Modi govt signs historic peace accord with Nagaland's NSCN(I-M)

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/centre-holds-talks-with-manipur-militant-groups_1942307.html

Last Updated: Friday, October 21, 2016 - 23:41

New Delhi: The government has held talks with Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People`s Front (UPF) of Manipur to find an amicable solution to their long standing demands.

Second round of talks was held on October 19, in New Delhi. KNO and UPF indicated their demands in the presence of senior representative of the Manipur government, an official statement issued here said.

Talks were held in a cordial atmosphere. Next round of talks will be held in consultation with the Manipur government, and KNO and UPF, it added.

The decision to hold talks with the government of Manipur, and KNO and UPF militant groups of the state was taken earlier this year to find a permanent solution to their demand for homeland.

IANS

First Published: Friday, October 21, 2016 - 23:41

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...talks-fail-to-make-headway/article9354000.ece
Updated: November 16, 2016 20:46 IST
Naga blockade continues as talks fail to make headway

All essential commodities vanish from market
As the talks between the Home Ministry officials and the representatives of the United Naga Council (UNC) failed to make headway on Tuesday, the indefinite economic blockade against Manipur continues.

Though it was planned as tripartite talks, the Manipur government representatives did not participate. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told The Hindu that the UNC did not respond to the government invitations and it appears it did not want “our participation.”

Meanwhile, a number of non-tribal and Kuki tribal organisations during a meeting on Tuesday urged Mr. Ibobi Singh to declare two new districts: Jiribam and Sadar Hills. They warned of agitations unless the UNC economic blockade imposed from November 1 was lifted. There are already counter blockades at various places and consumer items were not allowed to be taken to Naga-dominated areas.

All essential commodities have vanished from the market and petrol was available only in the black market at Rs. 300 or more a litre.

Paramilitary personnel on Monday escorted 299 trucks and oil tankers to Assam for lifting badly needed fuel and consumer items.

“Nearly 1,000 trucks and oil tankers stranded at various places in Assam, Nagaland and the border of Manipur shall be escorted to Imphal in a day or two,” the Chief Minister said.

Jiribam and Sadar Hills, sub-divisions of the Imphal east and Senapati districts have all the infrastructures of a district. “It is a matter of timing to make the official announcement,” he said .

But the UNC said that Sadar Hills could not be elevated to a full-fledged district. The Naga villages in the sub-division could not be included in the proposed district. It was an impossible demand since the Naga and the Kuki villages were located side by side in all the four hill districts of Manipur and a district could not be created in exclusion of the adjacent villages.

 

[Hindustani78]

R.N. Ravi says framework pact only mentions broad parameters of a final settlement
R.N. Ravi, who was the interlocutor in the Naga peace talks, said here on Thursday that the peace agreement was yet to be finalised and it would not compromise the territorial integrity of any State.

On August 3, 2015, at a much-publicised ceremony at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, Mr. Ravi signed a “peace accord” with T. Muivah, general secretary the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), to find a lasting solution to the Naga issue. However, following the signing of the agreement, the then Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, which have a sizeable Naga population, said they had not been consulted by the Centre. The government is yet to release the terms of the framework agreement.

Manipur situation
Manipur, which goes to the polls on March 4 and 8, has been under an economic blockade for more than four months following a strike called by the United Naga Council (UNC), a conglomerate of Naga bodies, against the Manipur government’s decision to carve out seven new districts.

The council operates under the patronage of the NSCN (I-M).

Mr. Ravi told a news agency on Thursday: “The framework agreement is less-than-one-page document; it tells about broad parameters within which the final settlement will be worked out. So it’s the principles within which we will work out the settlement. It does not mention anything about Manipur or any State, it does not compromise the territorial integrity of Manipur.”

“A framework agreement is not the final agreement and you do not serve half-cooked meal. We believe it is not in the larger interest to release the details now. But I have explained it to all the stakeholders by and large by going and meeting with them on what it contains. An incomplete agreement can create issues,” he said


Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that without consulting all stakeholders, a final decision would not be taken. The Minister said: “I will expose the evil design of Congress, which will bust their strength. I will change the wrong perception by exposing the truth.”

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...y-in-finalising-naga-deal/article18191929.ece

BJP using framework agreement as election tool
The Congress has accused the BJP of using the framework agreement between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) merely as an election tool with party MLA and spokesperson K. Joykishan saying, “The BJP is in no hurry to ink the final agreement since many elections are in the pipeline.”

He said, “The framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015 and till date the final agreement is kept pending and it is fraught with many question marks.”

Speaking to the The Hindu on Saturday, Mr. Joykishan said initially the Nagaland Chief Minister and the leaders of the NSCN(IM) welcomed it.

“However, some NSCN(IM) leaders have threatened to go to China and the Nagaland Chief Minister has backed out. This is indicative of the fact that they seem to have realised the gameplan of the BJP.”

“Nagaland and Manipur support it If the BJP leaders say that I am wrong, they should come out with a time table,” Mr. Joykishan said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...es-for-shared-sovereignty/article18493154.ece


In the right direction, says official

In the two years that the Centre signed a framework agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) to find a solution to the decades-old Naga sovereignty issue, the outfit has recruited around 5,000 new cadres, a senior government official said.

He said NSCN-IM, one of the largest groups representing Nagas, has been recruiting locals on the ground that they would be recruited in the central armed police forces, once the final agreement was signed. The details of the framework agreement are yet to be made public.

On May 9, NSCN-IM issued a statement saying as of now the Nagas have agreed to co-exist with India under “shared sovereignty.”

Asked about the statement, a top government official involved in talks with the NSCN-IM told The Hindu that it is “not necessary to react to every statement they make. We are in the right direction.”

The concerns around NSCN-IM recruiting fresh cadres was shared by officials with home minister Rajnath Singh at a high-level meet on Monday to discuss various issues pertaining to the North East.

“In 2015, when NSCN-IM signed an agreement, it had 2,000 cadres in its fold, after that they recruited 5,000 more. The current strength is 5,000 as 2,000 deserted the ranks. It’s a worrying trend, as they are promising them jobs in central forces,” said the official.

Security forces have also been raising the issue of extortion by the NSCN-IM in different parts of Nagaland and Manipur and asked it to stop such activity.

On August 3, 2015, the government had signed the 'framework agreement' with the NSCN-IM for finding a final solution to the vexed Naga issue. The agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the outfit's leader T Muivah at the prime minister's residence

“The framework agreement contained various demands of NSCN-IM and a separate passport and flag was also demanded by them then. The government of India’s reply was very clear on this that we don’t agree to this,” said another government official. The NSCN-IM has been in talks with the Centre's representative for last 17 years, even since it had entered into a ceasefire agreement in 1997.

The talks seem to have lost steam after the death of Isak Chisi Swu (86) last year. Naga outfits envisage a “Greater Nagalim” comprising the contiguous Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur with Nagaland and also a large tract of Myanmar.

• In 1997, NSCN (Isak-Muivah) signed a ceasefire agreement for an indefinite period with the Centre.
• On August 3, 2015, the government had signed the 'framework agreement' with the NSCN-IM for finding a final solution to the vexed Naga issue.
• Last year, while extending Armed Forces Special Powers Act in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Centre in a notification cited “extortion and intimidation” by the cadres of NSCN-IM as one of the reasons for doing so.
• The notification said that “Naga underground factions including NSCN-IM and NSCN-K continue to indulge in extortion, area domination, recruitment of locals and inter-factional rivalry.”

 

[Hindustani78]

The Nagaland Tribes Council delegation calls on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on May 19, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

GUWAHATI: Militant outfit, NSCN-K officially declared Khango Konyak as its chairman. Khango declared he will defend and uphold the sovereign rights, identity and dignity of the Nagas.

Recently the octogenarian chairman of the outfit, S.S Khaplang passed away in Myanmar.

Konyak was unanimously elected as chairman/president of Khaplang faction of NSCN. In a statement the outfit stated, “Born on July 17, 1943 at Yangkhao village and christened Bechung Khango,he joined the Naga national service in 1963 at the age of 20 and after completing basic military training, was inducted into the Naga Army.”

The outfit added, “ While in his teens, Khango got inspired by heroic exploits of Naga Army fighting foes. In 1966 Khango went to erstwhile East Pakistan on Alee (Foreign) Command and in 1976. He was promoted as ‘2nd Lt’ and commanded 50 cadres who went to China under Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah which they reached in 1977. The journey on foot was arduous and they had to go without food and water for weeks and took several months to reach China after trekking through mountains, hills,crossing deep and dangerous rivers and also evading enemy forces.”

Khango held many prestigious positions both “at home and abroad” such as commander of units, battalions, brigades.

Khango served as chairman Konyak region in 1989 and on April 30, 2011 appointed as kilo (home) kilonser (minister) and then elevated to vice chairman/vice president NSCN-K on May 25, 2011.

After assuming the charge as chairman Khango recalled his services that spanned 54 years under various capacities till his appointment as chairman.

The newly elected NSCN-K chairman lamented on how many educated Naga leaders led Nagas astray and had caused divisions and factions within for selfish and vested interests. However, regardless of all these Khango said he remained firm to serve NSCN and pledged to carry on the unfulfilled task of late S.S. Khaplang.


The statement further said that despite internal crisis in 1988, 2011 and 2015 Khango refrained from involving in them.

Khango assured that he would serve as chairman solely in the interest of the Naga people to defend and uphold the sovereign rights, identity and dignity of the Nagas.

He also reiterated that the sacrifices of thousands of Nagas for many decades would not go in vain but that he would steadfastly pursue the just cause and aspiration of Naga still his last breath under NSCN with the pledge “Nagaland for Christ.”

 

[Super Falcon]

Modi aur India next ghotna Tak Diya

 

[Hindustani78]

Members of Karbi tribe in traditional attire perform a warrior dance as they take part in a religious procession during the traditional festival "Gohain Uliuwa mela" in Mayong village on April 17. (AP File Photo)

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...emist-group/story-u8ylYMVwanFO1W24nMwdcI.html

A new tribe-specific extremist group in Assam has waged a war against what is believed to be an ethnic form of love jihad, prescribing a hefty fine and ‘physical punishment’ for men and women who marry outside the community.

The People’s Democratic Council of Karbi-Longri (PDCK), which claims to fight for the rights of Karbi tribal people in central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district and beyond, on Saturday “banned” intermarriage.

It has warned young members of the tribe against courting or marrying those from other tribal and non-tribal communities. The outcome of defying the diktat: A fine of Rs 500,000 in cash and severe physical punishment.

“In olden times, the Karbis never mixed with people of alien culture talking to and sharing food with others used to be seen as an offence. If the Karbi do not follow the path of our forefathers, a day will come when our rich culture and tradition is distorted,” a statement for PDCK’s military chief David Mukrong said.

He insisted intermarriage would bring in evil practices such as dowry system, rape, molestation and murder from other cultures.

The PDCK also prescribed death sentence for rapists and molesters, and promised ‘dire consequences’ for those who sell alcohol, tobacco products, pornographic content and other forms of intoxicants near educational institutions, clubs and churches.

The upper limit of fine for offenders of this diktat is Rs 1,00,000.

“It has been a trend for new outfits in the Northeast to garner support by taking up social causes with a violent twist. But PDCK probably got the idea of anti-love jihad activism elsewhere in India to issue the diktat against intermarriage,” a senior Assam police officer said.

The hostile-again National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang and the Paresh Baruah-led United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent had helped Karbi tribal militants to form PDCK in Myanmar in October 2016.

PDCK is headed by Ingti Kathar Songbijit, the former head of the anti-talks faction of National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). This faction had under Songbijit earned notoriety for massacring more than 80 Adivasis in Assam in 2014.

Songbijit quit the NDFB more than a year ago to fight for his own community, the Karbis, instead of the Boros.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
03-August, 2017 17:56 IST
Delegation of Nagaland GB Federation calls on PM


A 15-member delegation from the Nagaland GB (Gaon Burahs) Federation called on Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today. The Nagaland GB Federation is a body of Gaon Burahs (village chieftains) of all the Naga villages.

The delegation members said they were happy at meeting the Prime Minister, and expressed their wholehearted support to the Prime Minister for the Naga peace process. They also expressed the hope that Prime Minister Modi would take this process to its logical conclusion, and said that all civil society organisations and tribes have stated their desire for peace.

The Prime Minister said he is happy to receive the delegation, and also happy to note that they come with a message of peace. The Prime Minister thanked them for their words of appreciation and support.


****

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
03-August, 2017 17:56 IST
Delegation of Nagaland GB Federation calls on PM


A 15-member delegation from the Nagaland GB (Gaon Burahs) Federation called on Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today. The Nagaland GB Federation is a body of Gaon Burahs (village chieftains) of all the Naga villages.

The delegation members said they were happy at meeting the Prime Minister, and expressed their wholehearted support to the Prime Minister for the Naga peace process. They also expressed the hope that Prime Minister Modi would take this process to its logical conclusion, and said that all civil society organisations and tribes have stated their desire for peace.

The Prime Minister said he is happy to receive the delegation, and also happy to note that they come with a message of peace. The Prime Minister thanked them for their words of appreciation and support.

A 15 member delegation from Nagaland GB Federation - a body of Gaon Burahs (village chieftains) of all the Naga villages, calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on August 03, 2017.

A 15 member delegation from Nagaland GB Federation - a body of Gaon Burahs (village chieftains) of all the Naga villages, calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on August 03, 2017.

A 15 member delegation from Nagaland GB Federation - a body of Gaon Burahs (village chieftains) of all the Naga villages, calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on August 03, 2017.

 

[RISING SUN]

Nagaland: NSCN (IM) to have two flags after signing final accord with Government of India
KOHIMA: Last year the Union government denied having agreed to a proposal of Naga insurgent outfit NSCN-IM of granting separate passport and flag for Nagas saying peace talks with the group was still continuing.

Rijiju’s comments came in the wake of reports which suggested that the government has agreed to NSCN-IMs proposal for separate passport and flag for Nagas.

In a news report by the Nagaland Page, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) would have a dual flag after it strikes a final accord with the Government of India.

According to an NSCN (IM) source said Nagalim (Nagaland) would have two flags in recognition of two entities. Nagaland already has Mithun as its state emblem. The shared sovereignty or federal relationship solution will have two flags, one Nagalim and another Indian flag. “We will have two flags,” said NSCN (IM) insider.

This is not the first time Nagaland will have two flags, like Kurdish autonomous region in Iraq, Hongkong, Macau, among others have two flags–one regional and another national.

“Without having our own flag there will be no official recognition of two entities,” a senior NSCN (IM) functionary said.

He said after losing thousands of lives and struggling for several decades Naga people cannot resolve the conflict without having a separate flag. “We cannot compromise with our Naga flag,” he added.

Apart from Naga flag, the Centre and the NSCN (IM) have reportedly agreed for a political and cultural integration. The Pan-Naga body would look after the affairs of political and cultural integration, which would cover Naga inhabited areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Sources said another round of talks would be held soon between the representatives of NSCN (IM) and the Government of India.

“We are trying to sign a final accord latest by September,” the NSCN (IM) leader said.

Both the parties are in hurry to strike a deal not only before the next state election slated for early 2018, but when there is a BJP Government in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Previous Congress governments in these states have strongly opposed to any solution, which would affect their states, particularly Manipur.

The NSCN (IM) has appreciated the BJP led NDA government for going an extra mile to resolve Naga issue.
https://thenortheasttoday.com/nagal...igning-final-accord-with-government-of-india/

 

[Hindustani78]

New Delhi, October 05, 2017 22:23 IST
Updated: October 05, 2017 22:23 IST

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...nagas-today/article19803309.ece?homepage=true

The decision to create seven new districts in Manipur, which led to massive protests and blockade of national highways linking the State, will be reviewed at a tripartite meeting called by the Union Home Ministry for Friday in Senapati district, an official said.

The representatives of the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Central and State governments will attend the meeting.

The UNC, the apex political body of the Nagas residing in the hill districts of Manipur, staged protests after the districts were created, alleging that the measure would bifurcate the ancestral land of the Nagas. It demanded that the meeting be held in Senapati, its headquarters, and not in Imphal. It also demanded that the Centre send its representative to the meeting.

In 2016, the organisation imposed an economic blockade for 139 days on National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam), the lifelines of the landlocked Manipur. The blockade was withdrawn in March after the BJP came to power in the State and assured the UNC that its demands would be considered, the official said.

 

[Hindustani78]

By: PTI | New Delhi | Published:October 25, 2017 9:22 pm

One of the key demands of the NSCN-IM is integration of Naga-inhabited areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur.

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...th-singh-tells-cm-sarbananda-sonowal-4906379/

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday assured Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal that the territorial integrity of the state would not be compromised with, amid reports of a possible peace settlement with Naga rebel group NSCN-IM.

This was conveyed when Sonowal called on Singh here, an Assam government statement said. “The issue of ‘Nagalim’ (Greater Nagaland) also came up for discussion in the meeting and the Union home minister assured the chief minister that territorial integrity of Assam would not be compromised at any cost and the central government is committed to maintain peace and harmony in the Northeast region,” the statement said.

The NSCN-IM is on a peace negotiation with the central government and there have been reports that a settlement with the insurgent group is possible in near future. One of the key demands of the NSCN-IM is integration of Naga-inhabited areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur.

In his meeting with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Sonowal urged him to announce a new industrial policy for Assam and other northeastern states. Sonowal sought Jaitley’s intervention in announcing the new industrial policy for the northeastern region before the proposed the Global Investors’ Summit to be held in Guwahati on February 3 and 4, 2018.

The chief minister impressed upon the finance minister about the need for an industrial policy, exclusively for Assam and Northeast, to incentivise investments in Assam as it would augur well to create an investor friendly climate in the region before the investors’ summit, the statement said.

Sonowal also sought Jaitley’s help in expeditiously releasing Rs 1,138 crore due for the flood management programmes. He said the release of the funds would help in early implementation of 141 ongoing and proposed flood and erosion management projects in the state.

In his meeting with Union Transport and Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari, Sonowal was informed that the central government has accorded investment clearance against implementation of five flood and erosion management projects in Assam with an expenditure of Rs 256.55 crore. He urged the union minister to ensure early release of funds for the ongoing flood management programmes.

 

[Hindustani78]

Written by Samudra Gupta Kashyap | Guwahati | Updated: November 13, 2017 9:53 pm

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...-compromise-on-territorial-integrity-4936027/

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the latter’s office in New Delhi and told him that Assam’s territorial integrity would not be compromised in view of any upcoming solution to the Naga problem based on the Framework Agreement the Centre and the NSCN(IM) had signed in August 2015.

“The chief minister said that territorial integrity of Assam would not be compromised in view of Naga Framework at any cost and the central government is committed to maintaining peace and harmony in the Northeast region. Assam’s map would not be tampered and dignity of the people of the state would be upheld,” a press release issued by the CM’s office here said.

It also said that Sonowal apprised the Union home minister on the progress of compiling the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and said that genuine Indian citizens had no reason to worry about being excluded from the document. “The state government is committed to preparing a flawless NRC which will not contain names of any illegal migrant,” Sonowal said.

Opposition parties as well as the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an ally of the ruling BJP in the state have been expressing apprehensions that large tracts of land belonging to Assam would be included in the ‘Greater Nagalim’ demanded by NSCN(IM) as part of the proposed agreement that the Centre was likely to sign with the rebel group soon.

The Congress has accused the BJP and more particularly chief minister Sonowal of remaining mum on the issue of Assam’s territory getting included in ‘Greater Nagalim’ as demanded by the NSCN(IM). The BJP, however, has accused the Congress of letting Nagaland encroach upon hundreds of acres of Assam’s territory during several decades of its rule in the state.