September 4th, 2016

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C M Y K

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SunDAY • September 04 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 243 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence US, China ratify Paris climate deal, sets stage for G20 pAGe 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Back in my days whenever our teacher gave us notes, we use to write it down. These days students just take photo of the notes with their cells.

NPF demands revocation of AFSPA KOHima, SEPTEmbEr 3 (mExN): Expressing utmost concern over the ill effects caused by promulgation of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), the Naga People’s Front (NPF) today demanded the revocation of the Act from the entire Naga areas. The ill effects of the Act on ‘day-to-day’ life of the people were taken up at a recent NPF’s Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting where it reiterated the demand by a resolution, stated a press statement from NPF Media & Press Bureau. Consequently, the NPF President Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, on August 31, has also written to the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India asserting that people of Nagaland are being kept under “fear psychosis” for all these years due to the imposition of the Act, the statement informed. In the letter, Dr Liezietsu asserted that Nagaland is now in peaceful atmosphere and such act, which creates fear to the innocent citizens should be done away with at the earliest. “Your office is, therefore, requested to initiate necessary steps for revocation of AFSPA from the entire Naga area at the earliest, for betterment of its citizens and to enable them to live in peace and harmony.” Meanwhile, the CEC meeting through a resolution also endorsed the decision of the Cabinet for 33% women reservation in Municipal and Town Councils election. However, the CEC suggested to the Chief Minister that certain provisions of the “Nagaland Municipal & Town Council Act” be reviewed, the statement said. The House also resolved to have panel discussion on the “Vision Document 2030” before it is finalized.

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Langpangkong range pledges for free and fair elections

T R u T H

— Robert Frost

Djokovic, Nadal breeze into last 16

pAGe 02

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Myanmar: The first step Issue of Recognition in a tough road to peace of Indigenous Tribe Nay Pyi Taw, SEPTEmbEr 3 (aFP): Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi concluded a landmark peace summit with ethnic rebels on Saturday, calling it the first step on what promises to be a tough road to peace. The conference in the capital Naypyidaw was Suu Kyi’s first big drive to end ethnic minority insurgencies that have rumbled across Myanmar’s frontier states for nearly seven decades. The nobel laureate, who championed a democracy struggle against the former junta, has devoted her first few months in power to kick starting a fresh peace negotiations between rebel militias and the army. No resolution emerged from the four-day summit, which gave representatives from nearly 20 armed ethnic groups a chance to air grievances and outline their political aspirations. Suu Kyi’s biggest achievement was bringing many key players to the table, including rebel armies that did not sign a shaky ceasefire brokered by the former militarybacked government last year. However three groups still actively clashing with troops did not attend the talks, and the powerful Wa -- a heavily armed militia based on the border with China -stormed out on day two over what the government said was an organisational mishap. “To achieve peace is very difficult,” Suu Kyi told the conference hall filled with hundreds of delegates on Saturday, the final day of the summit after it was decided a fifth was not needed. “This is the first meeting. After this, there will be more meetings. And there are many things we have to do during the time in between,” she added. The veteran democracy activist, who spent some 15 years under house arrest during junta rule, urged all sides to “look forward” as

Not endorsement, just views and opinion, asserts Naga Hoho

Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi along with other delegates at the 21st Panglong Peace Conference of Myanmar.

the peace process continues. Distrust of the Tatmadaw, as the Myanmar military is known, runs deep among minorities after half a century of brutal warfare and oppression marked by torture, rape and mass killings. The conflicts are complicated by tussles over drug trades and lucrative gem and timber reserves in some rebel-held areas. Challenges ahead While Suu Kyi has backed the minorities’ calls for greater autonomy in their homelands, it will be a challenge to craft a federal arrangement that meets each group’s unique demands. Any changes to a junta-era charter will also require support from the still-influential army, which has the power to veto any proposed amendments. A leader from the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) -- a powerful rebel faction that did not sign last year’s ceasefire -- stressed

Saturday that no concrete agreements were reached at the talks. “We were able to present our proposals at this conference, but nothing important happened,” General Gun Maw told reporters, adding that more discussion is needed before his group will sign a deal. Myanmar’s diverse patchwork of ethnic groups make up around a third of the population, but the government and military have long been dominated by members of the majority Bamar ethnicity, to which Suu Kyi belongs. The peace summit comes almost 70 years after her independence hero father signed an agreement promising autonomy to major ethnic groups ahead of Myanmar’s break from colonial ruler Britain. But the deal collapsed after his assassination and was ignored by the junta that seized power, triggering uprisings that have simmered in the country’s borderlands ever since.

DimaPur, SEPTEmbEr 3 (mExN): The Naga Hoho today clarified its position on the alleged “endorsement” made by the body for recognition of the Rongmei tribe in Nagaland state as an Indigenous Naga tribe. Communication cell, Naga Hoho on Saturday said the purported letter dated September 22, 2008 issued to the Government of Nagaland contained just the “views and opinions” of the Naga Hoho and not “endorsement” as alleged. It also pointed out, the “opinion and views contained in the letter was arrived at in presence of the representative of other tribal apex bodies,” and at no point of time, the “Ao Senden or the Sumi Hoho and other tribal bodies consulted the Naga Hoho to withdraw their earlier views and opinion conveyed to the government.” The clarification comes in response to the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) disassociating itself from Naga Hoho on August 31, 2016 after the expiry of one-month deadline it served to the latter to withdraw its “endorsement” for Rongmei tribe recognition. The CNTC had also claimed that the decision for disassociation was resolved on July 22 and reaffirmed by the three apex bodies - Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho and Sumi Hohi on August 24. In its response, the Naga Hoho reminded of the Nagaland Government letter no. GAB10/1/77(Pt) dated 25-7-08, which had sought views and opinions from the Naga Hoho on the issue for granting of status of Indigenous Naga tribe to Rongmei community settled in Nagaland prior to formation of Nagaland sate in 1963. The Naga Hoho said a presidential meeting was held on September 5, 2008 to deliberate the issue where it was “collectively viewed that Rongmei community is eligible to be recognized as desired by the State Government basing on the fact that the Kukis, Garos & Kacharis are enjoying the privilege of the Indigenous inhabitants of the State in terms of Government Notification No. AR-8/76, Dated, 28th April 1997.” Accordingly, the Naga Hoho, stated that its opinion was communicated to the Government in a letter dated September 22, 2008 containing just the opinion and views of the Naga Hoho, and not “endorsement” as al-

Six AR personnel killed in Aghunato ambush: NSCN (K)

DimaPur, SEPTEmbEr 3 (mExN): The NSCN (K) today claimed that six personnel of the 5 Assam Rifles were killed while four others sustained critical injuries, in the September 2 ambush near Aghunato town, in Zunheboto District. According to a press release from the MIP, NSCN (K), cadres of the Naga Army, NSCN/GPRN under “Operation Dawn” carried out the ambush at around 4:00 pm while the 5 AR were returning to Zunheboto in a convoy of four vehicles. “It is confirmed that six jawans were killed on the spot and four sustained critical injuries and more than dozen sustained less critical injuries,” the MIP claimed and further added that the number of deaths could be as high as 8 to 10. The last truck was completely de-

stroyed after falling into a roadside ditch, while two other trucks were also partially damaged having been fired upon from close quarters, the MIP stated. “The ambush spot was immediately cordoned off and no police or administrative officials were allowed to enter until the dead soldiers were transported away,” the MIP further claimed. Refutes PIB Defence claims Meanwhile, the NSCN (K) refuted claims that two of its cadres involved in snatching weapons on August 29 were apprehended. The PIB Defence on Friday had claimed the arrest of two NSCN (K) cadres during a combined operation at Sibilong Village in Tamenglong district.

“The allegedly arrested persons Kabigai and Lumkhaolung of Sibilong Village are mere innocent civilians and have no connection whatsoever with the NSCN (K) in any manner,” a statement from the MIP NSCN (K) stated. Terming the random arrest of innocent civilians by Indian Security forces a “desperate act” to save their faces, the MIP maintained that the protest by the womenfolk of the village against the arrest and subsequent clash between the security forces and the protesting women is evidence “that the two are being made a scapegoat”. In this regard, the MIP called on concerned civil authorities and human rights groups to immediately intervene “to ensure that innocent civilians are not targeted unnecessarily”.

Centre accused of ‘insincerity’ towards Naga peace process

BJP led National Democratic Alliance should be squarely blamed for any fallout, says AICC member KV Pusa

KOHima, SEPTEmbEr 3 (mExN): Accusing the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) goverment of being insincere and paying lip service towards the Naga peace process, the Congress today said it should be “squarely blamed for any fallout.” With the NSCN (IM) reportedly “sticking to its demand for Naga integration” when the peace process is at a “crucial stage,” All India Congress Committee (AICC) member K V Pusa, in a press release said in the event of the fallout, the Centre should be held responsible for not being “sincere to resolve the protracted political issue.” Pusa said the Centre was delivering only lip service on the Naga peace process and that there can be fallout

if an honourable solution is not hammered out at the earliest as demanded by the people. The former PCC president also asserted that Congress was committed to resolving the Naga issue and therefore had initiated the peace process with the NSCN (IM). He however regretted that NDA government was only delivering lip service and undermining the Naga political issue. He claimed that successive Congress Prime Ministers had met the NSCN (IM) leaders demonstrating their sincerity to resolve the issue and a ministerial team on Naga issue was also constituted by the congress government. Stating that the “Framework Agreement” was high on rhetoric but has not yielded any result, the Congress leader said the NDA government, which had promised early solution upon its signing last year has “vanished into thin air.” Further asserting that Naga integration has been the long demand of

the people but has became the major hurdle towards resolving Naga issue, Pusa asked the Centre to begin talks with the chief ministers of the neighbouring states while adding that only through talk issues can be resolved. Pusa also criticized the Centre for imposing Disturb Area Act (DAA) under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the state when a “peace process is underway to solve the political problem.” He said such action shows insincerity and non-committal to the peace process. Calling for its immediate repeal, he pointed out that such draconian measures cannot resolve the Naga political problem. “The unity of the country can be materialised only when citizens are treated equally. All draconian laws should be revoked from the country.” Pusa also urged all sections of people to remain united to give impetus to the peace process while pointing out that disunity in the state would prolong the issue.

leged. The Naga Hoho expressed surprise that CNTC had given a direction to withdraw its views and opinion without observing procedural lapses and formalities by giving 30 days deadline, which expired on August 31, 2016. Citing Article7 of its constitution, it argued that the ultimatum served by CNTC in written and through media cannot be acknowledged for the very fact that Naga Hoho is not answerable to CNTC except to Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho- because it did not “communicate to Naga Hoho officially about its formation and their objectives till date.” Above all, according to the Naga Hoho, it is not their hands to either recognize or reject granting of Indigenous Naga tribe to Rongmei community since it is solely under the prerogative of the Nagaland State Government. However, sensing that the Rongmei issue has become a bone-of-contention among various sections of the Naga Society, Naga Hoho reminded of the September 28 Naga Hoho federal assembly where “tribe recognition” issue would be one of the main agenda. It has appealed to Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho to attend the scheduled federal assembly and share their opinions and grievances democratically “so as to enable us to come out with an acceptable decision in the best interest of our Naga people.” (Full text on Page 10)

NTC dismayed by failure of govt

Meanwhile, the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has lauded the “demonstration of people’s might and uncompromising stand to defend our rights over land and its people as shown by the three tribes-Ao, Lotha and Sumi under the aegis of CNTC” that “land belongs to the people and not the government to transact any business without the consent of the people.” NTC media cell in a press statement expressed dismay over the miserable failure of the present day government to uphold the protective laws for indigenous inhabitants adequately provided by pioneers of the country and Nagaland state. It therefore reminded the government of the day to pay heed to the genuine wishes of the aboriginal tribes of the state and desist from acting antithesis to the state and its subjects. The NTC called the attention of all the citizens to “rise above petty obligations, inhibition and obsession and take clear stance on the rights and privileges of the indigenous people of the state and to fight collectively against nefarious designs prevailing in the state.”


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