Tingplik Express

Press Release
Naga International Support Center
Amsterdam, August 10 2008

Those in Nagaland responsible for committing these Crimes against Humanity must be apprehended; those responsible for harboring the culprits must be held accountable

In sharp contrast to Peoples themselves the Government of India is convinced that the Nagas of the states of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur are part and parcel of India. With respect to that the Government of India is responsible for upholding justice and peace. Yet, it tolerates designated camps of fighters with which it has agreed to a cease fire and let them operate freely; even if these fighters openly declare war on an entire tribe.

The Khaplang Group served the Tangkhul Tribe with a quit notice and in the wake of that many a Tangkhul and members of other tribes have been mercilessly killed. Because the designated camps of the Khaplang group are protected by Government Forces both the state Governments of the stated mentioned as well as the Central Government of India in Delhi are directly accountable for tolerating these culprits to operate in this despicable manner.

Therefore:

The Naga International Support Center urges the Government of India to drastically change its policies, to severe its ties with those it has protected and to restore law and order in the land of the Nagas.

The Naga International Support Center also calls on the Security Council of the United Nations Organization and stresses imminent intervention is needed. Even though a relatively small conflict this conflict, due to crimes against humanity being committed, will spin out of control with insurmountable repercussions long term psychological as a result. And this with a decade old peace talks aimed at reaching an honorable solution.

When the Government of India does not control the horrific situation Crimes against Humanity will persist and long lasting psychological scars will be the heritage of future generations Nagas; ethnic cleansing and indiscriminate killing are Crimes against Humanity.




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By Jagdamba Mall

In the process Naga society has suffered a huge loss in terms of life and property without any gain. If various survey reports informed through media from time to time pertaining to the adverse psychological effect on adolescent mind of young generation of insurgency affected communities are correct, the vital section of victim society is very badly affected.

The tough stand taken by Smt Indira Gandhi after the collapse of Cease-fire Agreement, 1964 and signing of Shillong Accord 1975 under compelling circumstances to avoid the further loss of Naga lives, caused despair and delusion in some hardcore demagogues in Naga guerilla camp.

The violent killings between warring factions in Nagaland find some similarity to what has already happened in other parts of the world or in some states of our country as well. The Christian countries helped the Naga insurgency through their churches planted in every nook and corner of Nagaland. But this game plan could not succeed. It is very often stated that nearly 40,000 Nagas perished in this fight, some with security forces and mostly with rival factions.

The tough stand taken by Smt Indira Gandhi after the collapse of Cease-fire Agreement, 1964 and signing of Shillong Accord 1975 under compelling circumstances to avoid the further loss of Naga lives, caused despair and delusion in some hardcore demagogues in Naga guerilla camp led by Phizo from his London abode under the banner of Naga National Council (NNC). This discontent mounted when Phizo refused to disown the Shillong Accord 1975, the signatories of which included his own brother Kevi Yalie. The church failed in their endeavour for this crisis management. The Christian supporters in Christian countries could also not vent a tangible ray of hope of materialising the NNC’s declared dream-Naga sovereignty. Because of this, a section of NNC guerilla leaders disenchanted with Christian model of solution or crisis management, opted for communist model.

These disillusioned NNC leaders crossed the international border and sneaked into Chinese territory via Burma, now Myanmar. It is not that they had come in China for the first time. Earlier also, they had got arms training in China. But this time, they had come with a view to adopt a communist model of creating mayhem and to acquire matching arms training and psychological war-fare. While doing so, they, the frustrated block, might have, thought to muster pro-active support of China while the remnant NNC under Phizo would command the support of Christian countries through Michael Scott, Billy Graham and other foreign missionaries. The detractors of Phizo and his NNC perhaps thought that Christian forces mobilised by Phizo and communist forces to be mobilised by discontented group then under training in China, could join together against India. In fact, Smt Indira Gandhi had said during six rounds of talks in 1965 that she was prepared to give anything except sovereignty but NNC leaders refused. They did not mention anything about greater Nagaland. After their training in guerilla war-fare with special thrust on mountain and jungle fight, a separate guerilla organisation coined as National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed in 1980 under deep influence of Chinese communism with Isak Chishi Swu (a Sema Naga from Nagaland) as its chairman, S.S. Khaplang (a Hemi Naga from Myanmar) as its vice-chairman and Thuingaleng Muivah (Tangkhul Naga from Ukhrul district of Manipur). When they sneaked into Bharatiya territory in Nagaland, a fierce fight between NNC and NSCN was the order of the day. This slaughter drama was also enacted in Naga inhabited areas of Myanmar.

The church and priests were the first causalities. Several churches were demolished and many Padris were killed. These factional fights were regularly reported in local English weeklies.

Though NNC was under Christian doctrine and NSCN was under communist influence, there was a section of guerillas in both the camps—NNC and NSCN—who had some quantum of influence of native ethos though dormant in their mind during eighties and nineties. This dormant influence of native Naga ethos handed down from generation to generation by Naga forefathers appears being revived and rejuvenated now. This section of Naga society found in NNC and both the NSCNs are presumably realising that by experience it appears to them that neither Christian model nor communist model has succeeded in resolving the problem. And in the process Naga society has suffered a huge loss in terms of life and property without any gain. If various survey reports informed through media from time to time pertaining to the adverse psychological effect on adolescent mind of young generation of insurgency affected communities are correct, the vital section of victim society is very badly affected.

They suffer a loss of enthusiasm to advance and climb up. In Nagaland, it is equally applicable to Naga youths of both the genders. Naga mothers and sisters are worst sufferers.

The independent thinkers, writers, reputed persons in the field of journalism and selfless Naga social workers (but never the NGO owners) though Christian by faith, have started preparing the profit and loss statement of adoption of Christianity followed by Naga insurgency. When they notice minus return against huge investment in terms of man, money, religion, culture and native ethos, they get bemused and disheartened. This type of independent thinkers are also in NNC and NSCN. This native Naga doctrine is also a force to reckon with. Thus, the present factional fight is not so simple to analyse. This is a tri-dimensional ideological war between Christianity, communism and native Naga doctrine. Nobody in the world can sail two boats at a time. But Nagas wish to sail three or more boats at a time. They wish to prove to be a devout Christian to please Christian countries; they want to prove that they are also staunch followers of communism (Maoism) to please China; they do not want to antagonise Hindustan as well because they will starve without the help of Hindustan. At the same time, they wish to preserve Naga identity.

The church leaders were once very respectable beyond doubt. The Christian people were obeying them. They (Naga Christians) genuinely repented for their mistakes in confession services in front of them in churches. But this is not so today. The forced conversion, programmes like Shisha Hoho, the church’s insistence on declaration of Nagaland as dry state and their failure in the following same by themselves, their involvement in Naga insurgency and Naga politics in the state, partisan behaviours, greed of money, lack of spirituality and love for carnal pleasure etc have tarnished the image of Naga, deacons and pastors. Now, they are treated as simply paid servants with assigned duty to conduct church services and speak of Bible. This is the reason any call given by church leaders pertaining even to Naga reconciliation or church programmes is not taken seriously which was not so a decade ago. They have lost people’s trust because they, themselves, don’t follow what they ask others to abide.

Missionary work in Nagaland
With a view to show that they are also very busy in their ‘holy’ work, the church in Nagaland is engaged in training 10,000 Naga missionaries for saving Hindu souls in UP, Bihar, Bengal, Arunachal, Sikkim, Asom, Manipur and neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and China.

Same is the case with Naga political leaders. These selfish Naga political leaders are using different underground factions in winning elections and once they occupy the political throne they start repaying them.

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OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kohima, July 5: Clashes between the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions of the NSCN near Dimapur claimed two more lives today.

The killings come close on the heels of visits by special secretary (internal security), M.L. Kumawat and joint secretary (home) in-charge of Northeast, Naveen Verma, to Nagaland to review the security situation in the state. The two home ministry officials also met chief minister Neiphiu Rio.

The NSCN (K) today alleged that heavily-armed NSCN (I-M) cadres had attacked its hideout at Hetoi village in Dimapur district killing one of its cadres. A civilian was also killed in the exchange of fire that lasted for nearly an hour.

Police have confirmed the deaths but the identities of the victims are yet to be ascertained. The NSCN (K) cadre died on the spot while the other person succumbed to his injuries later.

Hetoi is not far from Vihokhu village where the NSCN (I-M) destroyed the camp of its rival faction on June 26.

Tension prevails because of the presence of cadres of the two warring factions though the district administration has rushed India Reserve Battalion and the police to disperse the militants.

Blaming the rise in extortion and abduction on its rival faction, the NSCN (I-M) said it was determined to flush out cadres of the rival camp from the area and would in no way allow any designated camp of its rival group in Dimapur district.

More than 100 non-Naga affluent businessmen have been abducted for ransom allegedly by the NSCN (K) cadres.

The NSCN (K) today said it would oppose any move to replace Kumawat as chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group of the NSCN (I-M) and the ceasefire supervisory board of the NSCN (K).

Kumawat’s is a temporary appointment.

The Nagaland government has asked the Centre to appoint a permanent chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group and ceasefire supervisory board who would be based in Nagaland.

The NSCN (I-M) is opposed to Kumawat and has vowed not to attend any more ceasefire group meeting under his chairmanship.

Arms seized

Excise officials at a checkgate at Vairangte in Mizoram today intercepted a Silchar-bound Bolero (ML 05 D 1186) and seized seven AK-47 rifles and a rocket launcher with one shell from a secret chamber, says a staff reporter from Guwahati. The officials grew suspicious when the driver stopped the car just short of the gate and ran away. The incident comes close on the heels of seizure of several AK-47 rifles and a huge cache of ammunition and cash from a truck in Mizoram recently.

The consignment was meant for the Gorlosa group of the Dima Halam Daogah.



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NEW DELHI, July 1 – Up-set with gross violation of the ground rules in Nagaland, the Ministry of Home Affairs has rushed a team of officials to Dimapur to hold meeting with the ground rule monitoring group with both the factions of the NSCN. The Central team headed by Special Secretary (Internal Security), M.L.Kumawat and joint Secretary (North-east), Navin Verma visit comes after a series of factional killings rocked the State. The Home Ministry team is slated to hold separate meetings with NSCN (I-M) and Khaplang factions.

The mechanism worked out to monitor the implementation of the ground rules, include a ceasefire monitoring group with I-M faction and a ceasefire supervisory board with rival Khaplang faction.

The meeting is crucial in the backdrop of the recent incident at Vihokhu when NSCN (I-M) ran over a camp of its rival 10km from Dimapur, leaving five dead and several injured.

The Dimapur meeting scheduled for Wednesday is, however, unlikely to be attended by the I-M faction. They had also walked out of the June 12 meeting in protest over change of the chairman of the CFMG, Lt General (retd) RV Kulkarni. The Centre did not extend the services of the chairman. He had served for seven years.

They have opposed the appointment of Special Secretary Internal Security as chairman without consulting them. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, meanwhile, wrote to the Home Ministry expressing his concern over the threat to the ongoing peace process of ceasefire, seeking urgent intervention of the Centre.

Significantly the meeting tomorrow also comes after the Chiang Mai peace summit between the two factions. The meeting was organised by Forum for Naga Reconciliation in Thailand last month.


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Newmai News Network

Imphal, Jun 30: Six Independent Naga MLAs in Manipur have expressed that the recently concluded peace conclave convened by Forum for Naga Reconciliation and participated by both the NSCN-IM and NSCN-Unification representatives at Chiang Mai in Thailand, was a symbolic step to end divisive forces "within and outside".

The six Naga MLAs are Morung Makunga, Awangbow, Danny Shaiza, K.Raina, W.Keishing and Dr Khasim Ruivah.

In a joint statement, the Indepenent MLAs said, "Rising above the bitterness that exists in every Naga family, the initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to resolutely address reconciliation process to a rightful conclusion deserves appreciation across Naga homeland".

The six MLAs also stated, "The joint declaration of the NSCNs at the Chiang Mai Naga Peace Conclave is a symbolic step to end divisive force within and outside.

The Naga people are assured another oppurtunity to ward off the misgivings, divisions and confussion created by adversaries".

The statement then expressed optimism by saying that the positive dicision of the NSCNs and other organisations involved in the Chiang Mai Peace Conclave "for realistic peacefull environment and situatiuon in the Naga areas is a radiant hope for new generations".

"We expresss our attribution to the noble venture of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation in contributing to shape the desnity of the Nagas. We also congratulate the God given providence and wisdom of the national workers to end divisions through reconciliation and work together to find amicable settlement for the Nagas." concluded the statement.


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Newmai News Network

Imphal, Jun 29: Even as the United Naga Council (UNC) is all set to hold its general assembly at Senapati headquarters on July 2, the Zeliangrong Union, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (ZU-AMN) has raised strong objection against the UNC saying that the latter has been ignoring the Zeliangrong body in many ways.

The ZU-AMN also accused the Acting President of UNC as responsible for the current state of affairs.

The ZU-AMN was irked when the UNC has been inviting the Zeliangrong Boudi (ZB) to various occasions of the UNC while ignoring the ZU-AMN.

"ZU-AMN had made a complain on February 26 this year to the UNC for not inviting the ZU (AMN) in the UNC functions and meetings. The 83 years old ZU (AMN) has been an original component unit of UNC since its inception in 23rd April 1981. The UNC has not given any reply to the said complain so far," said the statement of ZU-AMN.

The statement said that the ZU-AMN had raised an objection against UNC`s invitation to an "unrecognised body called Zeliangrong Boudi" which was formed only in November 15 2007 by Ningtangpou, who had been "impeached from ZU Office". The Zeliangrong Boudi is not a component unit of the UNC under the UNC constitution, said the statement.

The Zeliangrong body then stated that the above matter had been put up in the UNC meeting of June 27, 2008 by a team of ZU consisting ZU ex-president D Athuibo (ex-MLA), ZU ex president Dm Nganthonang (Ex Chairman, Tamenglong District Council and ex-vice president Naga Hoho), ZU ex-president D Dikambui (ex-Chairman, Tamenglong District Council), ZU vice presidents and secretaries, chairmen of its constituent units and vice chairman and general secretary of Zeliangrong Cultural Council attended the special meeting of the UNC.

The ZU team also has pointed out that under the UNC constitution, the ZU which is the original component unit of the UNC has the right to nominate representatives to participate in the ensuing election of UNC. "And the persons nominated by ZU should only be allowed to contest or vote in the UNC election. The Zeliangrong Boudi which is a new private body organised by some unauthorised persons cannot be allow to participate in the UNC election under the UNC constitution," pointed the ZU-AMN.

The ZU team also pointed out that UNC present `Acting President` Samson Remmei is not a representative of Zeliangrong people because he has not been deputed by the ZU to the UNC.

"This is also a violation of UNC constitution. In fact, Mr. Samson is a person black-listed by the ZU in its Union Assembly resolution of dated 14th December 1991. Therefore, he cannot be nominated to represent the Zeliangrong people until and unless he made an apology for his mistake to the ZU. So far, he had not tender any apology. The present problem was created by the Acting President of UNC, who accompanied the removed president of ZU K Ningtangpou and his gang to pressure upon the GPRN set up to recognise the Zeliangrong Boudi as an apex organisation of the Zeliangrong people but failed. The indulgence of the acting president of UNC is nothing but to get rid of the remark earned by him for his anti Union activities," alleged the strong worded statement of the ZU-AMN.

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GAUHATI, India (AP) - At least seven people were killed in fighting between rival rebel factions in India's remote northeast, police said Friday.
A group of Naga rebels attacked a rival group's camp with automatic weapons near Dimapur, Nagaland state's commercial hub, on Thursday, superintendent of police Leiremo Lotha said.
Fighting between Naga rebel groups has
left at least 40 people dead in Nagaland state in the past six weeks, Lotha said.
Five of the seven victims have been identified as members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Unification) faction, he said.
The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland claimed responsibility for the attack.
«Our cadres set fire to all the vehicles at the NSCN (U) camp» as well as the huts there, spokesman Vikiye Sumi said in a statement. Police did not immediately confirm that the camp had been set on fire.
The rebel groups are fighting for an independent Naga homeland comprised of areas inhabited by Naga tribespeople in India's northeast, but there have been clashes between the various factions as each tries to gain local supremacy.

The clashes intensified after some fighters broke away from the Isak-Muivah faction last November.
The Isak-Muivah faction and another faction headed by S.S. Khaplang have reached cease-fire agreements with the Indian government.
About 2 million Nagas live in northeastern India, a region of myriad ethnic groups that has been plagued by dozens of insurgencies.

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Nirendra Dev

NEW DELHI, June 14: Amid sporadic turf war among various Naga militant factions claiming several lives, the Centre has sought reports from the state governments in Nagaland and Manipur and directed them to take corrective steps.
A letter was sent to the chief ministers, Mr Neiphiu Rio and Mr O Ibobi Singh, late last month seeking detailed reports on the growing number of group clashes. In the latest round of factional fighting, two people, including one home guard personnel, were killed near Kohima super market area yesterday.
The Centre now intends to undertake a joint crackdown on militant groups along with Myanmar.
The Indian government recently sent to Myanmar a list of Indian militant groups ostensibly operating in that country. Besides the Naga groups, the list includes Manipur-based groups and the ULFA as well. Sources said the government is still awaiting a response from the eastern neighbour.
The newly elected Congress leader of the Opposition in the Nagaland assembly, Mr Chingwang Konyak told The Statesman over phone from Kohima that law and order situation in Nagaland is deteriorating fast. “The state government is just directionless,” he alleged.
The Centre fears that the group clashes in Nagaland could erupt into a major ethnic feud. In two separate rounds of gun battles, on 16 May and 3 June, at least 24 militants, mostly from a particular Naga tribe, were killed by NSCN (IM) activists near Chumukedima in close proximity to the state’s commercial hub of Dimapur.
Central agencies are meanwhile keeping fingers crossed as the NSCN (IM) chairman Mr Isak Chishi Swu recently had a telephonic conversation with his estranged compatriot in the undivided NSCN and now chairman of the rival group, Mr S S Khaplang. The development, said to be aimed at seeking “unification” of factions, northeast watchers suggest, could change the various intricacies of Naga militancy as well as the state politics riddled with tribalism.
As the Tangkhul Nagas are pre-dominantly present in the hilly region of Manipur, the Centre also does not want to leave anything to chance on whether these could have repercussions in Manipur.
The Union home minister Mr Shivraj Patil is personally taking keen interest in the implemention of tri-partite talks between the Centre, Kuki militants and the Manipur government.
The fear is that the factional violence in Nagaland could leave its impact in Manipur as Tangkhul Nagas and Kukis are infamous for their “love-hate relationship”.




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Dimapur, May 25 (TEN): In a bid to clear the confusion over the purported formation of another NSCN (IM) breakaway group in Manipur, sixteen Naga organizations based in Manipur have declared that there is no group called United Naga Peoples’ Council (UNPC) constituted by the Nagas of Manipur.
The Naga organizations in a joint press release, while advising every Naga not to associate with the group in any manner whatsoever, asserted that the purported formation of UNPC is “the handiwork of the enemies of the Nagas” designed to create confusion in the minds of the people, “which some section of media have sensationalized.”
It has directed all tribal Hohos, frontal Organisations, women, students Organisation, Village Chiefs and churches “directed to come out in black and white immediately the presence or movement of any person or group masquerading as UNPC, further every Naga are advised not to associate with the group in any manner whatsoever.”
The United Naga Council also declared that it is the only apex organisation of all Nagas in Manipur and is not the frontal organisation of the NSCN (K) or NSCN (IM) or FGN or NNC.
The Naga organisations also stated that a “consultative meeting held on May 23 of Naga Tribe Hoho, frontal Organisations, Activists, Intellectuals and Students, inter alia, have taken strong observation on the threat perception as reported in the media to the Naga Social organization, UNC and ANSAM as direct challenge to the Naga people as a whole.” The sixteen organisations are the United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women’s Union, Manipur (NWUM), NPMHR (South), ANSAM, Zeliangrong Boudi (AMN), Chandel Naga People’s Organisation, Tangkhul Naga Long, Maring Naga Hoho, Anal Naga Hoho, Chothe Naga Hoho, Lamkang Naga Hoho, Moyon Naga Hoho, Monsang Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Union Chandel, Poumai Students’ Union and Tangkhul Students’ Union.
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