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OPINiON/EDITORIAL
Nagaland Post Vol. XXIV NO. 302 Dimapur, wednesday, october 8, 2014
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TMC in the dock
fter the Trinamool Congress’ impressive win in the 2011 assembly election where the party won 184 out of the 294 seats contested(one seat is nominated), Mamata Banerjee’s style of functioning has not only been several criticised but controversies continue to dominate the state with alarming regularity. It seems that the Trinamool government under Mamata Banerjee cannot get away from serious controversies. Whether it was her remark against a rape victim; arrest of a Jadavpur University professor accused of pasting or resending a cartoon lampooning her; allegations of using musclemen to terrorise political opponents or party MPs issuing threats, even to the point of urging party men to rape women or wives of Left Party leaders and sympathisers; Mamata and her party seem to thrive in controversies. Even before the dust and din over the Saradha scam could die down, Mamata Banerjee is in a tight spot over the Burdwan blasts, when two suspected Indian Mujahideen operatives were killed and another was seriously injured in a blast on October 2 at a house in Khargram- in the heart of West Bengal’s Burdwan town. More importantly, the house belongs to TMC leader Nurul Hasan Choudhury and was the regional headquarters of the party. The list of seized item is quite chilling. They clearly suggest that the Trinamool Congress leader’s house and the regional party office was being used as a terror shelter and a bomb factory. More alarmingly, large volume of jihadi literature has been seized from the house, pointing to a larger conspiracy. Audio CDs of al-Qaida’s training modules were recovered. Literatures with reference to Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Indian Mujahideen and Chechen rebels were seized, clearly suggesting a global terror plot. This indicates a design to carry out terror strikes in Kolkata and Bangalore. It is pertinent to mention that it was the West Bengal Police which took away the recovered IEDs in a sand-laden truck and destroyed them in a seven-hour-long operation, much before the Central agencies personal reached the blast spot. This questions the very intention of the West Bengal Police and its investigations. India’s leading Bangla daily ‘Ananda Bazar Patrika’ has blown the lid off the links between Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh and West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress. The paper alleged that Mamata funded the extremist Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh and in turn, her party received funds from the outfit during the 2011 assembly election and 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The money from Saradha group was stuffed into bags, smuggled into Bangladesh and the BSF’s activity was allegedly manned by TMC MP Ahmed Hassan Imran. It has also been revealed that party MP Imran transferred the funds from across the border. Intelligence reports further suggest that several TMC leaders are under scanner for sheltering Jammat-e-Islami operatives. Clearly in Burdwan blast case, a global terror plot has emerged but Mamata’s government has, as expected, ruled out an NIA probe. For Mamata and her TMC government, the Burdwan blasts and the Saradha scam would certainly prove to be the nemesis in the 2016 assembly elections. The BJP has latched on to the terror angle as it is an unexpected windfall as it seeks to offer itself as an alternative to five years of goondaism and lawlessness. The Left and BJP would definitely want an NIA probe as it would expose the many skeletons in the TMC’s cupboard.
DailyDevotion The Nature of Reconciliation
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him —2 Corinthians 5:21 Sin is a fundamental relationship— it is not wrong doing, but wrong being— it is deliberate and determined independence from God. The Christian faith bases everything on the extreme, self-confident nature of sin. Other faiths deal with sins— the Bible alone deals with sin. The first thing Jesus Christ confronted in people was the heredity of sin, and it is because we have ignored this in our presentation of the gospel that the message of the gospel has lost its sting and its explosive power. The revealed truth of the Bible is not that Jesus Christ took on Himself our fleshly sins, but that He took on Himself the heredity of sin that no man can even touch. God made His own Son “to be sin” that He might make the sinner into a saint. It is revealed throughout the Bible that our Lord took on Himself the sin of the world through identification with us, not through sympathy for us. He deliberately took on His own shoulders, and endured in His own body, the complete, cumulative sin of the human race. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us. . .” and by so doing He placed salvation for the entire human race solely on the basis of redemption. Jesus Christ reconciled the human race, putting it back to where God designed it to be. And now anyone can experience that reconciliation, being brought into oneness with God, on the basis of what our Lord has done on the cross. A man cannot redeem himself— redemption is the work of God, and is absolutely finished and complete. And its application to individual people is a matter of their own individual action or response to it. A distinction must always be made between the revealed truth of redemption and the actual conscious experience of salvation in a person’s life.
Quotes
Most people would rather be certain they’re miserable, than risk being happy. ~ Robert Anthony
Nagaland Post, Dimapur WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014
Post-mortem
A rejoinder review on the: “Exhaustive dialogue on Sovereignty”(Isak Sumi)...07-10-14
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ontentious issues can be presented in as many divergent ways depending on which side of the fence one is situated, like a coin with two facades. It is but natural for a choice less likes of Col. Isak Sumi, of NSCN (K)/ GPRN to take a patriotically sacrificial stance despite the crippling economic chaos being deliberately perpetrated by the NPGs in the name of “Sovereignty”. The story on the other side of the fence is diametrically different for those having to bear the brunt of it all. In as far as the personal insinuation against this writer is concerned it is his liberty to believe what he believes and say what he wants to say. After all we are living in a free country. I can’t be bothered to defend myself against an individual whose mind is hypocritically parked in the comfort zone of ill gotten gains of “Sovereignty” and wanting to preserve his turf. However, the people are entitled to understand the basic state of “sovereignty” that we ourselves have made a mockery of. I have not raised my voice against “Sovereignty” but against how we are going about our business trying to achieve it. In the times of yore, the National Workers
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were hero worshipped and the people in fact gave their all, including their lives, without reservations. Times have since changed. Today, people give “sovereignty tax” with a tear or a curse because they have no choice. No one wants to die a premature death. That alone should sufficiently describe the plight of the common man and the shabby picture of our NPGs. Truth often hurts but the Nagas cannot be led blindfolded forever. Yes, every Naga worth his/her salt is directly or indirectly aspiring for a life free of domination from within and without. Khekiye has no regrets in having initiated a discourse at Jamia Milla Islamia University at New Delhi. The legitimate historical and legal rights of the Nagas have more than amply been shared with the Indian counterparts along with the garbage within our kitchen as well...not to weaken our position but to strengthen the resolve of the Nagas to take a more honourable stance unitedly in the ongoing struggle that all Nagas still support against a superior adversary. In as far as ACAUT Movement is concerned, it has no ulterior motive. ACAUT has done nothing beyond address-
My wishes are
wish is a wish. A wish has no binding on the one whom I wish him to do or not to do. I would be happy if my wish is complied with, and I do not mind when it fails to attract the attention of whom I wish. Nevertheless, I wish the following not to be repeated. 1. The news of Naga cadres defecting from one faction to another faction is not news. When it is nothing surprising, nothing so unusual and nothing of achievement of sort, it is not worth publicity. What does it much matter when few cadres leave one camp of a Naga revolutionary and join another camp of the same category? Is it a great deal when a group of cadres defect and join another as those may not necessarily become assets of that faction rather than liabilities? How much those defected cadres can weaken one or strengthen the other? Can a Naga claim it to be a victory when a fellow Naga is defeated in national movement? What will be a real news item is when all the cadres from all the faction defect one day and join a single faction. Till then better avoid embarrassing each other by not publishing the defection news. 2. Opinions on Prohibition of Alcohol are sufficiently shared in local media. As far as theory is concerned, to me, it is enough. Our theories have established bootleggers for a quarter of a century. The theories do not prevent the flow of liquor in dry State of Nagaland. I am sure all the writers on NLTP, both for or against, are aware of how liquor business is run in Nagaland. But the theorists have chicken heart to name the culprits. Who knows many people including some of the writers may be on the parole of the rich bootleggers. Paper determinations are encouraging, paper advises are acceptable and paper plans are tangible. Yet, ultimately, we, the writers, the Police, The Excise Department, the Church and all those who are vocal against haphazard enforcement of NLTP Act, become just as weak, as timid
ing the ground reality issues that pertain to the cancerous corruption within the Government of Nagaland including those also being perpetuated by the NPGs. ACAUT had demanded that a High Power Commission(HPC) be set up to tackle the rampant prevalence of illegal misdemeanours by the Politicians, bureaucrats and the technocrats of the Government of Nagaland including the NPGs. The Government has complied and HPC has been constituted with Supreme Court Justice Shri. H.K. Sema as the Chairman. Therefore the responsibility for ACAUT to spearhead a movement against the corrupt Government system has been passed on to the HPC to do what it can to mitigate the ‘Ebola’ manifestation within the Government system. As for the NPGs, the public outcry that they must ‘UNITE’ has fallen on deaf ears. The simple truth is that none of the NPGs want to compromise their individual egoistic authority especially when it has to do with “Sovereignty tax” that can be raised with AK 47 with death threats. Col. Isak Sumi may find the term “sovereignty tax” offensive to his ears but is that not what this essentially is all about? ...Raise Tax in the
and as artificial as rats of Asop’s story. We better talk it no more of what we are unfit to practically face and handle it. 3. Publication of the pictures of seized cartoons of alcohol in local media is found to be never a deterrent to bootleggers. Well, those cartoons are your prized catch. I personally feel for those constables in Excise Deptt. or Police who are innocent, ignorant, honest and sincere in seizing the cartoons while on duty. Therefore, this comment of mine is neither intended to undermine their effort nor to ridicule any of those who are honestly discharging their duty. Yet, the show, the exhibition of both seizure and destruction of seized bottles are more of embarrassment than satisfaction. You go on seizing the cartoons and destroying it, the flow of liquor will continue in Dry State as the source is perennial. When Assam runs out of stock with liquor, the bootleggers are rich and efficient enough to bring any amount from West Bengal, Karnataka and so on. Lesson for Nagaland is when Kerala announced to phase out the wet State, few liquor industries were alarmed and voiced against it. In other words, the liquor industries would be adversely affected when Kerala becomes dry. Nagaland has been dry for the last 25 years, and no liquor industry bothers. 4. My last wish, for the moment, is (of course, much to the consternation of those who are allergic to truth) State Govt. announcing release of pending salaries of its employees. Unable to pay its employees by a State Govt. is a news for the fact that it is unusual and abnormal, whereas, able to pay salary to its employees is definitely normal and never an achievement. Paying salary to Govt. employees is as good as taking lunch or dinner which is never a news. Such news only reminds the ignorant that the Govt. has not been able to pay salary to its employees on time and for moths together. Z. Lohe
name of Sovereignty sitting on the fence with no achievement to show? Signing a cease fire agreement with the GoI with the “law of the land clause” is certainly not an achievement worth blowing one’s trumpet about. The people of Nagaland too consider this to be very offensive because sovereignty has practically been demeaned to just another word for creating their individual comfort zones. “National principles” factor has become the catchword for disunity. While acknowledging the importance of it and not being undermined in any way, surely if all the NPGs sincerely have the people’s interest at heart they ought to be able to circumvent their factional ‘national principle’ differences and stand as one. Sovereignty issue will become more meaningful if this is done...not in its present fragmented form that defies all rationality. As Christians, there can be no better honourable call than FNR pleading for all NPGs to forgive one another in the name of God, reconcile and unite. The sincere effort of FNR is not in doubt but cold hearted motivated response of NPGs is. Waiting for ‘Zungki River to flow upstream before considering reconciliation’ is the final epitaph for our col-
lective disaster. It is more than obvious to everyone that the main obstacle lie in a giant size ego that each faction carries on its shoulders... unwilling to submit to one another, reinforced by a greed driven focus on their revenue resources that they can raise at gun point. In the process FNR has been made to look more like an ‘agreement manufacturing industry’ that the NPGs are unprepared to implement in practice after signing it. It is under these frustrating circumstances that ACAUT has initiated a harsher proposition for the NPGs to consider reconciliation which FNR is unable to address as a matter of non-coercive Christian principle on which their effort is based. Col. Isak Sumi’s statement that “The ACAUT also should have avoided branding the entire NPGs as mere wealth seeking agencies as the NSCN/GPRN with or without taxation shall continue the struggle for sovereignty no matter how disdainful it may appear before ACAUT” is a meaningless rhetoric that cuts no ice. ACAUT without any hesitation acknowledges the presence of a good number of honest and worthy National Workers still in existence within each cadre, (may God bless
them) but their number has sadly been overshadowed by the self-centred ruthless ones in command. Unless the Col. is leading super human patriots that only feeds on ‘sovereignty’ and does not eat two square meals a day like any other normal people, his professed struggle “with or without taxation” sounds embarrassingly hollow. It can only mean “with taxation” in actual practice should he want to really continue. ACAUT has no reason to feel disdained. The ground realities amply depict a picture of depravity within the NPGs for all to see. The bottom-line is for the Nagas to stand transparently together as one and face our common adversary as we did when it all began. Such is the aspiration of ACAUT movement now being dubbed as Anti-National. It is for the people to judge whether the National Workers with their focus on money as their mainstay activities with sovereignty as a camouflage or ACAUT pleading for a united Naga National Movement to be National or Anti-National sentiment. Time will surely tell. Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd), Forest Colony, Kohima.
Exhaustive dialogue on sovereignty tax-iii
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he ACAUT activist like Khekiye Sema having indebt knowledge about various governmental, economic, social and political aspects can ingest crucial momentum on the ongoing Naga struggle. It would have been highly constructive and enlightening had Khekiye Sema taken an extra step to induce NPGs of intellectual and pragmatic ideas about the wide ranging issues connected to the struggle. He however chose to arrogantly lambast the NPGs through media and public platforms, coining every conceivable idiom derogatory to the struggle. Even though many of the evils of NPGs insinuated by Khekiye Sema are true, it would have been more forthcoming on his part if such issues could have been addressed through mutual dialogues. The opinion is mooted not to deny the responsibilities but to avoid exposing our weaknesses and incur political embarrassment before the world community. The political leverage to be gained on the ongoing struggle must begin by demonstrating our strength and not in sensationalising our weakness over the roof before the world scornful galore. The Naga struggle requires every bits and pieces, from rags to riches and from mere illiterates to highest intellectual calibre of all kinds. When the intellectuals choose to battle NPGs vociferously and NPGs in return throws suspicions on the intellectuals, both must be at guilt and we become a danger to ourselves. Nothing can be gained from such
collision but further fragmentation of the already divided house and further catastrophe. The intellectuals being more superior in reasoning may also take into account the implications of their vocal and open negative comments against NPGs and vice-versa. When our own Naga intellects opts to expose the weakness of NPGs in an Indian platform, imagine the damages it causes to the struggle and the wonderful opportunity it provides to the aggressor to continue its political onslaught against the Naga. Cannot that be treated an act of betrayal either by default or by intention? Cannot they explore far positive means to admonish their own NPGs waywardness instead of headlong and thorough condemnation of NPGs in foreign and domestic platforms as well, and we do not see how far these intellectuals have been instrumental in bringing the much needed changes in the functioning of NPGs. If Naga intellectuals are so much perturbed about taxations, they equally are materialist in their pursuits, being an intellect in itself, they should have been concerned enough to suggest alternate means and ways of sustaining the struggle since the movement cannot survive without proper and stable economic and financial resources besides sacrificing one’s life and family. While the NPGs give their physical resources, the intellectuals and opulent classes should equally contribute their much needed resources. On the contrary
it is the wealthy intellects and not the common masses that prefers to oppose the NPGs. What do we give back to the society that has given us so much? Are the prosperous classes guilty of their nefarious ways of having amassed and hoarded so much ill-gotten wealth that, instead of giving back to the society they choose to incriminate the NPGs so that they can escape the wrath of the common mass? Are they so greedy that instead of giving voluntary contributions, the NPGs are forced to ask from them at gun point what they had pilfered from the government’s endowment to the wretched common lot. It would therefore be more appropriate to first discuss the origin of corruption rather than diverting the attention to sovereign tax. The ACAUT being guided by intellectuals could have taken the NPGs into confidence and concertedly fight against the common evils snapping the very crucial nerve of progress and development of the Naga society. The radicalised choice of action by ACAUT against NPGs at the moment may appear befitting however in the long run the impact it imprints on the future course of Naga political struggle shall be left to their comprehension. Let us all hope that ACAUT’s battle for justice bring forth the desired results to the benefit of all the Nagas and also reinvigorate the Naga struggle in a positive manner. (Concluded) Col. Isak Sumi, PRO Nagaland NSCN/GPRN.
Response to public discussion on nsdzs, nib & the nltp Act 1989
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n appreciation to the participatory approach taken by the Govt. on the NSDZs, NIB and the NLTP Act. And, in response to the invitation to participate in the public discussion on the topics held in Kohima on 8th September 2014, and the call for submission of opinion on the above subjects, the following article of personal opinion is written for sharing with readers of your esteemed dailies. The issues are of public importance and if a calculated approach on the concept of Nagaland Special Development Zones (NSDZs) and review of the redundant NLTP Act is taken, I believe they will have important impact on the health of the State. ON NSDZs: As presented in the brief write up on the concept on NSDZs, it is agreed that, we are faced with the stark reality of saturated Govt. employment. Over saturated may be the right words as Nagaland has the highest Govt. ServantPopulation ratio (1:16) and that our expenditure on salary and allowances is a painful resource drain (The State spends almost double the amount we are suppose to. (as per the 13th Finance Commission Award). A rough estimate suggest that, 15 to 18 thousand jobs need to be gulled in the next five years or so to achieve the desired level of the State’s expenditure on salary and allowances. Given the lack of contribution of the private sector in employment generation and economic growth, gulling of jobs in the
State Govt. sector would result in livelihood chaos. Therefore, alternative avenues have to be sought. A cursory look at the economy of the common Naga, and employment prospects of the ever inflating population of educated unemployed Naga youth (which currently stands at over 60,000) indicate that all is not well. Prevailing poor economy and poor prospects of employment opportunities can have vicious cyclic effects on the health of the State. Therefore, the Govt. of the day, the planners and the complementary stake holders of the State should without further ado take proactive roles in their given capacities, collaborate and work out avenues to create conducive atmosphere for sustainable private sector development and thereby, employment generation. All right thinking Nagas must wake up to this pressing need without vested interests. It is unfortunate that, many important stakeholders tend to take an anti-establishment attitude and many a times, even good intention of the Govt. of the day is viewed with suspicion. This sort of negative attitude is not healthy for our progress. I believe That: 1) It was prudent on the part of the Govt. to have called for the public discussion on the issue, as there seems to be misconstrued feelings against the Assembly Resolution on NSDZs. Any discussion on the subject must be based on the following basic points or understanding-
a.) That, the Resolution is still not a binding Act (of the Assembly). b.) That, the Resolution in effect only enables the executive tier of the Government to work out further details of the Policy in question based on the broad guidelines of the Resolution. c.) That, to achieve point b.) above, there is unequivocal provision for wide consultation with different stakeholders - the District Administration, the Tribal Hohos and the Landowners. Stakeholders must take truthful advantage of the participatory approach of the Government. d.) That, there is room for flexibility and amendment of the policy if required. 2) In today’s globalized world, economy has become literally market driven. And in this globalized market driven world, how do we rate our own standing? We are obviously at ground zero! Lack of private sector development is obviously causing stress on the health of the State. Therefore, in order to move ahead, it has become imperative for us to have Secondary and Tertiary Sectors of development taking roots in Nagaland at the earliest. The foremost need is to understand that, Govt. cannot bring development to non receptive subjects. Take two examples, first is that of 150 year old well developed and magnificent harbor city of Sydney, Australia. The city started when civilization was taking roots in
our land. The question is have we progressed good enough? Does our development so far commensurate the time since civilization came to our land? The answer obvious! Second example I would like to give is that of modern China. The China we see today developed after lifting of the “iron curtain” in 1989. It took China just barely a quarter of a century to transform itself and adapt to the changing global scenario. No doubt, responsible governments were in place but importantly, the people were productive and receptive to the policies of their respective governments. What about us Nagas? Are we productive and receptive as well? • We do not react with characteristics and refineness seen in people of developed countries! Our external appearances have changed but our mindset have not evolved and become refined through the tests of time. • We have not yet learnt to live by the rules! • Our unresolved political turmoil has affected our psyche and thinking process in one way or the other! • Over-ground, we Nagas are as divided as the Naga political groups! • Our Land is a land of Presidents and Secretaries of thousand Unions and Associations trying to compete and assert their existence over and above the other? These and many more questions comes to my mind. I think we Nagas need deep
introspection. Many write ups on the interpretation of Article 371 (A) and the Assembly Resolution have at large been consciously critically or negatively directed. The main concerns of the write ups have been, dilution or negation of Article 371(A), relaxation of ILP and criterion for Land access. Imagine a spectrum of attitude where critical and appreciative attitudes are on two extreme ends and complacent
attitude is in the centre. If you are to rate yourself on any issue, on a scale of 0 - 10 on both sides of complacent attitude(zero point), where would you stand? Nagas can no longer afford wanton attitude of listening with intent to argue and disagree creating a milieu for disunity but, should collaborate, call for change and move on! (To be concluded) Dr. Chumben Murry (Ex. Minister)
Reader’s Post JE PWD (R&B) Baghty replies
Sir,
The undersigned site office on behalf of the Executive Engineer PWD (R&B) Baghty Division and my immediate Senior officer, Sub divisional officer Sanis sub division would like to clarify to your letter under caption open letter to EE (PWD) Baghty that appear on your esteem daily dated 07/10/2014. That sir, Sanis-Moilan road, the only life line for the whole range is under construction under NLCPR scheme, which is underway. The work against the said road stretching 27 km out of 32 km is allotted to contractor and is yet to complete, some of the work charge employees adjoining to Sanis beats against the said road and temporarily attached to Wokha-Merapani road during monsoon season, since there is no field staff, and this road happen to be the life line for the whole Wokha district. The concern department officers taking the responsibility of the assigned duties has directed the contractor to expedite/complete the allotted work as per the given guidelines and to resume the work at the earliest. The undersigned while acknowledging all constructive suggestion seek co-operation from all concern to accomplish the long cherished project. Elithunh Ovung, Junior Engineer PWD (R&B) Baghty Sanis Sub Division.
Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.