kanglaonline – Page 447

`I have come seeking full text of GOI-NSCN (IM) peace accord`: CM Ibobi in New Delhi

NEW DELHI, August 7 (MIC): ` I was quite surprised when I came to know the historic peace accord between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) was signed on

NEW DELHI, August 7 (MIC): ` I was quite surprised when I came to know the historic peace accord between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) was signed on August 3, 2015 without informing us`.

Talking to the media here today, the Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that he then asked the Union Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh to send a copy of the agreement.

Rajnath told the Manipur Chief Minister that he would present the statement in the parliament. Till date, the matter is not presented in the Parliament, he added.

Day before yesterday, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State for DoNER Jitendra Singh, during their inspection of flood in Manipur, told the media in Imphal that the peace accord was a simple framework, he narrated.

The Chief Minister also stated that the Government of Manipur is very much concern about the sensitive issue.

`My people will ask me why the State government did know nothing about the Naga accord. So, I come here to collect the full text of the Accord from the Centre`, he said.

He said that the statement of Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Niramala Sitaraman made yesterday that the Chief Ministers refused to come for a meeting called the Prime Minister on Naga Issue, was completely false and misleading to the people.

The Chief Minister further produced the two letters dated July 7, 2015 and July 10, 2015 sent from NITI Aayog and placed them before the media.

He said that the first one was for the meeting held on July 15 at 11 am about the discussion of Land Acquisition Act which the Congress ruled States had boycotted and the next one was for the meeting at 7pm on the same day relating to the development of the North Eastern Region.

If the agenda was on Naga Accord, he would definitely attend the meeting, he remarked.

He expressed, ` Nagas are my brothers and sisters living together with harmony for many years on Manipur soil. We want lasting solution for the NSCN (IM). If they demand the Naga areas from Manipur, 90 percent of the land will go, which we cannot compromise`.

He further stated, `While R. S. Pandey was the interlocutor of NSCN (IM) Peace talk, he always consulted the Government of Manipur on every step. When Ravi had been appointed as interlocutor, he never approached the State government on the issue`.

The Chief Minister also took a firm stand that not a single inch of land will be given from the territory of Manipur.

Indian National Congress organized a press briefing today at AICC conference room, Akbar Road here.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewalla was the main speaker.

Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi who also attended the briefing said that he was surprised that the Naga Accord was signed by the Interlocutor as representative of the Government of India.

He asked for the validity of the agreement. He further raised the question why it had been kept secret till today.

Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Nabam Tuki said that if the peace accord damaged the co-existence of the people of the North eastern region, it would be meaningless.

BJP MP raises Robinhood`s issue in Parliament

IMPHAL, August 7: BJP MP Prahlad Patel who is also the Manipur in charge of the party had urged the Central government to intervene on the issue regarding the death

IMPHAL, August 7: BJP MP Prahlad Patel who is also the Manipur in charge of the party had urged the Central government to intervene on the issue regarding the death of Sapam Robinhood and see to it that the young student`™s last rites are performed, according to a statement of the BJP Manipur.

It said Prahlad Patel had raised the issue of the death of student Sapam Robinhood during the ILP movement in the State during the Zero Hour in the Parliament on August 5.

The MP said in the House that he would like to introduced a sensitive issue of Manipur, it said.

He also informed the House that a student Sapam Robinhood died on July 8 after being hit by a tear gas shell fired by the police and his last rites are yet to be performed, the statement said.

It added that the MP also informed the House that due to the incident, curfews and general strikes have been imposed in the State since July 8 and that the public has been agitating since then demanding suspension of the police personnel involved in the incident.

However, due to the failure of the State government to take any action, the agitations are continuing in the State, Patel had informed the House according to the BJP Manipur statement.

At the same time, the State is also facing hardships due to landslides and floods, he said, according to the statement.

Patel had also informed the House that although a team of the NDRF has already started rescue work, there is not enough sign of the State government taking much interest on the issue, it said.

The MP had also expressed that it is his firm belief that the failure of the government to act is due to the prevalent corruption in the State, it said.

He continued that the political parties, legal experts and the people are unable to speak freely, it said.

According to the statement, the MP had urged the Central government to take up steps so that it could intervene and ensure that the young student`™s last rites are performed and peace returns in the State.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/bjp-mp-raises-robinhoods-issue-in-parliament/

Police personnel involved in Robinhood`s killing suspended

IMPHAL, Aug 7: After much furore from many sections, the police personnel of Imphal East District involved in the death of Sapam Robinhood have been placed under suspension with immediate

IMPHAL, Aug 7: After much furore from many sections, the police personnel of Imphal East District involved in the death of Sapam Robinhood have been placed under suspension with immediate effect and until further order.

The suspension order was issued by Superintendent of Police, Imphal East District Kamei Angam Romanus in exercise of the power conferred under Assam Police Manual Rule No 66, Part-III, as departmental enquiry is contemplated against them.

The suspended police personnel are Lisham Shoven Singh (C/No 0915107); Loukham Tiken Singh (C/No 0915499); Md Radikafur (C/No 0915818); Nongthombam Sushil Singh (C/No 0915179); Mutum Guneshwor Singh (C/No 0915772) and K Starson Tarao (C/No 0615040).

It is further ordered that during the period of their suspension, the headquarters of Lisham Shoven Singh; Loukham Tiken Singh; Md Radikafur; Nongthombam Sushil Singh; Mutum Guneshwor Singh and K Starson Tarao will be at Reserve Line, Porompat and they shall not leave their headquarters without obtaining prior permission of the SP Imphal East.

Further, they will get subsistence allowances as admissible under rules during the period of their suspension, the order said.

AMUCO rebukes Centre for leaving State out of the loop on accord signing

Imphal, August 7: The All Manipur United Club Organisation has today welcomed the signing of the Peace Accord between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) after 18 years

Imphal, August 7: The All Manipur United Club Organisation has today welcomed the signing of the Peace Accord between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) after 18 years of talks but at the same time censured the Centre for keeping neighbouring States unaware of the proceedings.

Speaking to media persons at their Kwakeithel office this afternoon, president of the organisation, Mani Khuman said according to the government of India interlocutor for the peace talk, RN Ravi the accord is just a framework agreement of the pact which will be finalised within three months.

Khuman said how could the government sign such a significant accord without consulting any of the governments of the neighbouring North Eastern States and their people.

He said the Centre`™s act lacks transparency and it is an act of incompetent authoritarian dictator.

AMUCO, he said will continue to act to safeguard the interest of the people and territorial integrity of the State as always.

The Centre cannot belittle a State like Manipur which had its own Constitution and which was a sovereign State with its own international boundary status, he asserted.

Delhi should be mindful of such historical rights and importance of the place and stop trying to segregate the land and its people into pieces, he continued.

The president said that AMUCO also condemns Union Minister of State Home Affairs Kiran Rajiju and BJP Manipur president Th Chaoba Singh for trying to mislead the people by giving assurances that the accord will not hurt the peoples`™ interest and sentiment of the region.

He added that every kind of autonomy will be accepted but bypassing the State administration will not be acceptable.

He further demanded the State governemnt and its council of minister to determine the contents of the accord.

The organisation further demands the details of the peace accord to be made public failing which, AMUCO along with the public would be compelled to trigger a movement.

Room for naturalisation

One of the most magnanimous gifts that a society blessed with a sense of confident and of security is generosity of spirit. Peace would prevail in such a society too.

One of the most magnanimous gifts that a society blessed with a sense of confident and of security is generosity of spirit. Peace would prevail in such a society too. From all indices, Manipur at one point in its history seemed such a society. One of these indices is the demographic makeup of Manipur. The place does not have a homogenous population, but all owe allegiance to their common homeland. But to go away from the larger canvas of the whole state, even amongst any single community, for instance the majority Meiteis, as we had suggested before in these same columns, if a genome study were to be done, it would be discovered how varied the ancestry of this same ethnic group are. Even during recorded historical time, we know this has been the case, and the kings have always encouraged naturalisation and assimilation of settlers, and within a few generations they would be indigenised. In King Khagemba`™s time the story of the Pangal (Muslim) invasion from East Bengal in 1606 is well known. The defeated Muslim army was allowed to settle, take local wives and given Meitei surnames to ultimately indigenise. The leniency of course had also to do with the new agricultural and fishing skills the Pangals brought in, falling in the broad pattern of the general outlook of Zomia in matters of skill acquisition that Yale professor, James Scott picturized. Similarly, in the early 18th century, the Brahmins missionaries (Bamon) also were absorbed into the Meitei society. Predetermined by its geography, the Imphal valley would have been a melting pot of ethnicities. The Meiteis themselves, as we know, were formed by the assimilation of seven ethnicities (clans). But the assimilation process did not end there. We also know how many Meitei surnames are distant relations of different hill tribes too. And no doubt about it the society is all the richer for this.

If immigration is controlled and regulated to the extent the society can absorb without detriment to itself, there should be no objection to it. And as we also again already observed in an earlier editorial, those campaigning for the introduction of a regulatory mechanism should keep this in mind, and classify immigrants into two broad categories. In the first category are those who would end up as colonisers becoming the masters of the place`™s resources and displacing the original populations. In the other would be those who would assimilate and be part of the collective milieu of the place, unreservedly placing their loyalties to the place of their settlement. The pleas of the local Telis and local Nepalis etc, must therefore not fall on deaf ears. We can also look at how societies which have had similar policy outlooks progressed phenomenally. The story of Singapore which completed half a century of independence earlier this year, is a case in point. Its founder president, Lee Kwan Yew, actively encouraged immigrants, especially those who were skilled, to be assimilated into the Singapore society, and undertook social engineering projects to ensure peaceful, productive co-existence. This generosity of spirit, as Singapore has demonstrated, is not just a matter of ethics and morality, but also of prudent visionary economics and politics. The other case would be America of the 20th Century, and the immigration policy of the time. We are not of course talking of the White colonisation of the earlier centuries and the genocide of the Native Americans. In fact, there have been volumes written how the 20th Century is considered the American century precisely because of its immigration policy. Behind a good majority of the business and scientific innovations of the century that America boast of today, including the Atom bomb, were naturalised immigrants.

The ILP or an equivalent is necessary, but there must be qualifications. It must not be about shutting all doors and windows, but of regulation to ensure the indigenous societies can accommodate settlers to their benefit. It is a fine line that must be drawn, and provided the existential logic behind such a line is well argued out, there is no reason why the state as well as the Union governments would not agree to the proposal. What the society must also be wary of is that it cannot always be swimming against the tides of the time, and therefore must be resilient enough to adopt and flow with the epochal currents. In a discussion, a Naga gentleman many in Manipur are familiar with, Niketu Iralu, who has been places, including New Zealand to study the issues of indigenous peoples, said there is only one pure blooded Maori left in this world today and he met him. But the Maori identity is still alive and vibrant, and no one dares tell those calling themselves Maoris today, be they blue eyed or fair skinned, they are not Maori. Identity is also about believing in being owned by an identity, and not just about genes.

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/room-for-naturalisation/

Introspection: A blog on ILP

By Dinesh Sharma Before you even start reading the article, let me be clear that I am a 4th generation Gorkha settled in Manipur. And I will accept criticism if

By Dinesh Sharma

Before you even start reading the article, let me be clear that I am a 4th generation Gorkha settled in Manipur. And I will accept criticism if you at any point feel that the article is a little biased. I am a confused person right now. Suddenly, after having lived for 31 good years of my life, my belongingness and loyalty towards my motherland is being questioned.
I do not write this article with pride. In fact, it is shameful that despite having been born and brought up as a Manipuri Gorkha, today I am having to publish an appeal to clarify that I too belong to Manipur. From time immemorial, it is always the majority who create history. We have never read or heard about the story of the minority. Today, I will narrate the story of the minority, the voiceless and the helpless.
Recently, there was a video circulating on social media it showed a lady who was being delivered a mob justice. She was being slapped, hit by a shaft, and ever had her hair chopped in public. Whatever be the reason, that was not the right way to vent dissatisfaction in the wake of such political crisis. Tomorrow, some other crowd might just want to do the same thing on another individual. Who is going to take the blame then? As a civilized society with such rich history and culture, a more matured approach would have given a dignity to the agitation.
We are accused of encroaching the land. We are accused of being a threat to the social fabric of the state. We are asked to pack up and leave the state. How is it even possible? We are not here staying in a rent house that we pack our belongings and move to another house. My family has not grabbed any land or encroached upon anyone else`™s territory. We have papers for our land as per the law of the land. We also grew up listening to our grandmother narrating us stories of the Japanese drones flying above the roof. We have heard stories of our grandfathers fighting to protect the land alongside the British and the maharaja`™s army. Are our stories any different from the stories of a Meitei, Naga, or a Kuki kid?
They say that our contribution to the land is zero. Turn any pages of history of this land and you will find a Gorkha, Major Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetry amongst the earliest martyrs of the land. He was hanged to death alongside Bir Tikendrajit and General Thangal by the British on 13th of August 1891.
They must have also conveniently forgotten that we are the most peaceful community in the state. We live happily with all other communities, be it the Meiteis, Nagas or the Kukis. I have studied Meiteilon throughout my childhood, I can speak a bit of Kuki, and I have lived with a Naga friend for about 7 years of my life. Like you all, we have recited Ougri Sheireng, listened to Khamba-thoibi with awe, enjoyed the colours of Yaoshang, celebrated Lai Haraoba with equal enthusiasm, and cannot live without Ironba, Nga-Thongba and Ooti as our daily staple. What makes me less Manipuri than anybody else from my state? Perhaps we are the only community in Manipur which never had any law and order problem with the state.

Despite all this, we are time and again asked to cite history of our existence in the state. Below are some historical records of the settlement of Gorkhas in Manipur to put across the point that we are not just land grabbers and that we have taken equal part in the nation building process in Manipur:
1. On recorded history, the first batch of Gorkhas came to Manipur during the time of Raja Gambhir Singh. In 1824, the Gorkhas of the 16th Sylhet Local Battalion, later to become the 8th Gorkha Rifles, were included in the Police Levy of Gambhir Singh. During the first quarter of the 19th Century, Manipur was much troubled by Burmese intruders and troops. To secure Manipur, Gambhir Singh raised an army in 1825 and recruited Gorkhas from Sylhet for it. The militia was named the `Victoria Paltan`™. (Source: The Role of Gorkhas in Making of Modern India)

2. Before the beginning of the 20th century, the Gorkha/Nepali Gwalla (cowherd community) was confined in the Manipur valley. And since the Meitei community were not a great consumer of milk and ghee and land was becoming scarce in the valley, the Govt of Manipur decided to shift the Gorkhali/Nepali Gwalla to the northern part of the Manipur Valley creating a Gorkha/Nepali reserve (18 miles long) in between Sekmai and Kangpokpi in 1915 and later on partially extended up to Maram, Siddim Pukhri and lrang Part-I & II (Source: Manipur State Administrative Report 1915-16 Chapter `“ V, No. 2 Para V. Durbar Resolution 1 dated 17th February 1915).

3. That, the creation of the Sekmai Kangpokpi Gorkha Grazing Reserve the Nepali graziers began to settle within the reserve areas of Kurapokpi, Sapermeina, Shriwani, Keithelmanbi, Paspati, Kalapahar, Santolabari, Chandraman, Kangpokpi, Irang, Maram Siddim Pukhri. In 1918, a survey of the Gorkha/Nepali Reserve area was done wef. 19th June 1918 to 7th January 1920 and Patta was issued for the Gorkha/Nepali graziers who applied for agricultural land.

4. The 4th Assam Rifles was raised in Manipur in 1915, and had over 80% Gorkha personnel.

5. First Manipur Rifles, raised in 1946 also inducted huge number of Gorkhas. Still today, the family quarters of the battalion has several Gorkha families living there.

6. Even eminent scholars like MK Binodini, the royal family of Manipur confirms that the Gorkhalis have long been a part of Manipur`™s cultural milieu. She says “¦in fact I do not know at what time so called Nepali community actually came to Manipur. Since my childhood beginning from Mantripukhri to Kangpokpi, I have seen their settlement to be in existence long before many years. At the time of my father Maharaja Churachand, when he was in drive on the Dimapur road, I still remember the joyous welcome and applause accorded by the Nepalese children near by the road and I saw many Nepali personnel in the post of high rank and files of the Manipur State Police` (Source: `A Yaipha Paojel`™ in a journal called `Netee`™; published by Manipur Nepali Sahitya Parishad in 2006)

7. When the World War II reached till Kanglatongbi-Kangpokpi, the Gorkha community was evicted by the Govt. Many of them left their land temporarily and got back when the war was over. However, the government had by then ceased the Nepali grazing reserve (26th August 1946), giving effect from 1st December 1946. Many who failed to comply with the government order or returned late to their land lost their land and had to seek shelter with their neighboring tribal brothers for their livelihood.

The Gorkha community is settled for nearly 2 centuries and have lived in an area of 140 sq. miles till 1915. Besides the army settlers, we could rear more than 10,000 cattle and buffaloes. An entire stretch of road named in Jiribam was named as Man Bahadur Limbu`™s Road. Today, after almost 2 centuries, our population is not even 1 lakh. How could we possibly disturb the social fabric of the Manipuri society or even snatch away opportunities from the locals?
Today, we are as much a victim of historical circumstances, miscalculation and manipulation as all of you. We too would want to be part of the decision making process which will segregate the outsiders from the insiders. Sadly, despite being a part of the greater Manipuri society for nearly 200 years, we have been pre-leveled as `outsiders`. Look into your hearts and think for once, how would you react, if you and your community were labeled as such?
Most of the Gorkha youths from Manipur today are working in the defence or in the metro cities. This also brings in revenue to the state. How can we possibly exploiting the wealth of Manipur? I would love to know if you have seen anything unjust being committed by any Gorkha in Manipur.
Today, we live outside the state in metro cities. Ask one of your own `inside Manipuris`™ about how does it feel to be humiliated. If you have no idea of how humiliated your brothers and sisters feel when faced with racism outside the home state, maybe you should go and speak to them. I have also felt the outrage over `racism `against our Manipuri people in Delhi and other cities, but I cannot turn a blind eye and deaf ear to numerous instances of racism here in my motherland itself.
In this city, we only have people; there is no Meitei, Naga, Kuki, Gorkha, Bengali, Bihari or Marwari. If someone asks me, I proudly call myself Manipuri Gorkha. Here no one accuses anyone of stealing opportunities or ancestral land. No Bihari cries of innocent people being killed, no Meitei accuses a Bihari of depleting his economy. We share rooms to save money, lend and borrow money when we are broke, we share pizzas and drinks together, we contribute for the electricity bills, we wait for each other to walk back home after office, We cook together, we laugh at each other`™s jokes, we fall in love, we get married. We live happily here, but we never talk of our problems back home. Why?? Because it divides us.
We are happy out here, but why this indifference back in our own homeland?? I leave this for you to ponder upon.

Dinesh Sharma can be contacted at: dineshcold@gmail.com

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/introspection-a-blog-on-ilp/

Media plays an important role in facilitating changes in the world: IPR commissioner

IMPHAL, August 7: A three-day long media advocacy programme for the State journalists was inaugurated today at the Secure Office Complex Auditorium, AT Line, North AOC. The programme is being

IMPHAL, August 7: A three-day long media advocacy programme for the State journalists was inaugurated today at the Secure Office Complex Auditorium, AT Line, North AOC.

The programme is being organised by the All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union and funded by the Manipur Development Society.

Speaking as the chief guest, Information and Public Relations commissioner Letkhogin Haokip said the world is changing with the journalists playing an important role.

The journalists help in bringing the change to the world, he said.

He also said people working in the media houses should not be biased while discharging their duties.

Taking example of the famous `Banaras paan`™, he said like the paan which is popular because of the pleasing and refreshing aromatic taste left in the mouth long after it is eaten, a journalist should thrive to leave a good impression with his news report.

He further urged all the journalists to help in bringing a change in the society.

IPR director Salam Somorjit said people working in any profession need to keep themselves updated with the changing times and it is the journalists that have to remain the most updated.

Delivering the presidential speech, AMWJU president Wangkhemcha Shyamjai said media has developed a lot in recent times.

Now, people can read news through the internet on the go with the help of electronic devices that are vastly available in the market.

After the inaugural function, The Telegraph special correspondent Khelen Thokchom spoke on dress code and personnel appearance for journalists; AIR editor A Ibomcha Sharma shared his knowledge on social media and its pros and cons while Imphal Free Press editor Pradip Phanjoubam spoke on `Disaster and role of media.`™

Introspection: A blog on ILP

By Dinesh Sharma Before you even start reading the article, let me be clear that I am a 4th generation Gorkha settled in Manipur. And I will accept criticism if

By Dinesh Sharma

Before you even start reading the article, let me be clear that I am a 4^th generation Gorkha settled in Manipur. And I will accept criticism if you at any point feel that the article is a little biased. I am a confused person right now. Suddenly, after having lived for 31 good years of my life, my belongingness and loyalty towards my motherland is being questioned.

I do not write this article with pride. In fact, it is shameful that despite having been born and brought up as a Manipuri Gorkha, today I am having to publish an appeal to clarify that I too belong to Manipur. From time immemorial, it is always the majority who create history. We have never read or heard about the story of the minority. Today, I will narrate the story of the minority, the voiceless and the helpless.

Recently, there was a video circulating on social media it showed a lady who was being delivered a mob justice. She was being slapped, hit by a shaft, and ever had her hair chopped in public. Whatever be the reason, that was not the right way to vent dissatisfaction in the wake of such political crisis. Tomorrow, some other crowd might just want to do the same thing on another individual. Who is going to take the blame then? As a civilized society with such rich history and culture, a more matured approach would have given a dignity to the agitation.

We are accused of encroaching the land. We are accused of being a threat to the social fabric of the state. We are asked to pack up and leave the state. How is it even possible? We are not here staying in a rent house that we pack our belongings and move to another house. My family has not grabbed any land or encroached upon anyone else’s territory. We have papers for our land as per the law of the land. We also grew up listening to our grandmother narrating us stories of the Japanese drones flying above the roof. We have heard stories of our grandfathers fighting to protect the land alongside the British and the maharaja’s army. Are our stories any different from the stories of a Meitei, Naga, or a Kuki kid?

They say that our contribution to the land is zero. Turn any pages of history of this land and you will find a Gorkha, Major Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetry amongst the earliest martyrs of the land. He was hanged to death alongside Bir Tikendrajit and General Thangal by the British on 13^th of August 1891.

They must have also conveniently forgotten that we are the most peaceful community in the state. We live happily with all other communities, be it the Meiteis, Nagas or the Kukis. I have studied Meiteilon throughout my childhood, I can speak a bit of Kuki, and I have lived with a Naga friend for about 7 years of my life. Like you all, we have recited Ougri Sheireng, listened to Khamba-thoibi with awe, enjoyed the colours of Yaoshang, celebrated Lai Haraoba with equal enthusiasm, and cannot live without Ironba, Nga-Thongba and Ooti as our daily staple. What makes me less Manipuri than anybody else from my state? Perhaps we are the only community in Manipur which never had any law and order problem with the state.

On recorded history, the first batch of Gorkhas came to Manipur during the time of Raja Gambhir Singh. In 1824, the Gorkhas of the 16th Sylhet Local Battalion, later to become the 8th Gorkha Rifles, were included in the Police Levy of Gambhir Singh. During the first quarter of the 19th Century, Manipur was much troubled by Burmese intruders and troops. To secure Manipur, Gambhir Singh raised an army in 1825 and recruited Gorkhas from Sylhet for it. The militia was named the ‘Victoria Paltan’. (Source: The Role of Gorkhas in Making of Modern India)
Before the beginning of the 20th century, the Gorkha/Nepali Gwalla (cowherd community) was confined in the Manipur valley. And since the Meitei community were not a great consumer of milk and ghee and land was becoming scarce in the valley, the Govt of Manipur decided to shift the Gorkhali/Nepali Gwalla to the northern part of the Manipur Valley creating a Gorkha/Nepali reserve (18 miles long) in between Sekmai and Kangpokpi in 1915 and later on partially extended up to Maram, Siddim Pukhri and lrang Part-I & II (Source: Manipur State Administrative Report 1915-16 Chapter – V, No. 2 Para V. Durbar Resolution 1 dated 17th February 1915).
That, the creation of the Sekmai Kangpokpi Gorkha Grazing Reserve the Nepali graziers began to settle within the reserve areas of Kurapokpi, Sapermeina, Shriwani, Keithelmanbi, Paspati, Kalapahar, Santolabari, Chandraman, Kangpokpi, Irang, Maram Siddim Pukhri. In 1918, a survey of the Gorkha/Nepali Reserve area was done wef. 19th June 1918 to 7th January 1920 and Patta was issued for the Gorkha/Nepali graziers who applied for agricultural land.
The 4^thAssam Rifles was raised in Manipur in 1915, and had over 80% Gorkha personnel.
First Manipur Rifles, raised in 1946 also inducted huge number of Gorkhas. Still today, the family quarters of the battalion has several Gorkha families living there.
Even eminent scholars like MK Binodini, the royal family of Manipur confirms that the Gorkhalis have long been a part of Manipur’s cultural milieu. She says“…in fact I do not know at what time so called Nepali community actually came to Manipur. Since my childhood beginning from Mantripukhri to Kangpokpi, I have seen their settlement to be in existence long before many years. At the time of my father Maharaja Churachand, when he was in drive on the Dimapur road, I still remember the joyous welcome and applause accorded by the Nepalese children near by the road and I saw many Nepali personnel in the post of high rank and files of the Manipur State Police” (Source: ‘A Yaipha Paojel’ in a journal called ‘Netee’; published by Manipur Nepali Sahitya Parishad in 2006)
When the World War II reached till Kanglatongbi-Kangpokpi, the Gorkha community was evicted by the Govt. Many of them left their land temporarily and got back when the war was over. However, the government had by then ceased the Nepali grazing reserve (26th August 1946), giving effect from 1st December 1946. Many who failed to comply with the government order or returned late to their land lost their land and had to seek shelter with their neighboring tribal brothers for their livelihood.

Today, we are as much a victim of historical circumstances, miscalculation and manipulation as all of you. We too would want to be part of the decision making process which will segregate the outsiders from the insiders. Sadly, despite being a part of the greater Manipuri society for nearly 200 years, we have been pre-leveled as “outsiders”. Look into your hearts and think for once, how would you react, if you and your community were labeled as such?

Most of the Gorkha youths from Manipur today are working in the defense or in the metro cities. This also brings in revenue to the state. How can we possibly exploiting the wealth of Manipur? I would love to know if you have seen anything unjust being committed by any Gorkha in Manipur.

Today, we live outside the state in metro cities. Ask one of your own ‘inside Manipuris’ about how does it feel to be humiliated. If you have no idea of how humiliated your brothers and sisters feel when faced with racism outside the home state, maybe you should go and speak to them. I have also felt the outrage over “racism “against our Manipuri people in Delhi and other cities, but I cannot turn a blind eye and deaf ear to numerous instances of racism here in my motherland itself.

In this city, we only have people; there is no Meitei, Naga, Kuki, Gorkha, Bengali, Bihari or Marwari. If someone asks me, I proudly call myself Manipuri Gorkha. Here no one accuses anyone of stealing opportunities or ancestral land. No Bihari cries of innocent people being killed, no Meitei accuses a Bihari of depleting his economy. We share rooms to save money, lend and borrow money when we are broke, we share pizzas and drinks together, we contribute for the electricity bills, we wait for each other to walk back home after office, We cook together, we laugh at each other’s jokes, we fall in love, we get married. We live happily here, but we never talk of our problems back home. Why?? Because it divides us.

We are happy out here, but why this indifference back in our own homeland?? I leave this for you to ponder upon.

The article was sent to KanglaOnline by the author. He can be reached at dineshcold(at)gmail(dot)com.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/introspection-a-blog-on-ilp/

ILPS demand : KSA Jiribam Unit appeals extension of form submission for jobs at MPDC

Jiribam, 6 Aug, 2015 : A press release from the Kangleipak Students Association(KSA), Jiribam Unit, has appealed to the Manipur Power Development Corporation to extend the last date of form

Jiribam, 6 Aug, 2015 : A press release from the Kangleipak Students Association(KSA), Jiribam Unit, has appealed to the Manipur Power Development Corporation to extend the last date of form submission for some of its job post. The last date of the form submission has already been extended before to 7th Aug , due to unprecedented bandhs and strikes for ILPS demand .

”Frequent bandh and other form of agitations that has been plaqued in demand of ILP has created lot of problem to the people of manipur and jiribam particular. The guardians of the applicants to some posts of the Manipur Power Development Corporation earnestly request to extends form submission to some days. It will be a good will as the situation is continuing, the concern authority may kindly be taken this as most urgent.” added the release.

The press release is signed by L. Bonson Singh , President , KSA, Jiribam Unit.

UNC welcomes GOI- NSCN (IM) pact

SENAPATI, August 6: The United Naga Council (UNC) extended a warm welcome over the Historic Peace Accord signed between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim

SENAPATI, August 6: The United Naga Council (UNC) extended a warm welcome over the Historic Peace Accord signed between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim on August 3 in the state capital New Delhi. The signing of peace accord has brought about an end to decades old armed conflict in Naga areas, a press release of the UNC said.

According to a statement, the Peace Accord was a result of a magnanimous courage and patience of the Nagas and the wisdom and political will of P.M Narendra Modi and his government.

The UNC extended its deepest appreciation and heartiest gratitude to the Prime Minister of India and chairman Isaac Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, chief negotiator, general secretary of the NSCN/GPRN, it added.

`The Nagas in the present State of Manipur along with the rest of Nagas will always remember them and their names will be inscribed in the golden pages of Naga History. The Nagas of the present State of Manipur also pledge ourselves to continue to render our best effort in making the Peace Accord into its final shape, ` said S. Milan, Info & Pub Secy of UNC.

Meanwhile, the Zomi Human Rights Foundation (ZHRF) has expressed its appreciation over the sincerity of the present government of India for inking the historic accord with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland NSCN (IM) to bring about an amicable solution.

In a press statement, the foundation has said that the historic accord is a light in the end of the tunnel for the perturbed North East India. The aged old cultures, good values, village administrations, identity and other significant social institutions of the Indigenous Tribal People shall be protected, it added. The Foundation urged upon the players to sincerely work out the tenets of the Accords for utmost gains and benefits for long lasting Peace and Stability in the Region.

The seven Naga tribes of Chandel gathered today to honour and welcome the Peace Accord signed between the GoI India and the NSCN (IM).

All tribes presidents, leaders of the students organmisation, women organisations, rank and files of AC Battalion, Naga Army, Khurmi Region authorities and MDCs of ADC Chandel gathered to welcome the historic landmark in a function held Wednesday under the aegis of the Chandel Naga People`™s Organisation (CNPO) at the the CNPO`™s office located in the district head quarter town Japhou Bazar.

The people in the gathering were grateful to the wisdom of BJP led NDA Government of the centre for the efforts to end the six decade old Naga problem.

`We highly appreciate the leadership of the PM of India Narendra Modi and the collective leadership of the NSCN (IM) for bringing an honourable solution which is acceptable to all`™ said president of Sirti Upa Ruh Ng Beni.

Chief administrative officer of Khurmi Region Ts Prem in his speech recounted the struggle of the Naga Army in the past and termed the peace accord as the biggest achievement given to the Naga People by the Almighty God.

He said, it is the beginning of a new chapter for the Nagas to unite and defend Nagalim.

`It is time for us to reconcile, forgive and forget our differences`™ said PRO of AC Battalion Naga Army K Wangshol while speaking in the function.

`It`™s not by might, not by power but, by the prayer of all faithful Nagas, we have been able to achieve this glory`™ Wangshol added.

President of CNPO, Ws. Kanral Anal informed of a celebration, due to be held soon, by all section of the Naga society living in Chandel district.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/unc-welcomes-goi-nscn-im-pact/

Five injured on last day of general strike

IMPHAL, August 6: The last day of the 48 hour general strike called by the joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System students`™ wing ended on a violent note today

IMPHAL, August 6: The last day of the 48 hour general strike called by the joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System students`™ wing ended on a violent note today with road blocks turning violent at several places.

Human chains, public rallies, sit in protests and road blocks continued during the 48-hour strike.

Atleast four protestors were injured at different places one of them hit by a live bullet. All four are getting treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences.

It may also be mentioned that due to the inconveniences faced by medical staff during the general strike, many private medical institutions and government Primary Health Centres remained non-operation on the last day of the strike.

One of the victims has been identified as Khangembam Jeimut, 32, son of (L) Gyaneshore of Keishamthong, Elangbam Leikai Leirak Macha.

Sources said Jeimut had gone to get packaged water bottle from Longjam Leirak (Keisamthong) at around 4-30 pm today and was hit by a mock bomb directly on his stomach resulting in serious injury.

He is presently getting treatment at the RIMS.

The others injured have been identified as Thingujam Yaima, 17, son of Thingujam Ebecha of Singjamei Oinam Thingel; Thokchom (o) Chandrakala, 50, wife of Th Ranjit of Yaishkul Chingakham Leikai injured on her legs and hands; Huidrom Manjit, 22, of Naoremthong Bazar, hit by a rubber bullet on his left wrist and Ningombam Johny, 21, son of N Sekhar of Lamboi Khongnangkhong.

Johny was hit by a rubber bullet on his stomach.

Sources said police commandos banged Yaima`™s head on a electric post injuring his head and chest.

Meanwhile, the OC Singjamei PS was also injured while trying to shift a woman who had fainted during a sit in protest.

In a telephonic conversation with the IFP, the OC N Ingocha said he was requested by some womenfolk to transport an old woman who had fainted during a sit in protest near the Yumnam Leikai Imo Filling oil station.

He said as he went to the spot along with his escort, they were attacked by general strike supporters and when the womenfolk shouted the police was there to shift a woman to the hospital.

He said he was guarded by the woman folk and managed to reach his vehicle.

However, a stone hit the windshield breaking it and he received a few minor injuries from the broken glasses, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/five-injured-on-last-day-of-general-strike/

State MPs say Centre`s accord with NSCN (IM) shouldn`t affect neighbour States

IMPHAL, August 6: The Members of Parliament from Manipur, Dr Thokchom Meinya, Thangso Baite and Md Abdul Salam have jointly submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra

IMPHAL, August 6: The Members of Parliament from Manipur, Dr Thokchom Meinya, Thangso Baite and Md Abdul Salam have jointly submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi in the Parliament House on August 5 on the recent framework agreement of the Naga Peace Accord signed between the Government of India and the protracted Naga Insurgency group NSCN (IM) on August 3.

A joint statement of the MPs said while welcoming the signing of a framework agreement, they have expressed their fervent hope that this vexed Naga problem would certainly find a lasting solution for the Nagas without disturbing the territorial boundaries of the neighbouring States, most particularly that of Manipur.

It said they have also demanded the details of the agreement`™.

Further according to the statement, the MPs further stated that the public in Manipur are in a state of anxiety of the outcome of the Naga Peace Accord.

It will be a grave situation in the region in case the outcome is against the interest of the neighbouring States, Manipur in particular, the MPs had stated in the memorandum according to the statement.

It said the MPs also reminded the Union Government that Manipur was merged into the Union of India on October 15, 1949 with a clearly defined territorial boundary.

`The wish of the people of Manipur is that the Manipur map of 1949 should always be respected, protected and properly maintained by the Union Government and that there shall be no compromise on the territorial integrity of Manipur. This is the pride of the state of Manipur,` the MPs said in the memorandum, it said.

It also said that the MPs while drawing the personal attention of the Prime Minister for a lasting solution of all the insurgency problems in the region, urge upon the Union government to find an amicable solution to the Naga problem at the earliest. But such a solution should never be at the cost of the boundaries of the other neighbouring States, most importantly Manipur, it said.

JCILPS Students` Wing general strike paralyses life, ends

IMPHAL, August 6: The 48-hour state-wide general strike imposed by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Students`™ Wing in pursuance of its demands put up to the government

IMPHAL, August 6: The 48-hour state-wide general strike imposed by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Students`™ Wing in pursuance of its demands put up to the government and in condemnation of the police excesses meted out to student protestors greatly affected normal life in the State.

Business establishments and shops remained shut down during the course of the strike.

Inter-state and inter-district passenger services stayed off the roads. Movement of private vehicles and commuters on the roads was minimal.

Strike supporters blocked roads in different places by burning tyres, placing wood logs and forming human chains. Passage of vehicles and commuters in many areas was also disrupted by strike supporters.

Women folk of Changangei Uchekon and youths blocked the entrance gate of Imphal Tulihal Airport by burning tyre in front of the gate disrupting passage of passengers.

Police fired tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse them. However, the enraged protestors refused to retreat back till late evening. After much attempt, police managed to take out some passengers from the airport.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa was amongst the passengers who managed to come out of the airport with the help of police.

Road blocks were also witnsessed at several places including Singjamei, Sagolband Tera, Chingamakha, Heirangoithong, Nongmeibung, Checkon, Soibam Leikai, Keishamthong, Yumnam Leikai, Mayengbam Leikai, Ghari, Keishampat and Sangaiprou.

Supporting the strike, sit-in-protests were staged by women folk of Lalambung Makhong, Chungkham Leirak, Soram Leirak, Kangjabi Leirak, RIMS Machin Apunba Commitee, Tera Sayang Lambi Meira Paibi Lup, United Progressive Organization, Sagolband Bijoy Govinda Apunba Nupi Lup, Sagolband Mabudhou Mantri Meira Paibi Lup and SYPO in their respective areas.

Effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi, Deputy CM Gaikhangam and Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai were burnt by protestors at Kangjabi Machin and Sagolband Tera.

On the other hand, a sit-in-protest was staged by staff of Imphal Hospital appealing to allow free passage to medical staff during the strike.

The general strike which ended at 6 pm today also hit normal life in Tamenglong district.

There was no movement of all types of vehicles along the National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) and Imphal-Tamenglong Road due to the strike. However, no untoward incident took place during the course of the strike.

Strike supporters set ablaze labourers` shed

IMPHAL, August 6: Supporters of the 48-hour general strike called by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Students`™ Wing reportedly set ablaze a temporary shed accommodating labourers engaged

The incident took place yesterday around 4 pm.

According to reports, commando personnel coming from Paona Bazar side fired tear gas shells towards strike supporters coming out from Keishampat Thokchom Leikai and Mutum Leikai.

In retaliation, the supporters pelted stones while some used catapults towards the police personnel who were hiding in the shed.

After the commando personnel fled from the scnene, the irate strike supporters set ablaze the temporary shed.

Properties of the shed, including electric machineries worth Rs 1.5 lakh were destroyed in the arson.

On receiving the news of the fire, a team of fire service arrived and extinguished the fire.

The labourers engaged in the construction of Sewage Project at Paona Bazar are working under a contractor identified as Kangujam Rajen of Kakwa Lamdaibung.

In the scuffle between the strike supporters and commando personnel, head mistry Mayengbam Binoy Singh, 40 son of M Ibomcha Singh of Wabagai Awang Leikai, who was staying in the shed suffered injuries on his head after he was hit by a stone, the reports said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/strike-supporters-set-ablaze-labourers-shed/

NSCN (K) cadre involved in Parlon ambush nabbed

IMPHAL, August 6: A joint team of 6th DOGRA under IGAR (South) and Imphal West Police Station apprehended a cadre of NSCN (K) during a operation conducted at Khuman Lampak

IMPHAL, August 6: A joint team of 6th DOGRA under IGAR (South) and Imphal West Police Station apprehended a cadre of NSCN (K) during a operation conducted at Khuman Lampak Stadium on August 4, sources said.

The apprehendee has been identified as SS Cpl (No 1705), Chingkhurei Gangmei, 29 son of Late Phurilung Gangmei of village Bamgaijing village under Tamenglong Police Station.

It is also learnt that certain incriminating items were found from his possession.

The arrested cadre revealed that he was involved in the deadly ambush on 6th DOGRA on June 4 2015 near Parlon village, informed the source.

He has been handed over to Imphal West Police Station, the sources stated.

In another operation, 45 Assam Rifles, HQ IGAR(S) nabbed another cadre of NSCN (K) during an operation conducted at Koirengei today.

Sources identified the apprehendee as SS 2nd Lt Jordan Malangmai, 40 alias Paokhamlong son of Paolankhwan Malangmai of Namching village, Keithelmanbi.

Sources also said the apprehended cadre works as an intelligence officer for NSCN (K) and used to provide information about security forces in Jiribam to the outfit.

One mobile handset with an Aircel sim card was found from his possession, source said.

He has been handed over to Heingang Police Station, the sources stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/nscn-k-cadre-involved-in-parlon-ambush-nabbed/

WAD shows concern over police actions

IMPHAL, Aug 6: Expressing concern against the reported harsh actions of the State police personnel against the civilians engage in peaceful protests as part of the ongoing ILPS movement, Women

IMPHAL, Aug 6: Expressing concern against the reported harsh actions of the State police personnel against the civilians engage in peaceful protests as part of the ongoing ILPS movement, Women Action for Development (WAD) has categorically stated that the steps which had been taken up by the government to control the mob has consistently resulted in injuring many protestors and police.

In a statement, it said the movement became more intense after the death of Sapam Robinhood in police action and the recent action of the police against the girl students who were protesting at the Old Secretariat.

The actions of the State forces are not inquired properly due to the influence from the so called higher authorities, it alleged.

All these are the result of the unfair practices during the recruitment process of the employees by the government departments, the WAD alleged.

They are compelled not to punish due to the corruption, therefore the government feels insecure if some uprising breaks out within the police as all of them are well armed, it said.

it has further demanded the concern authorities to punish the police personnel involved in committing such attrocities against the students and other agitators.

WAD also demanded justice to the family of Sapam RObinhood who died due to police action and added that the present police personnel should be re-trained with proper behavioural counselling.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/wad-shows-concern-over-police-actions/

Man shot at; assailant thrashed to death

IMPHAL, August 6: Amidst the general strike called by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Students`™ Wing, a man coming in a Honda Activa scooter with his four

IMPHAL, August 6: Amidst the general strike called by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Students`™ Wing, a man coming in a Honda Activa scooter with his four years old son was shot at by two persons at Bengoon Awapalli under Mayang-Imphal Police Station in Imphal West yesterday around 8.45 pm.

The injured man has been identified as MV Basir Mashalam, 38 son of MV Ashraf Ali of Mayang-Imphal Bengoon Mayai Leikai. He along with his four-year-old son was returning home from Uchiwa Wangbal on the vehicle.

The incident took place when the two persons stopped the vehicle and asked its owner to lend the scooter to them, which the owner refused.

There, a heated altercation broke out between them. Suddenly, one of the persons took out a pistol and fired a bullet at Basir Mashalam on his left chest. The bullet exited through the right chest leaving him badly injured.

He was admitted to Raj Medicity Hospital & Research Centre at North AOC.

On hearing the news of the incident, locals of Bengoon rushed to the spot and chased the two assailants during which one of them was caught.

He was severely beaten up by the mob. He died on the spot. However, the other one managed to escape.

The deceased has been identified as Bogimayum Amir Khan, 30 son of Md Naha Angou of Mayang-Imphal Irong Makha Leikai. The dead body has been kept at RIMS morgue for post mortem examination.

The other assailant who escaped has been identified as Bogimayum Aslam Rehman, 25 son of MV Fajur Rehman of the same locality. He is a cousin of Amir.

Mayang-Imphal Police have registered a case in connection with the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/man-shot-at-assailant-thrashed-to-death/

NE states ignored again

The laments of chief minister Okram Ibobi two days ago and by Congress president, Sonia Gandhi on how Congress states in the Northeast neighbouring Nagaland were being kept in the

The laments of chief minister Okram Ibobi two days ago and by Congress president, Sonia Gandhi on how Congress states in the Northeast neighbouring Nagaland were being kept in the dark about the historic Naga Accord signed on August 3 and announced with fanfare by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi himself, ought to be given serious ear. This is despite the fact that it is not just the BJP government at the Centre which is doing it, for all the other governments at the Centre ever since the ceasefire with the dominant Naga underground group NSCN(IM) began in 1997 have also done it. Again while it is true all the three states neighbouring Nagaland, namely Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, are all ruled by the Congress party, it may not be true the BJP government at the Centre was consciously targeting them, for the NPF government in Nagaland had all the while had also been ignored on the matter of these peace negotiations. Surely the Centre is not saying the NSCN(IM) is more important than these state governments? This is however not to say the achievement was not historic. It was and it deserves to succeed, though as is known now, at this moment the document signed was merely a `framework agreement`, and not conclusive at all on its content.

When the negotiations first began, maybe the secrecy had a definite purpose for indeed a running commentary of every step taken in important government policy pursuit has in history proven very counterproductive, and indeed derailed important projects. The most prominent example of such a derailment in the Indian context is the Indo-China boundary negotiations on the eve of the 1962 war. As writers now point out, (including Neville Maxwell in his controversial book `India`™s China War), Nehru was under a siege by the opposition, the Indian press, as well as the hardliners within his own party that he was making secret deals with Chou En Lai and selling India`™s interest to China. These allegations began gaining grounds ever since China`™s invasion and occupation of Tibet in 1950 and Nehru`™s feeble protest against it, but escalated to a feverish pitch when it was discovered in 1956 that China had built the Sinkiang-Tibet highway through the Aksai Chin. This discovery was not long after Nehru signed the Pancheel Agreement with China in 1954. Quite tellingly, India came to know of the highway only when its ambassador to China noticed the announcement of the completion of the highway in a Peking newspaper. But ever since, the heat was on Nehru and his `Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai` policy. He ultimately ended up intimidated, prompting him to nervously make public all his policies and every single correspondence with Chou En Lai public either in the Parliament or through the increasingly hostile media. This annoyed China and also made it less and less open, contends many of these scholars. Two conclusions are clear from this. One, the allegation that it was Nehru alone who blundered in the China policy is not true. The Opposition as well as the Indian media were partners in pushing the country to the 1962 catastrophe. Second, it also demonstrates that making sensitive government policies public while still in the process of their evolution is not always wise.

But this logic would not hold if any sensitive policy evolution extends almost two decades for it would end up arousing suspicions and distrusts among all the people with a stake in the issue. Probably the Government of India never anticipated that its peace negotiations with the NSCN(IM) would take so long to fructify. Now that this is inordinate delay is turning out to be the reality, it is time for the Government of India to begin taking the Northeast states with a stake on the matter into confidence to some extent. As per the official clarifications, including by Union minister of state for home affairs, Kiren Rijiju, that there will be no question of redrawing the boundaries of the Northeastern states or hurting the interest of any one of them in making this deal. If this is so, we wonder where would have been the harm in keeping the state governments of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, in the loop on the momentous development. Such a move would have done immense good in assuaging the apprehension and well as distrust of the Union government not only amongst these state governments, but their populations as well. There should have been no necessity to put any of these state governments in an embarrassing situation either, as indeed it would have been for them quite understandably. Imagine important decisions on matters of these states being taken by the Union government without their knowledge. A rhetorical question may make this clearer. Would the Centre have been able to do what it did if it involved a state like Tamil Nadu or West Bengal?

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/ne-states-ignored-again/

Rijiju assures NSCN (IM) pact will not overlook Manipur`s sentiment

IMPHAL, August 6: The peace accord signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) is just a framework and not a detailed structure, confirmed Minister of State for

IMPHAL, August 6: The peace accord signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) is just a framework and not a detailed structure, confirmed Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday, in a bid to calm down the tension arising out of the undisclosed contents of the peace accord.

The sentiments of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will not be overlooked, he told media persons.

He assured when the final settlement comes, the Centre will definitely take into account all the States which would be affected and also consult the respective State governments.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs had arrived in the State capital on Wednesday accompanied by DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh to inspect the flood situation in the State.

Soon after their arrival at the Imphal Airport, the two had conducted an aerial visit of Joumoul Village in Chandel where a massive landslide had killed several villagers a few days back.

On their return from the inspection tour, they briefed media persons at the airport.

Rijiju said there are still no necessary details which could be announced by the government at this time because the accord signed is just a framework agreement to end the Naga issue which had been going on for the past many decades.

The government of India`™s stand is that it will understand the sentiments and concern of the Naga people and consider it with a holistic approach, he said.

The government at the same time, he said, will not overlook the sentiments of the neighbouring States Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

The accord is not in the interest of only one community or a group but in the interest of the whole North Eastern region, he confirmed.

He continued, the region has been facing the insurgency problem for long and the people are starving for peace.

He said the accord is a confidence building measure initiated to lay a concrete foundation for peace in the region.

The MoS also appealed to all not to circulate any rumour which could ignite unnecessary anmity and ill-feeling among the various communities of the region.

Dr Jitendra said they had visited the flood affected area of Chandel with some local MLAs.

He observed the costs of the damage including bridges, road, telecom connectivity, water supply and paddy fields is quite high.

He said the Centre will provide 90 percent for the State Disaster Response fund which is to be allocated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the State government will bear the remaining 10 percent on its own.

The amount earlier allotted for the State to meet disasters is not enough and so the Centre will be sanctioning another Rs 8.5 crore to the State immediately, he assured.

He said they have requested the State government to formally write to the Centre within two days and send a ministerial team for assessment of the total damaged afflicted by the flood in the State.

Meanwhile on the sensitive issue around the demand for introduction of the ILPS in the State, Kiren Rijiju said he wouldn`™t be able to comment unless the Centre receives a concrete proposal from the State government.

However, he added, there are still certain provisions which enables the State government to make certain regulations within the ambit of the Constitution.

He further appealed to the people of the State not to adopt violence.

He said the Centre could discuss the issue with the State government and civil organisations of the State.

The signing ceremony of “Framework Agreement” & Modi misses many

By Oken Jeet Sandham I have been closely observing the fast political development taking place after Prime Minister Narendra Modi tersely conveyed his mind and plan towards settlement of the

By Oken Jeet Sandham

I have been closely observing the fast political development taking place after Prime Minister Narendra Modi tersely conveyed his mind and plan towards settlement of the Naga issue to the 19-Member Parliamentary Working Committee (PWC) of Nagaland. He actually opened up his mind what he was intending to do with regard to the solution to the complex Naga political issue when he met them at his residence at 7 Race Course Road, Delhi in mid-July.

Modi’s words can be examined in two ways. One, he wants to prove that he is a Prime Minister with a difference for the simple fact that his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh kept assuring that the Naga issue would be resolved during his tenure (Dr Singh 2nd tenure as Prime Minister) but he failed to fulfill what he had assured. Two, he was still cautious and doubtful when he precisely told the 19-Member PWC of Nagaland and this could be dissected from his words – “If I give you a solution and if it is not accepted to you, I am afraid (that) my solution will be more problem to you. Will Naga people accept what I decide? When it happens, it should not go unresolved.”

That is why he has specifically asked to the 19-Member PWC as to whether the Naga people will accept what he decides. But he cautions that when such decision is taken, “it should not go unresolved.” This means that when they reach such a phase, the people have to take it whether they like it or not.

Prime Minister Modi, however, stated that “If peace comes, it must come in toto.” He also explained that “Every single Naga is important in bringing the solution.”

Everyone agrees that the 18 years long peace process between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) is quite long but many have hardly examined why negotiations have been taking long without showing tangible result. The NSCN (K), which had been maintaining ceasefire with the Government of India for 14 long years, unilaterally abrogated it in March this year. The Central leaderships and various intelligence agencies knew very well that these two groups have been deadly rivals after splitting their NSCN into two in 1988, though factional killings and other clashes have drastically reduced after Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) started playing their crucial role.

Yet, Dr Singh, during his Prime Ministership, had made the Naga issue a simpler journey by elevating the bureaucratic style of negotiations to the Ministerial level, a political level, and which was also the demand of the NSCN (IM). He also learnt from some mistakes committed by his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee but the attempts made by past Prime Ministers should not be underestimated as the issues they dealt have been complex.

However, the signing of the “Framework Agreement” between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015 at Delhi in presence of the Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser to Prime Minister, Ajit Kumar Doval and high profile leaders of the organization has surprised many leaders including the leaders of various political parties in the country. However, some political pundits and media specialists in the Region particularly Nagaland and Manipur got wind of Center’s planning to enter into some type of “Agreement” with the NSCN (IM) any moment. It now happens.

The only question that remains to be answered is why the Government of India should have kept the date, timing and place of their signing ceremony unknown. The signing ceremony such as the GOI-NSCN (IM) one held on August 3 at Delhi could have been organized in grand manner by inviting all the living past Prime Ministers, previous Interlocutors to Naga talks, leaders of various National Political Parties and leaders of prominent Civil Societies and NGOs. Modi announced that with this accord, the Government hopes to open the Northeast to development. The India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway has been held hostage to a number of violent incidents. Actually, he could have even invited Chief Ministers of Northeast States if he honestly feels that solution to Naga issue is fundamental to building peace in the Region, because all the major contentious issues are no longer there.

Since the Clauses and Contents of the “Framework Agreement” of the GOI-NSCN (IM) are yet to be worked out as stated by the parties concerned, it is difficult to draw clear picture or analyze on the would-be bearing at this juncture. Yet, the leadership of the two should use their political wisdom while working out for the Clauses which should be suitable and workable as per the political and historical environment of the Region. If the leaderships of the country wisely apply their mind at this most crucial juncture, then some chain of positive development may emerge. It all depends how they apply their wisdom.

Unfortunately, many mainland media started their news bombardment soon after the signing of the “Framework Agreement” was over. Several unfounded issues totally unconnected with the Naga issue by wrongly mentioning many historical chapters and names have been incorporated in their stories. Before the two parties spelling out of the nature of “Framework Agreement,” they have started giving all sort of speculative stories even at times look like they know everything of the contents of the “Framework Agreement.” The mindset of many mainland media should change. It is only because of the strong media forces in the Region, many things have been saved from being destroyed.

Bottom Line:

I had seen the way how the mainland media tried their best to twist the unfortunate ambush on Indian Army on June 4 at Manipur’s Chandel district and afterwards even to the extent of saying that India Army’s surgical strikes could kill 100 Naga militants, sometimes 80, sometimes 60, sometimes 40 by crossing International boundary in Myanmar. They could even use the photograph of the Indian Army helicopter taken during Nepal relief service in 2013 as if it was taken in surgical strikes in Myanmar territory in 2015.

I always said this is information age – unlike 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and even latest by 90s. The people cannot be easily fooled in 2015 and afterwards.

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