Nagalim.NL News

Friday, December 31st

Govt lifts curb on foreign tourists in North East Economic Times


Govt lifts curb on foreign tourists in North East Economic Times


NEW DELHI: In a new year bonanza for Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, the Centre has lifted a decades-old rules of obtaining permission by any foreigner visiting the three northeastern states.

"The government has decided to exclude Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland from the Protected Area regime notified under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958, initially for a period of one year," a Home Ministry statement said.

However, all foreigners visiting these states will have to register themselves with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the district they visit within 24 hours of their arrival.

The order will come into effect from the new year day. The restriction was in force since pre-independence days.

Now Arunachal Pradesh is the only state left in the Northeast where foreigners are required to take prior permission before any visit.

Citizens of some specified countries, including Pakistan and China, would, however, continue to require prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs before their visit to these three states.

Indian diplomatic missions have also been authorised to issue 'Missionary Visa' to foreign missionaries visiting these three states as per the extant guidelines of the government.

These changes will ease the difficulties being faced by foreigners to visit Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.
Naga students told to foster unity - Leaders address Mao union meet OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph
Kohima, Dec. 29: Former president of Nagaland PCC and MLA K. Pusa said though imaginary boundaries have divided Naga people, they would still remain brothers and sisters.
Addressing the 48th annual general conference of Mao Students’ Union at Punanamei under Senapati district of Manipur, Pusa said imaginary lines have divided Naga people but that would not separate Nagas.
He said Mao Nagas are second to none in the Naga political struggle. No political boundary can wipe out the blood ties and kinship that “we have nurtured since the time of our ancestors”, the Congress leader told Mao students.
Mao Nagas are one of the biggest tribes of Manipur.
Pusa’s attending the Mao students’ conference assumed significance as Nagas of Manipur have severed all ties with the Manipur government in protest of what they alleged as step-motherly treatment to them.
Er. Vikho-o Yhoshu, MLA and adviser to Information Technology and Technical Education, also attended the conference as the guest of honour.
The Congress leader urged the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) to expedite the ongoing peace talks and hammer out an honourable and acceptable solution to all sections of Naga people. “We have been asking the Centre and the group engaged in the talks to expedite the talks for an honourable and acceptable solution for all, “he added.
However, he said unity would only bring desirable solution to the issue. He told the students not to lose heart but to be united. He said the unresolved Naga political problem is an issue stalking people since the post-British period.
“For too long we have refused to take responsibility for this protracted political mess that we are in. While we put the whole blame on the Centre, we also talk in different tunes. We try to bring down our own house by criticising one another, using filthy words against each other, generate feelings of holier than thou attitude and nurture conflicting opinions,” he said.
Pusa said Nagas lack sincerity and direction and as a result there is no short or long-term strategy to move towards unification and integration based on the collective will of the people. He urged Mao people to come forward and lead the Nagas. “Your progress is our progress; your move is our move.”
Yhoshu in his short speech said Nagas have been divided into parts without their consent and knowledge, by the foreign powers and urged the Nagas to rise above boundaries and barriers. “Together let us face the truth.”
Samson Remei, president of United Naga Council of Manipur who was also guest of honour, while paying a tribute to the fallen students of the May 6 Mao gate incident, urged people to follow their paths.
They were gunned down by police for protesting against the Manipur government’s decision not to allow NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th. Muivah to visit Ukhrul district.
He urged Mao Nagas to fight for their identity and culture.
Remei also appealed to Nagas of Nagaland to support the cause of the Nagas of Manipur for a separate administrative unit.
He said Nagas of Manipur have taken a strong decision to sever all ties with the government of Manipur.
We cannot be under the communal government of Manipur he said.
We will lose our identity as long as we remain with the communal government he lamented. He also thanked the people of Nagaland for understanding the issues and problems of the Nagas of Manipur.
Earlier, the students, prominent leaders and officers from Mao Naga tribe gave the chief guest a warm reception.
Pusa was also accompanied by hosts of public leaders from Kohima and from his village Viswema.
Nagaland rallies for new State on Jan 7 Newmai News
KOHIMA, Dec 29 – Public rallies will be held simultaneously in the four Nagaland districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Longleng demanding a new State to be carved out from Nagaland.
According to reports, the rallies on January 7 will be organised by Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO).
The ENPO has been demanding the creation of a new State christened as ‘Frontier Nagaland’. In the past the ENPO had submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Prime Minister. Naga tribes including Konyak, Khiamniungan, Chang, Yimchunger, Sangtam and Phom are the main communities in the ENPO set up.
According to the reports, the ENPO has been lamenting that they no longer can remain as part of the present Nagaland as the hope for development under the present condition is impossible.
So far no reaction has come from either the State Government of Nagaland or from any Naga civil organisation. Even the Naga underground organisations continue to remain silent on the issue. However, the ENPO stand is bound to create certain pandemonium in Nagaland as the issue will definitely complicate the Naga peace talk.
Adinno Phizo’s New Year message Adinno Phizo
I send my warmest greetings and best wishes to our people in Nagaland for a happy New Year in 2011.
Thankfully, the people of Nagaland agree on one thing that nothing must jeopardise the sovereignty of Naga nation. By the grace of God, despite the prevailing external driven adverse situation, against all the odds in war and even in absence of fighting, to date our indomitable people defied enemy evil designs for territorial expansionism.
It is always useful to pause and reflect on an annual perspective before the coming year begin. Within the Naga society there are the usual differences on many issues in common with other societies. In not too far distant past, our forebears’ unspoken tradition of trust and respect in public affairs demand harmony and responsibility to honour one’s word given. However, any critical scrutiny of internal situation in recent past couldn’t have missed that instead of harmony, certain self-appointed sectarian groups under cover of fatuous pretensions barking mad at the pillars of Naga nation. They may be an irritant in national affairs but in the end what can non-state outfit(s) achieve?
My message to our people, especially, the new generation is nothing makes sense until you understand the past. Modern Nagaland seamlessly took over from our ancestor’s unbowed legacy. By virtue of our vibrant democratic tradition, representatives of heretofore far from a cohesive federation of independent Naga communities under the leadership of A Z Phizo reached an unprecedented decision to formally declare to the world that Nagaland will stay independent on14 August 1947. Equally significant, Naga consensus derived from informed choice. Every Naga know that following the historic voluntary plebiscite held on 16 May 1951, Naga people mandate had been immutably entrusted with the Naga National Council (NNC). Subsequently, NNC reached out and invited the then Free Nagas for an organic merger and the two side agreement was duly enshrined in the Yehzabo (Constitution) of Nagaland, thereupon, the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was established on 22 March 1956. Needless to say, attempt by some writers to airbrush NNC and FGN is a futile exercise.
No international conflict in living memory come any close to the unremitting Indian occupation army militarised tyranny in Nagaland since the shocking invasion in 1954. Our people will never forget every brave Naga patriots who sacrificed their lives in defending our freedom and almost every family lost someone very much loved. In stark contrast to other international conflict, India alone pursue neo-colonialism. But in a fast changing world, as India aspires to be among world top nations status, no foreigners can fail to notice the vast concentration of Indian occupation army stationed in Nagaland. How could the GoI justify trampling over the freedom of another nation?
The protracted conflict between Nagaland and India is a straightforward bilateral issue concerning the right or wrong of Indian naked aggression. Unlike the countless “political problem” within India, from ancient time, Nagaland was never an integral part of India. Sometimes our people wonder where are the Indian leaders who usually spring up in support of other people as well as nation just cause. While the Indian aggressors remain in Nagaland, the GoI is fully responsible under the Geneva Convention, for any act or omission, such as, the prevailing rampant Indian state sponsored terrorism and economic woes perpetrated against the people of Nagaland.
Notwithstanding Nagaland has no illusion about the challenges ahead to realise genuine peace and justice, nothing can deter NNC and FGN from upholding the Yehzabo and integrity of Nagaland. As much as we yearn for normalcy, it will happen only when India withdrew its army from Nagaland.
Together let us look forward for a happy New Year in 2011.
May God bless Nagaland. Urra Uvie

Adinno Phizo
President
Desperate act Frontline SUHRID SANKAR CHATTOPADHYAY
The Maoists strike again, this time in Purulia, killing seven Forward Bloc members on a single night.
AP

A paramilitary soldier stands guard beside the bodies of four residents of Bagbandi village in Purulia district who were abducted from their homes and killed by the Maoists in a nearby forest on the night of December 16.
THE cold-blooded killing of seven All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) members, including a woman and a 75-year-old man, in West Bengal's Purulia district by extremists belonging to the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) betrays a sense of desperation in the organisation as it faces the heat from not only the State police and Central forces but also sections of the local population. On the night of December 16, four teams of militants raided four villages in the district's Jalda-I block near Ayodhya Hill, where joint security forces operations were under way. They dragged the seven victims out of their houses and gunned them down.
The first to get killed was Tapan Singh Sardar of Gutilowa village. Armed extremists entered the house of his brother Chandicharan Singh Sardar, president of the village panchayat samiti. Not finding Chandicharan there, they settled for Tapan, a local AIFB leader, and killed him near the house. The next attack was on Bagbandi village where Kinkar Singh, Gobardhan Singh, 75-year-old Gopeswar Mahato and Chapala Garai, president of the village panchayat, were abducted from their homes, taken to a nearby forest and killed.
The other two victims were Ananta Mahato of Chirutar village and Aju Singh Sardar of Naugarh village. The entire operation took place between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. The posters the Maoists left behind as a signature threatened the Left parties and the Congress over the joint police operations.
In the past few months, the rebels have suffered severe setbacks at the hands of the joint forces of the Central and State police and, for the first time, faced resistance from sections of the local population. With the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) recently regaining control of its stronghold of Lalgarh in Pashchim Medinipur, the Maoists have been on the run from some of their earlier bases and have been forced to try forming new bases.
But, according to police sources, even in these “new” areas where the presence of police and Central forces is not so strong, they are meeting with opposition from the local people.
Inspector General of Police, Western Zone, Zulfiquar Hasan told Frontline: “One thing is absolutely clear, that they have totally alienated the local people with their terror tactics. The seven people they killed were not police informers. They realised there was growing resistance against them and this was an attempt to scare the local people into subjugation. We have seen that whenever operations against them succeed, their killings also increase.”
The Jalda block is a strong base of the AIFB, a constituent of the ruling Left Front in the State. “By targeting AIFB members here, the Maoists are following an old tactic of creating a political vacuum, just as they have been doing in parts of Pashchim Medinipur and Bankura. To gain control of this region, they realise they will have to break the political backbone of the Forward Bloc,” said an intelligence source. A statement issued by the AIFB central committee said that the increasing popularity of the party had eroded the Maoist support base, provoking the recent killings.
The killings took place less than two weeks after the rebels suffered a major setback. On December 3, Sudip Chongdar alias Kanchan, secretary of the CPI (Maoist)'s West Bengal Committee, was arrested in Kolkata along with three associates. Kanchan has been the biggest catch for the police since the arrest in March of Venkatesh Reddy alias Telugu Deepak, the chief of the State Military Commission of the Maoists in West Bengal.
Kanchan, who has been the State secretary since 2008, was one of the main organisers of the Lalgarh movement and was engaged in extending the Maoist influence to places beyond the Jangalmahal (the forested area comprising parts of the three adjoining districts of Pashchim Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia, largely inhabited by tribal people) to other districts in the State.
Although a resident of Garbeta in Pashchim Medinipur, Kanchan often came to Kolkata to liaise with supporters, recruit new members and collect consignments. The police had apparently been tracing his movement through tapped phone conversations and came to know that Kanchan, along with three top aides, would be coming to Kolkata to pick up a consignment of ammunition and gadgets.
Late in the evening of December 3, all four were arrested from the Maidan area of central Kolkata. Along with Kanchan were Anil Ghosh and Barun Sur – both top Maoist operatives and State committee members – and Shankar Mallick alias Buchu, a Maoist linkman. Interrogation of those arrested also enabled the police to secure Kalpana Maity alias Anu, an influential woman Maoist leader.
Sophisticated equipment
Raids on Maoist hideouts in and around Kolkata have led to the seizure of a huge amount of sophisticated electronic equipment along with arms and ammunition. Very high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) wireless communication sets, remote-operated timers, hi-tech explosive devices and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) found during the raids point to an ominous shift in the operating style and strategy of the Maoists.
According to Rajiv Kumar, chief of the Special Task Force (STF) of the Kolkata Police, the Maoists appear to be trying to develop activated devices that can be used from a distance – a departure from their earlier method of using wired devices that necessitated closer proximity to the target.
“It is clear that the Maoists have studied the operations of the joint forces and identified certain weaknesses in their own mode of operations that allow the security forces to reach them. They are now trying to counter this with the help of technology. If they are successful, it can make things a little difficult for us,” a police source in the region told Frontline.
According to him, such gadgets are easily available in the border areas of India and Nepal and Bangladesh, if not in the markets. “We have documentary evidence of the great importance the Maoists attach to the strengthening of their technology wing. Moreover, they also have a lot of educated sympathisers such as engineering students, even engineering teachers, who help them develop and use new technology,” a police source said.
Link with other militants
Police interrogation of the arrested extremists has also brought to light a nexus between the CPI (Maoist) and the insurgent People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak) of Manipur. Kanchan apparently revealed that the Maoists' deal with Prepak was sealed six to eight months ago. Under the deal, the two groups will exchange arms and ammunition, and Prepak will train Maoist cadres. Apparently such training has already taken place in the forested areas of Jharkhand.
“The Maoists are also in contact with other organisations in Manipur, but with Prepak these links are not limited to ideological sympathies; they have reached a practical level,” said Rajiv Kumar.
The police have not ruled out the Maoists having links with other militant groups of the north-eastern region, including the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim – Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM).
Recent developments have also indicated that the Maoists have been spreading their tentacles to regions other than the Jangalmahal. On December 9, they struck in Birbhum district, killing CPI(M) leader Sasti Bawri inside the district party office. This was the second time this year that the region witnessed Maoist killings. Earlier there have been instances of attempted sabotage of public property. The State government has, in fact, sent a proposal to the Centre to declare three more districts – Birbhum, Nadia and Murshidabad – as Maoist affected.
In spite of the Maoists' diminishing influence, however, it would not be correct to assume that the Lalgarh region is returning to normalcy. On December 20, suspected Maoists gunned down Kalipada Mahato, a schoolteacher, in Nayagram, not far from Lalgarh.
“Though incidents of violence have been greatly reduced in the last couple of months, there is still the potential for danger here. Lalgarh holds such a central place in their movement in the State that the Maoists really cannot afford to leave it. There is still the threat of their regrouping and regaining control of the region,” said Manoj Verma, Superintendent of Police, Pashchim Medinipur.
While killings continue to take place in the region, it is unlikely that there will be any Maoist action in the immediate future on the scale of the Silda massacre in February this year when 25 jawans of the Eastern Frontier Rifles were mowed down in their camp. “After the recent setbacks, the mode of operations of the Maoists has changed. They now move in smaller groups and cause isolated incidents in places where security is not strong. Their manpower is greatly reduced and, as of now, their potential for large-scale action has diminished in Pashchim Medinipur,” said Verma.


Frans on 12.31.10 @ 11:29 PM CST [link]


Tuesday, December 28th

Naga integration: Prospects and Challenges Dr Xavier Mao Morungexpress



Naga integration: Prospects and Challenges Dr Xavier Mao Morungexpress

The concept of integration in political development is intimately connected with the idea of state formation. Historically, people began to live in social group rather than in the state. The state is later day development. In the 19th century, Italy was integrated by three prominent leaders namely Mazini, Garibaldi and C. Gabour. In the same century after the Italian integration Bismarc the Chancellor of Germany is said to have integrated Germanic state together. During the late 3rd century B.C. Qin had unified most of China. The territories annexed by Qin became the homeland of the Chinese nation, and formed the basis of the Qin Dynasty. But much before, the mentioned unification and integration, the Indian Monarch ruler Chandra Gupta Maurya in the 6th Century B.C. conquered small territories and created a huge empire. Seen in this light, it is Chandra Gupta Maurya and not even Chinese emperor Qin who should be rightly called as the first Monarch or empire builder in the world. The Mauryan empire with the help of Chanakya or otherwise known as Kautilya employed sama (friendship), dana(gift), danda (punishment) and Bheda(Discrimination) in forming his empire. The above historical account clearly shows that force is to a very large extent lies at the root of state formation and integration, with the exception of the latest European integration. European integration is primarily the result of the selective pooling of national sovereignty, or ultimate jurisdiction over a body politic, by postwar European nation states. These are different regional organization in Europe to promote and foster cooperation among themselves, above all the European union (EU formally known as the European Economic community, European Community or common market). From its origins in the 1950s, the EU Expanded from 6 to 15 member state to 27 till today. The EU maintained close links to a variety of other organizations which promote or foster European cooperation, such as NATO, the organization for security an, cooperation in Europe(OSCE) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Thus today, the EU is the most powerful, important and successful manifestation of European integration.

Ancient Indian cartography clearly shows that the present entire North-East part of India excluding Kamrup district was never included in Bharatavasha or India. The history of the advent Nagas to the present territory (Nagalim) is still very uncertain. It is a fact that in the part various tribes and groups kept on moving from place to place, from countries to countries and on top of it from continent to continent. It is said that the present day Red Indians inhabiting the west coast of America migrated from Asia. The same is true of the so called Aryans or the Hindus. It is believed that the forefathers of Indian came from outside India. Therefore it can be said that no piece of land originally belongs to any individual or any social group.

Whether Nagas came from China or any other part of the globe, but the fact remains that at present they are inhabiting a large Chunk of the North-East of India. During the British rule, the colonial rulers in the self-interest interfered with the Nagas as a social group, that is why inner line permit was Planned. In other words, nobody from the Indian sate was allowed to enter in Naga inhabited areas without prior permission. It is a fact that today Nagas are dispersed in adjoining areas of present Nagaland state. That is, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Myanmar. Accidentally, today Myanmar is a separate state although during British rule Burma and India were under the same administration.

The first prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru took upon himself the formation of state on linguistic and Cultural basis. The first such state formed was Orissa. Subsequently other state were formed on cultural and linguistic basis. But the problem has not been solved; new problem have emerged. The Nags from this ancient independent village administration, started to assert a collective aspiration and common goal of a sovereign independent Nagaland. For some reason or other, this collective struggle is greatly fragmented into many factions today. As a result, the original ideology and commitment are also greatly diluted and weakened. The traditional notion of sovereignty has also undergone a radical change with the emergences of a new social, economic and political order at the global level. Further, even India is an emerging global power. In the light of such development, even majority of the Nagas today are no longer insisting on the complete sovereignty and independent nation. But it is quite natural for them to demand the integration of Nega inhabited areas with Nagaland state. The demand is very legitimate and genuine keeping in view of their long rightful struggle as a people. The Nagas are not demanding complete secession i.e. sovereign, independent states. To reiterate, it is a very small rational and reasonable demand. But the adjoining states are very adamant and undemocratic in their opposition to concede such demand. Further, the central Government having constituted of different political parties does not have the requisite political will to transcend the narrow party interest for the sake of the larger national interest. Thirdly even the Nagas themselves are noyt fully committed towards this goal. As usual the argument is that if such integration is allowed, their geographical territories will be reduced. Secondly by invoking the myth of the so called age-old peaceful coexistence and harmony should not be disturbed. Let status quo remain. But the above fear and the myth of harmony among different ethnic and racial groups are baseless and uncalled for. To let the status quo remain is to perpetuate uneven development and injustice for the minorities. Also to perpetuate the division of the oneness of the Nagas. If as far as possible, Bengalis, Biharis, Tamils, Telegus, Malyalis, Kanadas etc. have been allowed to live together, how is it that Nagas are debarred from it? The Nagas are not demanding the Moon from heaven they are not hammering on the old stand point. By not conceding their small legitimate demand, the Government of India is showing or exhibiting its adamant negative attitude which is not in the greater interest of the Indian state. Such weak will and the priority given to party interest over the national interest will have their own serious harmful consequences for the Indian state. For all practical purposes, the Nagas are Indian citizens today. They want to live in India with special autonomy which will guarantee their honour, dignity and self-respect. The Nagas have also given up the path of violence. It is left with the wisdom of the different political parties of India to sit together and work out a viable modus operandi for integration of Naga inhabited areas. Of course no integration is perfect in human world. But the Government, that is the party in power with their coalition partners should try its best to do the maximum, whatever is possible under the provision of the Constitution by following the principal of win-win or mutual benefit. Indian Constitution under Article 3 clearly provides for the reorganization of states. This is possible in a democracy with strong political will. What is clearly lacking is the collective political will of the Government of India and the domination of party interest over the national interest.

In order to speed up the process of Naga integration, we the Nagas have also to intensify our pro-active roles at different level. Multi-pronged strategies need to be adopted to facilitate, promote and foster the integration within a particular time frame. Emotional integration among the Nagas also required to be strengthened through closer and frequent interaction.

Dr Xavier Mao , Associate Professor
Dept. of Philosophy
North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793022
Govt set to open up restricted North-East areas to foreigners Sahil Makkar, sahil.m@livemint.com">m@livemint.com
India has decided to lift restrictions on foreigners entering prohibited areas in Manipur, Nagaland and some other North-East states to promote tourism in the region.
“The announcement will be made within a day or two,” said a senior government official on condition of anonymity. “It was decided keeping in view repeated demands made by representatives from the North-East and (to) promote tourism in the states.”
Indians and foreigners who want to visit states in the North-East need special permission from the government under three restrictive regimes—inner-line permit (ILP) for Indians, and protected area permit (PAP) and restricted area permit (RAP) for foreigners.
Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim were put under PAP in 1958 to prevent religious conversions, radicalization of religion and control insurgency.
Under this, foreigners except citizens of neighbouring Bhutan require special permits from the home ministry to enter these states. A violation could mean imprisonment of up to five years, but there have hardly been any arrests because of a lack of proper monitoring.
“In 60 years, we have largely maintained to put insurgency under control in the NorthEastern states and we do not expect it to rise further. So it was decided to lift PAP for one year on experimental basis,” said another official in the home ministry, asking not to be identified.
“If it is successful, we will extend it further,” the official added. The government is not lifting the restrictions under ILP and RAP. Indians need ILPs to enter Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram and RAPs are necessary to visit certain areas such as near military bases or insurgency-affected regions in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
“It is the right step taken by the Centre... and will promote tourism in the region,” said Ved Marwah, a former governor of Manipur.
The home ministry official said the move to ease restrictions under PAP “will not only help boost tourism... but also help those foreigners who have family and friends in prohibited areas of these states.”
Separate statehood demand in insurgency-hit Nagaland
PTI Agency: IST

New Delhi Six major tribal groups in insurgency-hit Nagaland have now come together to demand carving out of a separate state.
The demand for "Frontier Nagaland" was raised by Chang, Konyak, Sangtam, Khiamniungan, Yimchungru and Phom communities under the aegis Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO).
The demand is considered to be a setback for the outfits like NSCN (IM), which is now engaged in peace negotiations with the government after leading a six-decade-long bloody insurgency movement.
The NSCN(IM)'s key demand is unification of all Naga inhabited areas comprising entire Nagaland and some areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
An ENPO delegation recently met Home Minister P Chidambaram and Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai here and placed their demand for the separate state comprising Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire and Mon districts as well as three sub divisions of two other districts. The region has about half of Nagaland's population - 9 lakh - and geographical area.
The ENPO also sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to press their demand.
"The delegation said that it has become impossible for them to continue as part of present-day Nagaland because there is no development in the region and their hopes and aspirations could not be fulfilled in the present state," a home ministry official said.
The ENPO has been demanding 'Frontier Nagaland' "within the Constitution of India".
Nagaland has 11 districts - Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Wokha, Tuensang, Phek, Mon, Peren, Kephire, Longleng. It has a population of nearly 20 lakh.
Demand for ‘Frontier Nagaland' gaining ground Iboyaima Laithangbam The Hindu
With the demand for the creation of “Frontier Nagaland” gaining ground, indications are that the peace talks of the past 11 years between the Centre and the insurgent outfit, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), may hit bumpy roads, if not torpedoed. The main agenda of the talks is the unification of the “Naga-inhabited areas” in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with Nagaland.
Six organisations representing the Chang, the Konyak, the Sangtam, the Khiamniungan, the Yimchungru and the Phom tribes in Nagaland have submitted a memorandum to the Centre, including Home Secretary G.K. Pillai.
The tribes had formed the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), which is demanding a new State comprising the districts of Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire and Mon.
The memorandum says that 9-lakh Nagas of the 20-lakh population of the State reside in these districts. There are 11 districts in the State.
In a memorandum sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the ENPO said that in terms of development, areas inhabited by its tribes had been neglected.
The NSCN(IM) has so far not reacted to the ENPO demand.
Naga Army report
It is very disappointing to learn that the Khaplang boys have backtracked to their aggressive nature and resumed with their expansionist policy, in spite of the mutual commitment to maintain status quo. On the calm evening of December 27, our mobile post located at Khamlang village, in the Miao subdivision of Changlang District, suddenly came under fierce attack by the unscrupulous Khaplang boys. They were about 110 of them, armed to death who surrounded and raided the camp from all sides. Our brave soldiers, though only a section of them, firmly hold the ground and finally repelled the attackers. One of our cadres got injured on the thigh but he is out of danger now. During clearance, an unidentified body was found, barely buried on the ground just outside our camp. This clearly shows that they have no respect for the deaths. It is for all of us to contemplate how the youngsters were allured into this gang in the name of the nation, promising them money and power but end up dumping their bodies without honour.
Now, whether Naga Army shall retaliate immediately or play the situation down in the best interest of the people is in the prudent decision of the higher authorities and their subsequent directive orders. Meanwhile, for the record, it is hereby declared that the Khaplang group has deliberately violated the Covenant of Reconciliation mutually agreed and signed on different instances, for reasons known to them. The group’s integrity has once again comes under public scrutiny. Given their history of betrayals replete with bloodshed, it becomes imperative to ask: “What better options are they looking for, if not to reconcile?”
Dated: 28/12/10
Sd/- Col. Levi Zimik
PRO/IPR GHQ, Naga Army
Red Hot Grenades Finance Magazine Moneylife
Indians love spices and chilli is their favourite. But some Indian scientists are toying with the idea of using chilli as an explosive by adding it to hand grenades. Defence researchers say that the idea is to replace explosives in small hand grenades with a certain variety of red chilli to immobilise people without killing them, reported BBC. The chilli to be used is known as Bhut Jolokia which is 1,000 times hotter than the commonly-used kitchen chilli. The powder will also be sprayed on the fences around army barracks in the hope that it will keep out animals. Bhut Jolokia is available in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur was confirmed by Guinness World Record to be the hottest chilli in the world in 2007.


Frans on 12.28.10 @ 11:50 PM CST [link]


Tuesday, December 21st

UNC explains 'alternative arrangements' Source: The Sangai Express




UNC explains 'alternative arrangements' Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 12 2010: Explaining its stand and what it meant by "alternative administrative arrangement of the Nagas", the United Naga Council today has asserted that their is nothing anti-State or anti-Nation in their demand.

Stating that this is their core demand and as such was put forward during the first tripartite meeting held at Senapati on December 3, UNC said that this issue figured in the talk.

However the State Government had refuted the report that the alternative arrangement which the UNC was talking about did not figure on the agenda of the meeting.

In a statement issued today evening, the publicity wing of the UNC said that it is known to all that the Nagas had decided to sever all ties with the Government of Manipur on July 1 .

The decision was taken by the highest decision making body, the Naga People's Convention.

Despite this fact, 'However to dilute the Naga movement and the term alternative arrangement, many are deliberately distorting its political face by terming it as sovereignty to greater Nagalim to State and Union Territory and so on for reasons best known to them,' the UNC said.

Nevertheless the term 'alternative arrangement' is political in nature and it requires the Centre to see it as a political issue after consulting the aggrieved parties.

On the December 3 tripartite talk, the UNC said that it was necessitated by a memorandum submitted by it to the Centre on September 14 this year.

Sharing its thought, the UNC said that it would be improper for political parties, civil society organisations or individuals to presume things before the Centre says anything as it could sabotage the rightful demand of the marginalised hill people in Manipur.

UNC said that instead of taking a confrontationist stand over the issue, it would be best for all communities to bring their issues to the table of the authority concerned.
Northeast Echoes PATRICIA MUKHIM The telegraph


Arabinda Rajkhowa: Prospective politician?
Talks recipe for militants
The Tarun Gogoi government has decided to facilitate a seamless transition for Arabinda Rajkhowa, the erstwhile militant leader and chairman of Ulfa, into Arabinda Rajkhowa, a prospective politician.
With Assembly elections round the corner, it makes sense for the Congress in Assam to adopt a posture of openness to peace talks with the otherwise belligerent Ulfa and for a role reversal for its top leadership.
This will not be the first time that militant leaders have jumped onto the political bandwagon. Former Mizoram chief minister Laldenga was an insurgent leader of the Mizo National Front (MNF). He came overground in 1986, gave up arms and signed a peace accord with Rajiv Gandhi. The then Congress chief minister, Lalthanhawla, had to vacate his seat to accommodate Laldenga. Zoramthanga, who was the chief minister of Mizoram from 1998 to 2008, was also an MNF insurgent.
In Tripura, Bijoy Hrangkhawl, the leader of the militant Tripura National Volunteers (TNV), who shared jungle space with Laldenga and Zoramthanga in Bangladesh, also transitioned into a politician. He represents Kulai constituency as a legislator of the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT).
These insurgent leaders did not come over ground for nothing. They were sensible enough to realise that life in the jungles had a limited appeal and depended a lot on resources which would ultimately have to come from taxing their own people and for which they would face the public wrath. Mizoram and Tripura did not have the kind of industries and businesses that Assam has. Ulfa survived by extorting the well-endowed tea garden owners and industrialists.
In Nagaland, the only reason why people continue to pay money to the NSCN is because they consider the movement a “national” one and the workers in it as national volunteers who need to be supported as they are in pursuit of a shared destiny. But the big business honchos in Nagaland are complaining because they see that need has transcended into greed.
Coming to Manipur, people cringe each time they get an extortion note. Many complain that it has become a burden to pay so many insurgent outfits. Things get worse when percentages have to be carved out of development funds and road-building projects and the heads of particular departments are expected to hand over the funds to a designated collector. In every other institution, percentages to be paid to militants are deducted at source. How this whole collection system has been institutionalised and the money is deducted at source by someone within the organisation and handed over to someone in the militant outfit is something no one wants to talk about for it could mean a bullet through the head or the heart. Not even the dreaded police chief of Manipur, Joykumar Singh, has been able to control extortion in the state. His entire fraternity is paying a percentage to sundry outfits.
Unwilling base
People need a little window to resist extortion. That window unfortunately has not been provided by those who are entrusted with securing peoples’ lives. Militants also scrupulously guard their space and would demolish that window of opportunity the moment it threatens to open up. Without the ability to extort, militants will die of asphyxiation. It is a simple law of supply and demand of a different kind.
Prof. Gulshan Sachdeva, an economist from Jawaharlal Nehru University who has studied the underground economy, said in 2002-03, the amount was a staggering Rs 3,500 crore. But Sachdeva admits that the figure is on the conservative side. The underground economy could be much bigger. According to the Planning Commission, about Rs 80,000 crore is poured into the region annually through various central schemes and principally for power sector investments, and if a good percentage of that money is siphoned off to militants, then we can well imagine the amount that goes to their kitty.
It is, therefore, of no foreseeable advantage for society to continue to nurture their ethnic militant groups which have now morphed into leeches, sucking the blood of those who feed them. Our need to counter the Indian state and its regressive policies and our angst to protest undesirable policy approaches must transform into a more cogent action plan. Guns and bombs have been around for decades but we have not seen any perceptible change in the attitude of the Centre. On the contrary, there is a huge build-up of security forces and security-related paraphernalia in Manipur, Assam and Nagaland. The country is investing heavily in containing militancy. Spending on security is always bad economics since the very forces who are brought to secure our lives develop a vested interest in keeping alive the phobia of insecurity. What have we achieved in the last three decades with this huge gun-wielding manpower? Look at Manipur. Militant outfits are proliferating instead of decreasing. Manipur is in a perpetual state of emergency and this benefits the security forces as more funds are invested for their upkeep.
Ballot for bullet
After these three very violent decades, it is time for the region to take stock of the current situation. The more potent outfits are in ceasefire and in talking terms with the Centre through various interlocutors. The Ulfa chairman will soon be out on bail and his deputies may follow suit. They need an honourable exit, which the state is willing to provide. Now we hear talk of Ulfa bigwigs joining politics, which is perhaps the most sensible thing to do. After all, they have realised that the gun pays limited dividends and that they cannot direct the course of history with a remote control. They have to be part of that history and push through their popular agenda through the ballot box. People, too, will be more open to supporting these folk heroes if they shun the path of violence.
Union home minister P. Chidambaram has predicted that in 10 years peace will return to the Northeast.
One is unsure as to how he has arrived at this remarkable conclusion or whether he has read some counter-insurgency literature which theorises that militancy has a saturation point after all, which is what this writer had argued in one of several articles on the topic.
In this region, we are blighted by the fact that while social scientists have only analysed the problem ad nauseum, they have failed to come up with any kind of futuristic prediction about which trajectory insurgency is likely to take in the coming decade.
Perhaps the problem also is that scholars have not been able to sufficiently distance themselves from the situation.
In fact, some even concur with the ideology of insurgent outfits in their respective states. This makes them subjective participants instead of detached observers.
Missing link
I am reminded of Harry Eckstein’s observations in Internal War. He says, “When today’s social science has become intellectual history one question will certainly be asked about it (internal war): why did social science which has produced so many studies of so many subjects produce so few on violent political disorder — internal war? By any common sense reckoning the contemporary literature should be brimming over with such studies.”
Indeed we ask why? This is the tragedy of our times that historians will record the past and social scientists refuse to calculate the future of human behaviour based upon a sound analysis of the present.
Notwithstanding this predicament, we hope that PC’s predictions will turn out right and we can move forward on a new path of peace. Hope, after all, springs eternal in the human breast. (The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com">patricia17@rediffmail.com)
Eastern Nagas call for ‘Cultural Awakening’ morungexpress
ENSF 4th Cultural festival celebrated at Mon
Dimapur, December 20 (MExN): In line with the theme “Cultural Awakening,” the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) celebrated its 4th Cultural Festival at Mon town from December 7 to 9, 2010. In this carnival of the East, the six federating units of ENSF comprising of Konyak, Chang, Sangtam, Khiamniungan, Phom, and Yimchumger tribes, showcased the spectacular cultural endowment of the region through the folk songs, dances, fashion and music, blending with the rhythmic beat of the Log Drums. A press note issued by C. N. Moe Konyak, Joint Secretary ENSF informed that the 4th cultural Festival included the Cultural session, featuring cultural Display by Phom Laivangh Pangthai, Khiumniungan and Konyak Students Union; modern folk tune by the Confederation by Chang Students’ Union, and Violila enchanted the crowd with her beautiful voice.
The second evening featured various bands from six tribes, where the winners of the beat Contest were Evolution band From Kiphire, Myriad band from Kiphire and Inyushong band From Longleng, respectively. One of the highlights of the programme was ‘Miss Eastern Nagaland’ beauty pageant, in which fifteen beautiful damsels vied for the prestigious title. Considering the personality, poise, beauty and intellect, Pheangna Konyak was crowned ‘Miss Eastern Nagaland’ as well as ‘Miss. Congeniality’ while Lirichumla Sangtam was adjudged 1st runners up and ‘Miss Beautiful Skin’ and Asenla Chang was crowned 2nd runners up and ‘Miss Beautiful Hair’. In addition to the above, Shongmao Khiumniungan won the sub-title ‘Miss. Perfect 10’, and Auchingsonla Chang was awarded the title ‘Miss. Photogenic’. The Miss Eastern Nagaland beauty pageant was organised by Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation.
Another important aspect of the Cultural Festival, the note stated was the Exhibition –cum- Sales displayed by various Self Help Groups and organisations for two days in order to encourage agricultural products and craftsmanship among the people. The valedictory session was further refined by the solidarity message by the Ao Kaketsir Mongdang (AKM) president, Bendang Aier. The ENSF also conveys to all, “A very Merry Christmas and a promising New Year.”
Finding Nagaland: India's final frontier The Guardian
In the north-east of India is a remote state, largely unknown even to Indians. Almost cut off from the world, Nagaland's rich culture thrives in landscapes of startling natural beauty
Naga tribesmen in traditional dress. Photograph: Str/EPA
Remote and largely inaccessible to foreigners, the Indian state of Nagaland is tucked into the far north-eastern corner of the country. It borders the states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as Burma. Created in 1963, the state is home to some 16 Tibeto-Burmese tribes, or nearly 2 million people, many of whom, cut off from the rest of the world, have been fighting a remote and rarely reported war for independence from India, on and off, since the early 1950s.
Naga independence movements and guerilla armies, split today into warring factions, have been fighting for both freedom and a greater Nagaland that would unite all the Naga tribes – 4 million people – living across these eastern borders in a land of their own. To date, more than 200,000 Nagas have been killed, along with many Indian soldiers.
India, though, is unlikely to let Nagaland go, much less to encourage the creation of Nagalim, or Greater Nagaland. For, unexpectedly, this far off corner of the world has been a pinch point of grand political ambitions. In the 1940s, the Japanese came this way hoping to seize India; in the 1960s, the Chinese considered attacking India the same way. Nagaland and the Naga tribes remain pawns on a global chessboard. And there is oil here, the worldwide enemy of independence and peace.
For all the cordite and crackle of guns over the decades, though, it is a compelling place – Shangri-la seen through a glass darkly – largely unknown even within India. My family has generations of strong military ties to India, and I had wanted to visit this high and haunting land since I was a child. For many years, though, Nagaland – surrounded by red tape and the guns of the Assam Rifles – remained a dream destination, much as Kafiristan had been for Brothers Daniel Dravot and Peachey Carnehan, freemasons and soldiers of fortune, in Kipling's The Man Who Would Be King, a short story that I had read over and again as a boy.
The Naga Hills at dusk. Photograph: Alamy
Eventually, I got to Nagaland, and have returned several times over the past 25 years. I have trekked its flower-bedecked hills and precipitous ravines. I have crossed the high and slippery mountain border into Burma, where the eastern Nagas live in a hidden world of animism: head-hunting, feathered, beaded, horned; wearing sea-shelled costumes and living in magnificent hilltop villages that have barely changed since my imperial grandfather's day or for many hundreds of years.
It was so very hard to get here and yet I was bemused to learn that Gordon Ramsay has been here for a food programme. Hunting deer, I think, rather than heads. In the past, Nagas were known, if at all, as the world's most enthusiastic head-hunters. Though officially banned decades ago, few doubt that the practice continues in remote and warring areas.
When I began to write my book on Nagaland, I went to see Michael Palin, who had been there to film part of his television series on the Himalayas.
"I had made a comedy series years before called Ripping Yarns, with Terry Jones," Palin told me. "These were send-ups of Boy's Own-style tales of Victorian derring-do during the days of the British Empire, with one silly chump battling up the Andes with a party of frogs, and another being struck down by some ancient curse made by the god of the tribesmen in the Naga Hills. We knew nothing really about the Naga Hills, but the name sounded wonderful, full of the mysteries of the colonial East. When I finally got there, I was quite aware that we were only being tolerated by the authorities and that the true Nagaland lay somewhere up muddy tracks in those misty hills. Even the mighty BBC couldn't take us to where very few Indians have ever stepped foot."
Angami tribal dancers. Photograph: Jim Zuckerman/Corbis
My first visit in the 1980s involved an arduous walk through Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, and across the north-eastern border. That walk was an adventure made for its own sake through magnificent wild landscapes. It was a very inefficient means of getting to the Naga Hills. If only the Indian government had been able to tell the difference between those intent on innocent travel and those bent on trade, trafficking and trouble, and had issued visas to bona fide visitors. It didn't, so you had to find your own way in.
Fresh from visiting the brand new and thrilling tiger reserve at Namdapha, I walked down to the Brahmaputra. Ferried by fishermen across the demanding river in one of its gentler moods, I was dropped off, now in Assam, at Dikhomukh. Here, innumerable tributaries flow into the Brahmaputra. One of these is the River Dikho, and while I was climbing up its banks I was approached by a slight, wiry and long-haired young man, my own age I guessed, dressed in sawn-off jeans, his bare chest and shoulders draped in necklaces made of beads, animal teeth, tiny fur-lined paws, small gold and silver coins and, intriguingly, a second world war Burma Star. This was Ngangshi – a nickname taken from the fine cloths his family wove – the first Naga I had met in his own country.
Ngangshi led me to a faded blue putt-putt boat tied to a tree and, with my bag and his knapsack on board, we set off into the shadowy riverine landscape. So low were we that it was only the following morning that, having scrambled up a steep bank, I caught sight of the Naga Hills for the first time. How they glistened. The pastures and paddies leading up to them were dressed and adorned in what appeared to be alpine flowers. How the birds sang, while monkeys looned and jeered. Up in that beckoning green citadel was a part of my own history – of colonial officers, soldiers and anthropologists – as well as that of people who had, to date, barely written theirs.
In the morning, we walked up by an old railway track to the rickety wooden settlement of Naginimara. And from here, with new friends and by paths that might defeat a less than able goat, I got about the country. And met its people, and, slowly, wrote their story, of which this article is a fragment.
An Angami house in Kohima. Photograph: Nazima Kowall/Corbis
It's still hard to get a visa to travel freely here. The present situation is that foreign and Indian tourists can apply to visit "Protected Areas" within officially defined "tour circuits" with "definite entry and exit permits". The Government of Nagaland promises to "monitor the movement of foreign tourists". So you can visit specific places – many very beautiful, including nature reserves and villages abounding in colourful festivals – but you won't be able to continue up into the heights and depths of the Naga Hills where the borders disperse, often without barriers – but with fearful insects and other creeping, biting things – into surrounding states and countries, where you will encounter traditional village ways of life as well as Naga warriors dressed in battle fatigues and armed with mobile phones, Chinese guns and American bibles.
Missionaries, many from the United States, have been hugely successful in turning Nagas into Baptists; the biggest buildings in the ramshackle towns are their churches. The most ardent freedom fighters, even when committed Maoists, are often devout Christians.
It is notoriously hard to get above the hail-filled clouds that wreath the Naga Hills in the long months of the monsoon, but when the clouds lift, views from these slippery crests, peaks and ridges, whether at 2,000 or 12,000ft, are utterly sublime. For mile after mile, a densely green landscape rises from leech-infested, mosquito-haunted tropical jungle before plunging down the next ravine to deeply shadowed rivers – icy in winter – snaking through hill after hill. Ravines follow one another in what appears to be an ever-closer succession until the greenery blurs hypnotically under peerless blue skies.
Zoologists and botanists describe Nagaland as a "biodiversity hotspot". Good enough reason to go. The wealth of plants, flowers, birds and animals here is stunning. Pangolins, porcupines, barking deer, buffalo and elephants share forests, clearings and riverbeds with monkeys, wild dogs, at least 40 different snakes, several of them poisonous. Bird life is prolific. There are bears in the higher hills, leopards and tigers, too.
A Chang woman outside her house in Nagaland. Photograph: Nazima Kowall/Corbis
All too many animals, however, end up in the pot. On my last visit to the market at Kohima, the state capital, I looked with a resigned sadness at skinned dogs, dog skins, rats and rare birds, writhing red worms and a capuchin monkey, which I hope was not the one offered to me as a pet the previous day in Kohima cemetery.
Earlier European visitors to Nagaland were equally in danger of extinction. The haunting military cemetery at Kohima records the deaths of those who fought at the Battle of Kohima in 1944, a hand-to-hand combat that saw the Japanese driven back from the borders of India.
One marker honours the uncertain remains of Private Thomas Collins, 21, from Barkingside, Essex. The fighting at Kohima was so intense that bodies were mixed into a mash of bloody tropical ooze. It seems not only sad that a life like that of Private Thomas Collins should have been blasted from him at such a tender age, but also somehow almost ineffably strange that this young lad from England's far east should have died in the Naga Hills. This was very probably his first trip abroad. One moment, his big adventure would have been to take a train up to town from Barkingside; the next moment, drilled, dressed in khaki, Lee-Enfield .303 over his shoulder, Collins was packed off to die in this improbably remote corner of the British Empire.
A second world war cemetery in Kohima, Nagaland. Photograph: Alamy
Would I recommend going to Nagaland knowing the restrictions imposed on visitors? I think so. It has taken me years to get to know this forgotten frontier, its peoples, history, wars, culture, myths and hopes. If you long to find an exotic "Switzerland of the East", here it is, although don't expect gleaming hotels, rosti and reliable transport; more importantly, you may just get to know a forgotten people who will make you see Britain, India and global ambitions through very different eyes, while the landscape, as so many who have come this way know to their cost, is truly to die for.
Head for the hills Nagaland's must sees
The best way of seeing Nagaland is on foot, between November and May. This is trekking country, although you will be stopped soon enough if you go beyond official boundaries. The glories of these hills are the landscapes, people, flora and fauna.

Hornbill Festival
Usually held in the first week of December in the Naga Heritage Village of Kisama, near Kohima, this is an increasingly commercialised festival yet it attracts tribes from across Nagaland. So you get to meet a wide variety of people in one place, dressed up in their astonishing and beautiful finery. Along with traditional dance, song, food, wrestling, craft and archery, there is also the Naga chilli-eating championship, Miss Nagaland contest, a rock concert and a motor rally. Times are changing here, too.

Dzukou Valley
Less than 20 miles from Kohima and flanked by the Naga Hills, this is a stunning landscape to trek through freely. In the spring, the valley is carpeted in orchids and lilies. In the winter, snow lies on the ground. This is why some visitors have called Nagaland the Switzerland of the East.

Japfu Peak
The nearest peak to Kohima and, at 10,000ft, the second highest in Nagaland. Quite hard going up through forests until you clear the tree line very high up; then you can see pretty much half of Nagaland. Mesmerising. Best months: November to March.

Food market, Dimapur
Not for those with delicate stomachs or for RSPCA members; food in all its infinite variety from worms to birds, rats and dogs. Unforgettable.
Kohima Cemetery
This is where most of those who died in the intense battle to save India from being overrun by the Japanese in 1944 are buried. Nagas fought on both sides. Here is a hauntingly beautiful spot to look over the capital city while sitting with a new generation of Naga office and shop workers who sit between the gravestones eating their lunch. JG

Jonathan Glancey is the Guardian's architecture and design correspondent. His book, Nagaland: a Journey to India's Forgotten Frontier, is due to be published by Faber in April 2011, priced at £16.99
Way to go
Getting there
Travel The Unknown's (0845 053 0352, traveltheunknown.com) Nagaland & Hornbill Festival trip runs for 13 days from 26 November 2011, from £2,095. On The Go Tours (020-7471 6413, onthegotours.com) offers a 14-day Nagaland, State of the Headhunters trip for £1,989. TransIndus (020-8566 2729, transindus.com) offers a 16-day private journey to the North East Frontier from £3,095, including game safaris in Jeeps or on elephant-back in Kaziranga national park. All trips include international flights from London, accommodation, guides, entrance fees and RAP (see below).
Further information
As well as an Indian tourist visa, visitors require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Nagaland. RAPs are only issued to visitors travelling in a group of four or more, or married couples. In effect, solo travellers cannot go to Nagaland.


Frans on 12.21.10 @ 11:49 PM CST [link]


Sunday, December 19th

Muivah asking UNC to seek alternative political arrangement: GPRN/NSCN (EMN)



Muivah asking UNC to seek alternative political arrangement: GPRN/NSCN (EMN)

Dimapur): The GPRN/NSCN has accused NSCN-IM General Secretary Th. Muivah of instructing United Naga Council (UNC) to demand alternative political arrangement for Nagas in Manipur.
“At a time when the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ of which NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chishi is a signatory, marches on, his General Secretary nesting at Lodhi Estate and traveling in Indian passport, has instructed United Naga Council (UNC), the mouthpiece of IM, to demand alternative political arrangement for Nagas in Manipur,” the MIP, GPRN/NSCN, said in a release today.
It said if the statement of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in local dailies on December 15 is to be believed, “it is unlikely that there is anything left for IM to concoct and confuse the Naga people.”
The GPRN/NSCN also stated that it is in the knowledge of the Nagas that the UNC takes it orders from NSCN-IM and that without its approval and consent the UNC would not dare open its mouth, much less hold a tripartite meeting with GoI and Manipur government representatives like the one held on December 14.
“The silence of IM is simply perplexing, considering the alternative political arrangement refers to the huge majority of IM civil and military officers’ native villages and towns accepting Indian constitution unconditionally,” the release said.
The GPRN/NSCN has also alleged that Muivah has entrusted Sword Vashum and his associates to expedite the alternative political arrangement, adding that there was no opinion seeking exercise with Nagas from the states of Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and the Nagas from across the international border.
“If IM still stands for sovereignty and independence of the Nagas, many of the present UNC leaders, by now would have vanished without a trace,” it said.
Stating that the infamous Shillong Accord left a bloody trail in the pages of Naga history, the GPRN/NSCN said the UNC’s demand for alternative political arrangement within the framework of the Indian constitution is in a nutshell a fulfillment of some maverick’s politics becoming the missing link in a jigsaw puzzle.
“Perhaps the full form of ‘Nagalim’ is Nagas living in Manipur,” it said.
Stating that the Covenant of Reconciliation signed by three Naga leaders including Chairman Isak Chishi Swu of NSCN-IM has been greatly appreciated by Nagas at every level, the GPRN/NSCN said the proposed meeting of top leadership, when and where it takes place, is keenly awaited by the Nagas.
“GPRN/NSCN is convinced that Indo-Naga political solution will solely depend on how early Naga groups resolve their differences and entrench their common goal,” it said.
The GPRN/NSCN also alleged that the happy festive season is however dampened by repeated media invasion by disgruntled elements at Hebron Camp who eternally oppose any positive move towards genuine reconciliation of the Nagas.
“To remain silent would not be in the interest of the Nagas and therefore GPRN/NSCN would like to remind the Naga people that, firstly, when the like minded National workers from IM and NSCN (K) came together and reconciled on 22nd Nov. 2007, with approval from Chairman Isak Chishi Swu, the pessimists at Hebron Camp called it a ‘back door unity’ without the sanction of the Chairman,” it stated.
“Secondly, the GPRN/NSCN and the NNC/FGN reconciled at Monyakshu on 15th July 2010 and here again elements at Hebron Camp issued a statement condemning the coming together of two Naga groups. On 14th Dec. 2010, when GPRN/NSCN, NNC and FGN issued a declaration to unite unconditionally, elements at Hebron camp again called it a back door,” the GPRN/NSCN said.
It further explained that reconciliation, in its true sense, has no ‘back door’ or ‘front door’.

Frans on 12.19.10 @ 11:32 PM CST [link]


Saturday, December 18th

Terrorism in India's northeast not govt priority: US cable PTI


Terrorism in India's northeast not govt priority: US cable PTI

Tags:wikileaks|Terrorism in India's northeast|Naxalism
LONDON: Terrorism in India's northeastern states, where civilian deaths due to militancy "has been declining" over the years, is not a priority for the government, according to secret US cables published by WikiLeaks.

Cables released by the whistle-blower website show that US diplomats in New Delhi feel that terrorism in India's northeast states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Meghalaya has attracted "little attention" from the government.

"This variant of Indian terrorism, like Naxalism, attracts little attention from Delhi," according to the cable dated April 18, 2006 from New Delhi.

"Terrorism in India's northeast states consists of many groups -- some of which maintain bases in Bangladesh," the diplomatic cable said, adding they "are small in number compared to other terrorist organizations in India, and their reach does not extend out of the region."

"Civilian deaths due to terrorism in the Northeast have been declining in recent years, according to Indian government data and a leading independent Indian terrorism expert," said the cable reported in British daily The Guardian.

It said between 300 and 350 civilians were killed in Northeast terrorism for 2005.


Read more: Terrorism in India's northeast not govt priority: US cable - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Terrorism-in-Indias-northeast-not-govt-priority-US-cable/articleshow/7124771.cms#ixzz18VHCsl2E


Frans on 12.18.10 @ 11:15 PM CST [link]


Friday, December 17th

‘Fruitless attempt to sabotage Naga Peace Process’ morungexpress




‘Fruitless attempt to sabotage Naga Peace Process’ morungexpress


Dimapur, December 16 (MExN): The Federal Government of Nagaland in response to the article which published in local dailies on December 11 and 12 – “NNC/FGN (Accordist) Sumi Region, joins Non Accordist) has stated that it was a “fruitless attempt” of Tokugha Zhimo in “sabotaging the Naga Peace Process”.
The FGN in a rejoinder issued by its ‘deputy secretary’ Bendang Sangtam stated that brigadier Tokugha Zhimo, S/o late Satovi of Lizu Old under Zunheboto district joined the NSCN/GPRN (IM) during the 90s and was expelled within a short span by the said government. He again joined the NNC/FGN Kohima Transit Peace Campers during the 90s and later defected to NNC/FGN under the leadership of brigadier (retd) S
Singnya.
“That the person in question has been discharged from national service by the Federal Government of Nagaland on 8th December 29010 on the ground of Anti-Government Activities, Misuse of Power and Financial Misappropriation. The government has earlier relieved and served him the release Order from the 6th Brigade, Southern Command, Naga Army, Federal Government of Nagaland on 5th of November 2010 for his irreparable and disoriented conduct among his fellow national Workers,” stated the note.
It also stated: “…claiming to have defected to NNC under the leadership of Dr Senka with more than 50 cadres is a total fallacy according to local dailies. The few possible discharged cadres with him were discarded for the same felonies and is no subject matter to the Federal Government.”
Moreover, the FGN stated that blaming Adinno Phizo for not condemning the infamous Shillong Accord as a justification for his defection is nothing but an “ignorant implication and should be relaying the matter of the Shillong Accord to Adinno Phizo”.
Further, the FGN has “branded” Tokugha Zhimo as “habitual defector, treacherous offender and a parasitic vagabond whose attitude and mentality are the root cause of fratricidal killings, political partitions which had brought social unrest” in Naga community.
It has also warned the public not to entertain him in future in order to avoid “breeding anti-social elements and confusions whose mentality will be a stumbling block in any fold wither over ground or underground”.
Naga rebels giving out Indian Army positions to China NDTV Correspondent
New Delhi: Reports have surfaced that Naga insurgents are giving away details of the Indian Army's deployment in the Northeast to China. These details emerged after the interrogation of a key leader of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah (NSCN(IM), who the Indian intelligence agencies have caught a couple of months ago.

These details also include positions of aircraft and missiles. The special focus of these leakages, according to reports, are the areas around Twang in Arunachal Pradesh.

Government sources say not the Chinese government, but the Chinese intelligence agencies might have approached the NSCN(IM) through some front organisations for these details.

But the story doesn't end here.

The NSCN(IM), which has been engaged in peace talks with the Indian government for the last 15 years, has reportedly given approximately 700,000 US dollars for weapons. This points to the fact that while the peace talks are going on, they are arming themselves.

When the Indian negotiators took up the matter with NSCN(IM), they agreed to buying the weapons but said those arms have not been brought into India yet.

NSCN-IM reacts to news report, claims it as concocted The Sangai Express Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Reacting to the news report under the caption, "Naga outfits giving out Army positions to China" published in some sections of national papers, the NSCN-IM on Monday termed the reports as wild allegation and concocted story aimed at tarnishing the image of the Naga outfit.

On Sunday sections of media had reported that Naga insurgents are giving away details of the Indian Army's deployment in the Northeast to China.

The report said these details emerged after the interrogation of a key leader of NSCN (IM), who the Indian intelligence agencies have arrested a couple of months ago, pointing to the arrest of Anthony Shimray who is currently languishing in jail.

On Monday, the NSCN-IM said that after declaration of the cease fire agreement reached between Government of India and NSCN as two entities on August 1, 1997, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim in its assembly had solemnly declared its commitments to political solution.

"Accordingly, we had been generously investing our time, energy and money for the past thirteen years without any reservation so that solution is concretized.

We have also stopped procuring arms and sheltering other organizations which have been declared banned by the Government of India.

We abide by our commitments and so there arises no question of trickery and deception," explained the NSCN-IM.

It added that no one should doubt about it that the "Naga army" has neither shot even a single bullet at Indian Armed forces during these thirteen years of peace process nor launched offensive operations against them.

"We are fully convinced that armed confrontation will not solve the problem.

It is political negotiation and it alone that will solve the problem," clarifies the Naga outfit.

It added, the Sunday news report was a wild allegation and total concoction aimed at tarnishing the image of the Naga outfit and damaging its credibility.

"NSCN and the Naga people will never allow their country to be used as pawn by others.

We do not believe in the philosophy of making friendship with one to kill the other.

We bear no ill will towards anyone of our neighbours.

Co-existence and harmonious relations with neighbouring people and nations is the declared guiding principle of our diplomacy.

The Nagas of all generations will never allow their country to be a battle field of the two giant nuclear countries.

The propaganda of 'giving out information to China' does not sell," NSCN-IM said.

It then stated that no one denies the fact that Government of India has been using factions to destroy NSCN-IM, "the only authentic political organization of the Naga people".

But it will be a futile exercise and repetition of the same mistakes, it added.

Mud-slinging politics will not work, it stated.

"The mantra of deception and trickery will fetch nothing.

It is far better for us to focus together on the strategy of how the political issue is materialized and of how the damaged relationships are rebuilt than to pull down one another.

It is the era of negotiation not confrontation and that we should rather emphasize on building up trust than propagating hatred," it said.
NSCN/GPRN refute reports on China link morungexpress
Dimapur, December 13 (MExN): The “Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim” has refuted reports of ‘Naga outfits giving out Army positions to China.’ Since the ceasefire, the NSCN/GPRN today stated in response, “We had been generously investing our time, energy and money for the past thirteen years without any reservation so that solution is concretized.” A statement from Secretary, National Security Council Samson Jajo also claimed that “we have also stopped procuring arms and sheltering other organizations which have been declared banned by the Government of India.”
“‘Giving out army positions to China by NSCN’ is a wild allegation and total concoction aimed at tarnishing the image of NSCN and damaging its credibility. NSCN and the Naga people will never allow their country to be used as pawn by others,” was what the organization asserted.
The NSCN/GPRN claimed that “we do not believe in the philosophy of making friendship with one to kill the other.”
The organization declared to “bear no ill will towards anyone of our neighbours” and “co-existence and harmonious relations with neighbouring people and nations is the declared guiding principle of our diplomacy.”
“The Nagas of all generations will never allow their country to be a battle field of the two giant nuclear countries. The propaganda of ‘giving out information to China’ does not sell,” the NSCN/GPRN stated.
The outfit said the Government of India “has been using factions to destroy NSCN, the only authentic political organization of the Naga people.” The Indian government’s attempts would be “a futile exercise and repetition of the same mistakes. Mud-slinging politics will not work.”
The “mantra of deception and trickery will fetch nothing” the NSCN/GPRN. “It is far better for us to focus together on the strategy of how the political issue is materialized and of how the damaged relationships are rebuilt than to pull down one another. It is the era of negotiation not confrontation and that we should rather emphasize on building up trust than propagating hatred toward each other.”

Nagas in unison want peace: Pusa morungexpress

K V Pusa posing for lens after unveiling the Silver Jubilee monolith of Temi Youth Club Kidima Village on December 15.

Kohima, December 15 (MExN): Former President of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee and MLA, K V Pusa said peace should begin from ones family. Addressing the Silver Jubilee celebration of Temi Youth Club Kidima village today Pusa said Nagas in unison want peace in society and that it should first begin from ones family. He urged all to work for peace in Nagaland so that Nagas could also progress with the rest of the communities. He said for progress in society the foremost is peace.
The congress leader particularly called upon the youth to contribute for ushering peace in our society. He urged Naga youth to be torch bearer of ailing society so that peace could be restored and progress in all aspects. He said society which does not have youth with discipline and integrity would not progress but would bring more burdens to the society. He called upon the youth of Kidima to be discipline and work with dedication and sincerity so that the village would progress. He said without qualities like discipline, honesty and obedience youth would not be successful in their endevours. Pusa also urged youth to respect the elders so that together they could work for the welfare of the society. He said through unity everything is possible and that society would progress in all spheres.
Earlier, Pusa also unveiled a Silver Jubilee monolith. Meanwhile, the congress leader also wished the people of the state a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year and prayed for peace in the state. He also lauded the contribution of Temi Youth Club for the welfare of Kidima village. On the occasion hundreds of people from Dimapur and Kohima also took part in the celebration. The club as a respect to its elders also distributed blankets them and certificates and prizes to the meritorious students for the year 2010. The celebration concluded with a feast.

NSCN/GPRN cautions against donation, taxes morungexpress
Dimapur, December 14 (MExN): The Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim has notified to all responsible Nagas throughout “Nagalim for strict compliance in the interest of the general populace that any individuals, organizations, Society, groups etc. to restraint / abstain from collecting money in the form of Donation, taxes, and any other form of collections without the knowledge of the NSCN/GPRN”. Stating this in a press note issued by Ngaranmi Jagoi, Secretary Mines & Minerals, the NSCN/GPRN cautioned that any individuals, organization, groups and Society found “indulging in such ways shall be sternly penalized and also befitting nemesis shall be rewarded as per the existing law of the land”.


Frans on 12.17.10 @ 11:36 PM CST [link]

Tuesday, December 7th

Severing All Ties With State Govt Still Top Agenda For UNC Stops Short Of Lim Demand No final say, but separate UT or State mooted Source: The Sangai Express



Severing All Ties With State Govt Still Top Agenda For UNC
Stops Short Of Lim Demand No final say, but separate UT or State mooted Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, Thankfully the demand for a Nagalim, which means carving out huge chunks of territories from the neighbouring States, particularly Manipur, and bring all Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit did not surface in the first tripartite talk held today between leaders of the UNC, envoy from the Centre and representatives from the State Government at Senapati district headquarters today.

However the Lim shadow hung heavily in the demands or conditions put forward by the UNC, when it insisted on the creation of either a separate State or formation of a Union Territory for the Nagas of Manipur.




The talk underway at the office of Senapati DC and MHA envoy UK Bansal talks to the press



The points raised by the UNC leaders in today's talk was in line with the Declaration adopted on July 1, 2010, under the Naga People's Convention, which had clearly stated that they would cut off all ties with the Government of Manipur.

Former Lok Sabha MP from the Outer Parliamentary Constituency and Naga leader Mani Charenamei, who was among the eight-member United Naga Council (UNC) representatives at the tripartite talk at Senapati district today, said the alternative arrangements demanded by the Nagas could be formation of a separate Naga Union Territory or a State.

The demand is within the Constitution of India, Mani said while addressing a press conference at Senapati district headquarters, located about 60 kilometers from Imphal in the afternoon today.

The former MP spoke to the media about an hour after the tripartite talk.

On the other hand the representatives from the State Government made it clear that the territorial integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable, said a source.

UK Bansal, Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (Internal Security) and Chief Secretary DS Poonia led the Central and State Governments respectively, while Sword Vashum headed the UNC delegation in the talks held at the office complex of Deputy Commissioner (Senapati) .

On being asked about the outcome of the talks, Charenamei said, "Today being the first day, I should say that we have been able to make some sort of a breakthrough but we have not set any deadline for the next round of talks" .

Incidentally the core issue of alternative arrangements for the Nagas was not discussed thoroughly in the talk.

On this core issue, Central team leader Bansal said "We have tried to understand each others' point of view and what alternative arrangement connotes, because it has lots of meaning and can be interpreted in many ways.

Some points have come up.

We are carrying it forward in the next round of meeting" .

About the talks, Bansal said, "We hope to pursue the dialogue till it comes to a logical conclusion.

They (Naga leaders) have come and sat across the table discussing issues.

I'm very hopeful that continuation of the interaction will lead to positive development of the people" .

On the other hand UNC delegation leader Sword Vashum said the core issue is only alternative arrangements for the Nagas.

Elaborating, he said the Nagas in their highest decision making forum, the Naga People's Convention ( NPC) held on July 1 this year, had already decided to sever all political ties with the Government of Manipur.

A memorandum to this effect was also submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 14 .

Vashum, a senior official in the Central Government, expressed serious concern over the failure of the three Cabinet Ministers of the State to turn up for the talk despite being notified earlier saying that the Chief Secretary cannot make any political decision.

Besides the core issue "we are not running away from discussing other related issues in the talks," Vashum added.

Besides Bansal, other central government representatives include Sambhu Singh, Joint Secretary ( MHA), northeast, Ashuli Challai, director Doner, Colonel Sanjeeb Narayan, Director MO 2 and Brigadier AK Narula commander 59 Mountain Brigade representing Eastern Command.
Peace talks held to break deadlock between Manipur, Nagaland Ani
The Central Government along with the United Naga Council (UNC) and Manipur government hold a tripartite peace talks in Manipur's Senapati district on Friday to break the deadlock prevailing between Manipur and Nagaland.
The talks would be carried on till Saturday.
Special Secretary from the Home Ministry U. K. Bansal said the discussions would be carried on until an acceptable solution is achieved.
"We have decided to carry on these discussions till the time we reach a very successive and very acceptable solution to the major problems of the people whom we represent," said Bansal.
The United Naga Council (UNC) chairman Sword Vashum, heading the eight-member team at the tripartite talks, said the meeting was quite cordial in nature and various important issues regarding the Nagas were discussed in it.
"I would say detailed discussions on various issues, particularly to the issues relating to the core demand of the Nagas, that is, the alternative arrangements for the Nagas in Manipur," said Vashum.
On Thursday, Chief Minister of Manipur Ibobi Singh convened a high-level preparatory meeting.
Beside some of the cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats, the meeting was attended by Bansal. (ANI)

Peace talks held to break deadlock between Manipur, Nagaland Telegraph
The Central Government along with the United Naga Council (UNC) and Manipur government hold a tripartite peace talks in Manipur's Senapati district on Friday to break the deadlock prevailing between Manipur and Nagaland.
The talks would be carried on till Saturday.
Special Secretary from the Home Ministry U. K. Bansal said the discussions would be carried on until an acceptable solution is achieved.
"We have decided to carry on these discussions till the time we reach a very successive and very acceptable solution to the major problems of the people whom we represent," said Bansal.
The United Naga Council (UNC) chairman Sword Vashum, heading the eight-member team at the tripartite talks, said the meeting was quite cordial in nature and various important issues regarding the Nagas were discussed in it.
"I would say detailed discussions on various issues, particularly to the issues relating to the core demand of the Nagas, that is, the alternative arrangements for the Nagas in Manipur," said Vashum.
On Thursday, Chief Minister of Manipur Ibobi Singh convened a high-level preparatory meeting.
Beside some of the cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats, the meeting was attended by Bansal. (ANI)

Nagaland businessmen protest against extortion in Dimapur From ANI
Dimapur (Nagaland), Dec.7 : The business community of Nagaland recently took to the streets in Dimapur in protest against increase in illegal extortion and kidnappings for ransom
Dimapur is the commercial hub of Nagaland, and the businessmen took out a silent rally to protest against the increase in anti-social activities, extortion and frequent kidnappings of members of their community.

The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce (DCC) spearheaded the rally.

The protestors submitted a memorandum to the state authorities and pressed them to take severe action against anti-social elements.
"We have submitted the memorandum and a period of seven days time is given failing to do so we will sit, we will decide, the business community will have a meeting and we'll decide what the next course off action," said Khasheto Yepthomi, the president of the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce.

Maongwati Aier, the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, received the memorandum on the behalf of the government, and promised to book miscreants involved in such activities under the National Security Act (NSA).
Rejoinder to Editorial ‘commander-in-chief’ morungexpress
•-My attention has been drawn to the editorial of your esteemed daily dated 7/12/2010 wherein you had mentioned that the VIPs of the State, particularly the DGP Nagaland, had failed to attend the funeral and had failed to send even a word of Condolence too. It is a fact that the DGP Nagaland did not sent his Condolence as he had planned to attend the service personally but failed to reach on time as he was held up due to prior engagement. However, immediately after the funeral service was over, the DGP Nagaland along with ADG (Admn) and IGP (INT) and other senior officers, personally met the family of the deceased Officer at their residence. During the interaction the DGP reiterated the assurance that I had given at the funeral service while speaking on behalf of the DGP and the Department.
While admitting that the Department has its own failings, the Department had tried to extend all possible help to the bereaved family. It is, therefore appealed that without proper confirmation, just publishing in paper makes confusion among the readers.
S T Sangtam, IPS
Inspector General of Police (HQ)
and PRO, PHQ
Nagaland, Kohima


Frans on 12.07.10 @ 11:14 PM CST [link]



Severing All Ties With State Govt Still Top Agenda For UNC Stops Short Of Lim Demand No final say, but separate UT or State mooted Source: The Sangai Express



Severing All Ties With State Govt Still Top Agenda For UNC
Stops Short Of Lim Demand No final say, but separate UT or State mooted Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, Thankfully the demand for a Nagalim, which means carving out huge chunks of territories from the neighbouring States, particularly Manipur, and bring all Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit did not surface in the first tripartite talk held today between leaders of the UNC, envoy from the Centre and representatives from the State Government at Senapati district headquarters today.

However the Lim shadow hung heavily in the demands or conditions put forward by the UNC, when it insisted on the creation of either a separate State or formation of a Union Territory for the Nagas of Manipur.




The talk underway at the office of Senapati DC and MHA envoy UK Bansal talks to the press



The points raised by the UNC leaders in today's talk was in line with the Declaration adopted on July 1, 2010, under the Naga People's Convention, which had clearly stated that they would cut off all ties with the Government of Manipur.

Former Lok Sabha MP from the Outer Parliamentary Constituency and Naga leader Mani Charenamei, who was among the eight-member United Naga Council (UNC) representatives at the tripartite talk at Senapati district today, said the alternative arrangements demanded by the Nagas could be formation of a separate Naga Union Territory or a State.

The demand is within the Constitution of India, Mani said while addressing a press conference at Senapati district headquarters, located about 60 kilometers from Imphal in the afternoon today.

The former MP spoke to the media about an hour after the tripartite talk.

On the other hand the representatives from the State Government made it clear that the territorial integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable, said a source.

UK Bansal, Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (Internal Security) and Chief Secretary DS Poonia led the Central and State Governments respectively, while Sword Vashum headed the UNC delegation in the talks held at the office complex of Deputy Commissioner (Senapati) .

On being asked about the outcome of the talks, Charenamei said, "Today being the first day, I should say that we have been able to make some sort of a breakthrough but we have not set any deadline for the next round of talks" .

Incidentally the core issue of alternative arrangements for the Nagas was not discussed thoroughly in the talk.

On this core issue, Central team leader Bansal said "We have tried to understand each others' point of view and what alternative arrangement connotes, because it has lots of meaning and can be interpreted in many ways.

Some points have come up.

We are carrying it forward in the next round of meeting" .

About the talks, Bansal said, "We hope to pursue the dialogue till it comes to a logical conclusion.

They (Naga leaders) have come and sat across the table discussing issues.

I'm very hopeful that continuation of the interaction will lead to positive development of the people" .

On the other hand UNC delegation leader Sword Vashum said the core issue is only alternative arrangements for the Nagas.

Elaborating, he said the Nagas in their highest decision making forum, the Naga People's Convention ( NPC) held on July 1 this year, had already decided to sever all political ties with the Government of Manipur.

A memorandum to this effect was also submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 14 .

Vashum, a senior official in the Central Government, expressed serious concern over the failure of the three Cabinet Ministers of the State to turn up for the talk despite being notified earlier saying that the Chief Secretary cannot make any political decision.

Besides the core issue "we are not running away from discussing other related issues in the talks," Vashum added.

Besides Bansal, other central government representatives include Sambhu Singh, Joint Secretary ( MHA), northeast, Ashuli Challai, director Doner, Colonel Sanjeeb Narayan, Director MO 2 and Brigadier AK Narula commander 59 Mountain Brigade representing Eastern Command.
Peace talks held to break deadlock between Manipur, Nagaland Ani
The Central Government along with the United Naga Council (UNC) and Manipur government hold a tripartite peace talks in Manipur's Senapati district on Friday to break the deadlock prevailing between Manipur and Nagaland.
The talks would be carried on till Saturday.
Special Secretary from the Home Ministry U. K. Bansal said the discussions would be carried on until an acceptable solution is achieved.
"We have decided to carry on these discussions till the time we reach a very successive and very acceptable solution to the major problems of the people whom we represent," said Bansal.
The United Naga Council (UNC) chairman Sword Vashum, heading the eight-member team at the tripartite talks, said the meeting was quite cordial in nature and various important issues regarding the Nagas were discussed in it.
"I would say detailed discussions on various issues, particularly to the issues relating to the core demand of the Nagas, that is, the alternative arrangements for the Nagas in Manipur," said Vashum.
On Thursday, Chief Minister of Manipur Ibobi Singh convened a high-level preparatory meeting.
Beside some of the cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats, the meeting was attended by Bansal. (ANI)

Peace talks held to break deadlock between Manipur, Nagaland Telegraph
The Central Government along with the United Naga Council (UNC) and Manipur government hold a tripartite peace talks in Manipur's Senapati district on Friday to break the deadlock prevailing between Manipur and Nagaland.
The talks would be carried on till Saturday.
Special Secretary from the Home Ministry U. K. Bansal said the discussions would be carried on until an acceptable solution is achieved.
"We have decided to carry on these discussions till the time we reach a very successive and very acceptable solution to the major problems of the people whom we represent," said Bansal.
The United Naga Council (UNC) chairman Sword Vashum, heading the eight-member team at the tripartite talks, said the meeting was quite cordial in nature and various important issues regarding the Nagas were discussed in it.
"I would say detailed discussions on various issues, particularly to the issues relating to the core demand of the Nagas, that is, the alternative arrangements for the Nagas in Manipur," said Vashum.
On Thursday, Chief Minister of Manipur Ibobi Singh convened a high-level preparatory meeting.
Beside some of the cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats, the meeting was attended by Bansal. (ANI)

Nagaland businessmen protest against extortion in Dimapur From ANI
Dimapur (Nagaland), Dec.7 : The business community of Nagaland recently took to the streets in Dimapur in protest against increase in illegal extortion and kidnappings for ransom
Dimapur is the commercial hub of Nagaland, and the businessmen took out a silent rally to protest against the increase in anti-social activities, extortion and frequent kidnappings of members of their community.

The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce (DCC) spearheaded the rally.

The protestors submitted a memorandum to the state authorities and pressed them to take severe action against anti-social elements.
"We have submitted the memorandum and a period of seven days time is given failing to do so we will sit, we will decide, the business community will have a meeting and we'll decide what the next course off action," said Khasheto Yepthomi, the president of the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce.

Maongwati Aier, the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, received the memorandum on the behalf of the government, and promised to book miscreants involved in such activities under the National Security Act (NSA).
Rejoinder to Editorial ‘commander-in-chief’ morungexpress
•-My attention has been drawn to the editorial of your esteemed daily dated 7/12/2010 wherein you had mentioned that the VIPs of the State, particularly the DGP Nagaland, had failed to attend the funeral and had failed to send even a word of Condolence too. It is a fact that the DGP Nagaland did not sent his Condolence as he had planned to attend the service personally but failed to reach on time as he was held up due to prior engagement. However, immediately after the funeral service was over, the DGP Nagaland along with ADG (Admn) and IGP (INT) and other senior officers, personally met the family of the deceased Officer at their residence. During the interaction the DGP reiterated the assurance that I had given at the funeral service while speaking on behalf of the DGP and the Department.
While admitting that the Department has its own failings, the Department had tried to extend all possible help to the bereaved family. It is, therefore appealed that without proper confirmation, just publishing in paper makes confusion among the readers.
S T Sangtam, IPS
Inspector General of Police (HQ)
and PRO, PHQ
Nagaland, Kohima


Frans on 12.07.10 @ 11:14 PM CST [link]



Severing All Ties With State Govt Still Top Agenda For UNC Stops Short Of Lim Demand No final say, but separate UT or State mooted Source: The Sangai Express



Severing All Ties With State Govt Still Top Agenda For UNC
Stops Short Of Lim Demand No final say, but separate UT or State mooted Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, Thankfully the demand for a Nagalim, which means carving out huge chunks of territories from the neighbouring States, particularly Manipur, and bring all Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit did not surface in the first tripartite talk held today between leaders of the UNC, envoy from the Centre and representatives from the State Government at Senapati district headquarters today.

However the Lim shadow hung heavily in the demands or conditions put forward by the UNC, when it insisted on the creation of either a separate State or formation of a Union Territory for the Nagas of Manipur.




The talk underway at the office of Senapati DC and MHA envoy UK Bansal talks to the press



The points raised by the UNC leaders in today's talk was in line with the Declaration adopted on July 1, 2010, under the Naga People's Convention, which had clearly stated that they would cut off all ties with the Government of Manipur.

Former Lok Sabha MP from the Outer Parliamentary Constituency and Naga leader Mani Charenamei, who was among the eight-member United Naga Council (UNC) representatives at the tripartite talk at Senapati district today, said the alternative arrangements demanded by the Nagas could be formation of a separate Naga Union Territory or a State.

The demand is within the Constitution of India, Mani said while addressing a press conference at Senapati district headquarters, located about 60 kilometers from Imphal in the afternoon today.

The former MP spoke to the media about an hour after the tripartite talk.

On the other hand the representatives from the State Government made it clear that the territorial integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable, said a source.

UK Bansal, Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (Internal Security) and Chief Secretary DS Poonia led the Central and State Governments respectively, while Sword Vashum headed the UNC delegation in the talks held at the office complex of Deputy Commissioner (Senapati) .

On being asked about the outcome of the talks, Charenamei said, "Today being the first day, I should say that we have been able to make some sort of a breakthrough but we have not set any deadline for the next round of talks" .

Incidentally the core issue of alternative arrangements for the Nagas was not discussed thoroughly in the talk.

On this core issue, Central team leader Bansal said "We have tried to understand each others' point of view and what alternative arrangement connotes, because it has lots of meaning and can be interpreted in many ways.

Some points have come up.

We are carrying it forward in the next round of meeting" .

About the talks, Bansal said, "We hope to pursue the dialogue till it comes to a logical conclusion.

They (Naga leaders) have come and sat across the table discussing issues.

I'm very hopeful that continuation of the interaction will lead to positive development of the people" .

On the other hand UNC delegation leader Sword Vashum said the core issue is only alternative arrangements for the Nagas.

Elaborating, he said the Nagas in their highest decision making forum, the Naga People's Convention ( NPC) held on July 1 this year, had already decided to sever all political ties with the Government of Manipur.

A memorandum to this effect was also submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 14 .

Vashum, a senior official in the Central Government, expressed serious concern over the failure of the three Cabinet Ministers of the State to turn up for the talk despite being notified earlier saying that the Chief Secretary cannot make any political decision.

Besides the core issue "we are not running away from discussing other related issues in the talks," Vashum added.

Besides Bansal, other central government representatives include Sambhu Singh, Joint Secretary ( MHA), northeast, Ashuli Challai, director Doner, Colonel Sanjeeb Narayan, Director MO 2 and Brigadier AK Narula commander 59 Mountain Brigade representing Eastern Command.
Peace talks held to break deadlock between Manipur, Nagaland Ani
The Central Government along with the United Naga Council (UNC) and Manipur government hold a tripartite peace talks in Manipur's Senapati district on Friday to break the deadlock prevailing between Manipur and Nagaland.
The talks would be carried on till Saturday.
Special Secretary from the Home Ministry U. K. Bansal said the discussions would be carried on until an acceptable solution is achieved.
"We have decided to carry on these discussions till the time we reach a very successive and very acceptable solution to the major problems of the people whom we represent," said Bansal.
The United Naga Council (UNC) chairman Sword Vashum, heading the eight-member team at the tripartite talks, said the meeting was quite cordial in nature and various important issues regarding the Nagas were discussed in it.
"I would say detailed discussions on various issues, particularly to the issues relating to the core demand of the Nagas, that is, the alternative arrangements for the Nagas in Manipur," said Vashum.
On Thursday, Chief Minister of Manipur Ibobi Singh convened a high-level preparatory meeting.
Beside some of the cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats, the meeting was attended by Bansal. (ANI)

Peace talks held to break deadlock between Manipur, Nagaland Telegraph
The Central Government along with the United Naga Council (UNC) and Manipur government hold a tripartite peace talks in Manipur's Senapati district on Friday to break the deadlock prevailing between Manipur and Nagaland.
The talks would be carried on till Saturday.
Special Secretary from the Home Ministry U. K. Bansal said the discussions would be carried on until an acceptable solution is achieved.
"We have decided to carry on these discussions till the time we reach a very successive and very acceptable solution to the major problems of the people whom we represent," said Bansal.
The United Naga Council (UNC) chairman Sword Vashum, heading the eight-member team at the tripartite talks, said the meeting was quite cordial in nature and various important issues regarding the Nagas were discussed in it.
"I would say detailed discussions on various issues, particularly to the issues relating to the core demand of the Nagas, that is, the alternative arrangements for the Nagas in Manipur," said Vashum.
On Thursday, Chief Minister of Manipur Ibobi Singh convened a high-level preparatory meeting.
Beside some of the cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats, the meeting was attended by Bansal. (ANI)

Nagaland businessmen protest against extortion in Dimapur From ANI
Dimapur (Nagaland), Dec.7 : The business community of Nagaland recently took to the streets in Dimapur in protest against increase in illegal extortion and kidnappings for ransom
Dimapur is the commercial hub of Nagaland, and the businessmen took out a silent rally to protest against the increase in anti-social activities, extortion and frequent kidnappings of members of their community.

The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce (DCC) spearheaded the rally.

The protestors submitted a memorandum to the state authorities and pressed them to take severe action against anti-social elements.
"We have submitted the memorandum and a period of seven days time is given failing to do so we will sit, we will decide, the business community will have a meeting and we'll decide what the next course off action," said Khasheto Yepthomi, the president of the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce.

Maongwati Aier, the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, received the memorandum on the behalf of the government, and promised to book miscreants involved in such activities under the National Security Act (NSA).
Rejoinder to Editorial ‘commander-in-chief’ morungexpress
•-My attention has been drawn to the editorial of your esteemed daily dated 7/12/2010 wherein you had mentioned that the VIPs of the State, particularly the DGP Nagaland, had failed to attend the funeral and had failed to send even a word of Condolence too. It is a fact that the DGP Nagaland did not sent his Condolence as he had planned to attend the service personally but failed to reach on time as he was held up due to prior engagement. However, immediately after the funeral service was over, the DGP Nagaland along with ADG (Admn) and IGP (INT) and other senior officers, personally met the family of the deceased Officer at their residence. During the interaction the DGP reiterated the assurance that I had given at the funeral service while speaking on behalf of the DGP and the Department.
While admitting that the Department has its own failings, the Department had tried to extend all possible help to the bereaved family. It is, therefore appealed that without proper confirmation, just publishing in paper makes confusion among the readers.
S T Sangtam, IPS
Inspector General of Police (HQ)
and PRO, PHQ
Nagaland, Kohima


Frans on 12.07.10 @ 11:13 PM CST [link]



AMUCO advises Naga leaders Source: The Sangai Express



AMUCO advises Naga leaders Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 06 2010: Categorically stating that New Delhi is not in a position to fulfil the demand to expand the territory of Nagaland or create a Greater Nagaland, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation has advised Naga leaders to study the feasibility of their demands. Observing that the Government of India has categorically ruled out creation of new States for small population over relatively smaller territories, the AMUCO observed that many Naga leaders are still campaigning for Naga integration/Nagaisation even after Nagaland was granted Statehood.
On the other hand, Hijam Irabot opposed the proposal to form Purvanchal by merging different States of the North East region. With the failure of the then Governor Sir Robert Reid to bring hill areas of Manipur under Naga integration campaign, the Naga National League as well as Daiho passed into history.

In response to a letter sent by the Naga National Council president T Aliba Amiti on August 14, 1947, a meeting of Tankhul village chiefs from Hundung area was held on August 5, 1947 and ten resolutions were adopted.

These resolutions mentioned about retaining and strengthening relationships with hill village chiefs. On November 30, 1947, a public meeting was held at MDU Imphal where it was resolved that people of hills and valley should co-exist together and a responsible Government should be established for Manipur.

Among others, the meeting was attended by MK Shimray of Tangkhul Long, Lune of Kuki National Assembly, Kakhangai of Kabui Association and Zena of Mizo Union.
And now the peace talk between NSCN-IM and New Delhi is still eluding a solution because the dialogue is a piecemeal process and not a composite one.

The UNC's first tripartite talk was a follow up to the New Delhi-NSCN-IM peace talk.
As the demand for 'alternative arrangement' is basically concerned with Manipuri Nagas, any solution to the demand should be sought with the Manipuri people. Conflict management, transformation or resolution cannot be done in accordance to the wish of a single group.

Categorically stating that AMUCO's statement is not addressed to the UNC but to all Manipuri Nagas, it pointed out that the participating officials, whether they were of Central or State Government were accountable to the public and the public are comprised of multiple communities. 'Alternative arrangement' cannot be explained in partial interest.
It should be defined according to common interest, it added.
GPRN/NSCN cautions officials hobnobbing with non-Naga groups morungexpress
Dimapur, December 5 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN has cautioned that “officials hobnobbing with non-Naga groups shall be punished. Stating this in a press note issued by the MIP, the GPRN/NSCN pointed out that owing to “unrestrained influx of non-locals into Nagaland, there is a growing realization that many non-Naga organizations have established their cells in Dimapur actively assisted by some anti-social elements particularly in and around Dimapur city”.
The GPRN/NSCN stated that many extortions and kidnappings go unreported owing to threats and intimidations and that “criminals and pseudo national workers among the Nagas appears to be actively involved in the crimes that are hatched and plotted by non-Naga organizations”.
Stating that it was the endeavor of the GPRN/NSCN to maintain peace and harmony in Nagaland especially when reconciliation process is duly acknowledged by all Nagas, the MIP note pointed out that it would be “wrong if the Naga political groups allow outside elements to create trouble in our own kitchen”.
“GPRN/NSCN leadership has made it clear that it shall strictly monitor its officials and penalize any authority indulging in nefarious activities in collaboration with other groups”, it stated adding that the Collective Leadership of the GPRN/NSCN has voiced its deep concern over the negative activities of non-Naga groups in Nagaland and has instructed the Kilo Kilonser to take necessary measures to stop anti-social elements from creating further problem in the Naga society.
World’s hottest pepper is ‘hot enough to strip paint’ By Brett Michael Dykes
Fiery food mavens seeking to one-up each other now have to gear up for a whole new test of culinary bravado: the world's hottest chili pepper.
Yes, the Naga Viper, the latest claimant to the world's-hottest-pepper crown, outdistances its predecessor, the Bhut Jolokia, or "ghost chili," by more than 300,000 points on the famous Scoville scale of tongue-scorching chili hotness. Researchers at Warwick University testing the Naga Viper found that it measures 1,359,000 on the Scoville scale, which rates heat by tracking the presence of a chemical compound. In comparison, most varieties of jalapeño peppers measure in the 2,500 to 5,000 range -- milder than the Naga Viper by a factor of 270.
You might think the Naga Viper would hail from some part of the world with a strong demand for spicy food, such as India or Mexico. But the new pepper is actually the handiwork of Gerald Fowler, a British chili farmer and pub owner, who crossed three of the hottest peppers known to man -- including the Bhut Jolokia -- to create his Frankenstein-monster chili.
"It's painful to eat," Fowler told the Daily Mail. "It's hot enough to strip paint." Indeed, the Daily Mail reports that defense researchers are already investigating the pepper's potential uses as a weapon.
But Fowler -- who makes customers sign a waiver declaring that they're of sound mind and body before trying a Naga Viper-based curry -- insists that consuming the fiery chili does the body good.
"It numbs your tongue, then burns all the way down," he told the paper. "It can last an hour, and you just don't want to talk to anyone or do anything. But it's a marvelous endorphin rush. It makes you feel great."
Northeast Echoes Return of the rebel
PATRICIA MUKHIM


UNLF chairman Raj Kumar Meghen in Guwahati on Friday. Picture by Eastern Projections
After the Wikileaks and the transcripts of the Niira Radia tapes, the former having created a major political quake worldwide and the latter throwing out of gear the entire edifice of what is respectfully referred to as the fourth estate, we in the Northeast are now grappling with the modus operandi in which different rebel leaders from varied insurgent outfits are “arrested” in Bangladesh and brought to India. The Union home ministry believes we are all naïve tribesmen who have no idea about espionage and the operational part of security. But having been part and parcel of what some call the “national” movements and what India terms sub-nationalism, since 1947 we are pretty clued in to the functioning of the country’s external and internal intelligence agencies — the RAW and the newly constituted National Investigation Agency (NIA).
R.K. Meghen, alias Sana Yaima, is Manipur’s most enduring nationalist or insurgent depending on which lenses we use to define him and whether we are in Imphal or Delhi. Given that Meitei civil society has been demanding clarity on Meghen’s arrest/surrender and his whereabouts ever since BBC broke the news on September 29, it had become too hot for New Delhi to continue to feed an intrusive media with cock and bull about Meghen’s mysterious status.
Past duress
India’s obsession to secure territories in the Northeast which had been made to sign the Instruments of Accession under duress and New Delhi’s propensity to forget past histories and to coerce those who are part of that history to also abandon their political lineages and move forward into the “mainstream” of Indian political thought and discourse are highly problematic and painful for the ethnic communities of this region. These communities lived relatively non-competitive and non-accumulative lives at the time when India decided to lay claim over their territories and impose a modern constitutional framework which till today is ill-suited to our needs.
Today, arguments emanating from the centres of power in Delhi and the state capitals of the Northeast whose rulers have been completely co-opted, that putting back the clock is not feasible reek of forced “patriotism”.
Everyday, we have seminars, some state-sponsored, others more ambiguously postured, which shoot down the notions of sovereignty. Somehow, we are made to feel that the dialectics of nationalism in this region is diametrically opposite to that of India’s vision. Why? Is it really so difficult for us to imagine a situation in the future when India breaks, simply because it has never really allowed the Northeast to decide its fate, but, held its sway over the region purely with military might? The future of countries is uncertain and boundaries are not sacrosanct but largely tenuous.
And no country can extract loyalty through coercion or force people into citizenship. These are all imbibed over time and only if people are able to exercise their free, prior, informed choices and consent. This is something alien to New Delhi.
The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest Meitei insurgent group embedded in socialist ideals, was formed in 1964 under the leadership of Arambam Samarendra Singh.
The objective of the outfit is to achieve independence and establish a socialist society. It was termed a secessionist organisation when it raised the battle cry for independence as far back as 1953.
Present protest
The UNLF is the outcome of Meitei nationalism and a riposte to the manner in which Maharajah Bodh Chandra of Manipur was enticed to come to Shillong, put under house arrest and coerced to sign the Instrument of Accession on September 21, 1949. Under threat that if he did not sign Manipur would be integrated by military might, Bodh Chandra signed the Merger Agreement as well.
Manipur thus became an integral part of India on October 15, 1949.
The official ceremony to end the 2,000-year old kingdom took place in Imphal on October 15, 1949. The Manipur administration was taken over by New Delhi.
It needed only a battalion of the regular Indian army that was brought and stationed at the Kangla Fort. The battalion was meant subdue the Meiteis in case of political protests. Ironically, at that critical juncture, the Meiteis raised no objection to the merger which according to Mohendra Irengbam, a leading Meitei intellectual, had reduced Manipur to a shameful Part C State.
It was Athiko Daiho, a Mao from Senapati, and a few others prominent tribal leaders who objected to the merger. Mao formed the National Naga League in September 1946 for separate Naga-inhabited areas. But Mao could not sustain the movement and was soon won over by India.
The rise in Meitei nationalism in recent times has its roots in the real and perceived long-term neglect of Manipur’s development by successive Indian governments. It is also a fact that the Meiteis as much as the other ethnic groups of the region are emotionally distanced from India and its nation building processes.
A strong anti-India stance is adopted by many or all of the insurgent outfits of Manipur which are nearly three dozen in number, by banning the viewing of Hindu films and reverting to the indigenous Sanamahi faith. However, it bears mention that Meitei nationalism remained more or less contained and would perhaps have tapered off subsequently had it not been for the Naga expansionist policy and the fact that New Delhi appeared to support this idea of “Nagalim” overtly or covertly. Altogether 18 Meiteis died as a mark of protest against the extension of the NSCN (I-M)- Delhi ceasefire into the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur in 2001.
Today, Manipur resembles a military cantonment. Recently, the defence ministry has ruled out the revocation of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act which is as much as saying that it does not care about Irom Sharmila’s 10-year fast or the cry of people from this region to remove this obnoxious piece of legislation. At present, there are more than 64,000 security forces in Manipur. The Assam Rifles plans to expand its battalions and so do the other paramilitary forces like the CRPF and IRB.
False security
In the words of a Meitei, there is one soldier for every 16 Manipuri.
Certainly, this is not how a nation guards it liberty; not by making its own people feel imprisoned in a security cage. This has only succeeded in further alienating the people. Who wants to be checked and searched every 100 metres and to be seen as a potential suspect until proven otherwise? Often, even that chance of proving one’s credentials is taken away by the dreaded army act. If the security forces don’t like someone’s face they can build up a slew of charges against the person. This was what happened to Thangjam Manorama.
It is against this background that the return of R.K. Meghen is much awaited. It has become an opportunity for catharsis for a people under siege and an open show of defiance against the state and the horrors it represents.
Officially we are told that the NIA court would look into Meghen’s acts of omission and commission. But unofficially we know that the Indian state would get a commitment of a “peace dialogue with Meghen. For now we can only wait and watch as things develop in the Manipur valley on Sana Yaima’s mysterious appearance at Motihari in East Champaran Bihar”.
(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com">patricia17@rediffmail.com)


Frans on 12.07.10 @ 12:04 AM CST [link]


Sunday, December 5th

Chumpo Museum set up to showcase tribal culture of Nagaland Sify news



Chumpo Museum set up to showcase tribal culture of Nagaland Sify news

Chumpo in Nagamese, the language of Nagaland, means 'Morung' or 'bachelors' dormitory'
But in Sovina village near Dimapur, one of the principle cities of Nagaland, the cultural artifacts of Naga tribes are preserved in a Chumpo Museum.
The uniqueness of the museum is that visitors can stay here for the night to acquire a deeper insight into the Naga way of life.
Nagaland has 19 tribes, each having their own distinct culture, and to create awareness about the richness of Nagaland's culture among the younger generation, aware, a Chumpo Museum has been set up in Sovina village.
The museum is the brainchild of Abraham Lotha, a museum anthropologist, whose quest to collect Naga artifacts began in 1990.
Today, he has a wide collection of both traditional and contemporary Naga artifacts.
"The Naga community needs to preserve its culture. There have been many occasions when others have described the culture of Nagas in their books, magazines, events and other functions, both at domestic and international levels. So, we Nagas also need to act to prevent an erosion of our culture, and this museum, is our way of representing Naga culture," said Abraham Lotha, the curator of the Chumpo Museum.
The museum has Naga artifacts dating back to the 18th century, including ancient log drums, spears, bows and arrows of a Naga headhunter warrior, traditional rice beer containers, traditional handloom, rice pounders and many other wooden artifacts depicting the cultural history of Naga tribes are preserved at the museum.
Paintings by well-known Naga painters Pheaso and Iris Yingzen adorn the museum walls.
The architecture of the building reflects the Naga way of life.
Lotha says young Naga children need to know their culture.
"Those living in urban areas like Dimapur and Kohima, particularly children, have not seen the traditional artifacts of Naga society. So, here is a place where they can come and see how their ancestors lived. The objects that are placed here, can tell a lot of stories about Naga culture, which can help them, promote and preserve their culture," Lotha said.
Lotha's initiative is expected to play an important role in promoting and preserving Nagaland's rich culture among future generations. (ANI)

Forest & Biodiversity Rights of the Nagas morungexpress
Encroachment over the Rights of the Nagas by enacting and extending the application of Forest Conservation, Act 1980 and Bio-diversity Act, 2002: a Critical analysis and Appraisal

Since time immemorial, the socio-economic and cultural life of the Naga has revolved around the forest and its resources. In fact, it is because of this reason that Article 371A has been incorporated in the Constitution of India so as to protect the socio-economic and cultural rights and interest of the Nagas. Nagaland has diverse culture with each tribe having its own distinct customary practices as regards the use, ownership and transfer of land and its resources. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that before enacting any Act in respect of the environment and forest, which has a direct bearing on the socio-economic and cultural life of the Nagas, it is incumbent for the State Government to examine very carefully the implications of such legislation vis-a-vis Article 371A of the Constitution.
Nagaland is not a Scheduled State under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. However, Article 371A of the Constitution, provides a special provision to the effect that no Act of Parliament in respect of (i) religious and social practices of Nagas; (ii) Naga customary law and procedure; (iii) administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law and (iv) ownership and transfer of land and its resources shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides.
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (Act No 69 of 1980), hereinafter being referred to as the Act, has been enacted by the Parliament, with a view to check further deforestation which ultimately results in ecological imbalance. As such, the provisions made therein for the conservation of forests and for that matters connected therewith, must apply to all forests irrespective of the nature of ownership or classification thereof. The Act has made prior approval of the Central Government for necessary de-reservation of reserved forest and use of forests for non- forest purposes.
It is therefore, imperative to examine the stand of the Nagas more particularly, the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland, on the applicability of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 as to whether the adoption of the Act and its provisions shall defeat the very purpose of incorporating Article 371 A in the Constitution of India. As such, it is necessary to discuss some of the relevant provisions of the Act.
Section 2 of the Act provides as follows: “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force in a State, no State Government or any authority shall make, except with prior approval of the Central Government, any order directing (i) that any reserved forest (within the meaning of the expression ``reserved forest`` in any law for the time being in force in that State) (ii) that any forest land
or any portion thereof maybe used for any non-forest purposes (iii) that any forest land or any portion thereof may be assigned by way of lease or otherwise to any private person or to any authority, cooperation, agency or any other organization not owned, managed and control by Government and (iv) that any forest land or any portion for the purposes of using it for reforestation.
Section 2 of the (Forest Conservation) Act, 1980 also takes away the power of the State Government to make any order directing de-reservation of any reserved forest or the use of any forest land or any portion thereof, for any non-forest purpose except with the prior approval of the Central Government.
Section 2 (iii) of the Act, clearly stipulates that the provision of the Act will apply to all forest lands irrespective of its ownership or classification thereof. There cannot be any doubt that Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 would apply to any forest land whether declared as private forest or not and whether the forest is reserved forest or not.
From a bare reading of the Act, what is abundantly clear is that the State Government has no power to make any order directing de-reservation of any reserved forest or the use of any forest land or any portion thereof, for any non-forest purpose except with the prior approval of the Central Government.
Basing on the Act, the Hon’ble Supreme Court, as well as different High Courts, have also rendered several decisions some of which are worth mentioning herein. In State of Orissa -vs- Duti Sahu & Ors., reported in AIR 1997 SC.1040, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that any non-forest activity in the forest area without prior approval of the Central Government is banned. Similar observation has been also made in Jairaj, A.P -vs- Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Thiruvanthapuram & Ors., reported in AIR 1998 Pat. 20). In the case of T.N.Godavaraman Thirumulpal -vs- Union of India (AIR 1997 SC 1228), the Hon’ble Supreme Court, after hearing the Central Government, as well as, the Government of all the States, has held that in view of the meaning of the word “forest” in the Act, it is obvious that prior approval of the Central Government is required for any non-forest activity within the area of any “forest”. In accordance with Section 2 of the Act, all on-going activity within any forest in any State throughout the country, without the prior approval of the Central Government, must cease forthwith. It is worth mentioning herein that even in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, which is excluded from the application of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 vide Section 1 (2) of the Act, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has directed that any felling of trees in forest or otherwise or any clearance of land for execution of projects, shall be in strict compliance with existing Act, i.e. the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Conservation Act, 1990.
Moreover, from judicial decisions, it is also well settled that the provision of Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 shall prevail over the provision of the Mining Act and the Rule 24A (6) (State Bihar -vs- M/s. R.M.C Dill and Co. (P) Ltd & Ors. AIR 1998 Pat. 20).
Furthermore, if an area satisfies the description of being a forest land as defined in Section 2 (1)), it shall come within the purview of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and no permission to fell trees even in private areas cannot be granted without the prior concurrence of the Central Government (refer to Bhagawan Bhoi -vs- State of Orissa, AIR 2002 Ori 201).
In this context, we may also refer to those cases in Tribal Areas falling under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Paragraph 6 (2) of the Sixth Schedule has delegated the power to the Governor to delegate to the Council the functions in relation to ‘forest’ amongst other matters. However, Article 256 of the Constitution cast an obligation upon the States and the Union to the effect that the executive power of every State shall be so exercised so as to ensure compliance with the laws made by the Parliament and any existing laws which apply in that State and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose. Moreover, the District Council constituted as per the provision of the Sixth Schedule, has no power to make law in respect of management of reserve forest under paragraph 3(1) (b) of the Sixth Schedule and (ii) such executive power will be subject to the conditions, if any, imposed by the Government while entrusting the executive function in relation to forest or reserve forest under paragraph 6 (2) of the Sixth Schedule. It is therefore, very clear that the executive power of the Council in relation to Reserved Forest will be subject to provisions of the Constitution, law made by Parliament including the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 law made by the State Legislative and the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891 (see M/S Hills Syndicate -vs- North Cachar, Hills Autonomous Council & Ors AIR 2001 Gau 83).
Article 371A of the Constitution provides for a special status to the State of Nagaland to the effect that notwithstanding anything in the Constitution no Act of Parliament in respect of the ownership and transfer of land and its resources shall apply in the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides. As per Section 2(d) of the Nagaland Ownership and Transfer of Land and its Resources Act, 1990 (The Nagaland Act No. 1 of 1993), “Lands and its resources” means `` advantages derived from the surface of the land and all that is below it and which is valuable or is a source of money or income and includes ….. ……………………………………”
No doubt, as per Section 1(2) of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Act has been extended in whole of India, except the State of Jammu & Kashmir. However, the said provision cannot override the Constitutional provision as guaranteed under Article 371A. As such, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 which has direct bearing over the ownership and transfer of land and its resources cannot be extended in the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides. However, there is no record to show that the Act has been extended by a resolution adopted by the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland. But most unfortunately, even government officials, leave aside the common people, are not sure as to whether Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, has been extended in the State of Nagaland. There is instance where a responsible government officer has commented that the Act is applicable in the State of Nagaland. There is also an instance, from which an inference may be drawn that the the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 has been extended in the State of Nagaland by implication. In this regard, we may refer to the Deed of Agreement for Changpang Petroleum Mining Lease executed between the Government of Nagaland and the Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. Part – III Clause 2(m) of the said Agreement reads as under:
“ m) Any clause of the lease, which is violative of any provision of forest law including the Forest(Conservation) Act, 1980 shall be treated as ab-initio void.”
Be that as it may, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 which has direct bearing over the ownership and transfer of land and its resources cannot be extended in the State of Nagaland, either by way of comment or by implication, unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides to adopt and extend the said Act, in the State of Nagaland.
In the backdrop of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 it will be more appropriate to analyse the provisions of Bio-diversity Act, 2002. Whereas, Section 1(2) of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 was extended in whole of India, except the State of Jammu & Kashmir, Section 1 (2) of Bio-diversity Act, 2002 extends its applicability in whole of India. As such, going by the provision of the Bio-diversity Act, 2002, the same is also extended in the State of Nagaland.
The Bio-diversity Act has been enacted to provide for conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological reasons and emphasis is given on the fact that ‘India is rich in biological diversity associated traditional and contemporary knowledge’. The Bio-diversity Act, 2002 therefore provides measures for regulating the access to Bio resource, need for approval of NBA for Intellectual Property Rights, Constitution Function & Power of National on Biodiversity Authority and its Committee. Determination of equitable benefits sharing by NBA, the State Biodiversity Board its power function etc. Therefore, the Bio-diversity Act, 2002, if extended in the State of Nagaland, shall amount to a fresh and deeper encroachment over the rights of the Nagas as protected under sub-clause 1(a) (iv) of Article 371A of the Constitution and also Section 2(d) of the Nagaland Ownership and Transfer of Land and its Resources Act, 1990 (The Nagaland Act No. 1 of 1993).
In the State level consultation on Bio-diversity Act, 2002 held in 2007, one question raised seems very important to record here `` when Nagaland does fall under the preview of Bio-diversity Act 2002 since Nagas are protected by the Article 371-A, what is the need to discuss so much about BDA 2002? Why don’t we go framing our own Act? ” Reply of the resource person was “before we review the Act we should know the status of the State Biodiversity Board.”
In India, we have many Acts which are enacted for conservation of biological diversity, such as - Indian Forest Act 1927, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Protection of Plants varies and Farmers Right Act 2001 and The Schedule Tribe and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006. But their applicability in the State of Nagaland is limited due to constitutional safeguard guaranteed under the Article 371A of the Constitution. However, the State of Nagaland, understanding the need to conserve and protect the forest and its resources, has enacted series of local Acts/Rules to conserve and protect the forest viz., The Nagaland Forest Act, 1968; the Nagaland Rules for protection of the Establishment and Control of Forest Villages 1969; the Nagaland Rules for Protection of Forest from Fire 1969; the Nagaland Village and Area Council Act, 1970; the Village Development Rules,1980; the Nagaland Jhumland Act 1970; the Nagaland(Requisition & Acquisition) Act 1966 and the Nagaland Tree Felling Regulations 2002. All these local Acts/Rules have been enacted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly keeping in mind the rights and interests of the various tribe/communities and individuals of the State.
No doubt, even the Government of India has enacted The Schedule Tribe and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act.2006 in order to protect and safeguard the rights of the tribal communities over forest resources. However, even the said Act cannot be extended in the State of Nagaland without complying with the provision of Article 371A of the Constitution. Moreover, from the provisions of The Schedule Tribe and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act.2006 what is apparently clear is that, the Act is mainly directed against those Schedule Tribe and other Forest Dwellers who are settled or under occupation of forest areas, owned by the Government and who are deprived of even the basic minimum rights and are almost refugee of the nation. However, due to the peculiar land holding system in the State of Nagaland, the land and its resources belongs to the village/community/clan and individual. The State Government does not own any land except those which has been acquired from the land owners. As the Nagas are the owner and possessor of the land and its resources, which includes the forest, the Naga people do not need the protection of The Schedule Tribe and other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act.2006.
Therefore, before extending any Act passed by the Government of India in the State of Nagaland be it the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Bio-diversity Act, 2002 etc., the same has to be tested in the touchstone of Article 371A of the Constitution of India so as to preserve the socio-economic and cultural identity of the Nagas.
Mr. Imotemsu Ao
&
Professor L.K. Jha
Department of Environmental Studies
NEHU, Shillong-(Meghalaya)

Tales of bullying buffet ‘hot-head’ camp OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Purlembo Ao at Purulia court on Friday. (Mita Roy)
Balarampur (Purulia), Dec. 3: Three short-fuse murders in two months have opened the floodgates of public complaints against a police camp here that is meant to protect civilians from Maoists.
“People in the neighbourhood avoid going anywhere near the base after sundown,” said Kashinath De, a wholesale trader, whose shop is near the India Reserve Battalion camp where a constable killed a superior and a state armed police jawan yesterday.
“So, traders who have shops on either side of NH32 near the camp have no option but to down their shutters after 7pm,” he added.
De and many others alleged that the personnel at the IRB camp in Purulia’s Balarampur were “hot-headed and trigger-happy”, and had assaulted several residents and shopkeepers in the past couple of months.
The camp houses IRB personnel from Nagaland and state armed police (SAP) jawans. Yesterday, IRB constable Purlembo Ao had gunned down a senior and an SAP jawan for protesting the bursting of firecrackers during pre-Christmas festivities at the camp.
On October 1, some IRB personnel from the camp had shot a youth dead inside his car on the suspicion that he was a Maoist.
De said it was a “huge risk” to go near the camp after sundown. “Who wants to risk his life?”
Another trader, Netai Pal, who has a shop 200 metres from the camp, said customers from the neighbourhood had stopped coming to his shop.
“They prefer to go to shops that do not require them to come anywhere near the camp. People want to avoid coming face to face with the jawans at the camp,” Pal said.
He said even his relatives and friends felt afraid to visit his home, especially at night, because they would need to pass by the camp.
The IRB jawans have been camping at the Balarampur base since September. They are part of six companies of IRB jawans from Nagaland involved in anti-Maoist operations in the state.
Several shopkeepers said the IRB jawans regularly coerced them into giving them discounts.
Bholanath Majhi, the Balarampur block president of the Trinamul Youth Congress, said that recently, some IRB jawans had demanded liquor after a meal at a dhaba, 1km from the camp. Refused, they abused the dhaba owner and left without paying for their food, Majhi alleged.
On October 1, the IRB personnel had allegedly dragged several passers-by into the camp and beaten them up, after having mistaken the sound of firecrackers in the neighbourhood as Maoist gunshots. They later fired wildly, killing a traveller from Bokaro in his car and injuring his friend.
Majhi said the IRB personnel had been brought here to fight the Maoists but were “harming the local people” instead. He demanded that the jawans be shifted so that the people in the neighbourhood could “breathe easy”.
Ao, the constable who killed his senior Kebrihom Dominique and SAP jawan Sanjay Bor yesterday, was produced in a Purulia court today and remanded in 14 days’ jail custody. He has been charged with murder and faces either a death sentence or a life term.
The bodies of Bor and Dominique are being taken to their homes in West Midnapore’s Khejuri and Nagaland, respectively. Bor was given a guard of honour at the 13th SAP battalion headquarters in Purulia’s Simulia.
In Calcutta, the additional director-general of police (law and order), Surajit Kar Purakayastha, said the firing was being probed.
“A director-general of police from Nagaland arrived in Calcutta today,” Purakayastha said. The Nagaland officer will visit Balarampur tomorrow and investigate the incident with state police officers.
Purakayastha said a “decision on the platoon in Balarampur will be taken after that”.


Frans on 12.05.10 @ 12:15 AM CST [link]


Friday, December 3rd

Tripartite talks on UNC 'alternative arrangement' held Nagaland Page



Tripartite talks on UNC 'alternative arrangement' held Nagaland Page

Senapati, December 3: The Centre Friday held tripartite talks with the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Manipur State Government in Manipur's Senapati District to break the deadlock over the prevailing situation between Manipur and Nagaland.
The talks mainly focused on the UNC's memorandum to the Prime Minister on September 14 last demanding an alternative arrangement. The talks would be carried on till Saturday.
Special Secretary from the Home Ministry UK Bansal said the discussions would be carried on until an acceptable solution is achieved.
"We have decided to carry on these discussions till the time we reach a very successive and very acceptable solution to the major problems of the people whom we represent," said Bansal.
The United Naga Council (UNC) chairman Sword Vashum, heading the 8-member team to the tripartite talks said the meeting was quite cordial in nature and various important issues regarding the Nagas were discussed in it.
"I would say detailed discussions on various issues, particularly to the issues relating to the core demand of the Nagas, that is, the alternative arrangements for the Nagas in Manipur," said Vashum.
On Thursday, Manipur chief minister Ibobi Singh had convened a high-level preparatory meeting. Beside some of the cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats, the meeting was attended by Bansal. (Agencies)

Chiang Mai brainstorming ends - Naga groups urged to respect each other & build trust OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph




(Top) Th. Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu: Missed
Kohima, Dec. 2: The Chiang Mai IX meet, which concluded in the absence of representatives of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), observed they have identified respect for each other and the voice of the people as the basic principles of trust and confidence.
A statement received here from Chiang Mai in Thailand signed by Quakers from the UK, Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Federal Government of Nagaland (Singnyu) and Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland/National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) called for sincerity, commitment, honest examination of prejudices and assumptions and greater transparency and willingness to admit mistakes.
“We see a need for us to adopt the right attitude and a spirit of oneness. This will require positive action, courageous corrective measures and a process of honest self-reconciliation, and — where necessary — the preservation of confidentiality. In practical terms, we see a need for more direct contacts among the political groups, and we have looked at a number of other specific trust-building measures,” the joint statement stated.
This was the ninth such meeting held since May 2008 as part of the Journey of Common Hope under the aegis of FNR, Quakers, American churches and several international organisations.
“We have unanimously adopted a resolution to prepare for the meeting among the political groups at the highest level, as mandated by Naga organisations, churches and civil societies. We have missed the presence of the NSCN/GPRN (Isak-Muivah), but are looking forward to the partnership with them in the preparations for the highest-level meeting,” the statement said.
The NSCN (I-M) did not attend the meeting saying it was useless to meet at the lower level.
The outfit said peace and reconciliation could progress if only top leaders of the Naga groups could meet and work out modalities.
Swu and Muivah have been insisting that S.S. Khaplang, chairman of GPRN/NSCN, should meet them. Khaplang lives in the jungles of Myanmar.
“We have reflected deeply on the serious difficulties faced by our reconciliation process now and considered what we can do to build trust among ourselves,” the Chiang Mai statement said.
The statement said all this would involve a far-reaching and fundamental change in attitude on the part of groups, starting with themselves. It said this would not be easy, but was sorely needed.
“May such a change be our staff and our guide on our continuing journey, as we seek to fulfil the pledge of reconciliation we have made before God and the Naga people,” the four organisations, in the statement, said.
Chiangmai IX: To prepare for highest level meet DIMAPUR, (NPN):
As mandated by Naga organizations, churches and civil societies, the representatives of GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN along with FNR and the Quakers met at Chiangmai, from November 25 to 30, and adopted a unanimous resolution to prepare for highest level meeting among the Naga political groups. Informing that they had missed the participation of NSCN (I-M), a joint statement released from Chiangmai by Quakers, GPRN/NSCN, NNC/FGN and FNR, however, said they were looking forward to the partnership with NSCN (I-M) in the preparations for the highest level meeting. The joint meeting also conveyed to the Naga people “sincerest good wishes for a Christmas filled with true love, joy, peace and hope”. This was the ninth such meeting held since May 2008 as part of the Journey of Common Hope. (Full text in page-4)

Hornbill Music Festival declared open Correspondent Nagaland Post

Beth Payne, US Consul General, Kolkata being felicitated by Dr Nicky Kire, MLA Advisor MTF at the launch of Hornbill Music Festival 2010. (NP)
The Hornbill Music Festival, 2010 kick-started on Wednesday with Beth A. Payne Consul General, US Consulate General Kolkata officially launching the festival at IG Stadium, Kohima.
After declaring the festival open, Beth A. Payne applauded state government’s initiative and stated Nagland was the only state to have a Music Task Force (MTF) and hinted that it would be good if her country could replicate the Music Task Force.
The Consul General also thanked the state government for inviting her as the state guest to officially launch the Hornbill Music Festival, and for according her a warm reception during her stay in Nagaland
While drawing a comparison between Naga culture and the tradition of the Native Red Indians, Payne added she would take back home the message of love and peace of Nagas
Earlier Dr. Nicky Kire, MLA and Adviser MTF welcomed Beth A Payne and her team, for sparing their busy schedule to visit Nagaland and wished her a pleasant stay in Nagaland.
Kire further hoped the state guest would visit Nagaland even in future and also wished the participants the very best. The introductory address was delivered by Gugs Sema, PD MTF.
Topeni, Nagal Idol 2009, Keneilezonuo, Brand Ambassador NSACSs Rock Reach, Neiba Bio and Sharyn Chang, both Naga Idol finalists 2010, Bikato Kiho, winner of Nagas Got Talent (NGT) 2010, Alito Wotsa finalist NGT2010, Leah Longchar, Most Promising Artist 2nd Music Video Award of Nagaland 2010, Lui Tsudir and other band including NCSA and DGP bands took to the stage.
On December 2 there will be a Hornbill Designers Contest 2010. On all the days the gates will be open by 4pm at IG stadium with free entry. The week-long contest will be part of the annual Hornbill Festival, the annual cultural extravaganza in Nagaland showcasing the rich Naga culture, organized by the state government’s Music Task Force (MTF), department of Youth Resources and Sports and the event is managed by XL.
Nagaland aiming to reach out to bigger markets through handloom sector From ANI
Dimapur The Government of Nagaland continues to host exhibitions to enable artisans and crafts persons to reach a bigger market.
Recently, a handloom expo was held in Dimapur to promote the state's rural weavers.

"We live in a village and weave clothes. But we don't have many buyers in rural areas. Such expos in the cities are very helpful as we get an opportunity to market our products and make good money," said Hotoli, a weaver.

The Development Commissioner of Handlooms, Dimapur and Union Ministry of Textiles organized the Handloom Expo jointly.

Over 40 stalls showcased different handicraft items, providing a wider platform to local talent.

Visitors thronged the expo to buy hand-made bedcovers, artificial jewellery, gift items, bamboo made items and furniture. Many of these artisans are working with NGOs' and self help groups.

"Our main objective is to promote local entrepreneurs. Since we don't have access to a bigger market, we are trying to provide a platform to small entrepreneurs through such fairs. They can develop business contacts with the buyers. The main objective of the expo is to promote local entrepreneurs, self-help groups and NGOs," said Konole Kin, one of the organizer's of the event.

The visitors appreciated the work of local artisans and said they wanted such events to be held more frequently throughout the year.

"To organize a national Expo is a good idea by the government. As it provides the right platform for local entrepreneurs, more such expos must be held in Nagaland. I believe such expos should be given greater publicity so that more buyers can come and develop contacts with the local entrepreneurs," said Khekho, a visitor at the expo.

The northeast has talented artisans who are looking for a bigger platform to reach out to more buyers, and exhibitions like this one, are of great help to them.

Green' waltz to save flying tigers Rahul Karmakar, Hindustan Times
Kisama, The endangered hornbill will finally get something out of an annual ethnic extravaganza it was named after. However, that too depends on how good the Nagas are at ballroom dancing. Nagaland's warriors are used to waltzing, often with spears and machetes, to celebrate a war victory. For a change, some of them would be waltzing to fight a different war - for the hornbill.
The 11th edition of the seven-day Hornbill Festival showcasing Naga lifestyles got under way at Kisama, 8 km south of state capital Kohima, on Wednesday.
Until this year, the organisers never really spared a thought for the bird they were cashing in on for a tourism turnaround.
Nagas agree this took a long time coming in a state, where hornbills, despite being eulogised in folklore, are killed for their feathers to make an ethnic statement.
Tribes such as the Zemes even believe the hornbill's socio-ecological value equals that of a tiger, also an awe-inspiring creature in Naga culture. The 'equality' is primarily because of a roar-like sound the hornbill makes.
The tiger is no longer found in Nagaland. Conservationists believe the hornbill is headed the same way, and no one knows how many of these birds exist in the wild.
"We have organised a ballroom dance on Friday, partly to fund an initiative to save the hornbill," tourism commissioner-secretary Himato Zhimomi said.
"You can call it the green waltz."
The ballroom dance comes for a price - Rs 5000 per head. Much of the proceeds will go to charity, but 30% is earmarked for the save-hornbill fund.
"This is part of our effort to add value to this festival and not let it be song-and-dance kind of thing," said tourism parliamentary secretary Yitachu.
Wildlife officials have welcomed the Hornbill-for-hornbill idea.
"Their number is dwindling by the day," said principal chief conservator of forest S Goel.
His department had some time ago submitted a proposal to New Delhi for declaring the Mount Kista forest in southwest Nagaland's Peren district a hornbill-specific biodiversity area.
Severing All Ties With State Govt Still Top Agenda For UNC, Stops Short Of Lim Demand No final say, but separate UT or State mooted Sangai Express
Senapati, Dec 3 : Thankfully the demand for a Nagalim, which means carving out huge chunks of territories from the neighbouring States, particularly Manipur, and bring all Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit did not surface in the first tripartite talk held today between leaders of the UNC, envoy from the Centre and representatives from the State Government at Senapati district headquarters today.

However the Lim shadow hung heavily in the demands or conditions put forward by the UNC, when it insisted on the creation of either a separate State or formation of a Union Territory for the Nagas of Manipur.

The points raised by the UNC leaders in today's talk was in line with the Declaration adopted on July 1, 2010, under the Naga People's Convention, which had clearly stated that they would cut off all ties with the Government of Manipur.

Former Lok Sabha MP from the Outer Parliamentary Constituency and Naga leader Mani Charenamei, who was among the eight-member United Naga Council (UNC) representatives at the tripartite talk at Senapati district today, said the alternative arrangements demanded by the Nagas could be formation of a separate Naga Union Territory or a State.

The demand is within the Constitution of India, Mani said while addressing a press conference at Senapati district headquarters, located about 60 kilometers from Imphal in the afternoon today.

The former MP spoke to the media about an hour after the tripartite talk.

On the other hand the representatives from the State Government made it clear that the territorial integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable, said a source.

UK Bansal, Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (Internal Security) and Chief Secretary DS Poonia led the Central and State Governments respectively, while Sword Vashum headed the UNC delegation in the talks held at the office complex of Deputy Commissioner (Senapati).

On being asked about the outcome of the talks, Charenamei said, “Today being the first day, I should say that we have been able to make some sort of a breakthrough but we have not set any deadline for the next round of talks.”

Incidentally the core issue of alternative arrangements for the Nagas was not discussed thoroughly in the talk.

On this core issue, Central team leader Bansal said “We have tried to understand each others’ point of view and what alternative arrangement connotes, because it has lots of meaning and can be interpreted in many ways. Some points have come up. We are carrying it forward in the next round of meeting.”

About the talks, Bansal said, “We hope to pursue the dialogue till it comes to a logical conclusion. They (Naga leaders) have come and sat across the table discussing issues. I’m very hopeful that continuation of the interaction will lead to positive development of the people.”

On the other hand UNC delegation leader Sword Vashum said the core issue is only alternative arrangements for the Nagas.

Elaborating, he said the Nagas in their highest decision making forum, the Naga People’s Convention ( NPC) held on July 1 this year, had already decided to sever all political ties with the Government of Manipur. A memorandum to this effect was also submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 14.

Vashum, a senior official in the Central Government, expressed serious concern over the failure of the three Cabinet Ministers of the State to turn up for the talk despite being notified earlier saying that the Chief Secretary cannot make any political decision.

Besides the core issue “we are not running away from discussing other related issues in the talks,” Vashum added. Besides Bansal, other central government representatives include Sambhu Singh, Joint Secretary ( MHA), northeast, Ashuli Challai, director Doner, Colonel Sanjeeb Narayan, Director MO 2 and Brigadier AK Narula commander 59 Mountain Brigade representing Eastern Command.


Frans on 12.03.10 @ 11:03 PM CST [link]


Wednesday, December 1st

‘Nagaland a treasure trove of culture’ Our Correspondent EMN



‘Nagaland a treasure trove of culture’ Our Correspondent EMN|

KOHIMA, DEC 1: The hills of Naga Heritage Village Kisama echoed with traditional war cries and beating of log drums as the annual National Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, the Festival of Festivals, got off to a grand colourful start today.
Governor Nikhil Kumar, as Chief Host, formally inaugurated the 11th edition of the festival, which also coincides with the 47th Statehood Day of Nagaland, in the presence of the Host Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, his cabinet ministers and dignitaries from outside the State.
Addressing the mammoth gathering of visitors, Governor Kumar said the successful celebration of the Hornbill Festival reflects the State’s sincere desire to usher in permanent peace. Reiterating that nothing is possible without peace, he hoped that the spirit of the festival would bring about lasting peace in the State to carry forward all aspects of development without any hindrance.
The Governor further stated that Nagaland may be considered as a small state but said it is second to none in terms of cultural diversity and richness. Inhabited by many tribes and communities, each with its own unique and vivid culture, Nagaland is a ‘treasure trove of culture’, he asserted.
“The Hornbill Festival is a commendable attempt to capture the cultural vibrancy and diversity and showcase it in all its splendour to the whole country,” he added. He said that the festival has acquired stature and fame and has become one of the most talked about cultural events in the country because of the enthusiastic participation of the people of Nagaland.
Kumar also maintained that the number of people visiting the State has increased over the years as Hornbill Festival has been creating awareness about Naga people and the State while lauding the government and the people for their efforts. He also voiced his expectations pf seeing more initiatives being taken to make Nagaland one of the important tourist destinations of the country. “We need better and improved connectivity, particularly road connectivity, throughout the State, developing more places for stay and recreation, and creation of the right kind of skills required for tourism and hospitality industry,” he pointed out.
The Governor also appealed to the host of media persons from the mainland to properly highlight the rich culture and tradition of the Nagas and to also give a positive response towards the initiatives by treating the people of Nagaland as brothers.
Meanwhile, conveying greetings on the occasion of Statehood Day, he thanked the founding fathers for their vision and concern for the well being of the people of the State.
The inaugural programme, chaired by the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Law and Justice, Yitachu, commenced with the Angh of Hongphoi Village under Mon district Buwang Konyak pronouncing traditional blessings upon the festival.
Plan to choke NDFB routes - Forces seek to destroy rebel sanctuary OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


File picture of NDFB cadres at a camp
Guwahati, Security forces are drawing up an elaborate plan to cut off NDFB’s escape routes to Myanmar by surrounding the militants in their bases deep inside forests on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.
A source said the NDFB had set up camps in Myanmar with help from NSCN (Khaplang) and Ulfa after the Bangladesh government began putting pressure on anti-India outfits.
NDFB rebels carried out the recent strikes by sneaking into Assam from Myanmar through Arunachal Pradesh.
“Our objective is to encircle them within our territory by choking their routes of escape in order to prevent them from crossing over to Myanmar,” he said.
“For this to happen, close co-ordination between army and police forces of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is a must. There are, however, areas of concern like non-availability of sufficient police and central forces with the state governments for deployment in the NDFB-infested areas,” the source said.
He said these issues were discussed threadbare at yesterday’s meeting of the strategy group of the Unified Command, which was chaired by Union home minister P. Chidambaram.
“The home minister has assured us that all these issues will be addressed,” he said.
The security forces are working on the plan to launch a joint offensive in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh after Chidambaram directed them to apprehend the leaders of the anti-talks faction of the NDFB, who were behind the vendetta carnage that claimed 23 lives.
He said they have specific information on leaders of the NDFB’s anti-talks faction — its self-styled commander of Boroland Army (the armed wing of NDFB) I.K. Songbijit, deputy commander B. Jwngkang, alias John and others like Sagrid, Bidai, Jwmwi and Sotbangsa — have masterminded the recent attacks in Assam.
“It has become imperative to hunt them down if we have to negate the renewed threat posed by the outfit,” he said. “According to information available with us, of late, the anti-talks faction of the NDFB has forged an alliance with the NSCN (K) and relocated its camps and cadres from Bangladesh to Myanmar,” the source said.
He said NDFB cadres have found refuge not only in Arunachal Pradesh but also in Nagaland. He said 14 NDFB cadres had been arrested from Nagaland last month.
These newly recruited cadres were arrested after they entered Nagaland through Tizit inter-state check gate and were on their way to training camps in Myanmar.
“If we have to contain NDFB in Assam, we will have to deny sanctuary to the outfit in neighbouring states like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. The security along the Bhutan border also needs to be strengthened as NDFB cadres may try to carry out strikes in lower Assam by entering the state from Bhutan,” he said.
There are several militant bases in Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Nagaland, where NDFB and Ulfa militants take shelter with Khaplang militants.
“So far we have refrained from mounting a full-scale attack on the NSCN (Khaplang) camps since the outfit is currently in a ceasefire with the government but now we will have to do something about it,” he said.
16 Point Agreement & Article 371A By Vaprumu Demo Morungexpress
(This article is a section of a larger “Preliminary Survey cum Report on ONGC/Border Issue”, originally submitted to the NSF by a Documentation Team during the year 1992-’93. With the permission of the NSF the author of this sectional report has published it for public awareness, keeping in mind the ongoing debate on the issue. Wherever necessary the author has updated few part of the report befitting the present situation.)

The Team has reason to stand by the findings (drawn from different sources) that the dispute, which has surfaced over the legal status of the historic agreement and special provision under Article 371A of the Constitution, is actually the inevitable handiwork of the unimaginative and uncritical outlook of the state leaders on the one hand and the arm twisting policy of the Center on the other hand. The present objective is, not to recount the political development but to pin down the lacunas and contradictions between the stated assurance and commitment made in the documents and the naked violation of these provisions both by the Center and the State- past and present. Since the State appears to have reached the road end pertaining to interpreting and safe guarding the guaranteed constitutional rights of the people, this report is prepared and submitted for public debate.
Legal interpretations of 16 Point Agreement and Article 371A of the Constitution
16 Point Agreement: It is an admitted fact that this agreement was signed at a crucial period of our history, by the Naga leaders with the Government of India (GOI), but apparently without visualizing the sensitivity and possibility of misinterpretation or distortion in future, as is evidenced today. Incidentally, point 2 of the Agreement (status under the External Affairs Ministry) was kept outside the purview of the Constitution, so it’s unilateral removal (after 12 years of maintaining the status) by Parliament in 1972, did not tantamount to violation of the constitutional provision, but it grossly violated the Agreement. (Nehru stated in the Parliament that this status would be removed only through another agreement, but our leaders never insisted on it.) Point 7 (Acts of Parliament) was readily adopted into the Constitution as Article 371A (1) (a), which makes Nagaland ‘Special’, above other states. Whereas point 2 is unceremoniously removed, point 12 (consolidation of forest areas) and point 13 (consolidation of contiguous Naga areas) are kept outside the Constitution, but “on reaching political settlement …the GOI will prepare a Bill for such amendment of the Constitution, as may be necessary, in order to implement the decision”, (point 15 of the agreement)

Article 371A of the Constitution: We do not find any provision, laid down under Article 371A that merit debate or challenge. This provision is not a free gift given to the Naga people, but it is on the basis of the historical and political reality that an unprecedented agreement was reached between the Naga leaders and the GOI, whereby this special provision is mutually accorded to the State. Therefore, the seemingly dispute over this provision is either an intention to undermine the special status of the State or an ignorance of our guaranteed constitutional right.

Terminological clarification: For the sake of clarity, the Team has attempted to give its best possible interpretations to the laid down terms and provisions of the Constitution.

1. Agreement: Agreement, whether in Naga term or in others term is generally understood as “an arrangement or promise of action, as made between two or more people”. Agreement is made on equal strength between two or more independent parties, where the terms and conditions of the agreement are acceptable and willing to the signatories. Complete fulfillment of the agreement may terminate it; but as long as it or any part if it remains unfulfilled, the validity of the agreement cannot be challenged nor any part of it unilaterally abrogated, unless otherwise unanimously decided. Hence, the 16 Point Agreement has to be read and defended in this manner only.

2. Special provision under Article 371A (1) (a): Eminent constitutional and legal experts have expressed in a very unambiguous manner that there are no flaws and incoherence as far as the special provision under Article 371A (1) (a) is concerned. (Refer Legal opinion and interpretation of Article 371A (1) (a) of the Constitution of India and related Documents, published by Department of Justice & Law, Government of Nagaland).
The word “Special” is ordinarily understood to describe something that is not of the regular or usual; rather something particularly great or fine or exceptional. According to Colling Cobuild Dictionary, the word “Special” is defined to describe something that belongs to only one particular person or group of people, place etc. Nagaland is not created out of historical mistake and no person or authority on its own can disclaim or denounce the wisdom and deed of the framers of Article 371A of the Constitution. We are apt to conclude with the comment of an eminent legal expert in the person of Mr. R.C. Sarkar, “that though Nagaland is a state within India, it has been given a special status, which distinguishes it from other states”. To reject this provision is simply to reject the Constitution itself.

3. Notwithstanding: Article 371A begins with “Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, (a) no act of Parliament in respect of…” Dictionary has defined ‘Notwithstanding’ as “that the particular thing mentioned (the Constitution) has no effect on the situation that you are describing (Article 371A) although people might expect it to”. Hence the so called consultative meeting organized by the State Government is not a necessity or else plainly a face-saving device to escape from some hidden agenda. No better words can be used than the one given by Justice Hidayatulla: “That the article begins with the opening words ‘Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution’ and these words give an overriding validity to the provision of Article 371 (A) over the entire remaining constitution”. That is, Article 371A is a definite restrain and check to the supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution including the Seventh Schedule over the special provision granted to the State.

4. Land: Land is not clearly defined in the Constitution and it does not include those aspects which are traditionally associated with it. Under Item No.18 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, ‘Land’ is defined separately without natural resources, which is rather absurd. Thus the term ‘land’ is referred to “right over land, land tenures including the relation of land-lord and tenant and the collection of rents, transfer and alienation of agricultural land, land improvement and agricultural loans, colonization”. These terms are mostly alien to the Naga custom.
India is predominantly a caste based society, so imposing any caste oriented laws on land, or anything related to land (including natural resources below, on and above the ground) will tantamount to discriminatory act against the Naga tribal custom and tradition. India is also a land of diversity and the unique socio-economic diversity of the tribal society cannot be overlooked. Hence, the exclusion of other things like mineral and mines from ‘land and natural resources’ is a negation of the special provision enshrined in Article 371A. Penguin Dictionary of Economics has defined that in economics ‘land’ is taken to include all natural resources, including the sea and outer space. Similarly, in the Naga custom, by ‘land’ we mean the land with every natural resource below, on and above the ground.

5. Natural resources: Penguin Dictionary has defined “Natural resources as those commodities or assets with some economic value which do not exist as a result of any effort of mankind. The value they have is usually only realized however, when they are exploited by man’s labor, that is dug out of the ground, processed or refined”. Using national riches and natural resources synonymously a Dictionary of Political Economy has defined: “The sum total of natural material wealth which is the necessary natural condition for the existence of human society”. It includes solar energy, energy of tides, ebbs and rivers, intra terrestrial heat, water, land, the vegetative and mineral resources (including mineral fuel). Natural resources can be of three types: non-renewable resources like oil and coal, stocks of which will be eventually run out; renewable like water and fish, which are reproducible, and; non-expendable like the landscape which yield utility (tourist attraction).
Considering all these views natural resources include mines and minerals. And as long as the Naga people are owners over their lands, which no government or person can disclaim, the natural resources naturally belong to them. As Mr. H.M. Seevai has rightly pointed out: “If the Central Government took over the mines and minerals they become owner of mines and minerals and any law acquiring land with mines and minerals or any law conferring power to grant leases to work mines and minerals would be in respect of the transfer of land for a limited period to the leases and such a law would require the concurrence of the Legislature of Nagaland”. Therefore, the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 Item No.53 and 54 of the Union List and Item No.23 and 50 of the State List of the Seventh Schedule pertaining to the regulation of mines and minerals are a direct contravention to Article 371A, which says; “Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution…” We strongly hold the view that to entertain or accommodate any deliberation, even for the sake of it on matters such as land resources under Article 371A tantamount to an act of self defeat and suicide. If the legislative power of the Parliament is not reasonably checked it is land and natural resources today but it may spiral even to other areas like Naga customary laws, religion, tradition, social practices so on and so forth tomorrow. It is wiser for us to learn from our past mistake because history never forgives. History will be harsher if we cannot even fight for our guaranteed constitutional rights.

6. Ownership and Transfer: To say that one’s household property does not include the furniture or dishes or some basic assets is unacceptable. While the Center or the State has not, and it cannot disclaim the rightful ownership of the Naga people over their lands, they (governments) are trying to nationalized mines and minerals in the Naga tribal lands. The instruments they are using in these regards are Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 Item No. 53 and 54 of the Union List and Item No. 23 and 50 of the State List of the Seventh Schedule. From the apparent desperation of the State Government we apprehend a possible attempt to pass a bill in the Assembly in compliance with the terms and conditions dictated by the Centre in suppression of the earlier bill- Nagaland (Ownership and Transfer of Land and its Resources) Bill 1990. (This bill was rejected by Parliament on the ground that the State of Nagaland is not empowered to pass such bill).
‘Ownership’ and ‘Transfer’ are parts of the same and it is illogical to talk of one without the other. That is unless the Center, in total disregard of the special provision guaranteed under Article 371A has arbitrarily decided to seize all or part of the Naga tribal lands (which then will lead to the horrifying communism in property) it has no constitutional back up to transfer any land and/or any natural resource (be it below, on or above the ground) without the voluntary consent of the Naga people.

Remarks: From the observations mentioned above the following remarks are placed before the NSF, Tribal Hohos, Naga leaders and the concerned Naga citizens for serious deliberations.

1. That the 16 Point Agreement is a contract made between two identities on the basis of equal status with certain assurance and promise of action.
2. That the non-fulfillment or partial fulfillment of the agreement does not, in any manner implies that the agreement is expired or terminated (i.e. till such time another agreement is made).
3. That Article 371A is a definite curtailment to the supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution including the Seventh Schedule. Hence, any act not in compliance with the Article 371A is unconstitutional and an abuse of the 16 Point Agreement.
4. That there cannot be legal interpretation without historical interpretation of Article 371A of the Constitution. (Without historical interpretation Article 371A is meaningless.)
5. That the State Government need not initiate or pass any bill similar or dissimilar to the Nagaland (Ownership and Transfer of Land and its Resources) Bill 1990 in view of the fact that what is rightfully ours (land and resources) is constitutionally guaranteed by Article 371A.
6. That the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution (where mines and minerals are mentioned) and the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 were passed before the formation of the State of Nagaland, and yet nothing is mentioned in Article 371A that mines and minerals would lie outside the purview of the State Legislature. Hence, the Seventh Schedule and the 1957 Act do not prevail over the special provision under Article 371A.
7. That the Parliament can legislates law on those items laid down in Article 371A only after getting the sanction of the Nagaland Legislature. Any act outside this provision is ultra-vire.
8. That the Nagaland Legislative Assembly should not henceforth, pass any bill/act or approve/consent any bill/act of the Parliament which contradicts any provision enshrined in Article 371A unless the consensus of the general Naga public is sought through ‘Referendum’.
9. `That should the Parliament arbitrarily infringed upon the guaranteed constitutional rights conferred upon the State; the citizens should reassert their political rights, and certainly not for a guaranteed but disregarded constitutional right.

* (The legal interpretation of the agreement and constitutional provisions under Article 371A is not claimed to be conclusive or exhaustive in scope. However, this is a sincere attempt made to provoke the minds of every sensible Naga and especially those who are in authority, for assertion of their guaranteed constitutional right. The endeavor of this nature, undertaken by a students’ community might be the first of its kind but it has strongly projected the worldview of the young on pertinent issue which, if not vigilantly guarded by a critical citizen, would definitely entail irretrievable damage to the future of the present and the coming generation.)

China has a lot to learn from India in 'IMAGE BUILDING' by email

China may have higher achievements than India, but when it comes to building image in the international forum, the Chinese govt have a lot to learn from India.

1. India attacked East Pakistan and helped the East Pakistanis (Bangladeshis) form a separate country Bangladesh in 1971. It did not draw any world criticism because of proper media management. Can Pakistan dare to do this in Kashmir? Never.

2. India shelters Dalai Lama. Can China even think of providing shelter to Geelani or Asiya Andrabi? Never.

3. India is the only country in the world which has successfully brought down all secessionist movements, starting from Tamil Elam, Manipur, Khalistan in Punjab, Kashmir, Nagaland, Assam etc. No other country has used such millions of military men to thrash armed revolutions so ruthlessly. Yet it can dictat the U.S. to go ahead for
a seat in the United Nationa Security Council.

4. Many western capitalist economies and allies like India has succeeded in causing damage to the image of China when it comes to human rights violations in Tibet. But no one questions India regarding gross human rights violation in Kashmir, the scale of which is much higher than in Tibet.

5. India uses the Mahatma Gandhi as a brand. Will the world leaders ever talk about modern day Indian Gandhis like Irom Sharmila, Medha Patkar, etc. who echo the problems of today’s grassroots in India? Gandhi succeeded because the British were a civilized group of people. If he was alive today, he would have faced the same fate as Irom Sharmila of Manipur.

6. Some organizations accuse China of imposing Mandarin on Tibetan people. But no one has pointed out to the steady destruction of the tribal languages in Arunachal Pradesh since 1971. In the last 30 years, the destruction of the language Nefamese (a variant of
Assamese) and the imposition of Hindi is one of the remarkable achievements of the Indian central government. What more, the gullible masses of Arunachal Pradesh don’t even realize this reality!

China is a baby when it comes to media management and in strategies related to image building. The mainland Indian government and the national media is way ahead and far cunning than their Chinese counterparts. They can make common public believe what they want them to believe. They can give an eye-wash to the entire world. The Chinese
need to take special classes from Indian central govt, Indian army and Indian media.

VOX POPULI

Northeast rebels ‘spy’ for China NISHIT DHOLABHAI
New Delhi, Beijing is using the Northeast militant groups to gain information about Indian Army deployment in Arunachal Pradesh, a National Investigation Agency probe has claimed.
Sources said National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) leader Anthony Shing, picked up from Nepal and arrested in Bihar earlier this month, had told investigators he had provided information to China on the deployment of the Agni missile in Arunachal.
The Agni-II long-range missile is said to have been deployed somewhere in the Northeast. “Shing visited China six times in the past year,” an official said.
Following Shing’s arrest, another “contact” who lives near the China-India border has been “activated” by Chinese authorities, the sources said. The “contact”, who belongs to a powerful Naga tribe, apparently has ties with the NSCN-IM and is married to a Chinese woman.
Shing was the NSCN-IM’s China point man and a major weapons procurer from Thailand and China for the Naga outfit and other Northeast rebel groups.
The NSCN-IM has been in touch with Beijing’s ruling communists since the 1960s when its general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, trekked to China at least three times via Myanmar’s jungles with his associates.
It’s unclear whether the secrets, if any, have been leaked to China with the approval of Muivah at a time he is engaged in peace talks with Delhi. The Naga outfit, though, is believed to be keeping its options open in case the talks with the Centre fail and its cadres have to return to the jungles.
Doubts, however, persist regarding Shing’s claim. A senior government official said that even if some information was passed on, it was probably of a trivial nature.
Chinese intelligence agencies are known to be cultivating contacts like Shing and using them to get information on the Indian armed forces deployed in the Northeast.
The NSCN-IM’s rival Naga group, the NSCN (Khaplang), too procures arms and ammunition from China. So does Assam’s Ulfa whose chief, Paresh Barua, is believed to be shuttling between Yunan in China and locations in northwestern Myanmar.
Shing was deported to Nepal from Thailand on September 29 and later arrested by the National Investigation Agency. Sources said he probably had bank accounts in Bangladesh and Thailand, and was carrying a Bangladeshi passport.
Immediately after his arrest, the NSCN-IM’s special envoy, V.S. Atem, had written an angry protest letter to the Centre. But sources said the outfit soon realised the harm done to the talks and its chairman Isak Chishi Swu wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — and Muivah to the home ministry — explicitly “withdrawing” that letter.
Youths from Naga NGOs demonstrated in Delhi yesterday alleging the government was not taking the peace talks seriously.
China threat makes India focus on Myanmar border Tribune India News
New Delhi, China’s growing presence in Myanmar and its long-term impact on the north-eastern states has made Delhi decide that it will have a permanent and dedicated border guarding force all along the 1643-km Indo-Myanmar border.
The BSF that guards the sensitive Indo-Pak and the Indo-Bangladesh border may be asked to do the job. The Cabinet Committee on Security will take a final call on the matter which is aimed at curbing cross-border movement of drugs, arms and militants.
The DG BSF Raman Srivastava today said “We are ready and have even submitted a detailed plan to the Home Ministry”. Source in the home ministry said “… We would prefer the BSF as the Assam Rifles was anyway not deployed at border outposts.”
The Assam Rifles is in charge of the Indo-Myanmar frontier since 2002, but its troops are not deployed on the border. Its bases are about 25-km inside the Indian territory with only a handful of security posts being at the zero line - dividing the two countries. In the recent past its bases were 40-km inside and the force was asked by the Ministry of Home Affairs to move closer to the border.
The recent move of the Myanmar regime allowing a six-lane road cutting across their country to connect Kunming in South Eastern China and Chittagong in Bangladesh has raised concerns in India. The road will pass less than 20 km from Mizoram.
As a stop-gap measure, the Assam Rifles was asked to move in closer to the border but not on a permanent basis, said sources. Many North-east insurgent groups still maintain their camps and training centres across the border.

Frans on 12.01.10 @ 11:06 PM CST [link]




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