes with the office of the Governor”, it stated while adding that “politics in Nagaland has gone the way of moral bankruptcy where anything is made to happen but for the heck of political power and other ulterior motive”.
Ukhrul mourns for Capt Thanshok Addie Chiphang Sangai Express
Ukhrul, Nov 30: Over thousands of people assembled at the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground Wino Bazaar, Ukhrul today to pay their last homage to late Captain, Thanshok Zingkhai of NSCN (I-M), who was killed at Tixsit area of Mon District at Nagaland by the rival group of NSCN (K) on November 28.
The public condolence service was organized by TNL in association with other local social organizations like Hunphun Katamnao Long (Ukhrul students Union) Hunphun Shinao Long and United Hunphun Youth front. The service began at 7. 00 am and was participated leaders of many social organizations including TKS, TSL, TMNL, Village Headman’s, VA’s , CAO, Wung Tangkhul Regions and many ranks and files of the NSCN (IM) collective leaderships.
Qr. Captain, Vareithing Hongreinao, from Hebron Office who brought the corpse of his colleague all away from Dimapur stated that the incident occurred on November 28 at around 8:30 am when the latter was taking a sun bath near the camp when all of a sudden an ambush was laid killing Captain Thanshok and his junior Lieutenant Sema on the spot at Tixit Namsha village at Mon Dist.
The captain further said that Captain Thanshok was a disciplined and courageous Army officer who sacrificed his life for the sake of the National cause till his last and that the untimely demise of such a noble officer will not only be difficult to fill but also left a great vacuum in the hearts of the Tangkhul in particular and all Nagas in general. Captain Hongreinao also read out the Condolence message from the NSCN/GPRN during the service. According to the records Lt.Captain, Thanshok Zingkhai, 34 years, son of Vareishing Zingkhai hailed from Kasomtang of Hunphun/Ukhrul and he joined the NSCN on 1991 and served the Nation for 17 years. After the public condolence service the corpse of the Captain was taken to his home at Kasomtang, 2 and half Kms away from the TNL ground by the public making a human chain and pulling the rope by joining the end of the vehicles where the coffin was being carried till his residence. Meanwhile, the 24 hours banth called by the contract teachers Association was passed out peacefully without any untoward incidents. During the banth all the shops remain closed and the vehicles moments cease plying the road.
People's struggle for realization of political aspirations is still on: Rio (Page News Service)

Dimapur, November 30: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the Naga people's struggle for realization of their political aspirations is still on and the ongoing political dialogue is expected to bring the cherished dream of peace leading ultimately to the final solution to the long drawn Naga political struggle.
In a message on 44th Anniversary of Statehood, he appealed to all sections and groups to rededicate themselves to the service of the people, by eschewing the path of violence, hatred and bloodshed.
Rio said, "In these 44 years of our existence as a state, we have slowly and steadily covered a vast canvas of development in the state," adding, " The speed with which we have been touching upon new areas of development, be it on the farm front, or on the front of empowerment of women and youths, or on the front of addressing the problems of underdevelopment in backward districts or on the front of sports and youth activities, we have traversed longer distances in the past 4 years than what we have done in all the years preceding 2003." Highlighting the numerous development activities taken during the last 4 years, the Chief Minister said that all were possible due to the unstinted support of his Government received from the people at large, the civil societies, the Naga Hoho and the Churches. Greeting them on the auspicious occasions of State Hood Day, Rio appealed to them for their continued support in times to come. Stating that peace and development are two sides of the same coin, Rio said his Government has tried its best to unite all concerned for achieving a durable peace in Nagaland. In the spirit of 'forgive and forget', he appealed to all to come under one umbrella for ensuring safe, peaceful and violence-free society, and for strengthening the collective Naga voice for arriving at acceptable solution to the almost 6 decade-old Naga political problem. "Let us sincerely try to become one big Naga family. Let us bury our past and in true Christian tradition, forgive one another for creating a New Nagaland," he appealed. About the Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage Village at Kisama, Rio said that this year the Government is trying to showcase the best of Naga culture, tradition, dress, songs and dances including the varieties of Naga food.
UNC express profound concern Kuknalim.com
IMPHAL, NOVEMBER 30:: While expressing profound concern on the frequent violent incidents and blasts in the Ukhrul district in the recent past, the United Naga Council (UNC) urged the armed groups not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the area.

UNC information and publicity secretary S. Milan while citing the latest incidents in Kamjong and Phungyar sub-divisions of Ukhrul district, has cautioned that the armed outfits should stop creating trouble in the areas immediately before things take an ugly turn. The UNC urged the armed groups not to plant explosives and also not to open fire which have already caused uneasiness and problem in the area and also in any other areas.

Recalling the past event, UNC leader S. Milan said that the Nagas had faced immense suffering in the past due to armed conflicts between the “Indian security forces and the Naga armies” which had run for decades while the Nagas were “defending their historical rights” and in the process men and women were “tortured besides meted out all types of harassments on the Nagas by the Indian security forces”. The Naga body then stated, “However, peace was restored after the Ceasefire Agreement was signed with the Government of India.” (NNN)
Rio renews peace appeal Nagarealm.com NPN]
DIMAPUR, : On the eve of the 44th anniversary of Nagaland statehood, chief minister Neiphiu Rio has renewed his appeal to all sections and groups to eschew the path of violence and to come under one umbrella for ensuring a safe, peaceful and violence-free society.

“Let there be no more dividing lines... Let us bury our past, and in true Christian tradition, forgive one another for creating a new Nagaland,” the chief minister said in a message. Rio said that after a long struggle and bloodshed, Nagas were recognized as a separate people and given a statehood with a special position under article 371-A of the Constitution of India. “But that was not the end. Our struggle for realization of our political aspirations is still on. The ongoing political dialogue is expected to bring the cherished dreams of peace leading ultimately to the final solution to the long drawn Naga political struggle,” he said.

Rio also said the ongoing festival at the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama was an attempt to bring together all tribes in Nagaland for the sake of “celebrating our unity in diversity” and added that the festival would try to showcase the best of Naga culture, tradition and Naga food. On the development front, Rio said the state has come a long way in its 44 years of existence. He further claimed that the speed with which the state has been touching upon new areas of development including the farm, empowerment of women and youths, addressing the problems of underdevelopment in backward districts, sports and youth activities, in the past four years had never been equaled in the past.

Rio said faster development was possible on all fronts due to unstinted support his government received from the people at large, the civil societies, the Naga Hohos and the Churches. On the occasion of statehood hood, which also coincides with World AIDS Day, Rio urged the young and old alike to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS till the menace was completely eradicated from the state. “Our vision of creating a new Nagaland, full of peace, development and opportunities for the Nagas enabling them to fully realize their full potential, is no more a distant dream. I seek your continued cooperation for this noble endeavour,” the chief minister said.

Delhi extends NDFB truce OUR BUREAU The Telegraph
Kokrajhar/New Delhi, Nov. 30: The Centre today extended its ceasefire with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) by six months. It was mutually agreed to extend the suspension of operations till May 31, 2008, after discussions at a tripartite meeting attended by representatives of the Centre, the Assam government and the NDFB in New Delhi last evening. A senior leader of the outfit who participated in the talks said movement of cadre into the designated camps and adherence to the ground rules by the NDFB were also discussed at the meeting.
“We hope that formal talks will follow the submission of the charter of demands,” he said. The outfit, which has been fighting for a sovereign Boroland, has assured that it would submit its charter of demands to the government by February, raising hopes of formal talks to begin thereafter.
“The meeting last evening was held in a cordial atmosphere and there was no sore point,” a source said. The current term of the truce expires today. A five-member NDFB team, led by the outfit’s secretary-general, Govinda Basumatary, alias B. Swmkwr, participated in the meeting which the outfit termed as “fruitful and satisfactory”.
The outfit’s publicity secretary B. Sanjarang and commander of its 2nd Battalion B. Sila were the other leaders who attended the meeting last evening.
The outfit’s spokesman Sunil Basumatary said: “The ceasefire has been extended for another six months. It was also decided that the charter of demands would be submitted by February.”
The Centre is also gearing up for talks with the A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) of Meghalaya on December 12. The director-general of police, Meghalaya, B.K. Dey Sawian, and the council’s leaders will participate in the talks. The proposed Garoland of the outfit includes West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills and parts of contiguous West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts of Meghalaya, besides Goalpara and Kamrup districts of Assam.
Exhausted, Ibobi collapses on dais OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph


Imphal, Nov. 30: Facing a relentless oust-Ibobi campaign by dissident Congress legislators, Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today tried to show that he was in charge of everything by listing plans to make Imphal a “cleaner city” by March.
However, Ibobi Singh fainted at the end of his speech and was immediately taken to his office bungalow. Later in the day, his office announced that his condition was “under control”.
Ibobi Singh presided over the inaugural programme of Bir Tikendrajit flyover in Imphal city while Governor S.S. Sidhu opened the Rs 24.92-crore flyover. After walking to and from the nearly 623-metre-long flyover with Sidhu, Ibobi Singh mounted the dais.
“By March, Imphal city is going to be cleaner, if not the cleanest,” he said. In his 20-minute speech that was mainly focused on plans to develop Imphal city, the chief minister did not show any sign of weakness.
He entertained the gathering, telling it how he had convinced women vendors and traders about the need to dismantle old buildings and construct new ones to suit the needs of a growing city.
After saying “Jai Hind and thank you all,” at the end of his speech, he did not move from the place where he stood for about 10 seconds.
Everybody was expecting another announcement and there was pin-drop silence. Then in a feeble voice, Ibobi Singh repeated the words “thank you”. His two personal security guards, standing behind him, felt something was wrong and walked up to him.
Ibobi Singh fainted and was immediately taken to his official residence, about half a kilometre from the venue. The incident disrupted the programme for about half-an-hour. Doctors from private and government hospitals rushed to the chief minister’s residence.
“The slight deterioration in his health during the programme has been brought under control. Doctors have conducted the necessary tests and the reports are normal,” a physician who examined Ibobi Singh said. “The chief minister has been running a slight temperature since yesterday and was irregular in his diet,” a statement issued by Ibobi Singh’s secretary, P.K. Singh, said. The incident sparked speculation that stress and anxiety caused by the rebel camp’s move to dethrone him, could be the reason for his collapse. About 15 Congress legislators are camping in New Delhi for about a month to lobby for his replacement.
The governor wished the chief minister a speedy recovery.
Adivasi bodies call to restore peace in State City Correspondent Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 30 – After the storm, the return of calmness was evident with all the organizations representing the tea community including the All Assam Tea-tribe Students Association (AATSA), All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA), Asom Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), Asom Chah Janajati Yuba Santha (ACJYS), and the Jatiya Mahasabha of the tea tribes, the State MLAs and ministers belonging to the tea tribe and the tea cells of all the political parties resolving to work for restoration of peace in the State. At a closed-door meeting on Friday in the capital city, the organizations resolved to serve a 15 day ultimatum to the State and Central Government on the issue of ST status to the tea community in the State.

The meet has asked both the Governments to clear their stand on the matter of granting ST status to the tea community which has since long been agitating for the same. “In view of the Governments giving contradictory statements in regard to granting ST status to the tea community, we have decided to serve an ultimatum to the Governments,” said Pallav Lochan Das, general secretary, AATSA.

The meet has also demanded unconditional release of the AASAA leaders. Six leaders of the organization have been arrested by the police. The meet blamed the Government for the violence at Beltola and said that it was pre planned by the Government, which was not interested to address the problems of the tea community. Demanding punishment for the people responsible for the incident, the meet expressed its gratitude to the local people of Beltola who came out and stood up as a shield to the fleeing Adivasis. “We are grateful to all and especially to Bhagiram Barman for helping us at the hour.
NDFB truce extended for six months By Our Spl Correspondent Assam tribune
NEW DELHI, Nov 30 – The Government of India and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) have agreed to extend the ceasefire for six months till May. This was officially announced here today by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The ceasefire had been in operation since June 2005. It was mutually agreed to extend the arrangements after discussions at a tripartite meeting held in New Delhi yesterday, said the sources.

Officials of Government of India, Government of Assam and representatives of NDFB took part in the meeting. Issues relating to extension of suspension of operations arrangements, movement of cadres into the designated camps and adherence to the Agreed Ground Rules by the NDFB were discussed at the meeting, said the sources.

The MHA, however, is not too pleased with the NDFB for dilly-dallying on submitting its list of demands. Sources said the Centre has again impressed on the outfit to submit the list of demands before formal political dialogue could begin. However, with top leaders of the outfit based in Bangladesh, there is little the Centre could do pressurize the outfit, sources said.
Hill MLAs deny they are campaigning for Ibobi The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Nov 30: The 10 independent MLAs from the hill constiuenies who were reported to have gone to New Delhi to counter-lobby for the continuance of chief minsiter Okram Ibobi as CLP leader, denied this was their agenda at all. Two of the MLAs the IFP was able to speak to said they were there to campaign with Central leaders to use their influence to have the tribal area sub-plan cleared, have election to the district council and also to have the 6th Scheduled introduced in the hill districts.

The MLAs said they have sought appointment with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and All India Congress Committee, AICC, president Sonia Gandhi, but have not been intimated when they might be given audience. Asked to comment on the news reports in local dailies today, they said it was unfounded speculation and absolutely baseless. "We have no business to join in the Congress family tussle", Morung Mokunga, one of the independent MLAs now in New Delhi told IFP over the phone when contacted.

It may be recalled many local newspapers reported in today`s edition of their publications that 10 hill based MLAs, including the six sponsored by the United Naga Council, UNC, had flown in to New Delhi to campaign with the Central leaders to ensure that Ibobi remains chief minister no other chief ministers as had shown a keener interest in bringing about development in the hills than him.

The newspapers also speculated the MLAs` aim was to counter, and undermine the campaign by Congress party dissidents who have been camping in New Delhi for Ibobi`s ouster.

Boro Women Justice Forum president Anjali Daimari addressing a press conference at the Guwahati Press Club on Friday. Buddhadeb’s comment on Asom in poor taste, counters Gogoi
By our Staff Reporter(Sentinel)
GUWAHATI, Nov 30: “It’s highly unfortunate that West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has tried to project Asom in a poor light. Regular violence is not a feature of Asom, as Bhattacharjee has said. There is no comparison at all between what happened at Nandigram for months together and the one at Beltola in Guwahati that was brought under control within a few hours. The Nandigram issue is due to the Government-backed CPM’s desperate attempt to lay siege on the area in utter disregard to democracy and came in for scathing criticism from intellectuals, social activists, political parties and the people at large,” said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi while reacting to the adverse comments aired by the West Bengal Chief Minister at an open session of CPM’s South 24 Parganas District Committee in Kolkata.
Gogoi said the West Bengal Chief Minister’s sweeping remark — that “he would not allow an Assam-like situation where violence is a regular event to prevail in West Bengal” — is without any basis and unfortunate.
In a statement here today, Gogoi said: “The incident that occurred in Guwahati on November 24 last was a result of the clash between some sections of Adivasis and some miscreants. However, the stripping of a woman processionist is highly condemnable, and we have already nabbed the culprits behind the heinous crime,” and added: “The Left Government of West Bengal did not allow any mediapersons to enter Nandigram. On the contrary, we did not curb the freedom of press in any manner, nor did we hide anything about the incident.”
Gogoi said the people have accused the Left Front Government of grabbing the land of the poor, unharmed and defenceless people of Nandigram to hand it over to the rich and the affluent class, which goes against the Left ideology.
Refuting the West Bengal Chief Minister’s reported comment that Assam is lagging behind due to violence, Gogoi said: “If that had been the case, Asom would not have been ranked as the fastest mover State in the overall ranking of States in the country in a national survey carried out recently by a popular magazine.”
Gogoi said Bhattacharjee’s comment on flood in Asom is not in good taste. “Flood is a natural phenomenon and it happens in West Bengal too. Instead of showing sympathy towards the flood victims of Asom, he has ridiculed them,” countered Gogoi.

Tea Tribes aren’t adivasis of Asom: Anjali By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Nov 30: The advisor of the Indigenous Women’s Forum of North-East India, Anjalee Daimari, today said the Tea Tribes of Asom, who call themselves adivasis, are not at all adivasis (aboriginal or indigenous) in the State. “They had migrated to Asom about 150 years ago as labourers for tea gardens and are not the sons of the soil here,” she said.
“When the Bodos are not given tribal status in other parts of the region like the hills district of Karbi Anglong in Asom and Meghalaya, how do the Adivasis consider themselves as indigenous tribals?” questioned Daimari, who is also the president of the Boro Women Justice Forum.
She also said it is beyond her understanding as to why people are demanding ST status when people in other parts of the country want to come out of their tribal status. “Despite being an ST since my birth, I have seen that my village is still without drinking water, electricity and proper road connectivity,” she said.
However, she declined to clarify her stand on the demand of six ethnic communities of the State for ST status. “Though some of the organizations are opposing the demand, we are yet to consider the issue,” she added.
On the Beltola incident, she said: “We cannot deny that vandalism on that day was started by the Adivasi activists, and the AASAA leadership failed to control their activists.”
On the publication of the photograph of a stripped Adivasi girl in some of the newspapers, Daimari hoped the media would play a constructive role in the future.
UWSA defy junta's pressure, refuse to sign pre-written statement Mizzima News
November 30, 2007 - A Sino-Burmese border based ethnic armed group, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), said it welcomed Burma's pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's statement on national reconciliation and refused to sign the junta's pre-written statement.
An officer of the UWSA, who requested not to be named, told Mizzima that the group, like many other armed ceasefire groups, was pressured by the junta to sign a pre-written declaration condemning Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's statement on cooperating with the ruling junta in order to kick-start a process of national reconciliation.
"U Khin Aung Myint [Burmese Cultural Minister] came to us and pressured us to sign a pre-written statement. But we refused because we did not even see the statement. Moreover, we welcome any efforts toward national reconciliation," the UWSA officer told Mizzima by phone.
Reportedly, the Burmese Cultural Minister traveled to places along the Sino-Burmese border in October and November and held meetings with ethnic armed ceasefire groups and pressured them to sign pre-written statements against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, like the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the UWSA was among the few groups that openly defied the junta's request and refused to sign the document.
Speaking from the UWSA's headquarters in Panghshang, eastern Shan State, the officer revealed that the group would like to see democracy and equality among all ethnic groups in Burma.
"We love democracy and peace and we don't want to face any kind of coercion or violence," he added. UWSA was until recently widely known as one of the Burmese junta's most favored allies, and is reportedly highly involved in the cultivation of poppies and production of amphetamines along the Sino-Burmese border.
However, with the fall of Burma's former Prime Minister and Intelligence Chief, General Khin Nyunt, and the UWSA's Chairman's promise to the Chinese government in late 2004, there has been a drastic fall in opium poppy cultivation. The UWSA is one of the 17 armed ceasefire groups that attended the Burmese military junta's long and winding National Convention that concluded this past September. Following the conclusion of the National Convention, the UWSA, along with other ceasefire groups, has come under pressure from a Burmese military junta determined to completely disarm the ceasefire groups. According to the UWSA officer, the Burmese junta has been pressuring the group and is banning some of its members based along the Thai-Burmese border from traveling freely and conducting business. The junta also decided in its National Convention that Wa dominated areas in the south, close to the Thai-Burmese border, would fall under Shan administration, he added. However he reiterated the Wa's relentless desire for self-determination, adding, "the Wa army still has 20,000 strong men and the Wa population is estimated at 500,000."

Frans on 12.01.07 @ 03:56 PM CST [link]




News: Main Page
News: Archives
Nagalim: Home

Powered By Greymatter