Jamir laments lack of governance, fragmentation in Nagaland MHA, ENPO agree on ‘new

DIMAPUR, JAN 31

(NPN): Former chief minister and governor Padma Bushan Dr SC Jamir lamented that governance in the State has totally collapsed and only giving rise to extraconstitutional authorities who were running the de facto parallel administration, guided by their whims and fancies.

Dr. Jamir said this while speaking at the silver jubilee function of Christina Memorial Higher Secondary School (CMHSS) here on Tuesday on the theme “Refine Lives – The Hope of Tomorrow”. He questioned the people of Nagaland on whether they were prepared to live perpetually in a state of uncertainty and confusion and asked them to ponder over who was responsible for all the mess.

Dr. Jamir who is the sole surviving member of the

Naga People’s Convention (NPC) that formulated the 16 Point Agreement which formed the basis for creation of Nagaland state in 1963, lamented that Nagaland today was witnessing a rudderless political movement . He said Nagas were facing both seen and unseen forces working to the detrimental of healthy growth of this beautiful land of the Nagas.

He said the land of Christians has become a land of factions and almost all of them were at daggers drawn in the name of Naga sovereignty.

While pursuing the common political goal, he said the Naga political move-

NPF open to post-poll alliance: Azo

KOHIMA, JAN 31 (PTI):

The Naga People’s Front (NPF), one of the oldest regional parties in the state, will press for a solution of the vexed Naga Political Issue if it comes to power after the Assembly election and is ready for post-poll alliance.

The election to the 60-member Nagaland Assembly is scheduled for February 27.

NPF Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo)

Nienu in an exclusive interview to PTI said that with no pre-poll alliance, the NPF is ready for a post-poll strategy with any political party to form the next government. “We are ready to form or be a part of the government with any political party in the state, because post-election the demand for Naga political solution will be the pressing need,” he said.

“The Government of India is not at all serious in solving the Naga Political Issue. We are not at all satisfied,” he said, claiming that post election the NPF will press harder for solution to the vexed problem.

On the fielding of candidates for the ensuing election, Azo claimed a large number of aspirants are coming forward seeking the party ticket. “It has gone beyond our expectation but as a party we have to look into the financial aspects and during the party CEC meeting, we have decided to set up only winnable candidates. The list will be finalised within a day or two,” he said. He, however, refrained from disclosing the probable number of candidates to be fielded by the party. On the prime agenda of the party for the election campaign, he said in case NPF is part of any government, the priority ment had resulted in fragmentations with multiple groups instead of a united body, thereby defeating the very objective of the Naga movement built by the pioneers.

Dr. Jamir encouraged Nagas to gather courage and honesty, qualities which have remained dormant for past several decades because of insurgency. He also urged the present leadership, both underground and overground, to redefine the spirit of uniqueness of Naga political history in sync with contemporary socio-politico realities and chart the future of Nagaland everyone dreamt of.

(Cont’d on p-8)

Power shutdown in parts of Dimapur

DIMAPUR, JAN 31 (NPN):

In view of dismantling and shifting of old existing HT and LT lines to newly erected Trunk Line in Dimapur town area, Power department has informed consumers of power shutdown from February 1-21.

On February 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. the following areas will be affected-- Duncan, DC court, Lengrijan and Oriental areas will be affected

On February 3, 4, 10 & 14 from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m.- Kaboi Bosti, City Tower and New Market, Sematilla, West yard, Chatteshwari,

(Cont’d on p-8) (Cont’d on p-8)

NSCN (I-M), GPRN/NSCN observe 44th Raising Day

DIMAPUR, JAN 31 (NPN):

NSCN (I-M) and GPRR/ NSCN celebrated the 44th Raising Day of NSCN at their respective council headquarters on January 31.

NSCN built on foundation of Naga national principles, says Tuccu: NSCN (I-M) chairman Q. Tuccu reminded all that NSCN was built on the foundation of Naga national principles.

“We have to stand guard that we do not deviate from what NSCN stands for. The objectives of the manifesto of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) is mainly to safeguard and maintain the fundamental principles of Sovereign Independent

Christian Socialist Democratic Republic of Nagalim founded on solid ground of our centuries old social system and modern socio-political scenario,” Tuccu said.

“Let us continue to exercise our revolutionary responsibility in order to fulfill the high level of faith and trust reposed in us by the people. NSCN is indeed mandated by the Naga people to negotiate with the Government of India for bringing an honourable solution to the long-drawn Indo-Naga political problem. So far, we have not wavered in defending the sovereign rights of the Naga nation,” he said.

(Full text on p-6)

GoI failed to perform political task on Naga issue: In his speech, GPRN/NSCN chairman ‘gen.’ (Retd.) MB Neokpao Konyak expressed dismay that the political leadership of India, in the name of democracy, was conducting election in Nagaland and has diverted their attention to electioneering and party politics. Terming it as “unfair”, Neokpao, however, said Nagas were patient practitioners of ancient democratic values.

“Abstaining from democratic exercise too is a democratic right since the Indian leadership failed to perform its political task on the Naga issue,” he said. He asserted that: “Those Nagas prepar- ing to contest in the Indian election representing different political parties have to understand the severity of the Naga situation. This democratic exercise every five years have enabled thieves and scoundrels to flourish. Bankrupt minds have blurred the Naga vision. The hunger for five year power is threatening to destroy the future of Naga generations. Those clamouring for power will be answerable someday.”

(Full text on p-6)

Earlier, NPAC convener Zhekiye Yeptho graced Raising Day as the guest speaker at Council Headquarters, Naga Unification Camp, Khehoyi.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JAN 31 (NPN):

After nearly a month of intense deliberation between Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) representatives and the threemember committee of the Home Ministry led by advisor (North East) AK Mishra, on the demand for “Frontier Nagaland” state demand, both sides have agreed to work out a “new arrangement” for Eastern Nagaland. This final decision was arrived after two days

(January 30-31) of hectic parleys between the ENPO delegation and the Central team at Guwahati.

Sources privy to the meeting, disclosed that necessary formalities would be chalked out before the “new arrangement” is put in place. It was learnt that though ENPO had in principle, agreed to the “new arrangement”, it would however continue to press for a separate “Frontier Nagaland”.

Sources also said that after the new arrangement comes to fruition, it would mostly freshers, there was no woman applicant so far. He, however, refused to answer whether any of the former members (21 NPF legislators who merged with NDPP) returned to the parent party.

Azo alleged that most of the winnable candidates were purchased and therefore the battle was unpredictable. He said though many were new faces, tickets would be issued to winnable candidates.

He also clarified to this correspondent that NPF did not stitch pre-poll alliance with any party, though the party would work out postpoll alliance to ensure that the party was part of the government.

Congress: Meanwhile, Congress will issue the tickets on February 5. A Congress leader said though the number of candidates could not be ascertained, the list would include a woman candidate.

arrangement’

reportedly be in place for 10 years, which would likely have financial autonomy, separate funding among others.

In view of some technical issues over the ‘new arrangement’ to be cleared, a team of ENPO leaders will heading for Delhi on Wednesday to work out modalities before finalising the agreement.

As reported earlier, Union Home minister Amit Shah is expected to visit Eastern Nagaland after the Central team submit its final report to the Centre.